baby wears .002

a tiny cardigan for a tiny human!

outfit details: self drafted pattern, polka dot interlock//doodles collection, organic cotton baby rib knit

baby wears .001

Baby girl is here! 12 days into life with a newborn we are settling into a routine-- Mumsy(my mother) has gone back home & daddy has gone back to work, which means its just us girls at home for the day! I am starting my making for upcoming holiday shows amidst the eating, sleeping, snuggling, & diaper changing schedule of a tiny babe. Now that she is here,  I can't wait to share about all her little outfits and handmade accoutrements! So here it is the first volume of what baby wears....

outfit details:
top: self drafted pattern, floral fabric// heather ross , coral fabric // robert kaufman
pants: tiny pants, yarn// cascade 220

shop update!

Sorry to have left this space neglected for so long! This summer it has seemed that there has been so many things to do and not enough time in the day to get them all done! I am happy to have FINALLY updated my website with current products--I'm not sure how many more weeks I'll be able to do the Artist Market before little baby makes her appearance, so I wanted to be sure to have my online shop ready to go. Plus having a new camera to take product photos makes the job a little more exciting too!

Here's a little peek at what is for sale at the moment...

xo CBB

handmade for baby: another kids clothes week

I'm at it again--participating in kids clothes week! This morning's project was a little baby tank top based on this pattern-- which I scaled down and added a bottom band to. Yesterday I sewed up some more cloth diapers but I'll save that for another post!

 xo CBB

p.s. I've been doing lots of crafting for the artist market--at some point I'll pop in with an update on that too!

save-the-date

This year is shaping up to be quite an eventful one--in addition to the excitement of having our little one on the the way-- we are also planning our wedding! Luckily it is not until June of next year, so I have time to be figuring out all the details. We have chosen our date and booked our venue (a BIG first step) so I went ahead and made save-the-dates!

I knew that I wanted them to fun and festive (like our summery wedding will be!) so I started out by picking out a fun palette of colors. I got this book and knew that I would be using some of my calligraphy skills. I wrote out save the date in calligraphy and then cleaned it up on the computer using Illustrator and printed them out to fit into little glassine envelopes along with some confetti. I made the confetti with a hole punch and it was somehow a little less fun than I remember it being as a child (let's just say my hand was not too happy about this step). I then made little seals to close the envelopes with using a much friendlier paper punch and little strips of decorative paper that I cut. Then I put the whole fun little package into bigger envelopes made from decorative paper. I got an envelope punch board for this task and I must say that it might be my new favorite tool! Then I printed out addresses (without names) onto vellum and got out my calligraphy pen once more to add names. I sent these handmade address labels through my Xyron sticker maker and stuck them on the envelopes with a stamp and sent them on their merry way. Although there were a number of steps to complete them--it was a really fun project--plus I spread it out over three days so that it stayed fun (and not drudgery!). It definitely helps that we are having a small wedding and I only had to craft 35 of them!

There will be many more fun wedding projects that I look forward to sharing on this blog! I'm gearing up to make paper flowers and of course there will be sewing my dress and a number of other fun things that I can't wait to get making!
xo CBB

Pattern Update

Small victory = finishing up designing the front of my pattern envelopes. Also, updating Craftsy and my shop with them. So exciting to create.

"The compelling thing about making art - or making anything, I suppose - is the moment when the vaporous, insubstantial idea becomes a solid there, a thing, a substance in a world of substances.”
-Audrey Niffenegger


xoxo CBB

Open Call....

For pattern testers that is! Do you love sewing? Want to try out something new? I'm currently looking for people to give my patterns a try (and get some feedback in return!). How it works? You get in touch & I send you a pattern free of charge. You give it a try (promptly, within 2 weeks) and then let me know how it went, what needs improvement, if you find errata, etc. Oh and send a pic of your finished product. Sound like fun? comment below or send me an email at caitlinbetsybell AT gmail DOT com.

xo CBB

p.s. I'm especially looking for testers for my clothing patterns since it is my first attempt at grading patterns, so if you have a little babe to sew for (0-18 months) drop me a line.....