Maud. 2200grams. Born December 26 2010 at 1:27PM. I am one proud aunt and sister!
My 3 1/2 year ols niece Ashley is a real girly girl. Make-up dolls, Barbie, Baby dolls. Everything you imagine a little girl loving most, she loves most. So for Christmas I made her these doll clothes. Actually one more but I forgot to take a photo of that one. And since I also gave her a doctors set, I made her a nurse apron. Tutorials are mentioned below. 
Yesterday we celebrated Christmas at my parents house. But one of my sisters could not be there. Roelie is currently in the hospital. She is 36 weeks pregnant. She is now suffering from pregnancy poisoning. I just had a voice-mail from my mom that they are doing everything now to make sure the baby comes as soon as possible because she is in heavy pains. I am happy I was able to visit her yesterday while we were in Roosendaal. I could get her mind a little off the pain handing her all the above gifts for which I will link the tutorials below.
'Star' mandala color pencil on black paper by Kim Vermeer
I bought this tank top the first time I visited New York which is about ten years ago. It is one of those souvenirs you can't go back home without. Meanwhile I visited many times more and I hope again in the future. But, the tank top.... Ten years ago I was 22 and I was able to wear shirts that show belly buttons. Not only because I was 22, but also because there was hardly any fat around that area so to speak. 
I could not throw this shirt out. Every closet-cleaning every season I could just not get rid of it. And then I ran into this tutorial where they make a bag out of a tank top! And now the tank top is a tote.
I added a ribbon on each side in the middle so I can roll up the bag and keep it in my purse. That was I always have a bag on me and have no need for a plastic one. Gotta love a good recycling project! Turning items you love into items you use..
Tadaa!
Many extremely cute free printable holiday gift tags. And you know you need them.. Go over to We Love To Illustrate to print your favorites.
Finally I am able to show you what I received from Monica in this swap. An angel in Tilda style. She also added a fabric heart and a card on which she wrote a beautiful poem. The angel made me think of this drawing I did. See the heart she holds? I have her hanging next to my TV now. 
This year I participated in the Christmas Blog Swap, organised by Annet and Hilde. For my partner Monica I made an apron in the brocante style she likes so much. I hope her Christmas outfit will stay clean while cooking her Christmas dinner this year.
Here's the ultimate gift if your partner loves making her own clothes. The original 'How much fabric?' reference card. I just ordered one for myself but then I thought that this would make a great gift if you want to impress your partner with a gift she will enjoy for a long long time. It comes in cm and inches and also in plus sizes.
Although Mitsy is still taking a blogging break due to her mother being ill, I was eager to show you my Flickr favorites this week. I ran into the beautiful and sweet paintings and illustrations by the Poppy Tree on Flickr. Kelly also runs a shop on Etsy where she sells her adorable artwork.
A little while ago I won this cutie over at ZoHappy. Mirjam made this because she liked the pattern and the fabric so much, but she did not know a baby girl to give it to. And since my baby sister has a babygirl in the oven, I gave it a shot. Yesterday was Sinterklaas evening and tradition is to give presents then. So I wrapped this one up and put her name on.
For 15 euro I found this amazing original 70's dress. I bought it but then I started having my doubts. Didn't it look a little too much like a curtain? And when I put it on I looked a lot like a stewardess from those days. So, I decided to bring it to my sewing class and get opinions. 
I put it on and Mia, the instructor, immediately saw that I had to take the bottom seam out and make the dress longer. Plus I had to unbutton the top and put the collar up straight. The sleeves were meant to be long but on my long arms you could see they were too short so I made them into 3/4 sleeves. Then Mia found a dark blue ribbon to make the dress a little more up-to-date and make it suit me. And let me tell you....I love the dress now! Now all I need to do is hunt for the right tight/legging to go with it.
This week has been freaking cold. At least for us Dutchies. Minus 8 degrees Celcius during the day. Brr.
Ah yes...like that. Nice and warm with a breeze that blows gently.
For a tag-game on swap-bot, Hilder made me this case for my navigation system. I asked her to keep in mind my boyfriend also would not mind t o be seen with it, so keep the 'cute' factor to a minimum. She did an amazing job and the tom tom fits perfectly.
This tunic has been ready for a while now but I forgot to show it. I made this in sewing class. The details you see on this picture is the sleeve. 
The purple see-through fabric and the ribbons were an idea by Mia, the sewing instructor. I was not quite sure with the ribbons at first but I trusted her years and years of experience and I love how it turned out!
I found this yellow leather belt in a thrift store for 1 euro and it is just perfect for the tunic. I love wearing it on my dark blue skinny jeans with my high cognac brown leather boots.
