Ingrid asked if I could sew pyjamas for her Yoohoo. No way, was my first thought – how can I sew pyjamas for something that consists of two balls of fur and a tail? But then I became intrigued. She had a very clear design in her mind: footie pyjamas in fleece, with a hood. I thought I’d give it a try.

It was actually easier than I had expected, once I found the right way to think about this kind of sewing project. The right way was to abandon any idea of using a pattern and assembling pre-cut pieces. Instead I approached it more like a fabric sculpture. I cut two pieces of fabric, sewed them together, snipped off excess fabric here and there, attached yet another small piece, and continued piece by odd-shaped piece until the Yoohoo’s body was covered. (It later got two buttons as well.)

I’ve sewed fiddly dino toes this evening.

Ingrid’s bed curtains, messy bed, and favourite cuddly panda.

And the colourful dinosaurs I’ve drawing and cutting.

Adrian had Rufus the plush monster. Then Rufus mysteriously disappeared, and Dinah arrived to replace him. But Dinah was never quite the same and Adrian still missed Rufus. So now we made Rufus Junior together. Ingrid embroidered the face, I did the assembly, and Adrian cut and stuffed.

We painted Easter eggs, like we usually do.

I used some of my too-many overtime hours to stay at home today, and spent much of the day sewing. The bed curtains are nearly done except for decorations, and I also made good progress on a turquoise tulle skirt that Ingrid asked for.

I went to an antiques fair today, to see if we could find an armchair there. Didn’t find any.

On the other hand, I found a sewing fair in the next hall, chock full of beautiful, colourful, soft things. Incredibly inspiring!

With all kinds of fairs and conferences (whether they are about sewing, gardening or software development) I find that even though I don’t normally come home with a lot of goods or new knowledge or immediate projects, I do come home with a lot of inspiration and new energy. I feel so full of crafty enthusiasm! I will knit and crochet and embroider!

Knitting that cardigan that I began two winters ago. One of my favourite ways of winding down in the evening.

I’m knitting a scarf for Ingrid. Adrian likes playing with the yarn. Sometimes with the knitting, too, but he doesn’t get his hands on it very often.

Something Adrian made at preschool.