A Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday ... With Actual FOs

Oh ladies and gentlemen, I have all kinds of goodies to share with you this Fiber Arts Friday. Excitement definitely abounds here at chez Voie de Vie.

Initially, remember I mentioned my friend Nicole over at The Knitty Gritty of Hooking Around, and that she's just had her second child? Well, what I didn't mention is the fact that because she also helps moderate my small Ravelry group, I sent out the crafty word, assembled a group of gifts from group members, made a few myself for her petit enfant, and sent a large package winging its way to her last week. And, snap, she's received it! I am so excited about this you'd think it was my gift, for crying out loud. While we're waiting for her hubby to take photos of the entire package contents, I can share with you what I made for little Angelo.

First up, the cutest wee crocheted booties ever. This pattern, Criss Cross Baby Shoes, is one whipped up by another Ravelry crafty friend, so I just had to make them. The buttons were part of a lovely swap gift, and they highlight the colors of the Premier Serenity Garden sport weight yarn I used to perfection. I should also say this may be the closest I ever get to making socks.

Next up, this great little cardi! It's the inca dinkadoo cardigan from one of my personal library books, Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Small Indulgences. While the original was made in organic cotton, I used an alpaca acrylic blend which will be warm for Angelo, yet easy care for mom. Since it was a breeze for me to make, I think this is an all-around winner. It's sized for o-3 months, so let's hope it will fit him.

And finally on the baby Angelo front, I whipped up this great little baby blanket. It's a Lion Brand design that originally had a hood attached at one corner. I started to make it, but just wasn't thrilled with it, so I ditched the hood and kept the oh-so-squishy rest of the blanket. I also stash busted on this project, making it in cotton (the main color) and a combo of Drops cotton/acrylic and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino for the gray stripes. Again, easy care for mom, yet great for the little one. I do love cotton blankets. Yes, yes I do.

And now for some great news of my own - I am extremely please to let you know that two patterns of mine have finally been published! Eep, the excitement is almost too much. Remember this plate of red Berroco Lustra goodness?  It's turned into my La Symphonie Jacket Wrap, to be published at the end of the month in the fall issue of Crochet! Magazine:

Photo used with kind permission
of Annie's Publishing

You'll need to go to the Ravelry database here to see the front, but let me tell you, they did a superlative job styling and photographing this cardi. Doing a serious happy dance am I.

And, for the piece de la resistance, I know some of you will remember this other lovely plate of yarny goodness:

It has turned into the La Tunisie messenger bag!

I absol- utely love the stitch pattern as well as the great fabric lining and oversized dimensions. I may need to make one for myself, so I can alternate it this fall with someone else's most excellent gifted felt messenger bag.

Needless to say, I'm over the creative moon with happiness this Fiber Arts Friday. Definitely check back in with Andrea's blog to see what is making everyone else do a happy dance today.

And, if you haven't already done so yet, you should subscribe to the Artfully Voie de Vie newsletter. I've just sent the first one out with content not found on the blog, including additional photos. Don't worry, I definitely won't clutter your inbox (heck, it's supposed to be quarterly and I just sent out my first one!). Do also watch for a fun little give-away in the next month or so.

When it rains, it pours - for good, this time!