Elsewhere on the Web

Several of my patterns are currently selling elsewhere on the web. My knit-look cloche is in February's top 10 for crochet on E-patternscentral.

I also have two patterns up on the Annie's Attic website...with a couple more to be added soon.

Knit-Look Cardigan

Today I finally felt inspired & motivated to finish typing up my Knit-Look Cardigan pattern. I made this sweater for Holland back in December and she wore it several times while we were visiting family in the States. I received so many compliments and comments on her gorgeous sweater, which was an extra compliment because I had made it, of course! :)
So, now you too can add this sweater to your little girl's wardrobe. Pattern includes sizes newborn to 12 years. I've put the skill level at advanced, because it is a bit more complicated. It helps if you've made a sweater before.

It's a Wrap

As you may recall, a few months ago I made Holland a knit-look cardigan. Well, recently, I tried the same thing in a wrap-style sweater. I made size 0-3 mos for this sample. I'm not completely happy with where the waistline fell - so will give it another try sometime soon. I will probably make one for Holland to model and wear this coming winter (read June down under).

New Youth Sizes

Yesterday I was asked if my "watermelon cuties" would be available in youth sizes by the mom of a little girl who was just dying to have a pair. :) I've never offered youth sizes before, but yesterday I came up with a basic youth-size sole, similar to my ladies sole - only in a narrower width. It's designed so you can customize the length - making it so easy to get a perfect fit! This will now make it easy for me to offer youth sizes in my other slipper designs. All I need now is a youth-size foot model...

Just for Fun

 

Ladies Watermelon Mary Janes

 

New in Shop

Watermelon Mary Janes

New to the Holland Designs shop this week are these fun watermelon mary jane baby shoes...just in time for the warmer months.

Pattern includes size newborn to 18 mos. Crocheted using worsted weight yarn. Sample was made using Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton.

Upsy Daisy Beanie

Even though many in the northern hemisphere are experiencing cold and snow right now...there is hope...Spring will come again. :)
Holland modeled this new hat for me today. The pattern includes newborn up to 10 years. Would be a gorgeous prop for baby's first photos too. Features large layered daisy on the brim. 

Shopping Handmade

I visited a couple lovely online handmade shops this week:
Firstly, I bought a custom "Big Sister" t-shirt for Holland from this Etsy shop. It will say "Holland" on the bottom of course. :)
Secondly, I bought a baby sling from Serenity Slings on Little Kiwis Nest. Michelle's customer service is exceptional! Check out her shop. :)

Fan Page

I decided to create a fan page for Holland Designs today. It's brand new so excuse the lack of content at the moment. I will post about new designs...things I'm working on and other news. Maybe even have the occassional giveaway or other fun stuff...who knows? :) Click here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holland-Designs/308496748856 or see the fan box at the sidebar.

Weekend at the Lake

Here are some photos from our weekend at Lake Okareka (pronounced like "O-care-ica") - near Rotorua. We took a walk in the NZ redwood forest, shared an ice-cream cone and watched daddy go water-skiing.

Criss-Cross Mary Janes

I created these new Mary Janes over the weekend. Holland squeezed her foot into the baby ones (which were really too small for her length-wise) and I managed to get a cute photo.
Then my friend, Peci, was really sweet and modeled the ladies ones for me. She got a new pair of slippers out of the deal. :) Thanks, Peci!

12+ Weeks

Yesterday we visited our midwife for the 1st time. She's the same lady we had when I was pregnant with Holland, so it was really nice - like getting together with an old friend. Since this was my 1st appointment for the new baby, it was mostly just paperwork, but we did get to hear the baby's heartbeat for the 1st time. I had wondered what it'd be like this time - considering we'd done this all before with Holland - but it was just as moving and special to hear this baby's heartbeat. :)