I feel like there is a wake of intentions trailing behind me.
I meant to write that email to tell you that I’m thinking of you. I meant to call you back. I meant to answer the wonderful blog comment that made my day/ made me laugh/ asked a great question. I meant to send a card/a gift/ a thank you note.
I had this great idea for a craft/ activity with the kids/ surprise for the husband. I wanted to send this special little something to a blog friend/ old friend/ person who needs a little cheer. I meant to clean out that closet, inventory the summer clothes, empty the contents of the car. I meant to wipe down the bathroom before the company came. I meant to make it from scratch.
I intended to return those movies/ books/ borrowed this and thats. I had wanted to send your dish back full of something tasty. I had hoped to repay your kindness by sending you a treat/ inviting you to dinner/ calling for no reason at all.
“I meant to…” is my unintended personal mantra.
So, considering the many good intentions that never see the light of day, I hope that you’ll forgive me for a little crafty gloating.
I have a new little nephew that I should have properly welcomed a couple of months ago, but we aren’t going to talk about that, now are we? We are going to celebrate the fact that I set out to make some handmade goodies for the little guy and his siblings, and I actually finished AND mailed them today!
That last part is key… they went in the MAIL! They didn’t just sit in the boxes on the dining room table for weeks on end. They got weighed and stamped and SENT! (Never you mind the 4 other boxes still sitting on said table. Focus, please.)
For big brother Rylie:
Mr. Roboto shirt, stuffed Mr. Roboto, and a copy of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (because robots like stories about magnificent machines).
For big sister Alyssa:
Love bunnies, Rosemary and Basil, Rosemary Bunny shirt, and a copy of the bunnies’ favorite bedtime story, The Carrot Seed.
For wee Caleb:
Frank the dog, Frank onesie, star onesie and cowboy bib (from Bend The Rules Sewing). (Incidentally, on a safety note, I ended up taking off Frank’s felt eyes and embroidering them instead, just in case a little exploring mouth gets carried away).
Phew!
Now… about that quilt that I had intended to send. It just wasn’t quite ready…
… soon baby Cal, I’ll finish it soon. I promise!
Oh, yeah, and I meant to say thanks to Erin for being sweet enough to answer my emailed questions about applique and Eren, for turning me on to the Purl Rabbit.
{ 24 comments }
Oh yes, I know this feeling well. Look at you, what a busy girl – love the matchy matchy idea of applique and toy! Well done to getting it all in the post. Hurray!
Those are all just adorable. Great work Aunt Stefani!
Hope you’re having fun on the road.
Where oh where did you find those marvelous cowboy fabrics? Everything is fabulous and I am so impressed that you got it sent — I have sent ONE thing on time in the past… well, my son is 21 months old, so lets call it 30 months.
Hooray for Stef!
Look at you!!! Way to go Stef! Everything is lovely!
oh, stef, it is all so cute! and i love that the t-shirts match the toys. perfect!
Wow, you have been busy! It all looks great. I love the bunny on the right a lot. Where did you get the pattern for that or was it your own pattern? Is it knitted? It looks different from the purl bee one. I would love to make a couple for Easter presents and now would be the perfect time to begin.
Wow, Stefanie. You are talented in so many ways. Love them all!
yeah, I’ve been having a bit of the same problem. Good for you for finishing and mailing those pressies though. That little doggy is adorable. I wish I could make that little guy, but I don’t have the book, yet.
am stunned. stunned by your magnificence.
Oh Stefani, you stole my post!
No seriously, this is exactly how I’m feeling right now. In fact, I meant to write a post about it and at least you DID post it— I didn’t even do that! I try to tell myself that we can only do so much…
Those gifts are truly adorable! I love the weiner dog. My daughter loves weiner dogs (is this a pattern I could find?) and just yesterday she asked me if I could knit her a stuffie. Hmmm, I guess I’ll add it to my list!
This is EXACTLY how I’ve been feeling… it’s like you read my mind, and then translated it into really witty and concise prose.
you are my hero. first, for the admission of + reassurance that I’m not alone in my procrastination, and second those projects are so full of love and goodness!
You are so funny…and remind me of ME. I have grand plans for this and that and then end up disappointed that I dont get them all finished. But just look at this post…it is truly amazing that you got all of these wonderful projects finished! Really!
As the mother of your new little nephew (who is quite rapidly growing into a linebacker) and his brother and sister, I have to say…again, “YOU ARE TOO MUCH!” I’m in awe…and a little bit of envy at your inescapable craftiness and apparent lack of the need for sleep.
Can’t wait for you to love on this little bundle of a boy. All our love to you and yours.
xoxox
Your “I meant to” list almost made me cry a little; have you been tapping into my brain?! (I’m really trying to overcome this sad tendency this year. I had to carry it over from last year, because I meant to keep on top of things, but I didn’t manage it very well.)
And look at your triumphant return! That’s gotta count for a whole lot in the end, right? Wonderful array of handmade goodness; well done! And don’t coordinated gifts make you feel so good when you’re giving them? I think so.
What beautiful creations!
- Kylie
i love the robot best, i still havent made a decent robot!
Wow, you must have been working on those gifts for a while. What a great stash!
I love the sock bunny (sweet face) and Frank the Dog!
I think, if we are honest with ourselves, we can all relate to this post. I loved the way you began. I found myself saying yes to each refrain.
I have a Grimm cartoon strip on my inspiration board about “that road”. I’ve been meaning to photograph it and including it in a post but well, I don’t need to explain that I hadn’t gotten around to it just yet.
Wow! Just wow. You made a whole store for those lucky kiddos!
I meant to comment on this yesterday, you know.
These are simply the best presents. So good in fact, that I think all other “meant tos” have been forgotten, and hopefully a few future “didn’t quite happens”, too.
I’m still “working” on a quilt for my little one, from before Christmas. Soon, soon, soon – we have Winter ever approaching here, so I must finish and get the big brother one completed too.
You have given me inspiration – doesn’t mean I’m going to get up and do it, yet!
I love your gift ideas; toy, shirt, book… what a great combination. Plus the toys you made are so wonderful. Oh, I’m just floating around on an I-Love-Handmade-Gifts cloud right now, happy to know so many wonderful crafters in the blogosphere and to find so much inspiration around every blog corner.
so freakin adorable!!
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