getting things finished.

There is nothing like the feeling you have when you complete a project. These days, that feeling is even more precious when you consider that I have a small baby girl to contend with as well. I have had two projects on the go for the last few months (feels like years) and I am delighted to say they are both done and dusted and I have photos of one of them to share.

This playmat pattern is from the very clever onegirl. As far as patterns go, this one was dead easy to follow and super fun to make. The only thing I felt it needed was a little curved arch way for hanging toys from. So, after I had banished my baby brain, I thought up a way I could make one. I'll show you the finished project and then talk you through the additions....



The original pattern suggests 18 different petals, but I decided to make this one with only 9, making 4 of each instead. It also suggested a face for the centre peice, but since this one was for a boy, called Max, I decided to hand sew his name on instead.



I used a garden piping (18mm thick). I bought it from the local garden centre. I would suggest heading in and checking a few out. See what holds it's shape best. You want a arch that's strudy. The garden piping was fantastic for this. In the pattern it suggests making loops to tie toys to, but I made these into little slots for the poles to sit in.



Essentially this works much like a tent. Two poles that sit in little leg hooks and tie together at the top, like this...



I covered the piping in material to make the centre piece, but you can mix and match however you please. I added some little loops for hanging toys over little chubby faces as well. Miss A loved the mat, but thought tummy time was a big old pain in the butt...





Will be sure to share the other mat, made carefully for my little sis and soon-to-be niece or nephew the minute I get the photos from Siobhan - hint hint!