A little rain cloud of love

 For some, babies born after the loss of a child are referred to as "Rainbow Babies." The idea is that the baby is like a rainbow after a storm. The name lovingly conveys the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope. 

So on that note, I designed this set of gifts for a lovely friend's rainbow baby that began with that concept of rainbows but ended with my own twist. 

Without clouds there is no rain, without rain you can't have a rainbow, and without a rainbow the world would be without hope. Since rain reminds me of tears. Tears of pain and despair turned into tears of hope & joy, the little hearts here are a playful and fun representation of the tears lovingly shed not only for her loss but for the joy that new life brings.

 Original design by Cambria Laine.

Baby mobile cut from poplar, hand painted, with ribbons hand stitched into place.

^ Cloud heart longies and modified aviatrix baby hat ^

^Hand stitched wall hanging (wool felt & T-shirt jersey)

{ eat play sleep repeat & dream } A chenille chevron quilt & pillow cover

There have been sooo many new babies in my group of friends this past year. 

Babies in my mind = gifts!

A good friend asked if she sent me materials if I could make her a blanket for their {team green} baby to be. Ummmm yes! Of course!

 I wasn't happy with any one blanket style, so I ramped it up a notch and combined two styles of blankets into one! Not only appliquéd words, but a fun flannel chenille back in chevron pattern.

As well as a one of a kind quilted pillow case, for her to use {with a travel pillow inside} on her rocking chair. (The pillowcase has the word dream appliquéd onto it.)

The photos she sent of her baby GIRL with the quilt are stunning! <3 What a cutie don't you think?!

                                  

Photos courtesy of christiapalizziphotography.com

I just make it up as I go!

So it all started when I couldn't find the perfect little yellow sweater for my toddler. And by perfect I mean yellow. No yellow cardigans?! None, zip, zilch, nada. Say what! Doesn't the fashion industry realize that the vaguely putrid mustardy shade of yellow is trendy?! So I went in search of some yellow yarn to knit one...but the shades I found locally were in the wrong thickness of yarn.

Next option, t-shirts! While not the mustard yellow I wanted, they're still yellow, a cheery sort of yellow but not neon or too bright! These shall do. I bought two of them in the next size up because she's in-between sizes, and well, it'll be going over the top of other clothes so the extra wiggle room shouldn't hurt.

Then I procrastinated. One got dirty, and washed and dried. And they sat here. I scoured the Internet for examples of what I wanted the front of this t-shirt makeover to look like but never really found 'the' inspiration. So I'm going to make it up as I go. Wish me luck!