« It’s almost Frrrriday! First day of school! »
Photo Sunday (Petal) « »
I finally got the buttons sewn on the Petal sweater, so we were able to take the final photos. I decided to use smaller buttons than I originally planned because the bigger ones just didn’t sit well right at the top of the neckline. These are still vintage Bakelite buttons…just smaller. A few years ago I managed to amass quite the Bakelite button collection through some serious and dedicated eBaying. Lucky for me NOW, because I’ve become incredibly lazy.
I realized something today that I’m totally going to pass off as a “design feature” of this sweater. Having the two buttons and the two buttonholes makes is possible to vary the ease in the front of the sweater. And, luckily, it looks equally fine with one button closed as it does all buttoned up.
If you’re really careful while finishing, you can even wear it with the “lapels” turned out like a real little suit jacket.
I’m putting the finishing touches on version 1.0 of the pattern, which will go out to the TestLab this afternoon or tomorrow sometime.
—-
This has been just a great weekend. Yesterday we rearranged the furniture in the living room. We brought the futon out of the baby’s room and put the rocker IN the baby’s room. (Friends have decided to build us a crib, so we needed to make room for that.)
I also set up a new bookcase in the LR and put all my cloth diaper sewing material in pretty baskets so I can have it out (but not OUT) all the time. We did a major floor-cleaning and furniture-and-curtain vacuuming. Nate took a bunch of Rubbermaid containers of my too-small clothes out to the garage and got that all organized.
I’m not exactly sure why this brings me so much joy, but it DOES! I’m in this total cleaning-binge-mode right now…lately (and this is new) clutter bugs the HELL out of me, and I literally lie in bed at night obsessing about what needs to be organized next. Somehow, though, dusting hasn’t yet become a priority. 
Today we went out to take Petal Pictures. I haven’t really been happy with a photoshoot since Germany, so that was nice.
Then we went out to lunch to my favorite big-salad bar-having place. After that, we stopped by work to pack up and move out all my extraneous books and papers. It feels so good to be moving on to the next phase of our lives. I really don’t think I’ve been this happy in years.
In fact, this just might be the happiest I’ve EVER been in my LIFE.
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 19th, 2007 at 8:07 pm and is filed under just chit chat, Patterns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
27 Responses to “Photo Sunday (Petal)”
Sounds like some serious nesting is going on! Enjoy the pre-baby stuff while you can. The sweater is gorgeous and you’re rockin’ it perfectly.
Thank you for thsi comment on so many levels!
I have a feeling that no matter how much prep I feel compelled to do, we’ll never be *quite* ready for what’s in store. But it’s really fun to plan!!
Maybe not, but you’ll sure have a good start! The cardigan looks great on you!
Petal looks great, Stef and so do you. I see you have that oh-so-healthy pregnancy hair!
someone is totally in a nesting mood! And the sweater looks great on you. I’ve been thinking a lot about your maternity clothes as a solution to my weightloss-appropriate knitting quandry. Thank god (and you too) for wrap sweaters.
Oh yeah, you have hit “nesting” stage. Nothing will be clean enough nor will it be organized enough. Enjoy it, after the little one gets there, the urge to clean will totally disappear! The sweater is drop dead gorgeous (as usual with everything you make!). And might I add, your simply glowing lately!
Great photoshoot! I love the belly shot in the last pic - it’s so cute and you really look radiant! Definitely enjoy your mobility while you can. The 3rd trimester is kicking my ass - the heat in Tokyo isn’t helping though. Thank goodness for swimming!
Hi,
First time posting but I’ve been a regular viewer for a while…felt compelled to leave a comment this time…..you look so healthy and happy and gorgeous…..just wanted you to know that all that positive energy rubs off…so thanks! (Love your designs too)!
Fantastic photos, the jacket/cardi looks gorgeous and so does the Bump! Enjoy it!
One thing, apparently when pregnant it’s not a good idea to eat lettuce/salad leaves that are pre-prepared or have been sitting in one of those salad bar counters for a while. My sisters and my Dad (who’s a GP) said it can give you listeria.
Seems like you’re nesting… enjoy it! The sweater looks gorgeous on you, a perfect pregnancy sweater!
oooh, i just love petal! i wish it had been around when i was pregnant. i’ll definitely have to knit it for my next pregnancy
Wow - Petal looks FABULOUS and so do you!!!
Oh, you’re the CUTEST pregnant woman ever!
Petal turned out lovely and I agree that these new buttons work better. I want one and I’m not pregnant…is that ok?
:)
Wow, what a great post. Love the sweater, you look beautiful, and what you said makes me happy for you. And I agree with karida nfc that this would be a good sweater as I try to lose my post-baby weight!
Thank you for the compliments!!
I’m feeling SO GOOD lately…and this was SUCH a great weekend. We did so much work at the house, and I got the pattern finished up and out to the testers…I haven’t accomplished that much in one weekend in a LONG time.
I’m really enjoying this stage of my pregnancy!
Your bump looks gorgeous! The sweater is awfully cute, too. I have red hair and would never have tried that color, but it looks awesome on you!
As for the cleaning, it’s called “nesting”. My husband refers to it as “shredding newspaper”–like a hamster, you know? I had it bad during both of my pregnancies, but the upside was, my house was spotless, at least until the babies arrived.
I love that last picture of you, you and your CUTE baby tummy!
And that is one kick ass sweater =)
You look so radiant in these pictures. I think your happiness really does come through. Very pretty knit too. I like how it looks in the first picture and the little bit of bell shaping in the sleeves is great.
[…] Danach werde ich dann was Neues anfangen, bin ganz stolz, bin nämlich Test-Knitter von Stephanies Japels neustem Design. Yeah ;D […]
pregnancy becomes you! you’re positively glowing! And nest away cause when the little one comes, all the clean seems to leave.
ha! I keep starting all my comments with “thank you!”
But I really do thank you for saying such sweet things about my preggo-look.
:)
Stefanie, the sweater turned out so cute!!! I totally want one! The pics are great too! You look beautiful!
I agree with all the above posts, you look absolutely fabulous! I’m always envious of women who get that gorgeous pregnancy glow. And can I just say a big thank you for designing some pregnancy knits. I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and have been trawling through books, mags and the net and can’t find anything that I like. I’m hoping this pattern comes out before I reach full term.
oh Stef i am so happy for you and Nate, its been awhile i know but i haven’t forgotten you.
I have always said that you guys would make the coolest parents, um, ever.
no one is more deserving and i wish u both the best of luck. here’s to a happy life! prost! much luv, kpo
The sweater is fab. I’m so happy for you. I had a baby last year, and you’re in for so much joy and love, you’ll never believe it! Congratulations, and enjoy this time!
I was reading in Dr. Sears last night before bed about how adoptive mothers can even nurse their babies. And about how babies who are touched and massagaed grow better than those left alone.
So I had a dream that I had adopted three babies (two girls and a boy). I didn’t nurse them, but i was holding them and dressing them. Then we found a litter of kittens and there were four really big ones and one teeny one that needed more love.
It was a very strange dream, but really intensely emotional with all the cuddling!
Pregnancy dreams are strange!!!
—–
The sweater should be ready pretty soon, it’s with the pattern testers now, and hopefully I’ll have some feedback within a week or so.
Hey there, momma! I really need some advice on the ‘Bad Penny’ sweater you have posted on knitty.com
Could you please shoot me an e-mail at simp_le_ton@yahoo.com so I can ask a couple things: ninja to ninja: please, dear. I love your imagination, and I hope your pregnancy is a beautiful experience through and through. I had a baby Sky almost two years ago, and I knitted thee entire pregnancy also. Was able to fill up a whole trash bag of knitted goods by the time she arrived
Whirled peas,
Ineff.