A Ball for Baby

A quick little post tonight because I am completely bagged!!

I am busy preparing 27 classes of elementary school students (grades 1-3) for our Spring Concerts next week.  The singing, dancing and acting is hard enough, but put on top of that the ticket distribution, letters to parents, gym decorations and  broken xylophones - I am one tired lady!!

I'd like to share a quick little project that I put together this weekend.  I found it in my favourite (and newest) sewing book and I knew it was the perfect gift for a friend who recently delivered a bouncing baby boy!

I have an obsession with charm packs right now.  I am not sure if it is their size (5"x5") or the fact they come with a tremendous mix of gorgeous prints and patterns. I'll admit, I am very guilty of usually buying charm packs that contain pretty, pinky, girly prints. So, when I saw this charm pack and fell in love instantly, I knew I had to buy it!!  Red, orange, turquoise, yellow, green - gender neutral, but also boyish enough for some boy-baby projects!!

My other obsession lately  is English-style paper piecing.  I've been doing a fair bit of hexagon work, so these pentagons were a nice change.  

I had stitched 6 seams and already I was in love with this project!!!

Ta-da!!

After stuffing this soft, squishy ball, it was definitely a challenge to stitch that last pentagon in place.  Thank goodness for straight pins acting as my extra hands as I struggled with my yellow thread to close this baby up!!

I really hope my friend (and her new baby!) love my little handmade gift.  I think I may make another in a slightly smaller size for baby's little hands.  Perhaps he can grow into this slightly bigger one!

Now off to bed - not to sleep right away, but for a few minutes of downtime checking out my new magazine.  Have you seen this before? Is it  a one-timer or a new series??  I'll let you know what I think of it.  If the front cover is any indication it should be gorgeous!!