Crafting for Kate

There are some friends that you get in life that you always feel you can't do enough for. They are always there supporting you - being excited for you - and end up going way beyond your expectations for you... rain or shine.

My friend Kate - who I've known for about 13 or 14 years now - is one of those people; and happens also to be the most creative, artistic girl I know. From handmade blankets and a handmade purse for mcNugget's first birthday - to the invites for mcNugget's baby shower - she can pretty much do it all flawlessly. I like to think I'm crafty - but my stuff always ends up with wiggly lines and extra threads. I'm quite in awe of her creativity, and want to return the favor - but knowing that many of the things I can do, she can do better!

So after buying some key baby gifts for her shower this weekend and sourcing the adorable cake from our friends, I looked high and low for a creative idea to make for her - with the expected wonkiness of a handmade item coming from me.  After the search, I decided that I'd make her a mobile. Her colors were grey and yellow - with a hint of pink (she's expecting a baby girl just two months after we're expecting our boy... hello arranged marriage!).  Kate's also in love with elephants, so here's the result:

The six elephants are made of felt and hand stuffed and hand sewn, each with a different color set between their body, ears and embroidery thread. We used the inside of an embroidery hoop at the top, padded with extra felt and then covered in a satin ribbon. I tied the elephants on so that she could change their height if she needed to. I hope her impending bundle likes it! I really had fun making it. I'll try to get a better shot of it up close when its hung.

And below is the cake we had made for her shower. I think it speaks to her craftiness (see the cute buttons on the top tier?) and of course ties in the elephant and color scheme. It was delicious.

To her ever-unbelievable character, in the middle of her opening up her presents at her baby shower, she handed me one. A baby blanket she made for my mcMuffin. Seriously, this girl is awesome and I hope everyone gets a friend like her someday.