My dear friend Cara is expecting a baby in the next few weeks, and this weekend a few of us had a get-together of booky people to wish her well. All the invited guests had worked with Cara in publishing, so we decided to conspire for gifts on a book theme.

The guests were asked to bring along a favourite childhood/children’s picture book for the new baby… And I got out my neglected sewing machine and made a library bag to carry them in.

I bought the owl fabric when I was in Japan, and the brown woodland print at Patchwork on Central Park. Both are a canvas/cotton blend – nice and sturdy to withstand some heavy books…

I found a polka dot in yellow cotton for the lining and added a little pocket – for her library card. I based the pattern on a few different ones I found on the net, including this one – which was great for teaching boxed corners.

We also invited everyone to write a letter to the baby…

And the book? Well THAT was the hardest thing of all – how do you choose just one favourite childhood book?! In the end I chose The Red Balloon – it combines my love of things French, a beautiful story, and my favourite colour! I know it will be a classic that lasts for this little baby’s childhood and beyond.

The afternoon was a great success – impeccable company, yummy food and lots of laughs – and held at a favourite cafe, Snow Pony (a place that proves you CAN be cool in the burbs of Melbourne…).

We organised a couple of tasteful games, including a customised origami fortune teller to ‘predict’ some of the baby’s fortune.

Lots of fun – to write, to make and to play with!

Last but not least, Cara and I had a bump-off photo! An addition to the We Heart Books crew – I am having a baby too, later this year.

With any luck, these two babies will be friends, and will swap favourite books for years to come, just like Cara and I have.