Calling All Models...

When I asked Cathy if she had any dolls that she wasn't using that could be used as models for my doll clothes, she answered as the wonderful and gracious person that she is.   

Emma, made by Barrie over at Moonchild Dolls, arrived yesterday.  I could not be more delighted!  Emma is a 15/16 inch Waldorf-inspired doll with brown curly hair and green eyes...and look at her feet!  It will be so much easier...and certainly more fun!...to have a model to work with. 

Emma

Because she had been placed on the wrong postal truck, Emma arrived very late in the day.  I am thankful that the carrier made a special stop to drop her off, though, instead of taking her back to the substation where she would have had to sleep overnight.

Emma was very worn out from the long trip from Virginia...

She promptly laid down on a pile of quilts with a little brown dog, who certainly seemed to welcome the company.  

I think I'll give her a few days to acclimate herself to this household and then we'll start in.  In those few days, I need to work on this next quilt I started...and I definitely need to think seriously about what I want to make for Emma to model.  Not that there is any shortage of ideas running around in my head...it comes down to which of those I can actually bring to fruition.

Cathy is sending two more dolls who are apparently very excited to be used as models.  All I know about them is that one is a girl and one is a boy...and that they are smaller.  I will let you know when they arrive (was there any doubt about that?).  Those two will remain with me.  Thank you, Cathy!  Emma is on loan, only.   Someday, she will be returned to Cathy.  Someday.  

And, in the meantime, there is some very exciting (almost beside myself) news in the making!  No details have been worked out, so I don't want to jinx it by saying anything.  Stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!
  



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

A Good Monday Afternoon!

Yes, it was! 

I finished this outfit.

Lucky Aubrey (and Aubrey was her name)!!!

This is my second success!

Finally!

Many start-overs and discards

came before these last two outfits.

Trying to find my style.

I don't necessarily like to putz much.

But, I do like those extra little touches.

Details.

For instance...

double row of stitching on hems.

No particular reason...

I just like the way it looks.

Aubrey (and Aubrey was her name)

is very much in love with her new hat.

 

 It is a pattern from Fabs at Fig and Me.

(if you have time, you really should take a look at her blog...

she makes amazing dolls and clothes and more!)

My big night of television is tonight.

I guess I should figure out what's

for supper before then, hey?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

It's All In The Details...

I am so happy to show you this outfit.  I finished it just now...and I am so pleased that it turned out just as I had pictured it in my head.  This is my first creation...well, not really my creation.  The pattern was given in the book, "Making Waldorf Dolls"...and I added to it.  To suit my need for more...to satisfy my creative brain...to find what works for me...my style.  To fill in the details.

A simple top with raglan sleeves...modified to have a neckline edge with a bias strip...tucks rather than elastic around the neckline.  Tucks on the sleeves...top-stitched for more detail...a double line of sewing on the hem.  Pants shortened to be pantaloons with elastic around the leg edges...with the same tucks...and the same top-stitching.  All seams serged by Serger Sue.

I know it is soon to be winter, but I had this fabric that I wanted to use for Aubrey (and Aubrey was her name). 

And, the distraction I mentioned in this morning's post?  This hat...

Isn't it fun??  It is not quite done, though.  I need to weave in a few ends and make the tie for the other side.  It is a pattern by Fabs at Fig and Me.  Future hats will be a bit larger.  If Aubrey had a big head of hair as so many of the Waldorf dolls seem to, this hat would not fit.     

And, that's all I have for today.  Tomorrow is my day to do some sewing on Christmas gifts.




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Getting It Done...

After losing last week to headaches, I was really looking forward to getting some things done this week.  Luckily, no headaches have descended upon me, so I have been fairly productive yesterday and today.   

  I finished this little quilt...

and listed it in my Etsy shop here.  I rather enjoy making little quilts...they are quick to make and  it's (almost) instant gratification.  Also because, ya know, they're so dang cute.

I started working with the new doll dress pattern that I purchased from Bonnie at mybonbonboutique.  I made a dress for Aubrey (my 14" Waldorf doll).  I thought blue would go well with her hair...

Isn't that just too cute?  The dress is a medium, and just a tad big for Aubrey, but she's so happy to finally have a dress that she has not noticed.   (I've got the dress snugged up quite a bit in back, so it looks as if it fits her better than it actually does.)

(Please excuse her hair...Kaylynn was playing with her and got a bit rough, methinks.  Aubrey definitely needs a new hairdo.)



And, I made this for sister Joyce to gift someone...

Do you know that, with all the Kleenex cozies I've made, I don't have one for myself?  Isn't that funny?  I have made over 100 of these things (I'll bet the number is closer to 200)!   And still, not one for me!  ~grin~ 

I'm not sure what I'll be working on for the next few days, but I have my list in plain sight, so I will keep focused.  

Kaylynn is coming for an overnight this weekend.   That makes me very happy.   

What are you up to this week?





"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes...

I know you've heard me say (write) that I wasn't going to purchase any more fabric.  I have enough to last for 2 lifetimes.  Truly.  However, sometimes...I see something that shouts, "buy me!" so loudly that it cannot be ignored.

I present to you, Doglandia by Peter Horjus for Blend Fabrics.  The moment I saw it, I knew I had to have some. 

I mean...who could resist that brown dog??  ~grin~  Seriously!
(Course, the brown dog didn't come with the fabric, much to my chagrin.  Oh well.  I guess I'll have to make my own!) 

I could not resist...so, I ordered some.  

I have big plans for this.  I see embroidery, sewing and quilting...something to design that is totally me.  Perhaps it will be a wallhanging rather than a quilt.  And, pillows.  I want pillows.  I guess only time will tell how this will end up.  Course, I have a million other things to do first.  But, I had to get the fabric now...I really did not want to miss out on this fabulous fabric! 

What 'million other things'?  Mostly all for my new business.

I am designating my other blog, The Chocolate Puppy as the official blog of my new business.  The making of Waldorf doll clothes and accessories.  I'm not sure I need a blog for that, but that's what I think is good to do right now.

I have a new Facebook page, too.  The Chocolate Puppy.  (what else?)  I tell you, my head is crammed full of plans and ideas!

Have I said lately how much I love retirement? 


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

And So The Adventure Begins...

Not only is this the start of a new week, it is the official start of my new business.  (I've alluded to this before - here - but never actually spelled it out for you.)

What, you ask?

Isn't it exciting enough that I am retired?

Well, yes.

A big, emphatic, YES!

However, one must have goals and plans and things to do.

What, you ask?

I don't have enough to do?

Well, yes.

A (not quite so) big, emphatic, YES!  

But, one must follow the path that opens up before one.

Do you not agree?

(lots of questions in this post!)

One must use one's talents.

One must do fun and exciting things.  

One must do what one is led to do.  

Therefore.  I have - with God's help - decided that I am going to make a business of making doll clothes.  Let's call it, "The Chocolate Puppy".

YAY! 

Remember when I received Aubrey from Cathy?  (Her blog is here and her facebook page is here.) 

Since then (2010), I have been fascinated by the Waldorf-inspired dolls.  I have closely followed Cathy's business and stalked been fascinated by others who also make these wonderful dolls. 

It was when I was sorting woolens a few months ago, that I had that EUREKA moment!  That it hit me.  What lovely pieces of wool...ohmy...wouldn't these make lovely hooded capes for dolls?  ohmy.  YES!

And, I was off and running...so many ideas...so many plans.  I am inspired and motivated.

In my retirement, I am going to work at something I love!  Though, truth be known, I don't actually consider this work.    

One step at a time, though...I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.   

First up, then, is to make some carrycots and sleeping bags and pillows and blankets.

Are you with me?

Okay.

So, this a.m., I was cutting fabric for a carrycot and was all set to start sewing when I realized that I didn't have enough fabric for the binding.  oops!  What now?  (ohplease...lol...I didn't really say/think that.)  What I did was this...I went to my jar of leftover bindings.

And, lo and behold!, there was a nice little roll of binding in the fabric I needed...ready to rock and roll!

I knew I was saving those leftovers for something!

Besides the fact that they look darn cute in the jar on my shelf. 



Hope your Monday is as fun as mine is!!!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Carrycot Giveaway!

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Another giveaway!  

This time, I am giving away a carrycot...a doll bed made of fabric.  Cathy of Quilting on Turtle Hill  and I have decided to run our giveaways at the same time.  She is giving away a Bitty Bud...if you haven't seen her dolls, you are in for a real treat!

I am giving away this carrycot.

This pink with green carrycot measures 10 x 7 inches with 4 inch high sides and includes a tufted mattress, a pillow with pillowcase and a quilt that measures 10 1/2 inches square.  

If you would like to win this carrycot set, please comment on this post only.  And, really...go ahead and comment on anything that you want to.   Just please be sure that I have your email address to contact you should you be the winner.

I will use the true random number generator and will announce the winner on October 1st.  


Now, if you haven't already done so, be sure to hop on over to Cathy's blog and enter the giveaway for the Bitty Bud!  Her name is Abigail and she is cuter than cute!


We both thank you and wish you good luck!


Always read the fine print.  Cathy and I will be drawing our own giveaway winners.  She will draw the winner of the Bitty Bud and I will draw the winner of the carrycot.  Though it is entirely possible (not even going to do the math on this one), it is highly improbable that the same name will be drawn by both of us.

This n That...

I was planning on doing a post yesterday...a big long post...baring my soul and all of that.  I got so busy getting things done, though, that I never did sit down and write it.  Now, this a.m., it seems totally inappropriate.  But, I do have a lot to say, so sit back and relax and enjoy the ride (read).  

Today is a special day for celebrating motherhood...

Happy Mother's Day to all!

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I had my 3rd injection of synvisc on Friday morning and am so pleased with the results.  No pain!  Well, an occasional twitch here and there, but nothing like I have had for so long.  

Friday was kind of an off day for me.  Will spare you the details.  Suffice it to say that I was feeling sorry for myself.   So, on my way home, I was having a good talk with myself...so what if I don't have this or that or so what if my life is different than what I thought (30 years ag0) that it would be.  Were it not for what has gone by, I would not have what I have now.  And, I did have the next 4 days off work, after all! That's gotta make one feel better, yes?

God has such a way of showing me what a doofus I am.  Ya know?  And, He apparently thought that I needed a BIG message.  There were 3 fun things waiting for me when I got home.  2 packages and a wonderful friendship card.  It was like being slapped upside the head..."are you paying attention, now?" 

The card, sent just because...from Kelley of With Hook & Needle.  I wish we lived closer.  Thank you so much, Kelley.  It sure warmed my heart.

A package from my sister, Joyce, in Alaska.  Had no clue what she sent.  Not my birthday and not any other celebration.  WOW!  It's a calendar...she buys me an Iditarod calendar every year...but for Christmas...not this early in the year.  BUT, what's this?  A 2011 Alaska Quilts Calendar.   Ohboy...this is such an awesome calendar...a collaboration of quilters for a special project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood.  Here's a photo of the back of the calendar...if someone reminds me, I'll post a photo at the beginning of each month.  These are so awesome and I LOVE this!  Be sure to click on the image to enlarge it.  Thank you, Joyce! 

The 3rd fun thing...a package from Cathy of Quilting On Turtle Hill.  Now, I've mentioned Cathy before...I won a giveaway...a box of scraps.  Well, not really scraps, as there are some large pieces in there!  I made the 'love is in the air' quilt and a pinwheel quilt and a fabric basket and now, the doll quilt (more on that in a bit).   A few weeks ago, Cathy started making dolls and they are just the cutest things I've seen!  Each one having different hair style & color and eye colors...different clothes...they are too adorable for words!  Please be sure to click on the link above and see these too-cute-for-words dolls!  Well, I've been very vocal in my comments on Cathy's blog.  About how much I liked them.  Last week, Cathy asked for my address.  When I sent it to her, I asked if I was getting another box of 'scraps'.  She said that I was not...that maybe her dog, Brodie, had bought a new toy for Tag!  So, I really had no clue what was in that box.  The box wasn't very heavy, and when I picked it up, something inside kinda flopped...so I was thinking that she really did send a new toy for Tag!  Well, I opened the box and about fell over on the spot!  She sent me this...

A 14" doll of my very own!  Isn't that just the most adorable doll ever!  I mean, really!  EVER!!!!  She is posing here with a little quilt my gram made for my chatty cathy doll a bazillion years ago.  She definitely needed her own quilt.  So, I made one for her!  Here it is...all washed and dried and crinkly soft...measures just over 13" square.

The squares finished at 1"...itty-bitty squares.  I did no pinning on this one...and was happy that the points all lined up so nicely.

 We had a photo-shoot this morning...

 ...and Tag helped (?).

 She tired out quickly...

That's all I have on that.  Except that she needs a name.

edited to add:  she now has a name...Aubrey Lynn.  Thanks, Janer!

Ya know...I don't have a lot...but what I do have is precious to me.  That very definitely includes all of the very nice, wonderful, creative & talented, and generous friends in my life.  Those I've met in person and those I've met online.  I thank you all.