One Dolly Complete - Not Much Else!

We got a good start on our dolls to send to Haiti.  My first doll is done, and the kids will have the bodies pieced together by the end of the weekend on theirs.  Painting the face was a challenge, and I'm not at all happy that my girl has an expression like she's been made to swallow cod liver oil.

It's been a lot of fun so far. The kids have shown remarkable patience, even though the project is a little beyond their skills.

Still, they are making the dolls mostly on their own, and we're getting a lot of good laughs in.

It makes it really exciting that they get to use the sewing machine for the first time without even having to sit on my lap.

I could have easily gotten all of the dolls finished that we cut out this week, but I haven't had very much energy.   Maybe it's just recovering from two birthdays in two weeks, but I haven't been up to my usual level of peppi-ness.

To make matters worse, the dishes keep piling up faster than I can wash them.

Did they really wear all of these clothes?

This has been in the same spot for two days now. 

Dreading that I have to go back to work tomorrow and still try to juggle all of the unfinished housework and sewing,  I tried to cheer myself up by buying socks.  I would not be exaggerating to tell you that it took me four different online sessions to make a decision.  I could have finished all the housework three times over for the time it took me!

Still, it's not all about being efficient and getting things done now is it?

Dollies for Children in Haiti

Sarah Hanson is an Arizona seamstress who is organizing a drive to collect hand made dollies for orphaned children in Haiti. The Abundant Ground Foundation, which is based in New York,  houses 181 children from birth to age 12, and Sarah would like to send enough dolls for each of the children.

Sarah has set up a well organized website for the effort that includes patterns, tutorials and even tax deductible receipt information.  Click on the Dolly Donations button on my sidebar to go to her site.

Would you like to join my daughter and I in making a few dolls? We're going to try to make three, and Sarah needs them in New York by March 31st.

The pattern is simple, and there are endless possibilities for embellishing the dolls.  Looking at the pictures on Sarah's site, I'm not seeing many boy dolls, so there may be a need there.  I'm also wondering if there are many that are safe for the younger children, without buttons or ribbons that could come off.

Maybe we can't save the world, but at least we can send a little comfort and love with our talents.  

Photos source can be linked to this post.

Little Elephants

I guess I'm on a roll with the miniatures lately.  Maybe it's because my entire sewing area is piled high with outgrown clothes that I'm listing on eBay.

Seriously, I really have no room to sew anything larger than these little elephants.  They're cute, aren't they?  I've never done anything like this - very small pieces with lots of little curves.

I'm happy with them even with their imperfections.  It's funny how they acquire their own personalities.  My daughter has already claimed the one with the star.  Since the others are all floral, I'll probably have to make one more boyish elephant for my son.  The Pop Garden elephant with the red flowers is going to be my new pincushion.

The patterns are from Heather Bailey.  She has a turtle too - which I have plans for down the road.  I think that three patience-building projects in one week is enough for a while though!

(More) Scrappy Felt Flowers

I'm addicted to making these flowers!

If you didn't win one in the giveaway, and you'd like to buy one, there are some up in the shop now.

I'll fasten a complimentary bobby pin, alligator clip or pin for a broach for you if you'd like.

One For the Dog

My mom's dog is staying with us this week.  She needed a coat, and being such a lovely girl she needed one with a little style.

The outside is some thrifted fabric from Scrap.  The inside in pink Kona cotton.

The coat doesn't really button. The buttons are just covering up some heavy duty snaps I sewed to close the front and the tummy strap.  The directions for this are in Diana Rupp's book, which I have mentioned several times here.

Winner!

The winner of the Valentine flower is:

RabbitStyleNews who said:

RabbitStyleNews said...

On a pin as a brooch!

I'll be sending an e-mail this morning.  Thank you to all who left comments!

Valentine's Giveaway

As far as crafting seasons go, Valentine's Day is my favorite.  I love the reds and pinks....it's girly and fun.

I've been home with a sick little one for a few days.  While she laid on the couch, feverishly watching cartoons, I stitched little felt flowers.  I started with Heather Bailey's pattern, but added my own modifications.  I've never used wool felt before, but I got some from Heather's store.  I have to say that it is lovely stuff.

This one is stitched onto a purple bobby pin.

I'll give this to one of you for the giveaway:

To win, just leave a comment, and let me know if you'd like this flower plain, on a bobby pin, on an alligator clip, or with a pin to wear as a broach.

For a second entry become a follower and just say "follower" in a second comment.  Of course you can do this too if you're already a follower.

Make sure I have a way to contact you!

Comments are open until midnight on Feb. 9th (Pacific time). The winner will be announced on Feb 10th.

Vintage Cowboy Skirts

I love this vintage cowboy print.  I bought this online a while ago, and I've been meaning to make skirts ever since I got it.  Even though they go so well with my red boots, I'm not keeping one for myself.

I finally decided on a drawstring style with a double row or red stitching for the hem.

I made two women's skirts and two girl's skirts.  They're in the shop now.

She Needed a Home....

but maybe we needed her more!

Sequoia has been with us just since the weekend, and each and every one us has fallen head over heals in love with her!

We haven't had a dog in our home for over four years.  Both my husband and I had dogs that lived with us for 14 or 15 years, until they died of old age.  I've wanted another dog for about a year now, and of the kids have always been ready for a dog!

She's an angel!

Anna's Drawing Room Pillowcases

I love my bedroom, but it was all solid colors so I made a few of these.

I love how pretty they are on my bed, and the thick cotton sateen is cool and smooth.

The fabric is Anna's Drawing Room by Anna Maria Horner.  I've also made a pair of these in standard size for the shop.  I'll post them by the end of the week.