Summer Twins
The cooler weather this weekend was perfect for getting out in the yard and catching up on gardening chores. We got a lot accomplished but I'm definitely feeling it today. With August only a day away there's suddenly that "lost summer" vibe in the air even though I'm not necessarily feeling that way. There's just an awareness that the season is nearly over and I should make the most of it. Which accounts for my sporadic posts anyway. It's a busy time, I tell ya!
So, going back to Friday, I finished this pair of 
seasonal dolls, (formerly known as 'thing one and thing two') in the nick of time; one's for Ginger and the other was a birthday present for a little friend. I thought it would be fun to make matching dolls, and it was, but after wards it was kind of hard to break up the set. Especially after I saw this picture, with them looking so sisterly and all. Kind of like separating twins at birth or something. In the end I added a flower to one (to tell them apart) and made a little bag 
to go along with her. I used rainbow colored embroidery floss for the name patch. Love how it turned out. The birthday party was a lovely morning affair; a brunch with delicious homemade strawberry shortcake. We rode over there with friends who live nearby and after a couple of hours, Missy and I left the kids bouncing on the trampoline and headed up the road a ways to a farm 
stand and found fresh picked peaches, corn on the cob, and cucumbers waiting. All of which ended up on the menu this weekend. On the way back, we stopped at a quaint Mennonite bakery, to find the most heavenly cinnamon rolls, soft raisin cookies, and homemade noodles. The bakery doubles as a home, or vice versa, with the front part of the house set up as a little shop with handmade quilts, plain and simple dresses, needlework, teacups, books, and that sort of thing. The kitchen was sparse with a table and a rack of bakery goods. Out in front, a collection of wooden patio furniture caught my eye. Swings, picnic tables, benches, all beautifully made. Definitely going back for more of those cinnamon rolls. They disappeared rather quickly here this weekend. (ahem.)
sounds like a perfect weekend. Those dolls are so sweet, would definitely make a birthday girl very happy indeed.
Posted by: Blair | July 31, 2006 at 08:17 AM
Sounds delightful. Love the doll and bag, the recipient is a lucky little duck!
Posted by: Pam | July 31, 2006 at 08:27 AM
Hello Vicki these dolls are charming. It would be hard to part them. I love the bag too. I sounds like a lovely day and thank goodness so much cooler. Clarice
Posted by: Clarice | July 31, 2006 at 09:41 AM
I love all, dolls and the bag !
Posted by: Fanchon68 | July 31, 2006 at 09:44 AM
The dolls and the bag a wonderful. Such a thoughtful gift.
Posted by: Lauren | July 31, 2006 at 12:20 PM
I have that same sense that summer is waning fast - we haven't had nearly enough picnics this year. I love the dolls and little bag. The flower petals in the skirts are so precious!
Posted by: Amy | July 31, 2006 at 01:20 PM
What a wonderful time you are all having--you made me hungry for all the food you mentioned. The dolls and bags are wonderful; I love the personalization. It's details like that which make a gift even dearer to the person receiving it--it demonstrates that you care very much.
Posted by: June | July 31, 2006 at 03:28 PM
You make Waldorf/Steiner dolls too. You should come and see mine. They are so lovely to make aren't they and wonderful to cuddle and so well appreciated when given as gifts - to children and grown-ups.It is my daughters birthday today and thsi is the first one of her nine birthdays when she hasn't received a new doll from me. I gave her new doll clothes instead.
Posted by: littlejennywren | July 31, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Vickie, the dolls & the bag are adorable! What a lucky little girl. Those are gifts to treasure. :)
Posted by: Tracy | July 31, 2006 at 04:40 PM
What a wonderful gift! I think children love getting things with their names on them and this bag is especially charming. Love the way you embroidered with the rainbow floss. The dolls turned out so nice!
The weather is cooler here too and the quality of the light seems a bit different today. I had sort of that summer's slipping by feeling this morning while watering my garden.
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | July 31, 2006 at 05:31 PM
SUmmer is waning for you. While winter seems to be getting colder instead of warmer here. LOL
Great job aon the dolls and bag
Posted by: Bronwen | July 31, 2006 at 07:23 PM
The dolls are precious! Sounds like such a lovely weekend. You have a wonderful way with words.
Posted by: Dannielle | July 31, 2006 at 09:10 PM
Well, Ive sure missed alot of cuteness over here! Your book looks fantastic & sweet dolls! Congrats to your daughter on her new little business!! Great job!
Posted by: Angie | July 31, 2006 at 09:10 PM
awwwwwwwwwww to the infinite power! so darling.
Posted by: mrspilkington | August 01, 2006 at 08:34 AM
Adorable!!
Posted by: brit | August 01, 2006 at 06:43 PM
Sounds like a wonderful weekend to me! The twins are adorable - I love that you gave one a flower to tell them apart, so cute :)
Posted by: tinker | August 01, 2006 at 11:26 PM
Very cute indeed! A great way to make it through the summer heat, making dolls. I read that you chanced upon the velour fabric at JoAnns--the same thing happened to me! I found this great purplish-blue velour to clothe my doll, too. Although I didn't use the Magic Cabin patter (I love that store) I made up the pattern based on a dollmaking book called "Making Dolls" by Reincken. I blogged it, too:
http://steph.sicore.org/archives/2006/01/happy_distracti.html
thanks for sharing the cute pictures!
Posted by: Steph | August 03, 2006 at 07:28 PM
I LOVE your site! It is lovely!!!! Where did you get the doll pattern and bag pattern?
Posted by: kate | August 04, 2006 at 09:38 AM