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I did finish this pair of dolls (formerly known as 'thing one and thing two') in the nick of time; one for Gingersnap and one for a friend; a birthday present. It was fun making matching dolls, but hard to break up the pair. They look so cute together.
In the end the gift doll bravely went to her new home, along with a personalized tote bag.
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I hit the ground running today with a long list of things to do and somehow managed to finish them all except one little sewing project I need to get back to. It will have to wait until this evening when it cools down though, as the house is too warm to switch on the iron. I left the windows open too long before closing out the afternoon heat so I'm paying for it now. Just about melting. So since it's Thursday, and since I don't have anything crafty to show, welcome to this lovely corner of my home. Always so nice and cool because it's at the back of the house where the shade trees are, and there's a ceiling fan that kicks up a nice breeze. It's one of my favorite places to sit with me feet up and flip
through magazines, especially of the Japanese variety; like Quilter's Studio (ISBN4-579-11039-0) one of the new ones I ordered from Amazon Japan that just arrived. That's it laying there on the table. Buying these craft books online (mostly sight unseen) is always a bit of a gamble, but I'm really happy with this one. It's full of wonderful things for, naturally, the quilter's studio.
And then some.
This red and white applique linen bag took my breath away as soon as I saw it. LOVE that rickrack edge along the top! I guess you could call it a quilter's tote. These colors always appeal to me and red and white polka dots especially sing to my heart. There are about a dozen different designs for patchwork bags in this book and each one is amazing. Here are a few other projects that looked fun:
A simple little vanity case. The shape is so cute and the fabric combinations and colors work really well together I think. I'd love to do a whole quilt like this.
Another project from the book; a sewing machine cover cloth. My sewing machine should be so lucky!
And something to wear while you're sewing. The appliques look like cut-outs from printed fabric.
Sweet "sewing bags" which are little cloth books that open to reveal scissors, buttons, thread and a pocket for a tiny matching pincushion.
What more could you ask for?
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I thought it was time to take another peek inside the dollhouse to see what kinds of things the dolls have been up to. It looks like the Mistress of the Manor has returned from her shopping trip to Paris and has brought home a sweet little hat. This is my Club Little House submission this time around and I'm really pleased with everything now that it's done. However, I'm still waiting on two hat stands to arrive by post, but the rest is all packed and ready to go, so I shouldn't be holding up the show long, as I feared might happen. The pink valise was made by Amy herself, it's so cute and has travel labels on it, and even a little button & loop closure. Just
right for those weekend get-aways. The yo-yo quilt works on the bed and as a little rug. It was made by Debra, along with the bed pillows, complete with crochet lace and a sweet lavender bouquet. I hope I have that right. Once I took the tags off and started "playing" with all the things that came out of that wonderful box it was hard to remember, but I think that was from her too. I love how it ties in with the theme I've got going in here. That tiny embroidered pillow was a commissioned piece from Rosanna over in Italy. I've never seen anything so small and charming as this, all done so 
perfectly. The pink bear was also another piece she sent and just look how cute it is in the nursery. The children are having a party today. Jenny made the teensy flag banner and it couldn't be more festive. I love it. The dollhouse children got so excited when they saw it they ran around the room in wild abandon. They were finally sent outside to play by Nanny Nellie, who has her hands quite full at the moment and didn't care for the noise. She hasn't noticed that little Bettie has snuck back inside to play with her new teddy. And where is the Mistress of the Manor anway? I thought she was busy working in her studio, but apparently 
she stepped out to visit a sick friend. It appears she's made something to cheer her back to health. Wonder what it could be? Her well-stocked craft cabinet is certainly full of interesting bits and bobs, compliments of Cerri. Chest of sewing lovlies made by Glenn and Victoria, post-mod table from Emma. More Club Little House swap pictures here. I can't wait to see what comes next!
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So this is one of the things I've been working on. I guess you could say, two things. They don't have their hair yet; thought they were cute though, like a pair of kewpies with that little point at the top of their heads. I got the pattern here and have so far made Autumn and Winter. Somehow I missed Spring. Oh, well, next year perhaps. I'm making one for Ginger and one for a special birthday girl. The party is Friday so I've got to get back to this today if I'm going to finish it in time. I'd been dreaming about making a rose-colored one, and found this velour quite by chance at Joann's. Just walked in the door and there it was. That just never happens and I was so happy because I'm working under a time crunch and have no time to go driving all over tar-nation hunting for stuff.
Speaking of which, I might as well confess that I'm late getting my Club Little House project finished too. (I'm so cringing here and hanging my head in shame...shame I tell you!) It all just took longer 
than I thought it would as some things didn't exactly go according to plan. Actually, none of it did..oops. The idea was good, but the construction aspect just didn't fall into place like it was supposed to. I'm just not used to production-line crafting. I can't say that I really enjoy it either. I suppose though, if I'd stuck to a simpler project things might have run more smoothly. Lesson learned. As it stands I am behind and in fact, still waiting for more parts to arrive by post, as I was short a few pieces, and another component was damaged in the package and thus had to be replaced. But that is the least of it, the biggest challenge for me was the measuring, cutting, and gluing X 12. I didn't think I was ever going to see the end of it. One evening I spent two hours working on this and only managed to finish ONE item and then ended up throwing it out because it wasn't right. I somehow glued the top to the bottom and the bottom to the top and I don't know what. And I messed up again the following night, wasting hours of time with nothing to show for it but a pile of tiny disasters! I finally got my groove on and eventually things began moving in the right direction but getting there was painful. Because I really wanted these to be perfect, and well, they are not. Not even close. But I hope they are well-received anyway, and I'm really hoping, with fingers crossed, that these are in the mail soon and Amy doesn't kick me out of the club!
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Last week was busy and I never got around to sharing a few little things I managed to make or finish the week before. There was another drawstring bag with a mouse squeek inside, for a friend. Embroidery added to the linen smock, and sent off to surprise someone special over here. LK mentioned that she liked birds and butterflies so that made it easy to decide what 
kind of embroidery to do on it. The butterfly is at the bottom near the hem. I'm just so tickled she liked it. And finally a note to say, thank you again to all who purchased mini treats from Grace's Etsy shop. She is amazed and humbled and wanted me to convey her heartfelt gratitude for all the nice comments and notes that came in for her.
We finally got the nice boxes and packaging we ordered and will have everything on its way soon. Here's a sneak peek. Grace added a little note to each one. So cute!
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As promised, more mini sweetness from the dollhouse kitchen, a la daughter Grace. She's been busy as a bee making more of her yummy cakes and treats! This time she's added a few new items to the ETSY shop. Besides those fabulous cakes of hers with the incredible tiny flowers, there's a rich black forest chocolate cake with nuts on top, a syrupy golden pineapple upside down cake (just like grandma used to make), birthday cakes with tiny striped candles and balloons, and darling boxes of brownies. The brownies are just 
amazing. I want to eat them all. Oh and little cupcakes too in four flavors. Each one comes with it's own miniature handmade box and is glued to a paper doily so it won't topple over. I really don't know how she does it. I'm all thumbs when I try to help. There's also a cherry pie with a lattice crust that she fussed over for days. It's so cute and it's got me humming, Billy boy Billy boy, all over again. And guess what? Grace has decided to save up her profits and buy a dollhouse bakery (kit). Then we are going to put it together so she'll have a real little bakery to fill up with her itsy bitsy confections and pastries. It's all so exciting! Oh-oh...little Annie has climbed up on the chair and has that, "I'm about to do something naughty", gleam in her eye. Just look at that face. Gosh, and I only turned my back for a second too. Next thing ya know she'll have her finger in the icing. Well, can ya blame her?
And look, there's Nicole enjoying a sunny day on the sandy shore. (A tray of sand makes the most wonderful outdoor tabletop play accessory btw.) This beach set is also available, 
complete with a frozen banana on a stick! It's amazingly real-looking isn't it? Grace made the book too, it's one of her favorite Nancy Drew mysteries, "Secret of the Old Clock". She's read them all and is a huge fan; started collecting the older editions and patterned this one after those early ones. She also made the flip-flops, suntan lotion, and blanket. It all comes inside the straw beach bag. There's a limited number of these; so no back orders will be available for the sets. See more details and pictures here.
Apparently we're in for some really hot weather too this weekend and we've got company coming in from out of state, so it's going to be a busy one as well. I'll most likely be in and out, so if you purchase something and don't hear from me, don't worry you will. If you want more than one item, order them but don't send payment until I send an invoice
with the combined total through Paypal. (The Etsy shopping cart only holds one item so it gets tricky.) You don't need a Paypal account to send payment, but you do need to sign up for Etsy to purchase something. It's easy and it's free. If you have neither, you can just email me what you want and if it's available we'll hold it for you, or put your name on our waiting list. Sorry, but we only offer domestic shipping at this time.
Have a great weekend!
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There's a big art & science festival happening this weekend and everybody has gone over to see the exhibits and to watch the kinetic-sculpture races down at the river. The weather couldn't be nicer for it. I usually tag along, but decided to stay home and do a little baking instead 
today. Chocolate being the order of the day...a raspberry tartlet seemed just right for a Sunday desert. Very easy: nut cookie crust + ganache+ fresh berries=heaven on earth. The main coarse, a rich wine-based marinara sauce; in the crock pot simmering now as I speak. So easy. Love that. Oh. It smells amazingly good too. All that garlic and basil is killing me.
And in the meantime. . .
. . . I've been working on a number of projects almost simultaneously and finally finished a few of them over the weekend. Very pleased about that. One of them involved the Krylon Fusion spray-paint. Beware. This is what happens when you spend too much time watching decorating makeovers and DIY television! Run your mouse over the picture to see the before and after transformation of this old microwave cabinet. The paint, btw... worked great on this laminate surface. More pictures here.
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Or Queen, in this case.
A few years ago, this sweet unfinished fifty year-old quilt top was found in a box at an estate sale, along with the original pattern and the remaining scraps of fabric.
I know.
For someone who relishes finishing old quilts and restoring old patterns, how lucky can you get? Everything was there.
I was able to use the pattern templates and the remnant cloth to cut out and piece together the missing section at the top and on two sides. The central portion, with the embroidery, was all hand-pieced with the tiniest of stitches. I can only imagine the work that went into doing that. I did my best to match everything up. Somehow it all came together, despite my lack of experience in piecing diamonds and squares. This was definitely a learning curve for me.
I lined it with cotton batting and quilted it by hand. The bright pink binding finished it nicely I think.
The pattern is called Playblocks, dated 1938. The embroidery is done as Bluework. The combination of squares and diamonds in light and dark colors creates an optical illusion of baby blocks.
The restored pattern is available here; the designs can be used for bibs, blankets, (simpler) quilt blocks and other nursery items. And can be done in colors as well!
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Embroidery. I can't think of a more gentile form of needlework or a more common one. It certainly occupies a good part of my free time anyway.
I'm happy to see it coming back around again, even though there are those who will tell you that it never went anywhere. It seems as though it's always been here in one form or another, like a comforting old friend. "Cheap Therapy" as they say.
After recently finishing up that long over-due quilt project, I was ready to do a few smaller things, and this drawstring bag was perfect. (It's a surprise for a ten year old girl; it will have a few presents tucked inside).
The embroidery design was done freehand using a red transfer pen.
Pretty easy to do:
1. Work out your design on a piece of paper.
2. Trace it onto tracing paper.
3. Flip it over and trace the reversed image with a transfer pen.
4. Pin it ink-side down on cloth and stamp with an iron, following the manufacture's tips. (Sulky has a web site with a tutorial for this.)
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I'm happy to announce that I finally made it to the finish line on this one! Maybe not exactly in my target month of June, but close enough to make me giddy. Just about everything else was on hold while I worked on this quilt, my biggest and oldest Finish What You Have project to date. Whew! I'm just kicking back and marveling over this finally being done.
I'll try not to do that again. Start something and not finish it, I mean. It's so easy to set things aside and forget about them when life gets busy. Or when other
interests take over. Like knitting. I've been trying to resist the urge to start. That was always something my mother did but never interested me. It skips a generation I guess. Admitting I don't knit is a bit lame now that it's cool again, sort of like confessing to not having a tattoo. (A fashion trend that will most certainly put a permanent date-stamp on you.) Anyway this is finally finished and belongs to Grace now, who loves it. I'm really happy that 
each of the kids have a special keepsake quilt of their own and I feel really good about getting these last two done. Long overdue. Besides, summer is here and sitting under a quilt is no way to spend a warm day. A cold day, yes...with a pot of coffee perking, but definitely not in the sweltering heat.
The dark pink binding won out in the end. It really brings out the other colors and compliments this shade of green perfectly. The yellow plaid was pretty, but seemed a little weak in contrast. I cut so 
many yards of bias! I still have about fourteen yards left, enough for another quilt, or maybe two, I think. I'm going to post additional pictures of the *Flower Pots* quilt over here and in the Finish What You Have flickr photo pool. Feel free to share your own long-forgotten recently finished projects, no matter how big or small. Just seeing all of them really did help motivate me to move on this faster. And I see I'm not the only one finishing up quilts this month. Woo-hoo way to go ladies!!
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It appears we have a visitor. This wild turkey hen just showed up and has been hanging around our back yard all day. Our comings and goings do not seem to be bothering her one bit. In fact, she seems quite tame. We had a pretty wild wind storm last evening and things got tossed about. The neighbors had some damage, nothing serious. More of a mess really. Perhaps a shelter was blown down somewhere and Miss Turkey-Lurkey here is on the hunt for a new one. Seems a curious little thing. Went all around the yard peeking into every nook and cranny, even checked out the playhouse. If the door had been open I'm sure she would've walked right in and made herself at home! Naturally, having a turkey dropping in unexpectedly is quite a hilarious happening. Not
something we see everyday anyway.
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I got around to making a tablecloth for the little playhouse table that I finally discovered here. The scale is perfect and it adjusts to two different heights. Plus both pieces come apart so it stores away easily too. The downside is it's not much to look at: so tablecloth to the rescue. These table skirts are easy but I'd forgotten how much fabric they take. I didn't think I'd ever come to the end of that hem either; tucking and easing the curves all the way to Siberia and back. But it turned out sweet. And yes, I do fully realize that it's probably way too fancy and not at all practical for an outside playhouse. I'm certain it will see a little mud-pie action, probably a LOT, but that's OK. 
It's washable. I'm still attempting to make a clean sweep of things in the sewing room. I'm already feeling lighter just knowing there's a bit less unused fabric taking up prime real estate in my storage bins. If you have a bunch of material that you don't know what to do with, make one of these round tablecloths, you'll be flabbergasted with how much fabric gets gobbled up.
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Another WIP for Friday; a linen maternity apron for a very special blog pal who is near and dear to my heart. I was going for a little ZAKKA style here. It's actually finished but I'm still fighting the urge to put some embroidery on it. What do you think? Is simple better? What I like most about it though, is the hidden ribbon casing inside that allows you to take in or let out gathers as needed. The top casings in front and back 
are elastic. I didn't have a pattern for this. I'd been thinking about making it for awhile, but even though the sketches always look great on paper, I'm never totally confident with how something will turn out until it's 3D. So I hope she likes it. I think it turned out pretty cute in a plain, minimalist sort of way. No embarrassing frills to call attention to the obvious. And, oh...it's a Girl! But she's not due until November, so that should give me enough time to try my hand at making a pair of these adorable booties. 
The picture is from Quilts Japan magazine, an older issue #105 from July 2005 (ISSN1356-955x.) It's one I found here while visiting Seaside last month. Aren't these just the cutest things? I hope I can figure out the directions. Every thing's written in Japanese, remember? If I blow it I can always revert back to this pattern though.
More apron shots here, and more Japanese inspiration for the weekend.
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The quilting is done! I don't think I've ever quilted so much and so fast in my life. Luckily, my fingers are still intact, albeit a bit sore and misshapen from the metal thimbles. Just how much quilting was that anyway? Well, about 250 yards to be exact. That equals one entire spool of quilting thread. I wasn't really keeping track. I just happen to realize it after I reeled off that last bit of thread. I suppose I should've jumped outta my chair and danced around the room, but instead I just sat there staring at the empty spool in my hand!
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We are inside this morning waiting for a summer thunderstorm to pass. It reached 89 degrees yesterday and the cool air is welcome, since it's supposed to warm up again by the end of the day. Somehow, turning on the iron is not that appealing right now.
There are several things I want to start, but so far I haven't gotten around to any of them. So, since I don't have a current
craft to show, I went to the cupboard and pulled out this little quilt I made in 1992. I know this because it's signed and dated. You see, I do follow my own advice about labeling. It comes in handy, not only for future generations, but also for YOURSELF when you get old and forgetful like me! (hee hee)
I have a lot of memories when I look at this. It had been my desire at the time (and a goal I've never quite achieved) to create a small quilt 
for all the seasons to display on the hallway wall. I picked that location because it was neutral territory and I could make anything at all without worry of colors and patterns clashing in other rooms. This is the one I made to celebrate July 4th. It was a fun little quilt to make. Especially the red quilting.
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On Friday afternoon, our delightful and entertaining friends, gifted us with a big bowl of cherries that they picked ripe from their own trees, and then pitted with some kind of gadget. It's always a treat to get something from their wonderful organic garden. One year they brought us pickling cucumbers and we made pickles.
Anyway, the cherries were delicious! In fact we couldn't believe how incredibly good these were.
I had to hurry up and get them into a pie before they were gone. Since I haven't made a fresh cherry pie in ages I turned to Fannie Farmer (page 95 in this cookbook) for the recipe I used. In case you've ever wondered like I have, what the difference between a deep dish pie and a cobbler is, it's the crust. The latter being more of a sweet biscuit type rather than a plain pie crust. The filling itself is exactly the same, there's just more of it. Neither 
have bottom crusts, which tend to get soggy with all that fruit so you serve this by scooping, rather than cutting wedges. I opted to go with the cobbler crust here though because I find it's easier to handle on a hot day without having to chill it first. I've sprinkled this one with a little sugar to counteract the tartness of the cherries.
I won't torture you further with just how good this was...especially with that dollop of French vanilla ice cream. oops...sorry, perhaps I've said too much.
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