Twenty-One years later.....began a quilt project!

Do I really need to start yet another hobby? Quilting has been calling to me for quite some time. All these beautiful little scraps gathering around, crying, "Don't throw us out!!! We want to become quilts!"

My first two quilts were fun until the customer started hounding me daily inquiring as to the progress. After that, I swore, NEVER AGAIN. Twenty-one years later..... I am doing this for myself, without even thinking of pre-selling, or even selling. This one is for ME. A simple pattern. I am thoroughly enjoying the process. And this go around, I bought the cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter. The first 5 of 35 blocks are complete. I won't sew the rows together until I have all 35 and can arrange them how I like.
I will get some pictures today of one of the blocks.

My sewing machine is now working over-time and loving it! Dolls, doll clothes and now quilt blocks. My last Brother lasted 18 years and was still going strong, until the fire. I decided to buy the same (or near same) model again 3 years ago. No bells and whistles, nothing fancy.... a "Getter Done" machine, The Brother IS2125I.

Completed several outfits to fit American Girl, Madame Alexander Mia Bella dolls, and similar slim bodied 18” dolls.

Items include: yellow shorts (sunny print top to match nearing completion), purple batik print cotton peasant blouse, blue jeans, and a pink short jacket.

Our model is a Madame Alexander Mia Bell doll, who’s name is Sonja.

The outfits will be added to my Etsy Shoppe today and tomorrow.

Hand Crocheted Bed Doll Dress and Skirt

Finished crocheting this bed doll last week. White crinoline and attached slip was made using baby soft yarn; overskirt, hat and sleeve and neck trim using ww acrylic yarn in turquoise and maroon. I’d thoroughly enjoy dressing lots of dolls in seasonal clothing for display. The boys would have a fit though. Will be offering her at Holly's Dollies. I need to add a Bed Doll Button and page for her.

Today I am knitting myself a pair of lavender mittens while riding the stationary bike. A simple pattern, no fuss no muss. Am hoping to have enough for a hat. Or do the hat in lavender and white and a white with lavender snowflake design scarf.

Handmade polymer eyes!

These were a lot of fun to make. The instructions mentioned it being difficult to set them in perfectly. Understatement! 

Well, this is a prim crow so her eyes can be wonky! This is still a major improvement over the black embroidered eyes. I decided to glue the upper lid to the head and the lower lid to the eyeball. The next pair (oh, yes there will be more!!!), I might concave the iris/pupil area before baking. 

I used the clear gloss varnish (Ceramcoat) and creating the cornea did not work. With a "divot to fill", it might work better. 
Now on to the clothing.... decided on a maroon dress and maroon and white gingham pinafore and bloomers.

Handmade eyes for cloth dolls

I am finally working on the draft blocker doll. I decided instead of a chicken she'll be a crow. Very cute. And instead of a draft blocker, she is going to be a doll/deco piece.

Very unhappy with her embroidered eyes... Black thread on a black fabric... BORING! I found this wonderful blog with instructions on making polymer clay eyes for cloth dolls and setting them in with fabric eyelids. I am really excited to give this a go. I think she'll have green eyes!

Then I need to get her dress, pinafore and bloomers done. Today?? Probably not.

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15" Raggedy Ann and Andy photographed

I don't see how professional crafters/doll artists manage! How do you juggle production, website management, PR and housework???! Kudos to those who do all of this themselves. I am having a hard time trying to manage!

Anyway, it is a wonderful challenge to get much as I can done... in  a day (week?). The frustration is having dishes piled 3 feet high in the sink, dust bunnies running rampant, and a bored kid.

I finished a 15" Raggedy Ann and Andy pair and finally got pictures taken. The quality of my pictures is improving! Getting better and better! Charlie is still trying to get pictures of lightning...keep trying bud! 

This pair was made with small children in mind. Hand painted features in non-toxic acrylic paint, sewn on wig, no buttons.

The 36" dolls are incredible! Always wanted a huge dolly growing up. I still need to add hair to one; stuff, paint and add hair to the other one. Their clothing is already made and ready for button accents.
See them here: http://hollys-dollies.sweetwatercreations.com/raggedies.html

With the sound of thunder, I shall sign off here....egads the horse and chickens will soon be sprouting gills... but the garden is looking fabulous!