Dress for Baby Face

I am so pleased with how this turned out!
This set has a white with sunshine print petticoat, yellow overskirt and cape that is yellow lined with the sunshine print.

This set would fit most 12-14" toddler type doll, like Betsy McCall, Galoob Baby Face (modeled by Miss Susie).
Also finished, but not photographed is a "Recycled Challenge" outfit of denim bellbottom pants and bandana bra top for Baby Face, two Barbie gowns and progress on the Barbie Bed Doll gown in lavender. I am so hoping to not run out of the lavender. The shop that has it on order gets every color in but the one I ordered. Going to try one other shop, then if that fails, I will have to wait till we go to Phoenix on the 30th for a Dr. appt. and I can stop in at Michael's.

Raccoon Counted Cross-stitch Progress

I finally got a color copy of the raccoon pattern. I am not quite as happy with it now. The back feet are nowhere to be seen. And for some reason that is going to bother me to no end.

But, I will keep plugging along with this one. Progress has been pretty good. I had to re-do the ears area, I skipped a row and refused to fudge that little goof, especially since it is the raccoon's head.

I need a brighter bulb in the table lamp to work with the lighter colors so for now I am going to work on the tree trunk. Or sit on the deck, hoping for a break in the wind.

This is a neat raccoon pattern I would like to try when I get a little better at working cross stitch.

Finished handmade Barbie Doll Clothes

I spent several hours yesterday going through all the fabric remnants and scraps trying to figure out some nice outfits for Barbie and Skipper. Not many small prints. Found some great pieces for a patchwork bear or two.

Today, I sewed two rompers for Barbie and finished one wrap gown and another almost finished. I am still looking for a well loved Skipper doll to use to make sure these outfits fit, so I won't be sewing for her until I get a model.

These rompers will fit both the older style and the newer "belly button" Barbies. Our models today are vintage style Teresa and the new jointed Fashionista Barbie.

The rompers are available for $1.00 each and $1.75 shipping in padded envelope. Barbies are not included in the price. Only the rompers.

Counted Cross Stitch - Frustrations overcome!

I've never done cross-stitch. I love seeing completed framed examples. While shopping to redecorate the kitchen (Roosters, sunflowers and crows), I saw a Rooster Counted Cross Stitch kit that I really loved and thought I could do it. Three-and-a-half years later, I am not even a third of the way done.
The kit was poorly designed, especially for a beginner (and I really shouldn't have picked something so challenging), the colored weren't marked or designated. I had to look a the picture and guess.
I eventually tried to find some DMC color matches and failed.
My friend is really good at this and I went over and we spent the day figuring out what to do with this. The conclusion: frog it and start again. We worked out the DMC colors needed and she gave me advice on getting this started. Then she kindly suggested I start with something easier and come back to my rooster. I'm working on some cute sunflower and corn designs and she gave me a racoon pattern to start on after these are done.
The frustration is finally OVER! I feel like a Kindergartener, and a little bit embarrassed, but I truly needed to start simple with this kind of needlework. I am outlining the corn at the moment and am going to at least get started on the racoon. I cannot do another simple one right after this. If all goes well, I might be able to start on the Rooster by July.

Handmade 18 inch doll clothes

I spent the past few days sewing some doll clothes for the 18 inch slim dolls like American Girl, Madame Alexander, Our Generation and others of similar size.

One outfit is a lavender short tank top and purple floral shorts.

The other is a hearts print short dress and capri shorts.

Both sets are available and can be found on the Handmade Doll Clothes 18" webpage.
We have secure PayPal buttons for easy purchasing. Custom color requests are always welcome with a fairly quick turn around time.

"G" is for Granny Square Afghans

Image by eef-ink via FlickrI am falling behind on the A-Z challenge. I honestly don't think I will get them all done by the end of April. I will attempt to spend the next few days getting as much as I can accomplished.
Today is "G" for Granny Squares!
I love the old fashioned granny square afghans.I've made 5 over the years. Two were color themed (one was various shades of yellow and the other in blues), and three in "crochet what you grab" colors.
This is very simple square to make. Here is my basic pattern:
Size G or H hook, worsted weight yarns in your choices of colors, 1 main color for the outer border on all squares.
Chain 4. Join with slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1 - Chain 3, 2dc in loop, *ch3, 3dc in ring, rep from * two times, ch 3, join with slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3. Fasten off.
Round 2 - Attach new color, ch 3, 2dc in 3 ch space, ch3, 3dc in same space, ch1, 3dc in next ch3 space, ch3, 3dc in same space, ch1, repeat around and join to the top of beginning ch3.
Continue adding rounds until you are happy with the size of the square, keeping in mind there will be one last round of the chosen border color.
Sorry, I am not really good at writing instructions.
I did create a slideshow tutorial to go along with, enjoy!


Here's another great tutorial: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/1437/granny-square-how-to

I am currently working on one with a ch 2 space instead of ch1 for an "airier" look. The squares go together really quickly and you could have an afghan finished in less than two weeks.

Granny Squares Now: Dozens of Fresh Takes on a Crochet Classic is a fabulous book that has patterns for adding a new twist to an all time favorite block.

“F” is for First Name – in Japanese

Image by DominusVobiscum via Flickr

I felt like I should make some small attempt at helping to keep those Japanese citizens in mind as we go through our day. What could I do that has meaning to me, gives thought to those who are suffering, but still not make people feel guilty for not sending money to charity. I for one simply cannot afford to donate right now and I imagine there are a lot of you really can’t spare $10 at the moment.

Today I decided this would be fun, it’s a “What is your first name in Japanese?” site. I am going to be spending the whole week writing my name with the spelling (hopefully I can copy and paste the traditional *kanji characters. My name, Holly, is pronounced HORII, Hor-ee, extending the ee sound.

http://japanesetranslator.co.uk/dictionaries/your-name-in-japanese/

Follow along and add your Japanese name (and the link) to your blog or site. Give the name on a coffee mug or a mousepad as a gift to a friend.

*This dictionary does not contain Japanese names. Japanese names are normally written using kanji characters, not katakana.