Another Dolly

Phew, its been a whirlwind couple of weeks with lots of work and family stuff going on, I haven't had a chance to blog even a little bit.  I haven't been near my sewing machine all week until yesterday. There has been some knitting going on in the evenings and I have a couple of items almost done but not quite.  Today I did put the finishing touches on my latest rag doll.  She is all kitted out in  a strawberry themed outfit. I love strawberries both the actual thing and the imagery.  Anyhoo, here is Jessica. If you get frustrated with dolls often being caucasian, she may be just what you are looking for.

I have also been a bit distracted by something exciting this weekend but I dare not say, in case it doesn't work out. Keep you posted if it does.

BTW, I am trialling amazon associates. I have shied away from this in the past, but I dont think its too intrusive.  Any books you see here via that facility, are books I truly believe are worth having either because I have them or are firmly on my own wish list.  Todays, I have to say, was possibly the most moving, addictive and poignant novel I have ever read, and that is saying something.

Meet Maisie

As mentioned in my last post, I have been working on rag dolls.  Not made one since a flurry of them some 16 or so years ago for my daughter and some family friends children.  I forgot how lovely it is making little clothes. I even enjoyed hand sewing the `bangs` of wool hair this time.  I remember it being a bit of a pain when I was younger and my daughter and my patience were much shorter.  I have a few cut out in various states of completion and awaiting goodies to come through the post to get them done, but Maisie is finished; and here she is.  As always, she can be found in the etsy shop.
She is not a teeny doll, she stands at a height of 27inches . This surprised my son who was a little alarmed that a doll could be that size.  I cannot expect my menfolk to appreciate her so I am relying on you lovely folk out there in blog land.  The last pic is her sitting in my office chair which puts her size, if not her prettiness in perspective.

The dress fabric is so cute, I bought it a good while ago, not knowing what to do with it.  Its got tiny references to autumn.

Charity Shop spoils

I went into town yesterday to get some supplies for some new rag dolls I am working on at the moment. More of those later when they are complete.  On the way I spotted this cute glass cakestand in one of our charity shops at only £3. Only having a little cash in my purse and quite determined not to use the plastic, I got my thread and elastic first, and as luck would have it, exited needlework shop left with £3.27 in my purse. It was meant to be wasn`t it? No, I dont need it really, but £3!  I ask you, would you have passed it up.

Bibi Bunny

Quick post today to show little Bibi which i just completed and listed today. Sharp eyed ones may recognise her clothes. They were originally made for Ruthie. but a customer requested an alternative wardrobe for her which left an outfit.  I have added a little bow this time. The listing can be found  here

An End to My Backache

I am really loving my good friends this week.  I rang my friend to ask if she still had a drop leaf table I gave her ages ago and she no longer used,  as I was in need of a cutting table. Well this would not really have been high enough but would have given me the table space.  She said I was too late, her Dad had taken it.  She rang back later as her husband had got an architects table for their daughters room but it was too big! He said I could have it!!!!!  I am so pleased, it has a lovely big table space and is exactly the right height to cut at and a bonus that I would not have got with a table......... all those massive drawers for big paper make fabulous storage for quilts without too much folding which is great as I
often have them in various states of finish and end up ironing over and over.  Now they are crease and dust free.  How great that circumstance and fabulous friends have ended up with more than I could possibly have hoped for.  I think, I may cover the drawer fronts with some lovely wallpaper when I get time, plus a fixed measuring tape on the top.  I feel like a real seamstress now.  On the table is the beginnings of a bathmat I have made for my bathroom. It is made, but I will show it off in the next post

Long Time no bloggy

I have been a bad blogger.  I seem to have been so busy with decorating, gardening, cleaning, tidying and well living, that i have not blogged in quite a long ole while.  Its partially the fault of my new machine and partly the good weather. Stuff has been done but much of it awaits finishing touches.  I did finish little Bailey a few days ago and finally got around to photographing him and getting him listed. You can find him right here and here is little peek now. Isnt he cute?

So Excited

Remember that song?  the next line is `I might wee`.  Well that's me.  We have been being very careful with money as OH had an employment blip.  Now some purse strings have been loosened and I have just  ordered my last years birthday and Christmas present.  This is she.  I think I am going to name her Martha.  I don't know why, but its a nice name and it was the first one that popped in my head, so Martha it is.

Now, despite the fact that I blog regularly about sewing projects, this is actually my first sewing machine.  The singer I used is really Mums, and was purchased easily 20 years ago and was for different purposes to mine.  To my knowledge she has never had a service and has always been a bit of an awkward customer.  I googled her once to find out how much it would cost to get her serviced and the first result said,  and I quote, "help me before I kill it with an axe!!!!".  There was more, but that basically summed up how I felt about the old girl. I have plodded on with crappy irregular tension, a power lead that falls out just when you least expect it and a light that flickered so much I disconnected it. I shall ask Mum if she wants her back, but I have a feeling that even if Mum says yes, Dad will give a resounding NO!

So, I am looking forward to her arrival and am going to sort the garden out tomorrow before she gets here or it will never get done.  Not sure OH has quite realised what he has let himself in for.  There will be shabby, late dinners and evenings where I cannot be extricated from the sewing room.  It will make up for the endless evenings of football I happily (well ish) participate in.  I shall keep you posted, if you are at all bothered.

Best nip to the loo given the beginning of this post.