Tuesday, December 16, 2014

After...

 After an autumn
filled with more pitfalls
than I could have imagined,
 
 I was amazed
to have been able
to pull off a St. Nicolas Day
celebration of any sort.
 
Playing catch up
has become a growing habit
and one which I'm afraid will be put into play
here in blogland as well.
 
But until then..
all best holiday wishes
to you!
 
 


Sunday, November 2, 2014

Fall Feast

 The first snowflake fell...
 
 ...and inspired a heavy dose of seasonal reading.
 
 Nothing better than Gladys Taber to have me heating up the oven for some homemade breads.
 
 Or a little Susan Branch to encourage me to dice up some goodies to simmer.
 
 Our own family favorite soon follows with some slicing,
 
 seasoning,
 
 and a spell in the broiler.
 
Bon Appetite!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Bichon Blues

 
 I'm in the doghouse....big time.
 
My activities these past several weeks have not meet with approval as far as our little bichon is concerned. First it was the doll show in September. The hoopla and preparation that went into the event put a big dent into snuggle time and for a lap dog that is no laughing matter! 
 
To add fuel to the fire, I soon after confiscated the couch pillows. They were never my favorite but since bichons aren't concerned with fabric, prints, or even color he had adopted them as his surrogate snuggle buddies in my absence.   
 
 
His constant slinking around my feet and accusing glares set me on edge a bit
as I began stitching my seams.
 
 
But in do time they came together nicely,
 florals on the front...
 
 
...and a hodgepodge of fabric fun on the back.
 
 
I was delighted with the results and the bichon was too...especially since we gave them
a cozy try out together!
 
 
The biggest offense, however, has yet to be forgiven. 
 
I've taken a small job outside of the house.
 
More days than not I spend my mornings helping out as a teacher's assistant and my afternoons begging forgiveness from you know who. A handful of cheerios and a bunch of hugs help but it's not until the tote bag is tucked away in the closet that doggie serenity is finally achieved. I'm afraid it's going to be a very long year...
 
 


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Changes...

 It was with a very sad heart this weekend that I finally admitted my little laptop of so very many years was not going to make it. A trip to the store and a very patient salesman landed me with this new friend. We had a rough go at first.....the "Skullcandy" sticker was a bit offsetting, Windows 8.1 way out of my comfort zone, and my fingers did not seem to fit the keyboard. Bit by bit we're working out the details and I imagine in time the two of us will be as kindred as can be.
 
 I forgot how much patience is needed when installing and transferring everything to a new computer. In order to pass the time I decided to add a few more touches to the living room canvas. The boys were thrilled with the addition of their vintage movie cards.
 
So much so in fact that they failed to notice me adding in a stack of quilted coziness. Previous attempts at such a maneuver had been seriously frowned upon but that was before I had
 mastered the fine art of distraction. By that standard, I imagine a new video game will be in order to compensate for patchwork curtains and perhaps a pizza party to balance out paisley pillows!
 
 
 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Big Day!

 
 Well after all that time spent in preparation for the big event I was amazed
at how quickly the day itself flew by! It was literally over before I knew it and so by
the time I set out to take my photos, many of the displays and vendors were already
 breaking down and packing up shop. I did manage a few shots here and there
including this one of the cradle finished off with a sweet baby!
 
 
 The wardrobe displays were a thing to behold...just look at this one.
Now that is one lucky doll!
 
 
 These outfits were made with the most exquisite of stitches.
 
 
 And here...why an ensemble for every occasion!
 
 
 Since my booth was looking a little worse for wear by the end here's an earlier picture I took during set up practice at home. Of course Grandmother's dollhouse is missing along with a few goodies I added in to fill in the gaps but you'll get the general feel I think.
 
 
One of the hardest things about being a vendor for the first time was staying put at my booth while so many goodies were beckoning me to come have a look see. I was quite unnerved at
the thought that perhaps I'd be leaving the doll show without finding a treasure
to take home with me this year.
 
 I needn't have worried however, for this time around my treasure found me!
She had positioned herself atop a packing pile to await my frantic photo taking pass by.
She was impossible to miss with all that sweetness glowing bright.
I knew immediately we were kindred friends. 
 
 
She makes me smile so every time I see her!
 


Saturday, September 20, 2014

It's Showtime!!!

 Well at least one of us is ready to go!
 
All in all it's coming together nicely...
especially with this little dresser willing to assist!
 
Off now to charge the camera so I can take lots of photos tomorrow.
I'll share them next week along with any goodies I come home with. 
Fingers crossed!
 
 

Thursday, September 18, 2014

SHOWTIME....Not Enough Days and Counting!

Running around like a chicken with it's head cut off...
 
With 3 days until the show that is me!
It started with the backwards lining, continued with a misplaced camera, and culminated with my computer's hiccups becoming critical. Dear hubby did a patch job but more intensive care will be needed over the weekend.
 
Until then it's a race against time to get a post up before the thing overheats and shuts itself off.
So far so good for today and as such, while I'm still ahead of the game, I'll take my leave
and hope for the best tomorrow!

Monday, September 15, 2014

SHOWTIME...6 Days and Counting

Ever have one of those days?
Today I sewed the Hitty cape linings in backwards.....TWICE!!!
 
 


Sunday, September 14, 2014

SHOWTIME.....7 Days and Counting

 
Baking up another batch of Lucys!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

SHOWTIME....8 Days and Counting

Clothespin doll kits in the making.....



Friday, September 12, 2014

SHOWTIME...9 Days and Counting

 
A bit more book binding to replenish my inventory!
 


Thursday, September 11, 2014

SHOWTIME...11 and 10 Days to Go

Apologies first for missing my post yesterday!
My laptop had a hiccup of sorts but does seems much revived today...fingers crossed.
 
So for a bit of catch up, I was gifted this beautiful doll's dresser from a dear friend the other day (thanks Sara!) It needs a bit of spit and polish but I couldn't wait to show it off. I've got big plans to put it to work on my table at the show so you'll see it cleaned up soon enough.
 
And as if that wasn't treasure enough, each drawer is stuffed with sweet little linens.
 

Can you believe one of them even had my initial stitched upon it?
 

Today now finds me back to taking stitches myself.
Not that I'm complaining, I love making bouquets of Bitty Blossom Pins!


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

SHOWTIME.....12 Days and Counting

Plastic Bags!
Oh how I've been waiting for these...
 
If all goes as planned
they'll hold some kit making goodies. 

Monday, September 8, 2014

SHOWTIME.....13 Days and Counting

 
Petite Patchwork Pillows on the Porch!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

SHOWTIME.....14 Days and Counting

 I am perfectly in love with these boots!
I wish they were mine but alas they belong to someone a wee bit tinier than me...
 
 ...Little Red Riding Hood!
My mom is coming along with me to the doll show and in the spirit of the event had some fun making up this dear little lovie. The wolf, of course, was close on her heels.
 
 And where would they be trotting off to other than Grandmother's house!
 
 Grandmother, busy keeping things tidy, is quite unaware that either of them
are on their way for a visit.
 
And so we are left to wonder who will get there first?
 


Saturday, September 6, 2014

SHOWTIME.....15 Days and Counting

Spent this hot, humid, and stormy day working on some wool capes.
Hope Hitty doesn't feel the heat!
 


Friday, September 5, 2014

SHOWTIME.....16 Days and Counting

 
A little bit of dress up fun is always entertaining!
It was decided that we would create a display area at the show where an assortment of dolls and their wardrobes could be featured and I was lucky enough to be asked to oversee the outfitting of Hitty.
What a treat!!!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

SHOWTIME...17 Days and Counting

 I have another pincushion production line in the works...
 
but this one is in a slightly larger scale and intended for dolly's people friends!


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

SHOWTIME....18 Days and Counting

 Working to get my ducks in a row.
 
Or in this case perhaps I should say "ducklings" considering these pincushions 
measure less than an inch!