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!

 

 

 

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!

 



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!

 

 

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!

SHOWTIME...6 Days and Counting

Ever have one of those days?

Today I sewed the Hitty cape linings in backwards.....TWICE!!!

 

 



SHOWTIME.....7 Days and Counting

 

Baking up another batch of Lucys!

SHOWTIME....8 Days and Counting

Clothespin doll kits in the making.....

SHOWTIME...9 Days and Counting

 

A bit more book binding to replenish my inventory!

 



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!



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. 

SHOWTIME.....13 Days and Counting

 

Petite Patchwork Pillows on the Porch!

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?

 



SHOWTIME.....15 Days and Counting

Spent this hot, humid, and stormy day working on some wool capes.

Hope Hitty doesn't feel the heat!

 



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!!!

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!



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!

 



SHOWTIME....19 Days and Counting!

 Just because the lamp has yet to receive it's patchwork love doesn't mean I haven't had my hands piecing away. One tiny doll quilt...

 

 ...and a matching pillow were my contribution to one of the raffle items that will be offered up at the show!

 

It's been a team effort. The crib was generously donated and fitted with mattress and sheets.

I added the aforementioned quilt and pillow and then just today passed it on to it's next destination where it will receive the final touch....

a tiny china baby doll!!!

 

(I got a sneak peek and can assure you she is a sweetheart.)

 

 

SHOWTIME....20 Days and Counting!

 Not much new in the decorating department....the chairs have yet to be painted, the poor lampshade is still without patches, and only a token number of the items to be hung on the walls have been attended to.  

 

 I did find this cute little painted box at the consignment shop and thought it was the perfect cottage accessory to hold the makings for some impromptu cards games. I've been told it's a pretty lame attempt on my part to compete with the "video game super station" housed on the opposing wall.

So far I haven't had any takers but I refuse to give up hope!

 

In the meantime, however, I've got bigger fish to fry!

I'll be hosting my very own table at the Southern New Hampshire Doll Show and Sale in three short weeks. It's been quite a while since I participated in something like this and I'm really excited to be a part of the hoopla. I'm also feeling a bit overwhelmed about getting all my goodies together so I'll be tracking my progress along the way with a daily post both here and on Facebook.

Stay tuned!