A Dolly's Bed and Lily Red - Spark Joy Items #2 and #3

 Once upon a time I imagined myself stitching up an army of aprons, 

fashioning more than a few frocks, 

and queuing up quite a number of quilts. 

I purchased a Featherweight 221 for sewing fine seams and soon after began  

collecting threads and fabrics in every color of the rainbow.

Scissors...check.

Pins...check.

Rulers.

Rotary cutters.

Needles.

Notions.

Check,

check,

and check!

 Unfortunately, while I could envisioned the piecing process,

...the completed projects,

...and even the way they would fit into my daily life, 

the actual practice of producing these creations was a struggle.

It wasn't the Featherweight, it ran like a dream.

Patterns and instruction books were readily available and my technical 

skills were able to perform the directions I found in them. I had every supply needed and 

an ever growing stash of fabric. Something, however, was definitely missing.

And then.....

...she arrived.
I named her Lily Red.

Measuring in at a mere four inches I would have never guessed what an enormous influence 

she would have on my creative aspirations.  

Suddenly the projects were practically creating themselves.
Aprons, frocks, and quilts were being produced, only on a much, much
smaller scale than I first imagined.

As I concentrated on outfitting Lily Red's world I soon discovered
a passion for hand sewing, a love of all things tiny, and a desire to be more
playful in the creative endeavours I took on.

I wanted to have fun.
And so I do!

 Except, unfortunately, when remnants of supplies from 

those long ago ambitions cross my path.

What a killjoy that is!

A stack of quilts by my hand will probably never reside in our linen closet 

so why do I still have yard after yard of fabric stashed away for the backings of them?

 A couple years ago I did start to scale back a bit...if I had eight yards of a print I would part 

with half, keeping the rest just in case I ever decided to make 

a frock or some such wearable with it. 

So while Lily Red and her little bed can stay, perhaps it's 

time to revisit my scale back process. The chances of me actually whipping 

up a dress or two in the near future are slim to none, especially if a zipper is involved. 

Putting zippers in makes me want to rip my hair out! 

Hmmm....

...strange I've held onto a pile of zippers then isn't it?

They spark something but it certainly isn't joy!!!