A Time to Mend . . .

Sometimes I enjoy doing a little mending (as long as I don't let it pile up!)  For me it's a nice time to pause and give a needed item a little TLC to extend it's wear.

Today, I thought I would share the items I have been working on.

This fuzzy drawstring purse belongs to my 6-year old niece.  The polyester lining was tearing badly so,  I ripped it out and made a new lining out of a thicker silky material and sewed it inside.  My nieces little 2-year old brother also enjoys playing with it (I can just imagine the cars and trucks that go inside!)  Well, anyway it is ready for them to enjoy using again!

This sequined sweater of mine had a few loose sequins.  With just a needle and thread I took care of that!  I like to wear this in the winter; I like how it adds a bit of bling to an otherwise gray day!

I wish I had a mannequin to put this Victorian coat on to show you because this picture just doesn't do it justice.  This is probably the most interesting item in my wardrobe.  A few years ago in December I was browsing e-bay for vintage clothing items.  My eyes fell on this coat and I was intrigued by it.  It is handmade out of a very soft black velvet.  It is completely lined and includes a hood with rabbit fur on the edge (which is still in excellent condition.)  I ended up winning the bid which I was so excited about.  Unfortunately, the seller bought it at a thrift store and so she didn't know it's history which is too bad.  The coat is a little narrow across my shoulders and so one of the seams gave way a little bit.  With just a few stitches it was fine.  I've had to mend the hem several times and other seams as well.  I like to think about who made those first stitches and what events she wore the coat to.  I was a big fan of the Betsy-Tacy books written by Maud Hart Lovelace when I was a girl.  I like to think, like those girls, that she went a courtin' in the winter time wearing this Victorian beauty.  Yes, I am a bit of a romantic if you can't tell!!  But, isn't it fun to imagine?

Well, this is what I have been up to.  I am off to hem some boy scout pants for a friend of mine.

Have a nice weekend!

Snowy Girl

Well, here she is . . . my new doll!  She's the one who came home with me.  Isn't she darling?  Her fuzzy coat, boots and hat are perfect for today.  It is pure winter wonderland outside!  The snow just keeps on coming down. 

I am off to spend the rest of the day with my family in celebration of my birthday.  I was born in Minnesota and my parents say they had to borrow their neighbors car when my mom went into labor because theirs wouldn't start!  The snow today seems quite fitting!

May your blessings overflow!

Windy City

New Year's Day found hubby and I in Chicago. They don't call it the windy city for nothing! The locals have it figured out though.  Everyone we passed on the sidewalk was warmly bundled. Maybe they get used to it, I wondered? The women looked so fashionable in their high boots and black coats. This was my first time downtown near the Navy Pier. I've driven through the city countless times but I have never stopped for a visit. Our plans were to go to the American Girl Place first.  But, my eyes took in the plethora of fancy shops like Burberry, Armani, Bloomingdale's and on and on.

Take a look at the size of their tree!

It would have been fun to do some window shopping but my ever focused hubby steered me clear of any of that! It was time to get my Christmas gift - a doll for myself. You're never too old for dolls, right? I've always been a doll lover; I'm a girly girl through and through. Ever since my first visit to the American Girl Place at Mall of America last summer these dolls have intrigued me. I've been mostly sheltered by the whole phenomenon having only boys and friends with boys, and nieces who live hundreds of miles away. But, then I had so much fun sewing doll clothes for my nieces that I wanted the fun to continue!

Here are some pictures I took of our time there.  The picture quality isn't the best since the dolls are behind glass.  There was so much to ooh and aah over!

Isn't this bitty baby dressed all in red with her teddy bear cute?

And what about her all dressed for summer?

Aren't they a lovely pair?  Such gorgeous colors.

A birthday celebration, anyone? 

While the bitty baby's are cute I really prefer the 18" dolls.  And what a variety to choose from!  There are the historical dolls, like Rebecca (who almost came home with me.)

Isn't she pretty?

 And then there are the "look like me" dolls who live the life we'd like to have, such as this . . .

Breakfast in bed no less!

The doll on the left reminds me of the muff I had as a girl.

Friends all dressed for winter.

And, isn't she dressed nice?

Pretty in pink.

The chinese doll reminds me of my friend who collects international dolls.

Pretty girls.

So, which doll did I come home with?  Well, I will save that for the next posting!
May your cup overflow with blessings today!

Winter Scenes

We are back home again after spending a wonderful Christmas in Minnesota with our families.  Their snowy landscapes were picturesque.  I took a walk on the path shown above on Christmas Eve and it was just magical walking through the woods with the snow crunching under my boots and all of nature so still and quiet.  Thankfully, this year it wasn't too cold with temperatures above zero every day.  My boys just loved playing in the snow!

Making a cool snow fort!

Falling backwards on the fluffy stuff!

Walking up the hill in the distance to go sledding.

Snow fun!

We made so many memories spending time with our loved ones over Christmas. It truly was a joyous Christmas.

Next, I will be showing you some pictures of our day in the windy city!

Happiness is . . .

going to get the mail this time of the year!  I just love all of the Christmas cards with hand written messages.  And what fun to see the smiling faces of far away loved ones on photo cards.  It is just so much fun!

Happiness is also my boys reenacting the Christmas story.  Here they are the "3 wise men bearing gifts from afar."

Happiness is also them placing their crowns on "baby Jesus" and my youngest's desire to do it over and over again because it was so much fun. (I have guilt over not having the time to oblige him.)

Happiness is spools of new ribbon!  I just love these colors and it is pure eye candy for me (with zero calories I might add!)  Happiness is also my back-up Bernina machine (thanks Mom!) to use when my newer machine couldn't handle all of the sewing I was doing for Christmas gifts.  It was such a relief to have a working machine to keep plugging away at my gifts.  The cute Scottie dog also makes me very happy thanks to Jenny B Harris.  She was incredibly generous in releasing the pattern through a Creative Commons Attribution License.  See this.  I hope this inspires others to do the same.  Now, you can make these cute dogs, too.  She has a wonderful website full of inspiration if you have time to take a look.  She is so creative!  I love the colors she works with.  They are so cheery!

 I made these Scotties for some special people in my life who have been such a support to me and my business this year.  It has really been a sweet ending to 2010. 

Tomorrow begins our journey to Minnesota to spend Christmas with our families.  My prayer for you is to have a very joyful and peaceful Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. 

I am looking forward to what God has in store in 2011! 

Until next year!

Busy Hands

My hands have been busy sewing doll clothes for my nieces this Christmas and it has been a lot of fun picking out the different fabrics and seeing the tiny clothes come together.  These clothes will fit their American Dolls.  

A sweet flannel nightgown with cute dogs and blue bones!

A Christmas flannel nightgown.

Fun flannel pajamas with a cupcake applique.

Pink heart flannel pajamas with a heart applique.

A polka-dot party dress!

A sweet flannel  nightgown with dogs and pink bones.

Jeans and a knit t-shirt.  These jeans were a lot of fun to make with pink double stitching.

A fleece vest, scarf and hat.  Perfect for a Minnesota doll.

"All Dolled Up"

This is the pattern book I used for all of the clothes.  It is written by Joan Hinds and it was wonderful!  I can just imagine the hours of play my nieces will have dressing their dolls up. 

Blessings on your Christmas preparations today!

Christmas Pretties

After Thanksgiving it seems I have been busy nonstop.  Thus, the reason for not posting!! But, decorating the house for Christmas always follows Thanksgiving for me.  I especially had a lot of fun decorating my dining room.  This is only our 2nd Christmas in our new home so I did a fair amount of experimentation with the decorations until I got things just right.  I thought it would be fun to share some pictures with you.  I love my table because it combines things both sets of parents have given or made for me.  My dad made the advent wreath and my mother-in-law the table runner.  They both have this blueish green in them that looks perfect together.
 

I am really enjoying my "girlie" tree with pink tinsel.  Living in a house with all males I need my pink!

 I bought this stocking at a craft sale in St. Peters, Missouri.  The lady who made it had so many beautiful hand made items.  I envied her ability to crochet tiny doilies and lacework.  She shared with me how this stocking was made from old quilt scraps.  Isn't it lovely all dressed with pearl buttons  and trim?

Today will be another day full of sewing for me.  I will be sharing in the days to come, so stop on back!

Blessings!