Just Babbling

46. That's how old I'll be in 5 days. My girls have been scampering about with a big secret that will be revealed on the 21st. I know there is a ferry ride and a dinner involved. Beyond that, not a clue. All three girls are gainfully employed and they are apparently pooling their loot to do something pretty special for me. I am getting in touch with those excited feelings of anticipation and wonder. Yea me! Double yea them!!
The Bayview Farmer's Market has been a huge success for me. Amidst all of the "hey you're back!" and the "where have you been?" questions, people are buying up my stuff. One of the things I love about selling at the farmer's market is my customer base is generally unaware of Waldorf dolls but they are wanting natural fiber items and handmade crafts. This provides a perfect time to explain about the dolls and the reason for simplicity. It is wonderful!
I have been very inspired by this doll maker. You can get a passable translation through Babelfish if you don't read in German. If you select "bildergalerie", you find her gallery of dolls. I get a little giddy just thinking about it. It is her use of fabrics and color that is inspiring me to use more European fabrics and change my palate to a softer, fresher look.
I have pounds and pounds of mohair on order. When it arrives I will be dyeing it to use on my dolls. I have decided not to buy ready dyed hair yarn for now. Not only will I be spending less money, but I will have complete control over the coloring process. With the cost of my fabrics increasing, it is nice to have the hair cost go down a bit.
Off to my sewing table! I get to play with dolls all day.

A few new girls and a whole lot of pink

Jade

Pearl

Ruby

Jade, Pearl and Ruby are the new kids on the block. As, dare I say it, we move towards the "holiday season", will be listing more and more in stock dolls. It is my plan to do fewer custom orders and provide dolls that are ready to mail of to their new homes. These 3 cuties are in my Etsy shop.

5 pretty dresses. Lots of pink. I tossed a bunch of my pink fabrics on the worktable and started cutting strips. I then sewed them into skirts and added bodices. A felt patch and red buttons and they were done. Too sweet!

Royal Crown? Flower Crown? Mushroom Crown?

Yeah! I am being published. The pattern and instructions to make my wool felt crowns will be in Living Crafts magazine. It hits the newsstands August 15 I believe. Kits made with hand dyed 100% wool felt will be available in my Etsy shop beginning the middle of August. A little birdie told me that my Royal Crown has even made it to the cover of the magazine.

Oooooh Fabric

Just a quickie here. German fabrics make me swoon. I plan to be using them more and more for my doll's clothes. Yvonne of Bunte Fabrics orders the most amazing fabrics. I have to start slowly because they are a bit more money than the fabrics I usually buy. They are totally worth it. The prints are divine, the woven plaids make my mouth water and don't even get me started on the organic velour. Ribbons with toadstools, deer, owls, polka dots, hedgehogs etc..... Go see them! She also has European patterns, fantastic buttons and great customer service. I am fortunate to live just across the water from her so I get my packages next day. Take a peek at my little pile of lovely:

That's right...come to Mama

So I'm in the thrift store looking for a rake and lo and behold I see this beautiful beast:


"Ooooh, come to mama" I whisper to myself. A yarn swift for how much?

Maybe not as exciting as the $24.95 Bernina but very cool all the same. I have needed a yarn swift for a long time.

Also...

I kettle dyed some wool/alpaca last night for a swap I'm participating in and I am quite pleased with the results. This is my second time kettle dyeing.

Just in time for Summer

Dolls! Dolls! Dolls! I am making lots of dolls. It is my "big plan" to build up a stock of goods so I can drop in at our local Farmer's Market and maybe even attend one or two markets on the mainland. I sold at Bayview Farmer's Market for a number of years at I'm looking forward to seeing lots of my old friends. It is loads of fun and I really need more human contact.
Here is a peek at a new doll in my Etsy Shop. Her name is Petal. Petal is a 16" Moonchild doll. She comes with a 5 piece set. Her vintage linen dress, pants, hair band, purse and Moondrop. Petal is one of a kind and there won't be another like her.

Baby got back

This may or may not even be a topic to bring up but Full Moon Babies got booty now. Not a coin slot, just the rounded bottom of a sweet baby. Aside from the all out cuteness of it, the baby can sit on its own better than before. I like the look so much that I may even have the Moonchild doll sporting a bum in the near future.

That other thing I do

I make dolls. I love making them and I do it everyday. Yesterday, though, between crocheting hair and making some bodies, I finished up a birthday present for my very dear friend John. I used to make art quilts frequently and I really enjoy the process. I think I may dabble in it again. This quilt is approximately 20"x 22".

3 new cuties available

I've listed 3 new Waldorf dolls in my Etsy shop. Here is a sneak peak.

Clover (moving to Canada)

Clementine (moving to Seattle)

Wren

Math and Physics

First off...my apologies. I really am a sucky blogger. I read a lot of other blogs and I love reading about the simplest little details of life. Throughout my day I touch on moments and thoughts that would be good blog fodder. Do I make the effort? Obviously not. This is evidence of my leaf being turned over.
So..math and physics. I have 3 lovely daughters and 1 bathroom. The one bathroom that we do have must have been designed by someone who never lived with an actual female. Upon entering this space you are faced with a wall. Right in front of you. Why? Turn..no..pivot to the left and squeeze through an 18" space between the wall and counter to get to the 12 square foot "big area". The sink and mirrors are in a corner. ick.
Now my daughters all leave the house within minutes of each other in the morning. 3 people do not fit in this bathroom. Why, then, do my daughters, who are all of average intelligence yet possess superior entitlement delusions, save their bathroom primping till the last minute? It can get loud. They are 16, 17 and 27 years old (that's right, 27).
I know it's obvious. Take turns. Time management. Be nice. All that stuff you learn in kindergarten. Maybe it is some sort of crazy sister bonding. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this is a problem. They are old enough to figure it out.
I think I'll go sew.