Those kids o' mine

I have had over 24 hours of birthday fun thanks to my 3 darling daughters. The biggie was a night here . It is a beautiful inn right on the water in Langley, WA. We live about 6 miles and a world away. While island life is quite peaceful anyway, being right on the water adds a welcome calming element. My dear friend Kelly came and joined me for some "sit on the deck and watch the sunset" time. Just perfect.

My little Boston Terrier, Luca, was part of the package as well. She was outfitted with a huge dog bed and snuggly blanket. They even put food and water bowls out. Langley is a very dog friendly community. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the library, banks and most stores. They all have treat containers and there are even "doggie bags" available for when, you know, that time comes.

After check out today, I came home to get ready for dinner out. My girls, their boyfriends and our guys, Kelly and John took the ferry to the Ivars at Mukilteo Landing. A delicious dinner and dessert some present opening and a ferry ride home. More presents and now I'm just plum tuckered. I'm 46, I can say plum tuckered now.

I'm a Cover Girl!

Okay well my crown is a "cover girl". Here is the cover to the Fall 08 Living Crafts Magazine. That darling crown on that darling boy....yup mine. The crown, not the boy. Inside the mag is my pattern for making 3 different crowns. Pick up your copy August 17th.

Dear Ivy

Here is my newest sweet girl. She is 18" tall and all dressed in pink. Ivy's kimono top is made with Sandi Henderson's Farmer's Market fabric. Her pants are made of organic cotton and the fabric came form Bunte Fabrics . Ivy's cap is made of alpaca and the flower trim is hand dyed wool felt. Her little hair ties are made of twill tape and felt. For Ivy's top, I took my kimono pattern and altered it so it has a gathered skirt. Very girly and sweet I'd say. I'm quite pleased with the way Ivy turned out.

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.