They’re out!

The first of my series of doll patterns to crochet have made it out, available on Maggie’sCrochet.com. The sets are designed for 18″ dolls, like my daughter’s American Girl doll seen here.They “debuted” this Tuesday and I’m working on the next two outifits now. My youngest girl loves playing with them, especially the bunny and basket from the Ready for Spring set. I particularly like the French Girl set with her flowered beanie, flared pants and mary jane shoes. I spent a good part of my girlhood making dolls and doll clothes, so this feels quite natural and is lots of fun being a kid again.

Freeform Booties

I couldn’t resist sharing these with you as well…lots of little bits of pink fluff entwined in stitches to make some baby booties for a friend who has just had her first child and who has also just begun chemo for Hodgkins disease (the mom, that is). Many prayers and thoughts are going her way as these booties are sent. The “what-if” question brought me to create these and now I’m thinking of more freeform in 3-D…yummm!

Saturday Sewing

Yes, there’s smoke rising from my sewing machine…I painted our living room on Thursday and have now been making curtains, pillows, and covering a hassock…well I haven’t gotten to the hassock yet. But I’m having so much fun! It’s amazing how a new color can enliven your home and heart. I found the PERFECT fabrics at Hancock Fabrics in Winston. I think I can even enjoy our old (and I mean olde) furniture now. The curtains look beautiful and I dropped some fabric behind our “olde” armoire (half the back is knocked out of it to accommodate all the wires) and it gave light to an otherwise dark hole. Tomorrow I’ll tackle the hassock (I have a cool idea to try) and pillows…perhaps I’ll even photograph them to share with you. So my lovely Saturday sewing will turn into Sunday sewing as well. How delightful!

Gotta Make’em!

Had a baby shower to attend yesterday…she’s having a boy and I was wishing for a reason to make these adorable converse booties for someone. The pattern is from the Sept/Oct 2007 Crochet Today (a super crochet mag, by the way). The first one I made would’ve fit a two year old. Arrghhh… I’m forever using a different yarn than what is called for and I love using cottons and what I have on hand (lots of Lion Brand’s Cotton Ease). I just did not adjust the pattern enough. So my second attempt turned out just right–about a 3-6 month old size. They say it’s an “easy skill” pattern, but I would call it intermediate due to the construction with multiple pieces. But it’s a well-written pattern. My youngest girl suggests I make the next ones in pink, and purple and lime green…great idea!

Freeform IN the landscape

Prudence Mapstone has on her website (listed under Purls) a section of photographs of her freeform pieces in the landscape. Here’s my feeble attempt to photograph in this way, though nowhere near as successfully as hers. I began this little piece last week. I couldn’t believe how many “neutral” colored yarns I had in my stash until I began tossing them into my bowl (this is where I mix and stir until I find just the right combination). I have not used anywhere near all of them, so I will finish this one up and turn to the others to see just how many combinations I can make from them. This will, I think, end up being a pillow. I’d like to make several small decorative pillows and sell them at Everyday Art Gallery (link is also under Purls). I will embellish them much more, put an uneven, multi-stitch edging on them, line and stuff them. A little bit of art for your armchair, bed, sofa, wherever!
My last post had a record-breaking number of comments…I do love your comments! But I enjoy blogging even if no one reads it…it’s like a photo-journal of my fiber journey.