Christmas time

I periodically get the crazy idea to make Christmas presents for everyone in my family.  I've skipped doing this for 2 years, but now I'm back to it.

I've made beaded bracelets for a few people, headbands, and sewn gifts.

It is difficult coming up with ideas for the men in my family.  I made glasses case with lanyard for my BIL, a heating pad cover for my daddy, and a blanket for my brother.

R is getting  a lot of handmade items.  Her big one from me this year is a Middie Blythe that I customized for her.

Last peak before being wrapped.

Along with the Middie is a collection of clothing and a carrying case.  I made her Blythe girls, Lisa and Coco, some outfits too.

Santa is bringing her a Mab Graves Pinkie and the baby dino cameo, and she is receiving a microscope, karaoke machine, and other odds and ends.  Her daddy is getting a necklace made from the shell of the bullet that killed her first deer this year.  Funny enough the shell has her initials on it.

I hope everyone who happens upon this post has a great holiday season!

My goodness

My goodness it has been a long time!!  Wonderful news, I graduated with my Masters of Science in Library Science.  Hooray! Hooey! Joy!

I have had more time to sew and knit.  I've been sewing like a crazy person making doll bags, hankie dresses, and long style dresses for my Blythes.

Here is a sampling:

Maybe eventually the long dresses will shop up in my Etsy shop.

Here is some knitting projects:

Team Zissou Hats!!

Just Joking....

Okay, new patterns did not happen.  I've become obsessed with finding Skipper clothing for my Blythes.  I'm also in the process of organizing...GASP.

Organizing isn't going too hot.  But, it is a start.

I will soon be offering vintage items altered for Blythe in my Etsy shop.  I have been doing "little laundry" as my family like to tease me about to get them ready.  The pieces are Skipper and Barbie circa 1963-66.  They are duplicates that I've gotten in my Ebay purchases.

A few vintage Ken pieces may pop up also.  Ken the nudist is overwhelmed by his new wardrobe.

Now available in my Etsy shop is vintage Skipper inspired Mod Dresses, http://www.etsy.com/listing/119314074/mod-blythe-dress

Right now these are the colors available. They are made from wool/wool-blend felt and have snap closures.

Deer Hat for Blythe

I posted my first pattern for sale on Ravelry!

Perfect quick project for fun or costume purposes for your Blythe doll! This little hat was created thanks to tinyowlknits’s deer with little antlers hat available on her blog: http://owlinthedark.blogspot.com/2010/08/deer-with-little-antlers-hat.html. 

The pattern is written for magic loop method, but can easily be converted for DPNs. The hat, ears and antlers are all knitted seperately.

Great project for using up scrap yarn. Felting is optional for the antlers.

I made the little sweater and skirt too.

Photo credits go to Joe Phelps, my husband.  I convinced him to play with dolls!

Fall Outfit

Puchi Collective pants and a top of my own design

Hermione's new outfit.  Her hair will be curled with real curlers tonight.  

Lamby, the size of thread

Pattern from Puchi Collective.  Thanks for sharing the pattern!!

All hand stitched, my marking pen did not come out like it should, but it gives Lamby depth.  

Ginny's Mod Outfit

Ginny's Mod Outfit

I hand stitched the top.  This pattern is from Simplicity. 

From Russia with Love

Pixie Hat and Outfit

With fall, hopefully, relieving us soon from the hellish temperatures Penelope asked for a warm Pixie Hat and outfit.

New Doll

So, I took a plunge.  I am now the proud owner of a Blythe doll.  I purchased the Simply Mango set.  She came with a precious little chihuahua even.  Her name is Ginny mildly after Ginny Weasely. 

At first it was a bit scary to change her eye color with the pull string but it is fun.  Why don't all dolls have changing eye color? 

Something I have noticed as far as knitting patterns, there are very few.  Sewing patterns, wow, there are tons and for free!  I have written one knitting pattern thus far.  I am going to knit it a few more times to make sure it is bug free. 

I made the most adorable "Weasely Sweater" and Gryffindor scarf.  I am working on Ginny's Beehive hat from the GOF but I am unsure it is going to work out.  I made an accidently sweater dress for her also.  The accident was that I made it too small for R's elephant.  Photos coming soon.

Robe to mini robe

I was given a pink (I hate pink) robe for high school graduation about 8 years ago.  I used it all of the time when I received it but over the years I use it less.  For the past several years the robe has be hanging in the bathroom or, as of lately, getting washed about ten times because it ends up in the floor.

I finally was going to pass it on for yard sale or trash.  Instead, I reused the fabric.

Santa brought R an 18 inch Madame Alexander doll, as I mentioned before.  I purchased some clothing from Etsy and pulled from my old stash to cloth Goldie (R named her Goldie Locks).

Goldie has no jammies, so I bought some fabric for jammies and of course she needs a robe.  I made her a robe out of my old robe!  It is really cute!  I need to get a tie for it and then it is finished.  I am pretty proud of the end product.

I also made a Tinkerbell dress yesterday.  I bought Simplicity 5705 Disney Doll Dresses* on sale a Hobby Lobby before Christmas.  I only have the dress finished because I don't have the fabric for the wings.

I am working a knit doll sweater right now.  I hope to finish it today.


* I hate the term "Princess".

Costume

I have been working on my Halloween costume today. I finally decided what to make with the help of Joe. I was going for a frumpy witch costume, he suggested the sexy one. I am hoping it won't be as short as it is on the model- I am short so most skirts fit me longer. I am making A.

I found some dove grey satin-like fabric for 1.50 a yard. Somehow I have A LOT more fabric than needed. I thought I only got about 3/4 more than the pattern suggested. I have a spider web netting too.

So far everything is going smoothly. I have been going the long way around. I wish I would have thought about the pattern layout more. I should have been cutting double out for the bodice pieces- one for the lining. Instead I followed the stupid pattern cutting layout.

I am going to double line the cape also. Especially since I have so much grey. I am hoping that it turns out okay. This is my first serious sewing project in a long time.