One Lucky Helen

Helen Dardik (One Lucky Helen) designed a Christmas pattern and everyone was embroidering this little guy on every blog I visited. I usually run the other way when I see everyone doing the same thing, but I couldn't stay away this time. I've embroidered this dog onto 8 napkins. I just purchased (on sale at JoAnns,...70% off!!!) the backing. I'll be donating these napkins to our local quilting guild. I've included a picture of one of my finished napkins, my new backing fabric, and the design itself in case any of you missed it.

Newest Book Purchase: Clothdolls for Textile Artists by Ray Slater

I fell in love with this book. The directions for faces and fingers really called out to me. I'll let you know when I actually attempt a doll, or making my own fabric. But for now, I'll give you a peek inside in case this is new to you, too.

Sole-Ful Slippers with Heather Ross

Like many of you, I was heartbroken to hear I wouldn't be receiving anymore Home Companion magazines. I'm so glad I kept every copy I ever had. Awhile back (like before Christmas), I decided to make everyone I know a pair of these "dainty, pretty sole-ful slippers" published in Home Companion. I diligently copied all three sizes (S,M,L) and enlarged 200% per the directions. I wanted to make the trial pair for Tessa. She wears a size 8. I had even picked up some slipper insole material and non-skid backing. Below is a picture of how far I got...and the FOOT in the slipper is MINE. And I wear a 5-6, and it's still too small. The slipper itself went together fairly easily...but I'm going to have to do some more enlarging and playing around with the pattern to get a true fit. If anyone else has tried to make these and has some tips I'd love to hear from you!

Sole-Ful Slippers by Heather Ross, pictured in Home Companion, and my sample.

Love the colors. Insole has not been added.

Love the gathers at tip of toe, giving the slipper a ballerina feel.

Bottom and side view. Along with being too small, the sides did not come up as far as I had expected. I do love the bias tape at the heel for pulling off and on tho.

On the left is the roll of insole padding. On the right is non-slip grippy stuff for bottoms.

Dolls for Mexico

I know you all remember the flannel baby receiving blankets I've been working on? These dolls are the next installation for a care package slotted for an orphanage in Mexico. You're looking at 35 doll parts. It was more impressive when I hadn't sew the backs to the fronts and there were 70 parts! My plan is to make at least 15 rag dolls. I met with my friend Tami, (www.lemontreetales.com/), and she suggested I make the clothes removeable. What I've come up with so far is below. The finished size of the doll is 16 inches and came from an old crafts magazine. Painting the faces and giving them yarn knots for hair will be finishing touch. I'll post pictures when they are all finished. A BIG THANKS to Tessa for stuffing all the parts for me :-)

New Jacket!

How cute is this jacket??? I bought the pattern while on retreat in Oregon at Creative Fabrics. The owner, Doris, had one made-up and we all took turns trying it on. Several of us bought yards and yards of gorgeous fabric (it takes 4 yards!). I finished mine a few weeks ago - okay, it still needs a button right at the top, but for ME, it counts as being finished. In the back are two darts, giving it a very French painter's smock feeling. The pockets have a slight curve on the top edge, and the sleeves are cuffed. I'm seeing this jacket as perfect for spring with jeans and a white t-shirt to run errands in and still look current and put-together. My mom, Betty, made one up for Claudia, and it's pictured below. Let me know if you want the pattern information.

Claudia's Jacket

Stashing your Stashes & Re-Stash a Stasher Project

I want to talk about stashing fabric, EVERYWHERE. But before I go there, I want to make sure everyone knows that SOOZS in Australia (http://soozs.blogspot.com/) is right at this very moment helping crafters affected by the horrible fires replace their stash (or is it stashes?). So, if you want to contribute/help, please go to http://handmadehelpsout.blogspot.com/. And while I am talking about this fabulous blogger, I want to confess I've been stalking her blog for a very, very long time - - and I put on my big-girl panties and EMAILED her! I'm sure you've all been here. You have followed someone else's life via their blog for so long that in your head, you actually know them. Only, you don't. And they haven't any clue you even exist. Suzie was kind enough to answer my email and so now it's okay that I'm addicted to her blog and if I ever show up on her front doorstep with a suitcase full of crafting supplies and a sleeping bag, maybe she won't call the authorities ;-)

I have been sick FOREVER with some unknown bronchial infection that just will NOT go away. This is not an excuse for being so behind in blogging, but it is an explanation. After 6 days on Zithromax I am now on Quinolin. To make matters worse, for me at least, my right thumb has locked down. I believe it's called a trigger finger (in this case, thumb). I've had surgery on both of my hands for carpul tunnel and knew something else could develop, but as I am only 45 I really wasn't prepared to start patching up and replacing all of my body parts. I haven't really been able to work a needle, since I'm right-handed, and cutting out fabric is agonizingly painful. The upside is I see the hand surgeon, Dr. McCoy ('Bones' for all of you my age who grew up watching the original Star Trek television series) on Tuesday of this week. Bad news is I know he's going to once again slice and dice and that will put me weeks and weeks behind all of my craft plans. Not being able to embroider, cross-stitch and sew for weeks is such a depressing thought. I'm stacking up projects to do. Looking at a pattern and fabric I've pulled can be just as fulfilling as actually doing the project; at least for awhile I hope.

Here are some stacks I stumbled upon. I've already made a jacket out of the grey and fuschia material. Tessa modelled the jacket and I'll do a post just on it next.

Gladly accepting ideas on what to do with these chickens! At first I was thinking of backing tea towels, making a tea cozy, or an apron. Any ideas?

Fabric on far right has already been transformed into a jacket. I have 4 yards of the other two pieces and will be making bags, jackets or skirts for Tessa.

Future quilts!

Lovin Livestock in Escalon, CA

Mid-way between my house and the SF bay area there is a town called Escalon. There is a livestock yard I have to pass by, only I usually can't just pass it by. I have to stop and commune with the animals. There can be anything from llamas, goats and sheep to horses, pigs and cattle. It was cattle this time that caught my eye. The mother of the brown calf actually growled at me when I took pictures of her baby! The Texas Long Horn was soooooooooo not impressed by me.