Her name is Pearl

She has a name and it is Pearl.

I wasn't sure if I was going to keep that name until I asked my niece's opinion and she said "YES!"

So today we have Pearl modeling a pair of khaki "Cargo" pants...

also khaki shorts and a reversible vest.

She also has on a sweet cream flannel shirt and tan shoes.

The shoes are an American Girl product and the rest of the ensemble I made including this fun hat.

I really need one of these.

She looks like a Pearl don't ya think?

Little Plaid Cap

Yesterday I made a little plaid ball cap for my American Girl doll and of course I had a blast.

  It came out so cute!

That led to a full outfit.

 I only had about a fat quarter of the green and cream flannel and even less of the Scottie dog lining fabric so the hat is lined in a solid cream flannel.

The shirt is made from the same cream flannel

The vest is reversible with green and cream plaid flannel on one side and a super cute Scottie Dog print on the other.

Slick grey flat front slacks.

To complete the look she is sporting these adorable brown faux leather shoes from American Girl.

She is ready for her Tee time!

11th Birthday Project #2

A fashion show starring Mary and unknown model (I can't think of a name yet)

11th Birthday Project

I have been working on so many secret projects aka "gifts" that I haven't been able to share any photos that might spoil a surprise. The following is just one example, there are more to come. Today is my Niece's 11th birthday and I wanted to give her something special. She received an American Girl doll from Santa last Christmas and she named her Mary. I think she has had a few dolls named Mary. She needed some clothes to beef up her wardrobe so all month long I have been having the best time making tiny little clothes.

Here is a play by play of the gift opening, sort of.

I wanted to film her opening it but I decided to just watch and be in the moment. I won't get many more of these moments you know!

 I put a layer of tissue between each outfit so she appreciated them one at a time. It worked like a charm. The first layer was a pair of lounge pants and two flannel shirts.

She said" You made my doll, clothes?!"

 This outfit consists of a baby blue flannel shirt complete with embroidery and a twirly pink skirt and a crocheted raspberry beret. So cute.

 A lined corduroy suit complete with hat.

 A flannel suit.

Right about here she said" If there is an old fashioned dress I am going to scream!"

 This sundress is made from a fabric that I used to make her a dress when she was just a little thing.

 Right about here she started squealing. This dress comes with pantaloons but I didn't have enough of the blue to make a bonnet to match.

 So I made another one with a tiny polka dot print complete with bonnet. She loves it I think it's her favorite but this next one stunned her into silence for a moment. She looked like her head was going to explode!

 It is quite luxurious. I cropped it out of the photo by mistake but it has black trim at the bottom.

 Here is a photo if the final dress on my doll. See the trim at the hem line?

I had to get a doll of course. I needed a model right?! I had to make sure everything fit before I gave it to her. She is a birthday present to myself alright!

I am pretty sure my niece will be enjoying this gift for a long time and now I am hooked on making doll clothes so more will be coming her way.

Happy Birthday Miss!

I love you.

Peachy Picnic Quilt

I recently finished a 9 patch quilt using several Heather Bailey fabrics. Some of them I purchased and some of them I won in one of her early giveaways.

 Here is a close up. The top went together pretty easily but I struggled with the quilting some. I just couldn't make up my mind. After washing it I think it needs more stitching, it isn't crinkley enough.

 I am still in love with gingham binding.

 Doesn't it look nice laying on the guest bed? So fresh, like a warm spring day.

 It is a perfect picnic sized quilt at 45" x 45".

 The back is patchy because I don't want to buy new fabric...yet.

This project has got me thinking we need to pack a picnic basket grab the dogs and go find some dirt.
We have another eight days of snow coming our way. Yikes!

Lunch at Lily House

Willow just whipped up a fabulous new pillow for the sofa.

She whipped up a yummy looking lunch as well! 

Pillowy Paisley Mushrooms

I am on a roll with the embroidery projects. I am determined not to start a new project until I finish something, so I have been concentrating on the many finished blocks of embroidery I have to make into...something.

Such as this Mushroom/Bug block.

which I think I will surround with orange...

and surround the orange with this Good Earth Paisley print.

Ohhhh yeah! Groovy

Now it needs something to class it up a bit...

Olive fringe left over from this beauty...that's the ticket! ;0)

Word Crunch

I started a new quilt the other day. At first I struggled a bit with the color scheme and message. I knew I wanted to use word blocks, in the liberated Lazy Gal way, and once I chose the message and the colors, I was off. Little bits of pale aqua polka dot, solid orange
and cornflower blue (thrifted dress shirt)

make the letters which form the words.

I was in a roll. The letters were flowing from me.

Then Crunch!

My sewing machine broke!

I am lost without it. I.must.get.it.fixed.
:0(

OH Boy! I have been having dreams about my new quilt.