I can’t rave enough about Keyka Lou’s patterns!  They’re really easy to follow even for the newest sewer and the end result is beautiful!  I’ve made several of her patterns and own nearly every one of them.  Go on, you know you want to!

I also made a skirt for my Dal dolls.

I like the way it hangs on her and I think it’s a great length. It’s fully lined and closes with Velcro though I do want to start making clothes that use snaps as closures instead.

I had sand matted my Blythe “Raspberry Sorbet” doll’s face and didn’t realize her make up would come off as easily as it did so there was a slight lip incident. This weekend I repainted her lips and I think it turned out ok.

The hat she’s wearing was crocheted by my good friend Shelley. Shelley and I were roommates in university and lost touch for a few years. We reconnected and I couldn’t be happier about that. If you want to check out her Etsy shop (or contact her to make you your very own doll or child sized hat) you can find her here.

I also finished a closet for the dolls. It’s rather narrow but for now it’s a place for me to put some of their clothes. I’m waiting on more hangers though I really should figure out how to make my own.

As you can see, the tiny dollhouse is really overcrowded now. That means it’s time I start working on “Project Dollhouse”. A big house for the big dolls and that gets them out of the smaller house and I can work on decorating that up as well.

Here’s the pouch and fingers crossed it’s to my partner’s liking.

This is the tutorial I followed. It was my first time ever making this and it was actually pretty straight forward. There’s always a bit of a learning curve but I think it turned out ok.

This morning I went to a hand quilting class at a local quilt shop.  I had a vague idea of what to do but I find it’s always best to have someone show you.  I had wanted to hand quilt something for a gift but I also wanted to give the gift this year so I probably won’t do that.  I will say that my aversion to thimbles has not let up.  I like looking at them but I find it nearly impossible to do any sewing with one on my finger.  It messes me up.  I can’t feel what I’m doing and I go by feel.  That said, did you know it was possible to ram the eye of a needle into your finger?  Well it is.  Luckily I didn’t get any blood on my little practice project because I’m using Kona Snow as my fabric.

I have some gifts and things that I would like to make but I also want to start creating some stock for my Etsy shop and with the Bostford Craft Bazaar in mind this December.  I don’t want to be down to the wire like last year, stressed because of all the time I wasted.  I’d really like to turn this into more than a casual hobby.  Right now I work from home (and I’m also supposed to be working on a Master’s degree).  If I could find a way to supplement what I currently make, I could relax and continue to work from home like I’ve always wanted.  I’m not naive.  I have no notions of sewing for a living.  I’d just like to make some steady sales.

Here’s to a productive tomorrow!

I’ve got to gather up the rest of the supplies I need.  If I can muster up some energy, I’ll do that now.  I’m looking forward to the class.  I’ve been doing some embroidery and I did hand sew the binding on the quilt I made for Matthew so I’m not going into this completely new, thankfully.

I’ve also joined a Flick swap.  You can see the button on the right.  This is my first swap.  I’ve done gift exchanges on the private site that I work for but this is something new and I’m really excited.  I should find out who my partner is soon and I can get started on their pouch.

The warm weather is starting to tease its arrival and I’m already feeling much lighter and happier.   Here’s to lots of sunshine this Spring/Summer.