pink hearts and purple stars

One of my nieces requested a dress with pink hearts and purple stars.  I did my best to fulfill her wish.

I used Patty Young's Addison pattern for the big girl.  (Her sister was the one who got the purple version in March).

Her doll got the Mini-Addison version, with slightly different buttons.

Happy birthday, G!

warhol tank x 2

Here's my latest version of Dana's Warhol dress for my daughter and her doll.


I used a black and white polka dot Michael Miller knit, and did the strap and heart applique using an old pink tshirt.  The doll version doesn't have the bow at the shoulder and is a little more of the typical tank pattern.

rainbow dress x 2

Rainbow dresses for the birthday girl and her doll.  For her, I used Patty Young's Claudia pattern.  For the doll, I used her Mini-Addison pattern as a base, and modified the bodice and sleeves and didn't add the sash or overskirt.  The doll dress didn't have a collar either.  They each had light blue dresses, white cloud sleeves, and rainbow ribbons along the skirt.

Easter outfits

Here's another Addison and Mini-Addison set of dresses.

I found that the doll dress bodice lined up a little differently than the kid's version, so the buttons look off center in this picture.  I think that was my fault and I ironed the fold in the wrong direction.

The sash becomes a bow in the back.

The boys got matching gray tshirts with the geometric fabric appliqued on as ties.  Happy Easter!

dolly & me, the purple one

Perfect dresses for dolly and me!



Patty Young's Addison and Mini-Addison patterns sewed up quickly and easily.


Little details like sparkly buttons made it fun for the birthday girl!

Button-up tabs reveal the underskirt.

Bitty Baby loves hers too!

Happy Birthday L!

fashion design

I made 5 kits for Christmas presents this year.  Using my Sizzix BigKick dies I cut a bunch of foam and felt bodies, felt and paper outfits, foam hair and shoes.  I added a small bottle of craft glue, a big handful of sequins, a few googly eyes, ribbon and tulle scraps, stickers, and a few pearls.
Hopefully the girls enjoy their time making some fun dolls for themselves!

dolls x 4

{ Spoiler alert..... If you are my mother-in-law or one of my sisters-in-law and you want to be surprised at Christmas ... turn away quick... }


Ok - everyone else - here's a sneak peek at some of the Christmas goodies.
The Black Apple doll isn't exactly a new project. It's just new to me. I never thought I'd get into dolls, but I guess so. I also said I'd never get into clothes, but obviously I was wrong about that!!! (the final frontier... doll clothes. I think I'll hold out a little longer on that one.)

I got a 5-pack of matching fat quarters. Each doll has matching stockings, and their own special matching dress with a monogram. If I have time, I might add some accessories (flower hair "pin", scarf, whatever else I can think of). For right now, I'm just excited about these little cuties!!
I know some people paint on faces or hand-embroider. I don't really like handwork so I just used fabric markers.
I had fun with the hair too.
Two curly-headed blondies...
And two straight-haired little dollies.
I can't wait to give them to my daughter & nieces!!!

labor of love

Check out this baby doll carrier.
My sister-in-law picked the fabric, cut out the pieces and did the first couple steps of the 50-step pattern. She asked me if I could finish it (she was getting a little overwhelmed with baby #2 and the difficulty of the pattern). I didn't think it would be that hard. I could figure it out, right?

Well,
I love my niece.
I love sewing.
I've decided I'm just not sure I love taking someone else's beginnings. Next time (if there is a next time?!!!) I'm doing it myself from the cutting out part. And I'm not sure I'm EVER going to use this particular pattern again. It kept on going to the bottom of my to-do pile, which tells me pretty blatantly that it was not my favorite project.
But.... Saturday is her 2nd bday party (and it's FINALLY done!!!) so Happy Birthday, G!

rock a bye baby

Check out this adorable doll cradle. It was one of my daughter's birthday presents. And you betcha - it was handmade by her uncle. Doesn't he rock?? (he'll make you one for a small fee. contact me for details. His business is called Rustic Ridge Woodworking.)

Here it is in her bedroom, photographed with the quilt from her bed. (My mom made her that tulip quilt before she was born.)
I covered the foam mattress in a dark blue swirly fabric. Why? Because I love blue and had a bunch of it in my stash, and I looooove the look of blue and white.

Here is one of her dolls in the bed, covered in a little piece of fleece. I did stitch her name on the little pillow, but these details are just temporary. I'm planning on something bigger and better. Something classier, for sure!

My mom said she thinks she has another tulip square. I know the perfect home for it!!!!