Don’t forget, if you are interested… or just want to watch… Sara’s purple and black coat and dress set ends this evening on Ebay… You can see it by clicking the picture at the right side bar or you can click HERE. Maybe it will snow for the winner! :o)
Now let’s get started on todays finds!
Our hens have started laying eggs! YAY!!! We got 3 this morning… they are super tiny but they’ll get bigger… my hubby and Rueben had a little breakfast celebration… look how they stand upright instead of just going flat! That’s a sign of a fresh egg!
…and DON’T think because I’ve been missing in action, that I’ve been sitting on the couch eating chocolate… LOOKIE, LOOKIE, LOOKIE!
My flowers came from the Food Pantry last week…
Cindy gave me the vintage pitcher…
I have this to go…
…and this…
Oh, and don’t forget, I’ve ALREADY done THIS side…
Now, this is probably self explanatory…
…and THIS too! They were 50% off at Hobby Lobby today. I think I was destined to get one!
But you can’t keep me from trying again… so I picked up some Sculpy Clay at Hobby Lobby today too… It was 30% off, I think… It was MUCH, MUCH, MUCH easier to mold into a shoe last… I just cut out a cardboard sole and started building upon it…
…smoothing it out as you build it up…
The shoe lasts I made from the clay were just a bit too short for Sara’s foot, so I made these just a bit longer…
I baked it and will let it cool overnight and then use an emery board to smooth off the edges. I’ll see if this works any better… I picked a pretty pink clay… :o)
My finger is still quite sore, so I’ve been doing “easy” things… and have started cleaning out and sorting one of my trims drawers…
I have also decided who is up next… see if you can guess… it involves those “turtle” shoes and YES, her very own turtle…
Well, that’s what I’ve been up to…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I see that Sara’s coat/dress has SEVEN bids already!! WooHoo!!!
What beautiful little eggs those are!! A while back, we were the grateful recipients of 18 eggs from our neighbor’s daughter’s hens; she had brought Pat three dozen of them, and she couldn’t use them all. She called to ask if we could use them. Lucky us!! It was so fun–the eggs were all different colors, white, tan, beige, even a pale blue-green!! Some of the yolks were so rich, they were were Deep gold in color!! Of course, they were delicious!!
Your kitchen is looking so pretty!! You’ve worked hard for it, and you deserve it! Not too much longer and it’ll be done!
The roses are gorgeous, and a perfect complement to the pitcher!
Oh, ouch!! Your poor fingers!! Extra lotion, or maybe some Vaseline or Vitamin E cream for them, and plenty of babying for a few days!!
I’m glad to see you got yourself a thimble, though. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. (It’s funny, I used to wear a thimble and then use a different finger to push the needle in. Finally I realized this was ridiculous, and I MADE myself use the thimble to push the needle in. It took several weeks of concerted effort before it actually became a habit, but now I wouldn’t hand sew without one. I’ve been know to try to leave the house wearing one, in fact, it feels so natural!)
Of course…Sculpey! What a great idea for your shoe forms! I think you are really onto something now. Do check and see if they shrank any with the baking, though, before you start molding leather onto them; it seems like Some polymer clays do shrink a bit.
Oh, yes, Navi will be next! That little turtle is just adorable, and she will LOVE to play with it!!
HI Charlotte,
Yes, I guess it didn’t matter that the outfit for Sara had a coat… I guess the winner either lives some place cold, or is thinking AHEAD to next year! :o)
My hubby and Reuben just had some more eggs a little while ago…it’s fun to “grow” your own food! :o)
I know it will take me some time to get used to the thimble, but I hope I can just use it as a pusher when I need it…
I held the Sculpy foot form to the bottom of Sara’s foot and it still seems to be okay… I really liked working with it…it was much easier than the modeling clay I used before.
If Navi’s outfit turns out cute, I might have to make a “better” pair of shoes for her instead of those “clodhoppers” I tried the first time…
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ahh hah, I just knew those cute little turtle shoes were not going away any time soon, Jeanne, and I that material combinaton is going to make a darling outfit for Navi! So spring and summerlike with the cheerful red and white gingham and strawberries! What’s not to like?
Oh my, all the different things in todays blog to comment on, I can’t keep up! But your poor fingers! I can feel it from her, and am so glad you now have a thinble, if you are going to be making shoes! That looks like a given!
I would love to get to Hobby Lobby sometime, It has been a year or so since I have been there, just don’t feel comfortable shopping yet, but I am happy to report that we get our first vaccine shot appointment at the end of this month, so there is hope I can go out again like a regular person!
Your eggs, so fresh and perky!! We had Bantam chickens for eggs, and they were always small eggs, so you had to do two or three to get a regular sized egg, but at least ours were fresh!
Your kitchen is coming along so well, and I almost thought you were going to have a two tone cabinet combination, since that seems to be a “thing” in the HGTV shows. I am thinking, thinking, thinking about changing mine, but then again, I can never make up my mind what I want! Maye just new handles are all we need!
Love those beautiful roses, they certainly do add a decorators touch to the countertop pictures!
No, I don’t think you are going to like those new dolls that have just come out from AG. Actually, they look pretty terrifying to me, but the younger generations seem to like that kind of thing! I think I will stick to what I like!
HI Linda,
I just kept looking at those turtle shoes and decided I’d just use them soon… like in NOW.
Navi is thrilled and can’t wait for me to get started.
I don’t know what I’d do if our Hobby Lobby shut down… I go there so much!
My hubby is taking the doors off the pantry section and I’ll be starting on them soon…
I keep forgetting to look for the purple haired doll…I’m going to look right now… just for fun!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
P.S. Uh… I just looked at her… I don’t think so! I do like her brown eyes though…
Your kitchen looks like a picture in a decorating magazine, Jeanne!
Took my first bike ride of the year yesterday! The gravel roads were in great shape. Have I missed the sloppy muddy part of spring? The ground is probably still frozen.
Rico had his dental yesterday. Only 2 extractions. I was expecting more.
My really big news. My husband gets his first vaccination today!
Thank you Julia,
I’m thrilled that you said my kitchen looks like something from a magazine… that makes my day! I’ve waited FOREVER for a white kitchen and to see if finally happening is so exciting!
Glad Rico had a good report and now has sparkling white teeth… and your hubby got his shot! Good for him…
Blessings, Jeanne
How wonderful to see the fresh eggs. Yum.
I’ve never used a thimble either. However, after seeing your fingers, maybe it is time. That is a lot of damage.
I’m so happy that you are getting those cabinets finished. A ton of work, but the outcome is quite amazing. The whole kitchen design is inspiring. So, what is the appliance on the counter to the right of the stove? Curious. 🙂
What a beautiful vase from sister Cindy, and the flowers add that special decorator touch. 🙂
That’s a lot of Sculpy, but the smooth lasts looks great. If I ever get to this point in shoe making, I think I’ll go with making a mold as my sculpting is a zero.
Love the strawberries and checked fabric. Can’t wait to see what develops.
Definitely need to get on the clean up wagon around here, but yesterday ended up doing some pruning at the other house. Looks much better, but not nearly done. Had to be there as the last PG&E bill had been estimated. After a very long time on hold and then a call back, was able to actually talk to someone who said that they were no longer getting a signal from the “Smart Meter.” Go figure. Got an appointment and then had to be there to unlock the gate. Very nice lady showed and said that our “Smart Meter” was over 10 years old and that they were all failing. Great. I never wanted one in the first place as I preferred a meter reader. But, it only took a few minutes to replace and no need to enter the house to do any relights. Picked a bag of Meyer lemons which were appreciated by the worker. The thought of lemon meringue pie flashed in both of our minds. 🙂
Can’t wait to see the next outfit.
Joy, I don’t know for sure, and Jeanne will eventually say, but I think it might be a deep fryer.
That makes sense. Thanks Linda. Haven’t seen one of those. No frying allowed here anyway. 🙁
HI Joy,
Yes, those hot out of the hen house eggs are wonderful…
My finger is a little better today… I guess I didn’t know how much I had really messed it up… I just kept going…
The cabinets are getting there… and I’m a bit ashamed that it’s taken me SO long to get them started… but I’ll keep going and do my best to get them finished.
The silver appliance is a Ninja Foodi Digital Air Oven…an air fryer, air roaster, air broiler, toaster, and baker oven all in one. It flips up it doesn’t take up as much room on your countertops. I LOVE it… my sister, Deb, had gotten one and said she really liked it, so I watched on Facebook Marketplace and found one from a lady in the next town who had only used it 2 times… I got it for $100 and was thrilled. I use it just about every day… baking chicken breasts, making muffins, a 13″ pizza will fit in there… sheet pan vegetables, french fries, etc… I love it.
Here’s a picture of it…
Ninja Foodie Digital Air Oven
Actually the shoe lasts only took one brick of Sculpy… less than $2.50 for both lasts…
My hubby is wanting to take down the pantry doors and I’m wanting to sew… I guess we’ll see who wins… :o)
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Never heard of the Ninja. Air frying might work for us. We don’t fry anything around here. I’m going to have to check those out. Thanks.
The Sculpy sure worked for you, but should I try, the results would probably be two completely unmatching logs. 🙂
Joy, I have the Ninja Foodie Pressure Cooker/Air Fryer. I’ve used the pressure cooker some, but I really love the air fryer.
Thanks. I’ll have to look into one. 🙂
Your kitchen is really coming along nicely. I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel for you. It’s always good to have a project, especially a huge one, finished. Even if you’re not working on it an unfinished project is still out their beckoning for completion, and, as a friend of mine used to say, hanging over your head like dirty dishes.
I’ve used a thimble a few times but never really could get used to it and never did something so often where I needed a thimble in order to get used to it. After seeing your fingers (I feel your pain), I was glad to see you now have a thimble.
I haven’t a clue what is in the clay area in any store. Even as I kid I didn’t like playing with clay. I’ve had several projects I wanted to do that involved clay but never could quite push them to the front of the line. I did like Play-Doh though. I think it’s the smell.
Funny story here about Smart Meters. I never wanted one either because there was a fear that it would allow the power company to control your usage and temperatures. Although we’re frugal (rather spend my money on dolly things) I want it to be our choice what and when. So far that has not happened so at least for now maybe that was a conspiracy theory. But it does connect you to the electric company computers, which my hubby found out one day when he was doing some repair work. The meter was to a mobile home we own and it was on a pole beside the mobile home. We had a lot of rain and the ground was soaked and the pole fell. Hubby went out and, as in days of old, disconnected the meter, fixed the pole and then replaced the meter. He was no sooner finished when the power guys showed up to find out what was going on. Maybe they thought someone was stealing a smart meter. Not to mention they freaked out that anyone would even take it upon themselves to fix the problem. Most people probably wouldn’t and couldn’t, but hubby’s field of expertise is huge not only from personal experience but he worked in the construction field most of his adult life. The power guys checked things over, saw he did a good job, signed off and left saying, of course, do not do that again. I was actually a happy camper because he is so comfortable around electricity and I’m scared to death of it, so it makes me a nervous wreck some of the things he does. But he understands it and he’s knowledgeable about how it all works so he doesn’t understand my worrying at all. But he will listen to the guys with the licenses in such things.
A new outfit for Navi. Can’t wait to see what it will be. I love the fabric choices. And Navi has a sweet little turtle not to mention her own clodhoppers.
HI Barbara,
I just wish my mom could be here to see the cabinets almost finished… She loved them and loved the idea of them being painted white. She gave me the money to buy them… :o( :o)
I think my dad used to wear a leather thimble… I should have looked for one of those at Hobby Lobby yesterday. I think that would feel less cumbersome on my finger than this metal one…
I bet your hubby and mine would get along great… he sounds JUST LIKE MINE! They would have a great time swapping stories… just on the wiring issue alone!
I’ll have to see how Navi’s outfit turns out…and if it’s too cute for those “clodhoppers” I might just have to figure out something new for her…
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
It is too bad we can’t keep our mothers around for at least our lifetime. So many times I thing I wish mom were here to see this. I got to thinking the other day that she never saw any of my grandchildren. She was at my daughter’s wedding but had passed before my son’s. That’s what happens when you marry and have children late like I did. And yes, our hubby’s would have lots to talk about. No doubt about it.
Your kitchen cabinets look fabulous! The finish is so professional looking. Love the back splash too.. and it looks even nicer with the uppers white.
If you can’t get used to the thimble there is a leather one that quilters use…you could find a pic and make one yourself like that I think🤔☺️
So glad you got something easier to work with for your shoe mold. This is going to be fun to watch!
Thanks Kathie,
I just told Barbara, when my dad did leather work he used to use a leather thimble… I’ll have to look for one and see if it fits what I’m doing better.
The clay is all dry and hard now and I’ve been sanding it down in a few places, trying to make it more to the size of her foot… just rounding the toes a bit…
Thanks for the compliments on my kitchen…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, you’re kitchen looks wonderful. So bright and cheery. Looks like lots of storage space too. You have worked long and hard on this project and it’s a beautiful useful kitchen.
The kitchen curtains you did awhile ago are so perfect. Not only are they pretty, they let in light. The roses are lovely and I love the pitcher they are in. I love crock pitchers and jars. I think they can go in any kitchen design. It’ll be nice when completed.
Ouch…your finger! Unfortunately, we use our fingers constantly and they get wounded a lot.
Well, you found a good way to make better “footprints” for your doll shoes. Now, you’re really in business.
I figured out the doll in question who’s pictured modeling one of your Little Women dresses. from the older picture you show occasionally. It’s the blond doll and I don’t think you have her anymore. Her name was Lily and she was one of your modern dolls.
Thank you Paula,
I’m so happy to see those white upper cabinet doors up now… it’s really spurring me on to get the rest finished…
I’ve been working at tweaking the shoe last from the Sculpy and it’s SO much easier than the modeling clay I used the first time… I went to bed last night, thinking of how to do the boots or shoes… and it kept me awake thinking TOO much about it…
Yes, you remembered Lily in my pictures… Actually I had 2 different #27 dolls and the first one was SO sweet… I have actually looked on Ebay several times for one as sweet as she was. I just loved her darling face… I only sold her because her face tended to look downward and I thought I didn’t like that… now I’d love to have her back…
I also LOVE your January doll… she is so pretty too… isn’t it funny how we LOVE our dolls?
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your poor finger, you definitely need a thimble. I have a few like the one you bought. I use mine all the time for hand sewing. I had a great one that I bought at the Festival of Quilts in UK when I was there in 2019. It was so comfortable but I managed to lose it. Since I have never found it in the area I usually hand sew in I am thinking it might have fallen in a rubbish container and got thrown away. The trouble with the one I have now is that it is getting too big. I have been trying to lose weight and the first place it seems to go from is my hands and feet! It keeps falling off my finger. I might have to get a new one soon. A bit like clothes though, I don’t want to buy anything new until I know what size I am going to be, lol.
Your cabinets are looking fantastic. Hope it isn’t going to be like the Forth Bridge though (in Scotland), it takes so long to paint it that when they get to the end they have to start again from the beginning lol.
Looking forward to seeing the next outfit. Sara’s coat and dress set has done really well so far.
My keyboard is working. I wear different glasses for my computer and didn’t change them when I changed the battery. When I put my normal glasses on and used the torch on the phone to see what I was doing, I had put the batteries in the wrong way round, duh!
Didn’t get the bag with a bow done yesterday but made a puppy bag. It hasn’t got handles yet but otherwise it is finished. I will definitely send a photo when they are done. The other little bags I made are great but I wanted something a bit more quirky that you won’t see in the shops. Besides, I have used all my son’s old work jeans so would have to use fabric which isn’t as hard wearing. Might advertise on Neighbourly and see if anyone has any they were going to throw out. I only really use the pockets (these particular ones have three big ones) and maybe some of the leg fabric (turned inside out) if they are in reasonable condition. The rest of the jeans are usually too well worn. Better than all going into landfill.
HI Anne,
I don’t think I have ever owned a thimble and hope I can make this work for me…at least when I’m sewing the leather shoes… I think once you get the holes punched it’s not so hard.
Congrats on losing weight…it’s hard to do!
It doesn’t matter HOW LONG it takes me, these are going to be my forever cabinets.. that’s why I’m really hoping I like them as much as I think I will!
Good for you on your recycling the jeans… and you make something really unique too! Glad you got your computer fixed too and that it was a minor “error” on your part…
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your kitchen is coming along great. I’m sure you will be thrilled when it is all finished.
The roses are beautiful and I like the vase Cindy sent to you. Blue is my favorite color.
Glad you picked up a thimble to save more wear and tear on your fingers. Sculpy is a great choice and the new shoe molds look fantastic.
Ha ha , the turtle shoes. I’m guessing Navi is up again. The little turtle to go with it is cute. I have the same one from the craft store for my miniature indoor fairy garden that I want to put together soon. Have to get to the garden store first.
Thanks Laura,
Yes, I’m thrilled to be so close to finishing up my kitchen… remember this cake I found and said I’d make and share “virtually” with anyone who wanted a piece when I got everything all done? Well, I’m still planning on making it!
Rebecca gave me a baggie of little turtles and when I saw them I immediately thought of the “turtle” shoes and thought Navi was destined to be next!
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your kitchen looks beautiful! I’m sure it will be a joy to cook in there. Your fingers look like they have been through a lot. I don’t work with leather, but I do hand sew and hand quilt, and I always use a thimble. It makes a big difference, at least to me it does. I looked at the auction for the dress and coat, and wow, it is doing great. Your Ruby Red girls have been a good addition to your collection.
I’m not sure what to think about those turtle shoes. I guess I will have to wait and see where you are going with that.
HI Carolyn,
Thanks for your nice compliments on my kitchen… it’s been a long time coming, but just love how things are turning out now… it won’t be too long and we can all have cake! :o)
Maybe I can get the hang of using a thimble… at least when sewing the leather…
Not only have my Ruby Red Fashion Friends dolls been a great addition to my collection, they have opened up a whole new group of ladies who didn’t know about me. I’ve gotten quite a few new subscribers and I’m sure it’s because of them… They are really nice dolls for the price.
I’m rethinking the turtle shoes too and might have to make a nicer pair… if the outfit turns our halfway cute! I’ll just save them as a “rememberance” of my first leather shoes!
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I can’t imagine how much value you’re adding to the house, let alone the pleasure in knowing you and George have done almost every single thing yourselves. Your patience with the painting is certainly paying off. It’s a beautiful finish.
I have one of my great-great great-grandmother’s thimbles that’s metal but actually has a hole worn through it from use! I can’t get used to one either. I wonder if one of those flexible silicone ones that would stay put on your finger might work better. One was always falling off my finger. You’ll get doll shoes mastered as well as you have millinery and designer dresses.
I think maybe that thing on the counter pulls down to become a cooking surface of some kind. Please don’t tell until everyone has commented now that Linda’s brought it up. It looks very narrow when folded back to me. I’m sure someone else has one.
Thank you Susette,
I think Mrs. Hesketh (seller of the house) would love to have had these cabinets… If I ever see her, I might have to ask her to drop by and show her! Her son lives next door, I might have to show him and see what he thinks too!
I just like the idea of being able to make a pair of shoes when something different is called for or if I don’t have the right color to use with a dress… and I just really love making them…it’s very calming to me… a stress reliever…
I posted a link to the Ninja Foodie above on Joy’s comment… I LOVE it… and yes, it does fold up to get out of the way.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I love your kitchen. It is so pretty and sparkly.
I remain elated at your ability to make shoes. You know you may have come upon a new career. The Monique Doll wig and shoe people are going out of business. Someone is going to need to step in (pun intended) and fill its shoes (another pun). It could be you.
Think of the many dolls who might go unshod otherwise.
You will probably need to build on a “workshop” (shoe shop?) to your house. Your mail carrier will have to use a wheelbarrow to carry all of the doll shoes you make to her or his truck.
Who knows where this dolly adventure might lead you (smile)!
FYI: the Virtual Doll Convention is having a convention at the end of the month. There is a sliding scale fee ($5 to $50) and people can pay what they want. There are a ton of workshops as well as seminars.
HI Dorothy,
Thanks for your compliments on my kitchen…. it’s been a LONG time since anyone has complimented my kitchen… (before I started painting) but when I get it done, we’ll have cake and everyone on the sofa can have a slice if they like! :o)
Oh dear… I don’t think I can churn out the shoes that fast… I’m still very slow at it. I do think when I get a correctly fitting shoe last it will go faster. I look at the shoes the Russian ladies are making and watching their tutorials, they REALLY know what they are doing and could probably make the shoes in their sleep! :o)
I’m going to check out the Virtual Doll Convention this time… Please keep us posted…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, your poor fingers! That picture made my fingers hurt😫😫. The kitchen is lovely, looks so fresh and airy. And for some reason, those shoe lasts give me the giggles, the brown ones especially. They just make me smile, I hope they turn out to be useful to you.
HI Connie,
Well, I’m glad the shoe lasts make you giggle… they are fun to shape and fun to make new shoes on… I have a new pair of boots on them now, but I’m waiting until my punch tool comes in the finish them… the new pink lasts were wonderful… I just hope they fit Sara. I’ll have to wait and see as I don’t want to disturb them…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne