REMINDER: Tonight (Monday) the “Sunflower Charmer” set for the 14.5″ Ruby Red Fashion Friends will end on Ebay. Someone is going to be very happy to have all those pieces to use for their doll or dolls! I hope you’ll take a peek… you can click the picture at the right side bar or you can click HERE to see it.
Ruby Red Galleria celebrated their 15th Anniversary of being in business and selling dolls, by creating an 8″ sized Mini Sara doll. She is on the exact same body as my Ten Ping so anything I make for Ten Ping will fit Mini Sara.
The Mini Sara dolls have just started being delivered to all who bought her, so I thought I’d make something for them. My Sunday was filled with lots of things I had to take care of, but I managed to pick out the fabrics for Ten Ping’s (or Sara’s) set and get the bodice started.
I used my new “old” Singer Featherweight and did my first “real” stitching on it. I LOVED IT! The presser foot is SO much smaller and easier to see when I sew…
Here is my bodice and the stitching is wonderfully curved and symmetrical, just like it’s supposed to be.
I know that’s not much for a post but I have to get to bed… my week is already filled up with 2 appointments for my hubby, a dental appointment for me, dinner with some friends, a birthday party for someone later this week, AND I want to work on this some more.
I took some pictures of my hubby’s garden and hope to get them cropped and show you. He did something this year he hadn’t done before…
I’ll update you on our Sofa Sister tomorrow…
Night… see you tomorrow!
Blessings, Jeanne
Ten Ping’s new outfit is going to be just perfect for the 4th of July! Those are terrific fabrics. I especially like the white-background one. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
I didn’t get Sara, but of course I do have Ten Ping’s best friend, Gigi, who is one very spoiled little girl!! I think one “diva” per doll family is enough! 😂
I’ll be watching for the update on our Sofa Sister. I’m keeping her and her family in prayer.
Yesterday our son and I went to our nephew/his cousin’s memorial service (Ron wasn’t able to go). This was especially hard on Daniel, as Eddie was 10 years younger than he is. The first time you lose someone close to you who is also Younger than you are is especially hard, I think. Anyway, it was a nice service, and we had a chance to see family members, some of whom we hadn’t seen since before covid! Eddie’s brother John and his family were there, and I got a chance to know John’s only child, Rurik, who is 4 years old, and such a sweet little boy. The last time I saw Rurik (and his mom and dad), he was just crawling!
I can sure relate to what you’re saying about losing people younger than you. I had twelve cousins on my maternal side. I was third in line. One was born in 1941, but three of us were born from December 2, 1946 to January 12, 1947. I’m the only one left of the four of us. I lost a sister seven years younger than me, and just this past December I lost a cousin who was also seven years younger. I am now the oldest of what is left of the 13. I’m not sure about my cousin who was born in July 1947 because my uncle remarried and so did his mom and there was no further contact. Never did understand that. My cousin that was born in 1948 is still living but has several health issues. My uncle’s two children to his second marriage were born in the early 1960s and they are doing well. I try not to dwell on who has left and most of the rest of us are in good health, but remembering the times we were all at my grandparents for family gatherings, it is really hard not to feel the loss. They were more like siblings than cousins and I miss them all terribly.
I had 25 cousins, I was the 4th oldest and we 4 are still alive though the eldest, Pauline, has dementia. But of the younger ones seven have passed away that we know of though 2 cousins were unhappy at the way my aunt was treated by my grandmother and we haven’t heard from them in years.
Anne, I was thinking about you this morning. I was rowing off the shores of Queenstown… Oh wait, that was what I wished I had been doing. I was actually taking my cool down after using my rowing machine and the instructor was rowing off the shores of Queenstown. Evidently the Hydrow staff was or is filming in New Zealand. The water was beautiful, the sky was clear and the location was amazing. Have you had your surgery yet?
Tiny Sarah is really tiny, Jeanne, if she is Ten Ping’s size! That must be really challenging making outfits for either one, since a lot of fabrics are too bulky to sew easily and fit well on them. You seem to have picked the right things for the next outfit! My Betsy has an outfit using the material you have there, the star one with the white background. Of course, it is perfect for the 4th or any patriotic holiday! I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with this!
You mentioned the other day about being scared to death of the computerized sewing machines of today. All I can tell you is that when you get to know them you love them. But I have total respect for your hesitancy. After I got my embroidery machine that I had wanted for years but was waiting until they were no longer dedicated and could do everything – otherwise I couldn’t justify the expense – it sat around for a few weeks until I took the plunge. But one of the things that gets me over my intimidation is hubby. Since the machines are expensive there is a consultation before I purchase one. If hubby sees it not being used, he mentions the fact and I realize he might not be so agreeable to future purchases if I don’t make an effort. So I pull out the instruction book and at least look like I’m moving forward. Once I do this though things start seeming not so scary and I learn to have fun with it.
Barbara, I really am not a tech type of person! I don’t even have a cell phone! Then too, if I did get a new sewing machine, what would I make? I don’t work, and don’t run around a lot, so my need for more clothes is practically nil. Then the dolls…… Well, if you could see their closet, you would understand why they don’t need more clothes!! I really don’t need another sewing machine, but so glad that you enjoy yours!
I can definitely relate to your “what to sew” dilemma. I don’t sew for myself much anymore and my children are grown and how many clothes do my dolls need. I actually planned on sewing a lot for the grandkids but that hasn’t happened. My granddaughter goes to a charter school and wears uniforms and my grandson wears jeans and t-shirts to school. Mostly what I’ve done for the grandkids is machine embroidered cute t-shirts and some onesies for Jaiden. But right now I plan on machine embroidering luncheon cloths for my dining and kitchen tables. I bought nice centerpieces but they are not terribly big (couldn’t afford the big ones) and the tables need something a little more. And David has suggested that I start maybe thinking of selling doll clothes at some point. I just have such trouble letting go of what I make unless I specifically make it for someone for a gift and most people seem to want gift cards these days. What is a creative genius to do. LOL
What beautiful stitching your new to you Featherweight makes. I’m impressed, and almost have enough energy to open up the case of the one here. A smaller presser foot sounds delightful too.
Love the r/w/b combo. Little Ten will be thrilled I’m sure. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing George’s garden. Around here, still pulling weeds and blackberry. Haven’t even gotten to the ivy yet. 🙂
This has the makings of a wonderful outfit! . Now I’m in the mood to get my machine out and use it. Yes, that small presser foot is nice. You can see where you are stitching so much easier.
You will have a busy week. I used to pack 3 or 4 things in a day… now if one gets done it is amazing .
I used to take days off from work, put my children in daycare, and go through my house from one end to the other, including taking down curtains, washing and rehanging them and washing all the bedding down to the mattress covers and remaking the beds. Today I’m lucky if I can get a bathroom done in a day.
I’m trying to feature me taking down curtains these days….yikes. I’d have to have 911 on speed dial. Glad to know I’m not the only one. Moving like a snail🤭
Thanks Barbara❤️
I have a solution I use for taking curtains down these days. It’s called number one son, Sean. I used to climb the stepstool to take them down but I think I’ve developed a fear of heights in my golden years. He can take them down standing flat on his feet. My living room curtain is about 7 feet long and even with a lace curtain on it weighs a bunch and could easily throw me off balance. So that is definitely a job for Sean.
Oh no Jeanne. Please don’t do this to me. You know what I went through the last time you made a dress that would fit Mini Sara. I was on pins and needles during the auction. Just joking really. I can’t wait to see this adorable outfit. Mini Sara doesn’t know how the system works yet and her dolly sisters haven’t told her to check out the blog to see if something is coming up that will fit her so no stress yet and I can just relax and enjoy the process. Love the fabrics.
I will definitely let all Mini Sara/Ten Ping/Gigi moms know when I hear from Kathy at Katy Anne Designs that the dress pattern is available for purchase. I love Kathy’s patterns and they always seem to go together without a lot of effort. And her designs are so cute.
I’ve really got to check into these Featherweight machines. Every time I heard them mentioned I just assumed they were no longer available. I’m not sure exactly where I’ll put it, but it seems like it would fit almost anywhere and move from place to place easily. I like the idea of the small foot. The stitching is lovely.
I discovered why our pool will not be opening this season. It needs repairs and the city can’t afford it. But I’ll give them a pass for now because our city is growing and needs more housing, so areas of the city are being readied for building in places that were not before. Hence we are needing new water wells.
One is completed but another is still in progress and they don’t come cheap.
This was not anticipated and has happened because businesses are moving here faster than expected. That’s good on one hand, but I’m not sure how long we can keep the rural small-town atmosphere that we moved here to enjoy.
Looks like we’re in for an afternoon of thunderstorms. Yes, I think I’m hearing a torrential downpour and some thunder at the moment.
We just celebrated King’s Official Birthday with a public holiday. Seems odd saying that instead of Queen’s Birthday the last 70 years. Ten Ping will look lovely in her red, white and blue stars. The only thing anyone dresses up for here is Cup Day and not in red, white and blue lol.
My surgery is scheduled for 19th June, 13 days, not that I’m counting.
We had to have Sam’s Spoodle, Gizmo, put down a couple of months ago. Ashley was devastated but then started begging for a puppy to replace him. As “luck” would have it (do I really mean luck lol) one of her teachers (who we know very well from a community event we go to regularly) told her class that his dog was unexpectedly pregnant and 2 days later she had a litter of 9 puppies! The puppies are everything Ashley wanted, not too small! and black. They even named it and they haven’t seen or chosen it yet! My only stipulation was that we couldn’t have it here until I was over the surgery and walking properly again. Thomas was quite happy to keep her till we were ready to take her. What is a loving grandmother to do? I would have preferred not to have another one and I am sure the 3 cats would have agreed with me, but I am hoping that by getting a puppy the cats will put her in her place very quickly and by getting a female Louis will get on better with her than with a male.
So far, here in the south we have had a mild, dry start to winter. The North Island and top of the South seems to have had torrential rain almost continually since January. The damage caused by flooding is on a par with our earthquakes. Like us some areas have been deemed unlivable and the council and govt will buy out their land so they can move on to safer ground. The damage to infrastructure has been massive, bridges, roads and farmland. A lot of the damage was caused by the debris left when the logging companies take what they want and leave the rest which then got washed into the rivers and streams and ended up smashing into bridges.
Have a good day everyone.
Dear Anne, we will be praying for you here on the sofa.
I should have read on before I asked about your surgery. I will be praying not only for a good surgery but for future easy of mobility. I know how good it has been for David to have his knees fixed. And congratulations on your new “grandchild”. Can’t wait to find out the name. Sorry to hear about all the damage you’ve been experiencing. I can’t imagine where they are going to keep putting people if more and more of New Zealand is deemed unlivable. Or maybe it’s bigger than I think. Sure looks small on the map.
Anne, this is great news. So glad you have your long awaited surgery scheduled. Will definitely be thinking of you, and know you will heal quickly and be back out walking your pup again soon. And a puppy. How delightful. I’m sure Ashley, will be thrilled. 🙂
Sorry to hear about the infrastructure damage. This winter/spring we had heavy flooding and levees that broke causing a lot of crop loss. Mostly all in the CA, San Joaquin Valley. Of course, now we’re preparing for a huge wildfire season with all of the grassland growth from the rain. Can’t win.
Great hearing from you.
Dear Jeanne, happy sewing on your new/old machine!