HI everyone,
Cindy and I are keeping ourselves quite busy… today was a shopping day and visiting and sharing stories and out for pizza at a LONG time established pizza place here in town. If you can’t tell, we ARE having LOTS of fun! :o)
We were getting ready to go to bed and I remembered I didn’t think I had anything, BUT… I did… it was something I made about a week and a half ago. I found the pictures on my phone and thought I’d share.
After I made those straw hat for Bailey and the Ruby Red Fashion Friends, I began thinking of ways to make new hat molds for some of my other dolls. I started looking for things I could use to make hat molds… and I found a really nice one for a new style hat for the Little Darlings.
I LOVED the green hat I made for Mae that had all the peachy pink flowers around the middle of it… this one…
I loved the shape of it and started thinking outside the box for hat molds… and when I saw THIS at our thrift shop…
…I thought it just might fit the Dianna Effner, Little Darling dolls. It did!
It was shaped “almost” like the one I made for Mae…
So I just jumped right in with both feet… I used some saran wrap to put inside the glass and smoothed it out as best I could…
Then using some air-dry clay I had, I started putting it in the glass and pressing against the sides… trying to make it as smooth as I could against the saran wrap, by pushing it with my fingers and smoothing it out… then kept adding more clay until it was a little thicker, but not filling up the entire glass. I probably made it 1/2″ thick.
Here is a side view so you can see what it looks like…
It was pretty wet so I let it dry a few days… then took it out to see what it looked like…
I flipped it back and forth to let the outside dry and the inside dry more.
I was anxious to see if the hat “really” work… and it did! :o)
Here is my first attempt at this “hat mold.”
It’s not finished yet, as you can tell, but it looks sweet on Lian, even undecorated…
I’ll get some flowers on it soon, but for now you can just enjoy it plain!
I hope no one gets any mean tricks played on them because of it being April Fools Day!
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
HI all, I did my usual Sunday-night thing of forgetting to look at Monday’s blog before I went to bed. I did actually look at and comment on Sunday’s post, though!
What a clever idea for making hat mold, Jeanne!! And the hat turned out really cute, too. Can’t wait to see it with flowers on it now!
A couple of comments on the “chatter” of yesterday’s blog.
Sewing snaps: I always try to look for the snaps that have a hole in the middle; with those, I can stab a pin thru the garment and then into the center hole to hold it in place while I sew the first half, then I pin the overlap in place and use a pin to stab thru the fabric and into that center hole. Carefully pull the layers apart, and make sure that the pin really did go into the center hole. Then just slide the center hole of the “other half” of the snap over the pin, and kind of grab the edge of the snap to hold it steady while you sew thru the first two holes. Once it’s stabilized, you can remove the pin and finish sewing the snap in place.
As to stray pins falling on the floor, etc., I keep an old 35 mm. film cannister (or you can use a pill bottle) by my sewing machine, and all old/dull/bent pins and needles go in there. It takes MANY years to fill it up because you can “squeeze” a lot in, but once it’s filled, you can tape the lid on, and throw it in the trash.
Barbara, I, too, would love to see all your girls dressed up for Easter!
I had clip-on bows for my shoes, too, back in the day. It was quite a thing at that time. But I also did have at least one pair of shoes with flowers–they were “wedgie” heeled slides where the vamp was made of woven straw and had a good-sized straw flower on the top of each shoe. I loved them, as they were so summery-looking. Sadly, my knees no longer are happy with anything that has much of a heel, so they are tucked away in the closet.
Got our taxes done today. Shelly, who has done them for years, said she knew as soon as I walked in that Ron was gone. I thought for sure she’d ask where he was, but instead asked how I was doing. And of course my eyes got a little leaky.
Our marker is ready now, so I finished paying for it, and it should be set in place by Easter. It’ll be nice to have a vase for flowers for him now. I’ll take flowers to the cemetery Easter weekend.
Charlotte, you have great advice and sewing tips!
You reached another milestone, getting those taxes done, alone. On your own… soo brave. I would give you a big hug.
I hope you will share pictures of Ron’s marker.
Charlotte, I will be thinking of you as you go to Ron’s Marker and give the flowers. Easter is a perfect time as we all say “He Is Risen” ! I know that you think of your Ron in Heaven.
Good on you for the taxes done!
I don’t mind sewing snaps, but that is just me. I love sitting with Peyton just about every night, watching tv and doing my hand sewing.
Thanks for the snap tricks, Charlotte. Now, if the magic snap fairy would only stop by my house and sew them all on for me, it would be perfect. 🙂 Hey, those old film canisters are now collectible. Especially, those made from aluminum with the screw on tops. Camera collectors love them. 🙂
Glad to hear that the grave marker arrived. I’m sure it will be a lovely piece and the vase will be a nice addition. Such a nice memory and tribute.
So glad to hear Ron’s marker is done and you will have it by Easter so you can place flowers in his memory. My mother was cremated and my sister Beth had the large urn while my other sisters and I had smaller ones. Beth still has connections to Delaware so she took on the responsibility of placing mother’s ashes in the columbarium at the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetary (Mom was an Army nurse during WWII). She makes sure the vase is filled with a seasonal display. My sister Bev and I told her we would be glad to contribute to the cost, but Beth and her husband said they’re good and will ask if necessary.
Dear Charlotte, I will be holding you in prayer this Easter season.
Jeanne, I love your eye for this ffanncy fancy glass, haha, aren’t you amazing.
and the hat form worked out great, and the hat is so good!
(I think next winter, you need to up your game and start making big flannel plaid, warm fluffy lined winter hats (Ushanka) with the ear flaps!!! and the brim flap – do it!!)🎉
I have to get going… now!
the grand girls are in town and today we are going to the American Girl store in Tysons Corner.
I hope everyone has a very fun silly day
Winter hats. That might be fun — and coats to go with them. You already make boots. Or some other ethnic clothes. We are a nation of immigrants — it might be fun to honor that. Or Native American. Beadwork? World Book has a costume section, and so do libraries.
The glass idea was wonderful — and the glass is so pretty. I’m glad you didn’t have to break it.
Jeanne, once again you amaze us! I love finding things to use in a different way, but you take the cake! I would never have thought of using a glass! Now I will have to go look in my cabinet of glasses! Your hat is so adorable already!
So glad you and Cindy are having fun. I know you are taking pictures to show us! I hope George’s leg is better.
Happy April Fools day!
Who would have thought of using a vintage glass as a hat mold? Well, Jeanne, of course. I actually love that glass. I wonder what the pattern might be? Humm, I guess that you might post it on one of the collectible FB groups and someone would know. And it would be a lovely piece for display too filled with maybe polished small stones or even marbles and then set on top of a small stack of books. I’m sure Cindy has ideas. 🙂 As to the wonderful hat for an LD, it is fabulous. Lian looks so cute wearing it too. What a clever idea for making a hat mold. Love it. What a great reason to visit a thrift store. Ha ha
Here, rain again yesterday, but we managed to sneak in a walk between drops and then had more rain last night and this morning too. The weeds are loving it. Ugh
I hit a big snag in sewing around here. I decided to try on a pair or shorts that I had made on one of the RR’s and found that they were very tight. Too tight, exactly. I know that I have made the pattern before, several times, but whatever I did this time was a flop. So, they will go to a Siblie. Fortunately, I found enough leftover fabric to start over again. Although, I really don’t want to. But, I’m trying to get over it. We’ll see how it goes. I still don’t have those snaps sewn on yet for the shirts, but fortunately, they are the right size. I did start on some buttons for them, but still have a few more to go and then those horrendous snaps, Saving them for last of course. 🙂 I know Charlotte, has some helpful ideas for snaps and Jeanne did a tutorial awhile back too, but I just hate sewing on snaps. Always have. 🙂
Hope no one experiences any tricks today. Happy April Fools Day! 🙂
Happy April Fools Day, everyone! No, I don’t think everyone here is a fool, it’s just THAT day! I have started decorating my house for Easter this morning, because it is quite chilly and a bit breezy to be outside working comfortably. Maybe later this afternoon it will warm up a bit, but my pink dogwood is starting to bloom!
That glass idea is perfect, and did do the job quite well! What a pretty little hat Lian will have once you finish it! Will you add flowers or ribbon or both? Actually it looks cute without anything!
Charlotte, what is it that causes you to forget that it is Sunday? I can’t figure it out! But that will be wonderful making an arrangement to take to the cemetery for Easter. By the way, what is what you call a marker? You mean a tombstone? I have never heard of a marker for a grave.
And no, I certainly do NOT enjoy sewing snaps, or hooks and eyes and even buttons! I have no patience sewing little things like that, but of course I did, when I made almost all of my clothes . Jeanne, it seems like everything you make meets perfectly. Not for me it doesn’t!
Back to decorating for me!
I was sooo in love with Mae’s hat, so I am very happy that you were able to make the new style hat for Little Darlings. Now dare I hope you’ll be inspired to do the same for the Fashion Friends? And maybe the snap fairy will show up at my house too!
I don’t mind sewing on snaps, or hooks, or buttons. I like many various types of handwork anyway. I also don’t mind ironing.
What a cute hat for Lain. I guess we now know who’s up next after Bailey.
Should be Lian.
Maybe you could open a business to sew on snaps, etc. I think a lot of sofa sisters might take you up on that. We’ll do the fun part of sewing and gather up all the outfits and send them on to you for adding the fasteners. I’m sure you are probably saying NOT! Well one can only hope LOL.
I’d do that, Barbara. Pay shipping both ways and for my time (maybe a flat fee per outfit) and I would. Sofa Sisters could just mark where they want the fasteners sewn and obviously include them.
Love this. If I get in a bind, I’ll think of you immediately. 🙂
What a great idea for a hat mold. I actually ordered a mold and some straw (a kit) from PNB the other day to give hat making a try. I bought the mold for the smaller dolls but now I’m going to have to go around turning things upside down on my doll’s heads to see if I can make other molds. I haven’t worked with clay for years but would definitely give it a try. Is there a special type of clay to use for this?
Pretty comfortable days here yesterday and today but two or three hot ones to come this week but then another front comes through on Sunday. Tomorrow will be 90 and Sunday the high will be 62. Interesting. But hopefully we will keep getting reprieves from the heat for a few weeks more. One year when we had our Spring Fling at church we had a really cold front come through in mid-May. It was a cold day to be outside and several people closed down their booths early. I had a canvas chair but it was so cold to sit on that I went and bought a couple blankets from a “yard sale” booth to sit on. Doesn’t happen often like that but there is always hope. The longer it takes the relentless heat to get here the happier I will be.
Happy April Fool’s Day everyone! To echo the words of Dorothy in PA, less than a month until May.
Jeanne your ingenuity never fails to amaze me! the hat fits perfectly, you are so clever.
Here in NZ, if you are paid benefits, super, wages or salary we pay PAYE (Pay as You Earn) and therefore taxes are already calculated and deemed to be correct. If, for any reason you owe them money, they won’t demand it unless it is over $200NZ. If they owe you money, they send it to you unasked. The slogan the Inland Revenue Dept uses is ‘It’s our job to be fair’. If you have a business or independent income then it is different of course. If you have any income from overseas it is assumed it is taxed at source so it isn’t included in your taxes here. If you leave NZ and work in another country, then you no longer pay tax here, I understand it is not the same in US. You don’t get taxed twice here.
My Dad had a small pension from a job he had in UK. The company had long since gone out of business but the pensions had been taken over by another company. Several times he got letters from the company asking him if he was still alive! He had to go to a Justice of the Peace and sign to say that yes, he was! He lived to 96 and knowing that he had had these letters, I looked out the phone number for the company to let them know Dad had passed, not a simple matter as there was a 13-hour time difference so I had to ring after 10pm to make sure I could reach them in opening hours. After all the fuss they made checking that Dad was still alive they didn’t want to accept my word and demanded I sent the original death certificate. I was working through a lawyer and he said they would have a copy and be satisfied.
It is cold here today and supposed to rain later and rain all day tomorrow. Usually, early Autmn is much more settled than this and the colder weather doesn’t really start till May but it is simply a continuation of our Summer! I really hope UK has a good summer.
Only two months now before I see my brother and sister. Usually I am based at my sister’s but this time they have suggested I stay with my brother the first 6 weeks then stay with my sister the second 6 weeks. My SIL is a headmistress at a school and will be “sort of” on holiday for the second 6 weeks so I think she would rather I wasn’t there all the time then, it isn’t that we don’t get on but I think she struggles a bit with her in laws in general.
Have a great day everyone
I am hoping along with you for a good Spring and Summer in the UK for you.
Is the winter quite brutal in NZ. I hope you enjoy your stays at your siblings in two months from now! That is a good thing to look forward to!
Would that we only got taxed twice here. We’ve been trying to get the tax on Social Security checks gone for years now. For years it was tax free, then it was taxed, then the percent went up and then again. And God forbid you get property handed down to you and you eventually sell it. You get taxed not only federally but if the state has income tax, which Kansas does, you get taxed by the state. That’s why most people hire someone do their taxes. To make sure you don’t miss anything to avoid interest and penalties. A few years ago when I was still doing our taxes I sent our return along with a check for the amount we owed. Months later we received a notice that we had not turned in a return. But the check had cleared so what happened to the return, they were together? When I sent them a copy of our return they still assessed penalties and interest for a late return saying I had no proof I didn’t just do it. They would not hear anything different. Sending it certified, return receipt requested doesn’t work because they won’t accept that as proof. Getting a tax attorney would have cost more than the interest and penalties so we just paid it to end the problem.
I’m getting excited for your trip too. I sure hope that you can keep us informed on all of the exciting things you are doing while on the trip or when you return. And hopefully, lots of photos too. 🙂
Dear Jeanne, well not only are you thinking “outside of the box” but you are also thinking “outside of the glass” (smile)!
I can just see it now. You have a whole cupboard full of glasses and a friend comes to visit. She says, “I’ll just get a glass of water to drink.” You say, “don’t use that glass, it’s for Mae and don’t use that glass it’s for Noel, and don’t use that glass…” Well, that’s my little bit of humor for today. It’s not an April Fools joke but it’s the best I can do (smile).
I am glad you and Cindy are having fun!