Hi everyone,
I did get the hint from quite a few of you about the necklace and earrings making Natasha look “maybe” too old, and if I had a pair of high heel doll shoes, I may have gone Joy’s route and put Natasha in front of a mirror and let her pretend to be playing dress up. But, alas, I didn’t have any dolly high heels so I went a different way. I went the way of innocence. You can never go wrong that way, especially with a Little Darling as adorable as Natasha is proving to be…
I took off the earrings and the necklace, tipped her hat back just a bit, gave her my last rosy pink miniature bear so now see what you think. I will go ahead and include the necklace and earrings because the way she looked yesterday may have really set someone’s heart to beating! Everything will be included in the Ebay listing… which, by the way, didn’t get listed last night. I will try my best for Friday night, but no promises. Today was a very busy day for me.
Here are a few of the “innocent” pictures… if that makes sense.
Okay now, onto Charlotte and her EXPO visit!!! We all wanted to be there with you Charlotte!!!
Hi Jeanne,
Here are some Expo pictures for you, at long last.
Day 1:
The first picture was taken in my hotel room, and shows Tonya and me in our “twinsie challenge” for this year–and for 2020!! Back in 2020, we had bought some black boiled-wool blend for jackets. Well, the world shut down after Expo, and we had two years with no real Expo, so this project got put on the back burner. In the meantime, we did something else for 2023, when Expo was finally back. We decided This was the year for getting that done! In addition, we had bought fabric for “a little purse”, and so we are each holding our little purses. I have also included a picture of the prototype of the little purse, since I was sort of flying in uncharted territory, here, making it up as I went along. The main thing was to have an exterior zipper application, where the tape shows!
The third picture is of my sample from the class I took, doing a drawn thread hem. I think if you enlarge it, you can see more details. You draw three threads from the fabric and then hand hem it, with the stitches wrapping bundles of three threads. (Long story short.) I enjoy handwork and always try to take one or two classes every year.
The fourth picture is the fabric we bought for next year’s twinsie challenge! We debated a little what to do, but we hadn’t made a top in a few years, so thought it was time. The fabric is 95% cotton and 5% Lycra. I’m not a big fan of Lycra in my garment fabrics, but it’s getting hard to find 100% cotton knits! Besides, we both really liked this print; it’s a little different from what we usually see.
The last picture is of the rest of my purchases that day. These include (clockwise from left) pastel spatter canvas for a bag, white heat-erase markers, a “bobbin sled”, a vintage hankie, two quilt labels, and a vintage smocking pattern.
Day 2 (Friday) and more fun!
The first thing I did when I got to the fairgrounds was to go to my morning class on Viking Knitting (if you google it, you will find lots of information; however, it was not familiar to me when I signed up). Tonya and I both decided the class sounded interesting, so we took it together, sat at the same table, and shared some of our tools.
Viking Knitting is essentially manipulating silver-coated wire around a dowel in such a way that it resembles stockinette stitch in knitting; after you have it to a certain length, you pull it thru a series of successively smaller holes, which stretches and narrows the chain; then you add any finding and charms.
The first picture shows some of the samples that the teacher passed around; the second picture shows the bracelet I made. I’m sorry it’s a little fuzzy, but I think you get the idea.
I also took a class from Lorraine Henry, “The Art of the Dart”. She is always good, but she says she’s retiring this year, so we may not see her at Expo again unless she comes as an attendee. She’s about my age (80), I believe.
The third picture is the strip of pictures we got from the “photo booth”! It was new this year, and free, and so much fun! They had a selfie camera all set up, with easy-to-follow instructions. You got three pictures–get ready, hit the button, quickly pose, and snap! Yes, you could retake it if someone blinked or something! For the last picture, even though it turned out well, we decided we needed something goofy, so we started that one over again. You get three strips, one for each of us and one for a mutual friend who I didn’t see this year.
The fourth picture shows my purchases that day. (I came, I saw, I did a little shopping! 🧐) Left to right, back row: two free patterns I picked up at the CTA (Clothing and Textile Advisors) booth in the internet lounge, for my friend Leah, who I’m teaching to sew; a pink/red 100% cotton (yay!) knit Christmas ornament print, the bag and pen from Amanda’s Bundles (where both fabrics came from), a French terry (knit) for a top, with some stickers and my bracelet on top; front, L to R, a wonderful book on dimensional embroidery and a pattern for a basket that folds into the heart you see on the pattern front. It’s really clever, and I see several of those in my future, as I think they will make fun gifts, too.
The last picture is Tonya and me, in our twinsie jackets we made for last year’s Expo. A bunch of us had gone out to dinner (several of her friends from Utah came up for Expo, too, and we all stayed in the same hotel), and afterwards we met in the lobby/breakfast area to do show and tell and just visit for a while. I was leaving the next morning for home, so we said our good-byes then, too, before we went back to our rooms.
I had such a good time, and that second day, we had SO many people stop us during our hour or so together on the floor (we had different classes different times), asking about our matching outfits. The vendor from Wonderfil threads even wanted to take our picture!
Wow… it sounds like you were busy from morning till night…then you probably plopped into bed, but I bet your mind was dancing with thoughts of all the things you had see those days. I’m glad you got to go and get a few “treasures”… (us seamstresses just can’t pass up a few treasures, can we?
Thanks for sharing the space with me today…
Blessings, Jeanne
See everyone Monday
It’s nice to see Natasha with her “young” look. I liked the other look, too, but I really think it depends on the individual doll, so I’m glad youa re giving the buyer a choice. I have seven Little Darlings, and some look as young as 4 and others look like they could be 10 or 11! Since they’re hand painted, each one has her own look, I find.
Thank you for showing my pictures today, Jeanne. I’m going to keep my laptop set up tonight, so tomorrow I can check back and read and reply to any comments or questions.
I loved seeing Y’all together again, Charlotte, with your new twin jackets and your cute purses. We have to leave for the Y so I will look at it all again and talk to you later.
Thank you, Sissy!
Dear Charlotte, I love seeing your photos! Your twinsie outfits are adorable. I love that you have this tradition where you get to hang out with your friends. Friends are so important, especially as we age (not that we are, of course – smile).
I am not going to the UFDC Convention this year in New Orleans but I hope to go next year when it is in Chicago. Then I will get to hang out with my friends.
Little Miss Charlotte Noelle, your namesake, waved at you in every photo. I told her that you couldn’t see her. She said that you could “feel” it and that was more important. Honestly, that girl.
Thank you, Dorothy. You are so right about the importance of friends! I actually met Tonya when we were in a class together, at least 15 years ago (we can’t remember exactly when). There was an immediate connection between us, despite the fact that she’s young enough to be my daughter! We always stay in the same motel or hotel, and sometimes plan to take a class together (the class schedule comes out about a month before registration, so we discuss our class choices and often find we have chosen the same class).
Tell Charlotte Noelle thanks for the waves!! That must be what I felt this morning! 😉
Charlotte,
I LOVE the Viking knitting! I’ve never heard of it before, but I’m intrigued. I’ve already watched a couple of your videos of it. Unfortunately, I’m not sure my arthritic hands could handle it anymore, but I might give it a try. Many years ago (when my children were little) I belonged to a smocking guild (SAGA) and one of our members was very skilled in Hardanger and she taught some of us that were interested, how to do it. If memory serves correctly, one version/part of it was pulled-thread work. At ANY rate, pulled-thread work WAS part of heirloom sewing.
I AGREE about not being able to find knits WITHOUT lycra!! Or even woven fabric sometimes! I shouldn’t complain though, I have plenty without it in my stash!
That folded heart pattern is also interesting.
Thank you! I think if you go slowly on the Viking knitting, just work a few minutes at a time, you Might be able to manage it. It’s hard to be patient, though, and if you’re like me, you’re having so much fun, you think, just a few more minutes!! Well, we know how That goes! 😂
I’m very familiar with SAGA, as I have been a member for a number of years myself. Unfortunately, our chapter closed but I am still a member at large. I smocked quite a few Wee Care gowns back in the day; most recently I smocked a summer nightie for myself, and I have a blouse cut out and ready to pleat and then smock. And yes, this is for me, also!! There aren’t a lot of adult patterns out there for smocking, but I do have a few of them.
You’re so right; at least part of hardanger is drawn thread work, as I have tried that, too!! The drawn thread hem is quite similar to a portion of the stitches used in hardanger.
I have a sizable stash, too–plenty of 100% cotton interlock for several t-shirts at least, and enough Super Satin Tricot (a special kind that hasn’t been made for at least 20 years now) to keep me in underwear for many years to come! 😂
Jeanne, THAT’S more like it! I love the pretty little dress without the jewelry and a more innocent little girl look! That’s the way I always think of any Jeanne Marie doll dress! Although I did think the tiny earrings would look pretty for some “special” occasion, like a flower girl, or something similar, I prefer the charm of the little girl to be the highlight of any outfit.
Putting Natasha in her braids, fixing her hat, and adding a teddy bear was the perfect touch! But yes, you can add the jewelry and let the winner decide if she wants to use them or not. That first picture is so charming, Jeanne!
Well, Charlotte, you never seem to age! Every picture of you I have seen, you look exactly the same, except for that one of you from way back, a high school picture or something! You certainly did have a wonderful time, and it was so interesting seeing what you bought and did.
I thought that drawn hem threading pattern you made was especially beautiful. Did you have a pattern to use? I myself, would never have the patience to do things like that, but have so much admiration for those who do.
Tonya looks like a wonderful friend and so happy that you have found each other! I love that last picture of the two of you together in your wonderful matching jackets!
Thank you so much for the lovely compliment, Linda! Actually, I do age, and see evidence when I look in the mirror!! 😂 But I do think part of it is that my hair has never gone gray–and I am now 80! I have a cousin (early 70s) whose hair has never gone gray, either; hers is a little more to the red than mine. She is my mom’s brother’s youngest daughter. On my dad’s side, he had a cousin who also never grayed. I guess it’s good genes!
As to the drawn thread, the only real “pattern” is how many threads of the fabric you pull out (“draw”), and how many of the perpendicular threads you bundle as you stitch. It’s really very repetitive, and after a while you develop a rhythm. I have always enjoyed hand work, so every year I try to take one or two classes of hand work at Expo. Last year I took lattice smocking. I’ve also taken things like wool embroidery, two-handed two-color knitting, shibori dyeing (the class where Tonya and I met), painting on fabric, etc.
That white/black fabric was so interesting to cut and sew. It’s actually two thin fabrics, attached to each other. The white areas are sort of “bunched” fabric, so when you make a straight cut across it and then look at the wrong side, the white fabric sticks out from the cut line and you have to go back and trim it again! Sewing was pretty easy–a slightly longer stitch length, as with many knit fabrics, and a little gentle stretching as you sew. We had about an hour together late in the day on Friday, and everywhere we walked, Tonya and I got comments about being twins, and the guy at the Wonderfil thread booth took our picture!!
This is the perfect blog post today!
Jeanne, Natasha looks adorable, I thought she looked adorable yesterday too! I am glad you are adding the jewelry in the sale as I liked the pretty grown up look very much! Natasha is so beautiful. These dolls are really stunning treasures. I spent an hour looking at a webpage with all of the dolls and their different “sculpt #s” and some of the dolls available.
Just overwhelming with cuteness that is just about it!
Now those of you with many dolls…. do they all get along? I would think so, they look sweet as cupcakes!
Charlotte, your adventure with your good friend Tonya looks like a success and an absolute blast! Amazing your purses and your jackets are so fancy! Both of you are certainly on the same wavelength! Absolutely stunning artistry on your purses. Your week was full of learning and delving into some fine new techniques. The Viking knitting is super pretty! Oh wow, I would have loved to get a big push in that direction! Did you make the third bracelet or all of these? – – okayy I just read again. Bracelet pic alone was your result, excellently beautiful. (gimme😂) I want to try to make something like this, I bet it was tricky but super fun.
What a massively fun time. I love you Charlotte and you are so happy and beautiful in every photo! I know you would be a blast to be with for a week, lots of enthusiastic laughing and learning! I love the fabric you chose for next year! That is very nice, really sweet, now the hardest part, deciding on the design! You make some great purchases, I like the Simplicity blouse patterns you got, nice to have some patterns to fiddle with. Your fabric choices are nice. I like the garland with the hanging balls, so cute. The photo booth shots are treasures. two best friends forever!
Thank you for sharing your adventure dear 🙂
Rosemary, many, many years ago when I we were visiting my younger son’s family in Seattle, I had met Charlotte and we went to lunch with my granddaughters after a trip to the AG girls place. It was such fun to have the day with her and she still looks just the same.
Wow!! lucky you.
So fortunate for both of you!
Thank you, Sissy!!
Thank you so much, Rosemary. My black jacket (first picture) doesn’t show too well, but it’s more of a wrap than a jacket. Think of two rectangles, side by side, sewn about 2/3 of the way up. The remaining opening is the “neck”. The fold it in half with that center seam/opening matching, and sew up the sides from the bottom about half way–the remaining openings are the “sleeves”. Then you clean finish all the way around, and add pockets, if desired. I had made it up in sweatering once before, and it’s so nice to throw over a light jacket when you just need a little more warmth! Tonya had to use another fabric for her lapels, because she somehow didn’t get quite enough, and what I had left wouldn’t have been enough, but I thought it looked fantastic as it was, with the contrast.
You can find directions for Viking Knitting on YouTube, if you want to see how it’s done! All you need is a dowel and some silver-coated wire, and then, later, some holes to draw it thru. Tonya bought two more kits and the block with the holes, as she’s going to make bracelets for her daughters, also.
I already have a couple of ideas for our twinsie top for next year. There’s a new pattern I’d like to try….
I love the idea of your wrap, very unique design and it looks fancy. I love the simple construction for such a lovely look!
Thank you!
I love the new look. I think it shows off the dress better, and after all the trouble and the extra touches (like the hem), the dress deserves attention. The teddy matches beautifully, and the extra pieces will be extra fun for the winner. The hat worn straight looks more current to me. If the new owner wants a “Mrs. Miniver” look, she can tilt the hat. What a difference a teddy bear makes.
It’s snowing. We did hear 12″, now we’re hearing 4″. I’m still hoping. The mountains could get the 12. The ski resort owners and skiers are probably praying.
Charlotte’s trip looks like fun. The new jackets look great and they gray ones are beautiful. Your purses look very professional. You chose excellent fabric. Practice matters.
Thank you, Marilyn. I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. We always have a good time together, and on 8/17/24 Tonya was “there” for me (from 1000 miles away) when she called me right after *I* heard that Ron had died. She stayed with me on the phone until I got down to his adult family home. 💖 We decided it was God’s timing, indeed, as she had no way to know Ron had just died.
absolutely – angels guiding both of you that day.
💖
Well, Natasha has returned to her childhood. Love her with the braids and minus the adult jewelry. This is the Nat, I love. And her little pink bear is the perfect accessory. The outfit now shines as wonderful for Easter, Spring, and even a lazy summer afternoon picnic. Fun.
I’m so glad that Charlotte, could attend the Expo and then share it with all of us. That metal knitting/jewelry is lovely. What an interesting craft. The shopping purchases looked fun too. And the twin photos turned out fabulously. That fabric chosen for next year’s outfit looks great as well. Thanks so much Charlotte and Jeanne for sharing.
Only 45 here this morning, but it is clear and will heat up. More wind expected and allergies are kicking up too. All those weeds are blooming.
I did finish the two main pattern pieces I’m reworking. At first, I thought what have I done this time and tossed them down and gave up. But, thinking about it during the night, I’d forgotten to put on the straps, which will even things out and change the armholes. So, all is not lost.
Yesterday, I received the cutest little Alice outfit I recently purchased. Not sure which of my dolls will be wearing it, but maybe one with dark hair. I know Alice was always a blond, but I might try it on someone different. We’ll see.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Thank you, Joy; I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. I really had no idea what Viking Knitting really was, but it just sounded interesting, you know?! Sometimes that’s enough to intrigue me!!
I’m so glad you figured out a resolution to your issue with that pattern!
Yes, yes, Jeanne, I love the outfit so much more. It is great you will have it both ways and the winner can have choices. Of course, as i said yesterday, I love the little girl look much better. I might look for those stick on earrings for an older looking doll.
Wow, Charlotte, I understand when you and your pal want to go there, I can’t imagine all the things you did in 2 days! You girls have a lot of energy! I love your outfits and the fabric for next year. Y’all are adorable together.Wish I could be there! I specially love that bracelet! Maybe you could send us a lesson on the blog!
We don’t travel to Seattle anymore, my son and his wife have moved to PA and the grand girls are way grown up. It was such fun taking the granddaughters to the AG store with you that time many, many years ago.
Thank you, Sissy! When I was younger, I used to stay at Expo for three days (it actually lasts four days, and Tonya stays for all of them!) but I just can’t do that any more, much as I’d like to.
I will have to look up the YouTube video that shows how the Viking Knitting is done, and see if Jeanne would be willing to post a link for those who are interested. The tools required are quite simple, really, and the technique isn’t difficult. It’s just one basic “stitch” which is repeated many times.
I have fond memories of your visit and our lunch at PF Chang’s! I remember you showed me a doll you were sewing for; I can’t remember for sure, but I think it was either one of Helen Kish’s that you were making something for, or a Little Darling.
I definitely like the young little girl look on dolls. I’ve seen some pretty shocking “customs” with AG and the “doll up look” is a hard pass for me.
The only thing close to high heels I have in doll shoes are The Queen’s Treasures 1890’s style boots, unless you count the little heel on Samantha’s Lawn Party shoes.
I had to do a quick run through, Charlotte, but I enjoyed seeing your “twinsies” outfit, you purchases, and your projects. Today was a grocery store day (we try for every two weeks) so I have lots to put away. I will look closer later.
Thank you, Laura. I hope you got everything done on your list today! I don’t have a regular shopping day; I just go whenever!
Dear Jeanne, Natasha looks so cute and demur in her outfit. I think she looks perfectly pink!
Only 25 more days until Maypril. I still haven’t figured out how to number the days since there will be 61 days. Hmmm. Maybe I should consult with the “calendar” people.
Anne, I hope it stays warm where you are for many weeks to come.
Let’s all remember that Sunday brings Daylight Savings Time so we jump head one hour at 2 am.
Happy Women’s History Month!
Hi Dorothy,
“Perfectly Pink” was on my list… but my hubby’s won out because it had fewer letters. sorry…
Jeanne, I love the whole look and I do like the teddy bear better than the jewelry.
Have any of you ladies come across Scraps and Skeins? It is a kind of thrift shop for needlecraft. Everything is donated. It is in State College PA. It cropped up on YouTube as a video from someone who was walking around it. I will try to find the URL for the video. Someone, a long time ago, mentioned that they always try to buy Double Duty thread when they see it and there was a whole bowlful of them. They do mail order too.
It looks like we have a settled week this week though Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be colder. Have a good day everyone
Dear Anne, State College is a few hours away from where I am! If I get over that way, I will stop in. I didn’t know about collectives like Scraps and Skeins.
I am wishing warm weather for you for many weeks. Our weather here has been cold one day and warmer the next.
I had not hear of Scraps and Skeins; thanks for the heads up! I am one who happens to LOVE the old Dual Duty Plus thread–I use it on all of my machines with no issues–and am still rather miffed at Coats & Clark for switching to DD XP, which, to me, is more like fine wire!! I buy Dual Duty Plus when I find it in the thrift stores, if it’s colors I use often.
Oh gosh, I thought it was only me….
Same… miffed.
I use the DD Plus on all of my machines too.
DDXP is not good for hand sewing either! … ask my how I know.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only DD Plus fan around!
I’ve pretty much used Dual Duty Thread most of my life, and I still have multiple spools of partially-used thread. I wasn’t aware that they had changed, since I haven’t really been using much recently, BUT I DID order a big spool of white, since I use it a LOT! I don’t think I necessarily noticed a difference (at least at first) But I think I was looking at the fiber content around Christmas time, and noted that it was all poly, which puzzled me, since I always thought it was cotton-covered poly, or was it the other way around. I have to go check it. What is it that you don’t like about it? That it’s like wire? Do you think the stitches aren’t as nice? That MAY be true of my machine. I use a Bernina.
Dual Duty Plus was cotton-wrapped polyester. XP is 100% polyester (ugh). Yes, sewing with XP is like sewing with fine wire, in my opinion. Lots of static, too–you can’t get it off your fingers to throw the scraps away!!
HOWEVER….C&C still makes something called “quilting and piecing” thread (I think), on a blue spool, and it IS “cotton-wrapped polyester”!! I use it for garment sewing, not just quilting and piecing. The main problem is, it only comes in a VERY limited color range.
There is also Quilter’s Select cotton/poly thread. I have a friend who is very happy with it and says she uses it for all her sewing (including garments and quilts). I bought a spool and will be trying it soon. (I have to add, I Think that was the brand.)
The video was from Creative Grandma and this is the URL
Sorry people that didn’t work. I will try again. I don’t know if it is possible to delete the previous post but if it is I don’t know how
Creative Grandma
https://youtu.be/jcfZ0xOpVSs
Charlotte I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed seeing your photos of Expo. I haven’t seen the heat removable white pen! I want one. How much easier to mark dark fabrics. I use Frixion pens all the time but I have only found them in blue, black and red. I love your bracelet too, I think it is a class Sam would love to go to! I loved you little bag. I have a couple of lace zips that I want to use on the outside of a bag but I have had them for at least a couple of years and still not used them.
Well, I went right to the page and looked around. We are very lucky to have a similar shop in the next town in our county. I’ve been there a lot because they have a couple of days of fifty percent off. They weigh the fabric, so it is amazing what you can buy for very little. That shop is absolutely packed as everyone around here donates their crafts/sewing etc. to them. The proceeds go to the senior center and most everyone is a volunteer. I wish it was closer, but then, I might have even more added to the fabric collection around here. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the address.
Thank you, Anne, The heat-erasable white pen was new to me, too. I will have to do a test and let you know how it works out. Will also try to remember to write down the brand, etc. for those who might want to search it out. At the moment, most of my Expo purchases are still in the basement, as I will take them to my sewing guild meeting for show and tell later this month, and it’s handier to have them down there until that time.
I have several colors of the lace zippers that I bought a year or two ago, and thought this was a good place to try one. (My final twinsie purse also has an surface-applied zipper but the tape is black with little stars on it.) Did you see, my friend Tonya used them on her bag, too?! Great minds and all…!!
Oh Charlotte, I am so glad you answered this question here! Just now! 4:30 eastern daylight time, I am thinking about YOU and your adventure. Then wondering about Tonya. This is a great story that you met 15 years ago and have become good friends! Superb! Does she live close by? This is so great that you can communicate (thank you internets) and meet each year. I love these sort of relationships. Age is not a matter, it is about mutual dedication and love for the sewing, and learning.
Wow, I am so happy to shared this.
Hi Rosemary. Actually, Tonya lives in Utah, and I’m north of Seattle, so the only time we see each other is at Expo! However, we do email and phone each other from time to time, so we stay in touch.
This is really wonderful. Are we living in the best times or what? Sometimes I feel spoiled – the internet brings all of us together for sharing, caring, … daring steps, …. stories and silliness. I am grateful every day
I agree. And because of the internet, I get to “talk” to my best friend, June (from 1st grade!), every day via email!
Just testing – I got through!!! Yay! I haven’t been able to get my comments through for several days. Thank you Jeanne!
Charlotte, it’s great to see your pictures!! It looks like you had fun and found lots of fun items. I love the purse you’re holding in the first picture. It is really cool looking.
I love the picture of both you and Tonya in the white checked jackets – you both look so happy. Thank you for sharing. Glad you had good time with good friends.
Jeanne, Natasha looked sweet in her lovely outfit.
I’m glad you got thru, too, Paula! And thank you for your lovely comments. That purse fabric was so interesting; it caught our eyes right away last year. It’s always fun to see how we use our chose “twinsie” fabric each year. I noticed right away that Tonya put the narrow bands going vertically on the outer layer of her purse, while mine were going horizontally! Other times (like the white/black jackets) we end up with something almost identical!