Choosing fabrics

I've been doing a little fabric audition for "Emily and Edwin". I pulled out all the fabrics I had that I thought might be a good fit. Right now, I'm leaning toward the ones above because, to me, they have a circus feel, which works well with the elephant idea.

Earlier today, I was leaning toward the combination above. I did a sketch of how I thought they'd be assembled, a polka dot ruffle underneath the gingham skirt, with an embroidered white apron on top, maybe a decorative ribbon on the apron as well.

Then there was the plain and simple look, with a solid green over skirt and a subdued purple underskirt that matched Edwin the Elephant's base. Decisions.

I ran out to mow our field of dandelions this morning. There's a country wedding out here today, and that wouldn't do for a backdrop. No, not my wedding, although that would be a funny story if I ran out to mow a field before the ceremony!

Beatrice Bunny's dress is finished!

Beatrice is finally clothed and Beulah is happily nestled in her pocket.

I was just about to take these photos today, when it started to rain cats and dogs. I got lucky and it stopped before the light outside disappeared.

We are so happy with how Beatrice and Beulah turned out, and the dress suits them just right. It's so nice when something comes together just the way you'd like it to.

There's even an opening for her fluffy tail to peek out.

I'm still loving those big feet.

I'm determined to finish up at least one more dress before these new dolls go up for adoption, but I will be sure to let everyone know when they are up on the Ruffing's site. In the meantime, more photos of Beatrice and Beulah can be seen in this bunny rabbit set on Flickr.

Trying out some new feet

I've been trying out some new presser feet for my sewing machine. That's little Beulah Bunny, enjoying her new apron pocket. Husqvarna Viking keeps coming out with new, clear versions of their presser feet, which make certain tasks a lot easier. So far, I have their Clear B Edge Stitching Foot, (below left), and their Clear Open Toe Foot, (below right).

The Clear B Edge Stitching Foot helps quide you along edges while you do decorative stitching. The Open Toe Foot is great for machine appliqué stitching, because you can see where you are going, when you are following a raw edge or a line. Both have a tunnel on the underside to allow the bulk of your decorative stitching to slide through without jamming anything up.

I used a chalk pencil to mark a straight line on my fabric, when I was putting my decorative stitching on my apron pocket. Then I used the Edge Stitching Foot to follow my line. That kept my decorative stitching nice and straight.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

Hug Me! Kitty

Meet Darla, my new black and white, tuxedo "Hug Me! Kitty". I took a little sewing detour to play around with my pattern designs and came up with a kitty. That doesn't seem too surprising, huh? Lots of cats.

I like her curly appliquéd tail.

She'll be ready to give someone a hug over in my Etsy shop soon.

I'm still sewing doll clothes. I stopped to make some blueberry apple muffins though. They were about to be blueberry muffins until I discovered I didn't have a whole cup of blueberries. A happy short-coming though. The combination worked out nicely. I made them from the same buttermilk muffin recipe I usually use, and added a teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest. I also substituted some plain yogurt plus some milk for buttermilk, since I was also out of buttermilk, trying to get it to about the same consistency. That worked out fine too, but it must be time to go food shopping again!

I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

Just a note to let you know...

Crocus the Siamese Kitten by Max Bailey just went up on our Ruffing's site for adoption. You can read all about her over on her web page. I just finished editing her photos and putting them online. Have a great weekend!

Butterfly bushes and baked goods

I took these photos of Painted Lady Butterflies on our butterfly bush a couple of years ago. The butterfly bushes aren't in bloom quite yet, but...I finally planted the one I have had sitting in a pot by our chimney for as long as I've had these photos. I can't believe it has survived this long in a pot, and I'm hopeful that it will continue to persevere.

We've had an overcast day, which is good for transplanting. Here's hoping it takes off like the one in these photos. This one is enormous, and the butterflies, moths, and bees visit it all summer long.

I have some more gardening to tend to, that I have been putting off doing. I used to garden with a passion, but the hard clay in the North Carolina soil has put me off a bit. I'd love to get my iris beds divided too.

I'm trying to do the things I have been putting off, one at a time, including making progress on all things doll related.

I also made both banana oat muffins and soft pretzels today. Mm...salty pretzel goodness. I had a craving for soft pretzels while at the mall recently. I almost stopped for one, but I kept thinking, "I could just make those!" So, that became one more thing on my to-do list. It was well worth the effort.

While I was out, I also picked up a copy of Quilting Arts new special issue, Stitch, Creating with Fabric & Thread. The pretty pillow on the cover is "Tuesday Pillow" by Malka Dubrawsky. The instructions are included in the magazine.

What really made me purchase the issue though, were the cute stuffed toys, "Pretty Cat, Baby Bear and Mini-Mouse", by Heidi Boyd. The patterns are in the foldout in the center of the magazine, and the instructions are in the back. They'd make adorable gifts.

I've got my own pile of toys to sew and doll dresses to make. So, I probably won't be trying these out right away. I'm sure I'm more likely to get some new idea before then, to add to my list of things to do, but I thought perhaps some of you would enjoy making them! Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all have a lovely day!

Kitties in dresses

These are our first photos of the original folk art cat dolls that Max Bailey and I have done together, wearing their dresses, and posed on the background we picked out. "Loretta and Lulu", the Siamese mom and her pocket kitten are on the far left. "Chelsea" the Maine Coon Cat, with her birthday cake, is in the middle. "Heidi and Helga" are on the right. Helga is Heidi's goose.

Emily the ginger tabby cat, and Beatrice the lop rabbit haven't got their outfits on yet. That's little Beulah the lop rabbit in Beatrice's lap.

Heidi was our first doll we did together. Then came Loretta and Lulu. Chelsea was the third addition. We'll be taking more photos before these go up for adoption over in our online doll gallery. They'll be on the page for jointed dolls eventually, but not until they are all ready. I'll be sure to post here on this blog, and on the Ruffing's blog when they are ready for adoption. First, I have some photos of Max's art doll figurines to edit. I'll try to get those done as soon as I can.

I believe we are going to create a tuxedo cat doll next, but there is a lot to finish up before we get to her...him? We'll see. I think we will have to try some mister kitties soon.

I took an extended weekend last weekend and did some fun things, including some first-time-ever things. One of those was taking a ballroom dancing lesson for the first time ever! I love watching Dancing with the Stars, but I have no clue when it comes to doing any of that sort of thing. So, that was a treat. We tried the the rumba and the waltz. I can't tell you how many tries it took to get me to walk in a circle correctly. I'm still not sure it wasn't an accident when I finally got it right!

I went to the airport for the first time ever. I have never been on a plane. I still haven't been! I did watch the planes take off however, and, I admit, I shuddered just watching them lift off the ground. I also got the tour of what you do at the airport, before you get on or off the plane, things I've only seen on TV and in the movies. Then I goofed and missed seeing the plane I meant to wave at as it took off.

I also got to see The Soloist, which I really liked a lot. I worked on my Wolverine imitation, but failed to convince anyone to take me to see that:

"Ka-chang! Ka-chang!" (Elizabeth doing "Wolverine fingers"...a sort of distant relative to jazz hands only meaner-looking, and with blades.)

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because you are going to keep doing THAT!"

So, no Wolverine for me.

In the middle of the week, I finished getting a ton of fillings done. Yuck. I thought I was taking good care of my teeth, but they rebelled and got little cavities in them. My tongue is still numb and prickly. I hope that goes away soon.

After we get some errands taken care of, I will be back to sewing and photo editing.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. It is getting very warm here in North Carolina.

I'll have some new doll dresses to show you soon, hopefully.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these.