Zoe
and the Woodland Sprite are in the Etsy shop now
Sharing
Go and read this great post, you will enjoy it
and then go and look at this lovely blog with all the wonderful children's knitwear and pretty parties.
Dolly Day
It will come as no surprise to most of you who read my blog that I love dolls, all kinds of dolls, but mainly the kind that can be played with or have been played with and might now be retired.
I'm not fussy,
I like Waldorf style dolls,
rag dolls,
vintage plastic dolls,
new plastic dolls,
knitted and crocheted dolls.
I don't have a large collection, the girl above is one of mine, but with the wonders of the interweb I can look at so many delightful dolls.
I have declared Fridays to be Dolly Days and whether you like it or not I will indulge myself with pictures and links and stories about dolls.
So talk amongst yourselves if dolls aren't your thing and please join in if you share my passion.
To get things started I will share some of my current favourite hand made dolls and their makers.
These little cuties are from the wonderful Sanne of Allerleipuppen
Aren't they just beautiful?
I love the hats, the rosy cheeks, the sweet little round faces.
This one is called Dru and she was made by the team at Tumbleberry Toys led by Jen Davenport
I just love the colours, so autumnal and warm
The last doll today was made by a lady who does visit this blog and was chosen to compete in the Handmade Olympics with this lovely doll that she made for her daughter.
She won the Silver Medal, yay!
Isn't she just a lovely little doll, those shoes, the outfits, the sweet face and darling hairstyle.
So tell me do you have any favourite dolls at the moment?
Do you have a favourite doll from your childhood?
Do you collect dolls?
Do you make dolls?
Do you think I am mad?...be nice.
Rugs
The rugs and quilts that mostly just decorate the chairs and couches where the upholstery is a bit sad and tired are being unfolded and slipped over knees and legs in the evenings.
It is getting a little nippy at the start and end of each day.
The kitchen floor is noticeably cool underfoot and slippers are coming out of their summer hibernation to keep toes cosy.
When I let one of the cats in last night she had the smell of woodsmoke on her fur so someone had a fire going.
I don't think I am ready for fires and wood piles and cold mornings.
Kate, a blog reader asked how I manage not to burn the fruit when I make rock cakes and I have to say I have never had this problem so I think we must be using different recipes.
My recipe is here.
Does anyone have a similar problem or some baking advice for Kate?
Fairies
I am making a fairy doll, a woodland sprite.
How much fun is that...lots!
At the moment she has no clothes so an old dolly blanket is keeping her warm, it's cold here this morning.
I will have more pictures when she is dressed.
I would love to watch the fairies film, Fairytale, a true story, right now but it's a little early in the morning for movies.
Saturday morning
It's a gorgeous rainy morning here.
Everyone is fast asleep.
The garden has been so desperate for rain, I hope it rains all day.
I have a day of sewing and a little baking planned but things could change.
I fancy making some rock cakes.
It's one of Mum's recipes, always popular with men and boys and it makes enough to fill two biscuit tins.
Louis made it safely back from Bali.
Was I silly to worry, probably.
He liked it well enough but said he felt very sad about this little island that has reorganised itself around the needs and wants of tourists and visitors.
Some new yarns arrived yesterday and some pretty wooden buttons.
I am using the pink and mauve boucle yarn for a woodland sprite doll.
I hope she turns out to be just like the doll I have imagined.
I can hear Charlie happily quacking out the back, she of course loves the rain but can't quite convince the chooks that it's fun to be out in the wet.
They hide under the outdoor table and she waddles back and forth trying to tempt them to come and play.
Thank you to everyone who comes to visit here each day.
Some of you have been visiting for a very long time and probably know me as well as I know myself.
It's a strange thing really to sit and write about the little and big things in my life, hit publish and share with whoever cares to read.
Sharing
So this morning I have been doing dolly knitting and hanging out washing,
yes and now it looks like rain.
I have had a very civilised morning tea and after lunch I picked an apron load of greengages and have eaten more of them than I should.
So yummy and finally ripe and it's a battle with the birds to see who can get the most.
I want to share a couple of links with you, one I have shared before I know and one is new.
These are the shops of two of my favourite knitted doll designers.
First, one I have shared before, Eli's lovely Dollytime
one of Eli's creations Lulu
And Eli's lovely blog is Flutterby Patch
The second shop is Tina's, Quiet Home Designs
Millie is one of Tina's creations
And Tina's lovely blog is The Quiet Home
Enjoy.
This little one headed off today to be a birthday baby for a little girl in Victoria.
I almost forgot to take her picture before I wrapped her, so glad I remembered.
She is for a little girl whose favourite colours are???
Can you guess?
red and pink and orange
Oh and I have finally updated my doll gallery.
Vintage Knitting Book
I haven't shared on of my vintage knitting books with you for a long time.
I am not sure of the date of this one but those of you who know these things can tell me.
I was thinking it was the 1940s some time but really I have no idea.
Love the trousers and platform shoes
I really like that most of the models have such natural looking hair
Which pattern is your favourite?
I think I like Hotham the best followed by Torquay.
Routines
It's very early Monday morning and I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of all I have to do this week, mainly doll work but also of course all the dailiness that we all have to do.
Now Kate is back at school and Andy has so miraculously found the best ever full time job, I don't have an extra pairs of hands around the house during the day to hang out a load of washing or run to the shop for some milk.
Having had Andy home for such a long time, since late October really has given me the luxury of being disorganised and I do disorganised very well.
So, just as Kate is getting used to her new school routines and Andy figures out the workings of an office, I have to rework my home routines and move on from the lazy hazy summer days and be like the industrious Martha B. Rabbit from one of Katie's childhood books written by Shirley Barber.
That Martha really knew how to keep house and work hard and provide for the future.
Here's to an industrious autumn ( or spring if you are from way up north)
Early Autumn?
I know Punxsatawney Phil recently predicted an early spring in the northern hemisphere.
I don't know about you but it sure feels like we are going to have an early autumn.
What do you think?
Groundhog Day, by the way, is one of my husband's favourite films.
These apples are on a self seeded apple tree in the front garden.
They look better than they taste.
So, as well as settling into a new year of school, Kate has been working here and there on her crochet project.
I have been given the job of stitching the granny squares together and backing them to make pot holders.
I love the colours she has chosen, although my stash of happy colours is a little depleted..
These happy pot holders, my knitted bear, some little dolls and a few other bits and pieces will be part of the Brown Owls stall at the Maker's Market tomorrow at the Tasmanian Design Centre courtyard tomorrow from 11am to 3pm as part of Festivale.
The proceeds of our little stall are going to charity.
The proceeds of our little stall are going to charity.
See you there.
Maddy , for sale.
So Maddy is dressed and ready to go.
If you want the chance to buy her you can go to my Facebook page , click the 'Like' button at the top of the page and then leave a comment or you can leave a comment here and I will add it to my Facebook page.
This time tomorrow I will draw a name and that person has 24 hours to buy Maddy.
If they decide not to buy the doll she will then be an ordinary listing in my Etsy shop, available to whoever gets her first.
Maddy is 16" tall and she costs $220 AUD plus shipping.
As well as the clothes you see her in she will be wearing a knitted cardigan and have a nightdress too.
There is more information in the shop.
Maddy has found a home, thank you.
It's cool enough in the mornings and evenings to knit comfortably.
There is a hint of autumn in the air, perhaps an early autumn this year or perhaps Mother Nature is just tricking.
I am knitting a little brown bear, the colour of the wool is mink.
Kate is crocheting granny squares to make pot holders.
Together we are making things for the Brown Owls stall at the Makers Market at the Design Centre in Launceston this Saturday.
The proceeds of our stall are going to the Flood Relief fund.
Maybe I will see you there.
Last day
Well it's the last day of school holidays today and Kate has been baking , nanna's biscuits and a chocolate cake.
Have I told you before how lovely it is to have someone in the house who likes to bake?
Bliss.
The uniform is ready, the books are covered and labelled, the new hair style has been practiced - she is good to go.
Grade 8, remember that.
Lots of fun ahead.
I have been working on doll clothes in between other bits and pieces.
Clothes for this little girl Maddy.
They are not finished yet, she will be dressed tomorrow and then ready for the shop.
At the moment she wearing someone else's clothes.
Here is Maddy with little Lola from the other day.
Maddie is 16" tall and Lola is 12".
They look so cute together.
Mikey and Lola in the shop
Mikey...
and Lola...
now.
Such sweeties
Both dolls have found new homes, thank you.
Mikey
Just how cute is this little guy.
I still have to stitch his wig in place and finish his trousers but he looked so cute when I tried his ranbow jumper in him that I had to share him with you.
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