Birthday Countdown: 6 Days Left!

I made slow progress on the dollhouse today. I spent the whole day working on the sofa. I decided I would create a permanent padded upholstery for it. I picked a glorious piece of satin from my basket of odds and ends.

I had to do it over and over again. Each time I thought I had it, I would discover a big stain of glue in the wrong place, or the fabric would slip, or I would try to stretch it before the glue was fully cured... I got to practice all my French swear words!

Quite glamorous... I mean the sofa, not the swear words! I wanted to play with the textures, satin, wood and fresh water pearls... and of course the fur throw.

I think Little Miss SockPixie's new Barbie looks fabulous on it... It was all worth it. I just hope Little Miss SockPixie did not memorize all the swear words!

Birthday Countdown: 7 Days Left!

7 days left until Little Miss SockPixie's birthday! The dollhouse is taking shape. The main structures of the bedroom are in place.

For the back wall I selected wallpaper samples in tones of blue and sand. They actually inspired the whole room. The bed is a simple natural pine platform with a mattress on top, linen sheets, and a quilted blue flowered throw. The pillow is again simple natural linen trimmed with a navy blue ribbon. The bedside tables are white porcelain, and the lamps are made of aqua colored glass tiles in harmony with the sea tones of the room. A cork carpet lines the floor.

The boys are working on a few more pieces of furnitures while we girls are adding the last details to the room... That little piece of fur from an old glove is waiting to become part of the new little world...

Textures, that will be my focus tonight...

Birthday Countdown! Only 8 Days Left!

This morning, I woke up with this absolutely crazy idea that I would make a dollhouse for Little Miss SockPixie who will be turning 9 next Tuesday!

The moment Little Miss SockPixie's siblings woke up, I shared the plan with them. They all agreed it was a great idea, and we started brainstorming. The house will be big enough for her new retro Barbie, and her Betsy. It will be a very modern 1 bedroom...

We started looking in Mr. SockPixie's wood collection for the perfect pieces. We found everything we needed. In my craft room we even found wallpaper samples and tile samples, and exciting flooring possibilities. We have clay to make dishes and pots, etc... The only thing we had to get this morning was some sandpaper, and more wood glue.

I love that the project will be basically using only recycled items. The boys have been working on the house design, and on the furniture. Miss SockPixie and I have been painting, wallpapering, and sewing. Little Miss SockPixie so far believes we are building a submarine for Young Mr. SockPixie! She did mention tonight that this seemed to be a really fancy submarine. Our answer: "These are the captain's quarters!"

There are some pieces of furniture drying everywhere, and Mr. SockPixie's office, which we have claimed as our work space now has the lovely smell of fresh paint and wood glue...

More tomorrow...

Blissful Roving

This is what I will be spinning tonight...

Pure bliss...

Sewing for my Betsy

A few months ago, I got a Tiny Betsy McCall doll for little Miss SockPixie. She fell in love with the doll and so did I... I resisted the urge to get a Betsy for myself for months. I rationalized that I did not need it, that I was too old to get a doll, that I had no time for another hobby... So finally last week I gave in, I bought my own Betsy.

I spent last night designing a little dress for her. It takes a little practice to sew for an 8" doll. I picked a lovely light weight polka dot fabric, and some light green ribbon to flatter her hair color. I started the sewing last night.

 I pleated the bodice, and added a lace trim to the bodice and the pettycoat. I finished it this afternoon at the Frog Pond while the children were playing. I used little bits of ribbon for the straps, and added a simple ribbon belt to highlight Betsy's petite waist.

On our way home, we stopped by Winmill Fabrics which is conveniently located close to the Frog Pond and picked up cute fabrics to make more dresses and a leopard print coat!

I am having so much fun!

Vintage Beauty

Finding a vintage hat always makes me happy. This one made me particularly happy. I adore its 2 tone gathered veil, with its little flowers here and there, and the touch of velvet at the back of the hat making it all glow.

I wish women still wore hats...

A Little Spinning

Yesterday was resting... Today was spinning...
I spun yummy merino roving that I hand-dyed in various tones of lapis lazuli, and emerald greens because I could not get the picture of this glorious peacock out of my mind.

I sat and spun my own peacock , soft and squishy, and so beautifully contrasted...

220 yards worsted of weight singles... Should I knit another baby sweater? This would make such a pretty Cerise...