A Year in Review 2019

Although there has inevitably been some new arrivals this year, most have come from charity shops and been real bargains... and of course I have made a lot of dolls this year, which really helped.  The dolls that didn't come from the CS I bought in January before Percy became ill which were on a long term wish list, and a couple that had been on my wish list for a very long time I bought when the opportunity arrived later on in the year.    I'd like to do even better next year on limiting my spending on dolls and doll items.  I will have to anyway as it seems Percy's treatment will be continuing for most of 2020 as well which has come to a bit of a shock to us as we thought the treatment would just be for a year.  So there will still be more dolls that will have to be sold, as well as the ones I still have for sale.  I AM negotiable on them, so if you are interested please don't hesitate to contact me.

Some highlights of the year are:

Henry getting a new head of hair and of course visiting New Zealand 

Finding Kiwi Sindy in an Op shop in NZ...just at the right time, when I needed a 'pick me up'.  She has become a firm favourite of mine.

My £1 vintage Action Man.

The making of Martha the Elephant (and her two sisters for my Mum and Sister) and doing a 50 plus day project with her.

Making my childhood doll Linda her first new dress ever!

Finding sweet baby Natalie for £1.30 in a Charity Shop.  What a high I got from that.

The making of Howard Bear and enjoying him.  

My Tiny Rag Dolls (minus three that were given as gifts)

Creative Week 31

Mainly a bit of sewing on the creative front this week, although not a lot.

A dress for Wren.  I wanted to make her a Christmas themed dress...so not really sure why I chose this fabric, seems, I now need to make her an ACTUAL Christmas dress, or so I have been informed anyway!

I've had this cloth kit Daisy Kingdom fabric for some time now so thought I would finally make up the dress.

It seemed to big for the American Girl dolls and my Daisy Kingdom doll is currently packed away so I tried it on Linda.  I'm glad it turned out too big for the American Girl dolls, as it looks great on Linda and fits her well.

I had another cloth kit fabric so I made that up as well. 

It fits Sienna Saige beautifully.

I've still got to sew up the little Scottie dog and the bag which I will probably do this coming week.

I've done some knitting and sewing for a Hitty Group challenge, but can't show those yet.

I made this bear last week, but couldn't show him until this week once I had given him to my friend for Christmas.  Yes we gave  (and opened) our presents early!.  

I was thrilled to watch the expression on her face when she opened him.  Reactions like that make the creative process of making a gift all the more worth while.

She has named him Leonard. 

I am hoping to make some Christmas gifts this week....that is the goal anyway...whether or not I achieve them is another matter!

Dennis the Man

Well it seems Dennis it is....I am not sure where this name came from, but that is the name that seems to keep coming into my head when I either look at him or try to think of other names for this Action Man.  I came up with quite a few other names as well!  

I knitted him another sweater last night, from a vintage pattern of mine that originally sold for 8 pence!  I changed the back slightly so it had a placket opening which seemed preferable to what the pattern was suggesting which didn't quite make sense.  I'm pleased with the way this knitted up. 

I love it when I find a doll in a Charity Shop for a mere £1.50. Not only do I not feel guilty about 'spending money on a doll'  I think in some ways they are more fun...you 'rescue' them, clean them up and dress them, wholly more satisfying than getting a doll that is already 'A Okay'.  Not that there is anything wrong in getting one like that.