robynsewsthisandthat

I have been working hard as suddenly the doors have opened wider to my teaching sewing opportunities. I have had a lot of help as one of my current student’s mom has spread the word of my class offerings to her neighbors that she knew had children who were interested in learning to sew. She even coordinated the days so I could come to their neighborhood and spend one hour at one house doing a lesson and then I move right next door to another house to do a second lesson. I don’t know which is harder, planning a series of lessons or coordinating the schedules of busy kids and their families. So, I really appreciate her help. I have acquired 3 new students through her efforts.

So when I have some extra time I have been enjoying a little personal play sewing. I purchased My Felt Doll Book. I have had a lot of fun in the past making stuffed toys and dolls. I wanted to try some more. 

  
I apologize but, I don’t seem to be able to leave things well enough alone as they are. I wanted a slightly larger doll so I enlarged the pattern a bit and began sewing up the main body of my doll. As I was working on assembling her (I definitely decided it would be a “her”) I was trying to imagine what her face would look like. I hand embroidered her eyes and facial features. And what personality she would develope through those facial expressions. And what style she would had.

 She did get another leg. Isn’t she cute? Some of my embroidery floss tails moved around a big on the inside of her face as I was stuffing her and they seemed to create some weird lines in her complexion. My daughter said that it made her look “old”. I was looking at yarns for hair and spotted a gray and black fun fur yarn and knew it had to be for my doll’s hair. 

  
It almost looks purple in this lighting. I love it thou. Now I need to develope her “style” and give her a name. Any suggestions will be considered and appreciated.

 Have any of you made dolls? Do you find it fun to create a personality in a doll? Please share with me.

Only have 6 to share this week. So, I will make it quick and sweet.

 1 – My parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. I sent them is Edible Arrangement. 2 of the pineapples are suppose to be cut into the numbers “60”.

  
2 – Halarious Hilda is a bit green around the gills and drippy in this winter weather. I feel ya honey!

3 – Car wash time. I call this structure the Dinosaur Bones Car Wash.   
4 – View from my desk one day at work.

 
5 – During the wonderfully, warm summer months the Impatients on my deck reseeded themselves into the potted orchid. One has managed to begin to bloom indoors. A very welcome surprise. 

6 – I made a warm cup of tomato soup and a gluten-free grilled cheese. My idea of “Comfort Food”. Aaahh!

 
Sunday Seven is a weekly collection of photos from our daily lives. Natalie over at Threads & Bobbins has all the details and you can join in at any time. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week ahead. I love staying in touch with all of you.

 
 
I apologize for the lousy photos. It’s not always easy taking photos of myself and even more challenging with my iPad.

I have not posted any post about my attempts at knitting. Mainly because I am a very, very slow knitter. It once took me years to knit a sweater for my husband. He requested it to help keep him warm in the winter months while he was riding his bicycle to work on a regular basis. By the time I have finished it he had upgraded to riding a motorcycle. The bulky sweater isn’t practical for wearing while cruising on his Yamaha nor does it fit well under his leather jacket (althou he may have worn it once).

At any rate, we have been making quick car trips up to NJ to check in on my in-laws so this car time has allowed me the chance to keep my hands busy with some take-along knitting. I used this free pattern on Raverly, Cozy Thermal Mitts. I am glad that I gave it a try. It is a really fun pattern. Quick and easy to follow.

   
 
I completed the main part of the mitts within one of our trips. One on the way up and the second on the way back. Once at home it took me a week or so to finish the thumbs on each mitt. I made a few mistakes but, I plan on using these for myself so I just call it my ‘signature style’. 
  
The yarn is 100% acrylic, which I usually do not care for but, I was drawn to the colors in this. I used just over one skein to make the mitts and a hat so, I have quite a bit left over. It has a very soft feel and was easy to work with. 

  
I had so much left after the mitts that I decided to whip up a hat and tried to use the same pattern in the mitts. In other words, I just winged it. I am not really a hat wearer. Sometimes I just have to do it thou. 

  
Now that it is all said and done, I am happy with the way these turned out. The mitts are fast enough to complete that I may make another pair before the end of winter. It is finally cold enough here that I (or someone else) could use them.

But first, there is a lace scarf that I wanted to make. And sewing. Yes, more sewing! 

My post for this recap of our week’s activities aside from a regular blog post seems to have turned into a monthly recap. Natalie over at Threads and Bobbins is the brain child of this. So, go check her out and the others who play along (on a more regular basis) when you follow the link to her Pinterest board. They certainly won’t disappoint.

It’s not that I do nothing all week. Maybe it’s more that I do too much? I don’t think to take pictures? I don’t know. So, here goes my recap of the week.

1. I went with the local chapter of the American Sewing Guild to Richmond to view the The Downton Abbey costume collect. The final season will begin airing in a couple of weeks here in the US. I loved seeing all the costumes and reading about them. Best of all we could take pictures (no flash) but it was so hard not to touch. I just wanted to feel every fabric and touch every bead. Ugh!

  
2. The last session of my sewing classes finished this week. The next session begins right after the first of the year. 3 of the 4 classes that I am offering next filled up with at least the minimum required participants within the first couple of days of registration. I am very excited about it. I have been playing around with my new machine and some quilting projects. The last class involved a simpler version of this little mug rug.

  
3. I had bought these carrots – yes, carrots at the local market. I couldn’t resist trying them. I roasted them to have as a side with dinner. They are a bit starchy. Not too bad thou. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

4. I have been madly working on this project for my sister-in-law as a Christmas present for my nephew. She brought me  25 of his t-shirts to make into a quilt. It needs to be soft and warm and be large enough to cover his 6 foot plus body. It’s almost finished and I promise to write a blog post about it (and my newest sewing machine) soon. Promise!

  
5. I just have to add this from a week ago (or so) I found a tutorial for making this snowman wreath. I couldn’t resist. And I can’t resist sharing him with you now.

  
That’s it for my week. Except I do want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday. I love being able to peek into all of your lives and appreciate that you have so much passion to share the things that you love with all of us every week.