Wee Wonderfuls

Mini Me Apron & Doll for Hurricane Katrina Relief

I just found out about Crafters United on Etsy and would like to do a little something similar here. I hadn't yet decided what to do with my "Mini Me" apron and doll and this seemed like the perfect thing. They're up for auction now on the WeeAuction. I'll pay the shipping costs and the total amount of your bid will go to the Red Cross.

Ok, now a little disclaimer... since this was my first time making this doll-in-a-apron idea what you're getting is a prototype. She's a little bit wonky & uneven and, more importantly, she is very untested for play. I was initially thinking of sending her on to one of my friends with daughters so they could test her out. I'm not sure what age little girl this would be best for and what level of play the doll would withstand. That said, she is soundly made. I'll shore up her seams and I'm sure she'd make some little girl pleased as punch.

Thanks!

so far today

I've woken up with my house intact, used a working toilet, watched tv, read news on the internet, used the phone, washed dishes and cooked and eaten breakfast. All along thinking of those who can't do that this morning because of Hurricane Katrina. Oscar has no patience for me watching tv or being online. It's for the best I guess because it is so overwhelming and toddlers don't seem to understand overwhelmed.

tutorial for shrinky dink pins

I got the shrinky urge the other day and made some more shrinky dink pins. I took photos so I could write up a little tutorial. I'm no shrink plastic expert but here's what I know. Also I'd love to start a shrinky dink pin gallery like the wee gallery. I know I've seen some really really cute pins out there. If you've seen some or have some you'd like to add please email me (hillarylang at gmail) and if there's enough interest I'll set up a gallery. And if anyone has any other tips or info to add that'd be great! Please leave us a comment.

packaging

I've been wanting for a long time to get my packaging in order and I was inspired by -- ugh, insired by is worn out -- how about filled with enlivening or exalting emotion and stimulated to action by Sarah's friendly, unique and thoughtful packaging. Tim and I worked late into the night yesterday (and again tonight) on this a little WeeWonderfuls storybook. The plan is to send one of these out with all my character dolls. The book cover is fabric, cotton batting and cardboard with Paige's little story inside. I'm very pleased with how well it all turned out. Thanks Tim :) Now to make some new tags and maybe a trip to Paper Source for ribbons and wrapping paper.

Sarah, my new hero

Everything Small Object Sarah makes is wonderful of course, but Tim and I have a super soft spot for her Little Small Clothespin People. We fell in love with Cocoon Mummy on the spot and were so lucky we got to her in time. Big Grizzly Ball was another favorite but CM's fuzzy antlers were just too irresistible.

And look who tagged along for the ride, surprise visitors! Plaid 80s Prep Punk and Circus Punk Puff

Sarah even sent along a pincushion I coveted on her site a while back. Isn't it fantastic!

Thank you so much Sarah! Not only for your amazing originality and talent that allows me to have clothespins with faces to display in my home, but for your generosity and for the huge burst to my diy spirit your package brought me. I feel like this! All your packaging and your personal distinct touch on everything is so inspiring.

magic in the mailbox!

amox upon this house

This is the baby I woke up to this morning. I'm so excited because since Tuesday morning he's been this baby. The baby that's allergic to amoxicillin. The baby that needs to go to the emergency room in the middle of the night because he's being so quickly enveloped in the pox. Around here it's the cure that will kill you. The spots are less fierce, as the ER doc called them, in the morning and then get worse during the day. I'm hoping this new look will stick so I can take him out in the world without fear of ostracization. Don't want him labeled as that speckled kid.

Now that I don't have spots to record I think I'll go take photos of all the fun mail I've received lately.

Flying Spaghetti Monster

When I asked Tim what I should work on next he requested a stuffed Flying Spaghetti Monster based on this. Guess he was feeling spiritual. So here is a fleece deity for him. Thing I like best about it is that it's football shaped so when Tim starts acting up I can hurl the fsm at him and ask what would the flying spaghetii monster do?! wwfsmd my brother. more here.

Tie One On: Mini Me

I was very excited when Amy first announced August's theme for Tie One On. I was thinking it'd be so fun to make matching aprons for Oscar and my Mom. But when it came time to get started I could not get inspired because I knew neither one of them would actually wear an apron. Oscar would wiggle and whine and yank it off and Mom would smile and say how lovely and then hang it up somewhere. I had decided I was just going to skip this month but then I came up with this idea.

It's a child sized apron for a little girl with a matching doll. The doll fits into a pocket in the apron that then becomes her apron. And there's the mini me. It's not cheating right? Meets the two apron requirement? The blue and white apron fabric and the gold rick rack are vintage. The polka dot fabric is new Japanese fabric. The apron is gathered at the waistband and has the doll's apron pocket and then another pocket for stashing things.

The doll is flannel with cotton yarn hair. Her dress is a bit of vintage fabric that Kim sent me. Wool felt collar and shoes and vintage buttons for eyes. I didn't want the shoes falling off as she was being put in and out of the apron so I sewed her shoes into the seams this time. I really like how it looks but I think I'll have to stick with the removable shoes for future dolls because they are so much fun to play with.

Great theme Amy. Can't wait to hear next month's!

dog days

trip to the quilt shop

buttons from Dawn

fun folky mail from Amy

prruuumph!

I'm thanking my lucky stars that Tim is so good at animal noises and we won this competition. This came in the mail Friday and I just LOVE it! My own little puppy wallet from Lyn over at mollychicken.

It is so so cute and really beautifully made. So tiny. I'm amazed by people who can make tiny things so well. Turning out those little ears, etc. Especially with thick wool fabric. Lyn, you're very talented. And I nearly fainted when I saw all the tiny perfect blanket stitches on this guy. Lyn quickly informed me that it was her lovely Pfaff sewing machine that made all those tiny stitches. Thank God, I'd hate to think about how much time it would take to do that by hand. I takes me forever just to blanket stitch some eyes and nose on to a doll. I'm going to have to point out this feature to my old sad Bernina. I love the colors and the little charm hanging from the tail is perfect! Thanks so much Lyn, we're all very excited about this little fellow over here. Especially Oscar who is always trying to get his sticky little hands on him, digging in my bag for him saying "roof roof". The knack for animal sounds run in the family.