Pocket Dolls

Things are starting to move quite fast. There are many things about to happen and I'm trying to get things organized. Working very hard to stay on track. So, here is my last doll project for the month. These little beauties are pocket dolls. They will fit into the outside pocket of a small purse. They are samples for a kid workshop I would like to teach this summer. Gotta keep those little fingers busy.

These are the colors for their aprons. I should probably use white but nah... I like the funky colors and prints. Besides, this class will be taught at a quilt shop and these are their fabrics. More cool dolls are on the way. Have a great day everyone.

Here's the Dress

I finally got the dress done. It was a battle but I won. Figured out that I wasn't properly prepped to make a dress. All prepped for dolls and quilts, but not a dress. At one point I had to look for my zipper foot. I refused to cry when things weren't going well. I pulled out all my tricks from working with non-profit and educational theaters. A friend helped me hem it and another friend suggested the tulle bow to hide a few flaws. I even got a few compliments at the reception. Not bad for this being the first dress I've made for myself in over 18 years.

This pic was taken after the festivities were over. I'm beat and it was horribly hot and humid that day.

Meredith and Josh, husband and wife. The first dance was amazing. It started off slow, like usual, but then the DJ switched music. They danced through music time and it was the first time I saw a bride hike up her dress and pull a MC Hammer, Can't Touch This, move. It was great. And they hadn't rehearsed it at all.

Working on 1960s Retro Dress

I won't be able to start my wardrobe blog until after the reception this Saturday. But here's what I have so far. First I had to clear off my art table to cut the dress out. I love having a clear table and will have to redo my studio after the dress is done.

It's an old art table from a school. Someone had tossed it, a friend of a friend picked it up and decided he didn't want it anymore. That's how I got it. I so love this table.

And it was long and wide enough to cut out a circle skirt. It's been a long time since I last made a garment for myself. I didn't know if I would remember all that I had learned. Once I got started, laid out the pattern, things began to come back to me. Like riding a bike. But that first cut into the fabric is always nerve racking.

Remembered how to do tailor tacks. My mom was very big on them.

Sewing the lining to the pretty fabric around the shoulder opening.

All the darts are done and the bodice has been sewn at the neckline.

The V shaped detail on the front of the bodice.

The skirt waiting to be joined to the bodice. There's also a lining hanging up in the closet.

I bought the beads when I was in Richmond. I made the necklace and my friend Julie did the earrings for me. Today, I finish the dress and make the petticoat. Stay tuned.

Double Barreled Saturday

Sorry this is late but I will do this in two parts.
Part One- I have friends who have a catering business called Butt Brothers BBQ and they had a gig at the Pottery Festival at Old Salem in Winston-Salem, NC. I helped and it was a lot of fun. They will be there at Old Salem again this Saturday for a BMW classic car festival. Please stop by if you're in town.

In the back from left to right: Joel is hiding, Gary. Front row going in the same direction: Rebe, me, Maya, Amanda, and Dennis.

The Butt Brothers BBQ banner.

Everything, including three sauces were homemade. Baked Beans, coleslaw, brisket, and pulled pork were gluten free. The mac 'n cheese was not gluten free but darn good. Several different cheeses were used and then cooked in the smoker.

A view of the Pottery Festival.

It was a great day. It wasn't muggy and there was a nice breeze all day long.

Part Two - After I left Old Salem, I hiked to my car and went home. I took a shower, had to ice my knee, and took a quick nap. Then I got ready for my English Country Dance group's frolic. It took place at Bethabara which is another old settlement in the area.

I won't be able to remember everyone's names but I'll give it a go. Jennifer, Lisa, and Rita on the far right. She's the one who put everything together. Thanks Rita.

I didn't get this lovely young lady's name but her she is with her mother. She is 15 and is all into Jane Austen and the Regency period. Down to the mannerisms for a young lady. A gentleman was trying to take her picture during the break and she didn't want one taken. So she whipped out her fan and put it in front of her face and started fanning. It was great. I could pick her up and plop her down in any of the Jane Austen movies. She reminded me of Darcy's sister in the BBC version of Pride And Prejudice. Her mom told me that she made both their gowns, and that it took forever to do their hair. What an extraordinary young person. And talented.

One of the dancers who turned into one of the musicians.

Ruth and Franz.

We even had an admiral.

Jennifer again.

Mr Woosley.

A mother and daughter. Mom made both gowns.

Jeremy and Riely Woosley.

I was very pretty to see all the color of the dresses and the swirling of the hems.

We even had Marina the gypsy.

It was a wonderful time. I didn't have time to make a gown. But next time, I'll be ready. After all, I've been accepted into the Jane Austen Wardrobe Challenge out of Australia. I will be starting a new blog just for my human type sewing. Until then, take care, and check out my Etsy shop. I now have some pieces up.

Bless This House

I'm working on staying on schedule with this block-of-the-month quilt. Here is block 2. The lighter part of the vase is reverse applique.

Wine Flights

On Saturday I went with my gal pals to Raffaldini Vineyards.

This was the sight we saw as we drove up.

We had our wine flight of five wines, then we got cheeses, meats, and fruit. We sat on the patio overlooking the vineyard and all the grapes. The day was wonderful, sunny, light breeze, not too hot. Gorgeous.

The view of the mountains didn't hurt either. We laughed, and drank, and ate. Yes, we did have a designated driver. Oh, I forgot to mention the yummy chocolate.

Afterwards, we hung around to take the garden tour.

This is an Asian Dogwood. Can't remember the exact name.

The smell from the rose garden was so intoxicating. I wish I could've bottled it.

This is a huge lavender bush. That smelled wonderful too.

A nice little waterfall.

We had a great day. It was nice getting out of the apartment and being around other human beings with massive senses of humor.

Quinlan Treasures

 Here are some of the treasures I got from the Quinlan Convention. There's just something about a deranged pig. He's like an Igor pig. Maybe that's his name. He's created by Marca Castillo-Bernard of www.fantasyfigurativeart.com.

These cute little sweaters were made by Jan Johnston. Yes, that's a quarter.

I usually don't like Gollies but this is the cutest one I've seen. Not the greatest history behind these but... There's Igor again and a skull pin by Amy Thornton. The doll is by Tyler Crain-Davis and he's called Kenneth but I think I'll rename him Mason.