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craft room bulletin


I worked on Phoebe’s quilt some this weekend. It’s going well, got three rows done, and then decided to put it back in the drawer for a while. I think she has less clothes than Oscar did, is that possible?! Maybe I saved more and have less in the cut-up pile. Either way I’m going to hold off while I wait for her to outgrow some of her current cutie pjs. (oscar’s quilt here)

Phoebe’s still too little for any of the patterns in my Japanese craft books but I thought I’d try this smock. Looks like the style where it wouldn’t matter that she’s 80cm instead of 90cm.

Still in pursuit of an organized craft room, I took down almost everything on my quilt wall and my bulletin board. All the pins are home and waiting for new inspiration.

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Kit, Chloe & Louise PDF Put-together Book in the shop

They’re here! Kit, Chloe and Louise are ready to come over and play. The pattern is in the shop, the downloadable PDF pattern that includes full-size patterns and easy-to-follow instructions to make three 16″ dolls and four snappy outfits (undersuit, Chloe’s dress, Kit’s top & jumper and Louise’s top and jumper) plus a pattern for the shoes. Pattern also includes detailed instructions for yarn hair!! 26 pages of patterny goodness in all.

And a big fat thanks to all my wonderful pattern testers!! Everyone had such helpful suggestions and was so nice to work with. I really appreciate it! If you guys want to add your photos I’ve started a Kit, Chloe and Louise flickr group here. Can’t wait to see them all together!

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my sorting technique is unstoppable

I did it! I finally, after being in this house over a year, finally organized my fabric. I’ve been collecting fabric for years and years, many of those years being hardcore thrifting years so I’m a little embarassed and very overwhelmed by my fabric collection. That really got out of hand fast! (extra points for id’ing movie quote) So I’ve been determined to get it under control. I just stuck up on how to sort, by color, by size, by type – vintage, japanese, designer, etc and I finally nailed it down to this. First, everything is by color..

Then it’s by size, medium and large pieces in their own stacks

and small pieces in their own shelves

Then I got ambitious and sorted the other side of the closet. I finally let my japanese prints get out and mingle with the rest. All cotton print went to the print side of the closet with the heavy canvas weights staying over here and hanging with other decorator weight stuff.I also left a little stack of japanese novelty prints sitting in front staring at me, reminding me to use them before I buy more!

The solids even got refolded and color sorted, as did the wool felt.

I think this is going to be so great. I feel like I’ve never really had a workable system. I can finally see what I have and don’t have. For example I can stop buying wool felt apparently. And having it all separated by size will be so helpful. If I’m looking to make something for Phoebe I don’t need to mess around pulling out tiny quarters and scraps that will do me no good. And if I’m making something tiny I’ll know where to look first. Only problem now is I don’t want to mess it up by actually pulling stuff out and making anything.

I’m feeling very accomplished. Not only did I tackle this monster, but another big project I’ve been working on is just about finished. I’m hoping tomorrow or the next day to put up the Kit, Chloe & Louise pattern in the shop *and* it is going to be PDF so if you’ve been waiting patiently (tapping your fingers and looking at the calendar counting days til Christmas) get ready, you could be playing with your new doll this weekend.

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acorn baby

Last on knitting with Hillary we’d just seen her realize that the hat she felted with blood, sweat and tears (and tennis balls) wasn’t going to match the new Fall coat that is on its way. I had one skein of this beautiful deep purple Sulka yarn that was a total impulse buy (one of those yarns that you can’t not buy after touching) and did a little head measuring and tried again. I thought it would be cute to be all bobbled but I couldn’t figure out how to decrease and keep the pattern so instead it has 4 rows of bobbles and then purl stitch with decreases to a cute little acorn point.  After I adjusted to thinking the hat was turned inside out because of the purl stitch out bit, and ignoring that it’s a little too small, I really like it. Phoebe of course just wants it off her head. Guess it’s time to start a project that can’t be so easily ripped off.

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more experiments

Still thinking of toy ideas for the shop…

I’m digging this hand drawn gal but still muddling through the printing process. I’ve got another little silly half done and almost ready to share. Might need to keep her under wraps til holiday though. We’ll see.