Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds' Fifties Flair

I recently made several copies of this pattern. I really like it. It looks really cute, and it is much easier to make than it looks.

It also looks good in a multitude of colors!

Flying Geese

This is my first Flying Geese quilt!

I am rather proud of it, especially as I worked out what size the pieces need to be.

Anne gets to model, of course!

Proportions for Flying Geese doll quilt:
"goose" triangle is 3 inches square, cut in half
"sky" triangle is 2.5 inches square, cut in half
finished unit is 3.5 inches by 2 inches

RunswithWolves is the quilt's recipient.

Here is a picture of RunswithWolves' doll Constance with the quilt! I think that the doll room is adorable, and so is Constance!
Thanks to RunswithWolves for permission to use this picture!

Pattern Review: Thimbles And Acorns Minoan Wrap Skirt and Blouse

I was so excited when Thimbles and Acorns came out with the Minoan Wrap Skirt and Blouse pattern.  I wrote, "I did not know that I need this in my life, but I do."
I was not kidding. I am so thrilled to have this pattern.

Rosie the Riveter

I finally finished this project!

I made the QT Pie Painter Pants back in November as part of a larger project, and finally all of the pieces are done!

It's a Rosie the Riveter costume!

Kit and mini Kirsten

I posted this picture in yesterday's blog, but it really is special to me.

I have a friend who lives a long, long drive away from me. We have been friends since we were in Girl Scouts, but we haven't lived near to each other for years.

She has had this Kit for a long long, but due to space constraints, Kit had to live in a box and I only "met" Kit once.

I was so happy at this visit that Kit was sitting out where I could see her. It was the first time that two of our dolls got to meet each other. I kind of wished that I had brought one of my full-sized dolls, but Kit sometimes dresses up and pretends to be Kirsten, so it was a serendipitous choice in that regard! 

Mini Kirsten and the Lightning Tour of the Mid-West!

 Mini Kirsten just did a three day tour of the Midwest. She got to visit three states!

First she visited St. Louis, Missouri, where Girl of the Year Lea Clark is from. She went to an area of St. Louis called the Hill, where there are lots of Italian restaurants. 

Our Generation Ukulele Set

My mom has started playing the ukulele. My sister wants one too, and she wants a turquoise ukulele.

So I thought it would be funny to give her the Our Generation ukulele set for the holidays.

My mom doesn't like dolls, but when she saw the ukulele set she could not stop talking about how cute it was, so we surprised her with one too.

It's an unjust world in which everyone but me gets doll accessories for Christmas!

Here is the set in the box. It comes with the ukulele, sheet music, a record and stickers.

What really impressed me about the ukulele is that it really has strings. I didn't really expect that from a toy instrument at this price point.

The sheet music has real ukulele chords inside. I am no musician but I have printed off some music for my mom, so I know what it looks like at least.

My mom's beanie baby turtles like the ukulele too!

So does Kanani!

This is a great set, and I would highly recommend it.

Our Generation is really offering American Girl some competition.

Surprising Pantalaimon

I am at it again! I love surprising my doll friends with doll goodies, especially doll quilts.

This time I surprised Pantalaimon with some goodies.

First I made a nice doll quilt with hot pink and aquamarine.
Yeah, I have been making lots of doll quilts with pinwheels lately. Shut up. I like it.

Doll Stethoscope

I am very thrilled to be able to show this post. Someone locally, whom I barely know, showed me a complete doll outfit that she had made with scrubs, a doctor's coat and a stethoscope. I was particularly impressed with the stethoscope. I had never heard of anyone making one.

She made me my own! So sweet and generous!

Here is the stethoscope on its own. She used rubber coated wire. There are beads for the earpieces. 

The part that doctors used to listen is made from a fabric-covered button, minus the fabric.

It's so creative and it looks so great!

It's really hard to get good pictures in the winter, sorry.

The dolls can really wear it in their ears!

Anne is starting to consider a career in medicine now!

Birds in the Air Quilt

I don't often name my quilts, but I knew what I wanted to call this one: "Sunny Days."

The quilt pattern is called Birds in the Air. The blue triangles are the sky, and the green triangles are a flock of birds.

Anne gets to show it off, of course. She approves.

I really like it! I am keeping this one for me!

Patterns for Maryellen

I have been sewing some 1950s dresses- actually the same pattern over and over- and this made me think about the patterns available for 1950s American Girl dolls. There are a LOT.

Maryellen is a doll that is easy to spoil!

Simplicity:
Simplicity 1245 by Keepers Dolly Duds

Simplicity 1086 by Keepers Dolly Duds

Simplicity 1244 by The Dollies' Dressmaker

Simplicity 8072 by Elaine Hegl

Simplicity 8071  by Cupcake Cutie Pie 

Simplicity 1443

Simplicity 1486 by Cupcake Cutie Pie

Mini Samantha tours Northern Alabama

Happy New Year! 

Mini Samantha decided to start the year off with a bang and do a whirlwind tour of northern Alabama. Also, I wanted to visit my family members that live there.

She took lots of pictures to share!

Here is Samantha at Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals. This is the spot that made her decide to go to Alabama today. There are rumors that the new Historical American Girl, Melody Ellison, is from the 1960s and really likes music. 

So Samantha wanted to learn all about 60s music so she can greet Melody properly. Fame Recording Studios was a happening place in the 60s. Some of the artists who recorded here include Aretha Franklin, the Osmunds, Joe Tex, The Tams, and Wilson Pickett.

This is particularly cool for me, because my great-aunt and uncle lived on a side street just a few blocks down from where all of these famous artists were recording!

Next Samantha visited the Indian Mound in Florence, Alabama.

She had a little trouble taking a picture in which both she and the sign were in focus. We were not able to climb to the top of the mound today, as it is currently closed to the public. However, we were glad that it is being preserved, respected and looked after.

Samantha got to see the Tennessee River at this neat lookout spot in Sheffield, Alabama.

My grandfather used to dive off a cliff into the river, very close to this spot. He must have been either very brave or very bored.

Samantha went to visit the birthplace of a real live, important historical figure. 

Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. The name of her family's home is Ivy Green. Helen lost both her sight and her hearing at 19 months old due to illness. Helen was therefore unable to communicate with those around her.

 A teacher named Annie Sullivan was able to teach Helen language through signing. Helen's breakthrough moment in understanding that signs represented language took place at a water pump behind the house, which is still there today. Helen Keller became the first deaf and blind person to receive a bachelor of arts degree. She used her fame to become a political activist. Helen promoted women's suffrage, labor rights, and socialism, among other causes. This makes Ivy Green a very interesting place to visit! 

However, the darker side of Ivy Green's history is that it was originally a plantation with slaves. Helen's father served as a captain in the Confederate Army. This part of its history should also be acknowledged and treated with respect. 

Here is Ivy Green itself. I love that many of the beautiful trees on this property witnessed all these events in history. Sadly, trees don't live forever, and we could see that one of them had just been cut down.

My dad was very supportive in taking the pictures for this blog and even suggested some photo opportunities. It was a lot more fun with his help!