Pattern Review: Read Creations Baby Sister's Sleeper Outfit

 I wanted more clothes for my Caring for Baby, and I wanted them to look like something a real baby would wear.

I used the Read Creations pattern Baby Sister's Sleeper Outfit.

It was easier than it looks!

It can be made with different sleeve and leg lengths, and the closure can be on the front or back.

So it's very versatile!

I used fabric from a real baby onesie for authenticity and to find a print small enough.

The pattern used all of the fabric from one onesie.

I am very happy with this pattern and the onesie!

Willa and Emerson

 I found Willa and Emerson at the thrift store, and they came home with me.

I have been wanting Willa!

I already had Emerson, but this one had a different outfit on and was so cute with her pierced ears. I couldn't resist!

Willa is missing her boots and needs a spa treatment. She has some orange marks on her face that didn't come off with magic eraser.

The orange doesn't show much in picture!

Emerson is so cute. I stand by my dubious decision to have two Emerson dolls, haha.

Caroline Meets Kathleen Ernst

 My Caroline got to meet her author!

Kathleen Ernst had a book signing at Old World Wisconsin.

Sure, she was promoting her new book for adults.

That did not stop me from bringing Caroline as well.

 I asked her for a picture with Caroline, and then she turned the tables on me by asking for a picture of ME with Caroline.

So if you ever have a chance to meet her, don't hesitate to bring a doll along!

Molly's Desk

 Another thrift store find- I found Molly's desk at the thrift store! 

It was $7 and it is missing its top. I hope to replace that with a piece of wood. If the wood doesn't match perfectly, that will be fine. I am going to use it for Nanea, and her whole school burnt down. It makes sense that they might have had to replace parts of the furniture to use it again.

I'm just not a Molly fan, never have been. Sorry, Molly fans!

The hinges are still there, which will make it easier to replace the desk's writing top.

AG doll furniture was beyond my wildest wishes as a kid, so I am so excited whenever I get any!

Hello, Nellie!

 Yeah, I really need to post more! Sorry!

I have been posting on Instagram, if anyone is interested. My handle is @igsbeth.

My most recent thrift store find is Nellie O'Malley!

She was wearing Felicity's Christmas gown.

I had to hurry to get pictures of her. It was starting to rain, and she's very floppy. Thus, these pictures were very hurried.

Here's Nellie in the dress that she came in.

And here she is changed into a more period-appropriate dress.

I need to do some hospital work. Nellie, Samantha and Rachel all need restringing.

I am going to try to do that soon and to post more as well!

Thrift Store Find: Just Like You 12

 I scored at the thrift store!

Last week they has a Just Like You #12 on sale for $50. I made heart eyes at her, but left her there because she didn't add much diversity to my collection.

I already have Tenney, who also has blonde hair and brown eyes.

This week, she got marked down to $25, which I couldn't pass up.

As soon as I got her out in the parking lot, I apologized to her for leaving her there for a week.

Judging from her outfit, she's from 2002- 2004.

She needed a lot of cleaning, both her limbs and her clothes. This picture is actually before she was cleaned up, but after I brushed her hair. The marks are small and only noticeable close up.

I scrubbed her with a magic eraser and washed her clothes with OxyClean. They are drying now.

She has one mark on her leg that I can't get off with magic eraser. I will try using zit cream to take it off.

She also needs her legs restrung.

I am going to call her Rachel.

She came into my life just in time for Valentine's Day. I loved pre-loved dolls, and I am happy to give Rachel a new home.

1960s Doll Quilts

 My mom's friend Meredith sent me what she described as quilt squares cut out by her mother.

When I opened the box up, the squares had actually been sewn into rows.

Most of the fabric was not quilt fabric. There's polyester, velvet, brocade, eyelet fabric.

I think a lot of it came from clothes, some of it may have been from curtains or tablecloths.

I would date it about 1960s. Some of it may be 1970s instead.

None of it was anything that I would use. It was also fragile due to age and the variety of fabrics used.

But it was special because Meredith's mom, Mrs. N. worked on it.

So... I made it into two doll quilts for Meredith's granddaughters the great-granddaughters of the original seamstress.

They are very very scrappy.

My hope is that they will provide a link to the girls from their great-grandmother. I made a label to put on the back with her full name on it.

I am sure that when Meredith sees these quilts, she will recognize some of the fabrics and they will bring back memories for her. Hopefully she will share them with her granddaughters.

I knew Mrs. N. only vaguely in person. I probably waved at her when she passed, but didn't have a lot of interactions.

 I know a lot about her through her daughter's stories.

She was a polio survivor who walked with a limp.

Her second child was born with a serious medical condition and lived in the hospital for a few months before passing away.

Her husband served in WWII.

She was sweet and funny.

So I am honored to preserve these memories for her family, even though it made me sneeze a lot.