Open House

My girlfriend turned 90 this month and she is having an open house. I made a Lavender pillow with my crocheted lady attached. The smell of lavender is suppose to be calming and the color is a favorite. I will see her this afternoon. Blessings, Janet

Merry Christmas

It was a good day. I talked with with my sister and daddy in IL and had dinner with one of my daughters and grandson. Two more gals are on the sewing board and a new lavender dress was crocheted for the Barbie - she also now has crocheted underwear - don't know how that slipped by me.
Blessings, Janet

New Gal in Town looking for Fun

Ok, so she was started before Halloween.  She has had patience in waiting for her coat to be done (she knew it would turn cold).  Now she is ready (and deserving) for some Fun time. What do you suggest? Blessings, Janet

New Project

I found a way to put a picture on a hot pad without messing up the picture.  The hot pad is more than usable and should not disturb the picture. The tree is on everyday that I don't have to do errands. It is enjoyable.  The Village is in the dining room and the presents are being made in the sewing room. Pictures are taken in the bedroom.  Every room is joyous. Oh, forgot, the kitchen smells of good treats.  My bloggers have come forth with some delicious dishes.  I am looking forward to breakfast with my girlfriend on Christmas eve morning.
Blessings, Janet

Crochet Time

I have completed 6 little dresses, 3 parties and the passing of a good friend's husband. He happened to be born on Christmas day.  It is a shock and so hurtful.  The 4 of us were the best of friends even though they moved from So. FL.  They were married on the Beach at the hotel where Steve and I had our first New Year's Eve together. Steve (left) passed 6 years ago this December.  Blessings, Janet

Green - Mommy finally dressed me

Hi, Mommy sure took her time.  She had to dress Bleu first because I was drying. But then she had to go to a guild meeting (she took Raelynn and PINK, everybody loved them).  Finally, I have my new green blouse and jumper, YAY! You should visit mommy's Etsy place.  If you like us, she can send us to your home :).  I Love You. GREEN

My Daughter had a date with her Hubby

I am so proud of her. She has lost weight and looks terrific.  They make a very handsome couple. Looks like they had fun.
Blessings,
Janet

Bleu

Meet Ms. Bleu.  She's been waiting around, while I made the cookies and something for the guild meeting tomorrow.  She was waiting around in her bloomers.  Her blouse and jumper have been made and her socks. She's a cutie.
Blessings,
Janet

New Thanksgiving Pictures

New pictures just surfaced from Andrew's camera. I want to show my other beautiful daughter, Tambra and the gal grands Steph, Meg, Kayla, Amanda. Blessings,
Janet

Changing it up

I put aside the dolls and have made a Sachet and scented pillow. Both are Loralie inspirations. The pillow is small and would fit anywhere.  Both have the scent of lavender.  I love the creativity of all the projects.  Blessings,
Janet

Here comes the boyfriend

I certainly didn't know boys were glued to mama.  He follows me everywhere.  I finally got him done. He has creases in his pants, an undershirt, a tie, a tie pin and a fly.  He will also be going up on ebay (JKW should find me).  Pretty good work for breaking my little toe. I have to stop once in awhile and get it up in the air, but have managed to make the 3 dolls so far.   Blessings,   Janet

PINK

Another day, another doll.  She's showing her lace underwear, wouldn't you know.  Think maybe she's going to be a pickle.  She hid the light pink hair, OK, so maybe the dark is better.  Then she hid the bright pink lace for her underwear, OK, so maybe the light pink is better.  Feisty, isn't she!! With those shoes, she's thinking ballet. . . music please!!!!
Blessings,
Janet

RaeLynn

I've been working for two days on a new doll. My first Prim Doll.  Sherrie has been my inspiration. Sherrie also heads up the Prim department at Cloth Doll Artistry (found on my page at the top). Without her tips and tricks, I would not have completed such a beautiful baby. I did use Patti Culea's pattern for the blouse and jumper. Thank you Sherrie.
Blessings, Janet

Wonderful Family Day

Thanksgiving has always been a time for family gatherings.  There are many memories in my head from past Thanksgivings. . . but not as many people around the table as years gone by.  It was a wonderful and Blessed day. Beginning of the line - um, see pups patiently waiting? Mom (daughter) and dad are serving.  This isn't quite the end of the line, don't forget the picture taker.
Blessings, Janet

Happy Thanksgiving

My 93 year old Daddy is having his very favorite drink - a milk shake. Bonnie, my sister and her husband took him to his favorite place. He's looking good.  Look at that cap, backward, too cool. God Bless and a most Happy Thanksgiving for all of you.
Blessings,
Janet

Angels

Thanksgiving is coming up too quickly.  Aprons aren't started - been cleaning and rearranging. It's a tiresome chore so when I am tired of it, I have to go to the sewing room and I have come up with a new Angel.  I want to take something to my daughters tree Thursday.  Not sure what it will be.
Blessings,
Janet

NASCAR Weekend in FL

This weekend is the last weekend of Nascar.  They will be running at Homestead and the Championship will be decided.  This evening my daughter Deb, husband Tom and the Grands went to a special autograph signing in Hollywood (FL). YAY!  Looks like great fun.  Blessings, Janet

ASG Project at meeting

Monday afternoon was the American Sewing Guild meeting at Laura's Sewing and Vac.  The project was, by Design by Dawn the crystal embroidery design, a lavender sachet.  This is a quick and easy present that can be done right before you go out the door.  It is fun, easy and brilliant. The sewing guild is fun, friendly and a learning experience.  Find one in your area and go see.  Blessings, Janet

My Three Girls

You know about Susie (I operated and her cataracts are now gone). When I went to a show at the fair grounds, I now also have another little one but w/o an arm.  She will be repaired.  Two nights ago my daughter found an old doll of her sisters. . . she was cold (she had put her in the trunk). . . AND she was bare butt naked. YIKES!  Is that a way to treat a doll???  I think not.  I found some 'make do' clothes and a towel until I could finish cleaning all the doll clothes I had recently found for Susie.  Now I have three girls.  No, I am NOT collecting dolls - is that what you all say?  Circumstances are such that I happen to have three dolls. As you can see, I have plenty of work to do.  Her fingernails are painted courtesy of the older sister. Don't know how to take (what looks like ink) dirt off her face.  She is rubber and she makes noises, oh, I guess we don't have to be made of rubber to make noises.  Enjoy, Blessing, Janet

Mancuso World Quilt show

This was the most extraordinary quilt show I've ever seen.  The different countries used different fabrics we can no longer purchase here.  Remember Sateen?  A couple of Germany quilts used mostly sateen.  Very interesting. Here are a few of the art quilts. . .The Hoffman Challenge dolls are gorgeous. The Hoffman Challenge clothing is beautiful.  And the art quilts amazing, see how she is stepping on the scale and the weigher has no idea?  Blessings, Janet

FiFi's Party

I looked at Fifi's Party and requested an invite to the next one. She really knows how to throw a party and her paintings are exquisite. Go take a look at Fifi's Party.  She also paints Paris scenes and (your) pets.  She is so fun.
Blessings, Janet

Happy Veterans Day

A day to honor those who have served our country and make us safe. Remember our troops daily in your prayers.
I have a new doll. She's unfinished.  It took me 3 tries to make a new hat for her. Finally, I have it. It is not the one she is wearing.  This one is shiny and bright like she is. She has a curvy figure and her face is amazing (not shown here),  I am still working on the cats, however, I have turned to the crochet hook and they are coming into being.
Blessings,

Janet

More Cat Ornaments

Trying to play catch up after the enormous Halloween fun.  The cats are talking to me, as you can see. Turn my back and they start dating. . . I have to finish my doll.  She's almost done. I crocheted a hat for her but now I have to make the coat/dress.  She does have a shiny dress, but she needs to tone it down some. She's a cute gal.
Blessings, Janet

Brave New Cat

New material, no peace.  They all want to come out and play. I finally finished 2 Prim cats.  Now I am busy crocheting, usually what I do at Bee on Tuesday nights.
I won - a gift certificate from the Bunny fabshophop.com  There is another shop hop coming up Nov. 15.  Check it out and find the bunnies. They offer free patterns, discounts at many of the shops and prizes.
Blessings, Janet

New Cats on the block

I just finished another cat ornie.  My daughter and I loaded up on material and we are ready to work, work, work.  Of course this is not work, it brings new dolls to life. YAY!  I have something else I'm planning, but wanted to get these cuties done first.
 Blessings, Janet

Once upon a Time. . .

There was a Great witch that found a Flamingo.  AH, she will paint the Flamingo green, as green as her, and ride him on Halloween night.  Flamingos are great flyers. . . so she painted him green and put lights around his neck and on his hind feet (in case there was no full moon, she could see her way).  The felt Flamingo is standing in sand and ready to go. She is sculpted cloth with a crochet hat and saddle. Her shapely legs have net stockings with a seam up the back. She has suede boots and jumper.  She also has a tatoo and her nails are painted. Her little niece, WannaBee witch hasn't turned all green yet. She still has some of her curls and she has a tiny hat atop her head.  She is cloth sculpted with a blouse and jumper and boots. Her cape is much smaller. She is so anxious to be out and about with her Auntie.
Unfortunately, I did not win the contest.  I had so much fun and have bonded with a couple of really great people. Cannot wait until next year. Happy November.
Blessings, Janet

Majority does not rule

I graduated from Illinois State University.  My Logic professor was adamant that 'the majority always rules.'  I would love to talk with him now.  I felt that was a wrong sentence, but could never prove it until 8 years ago and today.  Condo living is restricting.  I cannot have a puppy or a garden.  If I want them, I will move. However, our condo association planted a row of landscape and gave everyone the chance to air their opinions.  I published here on the blog the finished product.  After completion of the landscaping, 6 people didn't like it.  They came up with a 'doctors note' that they were allergic to it.  Why would anyone move to Florida if they are that allergic to anything?  Out of 134  (most of which love the new plantings), the landscape came out. Where are you professor??  There is a before and after (pretty barren).
I am also including my door buddy - Ms Bewitched.
Blessings, Janet

Gift from Aunt Pitty Pat

Remember the Halloween Apron Swap? There was a give-a-way afterward.  I WON!  Aunt Pitty Pat's is a fun place to visit and her swaps are amazing.  She sent a Halloween apron with the cutest witches and amazing - the ties go all the way around and I can tie it in front YAY!  The fat quarters and Moda squares are inspiring.  She has so much going on that I would have to take a nap before I could tell all about it.  You won't be disappointed when you visit her.  Oh, and then there is her Pitty - an adorable pups.  The looks that Pitty gives us, well, you can clearly see what's on Pitty's mind.  Thank you so much Aunt Pitty Pat. . I enjoy all of your gifts.
Blessings,
Janet

South Beach

Birthday Celebration Friday night at the International Auto Show.  Six of us went to the show and we all picked out 'our' car.  I love the 4-door Porsche.  Imagine!  The Stingray wasn't too bad either.  There were very few antique autos but the Batmobile - See picture.  After the show, we walked to Lincoln Road and ate at NEXXT Cafe.  The crab cakes were so good.  We got home around 1:30 a.m.  South Beach is a different world. People watching was entertaining. The art deco buildings are fabulous, however, seeing the Apple icon on one of them was a bit disconcerting.  Ah, the old and the new.
Saturday the Quilt guild appreciation luncheon and class after with Barb of Flamingo Island Designs. Floozie was at the park visiting her friends. The class was about making a fabric picture using applique technique.  Very interesting and informative. She is full of great ideas and tidbits on what to do and how to do it.  I was able to take my new machine the Janome DC2010 I purchased at Laura's Sew and Vac. You can catch a glimpse of her new web site.
Sunday was a craft show.  My chance to show the pillow I made for Phyllis and Fred that matches the bows.  They loved it.  She asked for bows, but they also received a pillow decorated with one of my crochet butterflies, just because.
So far I've had a great 3 day weekend.  But it's not over.  I won the drawing at Aunt Pitty Pats because I was in the Apron Swap.  Take a look and see what I won. I guess, maybe I'll carry my birthday celebration all year long - why not?  Everyone sure is cooperating.  My sister called Sunday night and I was able to talk to Daddy (93 and witty as ever).  What a wonderful world and so many wonderful people in it.
Blessings, Janet

  

Saturday Night Party

My girlfriend Phyllis and her husband Fred have the most interesting friends.  One couple travel all around the world, one couple own a restaurant and Andrew is a Costume designer and sewer.  He brought in the costume for us to see.  He and a friend are going to be singing Dancing Queen as part of a tribute to Mamma Mia.  The costume is extraordinary.  He put a pocket in the sleeves for money, cards or anything else to have the personal items available.  Imagine. . . how clever.  His costume is opposite black & white sequins. Saturday night was so much fun, I closed the house down. . . no not too many mimosa's.  Blessings, Janet