Ahhh, Christmas sewing...

My Christmas sewing got a little crazy this year. If life didn't happen around my sewing projects I would have been just fine. Each year I make Christmas pajamas for my side of the family. That means 7 pairs of pajama pants and 5 nightgowns. All matching, at least as good as I can. This year we added one of my best friends kids into the mix which was another 4 nightgowns and 2 pajama pants along with 4 doll nightgowns. Because the doll has to match too, you know.

Lets add into this project a boy home from school for 3 days because he was sick, a four day vacation with my daughter, a boy home from school for another 6 days because he was SO sick and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with him, an out of town piano recital, a friend's (we are her "grandchildren" because she has none) surgery and care for her after. That is almost too much to think about. No wonder I got really sick when it was all over. I was worn out.

Despite the big project that it was, it sure was fun. It reminded me how much I enjoy spending time in my sewing room, hanging out with my sewing machine. Call me crazy...I already do. And the kids have great memories, even when we can't all be together they get to see pictures and say, "Hey we match." It really is fun!

Sewing?? What is that again??

I had to go pretty far back to find this project to share. I think know that through the summer with the kids home, my sewing time was very little. It has taken me a while to really get a feel for where I am now. I still don't have much current to share. I didn't get the school clothes done that I should have. I am not going to share the jammies I just made for the boys because they are rediculously too long and I need to do something about them.

 

So here we have a sweet nightgown set that was made for a friend to give as a gift. It turned out super cute and I hope it wasn't too long for the intended child.

 My friend picked out this pink with brown polka-dot flannel and made sure to get enough to add an 18" doll nightgown to it as well. Call me crazy but doll clothes are sometimes more fun than the little girl clothes. Thanks, Addy, for being my model.

My current work is being done on Halloween costumes. We have Harry Potter, a spider and Dorothy in the works. Oh and don't forget Zorro and some mending on Belle. Oh so much to do.

Jenny Lou Hospital

 Over our family reunion this summer, the Jenny Lou Hospital was opened. I have fixed alot of of things since I learned how to sew, so many moons ago. But this time, a hospital was necessary with many tears from little girls.

The kids were set up in the backyard...a tent for the boys and a tent for the girls. They really had a great time, making memories and such. We were getting ready to go somewhere and the girls had thought they closed up the tent. Well, somebody must have been confused because we came home (late mind you) to find several stuffed animals and dolls mangled by the resident puppy.

The girls were heart broken and all were in tears. Mr. Sock Monkey (belonging to one of my nieces) needed an operation and Ms. Sydney (belonging to my Tee) had lost a hand. My sweet Tee was so upset about Sydney. An uncle helped her out and made her a cast, which the girls promply signed.

So, the Jenny Lou Hospital was born, operations were performed and slings constructed. That is one experience the girls will never forget.

My brand new Etsy shop

I am so excited to announce...I am starting my very own Etsy shop. If you haven't heard of Etsy before it really is a great place and you should check it out.

You can find my first listing here.

There will be more to come. I decided that I had to start somewhere.

Just for fun I made this sweet dress for a nieces birthday. I hope she likes it. Tee was quite funny. She wanted to package it up but I told her she couldn't till I took some pictures of it. She took the pictures for me. I think there were 20 of just this dress. I had to laugh.

I am seeing a lot of white lately...

If you don't know this already I love playing with my doll, Addy. Strange I know. I am a grown up and love any excuse to make something for a doll. This time is for a dear friend's daughter.

Ray has made the choice to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so proud of her and wanted to celebrate with her, even though she is so far away. She loves her doll just as I love mine and thought this might be something fun. Not spiritul or testimony building, but fun.

Her dress is made from my favorite white satin. I make everything out of it. I do stray very far from it. It is just a simple dress with a cap sleeve, gathered skirt and a netting overlay. I added a 1" satin ribbon to the hem of the netting. I really love that touch.

At the waist I also added the same 1" satin ribbon.

And of course, it has a velcro back. After all, what good is a little girls doll dress that she can't do up the back?

A quick recap of some small (but really fun) projects...

Maybe I am the only one that feels this way...but I love a quick project. One that you can cut out and finish in a couple hours or even a few minutes. I have been really working on some big things lately and needed a few quick ones to rekindle the love. Strange? Maybe!

One thing that I love about having a fabric stash and the ability to sew is that often my children have unique and free gifts to take to birthday parties. These recent birthdays were no exception. Often my kiddos get invited to parties on a Sunday afternoon. Sadly they don't get to attend because we generally don't do parties on Sundays. These ones...we were able to attend. Love It!

This skirt actually has a sister. I was cutting it out and had enough fabric for two, so here they come. One went to a birthday girl and the other went to my lovely niece that developed a very sweet love for Aunt Jen this weekend. Both are girly girls and love dresses and skirts. Can't get much better than that!

So the eye candy will have to wait. I don't know how to blog on the new laptop of mine. I did get this one picture and hopefully it will stay. All the others disappeared, twice. Let's try.

I am not going to try to move it. A sweet dress for another 18 inch doll such as American Girl dolls and Madame Alexander dolls. Google them if you want. They are great! I love to sew for these sweet dolls they are just like my little girls that live on my shelf and watch me sew. Again...strange? Yes! Just wait. The etsy shop is coming. I just haven't set it up yet.

Playing with dolls

Maybe you know this already but I love to play with dolls...18 inch dolls to be exact. Such as American Girl dolls and Madame Alexander dolls. Those kind. They are so much fun to sew for. So I dear friend called me after we saw her at Christmas time and made a suggestion. Why don't you sell those? So I decided to give it a go. We'll see what happens. I don't have anything planned except this adorable knit dress (actually there is 4 of them). The picture just doesn't do it justice. Molly (my model) is standing on my sewing table and I just can't help but look at her. She is very cute! Each dress is closed in the back with a strip of velcro...wonderful for little fingers to play independently. Love that!

So if your favorite little girl needs a spring dress for their doll...please contact me. I am still working on details.

Christmas Gifts

A couple of my nieces this year got pretty lucky. I was having so much fun sewing for their dolls that I may have gone a little over board. And thanks to Molly, Addy and Sydney, we have a nice little fashion show for you.Molly is ready for bed. This flannel nightgown matches the little girl nightgown that went to one of my nieces.

Sydney, Molly and Addy are sharing with us their new swim suits.
Molly is set to go trick or treating. Her pumpkin is made of fleece with a knit turtle neck and pants underneath to keep her warm.

This box-pleated jumper is 100% wool with a black knit turtle neck underneath. She is also modeling a fleece hat and scarf.

Sydney is showing us her flannel pants with a fleece sweater. You can't see it but it also has a kangaroo type pocket on the front.

Molly is ready for a play date a the park, but not till summer.

Molly and Addy are set to go the the holiday party.

Call me crazy, but I still love to play with dolls. I bet you would never have guessed that. I was so excited to package these up and send them to the lucky little ladies. Hope they enjoy them as much as I did.