Dolling It Up

I received a couple of emails asking if there were any dolls at the International Quilt Festival...of course! Here is a little sampling from the talented doll artists included in the show. Enjoy!

 

This Viewer's Choice

There were so many amazing quilts at the Houston International Quilt Festival this (and every) year. This one just happened to make a special impression on me, touching on wonderful memories. 

The attention to detail was mind boggling!

Sharing the fun at:

 

Heat Up Valentine's Day with a Quick Gift!

I guess I just can’t leave well enough alone. Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days way, but something in me needed to make a couple more “tokens” of affection/appreciation.

It’s been so cold and damp here that I immediately thought of the soothing relief of hot packs. Simple enough!

There are many “how to’s” across the internet about how to make microwavable styles with either rice or dried beans. One thing I have learned is that the legumes (because of their larger size) tend to hold the heat longer.

If you decide to whip a few up for yourself, be sure to use only all cotton fabrics and threads (since microwaves and polyester don’t play well together.

I made small packs, for a sore neck or shoulder, beginning by cutting 20” x 5” strips of muslin. Fold in half, bringing the two short ends together. Sew along the long sides, so that the piece is connected on three sides, and open at the top (short end).

Fold in thirds lengthwise, and sew along the two folds (which results in three “tubes” open at the end).

Roll an index card into a funnel to direct the slippery little beans into the tubes. Don’t fill all the way, since the pack will be more comfortable when flexible.

After the tubes are full, fold the opening end over twice, an stitch down securely. There! now you have the heat pack itself finished. Easy, huh?

But we have to make it a bit prettier, don't we? Next comes a little slipcover that can be removed for washing. You can even choose material with motifs that reflect the personality of the person who will be receiving this cozy gift. The one above made out of pink Girl Scout try-it material is for my Brownie daughter.

The cover fabrics should also be cut in a strip, just a bit larger than the muslin. I cut mine 21" x 6". Then, even with the seam allowances, it will still have plenty of room to slip over the pack.

First, fold the two short ends of the strip over twice and stitch to make hems. Then, with right sides of the fabric (design side facing design side) together, offset the ends and stitch up the sides. Think of an eyeglass case with a fold-over flap. Overlap the ends on one side of your case, and finish stitching the sides together.

Turn case right-side-out, and slide your hot pack inside. (See the lil' guy peeking out?) Fold the last flap closed, and you're ready for gifting.

Remember to attach a tag letting the person know that the hot pack can be heated in the microwave for about one minute, and that the cover is removable for washing.

I think I'll test one out right now....aaaaaaahhhhhh!

Have a cozy Valentines Day.

Poetry Coffeehouse Perfect

Today my daughter's second grade class performed in a "Poetry Coffeehouse" patterned after the Beatnik coffeehouses of the '60's. They each got to read two of their own poems, and the audience "snapped" instead of "clapped" their approval. (Instead of coffee, they drank hot chocolate.) Cute idea!

The challenge? They were asked to dress like Beatniks in black with berets.

Now...we don't own a beret, and the local stores certainly are filled to the brim with them. And with only a couple of days notice, my only option was (drat!) to pull out the sewing machine and figure this out! I'm a quilter, not a seamstress.

Once I simplified the lines of a pattern in my head, it wasn't difficult at all. I used a good heavyweight felt to cut the solid circle top and "donut" shape bottom from, and a matching grosgrain ribbon for the headband.

It was actually so easy that I ended up using scraps to make a matching beret for her American Girl doll, much to her delight!

The moral: take a deep breath and attack before you panic. And now she has a new item for her dress-up closet.