Coming here with a new post, I see our "tech" (Hallie) has changed the slide show (see right). Good girl!
Mike has a few favorite online stores, such as Cabela’s, Motorcycle SuperStore, and Bike Nashbar. I noticed some years back – as did Nellie -- that our house is a regular stop on the UPS route – not to mention the regular mail – and that Mike is an enthusiastic recipient of gifts to himself, as it were.
Mike has a few favorite online stores, such as Cabela’s, Motorcycle SuperStore, and Bike Nashbar. I noticed some years back – as did Nellie -- that our house is a regular stop on the UPS route – not to mention the regular mail – and that Mike is an enthusiastic recipient of gifts to himself, as it were.
“I buy what I want,” said Mike when I questioned the frequency of a one-person Christmas at our house. “And if you aren’t doing the same thing, you should be.”
A startling new idea! Shop for myself! At the time I was newly retired and had no clue what to do with this freedom. Clearly I had to identify some interests. Eventually the world of ideas opened and I found plenty of inspiration and joy through online searches. Often I don’t have to buy in order to have a good time.
When people ask me what I’ve been doing lately -- and people do ask that even if it’s just a conversation opener – I’m reluctant to say, “Oh, searching / shopping online.” But I also hate to say – “Oh, nothing.” Just let me say, over the last couple of weeks I have pursued some online interests and ordered some stuff. Most of my searches related to dolls and doll clothes (sewing and crochet). And once I received the crochet patterns, I was off on another tangent – to find appropriate light-weight yarns (category 2) in bright, “kid-friendly” colors – no easy feat.
Not all yarns are created equal, and we’re living in an age when there’s a demand for heavy yarns that make up quickly. Finding the light-weight yarns – not too fine – has proved an obsessive quest for me – the best yarn, the best colors, the best deals. Search – search – search. Finally I ordered an assortment of yarns and colors from Jo-Ann’s website – and then discovered what might be a better product at another site. Oh well.
I find making doll clothes to be a satisfactory project. The reward for my efforts comes quickly and meanwhile I'm practicing skills. The doll continues to smile appreciatively, never complaining that she doesn’t like this or that. And I might have said that an added advantage is that you don’t have to alter a pattern to make it fit. But listen to this disclaimer on a McCall’s pattern I bought yesterday: “The proportion for dolls may differ, depending on manufacturer. Adjustments to individual pieces during construction may be necessary for better fit.” Hmmmmm.
Oh but it’s so true. Just as all yarn isn’t created equal, all 18-inch dolls aren’t created equal either. The American Girl doll has a thick cloth body and a roundness through her back and shoulders that you don’t find in the molded composite or plastic body. Maybe I still need Nancy Zieman’s instruction manual, “Pattern Fitting with Confidence.”
[The photo shows sweaters and tops in progress. Shirley Anne now has a doll stand purchased from American Girl, which makes fitting and display easier. Various sweaters are made up in a variety of yarns – all experimental. I would never sit down to design crocheted doll outfits, but I have enjoyed working with an existing pattern to “improve” it. Some of this work will be ripped out for re-use. The turquoise top made of baby yarn is a keeper. The books – recent orders -- relate to dressing dolls of all sorts, including the American Girl.] KW
7 comments:
What fun! Before you know it, Shirley Anne will have outfits for all occasions and seasons!
With the time change I've been noticing and appreciating the small signs of spring. There are some trees in bloom in Seattle and spring-like smells in the air! It seemed like the right time to change the slide show as our thoughts move to the new season.
Since I had 2 (much younger) brothers and 1 son, I've missed the whole doll thing after I grew up. So nice that you can make new clothes for Shirley Anne. Love the turquoise yarn, so pretty.
Photos on the lovely slide show have the camera stats. Good info in today's world, I believe.
I am sometimes opposed to the date stamp on the photos, but I must admit that it made finding photos appropriate for the season a bit easier. I pulled some as late as June--we'll be there before we know it!
Sometimes I do things and forget, but I'm pretty sure I didn't make the above comment. Hallie was probably logged in for some administrative work. Hallie has suggested that date-stamping ruins the photo while Mike thinks it helpful.
I tend to put off sewing doll clothes -- perhaps other sewing as well. Time gets away from me. And now spring is coming and we'll have a more active outdoor life. So, we'll see if I actually sew for the doll. Anyway, I thought if I started with some modern patterns it would help me to understand the alterations I need to make.
We had just the one girl (4 boys) and she didn't care for dolls. Some people don't. But I like them and I decided that being 60 instead of 6 was no impediment to collecting and sewing.
Kathy, you keep on sewing for your dolls. Age shouldn't matter when you have a much loved doll.
As for the "camera stats" that I talked about, I meant the camera details to the right of each photo, not on the photo. Click on slideshow and you'll see a full page with the photo on the left and to the right, pixel size, exposure, focal length, etc. For a "techie" those are valuable details. There are even several different cameras being used. A non digital camera won't have any of these details, of course.
I vote with Hallie about the date superimposed on photos. You have some absolutely beautiful outdoor photos of the area you live in. The date on the photo takes away from the spectacular scenery. You should be able to sort photos on your computer by the date. I know I can.
Hmm, think I missed commenting on this one, but the new duds look good to me! I like that you've given yourself permission to unravel what you don't like or want to keep. And it's true--dolls are very uncomplaining. They love any attention they get. :-)
The baby yarn (turquoise) is really the best so far. I re-made the yellow one, re-writing the pattern as I went, but the sport yarn is really a little heavy for this garment. When I ripped back I should have ripped the whole thing out because it's too big in the neck.
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