In
the week before our family arrived, I was already playing with Emmy, stitching
up a lovely “garden party” dress for her American Girl Elizabeth. The dress is
modeled here by Shirley Anne, “American Farm Girl,” who has no clothes of her
own, poor thing. And yes -- she does complain about it, but always with a smile. |
| Emmy painting birdhouses |
“I
want to make something,” said Emmy on Saturday afternoon. I wasn’t exactly sure
what she meant, but as we went through the patterns on my iPad, she pointed out
certain ones she liked. Emmy was ambitious, but I know myself – and pretty sure
I know her, too. I told her we just didn’t have time to make a chair, a quilt,
or even a dress.
 |
| Bess share chaise with Emmy |
“Then
let’s do something with the clothes I have,” Emmy said. “We could put stuff on
them.” Stuff? I was dubious but didn’t say so. We went up to the vintage sewing
room, which was doubling as Emmy’s room for her stay.
“This
is my sewing room,” I said.
“Then
why is there a bed in here?” asked Emmy.
 |
| Mike made Bess' collar |
As
Emmy dumped her doll clothes onto the bed, I opened my sewing cupboard and
prayed for a miracle. And lo and behold! I found one! – a box of vintage trims.
Emmy was delighted and commenced at once to decide which trim would look best
on which outfit. My part was to tack and tuck and stitch as instructed.
 |
| Clint and Emmy (kite flying) |
As
we worked along, we visited. “What do you think of Velcro [closures] on doll
clothes?” I asked.
“I
LOVE it,” answered Emmy.
Well,
I’ve wondered about those Velcro closure, but I guess I’ll wonder no more.
 |
| Hugs |
After
about 20 minutes, Emmy announced she was going outside – what did I tell you?
-- leaving me to finish up as instructed, but I really didn’t mind. It was an
informative session. I learned that I need to break out of my conservative mold
and do a better job of embellishing the doll clothes. As for today’s work, the
decorative touches were super cute and made old outfits new again. It was
perfect.
 |
| Grandpa & Emmy (Bess looks on) |
And
so, on Monday, we waved good-bye, and the parting felt all too soon. However,
it’s on to the next thing. “And what’s that,” you ask. All things autumn –
bright earthy colors, Halloween, Thanksgiving. If you don’t believe me, just
stop by Jo-Ann’s. And as always – more doll clothes. KW
 |
| Moon over the old barn |
[Somehow
I didn’t take many pictures (except of the cows), but Kelly took many with her “big”
camera, practicing with her new telephoto lens. I chose some of my favorites to
post here. With the exception of the doll and the picture of Emmy painting the
birdhouses, the rest are Kelly’s.]
