Want a Chance to Win the Newest AG Doll, Maryellen?

If so, just go to DollDiaries.com and enter -- Good Luck!!!  ;~)

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#25) . . .

paper -- the norm around here lately, it seems!  So enjoying my 18-inch American Girl (and a few other) dolls, including the newest addition:  Julie (circa 1974), whom our DD wanted (and I 'may have' too -- just sayin'!

Julie is here today to model her brand-new California Baja  - 'a light-weight woven unisex top which can be worn as a jacket or shirt. Easily recognizable by its vertical and horizontal striped design elements, this doll-size version is a replica of the iconic summer wear, which was introduced to the US from Baja California in the 1970s.  Off-the-shoulder sleeves, side slits, and fringe keep the Baja popular today at bonfires on the beach or campfires in the mountains'.

This Flossie Potter pattern (sold @ PixieFaire) has easy-to-understand, clear sewing directions to quickly add this great staple to Julie's '70's wardrobe -- LOVE it!!!  Thinking her brother Henry may want to borrow this, but never fear, I have yet another striped fabric I'm dying to sew. Once it's done, I think Julie will be fine with loaning out this piece, but Henry will definitely be needing some bell bottoms.

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#24). . .

paper.  Another in my sewing series today, an additional pattern from the one I used in my previous post. You can sew a jumper or a sundress and even add the simple button-up blouse under/over this sundress!

This pattern is by JenWren and can be found here and be sure to visit her blog for other doll patterns, MANY of which are FREE!  She's very talented, very generous and shares a LOT about many dolls in all sizes, as well as historical information!  ;`)

Kit was happy to pose today in our summer heat, managing to stay cool as a cucumber on our patio in her new sundress with coordinating red shoes and barrette!

Think I'll make a simple blouse in white with puffed sleeves this time (same as one in my previous post, but there are 2 sleeve choices!) as a little throw-on for when Kit's feeling chilled. Here in the desert SW I have several tops/sweaters handy @ home and in my car, as I hate when my arms/shoulders get cold. 

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#23) . . .

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My Sheri Crafts Challenge #156: Birthday Bash

I chose this theme for our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts, asking that you create a birthday card and coordinating envelope. You may either decorate an envelope you already have or create your own -- then stamp, emboss, add a frame for the address, or whatever you think of to 'dress it up' to coordinate with your card and create a 'hint' for the recipient as to what awaits them inside!  ;)

For my first project, I made my DD a card for her birthday, using Spellbinders' Die D-Lites: Asters and Poppies and Frame One, as well as in'spire dies: Birds on a Wire and Celebration (sentiment). Again, no stamping on this card! ;)  I then used the Birds' dies as a decorative cut on my envelope's flap. DD is a florist, so she loves flowers and nature and that's what inspired me to create her card.

My second card was for a 9-year-old's birthday.  She wanted to have a tea party with just a couple friends her age, adult family members/friends. Her gift set had to be special, so I used Spellbinders' Tea Service as well as Nested Tea Cup dies for her card front, the front/flap of her envelope (created with WRMK's Envelope Punch Board) and her gift bag.  A sentiment from JustRite's Birthday Floral Vintage Labels Eight and Nine seemed fitting.  These metallic papers were difficult to capture in a photo, but very pretty IRL! ;)  Think she liked her card/envelope, but it was totally trumped by the handmade tea party-themed Footie Jammies I made for her 18" doll & her friends' dolls!  I had sooo much fun creating her card/envelope/gift bag and sewing jams and other items for the 3 girls -- felt almost like being a 'Grandma'!  ;'}

Hope these inspire you to create a birthday card and coordinating envelope for someone you love and post it @ My Sheri Crafts for us to enjoy too!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #155: Mother's Day

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we're asking you to create "something girly" for this go-round @ My Sheri Crafts!  I'm glad we're able to do something feminine, but not specifically for a Mother.

My inspiration began with a couple Spellbinders' dies today, quickly followed by three MORE Spellbinders' dies and NO stamping -- LOL!  I began by cutting poppies from Asters and Poppies Die D-Lites in Papertrey Ink's Spring Moss, then in Pure Poppy and using a bit of creative cutting to add them for my buds/flowers.  Next up I used Labels Fourteen for my sentiment, cut from Spellbinders' in'spire word die IN-012, and adding Want2Scrap's Labels Fourteen Lime Green gem border.

Then my PTI Vintage Cream card base seemed too plain, so I took my A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader and did partial cutting twice, first cutting out the top, then reversing to cut the top again for my bottom edge by matching some of my previous cut-outs. To get a perfect border, I then lined up my A2 Matting Basics A die #5 (#1 being the smallest) and cut out the middle.  I'd not done partial die cutting in awhile, but it was just what my card needed today!

I'll be anxious to see your 'girly' creations posted over @ My Sheri Crafts!  ;~)

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #154: April is National Humor Month

In honor of National Humor Month, we'd like to see something funny for your project this go-round @ My Sheri Crafts!
Pondering what to do for this challenge, I recalled a Fiskars' stamp set (Make A Wish Quotes) I'd purchased.  Since I always need birthday cards, it fit my needs perfectly.

I had a punched strip of off-white striped/embossed Bazzill paper sitting on my craft table so I layered two shades of purple CS on solid Bazzill CS that matches my embossed piece.  My JustRite (Birthday Wishes for You) greeting was stamped onto a Spellbinders' Labels Ten die cut and accented with purple sequins.  A simple bow tied with embroidery floss finishes off the front of my card.

Inside I used a larger Labels Ten die for my humorous quote from Lucille Ball -- what woman would ever lie about her age???  Ha-Ha!

Hope to see some humorous inspiration from all of you @ My Sheri Crafts these next two weeks!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #153: Easter Wishes!

For our current challenge @ My Sheri Crafts we're asking that you create an Easter card including EITHER a bunnies, eggs or a cross.

I seldom send many Easter cards any more, but in my 'spring' stamps and embellishments I discovered some Studio G stamps, as well as a tiny bunny from Inkadinkado. Looking at them, I decided to re-create one of those plastic eggs used for an egg hunt -- it's supposed to look like the itty-bitty bunny and some small eggs spilled out when the child opened the large plastic egg -- at least that was my hope?!

I embellished the top with a banner from JustRite's Buntings and Banners Clear Stamps and cut/Copic colored my lower edge with Spellbinders' Curved Borders Two and rounded my corners with the WRMK Corner Chomper. 

Can't wait to see your Easter Wishes cards @ MSC!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #152: Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hard to believe that we're nearly to the middle of March, 2015 already, but we are and that means that St. Patrick's Day is closing in on us!  Our My Sheri Crafts Challenge for you this go-round is to create a project that includes a pot of gold, four-leaf clover or a leprechaun -- pretty simple, huh?

For my card I went with a chipboard pot o' gold to which I added a rainbow fashioned with gems in five colors.  My A2 card is made using Papertrey Ink's Vintage Cream CS and I added 3 folds for dimension just beyond the folded edge.  Next I added a piece of October Afternoon;s Cakewalk designer paper with a cream and green ric-rac design and a fun Irish sentiment to accompany that lucky pot of gold.  The Inkadinkado stamp has been in  my stash for many years and was stamped using Memento's Bamboo Leaves, a good match with my DP also.  Finishing off this CAS card is a shamrock bow cut from shoe strings that I found for $1, so I have plenty for my St. Patrick's Day needs to come!

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#22) . . .

paper.  My sewing enjoyment remains and the flood of new patterns for dolls of many shapes and sizes (though I prefer 18") keeps me excited to sew more.  However, my nearly three-year-old sewing machine hasn't been very well behaved lately, so I 'hospitalized' it on Wednesday.  Since it's electronic, it had to be shipped from the East Valley to the West Valley for service.  Ugh, a whole week without it finds me sooo wanting to sew.  I think I'll print out more yet-to-be sewn patterns and get some cut out in the interim and be ready to truly put it to the test when I finally get it back.

In the meantime, here's the latest completed creation, made for my dear friend Marilyn's Journey Girl Doll from ToysRUs, Meredith (modeled by my Meredith).

Meredith's sundress for spring/summer fun @ Lake Minnetonka in MN!

I apologize for the too-sunny BG, but I snapped a quick pick shortly before I wrapped this little sundress up to take it to its new owner.  Marilyn bought the very fabric I'd purchased recently, as well as the cute daisy trim she wanted.  Once I had sewn it on, I thought it would really be cute to add tiny green beads to the center of each flower -- she liked them also!  ')

Top from original pattern

 


Wren*Feathers' Heirloom Sundress served as my starting point.  It's a FREE pattern on Jen's fabulous blog created for KidznCats (which are smaller than Journey Girls) and has a drop waist.  It wasn't difficult to up-size, by adding 1/4" at the front fold and cutting it wider @ center back to close using Velcro (rather than adding button bands that her historically-proper dress requires).  I first made a top for my Meredith in order to better fit the sundress for Marilyn at her doll's natural waistline.  I then knew how much to take in the side seams for a better-fitting waistline in which to add the gathered skirt she wanted.  I also decided to lengthen the straps a bit and criss-cross them in back. My Meredith earned a sweet little top for her many fittings to wear with her existing white jeans (borrowed from Kyla, another JG doll)!

If you're looking for LOTS of fabulous patterns for many different dolls and great historical information and tutorials, go check out Jen's website at the link above.  She has many free patterns and then you can show her your appreciation by purchasing some from her Etsy shop (link at top of her blog).  Enjoy!!!  ;)