Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

This doll is a Little Darling, by Dianna Effner and is painted by Geri Uribe. The clothing and character creation was by Susan of Little Princess Frocks, one of my favorite sites for dolly stuff! I have been trying not to buy this doll for months, but I finally caved in and bought her. She came with the beautifully done gown, the books and mug, the most wonderful knit slippers (must photograph those!) and an extra pair of high-button boots and black tights. I can't wait to make her a full Green Gables Wardrobe. Anne has always been a character dear to my heart since my friend Mariah loaned me the series in sixth grade. I spent the summer reading the books in a tent in the back yard, hiding from all my younger siblings! I have re-read the series many times and have the complete boxed set. I also have the full boxed set of DVDs. I know Anne is a character dear to the hearts of many people all over the world. One day I will travel to Prince Edward Island and visit that place that so inspired Lucy Maud Mongomery to write all of her lovely novels for young ladies.

January Snow and Goat Girls

Anza climbs and Josie wails, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I will post a video later--these girls are just too silly! Josie is busy wailing at me in this photograph. See her little open mouth? They want COOKIES!

I just added the video; sorry about the delay!

Dollmore Aga in Yellow

Dollmore Aga in Yellow, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

My mother sent me the yarn for the knitted shrug that is worn here by Dollmore Aga (Mia's Baby Doll). I received the yarn for my birthday last year and my mother hand-dyed it. It knitted up beautifully! The pattern is from Froggy Duds on etsy and was easy to make.

January Snowfall

January 14 snowfall, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

After one of the warmest winters I can ever remember, it suddenly decided to be cold and snow. We live east of the Great Lakes and the arctic air mass over the warm lakes caused a LOT of snow to fall. We got about 12 inches in one day (which is not as much as last year by FAR). It is certainly pretty! The snow started as rain first, then freezing rain, then slush and then regular dry snow. The freezing rain, slush and wet snow froze onto the branches and the whole yard looks like a winter fairyland. This was the view out the kitchen window yesterday morning before work (around 7:30 AM). Today, it's cold (-7 F) and the birds are flocking to the feeders! This next picture is a little blurry. It was still darkish outside and the camera shutter speed was slow.

PJ Kid

PJ Kid, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I love making jammies for little dolls. They're so easy and so cute! This little set is made from flannel (one of my favorite prints with piggies on it!) and is modeled by Dollmore Aga, who still does not have a name! I'm considering Primrose as her name, but I'm still not sure.

Willa's New Overalls

Willa in heart overalls, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

Willa is wearing some new overalls that we made for Etsy. I'll list them in the next few days. There is a picture of the full outfit on my Flickr account (just click through the photo).

Bethany's New Outfit

Bethany's New Outfit, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I ordered a pattern from Designs by Jude and made Bethany an outfit. It will be listed on etsy within a week or so.

Narsha in grey

Narsha, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I had a suspicion that this dress would look nice on Narsha!

Some New Year Musings...

Well, I was having trouble gathering the energy the other day to reflect on the past year and think about the new one but I'm feeling much better now!  I am going to take this time to think about all those things in my life that I am extremely fortunate to have.  I'm really a very lucky person to have the life I have and it helps to reflect on that once in a while.

I'm so happy that I added those two little mischievous goats to my life!  I was thinking for a few weeks that I might be entirely crazy to get more pets, but they are so much fun and have such unique little personalities!  They really brighten my day!

I'm also glad that every one of my original 11 chickens is still with me and happy and healthy.  They are so funny and friendly and cheery and there is nothing more comical than watching a big, fat hen with a floofy bottom run across the yard to see me when I get home from work.  A running chicken is just a naturally amusing sight and one that I recommend for anyone who needs a good laugh!  The ducks, as much work as they are, are so cute and so funny, too.  Little Duck's children, who are still here, keep her company and keep her warm at night, so even though the boys are sort of pushy and demanding, I think Little likes them and since she is the whole reason I have ducks, I'm glad that she's happy!  The cats and dog are well, too, and happy and healthy, even though Toby is now 12, Zoe is 12, and Onyx is 11.  The Brother is still only 6, just a baby.   Here is Onyx, helping me put up the Christmas decorations!

I'm also quite grateful that the veterinary clinic is doing well enough in this economy.  I hope our clients continue to think we do a good job and keep bringing their little family members to us.  I am honored by the trust that they place in us and I'm so happy to help pets on a daily basis.  One of my resolutions from last year involved making sure that I practice according to my philosophy and I have definitely seen improvements in this respect and expect it to get better in the new year as we add a new doctor and a new technician.

I am happy to say that I did pretty well with most of last year's resolutions, with the exception of finishing April Cottage!  I'm still stalled on the living room, although it is more complete than before!  The next step is to get the ceiling paper and lights in the living room and finish trimming the room.  I want the finished result but don't much enjoy getting there!

So for this next year, what do I want to accomplish and work on?  Mostly, I think I need to concentrate on making sure that I reduce my personal stress level and this is 100% tied up with one of last year's resolutions to communicate what I need and want more fully to everyone.  I still need to work on this, although it's improving!  I also need to make sure I make time for myself and my own projects and learn how to say NO when necessary.  I can't help anyone by being over-committed and never having any free time for myself.  My crafting goals include making more outfits for the dolls I have and continuing to keep my etsy shop stocked with a variety of things.  I enjoy making doll clothes and it's a big stress reliever for me!  Mostly, in this New Year, I want to appreciate what I have in life, simplify, slow down and really enjoy my days.

New Wallet

Simple Wallet, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I am probably the only person in the world that likes it when something wears out, because then I have an opportunity to make a new one! My old wallet has a hole, so I used a tutorial from Lola Nova to make a new one.

Here's the link to the tutorial, and thanks to the author:http://lolanovablog.blogspot.com/2009/07/summer-wallet-tutorial.html

Here's my color selection for the inside:

Oh, The Cute!

Gnome Dress, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

Happy New Year!  I do not have the energy this year to make a Resolutions post...perhaps I will do it in a few days.

This little doll was my present to myself for Christmas. This is a Dollmore Aga (Mia's Babydoll). She's about the same size as my Rosen Lied girls but appears much younger. She can share clothing with them, which is nice. Her face is painted by Dollmore and I'm happy with their work.  I was a little anxious to see how they did on it because I could not find any photos of this doll with the factory paint. She's so cute!  I'm looking forward to making more clothing for her. This dress is from basic patterns in Storybook Clothes for Dolls (10 inch size). The hat pattern I made up myself and the vest is also from the same book. The little bunny is from a pattern from Little Dear. Closer view of her face:



More photos are on Flickr.

Christmas Dress for Jenna's Doll

Christmas Dress, in color, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I sewed this dress for my niece's American Girl Felicity. I used a pattern I purchased on ebay from All Time Fashions. The pattern was easy to use and came out well. I have a bit of trouble photographing these dolls--they're too big for my light box!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and holiday season with your families. We had a very relaxing weekend and it was quite nice to see my younger brother for the weekend, as well!

Norah in kid heaven

Norah in kid heaven, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

Norah (Heidi Plusczok's Candy 2007) is in kid heaven after receiving these fantastic gifts in a swap on the Plusczok Doll Yahoo Group! She also received two little gingerbread ornaments that are so cute! She loves everything! The sweater's color looks marvelous with her hair and happens to be one of my favorite colors!

Goat Girls at Christmas

Girls in outfits, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

These girls are as silly as ever. I plied them with goat treats and photographed them in their outfits. I did make a few videos, too, but will have to upload them later because they take forever to upload. It's been COLD here today; a high of 27 degrees Fahrenheit! I had to finally dump out the ducks' pool. No more swimming till spring for them!

New Etsy Listing

I put one of my entries from the Little Darlings Yahoo Group fashion contest on etsy for sale.  Perhaps your girl needs a Christmas formal outfit?  Or an outfit for a holiday concert?

Emma Hiking

Emma Hiking, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

Emma Leigh Addison, walking in the woods last weekend. I made her the little slacks, and the shirt is borrowed from one of my Chrysalis dolls.

Close up because she's pretty:

 

Emma is a 13" Effner vinyl studio Little Darling, painted by Dianna Effner and sold by Everybody Loves Dolls.

Our Thanksgiving and Some New Thrift Shop Finds

Vegan Thanksgiving, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

People ask me frequently what vegetarians/vegans eat for Thanksgiving. I made this feast for us. We had pot pie with pumpkin biscuit crust, mashed sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls and roasted green beans. Dessert was apple pie and it was the best! Yummy!


We went thrifting yesterday and I found this gorgeous candy-colored afghan. It's now my craft room afghan!

We also decorated for Christmas. I found this heart garland at the thrift store and it looks great up there with my mistletoe!

Ducks and goats!

Well, around here it has yet to significantly snow, which is good with me.  I can still fill up the ducks' kiddie pools, which they enjoy.  Next summer, I have plans to put in a larger pond for the ducks to swim in, hopefully a large koi pond in which I will install a drain to make my life easier!

 

Hattie and Roger, swimming

Little (Daisy) Duck's children are all grown and the boys are becoming obnoxious.  Anyone want a few ducks?  I have had them listed on Craigslist for a while with no takers.  The two Mallard boys are a bit pushy with all the females.  They and Nathan and possibly Mark are soon to be deported to the goat yard, as soon as I can figure out where to put their food so the goats can't get into it.  They are so beautiful, though, these naughty boys.  Mark has grown into an interesting looking duck and Nathan is very hard to tell apart from his daddy, Roger.  Pearl is a good (but noisy) little girl and can stay with her Moms and Dad.  Mark is the multicolored boy below, Nathan the white with Edward and Pearl behind him, and Charlie is the Mallard colored boy in the lowest picture.

The goats are ridiculous, no matter the season!  They are hard to capture on camera because they don't stay still, so video is the best way!  They are obsessed lately with seeing if I will give them a treat.  They try to find treats in my hands and pockets and also they jump up onto their balance beam, expecting a reward.  Greedy girls! 
 

Anisha in a pretty winter dress

Anisha, full view with embroidered dress, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

Sorry for the long blog silence! I finished this dress a few weeks ago but haven't had time to photograph it. Under the dress there is a cute little white petticoat with embroidered purple snowflakes on it.

Fireplace and Wainscot in April Cottage

Fireplace and Wainscot in April Cottage, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

This is fiddly work. I bought a new fireplace (unpainted) for April Cottage because I did not like how the paint came out on the one I sculpted. I painted it this morning and finally installed the wainscot and trim on the walls, except for the wall with the door. I need to stain the trim for the door and get that up before I attach the wainscot on that side.

First Snowfall

Snow on Mums, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

It's our first snowfall of the year today. We are not expected to get much, but it really drives home that winter will be here very soon! I still have to run an extension cord to the chicken coop for their heated waterer and to the goat house for the same reason. And the duck run roof needs a little reinforcement before heavy snows come. The chickens are spending the day inside their coop on the shelf by the window, looking mournfully outside at the bad weather. I have given them a cabbage suspended from a chain to give them something to keep them busy.  The wild birds are eating much more seed than they have been the last few weeks.  They were very eager for me to fill the hopper this morning and a titmouse took a seed right from my scoop.  The chickadees routinely do that, but this is the first time a titmouse has done that.

Rose Red

Rose Red, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I finally redressed my Boneka Dianna Effner Rose Red. She had been wearing her original outfit for a LONG time. Her dress, in reality, is darker red than it shows in the pictures. The apron is made of a vintage linen handkerchief. I added a line of embroidery along the bottom.

Peak Color

Fall Leaves in Upstate NY, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

The view out back is gorgeous! It's all yellows, reds and oranges.

I got Venetian Carnival Olivia by Helen Kish from MDCC's website. She's gorgeous! I made her a new outfit and had some fun drafting patterns to fit the vision I had in my head of what I wanted to make. The first version came out too large and so it is on an Effner Little Darling at the moment. After I get the snaps and slip done for that version, I'll share that, too.

Song and Tamsin

Song and Tamsin, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I found this great bench at the thrift store and realized it would be perfect for the 14" Chrysalis girls. Song and Tamsin volunteered to have their photos done, with Tulah's cat, Toots.

New Sculpture

Adam in Hand, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I was inspired the other day to see if I could still sculpt in dollhouse scale. I made this little guy. He's 2 inches long! He has hand-painted brown eyes, hand-applied blond hair and a hand-made little (non-removable) outfit. He was lots of fun to make! He is jointed at the hips and shoulders. I will probably list him on etsy at some point in the near future but have no idea what 1:12 sculpted babies are going for these days! Better do some research first!

Cleaning the Goat Shed is Great Fun!

These two are endlessly silly.  They thought that cleaning the shed was party time last weekend.  They were tearing around, hopping from their hammock which I placed on the lawn when I was cleaning the shed, to the wheel barrow and then onto the bales of shavings that were to be put into the shed when I was done.  It was so funny!  It was also exhausting!

Autumn Overalls

Effner Girl in Autumn Overalls, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

I made these overalls yesterday. I had to wait for today for the light to be good enough to photograph them. The embroidery detail is from Vicki Haninger's book and the pattern for the overalls I modified to fit this doll from one of Rosemary Ionker's patterns.

And here's my inspiration!  The view from my back deck.

Newest Little Darling

IMG_2871, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

This is my newest hand-painted Little Darling but I'm not sure what her name is yet! She was painted by Lana Dobbs, to my specifications. She does such beautiful work! I made the smocked dress last weekend.

Nice day for embroidery

I finally finished another block on my State Flowers Quilt!  It's been a while since I had a chance to make a block.  They're so much fun and come out so nicely.  I need to get another one ready to embroider.  The patterns, in case you didn't know, are available free at Turkey Feathers blog by Vicki Haninger.

 

Today was perfect weather for embroidery.  I sat on the deck and made this sachet (pattern from here) as a gift for one of my receptionists at work.  She is so thoughtful and always brings anyone with a birthday a small gift and her birthday is on Wednesday, so I made her a small gift.  I was home today because I got home from a veterinary conference in Boston late on Sunday night.  Today was a catch-up, reorganize and get ready for the week sort of day!

Piper on a late summer day

Piper on a late summer day, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

Finally, I had time for the sewing machine! I bought a pattern today from Designs by Jude for some jeans. It also has a turtleneck, but it was too hot here today for turtlenecks, so we put a blouse on Piper and took her photo. The early evening late summer light is a little difficult to photograph in, but Piper is such a pretty doll! Below is a close up, just because.

Anza and Josie are Silly!

Anza and Josie on a beam, a photo by elizabeth's*whimsies on Flickr.

The girls needed some sort of toy to climb on, so we made a makeshift one until we can get them a picnic table or similar. They have a board balanced between two stacks of cement blocks, and they obviously love it. They were yelling at me yesterday morning from this position, and stayed right in position while I got the camera and took a photo!

Sorry about the lack of crafting photos lately. I have had company and have been so busy I haven't had any time for any doll dresses or other craft projects! Hopefully this weekend I can make something fun!