Dolly Dilettante

2013-08-25T22:24:00.005-04:00

Join me as I begin a new and fun adventure sewing American Girl doll clothes! Find me at Jewell Star Doll Clothes http://jewellstardollclothes.blogspot.com/

Hello again!

2011-11-17T14:28:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends of Dolly Dilettante

I am overwhelmed by your loyalty. Five years have passed since my last entry, yet I continue to hear from you.

What can I say? First and foremost, you lift me up. I adore reading about your creativity.

I am glad you liked me and my sewing blog.

From all over the world there are so many women, each with their individual delight in designing, that it is actually mind boggling to follow their posts. I see wonderful ideas realized into new forms and ancient traditions continued.

Blogs are important and your blog is important. Keep up the good work.

Your old friend

Aleinung, this post is for you!

2007-11-12T09:11:00.000-05:00

Aleinung, this post is for you! Curious?
See Andrea's latest post . . . click on Aleinung's link

Bennington, Vermont

Why I don't drive out of town in the dark!!!

Dear Friends and Angels

2007-11-08T20:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Angel ever at my side,
How lovely you must be
To leave your home in heaven
To guard a one like me.

My project for today was to use up some adorable vintage fabric I found at a market sale with an old pattern I got at the same time. I found it only a little fussy because I made sure the pocket matched the front material. By coincidence, Melissa at Tiny Happy has the same pattern that she made into a sweet little girls apron with bird pockets that you can see here! Take a peek!

This apron is fully lined and ties in the back. Really, it hangs straight, really . . . I had it too far front on the coat hanger, but you get the idea.

Here is the cute pattern, size 3T.

I am jumping from one project to another, sewing by day and decorating "dolly" Christmas trees by night, all for the 25th Annual Christmas Craft Fair in Malden, Massachusetts.

Thank you, my friends, for all your comments that mean so much to me.

Swap Gift Revealed!

2007-11-04T16:55:00.001-05:00

I have a sewing caddy and a matching pin cushion, made by Donna at Sew Mad!
Click on the picture to enlarge and you'll see the cow jumping over the moon!

The pincushion and caddy are reversible.
Look at the little dolls on the inside fabric! Just right after Dolly Dilettante's heart!

And a lovely note made out of rose wrapping paper
. . . And buttons, sewn so carefully onto a game card!
. . . Dolly hugs Donna!

Bye the way, the picture shows the one and only crochet blanket I'll ever make.
I just put it on my bed because, brrrrr it's getting cold in Vermont . . .
Keep warm and safe my friends!

Hey Diddle Diddle, A Swap Gift!

2007-11-02T20:07:00.001-04:00

Here is a sneak peek at a Big Surprise that lovely Donna at Sew Mad sent to me this week, all the way from Australia! It took me ever so long to open it because it felt like Christmas and my birthday all wrapped up in one. So I'll show you the pictures tomorrow and today I'll give you the following hint . . . In this excerpt of J.R.R. Tolkien's from the Lord of the Rings . . . Frodo sings what Bilbo had written:

Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat:
'The white horses of the Moon,
They neigh and champ their silver bits;
But their master's been and drowned his wits,
and the Sun'll be rising soon!'

So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,
a jig that would wake the dead:
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
'It's after three!' he said.

They rolled the Man slowly up the hill
and bundled him into the Moon,
While his horses galloped up in rear,
And the cow came capering like a deer,
and a dish ran up with the spoon.

Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle;
the dog began to roar,
The cow and the horses stood on their heads;
The guests all bounded from their beds
and danced upon the floor.

With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke!
the cow jumped over the Moon,
And the little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the Saturday dish went off at a run
with the silver Sunday spoon.

The round Moon rolled behind the hill
as the Sun raised up her head.
She hardly believed her fiery eyes;
For though it was day, to her surprise
they all went back to bed!

Sending lots of hugs to Donna, From a delighted Dolly Dilettante

Rag Doll

2007-10-31T17:59:00.000-04:00

Hello everybody!

Look who is new kid on the block . . . Emma the rag doll, just finished today.

She is a real rag doll . . . yesterday I was so overwhelmed with all my UFO's I just sat down on the studio floor and started picking up my trillions of scraps. Then I started tying the tiny rags together until I had a length about 24 inches and absent-minded as usual just started braiding three strips together. I made a braid, then two, then three. As usual I stared at these braids wondering if they would be of any use? Doll Hair! It just hit me . . .

Here is Emma's backside and you can see her rag hair.

I made a simple little pattern for her out of an ordinary sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper and rounded the top of the paper for her head. The strips of her body were from one of my zillions of UFO quilt patches. I added arms and legs made out of rectangles of fabric in proportion to her body. Before I sewed the 4 arm pieces and 4 leg pieces together I stitched on pink felt hands and black felt shoes.

If you like Emma's little face you can click here for a cute tutorial on how to draw a Dolly Dingle. I wish you all happiness and lots of sewing pleasure . . . everyone should have a rag doll . . . why not have fun making your own!

Rag doll Emma will be looking for a new home on November 17th at the 25th Annual Malden High School Craft Fair. Malden, Massachusetts is just a hop-skip-jump from Boston. I'd love to see some of you Boston Etsy Handmade ladies when I'm in town! If you get a chance come by my booth and say hi to Dolly Dilettante!

More Apron News!

2007-10-29T12:38:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, it isn't even Halloween yet, but I am so in the spirit of Christmas this year! And I didn't make these two divine aprons, they were made by Heavenly Hostess and can be seen by:

visiting the Apronista blog.There you can see more aprons and you will find a free holiday giveaway apron, and it's very special. So click here and enter the draw . . . you've got nothing to lose and a gorgeous apron to gain!

Apron News

2007-10-28T21:07:00.001-04:00

The new apron - I have been busy! I have now switched gears for Christmas. Dolly Dilettante is knocking herself out making dollie Christmas trees, Christmas crowns, sweet pinafores, bibs, dolls, more checkbooks covers, quilties, decoupage Victorian boxes and lavender sachet hearts.

I can't keep up with myself . . . sewing up a storm in the hills of Vermont . . .

All About Pollyanna

2007-10-24T21:31:00.000-04:00

Today I went to Littleton, New Hampshire, the closest place to go shopping, about 20 miles. I stopped at Porfido's and noticed the statue next door on the library lawn.

Here she is! Pollyanna.

Out of curiosity about the statue I did a little investigating inside the library. Eleanor Porter, born in Littleton (1868-1920), wrote "Pollyanna," the American childrens' classic.

In an interview Mrs. Porter said, "I have been made to suffer from the Pollyanna books, I have been placed often in a false light. People have thought that Pollyanna chirped that she was 'glad at everything.' I have never believed that we ought to deny discomfort and pain and evil. I have merely thought that it is far better to greet the unknown with a smile.

Pollyanna was adapted for Broadway in a production starring Helen Hayes in 1916 and then into a motion picture starring Mary Pickford (America's Sweetheart) in 1920. The 1960 Disney version made a star of Hayley Mills and is still popular today.

Pollyanna, the "sunniest and most delightful of optimists."

From 1913 to present over 1,000, 000 hardbound copies have been sold.

Walk Around the Block

2007-10-22T21:45:00.001-04:00

This is for you, Donna, per request! Sunday was a glorious day here in Vermont to take pictures so here are a few photos of me and my favorite places in town, most within a walk around my block! Here I am at Springfield College where I graduated in 2005 at age 55, but I did it! I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services.

The PROOF!!! I'm on the right.

Sunday at Maple Grove, the maple syrup factory.

The view of my street from the top of the hill.

View from my back porch.

Garden and fountain around the block.

Main Street, at the top of my hill.

The St. Johnsbury House retirement home on Main Street where I spend time volunteering, sometimes in the kitchen and often for the "Good Living Senior Center," where I update the website every month, and just plain have fun visiting.

The Library on Main Street called "The Anthenaeum."

The courthouse lawn across the street.

The Elks Lodge around the corner.

The Fairbanks Museum at the top of my hill.

Beautiful and peaceful, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

A beautiful farm carved on a gravestone.

This is an amazing place to take a walk in this beautiful weather.

The hydrangea glows in the sun.

The back lane to walk home - a wonderful day and a break from my sewing routine!

A New Doll

2007-10-18T20:42:00.001-04:00

Meet Big Sister.

I have been working on her bit by bit and thought you might like to see a few pics of her as I go along. I embroidered her face a little differently than the directions because I like to do my own thing.

1947 Simplicity pattern. Note the price, 15 cents!

I decided that I wanted a long sleeved dress so I chose this 1989 Vogue pattern.

This is the bodice piece, not finished. I love the Peter Pan collar. The fabric is special too. I paid $15 for a small piece of beautiful red vintage feedsack printed with bows and flowers.

Unfinished shoes. I'm still experimenting with shoes. These are imitation leather and I want to use real leather. The shoes are partially lined with red antique satin, and the insteps will be padded red satin when I finish. I had my eye on an old wide red belt I've had for ages, but it is too small. Big Sister has huge feet, because she is 32 inches tall and also wears a size 1 toddler dress. I made her socks today, they are blue and white striped soft jersey.

More pictures coming as we move along.

Happy Sewing

Yahoo - A Gift from the Patchwork Dress!

2007-10-18T19:17:00.000-04:00

A Little Soul Mate Came to Stay

Caireen at the Patchwork Dress made these lovelies.
Above you see the picture taken in Scotland.

And Whoopie, look who came by ROYAL MAIL to live in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont! And ... a Patchwork Dress card, a lovely pouch, a bead key ring, pearl sequins and pretty ribbons for my dollies. Thank you, Caireen! This is a real treasure, and the very FIRST present I ever got in the mail. I was so excited opening the package, and Mr. Diabetes ate the candy first thing! What is a wife to do? Anyway, I'm a happy camper. Next week I will post off a little something to Scotland and I'll only tell you that it is PINK . . .

My "Patchwork Dress" soul mate bird!

The Patchwork Dress Etsy Shoppe is the place to visit for gorgeous cards:

Like these! Caireen calls this batch "Secret Garden."

If you look at my swap picture you will see the card that Caireen made and sent to me. It is so perfect, a sweet kitten surrounded by poetry written in Scotland. Caireen makes geo-friendly cards out of recycled pictures and paper, but I would never know if she hadn't said so. I wish I knew how she makes them so professional, I'd love to know the secret!

"Wee" elephants made exclusively by Caireen! Isn't this too cute?

Dolly Surprise from Germany

2007-10-16T21:12:00.000-04:00

This little Miss lives in Germany but she looks like a long lost cousin to the Dolly Dilettante family! Imagine my delight when my new blogging friend Aleinung posted this adorable picture of the latest member of her cute, cute, cute doll family! Wow, surprises never cease . . .

Well, Aleinung, greetings from your dollie's big brother in America. He sends you both lots of lollypop hugs!

2007-10-14T18:48:00.001-04:00

Today has been a relaxing Sunday and I've had a bit of time to myself to think. Usually I'm trying to think and nothing happens, I just go with the flow of the day. Today I resolved to slow down the hectic pace and reclaim my creative space in peace. This is how I am going to do it:

Give thanks to the Lord for the gift of a new day and new blessings

Make my DH diabetic cookies! Anyone got a great recipe for oatmeal raisin?

Give some tender, loving care to my new doll and create a vision of who she will be and what she will wear. The little one in the picture has some possibilities, with those cute little shoes. I am making red leather shoes for my doll from an old Italian leather belt I "out grew" about 30 years ago.

Concentrate on sending several of my dear blogging friends promised goodies. Now I know the meaning of "blogging guilt." The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. This has to stop, right here, right now - this week!

Not obsess about STUFF

To find joy and love in this wonderful life.

May you all start the week with peace and happiness

Sunday at the Craft Festival

2007-10-11T19:31:00.001-04:00

"Autumn on the Green" in Danville, Vermont

Janice and Rick helping with the canopy tent!

Dolly Dilettante Booth

Here I am, "Hi everyone!"

A little stranger picking up 40 pounds!

Just a peek at Dick, my husband, in the blue shirt.

Meg and friends, Sophia and Athena

No rain! What a blessing!

I made the bunting last week and was very happy with it.

Just across from my booth, mmm yummy fried dough!

There was a big crowd, over 3,000 people!

Folk music, square dancing, and an Irish orchestra . . . wonderful music!

A Danville lady and her little friend!

Sunday was a perfect day!

My Town

2007-10-11T11:29:00.000-04:00

Discover St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Countdown-Three Days Til My First Market!

2007-10-04T17:17:00.000-04:00

The busier I am
The behinder I get

Or, I'm a little "behind" in my blogging. I created these pictures last week to show you a few items I made for my very first craft fair. So here they are! Please imagine that I posted them last week and FORGIVE ME. I know you do because you are all such lovely people.

Fun Stuff!

The return of Strawberry Shortcake!

Happy Halloween treasure bags for candy and fun things!

Itsy-Bitsy Annie Apron!

Busy Annie Pillows!

Pennants and Checkbook Covers

Another Day, Another Apron

2007-09-27T22:48:00.001-04:00

This apron was requested by a customer, and I finished it today.

To all my dear girls waiting for a parcel from me:
You are not forgotten, I'm working on it . . .

My Brother Makes Quilts

2007-09-23T07:53:00.001-04:00

My brother, David, is a quilter. The following pictures are his newest quilt in progress. Dave is still piecing it and is almost ready to add the batting and backing. He is an experienced quilter, quilting for at least 15 years (right, Dave?) Every stitch is sewn by hand, no machine quilting. Even more interesting, David designs his own patterns. This quilt will be the 7th quilt my artistic and talented brother has made!

I love the selection of rainbow colors! This quilt is bright and airy and Dave thinks he will call it "Springtime." It will be finished with a light blue border, then completely hand quilted.

The quilt design consists of hexagons, big square panels, small squares and arrows.

David has been working on this quilt for 6 months, on weekends. He is a busy Dad of 2 boys, both teenagers now, and he works a full time job, and he is an awesome quilter and designer. Wow, huh? I hope that he will share his gorgeous photographs with us on this blog. Vermont is one of the most beautiful states in the country, especially now with all the trees in the mountains turning red and gold, and Dave's photographs really do it justice.

So, ladies, what do you think? I love to read your comments . . .

The Apron Renaissance

2007-09-21T18:02:00.000-04:00

This is my friend Jessica. Jess is a good sport to model my aprons! Thanks, Jess.

This is the white embroidered apron, great pic of Jess but you can't see the embroidery.

Jess in the red apron

Love that cute smile, just had to include it!

The blue apron. I made the pattern myself and I was glad to see that it fit someone as petite as Jessica. But wait a minute, it also fits me and I am, well a sturdy size 14 (oh my.) So I am happy with the way the apron fits all sizes.

Here are the original 3 aprons in the afternoon sun on the front porch.
Now that I know they fit everyone, they have magically multiplied to 20 aprons.

Turkey Feathers so kindly made these folk dancers available to those who visit her fabulous web shoppe she calls Patternbee. The minute I saw them I could feel the music. Aren't they a happy couple? If you are looking for vintage embroidery patterns Patternbee is the place to go, where you can find hundreds of old patterns reprinted as new iron-on transfers. You can get the folk dancers for free here, thanks to Turkey Feather's generosity. Do some shopping, too!

Aprons are IN! I am having a wonderful time reading apron blogs . . . of course, I am so suggestible, just mention something to sew and I want to try too!

HAPPY SEWING . . .

Have You Ever Seen A Vintage Tina Turner?

2007-09-17T19:55:00.001-04:00

Well here she is!

It's just something about the hair and those great legs! Yup, that's who she reminds me of all right. Of course she doesn't have a real name, I never think of great names for my dolls. But I think of this little lady as the fabulous Tina Turner. She is made from my homemade version of an Edith Flack Ackley doll. EFA dolls were made famous in the 1930's and 1940's.

EFA dolls are little, sweet and are made in endless variations. They usually have a distinctive face, with tiny square black embroidered eyes and a wee rosebud mouth, and 2 dots for a nose. My dolls faces are a bit different from the original pattern. As you see, Tina is not finished but soon she will have my version of a little face. I like more realistic embroidered eyes and nose so I will finish Tina in the next two weeks and you will see her new face.

Tina is made from my favorite old linen dress, soft from many washings. It took me three days to twist and hand root her cotton fiber hair. I thought I would never finish but I loved the thick mop that appeared . . . finally. Tina is very flexible and can pose in any position. She is simply fun to play with.

The Sewing Fairy Tiptoed In

2007-09-12T19:29:00.000-04:00

The sewing fairy tiptoed into my studio last night.
She sewed and sewed until the clock stuck twelve.

Remembering

2007-09-11T19:13:00.001-04:00

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work which thou has begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen The Book of Common Prayer

2007-09-08T18:53:00.001-04:00

My colorful family.
We have green hair.
We have pink hair.
And we have red hair.

The gorgeous redheads are my real family:
Kerry, Kim, Rick and Nancy. Love you guys, Meg