My Ruby Girl and Doll Patterns

Haven't been feeling my best for almost 2 weeks now. Today is the first day I wanted to get off the couch and actually do something. Think it's allergies. Still haven't finished Jakob's quilt, but I'm working on it.

Got a lot of things I want to make. Layla has an 18" doll (Alley). Remember to take batteries out of Alley. I have lots of patterns for her. This is half of them. Been collecting these for a while. Most were .99, never paid more than $1.99.

This little baby loves to pose. I had her all to myself and she was willing to pose.

My new dresses

This is from Simplicity 3835 (one of my favorites). It is a fall color, but I just had the urge to make it. I'll wear it this Sunday and save it for the fall.This the first time I've tried this pattern. Cut on the bias. I made A version from one of my thrifed sheets. (Sheets are great for trying out a pattern). I love the way it fits. This was my Spring Fever fix (almost Spring). Today's temps 68 degrees.

Friends visit

My friend Teresa came over today to get the organizer for her sister. My sister Vickie and my niece Ashley also came over and we all had lunch and talked a lot. Teresa and I email each other, but we haven't seen each other in over a year. Can't wait to do that again. Should have taken some pictures.My other purse I was working on Friday. I really like the colors. Used recycled handles from a yard sale purse.

2 purses and an organizer

Made this organizer for my friend's sister (Teresa, hope Anna likes it). Then I was definitely on a roll and completed 2 purses and almost another one.
The front of this purse is from a pillowcase. I had the idea for a long time, just decided it was time. I really want to start an Etsy shop. What do you think? Could I make it?

More thrifts (I'm on a roll)

The corduroy reminds me of Lera's great find. I'm been wanting some ever since I saw the dress she made. It was $2.00 for 2 7/8 yards. The eyelet type material (not cotton) 3 yards was $1.50 and a zipper for .10.Still working on that quilt for Jakob. It won't be long now. I also found a pair of jeans today for a $1.00 which should help me finish.

Thrifting again

Yesterday was the first time I've been to the antique mall in Franklin since last September when I quit work. I found 2 great items. A cute little pyrex casserole dish and an adorable lamp that really works. The lamp was 60% off.

Have a great weekend.

Wonderful weekend

It's been so warm here since Friday. We had such a great time with the grandchildren outside Saturday. I had raked leaves and they jumped and played in them. Layla found an earthworm and named it Sally. Then she dug and wanted to find more Sally's. Ruby was all smiles playing in her car and Jakob loved playing basketball. We visited these beautiful horses that are down the road from us. Then we walked to my in-laws down the road and Thomas worked on her antenna and her digital box. Then he had to unhook it, because she was so confused with the whole thing. Now he can wait until June to change it.

Crayon holder

Today I've made 2 crayon holders. The girls are getting more interested in coloring, so they need a neat way to keep their crayons. I've noticed a lot of these on the blogs. This was the latest I've seen. So thanks for the idea.

Layla informed me her birthday was in October and she doesn't have a shirt with the number 5. So I had to make one.


My latest pillowcase finds. I found 2 of these lovely embroidered pillowcases at Goodwill for .99 each. Haven't found much of anything else lately.

Sew Mama Sew stash

Sew Mama Sew is asking questions about our stash. So I've answered her questions

What do you usually sew? Clothes for my grandchildren and purses

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need? usually looking for something in particular, but I always look at renmants

Are you a pre-washer? yes, because I'm scared it will shrink after I've made the outfit.

If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it? when I need it

Do you iron it? yes

How do you sort it? color and kind of fabric

How do you store your fabric? scraps smaller than 1/4 yard in bins by color. Stack the rest on shelves, by kind of fabric

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash? I usually go to renmants first, then check out sales that week, buy at least a yard, look for sheets at thrift store.

When do you say enough is enough? When I can't get any more on my shelves

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects? making purses

My new great nephew

Aiden with my brother, his grandpa. Jeff's first grandchild. I'm the oldest grandchild in the family, my daughter had the first, second and third great-grandchilden. So Aiden is my first great. Hope that makes sense. He's a little cutie.

New baby, grandchildren and sewing

My niece had her baby Wednesday January 28th. I haven't seen him yet, but will definitely have a picture by Sunday. Mom and baby are fine.

I know it's not Summer, but Ruby doesn't. Most of the time it's just panties. This is a dress that was Layla's. Lori is putting it in a consignment sale. But look how cute it is on Ruby. She's a princess.

Got on Amazon and someone had the Stitch by Stitch books. Seems there are 20 volumes and an index book. Some of them were as low as .38. But the shipping is $3.99. That would be for each book I ordered. Think I'll wait a while on that. The volume 1 was $3.99.

Getting out my Spring material and had to make another purse. The purse is from material I bought last year at Joann's in their Home Dec department. I had bought different pieces to make purses when it was on sale.

Thrift find

Found these books at Goodwill last night. Got them 1/2 price at $1.50 each. The set should be 16, but guess what? book 1 is missing. I really want to learn to crochet and knit and the first course is in book 1. I glanced through them last night and I think I'll use them. They are from 1986. The patterns for the knitting and crocheting are timeless.

Pillowcase dresses

Made a few pillowcase dresses today. Actually I made 5 dresses and cut out 4 more. Just wanted to use them up. Ruby loves to play dress up in them, but she doesn't need that many. So I need to figure out what to do with the rest.

SpongeBob apron

Got the spongebob dress and an apron made. Never got a picture of Layla in her dress. She liked the apron better than the dress, but I made it for Ruby. I made the view that is V neck and it is really low on Layla. She is tiny and I made it by size 5. She'll have to wear a tshirt under it.

Work in Progress

Making a quilt for Jakob. I've made him 3 quilts in 11 years. It's time for a big boy quilt. His Dad had some old well worn jeans Lori was going to throw out, so I decided to use these as part of the quilt. I need more jeans. I've made 3 rows so far. I want to have 9 rows with a border. It is a "quilt as you go" rag quilt. This is my first time making one.

Dress for Layla. She had to have Sponge Bob. Had to buy this at Joann's, but I had a 40% off coupon.

Day at the Salon

Yesterday Lori and I took the girls to Sweet & Sassy. A salon for little girls. Layla had the best time. Ruby had fun, but she's a little shy and wouldn't let Lori or me step away from her. She didn't like getting her hair shampooed. No one made her, but she insisted, then hated it. It's kind of expensive for a little girl cut, but once a year wouldn't hurt.

Girls with Roscoe

My babies having a good time with Roscoe. They hadn't seen him in 4 days. Ruby calls him her Clifford Dog. He finally went home yesterday. I think he was getting homesick.

Ruby wears her princess dress all the time. One of the sleeves is torn, so I will have to cut them off and make it short sleeve.

Bag for Mom

Got this material a year ago to make my Mom a shoulder bag for Christmas. So here it is a year later. She loves everything Elvis.

Been keeping my grandson and his dog Roscoe this week while my daughter went to Texas to spend New Years with her husband. Very sweet boy and dog.

The girls are at the other grandparents. I will get them tomorrow.