{Hidden In My Heart Dolls} Thinkin' On Selling Again.

I really enjoy making dolls.  Like really, really. 

 

I don't like stress and pressure.  Like really, really don't.

 

Especially when it comes to something that is supposed to be fun and a creative outlet for me like doll making.

 



So, I've been thinkin' on how I can make and sell dolls and keep the pressure off. 

I think the solution is to limit my number of custom orders.  Really, really limit.

 

Pulling together parts and pieces when making a doll is easy and fun {but still time consuming} when I don't have the pressure of making it perfect according to a customer's specifications.  And some customers are very specific.  Like really, really specific.  Even down to the color of thread used to sew the hem of the doll's dress. 

And I don't have time for that kind of pressure and stress.  That's no fun.

 

And doll making should be fun.  Because it's sewing and sewing is my stress reliever. 

 

See how the two can't work well together?!

 



And so, I'm putting together some sweet dolls similar to this one to sell at whatever pace my busy life allows.  No agenda.  No selling goal.  No pressure.  Ready to ship.  What you see is what you get kind of selling.

 



 

I think this will be fun.  Like really, really.

{Hidden In My Heart Dolls} Pinky Pie

Hello, I'm Pinky Pie!

 

Pinky Pie went home today to a sweet girl becoming the big sister to twin sisters!

 





I was calling her "Cutie Pie" but it suddenly struck me that "Pinky Pie" suits her much better!

 

I've been working on getting a bunch of doll pieces cut out and ready to sew whenever I get a chance...those rare moments when the most important parts of my life are well taken care of.  You know, things like my five little lovies, homeschool, meals, laundry, and other general household stuff.

 

I can't devote a lot of time to doll making right now, but even these snippets of time are so refreshing to me!  I love doll making!!!  I love creating!!!  I am holding out hope for lots of summer sewing once our school year is finished.

 

 



 

And this is our dining room table...  He, he!

{Project 365} Day 28: The Sewing Bowl

I had grand plans for celebrating "The Sewing Bowl" this weekend.  How great does that sound - a whole bunch of time spent sewing instead of watching football?!

See all the supplies I had pulled out...pieces to finish a custom doll for a repeat customer, fabrics to cut out a few smaller dolls like the giveaway doll, material for infinity scarves, and fabric for extra custom dolls to be listed in my etsy shop in the future... 

 

A long list of projects... 

 

 

But now, I'm being forced to rename this event "The Sewing Hour" for that pretty much sums up the amount of time I actually spent sewing.

 

I knew the reality of clocking a lot of sewing time was going to be fairly impossible, however, I still had my hopes up.  There is a bit of a battle going on in my heart about choosing a good attitude. 

 

I'm sure I'll be over it soon.  Grin.

 

 

I did get this sweet infinity scarf finished.  It took about one minute to sew it.  Uh-ma-zing, I know!  It is actually a finished scarf I picked up at the thrift store for $1.48.  I simply took the short ends and sewed them together to make a circle.  Voila, infinity scarf!

 

Now it's 10pm and the dining room still covered with all my sewing stuff.  Maybe I'll find some time tomorrow...

It's A 5ooth Blog Post Giveaway!

Wow!  I started this blog in March 2008 - almost 5 years and 500 posts later.  A lot sure has changed since that time...

 

I want to celebrate the life God has given me.  I need to thank my husband for loving me no matter what, bringing me an occasional Pepsi to help me "survive" the day, putting up with all my decorating successes and fiascoes, and supporting me in my sweet little etsy business.  I've enjoyed learning and growing as much as my children as we homeschool.  Mostly, I'm thankful for my imperfect but growing relationship with the Lord.  And this is just the tip of the iceburg...

 

And so, I want you to celebrate with me!  I'm working on some (potential) new dolls for my esty shop - all pre-made and ready to ship - and I'm so excited to offer up this sweet first prototype doll to one of my awesome friends.  Maybe it'll be you!!!   

 

This precious doll measures @ 14" tall.  She is made with 100% cotton fabrics and is stuffed with hypoallergenic polyester poly-fil.  Her hair is made with 100% wool felt and she loves hair pretties.  She has embroidered eyes and a touch of blush to sweeten her face.

 

 

Ain't I sweet?!  Want a chance (or 16) to bring me home?!  Take a look below!!!

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Project 365} Day 13: The Makings of a Doll

 

{Project365}: capturing this life - one photo (or so) every day for one year

{Project365} Day 6: Vintage Loveliness

 

{Project365}: capturing this life - one photo (or so) every day for one year

Vintage Sheet Blankie

For the past several years I've intended to make more effort to give handmade gifts.  I usually end up with only a few.  If I started those projects earlier than the week before Christmas, I'd surely be more successful!  Oh, well...

 

I have just one handmade gift to give and it's for my littlest man, Si-guy.  At least I have a "better" excuse this year...a 10 week old lovie boy.  And so, in true Kiley-Christmas-fashion, I thought of and started this project just two days ago.  I wasn't sure exactly what I would make but I've been dying to cut into my vintage sheet stash so I dug out blues and greens - but no florals!  My other goal was to use what I all ready had on hand...a "free" project!

 

 

I knew I wanted to put his name on the project.  I knew I wanted this project to be really special because, quite honestly, we aren't purchasing Christmas gifts for him this year.  I did pick up a like-new wooden bead toy for him at the thrift store but other than that he's going to simply enjoy the gift of love and snuggles from everyone.  Is that horrible?!

 

It turns out, once I got started, there was a soft snuggly blankie just dying to be created!  I LOVE it!!!  I choose a wonky (or liberated, if you prefer...) log cabin block.  I've never made this quilt block on this scale before.  It was quick and easy to piece together.  And, if you've read any of my other sewing posts, you know that I really prefer the creative process of not using a pattern.  I love figuring things out and seeing how projects evolve through the process - not being bound by the rules and restrictions of following patterns.

 



I completed the top and simply quilted minky dot fabric to the backside of the quilt top - no batting in between the layers.  It's light feeling, but still has some weight and warmth.  I cut the minky fabric about an inch bigger than the quilt top and in the end, decided to tuck and fold the minky over to the front as the binding after trimming it a bit.  A zig-zag stitch finished it off so nicely.  The edge is a bit "bumpy" due to the dots on the minky.  I would imagine plain minky would not create bumps like this.  Completing the binding this way probably saved me a day's work rather than adding a traditional quilt binding.  Easy peasy!

 



I used fusible web to attach his name with a simple straight stitch to tack it down permanently.  I assume the edges will fray a bit but I'm okay with that!

 



Won't these colors be so perfect for Silas' room makeover this winter?!  My color scheme is based on maps, globes, and vintage children's geography puzzles...

 



Hwin approves!  Silly kitty kept sneaking into my pictures!

 



 

I've been wanting to branch out a bit from my doll making and find a few new items to make and sell via etsy using vintage sheets...I might be onto something here!

 

Either way, I think I've got a great idea for handmade baby gifts in the future!

 

Christmas Blessings to you and yours!

A Little Dolly Love

I've been taking an extended hiatus from doll making and focusing on the best things in life right now...like family, schooling, and settling more of our house after moving over a year ago.  I have to admit, I am thankful to be taking this break!  Doll making, especially for custom orders, takes a lot of time and energy.  I'm pouring all that doll making energy into projects and such for my family and others!  However, on occasion, depending on the circumstances, I agree to make a few sweet dollies.

 

These pretty girls are headed off to a church auction to help raise funds for a missionary. 

All the girls hanging out for one last time before traveling to their new families...he, he! 

 The one blue-eyed beauty in the bunch...

Sisters headed off to Texas!  Yee-haw!



A replacement dolly headed to Iowa for a dearly loved one lost in Washington, D.C...



Jedi Warrior

Elijah has been asking me for months to make him a Jedi cape.  The other two boys seemed a bit indifferent to whether I made them each one as well or not, but since I was going to be making one they answered..."Sure, I'll take one if you're going to be making them!" 

 

I've had the material for at least a month...and have been asked every time the whir of the sewing machine could be heard whether I was working on capes or not.  Pretty much not...ever.

 

Finally, this past weekend, I took the time to make not one, not two, but three Jedi capes for my Star Wars loving boys.  They love them!  I'm pleased with how they turned out...just kinda figured it out as I went!  Ahh...serendipity!!!

 

Yup, he has been wearing his without much of a break. 

 



 

I feel quite safe in our home now, too, with three Jedi warriors protecting us!  He, he!

Baby Boy's Quilt

How has it been more than a month since I've posted anything here???!!!  Ah, well!  This post is short but scrumptious!!!

With our little man due to arrive in 9 weeks or so, I've been kicking into high gear to work on his baby quilt among other nesting type projects.  Sadie and I picked out these fabrics for him...love the brightness and fun.  These colors make me feel happy!

I'm basing this pattern on a free tutorial (Raw Edge Circle Quilt) from one of my favorite quilting blogs, Cluck Cluck Sew.  I'm hoping to begin sewing the circles onto the squares today...after a smidge of ironing.  I really appreciate the scrappy feel and "eyeball it" approach in this pattern since I rarely like to follow the rules when it comes to quilt making.  Fussy stuff hinders my freedom to do what feels right when creating.  Some projects don't turn out how I imagine them but that's the way I roll.

Blessings to you today!!!

Pretty Little Pillow

The pillows that came with our couch are, well...too matchy, too stiff, too coordinated, too monotoned, too expected, too boring, too ugly. I already gifted three of the five to the thrift store...the remaining two don't stand a chance of surviving much longer in this house.

Especially after last night...I made a pretty little pillow. It's so sunny and bright!!! Just what my self-prescribed prescription ordered: "Saturate yourself with color...lots of color...to beat the winter brown and grey days."

Recipe for the pillow:

*(2) napkins - @19" square - these were from Target last winter. 4 napkins/pkg. About $9.

*(1) 18" square pillow form - definitely not the cheapest one you can buy otherwise you'll make a brightly colored pillow that is as stiff as your ugly, matchy couch pillows. My pillow form had a mix of silk in it's stuffing...feels like it's down-filled. About $9 at Joann's (50% off sale).

*needle & thread

Directions:

(1) Place napkins right side together (printed sides together). Pin along three sides.
(2) Pin fourth side in about 3" from each end. (you will need to leave the remaining 12" in the center of the fourth side open to stuff your pillow inside!)
(3) Sew straight stitch along pinned sections remember to leave that fourth side open
(4) Trim corners or any extra folded hem from the napkins.
(5) Turn your pillow cover inside out, poke out corners with a chopstick, and stuff with pillow form adjusting to fill corners.
(6) Pin the 12" opening closed with straight pins.
(7) Use needle & thread to close the opening with a slip stitch.
(8) Realize that it only took you about 30 minutes to complete this project that's been sitting around for a long time and shake your head at your silliness...

Just look how squishy and soft that pillow is...perfect for lounging and studying your karate student manual!

Gorgeous Dolly

I'm delivering this dolly to a friend who will send it on to her granddaughter for Valentine's Day. I love this doll! She's gorgeous!

I'm taking a bit of a break from doll making right now, but getting this doll ready to go reminded me how much I enjoy making them. I'm know I'm not done forever making dolls, but not sure when I'll get back into it...

Know what else I love? My ability to take really great photos of my work by choosing my own settings in manual. My photography class is officially over (boo!), but I'm excited to keep improving my skills! I love this picture...I might print it and hang it in my sewing room!!!

Teddy Bear Sleeping Bag

I saw a super cute sleeping bag for lovies on Pinterest (another new addiction! aaahhhhh!) and I just had to make one! You can purchase your own pattern from Flossie Teacakes, too! I'm definitely going to make more and have a dolly slumber party!

I saw this idea (guess where???) to sew lengths of yarn on a piece of fabric...thought it was kinda cool looking. I tried it with thrifted yarn on a scrap piece of muslin and it turned out pretty sweet. It was the perfect size to use on the sleeping bag cover...a small quilt block of sorts.

The rest of the fabrics came from my vintage sheet stash & scraps. The orange double fold binding was thrifted as well and not a little tricky...a LOT tricky...to curve around the rounded corners. Loving those bright, citrus colors! Who wouldn't wanna sleep in this fresh squeezed bedding?!


I tried to sew Sadie's name in the bottom of the sleeping bag...hmm...maybe next time I'd try hand embroidering it.

The finished sleeping bag. I made the daddy bear size (also included in the pattern is the baby bear and mama bear sizes.) Super fun!

Sometimes my mind needs a different creative break! This weekend I'll be focusing on getting more doll orders finished...amazed and up to my eyeballs in orders!

Scrappy Wonky Vintage Sheet Pillow and the Sewing Saga

I keep promising myself that I won't start any more sewing projects until after we move but I can't seem to bring myself to actually pack up my sewing machine and notions. In all fairness to my children, my "toys" should be packed just as most of theirs are...maybe after this weekend, I'll pack it all up.

But it'll make me cry.

Seriously.

Since last October, I've worked on sewing projects about four days a week...and I love every minute of it! And, the dolls...so stinkin' cute and I still love making them...

It kind of feels like once my machine is packed, it'll be forever before I can justify any type of sewing...priorities, right?! Sorting, packing, and moving from our old home, unpacking and settling into a new home, packing and food shopping for vacation, going on a week long vacation six days after we move, unpacking from vacation, still unpacking in our new home, somehow establishing a homeschool routine in a new house that is still not unpacked...phew...when will I ever sew again?! Doesn't that seem like forever to you, too?!

Ah, well...I will make it. I will survive. I will sew again!!! And while I'm waiting, I'll gaze at my new pillow. Ain't she perty?! She is not being packed unless you count riding along in my van on moving day with my sewing machine and my body pillow (can't kick the pregnancy habit...it's only been two years...ahem...she's so soft and cuddly and props my legs in the most comfortable way). Yes, these items will be lovingly seat belted into the front seat. My machine has already called "shotgun!"

I made this pillow from vintage bed sheet scraps. I had some scraps of my own but I also purchased a scrap pack from this lovely gal. I saw the idea for this quilt block here...

I used a fat quarter I had received in a swap a few months back for the backing. And since I didn't have a pillow form and couldn't stand not posting this any longer, I folded up a sheet to fill the pillow for now!

Certainly a bright spot of color in all the chaos to come...

Thrifted Color

I'm not sure how wise it is for one to go to the thrift store to drop off unwanted items and since one is already at the thrift store to go inside to look for treasures...but that's how I roll! And, of course, treasures were there to be found!

I spotted this dresser over a month ago but at the time we were not selling or buying houses and I just didn't have space for it. Given that fact plus the $80 price tag, I walked away. But believe me, I kept thinking about that beauty!

Two weeks later I stopped at the store again. This time we knew we were buying a new house, but didn't have a buyer for our old house yet. In fact this was a trip to drop off items so I figured that Mike would be a little "put out" to say the least if I showed up at home with a new dresser. But the price was down to $40! Oh my...I almost caved!

Another week went by and by God's good grace, we had a buyer for our old home! So when I saw this lovely lady still waiting for me I snatched her up! Well, not really snatched because she's weighty...more like skip-ran to the checkout while dragging Sadie by the arm to buy her before someone else got the same idea! Would you believe I paid just $25 for her?! She is missing a few jewels on the front, but she's sturdy with lovely lines that will distress well once painted. Oh, our TV will be sitting pretty when we move to our new home!

Today's adventure brought in some colorful finds...

A pretty handmade apron made from upholstery weight fabric. It looks super sweet with my aqua blue sundress. I feel so June Cleaver-ish.

77 patches of knitted goodness and warmth bordered with green for $2.98...have I mentioned how much I'm in love with green recently?

I am.

Enamoured.

I've been watching for just the right blanket with a large mix of colors. Not too brown and orange. Not too clashy. I've had one pictured in my head with black borders. But oh, the green!!! This one is perfect! There are two little spots that need some repair in the "seams." (I know nothing about knitting or knitting terms, but it is obvious to me that I can make these two repairs on my own...maybe not "correctly" but repaired none the less.)

Finally, I found a bag of 100% crewel wool for $2.99. I'm not sure what I'll do with it or exactly what crewel embroidery is, but the colors were lovely and bright! At the very least, we can play around with it!

Color. Happy Sigh.