Around the house skirt

Here's a skirt I whipped up for "around the house". It's very simple. 2 rectangles seamed on the sides and a casing for the waist tie. I think I'll make another, or mabye some shorts or a jumper, just some things to throw on when I'm around the house. I'm trying to keep them cute enough though that if I have to step out for whatever reason I'm still decent. 

Room and case for Trin's doll and clothes

I decided that Trin's doll needed somewhere to live so I got out my craft foam and made a room. It's like a little foam book. Here's the left side with the doll in her bed and a dresser. I originally intended that the clothes be stuck down into the dresser and wardrobe on the next side, but the sticky stuff I put onto the back of the clothes to allow them to stay on the doll makes them difficult to slide down into pockets so I just stuck them on the outside. I hope that Trin likes this little setup.
Lesson's learned: Craft foam is nice to sew through in one or two layers, any more and it's difficult at least with my sewing machine. Maybe I don't know how to properly adjust presserfoot tension but the feed dogs just had trouble evenly feeding the foam with several sheets. 

Right side of Dool room 

Wardrobe doors open. 

Outside cover. Sewing through 4 layers of foam with walking foot and going slow is so not an easy task. When I got to the section that had other layers inside my machine just would no longer cooperate and the stitches started to go around the layers and deform. I so wish I could have sewed the binding with a straight perfect stitch, but foam is unforgiving. The holes would tell the story even if I pulled the stitches out.
I guess I just have to say this adds character. 

Big Momma's hat

Most families I know have a Big Momma. I didn't think it was fair for just BK to have a name so I named my other machines. My Embroidery Machine is Big Momma Kenny, or BMK.
Ya'll know the Big Momma type. Always able to do stuff for you that's so sweet and kind like having a special snack ready when you visit. Always wearing LOUD clothes proudly. Sometimes a little difficult to get along with 'cause she's tempermental. . . Ya'll know.
Well since I got my BMK used she had no hat. She's been getting too dusty though I give her a regular workout often and have cleaned her thoroughly twice. So I decided a few weeks ago that she needed a hat. It's just taken me this long to figure it out and make it.
This is a combined work from BMK, Serge and Sourgerner K (my sewing machine). BK and my singer had no part in this. I think BK and SK are a little jealous though IMHO BK's rose case is nothing to be ashamed of!
Having done this project I have learned some more things about quilting, monograming with varigated thread, starch and it's benefits and the fun of making a shaped and non-uniform slipcover!

Here's the end piece. Yes, I hate ironing, though I did iron this last night, evidently I didn't use enough starch, steam, or heat because the wrinkles are still there. The ends are not quilted, just one layer of muslin. 

Back of BMK's hat. I hate ironing. . . thus you can still see some creases in the fabric from how it was folded, lol. I quilted random stripes horizontally on this part. 

Pool Play

Two days ago we broke down and cleaned and filled the boy's little pool. We had not used it since our back yard was demolished. They of course loved it. So yesterday I put up our screen room tent on the deck. We'll probably be going out to use this pool daily as the summer gets hotter and hotter. Here are some pictures though of the boys playing around. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 more outfits for Trin's doll.

 

Trinity's 2nd gift

I found out that I could make paper dolls on my embroidery machine right before her birthday. I thought that a 3 year old would enjoy playing with some so here they are, the doll and 3 outfits! Thanks Eileen for such great designs! I will have to stitch out some more outfits for her. I really like doing these, but they do take a bit of time with having to basically create fabric from the thread.
This is the 2nd doll. The first one had some flaws so I had to stitch another. Right after I made the doll Chamie and Mardie got a hold of it. I had a hard time getting it back. I guess I'll have to stitch some of their favorite characters into these figures for them, they won't have outfits to change into or anything but I can make a flannel board book for them to move them around on.
Ahhh, yet some more project for my list. 

Rocky's been busy in my sewing room!

My wonderful dh Rocky is so handy, it's great! He put up my cone rack and two thread racks and cutter basket/holder. I love looking out over my work area and seeing a sea of thread.
Thanks babe!