Introducing: Pickles B.T.L.

Mina has discovered the joy of dressing and undressing her dolls and no longer needs a lot of help from her Mom. Trina asked if I could make some clothes for her buddies. I do enjoy making doll clothes, but I really want to have a model when I do it. I want to know the finished item will fit properly.

As well, today there was a birthday party for my great-nieces, and I needed to get a gift. Because Mina loves her Lalaloopsie buddies so much I thought maybe the twins would also like them.

The Target store just opened across the expressway from my house so I went over at opening, 8:00 o’clock this morning. They had a few Lalaloopsies, but nothing I really liked. I decided to bite the bullet and go to Fairway Road to ToysRUs. They weren’t open that early. But Walmart was. As a practice I avoid Walmart (dislike of some of their business practices) but today I went. I found what I was looking for:

Pickles B.T.L.
Pickles B.T.L.

Why Pickles B.T.L.? Because she has rollerskates, just like my favourite little girl:

Mina's rollerskates
Mina’s rollerskates

And for Maya and Makayla I found soft dolls (I can’t quite understand the love of these hard plastic, heavy-headed dolls myself) Ember Flicker Flame and Mittens Fluff’nStuff.

dolls for the twins
dolls for the twins
Maya & Makayla
Maya & Makayla

So now I can begin making doll clothes. I have crocheted a shrug and shoes which will be mailed to California on Monday. I am working on a dress. So more posts will be coming.

new clothes
new clothes

 

 

Almost Easter

Wow, time flies, doesn’t it? Here we are in the last week of March. Hoping that snow disappears and doesn’t come back. Looking forward to Easter.

At the end of the week I fly to San Francisco to spend ten days with my kids in Santa Clara. I am so looking forward to the sunshine and warmth!

I’ve also been busy. Last year I made two little owls that I mailed to Mina for Easter.

coffee table mess
coffee table mess

This year I came across a very cute bag on the Red Heart website and just had to download the free pattern and make it. Here is my version (I opted to leave the wings off).

owl bag
Owl bag

Yarn used: from my stash – mostly Caron Simply Soft, in a blue/aqua/pink variegate, purple and pink. Crochet hook size 6mm for double-strand bag body and strap and 4mm for the rest.

As well, I came across a bunny pattern on the Drops Design website — I love making toy animals; I have a big box full of them yet from when Simon and Trina were little. I had to make this one too:

Easter Bunny
Easter Bunny

Yarn used: again, from my stash – Patons Grace (beige & purple), Schchenmayr Catania (pink & black), hook size 2mm.

These items will go in my suitcase to be given to the wee girl on Easter morning.

The Troll

Mina and I have been having a lot of fun with the story of the Three Billie Goats Gruff. I found a picture book at Barnes & Nobles. We like to act the story. We can use My Little Ponies or other toy animals for the goats. But I wanted a better troll — so I crocheted one:

the troll
the Troll

“Who’s that tramping on MY bridge?”

Lalaloopsie

Mina loves Lalaloopsie dolls. She already has two  “little sisters” and will be getting another “big sister” and a “big brother” for her birthday on Saturday.

On a trip to Daison I picked up some crochet thread and cotton. I made a dress for each of Mina’s “buddies”:

Mina's buddies
Mina’s buddies in their new crocheted dresses.

Trina is making her new dolls clothes – much more sophisticated that what I would make. Mina tried so hard to make the new pajamas fit on her buddy. I finally helped by putting some tiny hair elastics on her arms and legs so they would stay on. Mina particularly like the “party dress.” I think the fact that it is a long dress is what made it a party dress. When the new clothes disappeared overnight the poor girl was heartbroken. So I decided to make her ‘little sisters’ new party dresses. I used scraps from Trina’s makings to hand sew the first one. I decided that, for me, crocheting was much easier.

party dresses
Mina’s buddies get party dresses

I hope Mina has as much fun playing as I had making!

Inspired

I have really been inspired by reading blogs on the internet. Sometimes one can feel so alone. And then you find out that you are not alone, there are many people in the world that see and feel things much the way you do.

I have also been inspired by the premise behind Happy Rambles and Sarah Bessey’s post on “What is saving your life right now?” to update this blog more often, and use the theme “What I am grateful for/what is saving my life.” I may throw in some of “What is killing me” to when warranted.

For today it is not my project that I’m putting in here, but my dear daughters. Trina has been experimenting with Tulle, turning it into tutus. Look for more information on her blog soon. And so I add a picture of my sweet wee girl:

Mina in a tutu
Little bird with bright feathers