Christmas

I didn't make any gifts this year, but Asha got a beautiful coat completed with a hat, a hand warmer, and gaiters for her doll from Aunt Kim. The coat is fully lined and the details are amazing. There is nothing that tickles my sewing fancy more than gifts like this. Thank you, Kim! You are the best!

Scott got me some sewing books. I didn't know I wanted them, but I haven't been able to put them down. There is so much more to learn. He also got me some Project Runaway DVDs. I love it that he likes to watch them with me.

I got some fabric from Japan that I can't wait to turn into clothes. They are mostly lawn and double gauge for spring and summer.

Here is a glimpse of our crazy Christmas morning. Quinn is sporting the safety goggles from the Black and Decker Junior power tool set Santa got him from Costco. Quinn usually doesn't play with toys (He prefers kitchen gadgets and electronics we forget to put away.), but this authentic looking set has fooled him. The sounds the drills and saws make are pretty real, and Santa got a bargain for only $20.

We had a special Christmas dinner with Scott's parents and Scott's sister's family. Scott made roasted duck, oyster dressing, butternut squash risotto, and ginger cake topped with whipped cream for dessert. Everything was just delicious, and we had a great evening together.

Ruthie gets a leotard

I knew this was coming.  Why wouldn't you want a leotard for your doll when you love gymnastics more than life itself? 

When Asha asked me,  I groaned and told her it is not as easy as she thinks.  I only have patterns for historic clothes. She got a twinkle in her eye, sat at the desk for a minute, and came up with this.   

I thought it was really cute.  

 

We got cotton lycra fabric from my stash and went to work.  We really did cut out two pieces that resembled Asha's pattern, and then came up with the leotard after lots of fittings and adjusting took place.  

If you make one, put velcro down the back center for easy changing.  

Scott and I made this bulletin board for our kitchen.  Sorry the picture is sideways.  I must have grabbed the original one instead.  

I have material to make two more, one for kids' artwork, and the other for organizing sewing ideas. 

If you are interested in making your own, you can find the tutorial here.  The guys at Home Depot had no idea what press board was, so we ended up with fiber board.  Make sure and have them cut it to the size you want.  It would be a pain to do at home.  

  

The all-cotton, linen-like fabric I used was purchased at Walmart.  I buy a lot at once and use it for the pencil rolls too.  

Ruthie gets a new dress

I made another dress while Rose Bowl was on.    

I used Josefina's camisa pattern for the bodice, the skirt pattern for the skirt, and then added a waist band.  

Scott's sister, Karine helped me fix a few sizing mistakes I made.  Thank goodness for experienced seamstresses.     

 

Asha says she "super-duper LOVES it".       

 

Dear Santa, from Jerome

I will provide these two lists for your convenience in hope that I will get everything I want for Christmas!

PLEASE give me these things

• 1 Wii OR 1 X box 360 WITH Bolt the Video Game  Dear J, Well, I have a policy against giving smart kids video game consoles.  Sorry.
• 1 Swiss Army Knife – got from parents
• 500 sheets colored origami paper
• 1 Multi-geared bike (boyish) 

Things I want, but you don’t have to give me

·     100 sheets 8 ½ x 11

·     1 tank pressurized helium (for chemistry and physics)

·     1 large plastic toboggan

·     1 Nurf gun

·     1 subbuteo soccer field

·     1 notebook (red or blue) 

                                                                        Thank you,

                                                                               Jerome Campbell

P.S. Remember, nobody’s perfect – especially Santa

                                        I hope you like your car track. 

                                                                             Santa

The aprons were received well.  The kids wore them all day.  

Asha with her American Girl doll.  Santa brought the doll and I made the three piece gown shown in the picture.  The sleeves were so small that it was hard.  I should have left the side seams to the end so I could have sewn the details of the sleeves while the fabric was flat.  I have to remember that for next time.      

Doll clothes patterns you can download for free are found here.     

Quinn eating cardamom bread, a Swedish tradition Scott's family enjoys on Christmas morning with hot chocolate.  

Quinn vacuumed all day.   

Doll Quilts and Pillows

Just when I thought I was all finished with my holiday gift prep, I saw this post over at Crazy Mom Quilts.  It is hard to resist such a cute project, especially when Asha tells me that she is going to ask Santa for an Am*rican Girl doll for Christmas.  I didn't follow the measurements on the post.  I made up my own to fit the doll that is coming.    

I made a pillow and case to the doll quilt I made last year.  They match Asha's pink quilt.   

Then I made another quilt for when Asha has a friend over.  I am still working on the pillow case for this one.  

Three more sets for cousins.  

I could spend all day making these little things. The possibility is endless and it comes together  so quickly.  A great way to satisfy your instant gratification.  I am all about that.    

All the above was done pre-sickness.  Asha threw up at church on Sunday, followed by me Monday morning and Kai last night.  It is a terrible bug with stomach pain.  Scott took some time off work, and has been taking good care of us.   

This soup is what I had this afternoon when I finally felt like cooking something for myself. It is my version of the chicken noodle soup. Chinese noodles with lots of cabbage and leek in pork bone broth and Thai red curry paste.  It tasted like home.