Packing up

As of today our Christmas tree is packed. We took it down while Kaitlyn was napping. One thing I just noticed is she hasn't mentioned the missing tree. Neal took all the ornaments and garland off only to find a few unauthorized ornaments. A sippy cup and a couple toys had taken up residence in the tree. I expected it. I told him to give the tree a good shake when he was done, but all he had to do was move the tree.

LOL... I think Neal is going to cry. I just said, "Kaitlyn, where's the tree?" Her eyes got big as she looked around the room saying, "Where's Christmas? Where's Christmas?" Okay, she is still asking. I was laughing to hard as I looked at Neal with pity in his eyes. He had to confirm what she was asking.

Today we sold her Around-We-Go table/activity center. It was a great toy. We finally put it away five months ago because we were having to live with so many toys, not because she stopped playing with it. This morning Neal took it out of the garage, through the house then out to the car. He wasn't quick enough. He left the table top against the couch while he took the base and seat out to the car. When he came back for it, Kaitlyn was watching. He had one side of the table and her the other; she was crying and pulling. I told her we have to say bye-bye to the table and give it to another baby. She wasn't buying it. She wanted her table.

And to keep the post on the sad side, my sewing machine is now packed. =( This morning I shortened the elastic in the neck of a doll top then handed the machine off to Neal to put back in it's original box. I then went through all the craziness on the table and either put it in a large baggy to take with me to Texas or sorted it in my craft bins. Here's the last three doll outfits I made this week.

The jumper is actually on the big side. I'm a bit puzzled at the sizing the author used. The dress underneath should stick out the bottom a little, but there is not way that would happen with as long as the jumper is. I'm glad I ran out of fabric before I could add the ruffle that should be on this jumper. Instead I put fabric around the bottom like binding.

Notice this one looks like the skirt I made Kaitlyn a couple weeks ago. I actually shrunk down the apron from that pattern to make this apron. I had debated putting elastic around the waist of the dress, but didn't do it. Now I wish I had. I think she apron would lay better.

This was my last creation. It's REALLY made up of scraps. I was going to make it all blue with a yellow strip (like is on it), but quickly realized I didn't have enough blue. I hated to use the yellow for the sleeves, but thought it wouldn't look so bad if I put the blue on for both the ruffles and elastic band. The flower on the front was actually on a small piece of scraps I had from making the pants. I was about to throw it away when I got the idea of putting the flower on the top. As you can see I did put the elastic in the chest/waist band this time. I wish I had remembered the pants pattern are a bit long for Kaitlyn's doll. I would have shortened them if I had remembered. Oh, well...

Random Projects and Makka Pakka

Today I made the bloomers for the doll dress I made a few days ago. I know what took so long. Using the pants pattern it was really easy. I'm glad I made them.

I know I bought this fabric for two different projects, but I'm going to use some of it to test Nanette's new pattern. I thought it could be fun colors to mix and match. I have yet to decided exactly which two will be used for the top. Now ask me why I didn't wash it until today? I have no idea. I went to cut out the fabric and noticed my slacking made me put the project off yet again.

You may not be able to see this picture well. If you are really curious you can click on the picture to make it larger. Today's activities consisted of trying out my two different button hole options and sewing on a button. I'm impressed how well it sewed the button on. Now do I dare try it on my coat? It needs two buttons sewn back on. My machine has auto tension. The manual says if you are going to use the satin stitch to adjust the tension. Well I played with it, but found it to pucker less if you leave the tension alone.

And finally for my family members who were wondering what or who Makka Pakka is... Well, take a look for yourself.

He's from the a British children's TV show call In The Night Garden (ITNG). He says his famous lines along with his theme song. All the ITNG characters have their own song. We also have Upsy Daisy and Igglepiggle, but we haven't given them to her yet. She will get those for her birthday. We gave her this one last night after we picked him up.

Strawberry Shortcake Outfit

I made Kaitlyn a new outfit by Sew Sensible with a Strawberry Shortcake print. She was a big hit at church yesterday. I also made her a big pink bow with a ribbon strawberry in the center.

I also made my cousin's baby a Strawberry Shortcake outfit for his daughter's 1st birthday. She is smaller then Kaitlyn and living in Southeast Texas so I shortened the top and bottoms to make them cooler to wear this summer.

Laci's bow is folded different then Kaitlyn's, but the strawberry is the same. I have a feeling she is going to look like she has ruffles sprouting out her diaper. Hehehe...

I made Laci a dress by CarlaC Dolly Designs out of purple Disney Princess fabric too. I added a ribbon around the waist so the dress could be cinched up to fit Laci's skinny Minnie self better. As you can tell by the tissue paper I snapped the last two pictures just before packaging them up to send off. I don't know if post offices in the US were closed Saturday, but our base post office was. I wouldn't have pushed to get everything done in time if I knew I couldn't mail it until this week; "everything" includes four additional bows then the two pictured.