Meet Jane

Wow! I think I have spent every minute of the last 48 hours sewing up this little doll. Eating, sleeping and showering were just things that had to be done; sewing and finishing this doll was my one and only priority. See for yourself.

 Jane measures 20"x9". She is wearing pants with lace!

 

Jane writing a thank you card for her friend.

 Jane standing up with the help of my husband.

Jane sleeping. Sorry, the hat doesn't come off! LOL

This was my first time making dolls. This all started on Saturday when I found this whimsical doll book from my bookshelf. I knew that this would make a perfect long-weekend project, but I didn't realize how much fun I would have sewing her up. I went to Jo-Ann Fabric four times this weekend; each time for something I forgot to get the previous time. But no worries, the store is only five minutes from my house! Thank goodness.

I spent the most amount of time and energy on the doll's face. I have always been picky when it comes to faces and expression of all stuffed animals and dolls. The face determines the mood of the doll and makes each doll unique and special. I wouldn't have continued with this face if I wasn't happy with the eyes, nose, and mouth. 

I think I am officially addicted to making dolls. This is the first of many more to come. I made this without anyone special in mind, but I know that this doll would make little girls so happy. I, for sure, would have enjoyed having a doll like this growing up. I think Jane needs a doll quilt and pillow. By the way, Jane sits on top of our fire place in my center corner to keep me company.

What do you think? Do you have kids who would enjoy dolls like this?

I hope you are enjoying your long weekend.

Paper Pieced House Blocks

Do you have a copy of Patchwork Lesson ABC by Kumiko Fujita? It's a book full of small hexagons, houses, flowers and tons of adorable little blocks you can make and turn into hot potholders, pincushions, tea cozies or tons of other things. My favorite ones from the books are the house blocks used to make tea cozies. I found a copy of this in Chinese about a year ago. Although I can usually decipher these Japanese quilting books with visuals, it brings me so much joy knowing I am able to read every word Kumiko had to say. I get so much more out of the book. I have been wanting to try one of these patterns and decided to make them for Valentine's Day.

 Perfect little coasters for my husband. 

I machined paper pieced these house blocks. I had a hard time ensuring everything came out straight because all of the pieces were quite small. Maybe I will hand piece these next time.

I had a nice surprise from my husband for Valentine's Day. It wasn't easy for me to transport it home at the end of the week. I think this may be the prettiest flower arrangement I have ever received.

 Beautiful long-stem red roses always make me smile.

Thanks, honey :)

Strawberry Fabric Basket

I cannot wait to share my latest creation with you! Check out this cute little strawberry fabric basket I made today. I used Ayumi's tutorial, and it came out so cute. I am proud of the fabrics I selected for this, and the strawberry lining is simply adorable!

I am in love with this!

Maybe it will be used to store yarns?! It will be sitting on my sewing table for sure!

Fabrics used:

    - Fruit Basket by Robert Kaufman

    - Children at Play by Sara Jane

    - Fabric with letters printed (I accidentally threw away the salvage) 

    - Japanese fabrics from my trip to Taiwan

Have you been following Jeremy Lin? It's Lin-Sanity at my house for sure. I hope this talented young guy continues to play well. I am so proud of him.

Sewing Pillow Cases

I found these pillow case kits from my stash this weekend. I bought them a long time ago from a fabric convention and finally got around to finishing them. I don't know why it took me so long to make these.

The green flower one is for my mom and the pink heart one is for me.

These pillow cases are finished with French hem technique. French hem allows you to hide the raw edges of fabric by overcasting the seam allowance to prevent fabric from unraveling. This technique gave my pillow cases a professional finish look.

Fabric used: Lotus by Amy Butler for Rowan fabrics

I don't have the name of this fabric I used :(

My mom is so happy with the pillow case I made her, and it goes so well with her bedding. However, I think I really should have gotten two of each kit. I mean, one pillow?! Come on! So I searched around on the internet and was able to find the same Amy Butler fabric I used for my mom so I can make her a pair. I ordered this fabric from QuiltHome on Saturday and already got it today in the mail. QuiltHome was fantastic to work with; my order was correct, and I received it so fast even with regular shipping! I will definitely order form this place again.

Have you made pillow cases before? I think they are great sewing projects for beginners.

Lemon Blueberry Cake

My good friend inspired me to bake this week; she tried this Lemon Blueberry Bread recipe, loved it, and shared it with me. As soon as she forwarded it to me, I knew I had to make it. Fortunately I had everything this recipe calls for. I have a nice and healthy lemon tree in our backyard, and I think it had over 70 lemons just a few weeks ago! I made two batches and used five lemons in total. I grated these lemons into lemon zest and they smelled so good! I had to take a break in between though. Who would have known grating is such a tiring activity?!

These frozen blueberries came out good!

I made two mini loafs without walnuts for my husband; he has a thing against walnuts. Weird?! But the larger load I made with walnuts were amazingly good. I don't have a photo of it, but you will just have to imagine it. By the way, the name of this recipe is Lemon Blueberry "Bread," but I think it's really more "cake."

Lemon blueberry cake with lemon glaze.

I know, I am sorry... you are probably salivating over this, but hey! The recipe is so simple, and you probably already have all of the ingredients. So go ahead! Make some, you will love it.