Titanic doll stuff

This is weird! I opened my blog and it looked normal. Then I signed into it and I can't see anything. I finally found the icon on making a new post but where is the rest of my stuff? OHHH, I don't think I like this. We'll see if I can figure this out. If not, it was nice knowing you all!

Back in January, I was commissioned by a customer to make several doll dresses, replica of the dresses Kate Winslet wore in the movie Titanic. This customer told me I could pick any of the dresses but she wanted as many as I could handle. She was going to have someone make backgrounds from the movie and pose the dolls in front of them then do a YouTube clip on them for the 100th anniversary.

 Unfortunately, the backgrounds didn't turn out as of yet and this customer has posted about the dresses anyway. She's given me permission to also post them now.

As I made each one of these dresses, it was extremely difficult to let them go. Each one took me between 2-3 full days to complete. No offense to this customer but she really did get a bargain. One day, I will charge what other people are getting for their one of a kind items.

Enjoy:

So blogger is not letting me insert titles between the dresses so from top to bottom:
The Tea Gown
The Deck Dress
The Swim Dress
The Pink wool coat
The Jump Dress
The Boarding Suit

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe it's been 5 months since my last post. Honestly, where has the time gone?

This last batch of puppies were all sold and gone by Christmas eve. I even had two people call me to ask for another. Just last week, I got an email from one that asked if we planned on having anymore because the one they got from us was the best dog they'd ever had and a relative wanted one just like her. Sorry folks, we don't plan on having anymore puppies for at least a couple of years.

My doll clothes business has been thriving. Last year, I took the month of February off to design and make several new items. I didn't do that this year because I've been far to busy to close shop for a month. I've been trying to squeeze in a new item here and there though. Back in the fall, I started a FaceBook page and posted on Pinterest for my business and I think this has brought me several new clients. That's a good thing :)

I've been working with a client who is a big fan of the Titanic. I mean the real Titanic. In lieu of the 100th anniversary of it's sinking, she has asked me to make some doll size dresses from the James Cameron Titanic movie. I've now finished that project and she will be posting photos of the dolls in their dresses in front of Titanic scenes. When she gives me permission, I will post that link here.

Since my life is consumed with nothing but doll stuff, there really isn't much else to blog about. I will be going to Disneyland in May. This is the trip that I won when I went to a live taping of a local news show last year. I'm sure I will have something to blog about when I come home.

In the meantime, here are some of my latest items (just because I think every blog post needs photos)
It was Aubrey's 8th birthday in March so I made her a custom Taylor Swift doll and outfit to match. Aubrey is a HUGE Taylor Swift fan!

Life goes on...and on...and on

Nothing much has been happening around here.

I quit my job...again

We had puppies...again

It's almost my wedding anniversary...again

And, I've been sewing...again (OK, not again but STILL)

I was reminded by a 4 year old that it's almost Christmas...again

Back in June, I went back to work for the company I quit the August before. I was only working part time on an as needed basis but then when the owner got his old company back, he decided to bring in a certain person from that company to manage both companies. I told the owner that I will work for him but I will not work for her. He told me to give it 30-60 days and things may change. I told him to call me when he is ready. I may never hear from him again but hey, I have my pride, not to mention my integrity.

Our puppy had puppies. Lola is one of the puppies our dog Lacy had last year. Totally unexpected and unplanned, Lola had 7 puppies on Halloween. They are adorable. There are two that are white with no markings, three that are white with slight golden markings, one that has typically golden markings and one dark golden, like Lacy. Lola is a much better mommy than Lacy was. In fact, Lola refused to leave her pups to go out to potty for more than 24 hours. Brent had to actually pick her up and carry her outside. She did her thing and within seconds, was scampering down the stairs to get to her babies. She is so protective of them. Lacy is real good with them too. She helps keep them clean and keeps Lola company. I even caught her in the pen with her arm over one of the pups.


Saturday is my wedding anniversary. 34 years. Yesterday, Brent said he had to go out and run some errands. Brent doesn't run errands so I knew what was going on. After a couple of hours, he came home and then said to me, "Do you know what tomorrow is?" I said, "Ummm, Thursday? November 3rd?" and he just sort of looked at me with a deflated look then I said, "Our anniversary is not until Saturday". He didn't say a word but turned and went down stairs. Today, I got a call from the neighbor, wishing us a Happy Anniversary and wanting to bring us some cookies. I told her it's not until Saturday and she said "Oh, sorry. Brent said it was today". I said, "Yeah, I know. He tends to mix up my birth date (Oct 3rd) and anniversary dates. I'm sure the flowers he got me from the grocery store will be wilted by Saturday. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?

It's the holiday season again and my orders are coming in regularly. Here are a few of the things I've made:

This is a dress I made and put up for auction on my website. It sold for a decent price. I still don't know if I'm ready to list on eBay though.


This year, one of my dolls went as a peacock for Halloween. I got this idea from a picture I saw of Tori Spelling dressed in a peacock tutu with turquoise tights. I entered this into a contest but only got 3rd place. The winner was also a peacock. Hers was cute but I thought mine was much cuter. Maybe not little girlish enough though.

Lastly, As I was reminded the other day, it's almost Christmas. I have no further comment on that.

Don't give up on me yet!

I can't believe that it's been nearly three months since I've last posted. Well, yes. I can believe it. Where has the time gone? Honestly, I haven't even been reading anyone's blogs. It's not that I've been too busy. I've just been steering in another direction.

Nothing much has been happening or should I say, nothing new. Really, the only even I have to blog about is my trip to Arizona. I went to AZ on Aug 24th and came home on Sept 8th. When I came home, I brought my little Rylie with me to spend some time with her Utah family.

Rylie turned 1 year old on Sept 3rd. Can you believe it? She's already a year old. She walks and repeats so many words and even short sentences like "I love you". She tells the doggie "Down" and motions with her hand. When you ask her what the kitty says, she says very slowly in her raspy voice; "Me-yowwwwe". Today she went home to AZ and her daddy couldn't be happier. He really missed her.

We love you Rylie bug!

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It's a doll's world

At least my world is a doll's world. I know you probably are thinking "does this woman have anything else in her life besides dolls?" The answer is umm, well, yes and no. My life is consumed with dolls and since my girls have their own blogs (OK, Kim is a flake on hers) and Jeff lives in AZ and the only pics I get of Rylie are on my phone, dolls are all I have left to talk about. So here it is, the big project I've been working on for many months. I forget when Brent built the cubes for me. All four cubes are finally done. Now I have to have him help me make the pergola for the roof top deck.







And you're probably wondering who gets to play with my doll house? I do and my grandkids do if they want and any other little girlies that like dollies and want to come play are invited!

On a sad note, We had to put Luke down last week. It was so hard but it was just as hard to see him start to slow down and suffer. I noticed that he was panting a lot the last few days and I'm sure that was his way of trying to deal with the pain. We'll miss him terribly.

On another sad note, I went back to work part time. The owner of the company I quit last year, called and offered me a deal. I get to work from home and I get paid what I was making when I left, before they cut it in half (the reason for me quitting). I'm not sure I made the right decision yet but at least there will be a little money coming in to help with day to day living.

Mollie turns 3 and other stuff

Since Kim has flaked out on her blog, I guess I will post about her kids' birthdays.

Yesterday, Mollie turned the big 3! Yay for 3! She got an awesome playhouse:
That's baby Jacob, Jase and Mollie in the picture.

I made her this chair: The cover comes off and the arms and back come apart so you can throw it in the washing machine.
I also made her this: because Kim told me that's what Mollie wanted.

This is my old dog Luke: Luke has cancer. He has a tumor on his leg and he's been licking it and it's been swelling up to about the size between a golf ball and tennis ball. We've not been able to stop the bleeding. Brent took him to the vet on Saturday and they wanted to put him down. Brent came home to get me and while he was home, he decided that he wanted Luke to die at home. We went back to get him and the vet was not too happy. Brent was so insistent and asked the vet for pain meds. The doc told us that he may live for another 3 months but he will be in a lot of pain, pain that the meds cannot help. We got the pain meds as well as an anti inflammatory and antibiotics. We agreed that we would call the vet by the end of the week and he can come to our house to do a home euthanasia. The thing is, Luke doesn't act like he's in any pain. He still runs around and plays with the other dogs. He's eating like normal too. I have a strong feeling that Brent will decide that this week will not be the week to say goodbye to our Lukie boy.

A blast from the past

Remember the Carol Burnett Show? Remember her skit called "Went with the Wind". Click here: This is part two. If you want to see it from the beginning, click here Each segment is about 10 minutes long. Funny stuff! I actually remember watching this when it first aired. Why can't TV be like this anymore?

Anyway, I have a wonderful customer in PA that asked me to make this for one of her dolls Halloween costume. She actually mentioned this last year and I think we both forgot about it. This time when she asked, I hurried and made it. She hasn't seen it yet (except for pictures) so I hope it's OK with her that I post this.

Three in one week???

OK, This makes post #3 in less than a week. Don't get too excited. I'm almost caught up on my sewing so I thought I would update you.

I got the results back from my x-ray. I have two broken ribs and they are displaced. No wonder I have been in so much pain and no wonder I feel something rubbing and moving around every time I breath or move my right arm. Anyone have a cure for broken ribs?

And since my life is all about dolls and stuff, here is my latest creation. I was asked by a new customer if I could make the wedding dress from Phantom of the Opera. She sent me photos (of which I cannot get to save to upload here)and this is what I've come up with:

Back on track

Last Friday, my girls and I went to a live taping of a local TV show. Since this was their first live show, they were giving away prizes. The grand prize was a trip to Disneyland and guess who won? Yep, that's right. ME! A trip for four to Disneyland. Not bad for a Friday the 13th, huh?
Here are my two girls with the hosts of the show:

This show is sort of a talk show. They do crafts, cooking, health and family issues, etc.

Saturday, I published my very first pattern for sale. This is my rendition of American Girl's Sea Breeze outfit but from what I have been told, the AG version is way too tight on the dolls.
You can purchase it by clicking on the All Dolled Up logo on the left then open the tab called Patterns. I hope to be able to make about 1 or 2 patterns for sale each month.

My latest creation:


This is my version of Scarlet O'Hara's BBQ dress. I couldn't find a green floral print so I went with blue. I need to make a hat and maybe add a few bows here and there on the lace. Next project, I have a doll size wedding dress to create. A customer wants one like the dress in Phantom of the Opera.

Sunday, the pain from my pleurisy flared up again. I'm not doing anything strenuous and I'm not coughing much either but the pain is getting worse every day. I called the doctor and went in today. He thought I could be my gall bladder but since the pain is there constantly and I'm not nauseous and it isn't aggravated by anything I eat, he thinks it's possible that I cracked a rib after all. They took x-rays when I went to the ER and nothing showed up but the doc said that sometimes it may take a couple of weeks for a cracked rib to show up. How could I have cracked a rib? I felt good all last week except for when I stretched to reach for something. I went and had more x-rays done and I'm now waiting for the results. The doc gave me some Loretab but they don't help.

Until next time...

Hello? It's me!

I know I haven't been around for a while but I do have a lot of catching up to do. The problem is that now I cannot remember all of the things that have been happening so I'll go with what I do remember.

A couple of days after Aubrey's birthday, I got sick. Normally when I catch a cold, I just go on with my daily routines. This time, it hit me hard. It didn't really start out as a cold or the flu. I felt extremely weak and tired and couldn't do anything but lay in bed. That was a Tuesday. The next day, I felt OK but then again by Thursday, I was back in bed again for a couple of days. That's when I started to cough and had a stuffy nose only at night.

I planned a trip to go to Arizona to see Jeff's family and decided to detour for an extra $50 to Denver. I left on Apr 5th, flying to Denver first to visit with my brother Rick, his wife Julie and the family. One of the reasons I wanted to go to Denver was to also experience the American Girl Doll store there. This is me and Julie. Kelsey is off to my right and Rick's granddaughter Chloe, is hiding behind the tree to Julie's left. Rick and Chloe's dad, Todd were taking this picture. The store was interesting. Every time I turned around, I noticed something else on the same display I walked past several times before. I wanted to buy so many things but my heart was set on buying one particular doll. The store didn't have her. I wasn't about to settle so I decided to wait and order her online. As it turned out anyway, the doll I wanted was discontinued. I bought a similar one instead. I still walked out of the store within my budget. I bought a dress and shoes for Kit, a tee shirt, capris, sunglasses, two shopping bags (all dolly size)and Kit's bed time accessories which should be called Kit's Desk accessories. There were several other things I wanted to buy and would have if I had brought two suitcases. After we spent a couple hours in the store, Rick took us out to eat dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. His son Matt and his girlfriend met us there. Although the store was fun, I am so glad I had even just a little time to spend with Rick and his family. I haven't seen them in at least 8 years I think so our visit was especially important to me.

The next day I flew from Denver to Arizona to stay for a week. All the time I was there, I had a horrible cough. No matter what I took, it didn't seem to help. I was so worried that I was going to make everyone there sick. On Friday, Jessica was not feeling well so I stayed with Rylie while Jess went to get a vitamin IV treatment from her doc. By Saturday, Jess could not get out of bed. She was pretty sick and in pain from what she suspected to be a kidney infection. On Sunday, Jeff took her to the hospital. They admitted her with a severe kidney infection and severe dehydration. I was scheduled to go home on Wednesday and Jess was still in the hospital so Jeff and I decided I should take Rylie home with me. We booked a flight for Jessica to come and pick Rylie up the next week.

Sunday is our bowling day so we took Rylie with us. Papa bought her two glow toys and she sat in her stroller for about three hours just watching everyone and playing with her toys. I forgot to pack her bottle but she didn't cry or fuss in the least.

Sunday, I noticed a sharp pain in my chest on the right side. It hurt when I breathed but was especially painful when I lifted anything or reached for anything.

Jessica came on Monday and after I picked her up from the airport and brought her to the house, I let her have some time alone with Rylie while I went and did some grocery shopping. By Monday night, the pain in my right side was getting pretty bad. It felt like I had cracked a rib. I went to bed and the pain got so bad within such a short amount of time. I don't think I even slept more than 30 minutes the whole night. I couldn't lay down so I tried to sleep sitting up on my chaise. That didn't work either. By 4am, I decided I couldn't handle the pain anymore so I got Brent up. He normally get's up at 4:20 to get ready for work anyway. I told him I thought he should take me to the hospital. We got to the ER about 4:30. After a chest x-ray, a CT scan, two doses IV doses of pain meds, I was released with a prescription for percocet and the diagnosis of Bronchitis and Pleurisy. Oh, they also found that I have gall stones. The ER doc said that if I don't feel better in 4-5 days, to call my doctor. The percocet didn't help much and I still couldn't stop coughing. Jess left on Friday morning and I called my doctor the following Monday. He gave me some cough medicine and that seemed to help. Since I wasn't coughing so much, I wasn't aggravating the pleurisy and the pain was starting to lessen. Today, I still have a little pain when I cough (still coughing but not as much) or when I reach for things. The doc said I just have to let it run its course.

So, that's what's been going on the last couple of months. Here's a slide show of my cute Rylie bug!
http://s440.photobucket.com/albums/qq128/terriesn/Rylies%20visit%20April%202011/
Sorry, I couldn't get the slide show to load from photobucket. Click on the link and it will take you to my album.

I have to say, I think Rylie is so smart. I was playing with a yoyo that has a tension string on it. I was flipping it around while I was talking to Jess. I took it off my finger and set it on the counter. Rylie picked it up and put the little ring on her finger and tried to flip it around. Rylie is only 7 months old. How observant of her to know to put that little ring on her finger.

Oh yeah, I am in the process of making a doll house. Well, Brent is building it for me but here's what I have together so far. These cubes will not be stacked in this order :
I am making some of the furniture like a couch:
but I ran out of this fabric so now I have to re-cover it in something else. This will be for the top level family game room.

Aubrey turns 7

For Christmas, my granddaughter Aubrey, got a sewing machine. She told all her friends that she got a real sewing machine and her Oma was going to come over every Thursday at 6:30 to give her sewing lessons. Well, her Oma was a bit busy and could never remember to go over there on Thursdays.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter asked if Aubrey could spend the day with me on her birthday and have her first sewing lesson. Of course, I said "YES". I knew exactly what I was going to help her make.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend the entire day together. She came over around 3 but by the time I got rid of her mom, it was about 4:30 before we got down to business. I showed her how to "steer" by putting a blank piece of lined paper in the machine. She followed the lines very well. She practiced pushing the pedal, starting and stopping and then it was time to do the fun stuff.

I had her mom bring an old pair of her jeans and I cut the legs off of them. I started to unpick the crotch and showed Aubrey how:


After we got the bottom pinned the right way, I helped her stitch where needed. We made a strap, sewed on some patches, ironed on some embroidered patches and voila! here is the finished bag:

After her mom washes it, the bottom will fray a little, just like we want it to. Good job Aubrey. I hope you had fun!

Where in the world are you?

I've got a map at the bottom of my blog. This map tells me the location of people that read my blog. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in The Russian Federation, India, and all these other places so if you are one of these people that just happened to come across my blog but you don't know me, please, say HI or something. I'd like to know if this map is just garbeldygook or if there really are people reading my blog from far and wide.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Yes, I know it's February 11th. So why am I singing a Christmas carol? Because today, February 11th, I finally took down my Christmas tree!

As mentioned in previous posts, I have been very busy. Today was the first chance I've had to even think about anything other than getting out orders. I have heard before though that if you leave your tree up until after the new year, you'll have good luck. I guess this means that this year is going to be a great year for me.

Now there's a big empty space in the corner where the tree was. Looks like I need more furniture. Off to the furniture store to get two more chairs so Deb can finish decorating and hanging my paintings. Then you'll all get to finally see my before and after pics of a two year project.

Time to catch up again

Here's a brief overview: (Sorry if you're tired of hearing about nothing but dolls and dogs but this is my life.)

Sunday 1-23:
*We still have 9 puppies in our house. Made flyers to give to everyone to post at their jobs.
* Noticed Paisley's ear is all puffy. She must have an ear infection.

Monday 1-24:
*Took Paisley to the vet. They drained 6 cc's of blood out of it, cleaned it and gave her treatment for ear mites. They also told me she has cancer. They can do all sorts of things to her, none of which would be painless nor prolong her life. They could not tell me how long she has. I opted not to have an x-ray done at this time. Except for her ear, she seems fine.
Wednesday 1-26:
*Millie found a home. We sold the first pup. Yay!

Sunday 1-30:
*Paisley's ear is all puffy again. I need to take her in to get it drained again but she hides under my bed all day and I can't get to her. She only comes out at night to sleep with me.

Tuesday 2-1
*My business is booming but I closed my online store for the month. I need to catch up on all the orders that have been coming in. Business is booming but I need to be able to offer some new things. After I get caught up, I plan on making some new designs of my own as well as use patterns from other sources. I'm hoping to be able to add at least 10 new items, maybe even more. I also need to purge out some of the old. What I'd really like to do is find a web designer to re-design my website. Someone who is not going to charge me an arm and a leg.
*Captain Jack Sparrow finds a home. Pup #2 has been sold, Yay, Yay!

Thursday 2-3
*Went out for an hour or so and came home to 11 rolls of toilet paper shredded all over my house. This is just one small area they covered. It was also in my bedroom and in the kitchen.


*Maximus finds a home. Pup #3 has been sold, Yay, Yay, Yay!

My orders are getting done on schedule, even a little ahead. This will give me more time to make new stuff. I'm hoping I don't let myself down. I always seem to have great ideas then when I actually do them, they turn out nothing like I had imagined. This time, I am going window shopping and taking my camera.