New doll

I finished my latest doll. At least I think she is finished. I might add a few embellishments. I am pleased with her and finally found a face I could draw



I have done a bit more of the Olde Chocolate Shoppe and its looking good.

It was lovely last week to have some warmer weather. The blossom is out on the trees in our street and the bulbs I planted over Easter are sprouting already. It's been a quiet week and I have been catching up with stuff for a new school term. There are various jobs in the education bulletin to apply for and hopefully the next four weeks will bring enough work to keep the bank balance happy.

That's it really

Thanks for visiting

bees bears....

I don't seem to have achieved very much this holiday. Probably because I gave up three mornings for tutoring and by the time I got home and organised the afternoon was well on the way to teatime.
This Easter I had chocolate which was very nice but others nearly got their furry paws on it.


We managed to get the backyard tidied up over the holiday and I took a little video of a busy bee



I have been making a new doll. She is coming along well but has no clothes on at the moment so she did not want to be photographed. I need to find some yarn to make her hair I did not have any luck when shopping on Saturday. She is a pattern I have not used before from Waltzing with Bears
This particular pattern does not seem to be stocked any more but it will give an idea of the style.

Mine will not be so "primitive" because I like neatened edges. She is similar to Hollyhock Angel on the sale page.
Talking of neatening, I was wondering how much neatening other sewers do on their dolls' clothes. I always sew hems just as I would on clothes for myself or children. But I don't usually neaten the seams as I would on my clothes ( I do feel guilty about that) on the art dolls. But clothing that is going to be taken on and off dolls by children playing I do or use the pinking shears. Usually parts of craft items which instructions suggest could be sewn or glued I always sew. I like to treat my little clothing in the same way as the full size.

Grace is wearing her new skirt


she is very pleased how well it goes with her latest cardigan. Next on the agenda is a new dress and pinafore she has got her eye on.

Last year I was working on the Olde Chocolate Shoppe and its been sadly neglected, i got it ot during the week and it's now languishing on the couch awaiting its first stitches in many a month

Thanks for stopping by.

Boys and their toys, a bear and his jumper....

On Monday I had an unplanned trip to Teesside. Son in law Steve was due to have his race day at Croft the following day and Libby wanted some company while he raced around in various cars. And to point the video camera at the racing track and hopefully catch a car or two. I am not a particular fan of fast cars really (prefer motor bikes) but it was quite a fun day. I am not that good at videoing. But did get a fairly good still picture of Steve in a yellow Ferrari! (with my camera)


It was a sunny day but I was glad of a warm coat gloves and scarf. My fingers were numb by the end of it. We had lunch after the morning's activity then went to a farm shop on the way back to Bradford There were some lovely llamas

and a very nice pregnant donkey


I love donkeys they always look so gentle. It took us ages to get home due to the traffic at Wetherby and on the M62

Biddle is pleased he has got yet another jumper



I can now post a picture of my challenge doll. She didn't do very well but then I didn't expect her too. I still cannot get to grips with faces. I am just going to have to practise practise practise. But I did enjoy making her and that is the important part. I am not good at joining in things as I never win at anything but you have to be in it to win it as they say.



She is my interpretation of Dallandra a wise woman of the Elves in the Deverry series of books that I frequently reread.

I have just began another doll from a pattern that I bought several years ago but there is nothing worth showing yet.

it's Easter weekend and the cricket season begins today so its bound to be cold