Sewing Project: Retro Dolls

I'm excited to start adding more updates of sewing projects that I had previously shared! I had completed our Christmas stockings, which were so cute hanging in our dining room.

One of my "super secret" projects I was working on for Sadie was kept a secret because if it went well I was going to make it as gifts for some friends who also have little girls.

Well, my first try was acceptable (resembled what it was supposed to, wasn't terribly messed up), so I decided that I could green light the project and make more!

I'd found a pattern on Etsy from Retro Mama - a super cute doll pattern that was retro and fun with quirkly little details. I knew it would be a challenging project but I decided it was worth a try. Her pattern was very well done, the instructions were easy to follow, and she even sells a bundle of felt in the different hair colors. (So, really, if I hadn't decided to make more, I would have been left with a lot of black, brown and gold felt.)

I had some struggles along the way: when it comes to assembling the doll, it's hard shoving all of the limbs into the body in order to stitch them in place. By the time you get to the legs, there is no room for them to go and it's difficult getting it stitched well. I had to re-do a few of them, and some are less than perfect. Sometimes the arms didn't line up well, either. Ah well. Each doll is unique!

It was really fun decided on the different fabrics to pair together. Sadie's was super colorful with the turquoise mary janes, argyle tights and polka dotted dress.

And, obviosuly, Sadie loves her (I hope!).

It was also fun picking out colors and patterns that I thought fit the personalities of the little girls I gifted these to (ok, they're all infants, so really the personalities of there mamas!).

For awhile these dolls were all lined up on our piano, looking a bit like a 1960s doo-wop group!

I am incredibly proud of this project and that I got 4 of these dolls made in a little over a month!

Note: Retro Mama holds the copyright for the pattern, which I purchased from her! You can check out her blog for more fantastic projects.

DIY Christmas: Mix in a Jar

Here's a top secret little fact about newlyweds....ssshhh...chances are we don't have any money. Yes, I spilled the beans. But, what can you expect after months upon months of spewing money just to create one special day?

One of the many downsides of being newly married and broke is not being able to give great gifts to friends and family during the holidays. After so many people have showered you with well wishes, not to mention pots, pans and gift cards, it feels kind of weak to show up for the holidays empty handed.

Never fear, I've got you covered: the jar o' baking mix!

There's no need for you to have a crafty bone in your body to create this do-it-yourself present. All you need is a 1-quart jar, some baking ingredients and a tag or sticker for instructions. If you really want to dress it up, add some fabric on top.

Have friends who don't bake? This gift is foolproof - dump contents of jar into bowl. Add a couple of other ingredients (most recipes I found call for eggs and butter or oil), mix together. Bake. And, voila! Your friends and family have homebaked goodies without even having to lift a measuring cup.

I picked up 12 1-quart Ball canning jars from Amazon for $11 plus shipping and used leftover wedding supplies (cardstock, fabric, string) to decorate.

Cranberry Walnut Bliss Cookies

from Living Large (on a dime)

INGREDIENTS

5/8 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart or 1 liter jar, in the order listed.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla until fluffy.
• Add the entire jar of ingredients, and mix together by hand until well blended.
• Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges start to brown. Cool on baking sheets, or remove to cool on wire racks.

These are so easy to whip up and you could really give them at different times of the year. You could really do mixes for anything (brownies, hot chocolate, quick breads, etc). Just keep some jars on hand and you will always have a gift on hand when you need it!