Meet Ginger

She is my first softie made from the Aranzi Aronzo book Cute Dolls. As usual, I seem incapable of following directions. Well, I didn't want to buy fabric (feeling good ex-Catholic guilt for all those years of buying fabric and doing nothing with it)- so I used wool felt instead of cotton jersey as recommended.
Mostly, I think she looks sweet and it came together pretty well. I am most happy with her dress- I have had the cherry blossom fabric and vintage ribbon for years! She went to her new home Friday night with her cheerful 9 month old new friend. Hope she doesn't fall apart.

Satisfaction rating: 85%

Did she like it? Well, she put it right into her mouth, so I think that is a good sign. ;)

Felt owls from M's design

I love owls and when my seven year old daughter presented me with a wonderful drawing of an owl, my brain started clicking it's wheels. Could I make a softie like her drawing? Using wool felt, I free handed the shapes, added feathers and feet with embroidering floss, and used beads for eyes. I had ordered a bunch of herbs- violet root and red clover leaf- that I had no plan for, so I filled the owls with the herbs. They smell good and I love their quirky looks. I've sent them to my sisters and some friends- it's about time to make more!

Satisfaction rating: 100% Simple, yet creative enough to be satisfying. What makes it a 100% was that it was a collaboration with my sweet daughter!

Do the girls like them? Yes, but I have not made any for them yet.