LaLa becomes a hat...

Isn't LalaLoopsy just stinkin' cute? I sure think so and so does Strawberina. So much so that she wanted an outfit to look like a LaLa doll. So I decided to start with a hat. what a cute way to look like LaLa. So, tonight I finished the hat. It's crocheted and I used embroidery floss for the hair color (divided down to 2 strands for the hat and 4 strands for the curls) and perle cotton for the flesh-tone. Of course, I had no black buttons so I had to make do with some black felt. it worked. Strawberina is VERY happy with her new hat. Next, I'll work on an outfit to go with her new hat. ....uh, I know the picture's not the greatest, but I'm tired and I only had my phone close to take the picture. When I get the outfit done I'll grab the camera and get a much better picture. but in the meantime, here ya go, a look-see at her new hat:

Like I said, just Stinkin' cute!

LawdyLawdy I LOVE to bake.......said the...um....Rubenesque woman...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars | The Girl Who Ate Everything

ok, this is sooooo much a 'Keeper" recipe. Can't wait to make it for 'OtherHalf'. I didn't use the coconut for this first trial run (the 'AroundtheCorner Gang' don't like coconut and I have to give the pan to them so I don't eat the entire thing myself!)...LOL

Plans for next batch:
a. Use coconut
b. Use a bag of Ghiradelli dark chocolate instead of Nestle's
c. Don't tell the kids and squirrel it away in the freezer to eat a piece at a time All....By....My....Self....
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

so, now that you've read this, click the link...drool....then go bake.....

Oh Pinterest, what are you doing to me?

so, here I am posting again...LOL. pull yourselves back up off the floor and shut your mouth-You know who you BadGurlz are! LOLOL.....Luv ya anyway....I can already hear the comments coming...

I've been down here visiting my Other Half and house sitting. It has been glorious being in "our own place" for the time being. 1 more week to go then I'm off the Convention and he gets a week to himself in the house (sitting around scratching himself and doing things that men do when wifey isn't around to keep a lid on it I suppose-he'd kill me if he read this! LOL)

Much to his happiness I've been cooking and baking to my hearts content. Pinterest has been a BAD influence on his healthy living. Although he's sure been smiling alot. So let's see, what have I experimented with....Mostly baking but a few other items as well.

Here's three of the things I've tried:

First there is the Almost Home-made Salsa.
We're on our third batch in just 2 weeks so I guess it's a keeper. I call it almost Home-made because it uses a can of diced tomatoes and a can of Original Rotel as the base with other fresh ingredients added in. He tried some salsa from Trader Joe's that a friend gave us yesterday and told me I really needed to make a new batch of "That Good One You Make Now". LOL. so, here's a link to the Good Salsa.

Then I made some really good Sour Cream N Bacon Crock Pot Chicken. Check out the yummy pic when you hit that link. Unfortunately I had a brain-fart moment when I bought the chicken. It looked like chicken breast in the package-honest....How the heck I missed the tiny writing on the bottom I"ll never know but it was Leg/thigh pieces.....dang. so I skinned it and used it anyway. I think being bone-in pieces it created way too much broth so the "gravy" was extra loose, but the chicken fell off the bone and since Other Half likes dark meat he had no problem with it. Oh, the other thing I didn't do was cook the bacon first. I just followed her directions. I've decided that next time I am going to crisp the bacon and crumble it into the "gravy" that gets dumped into the pot over the meat. It was very tasty so I will make it again, but this time I'll be really sure I  read the chicken label better and get some breasteses. Besides, crock pot cooking is great in this heat! no stinkin' hot kitchen!

and Today.....ah today......I made these:

Holey crap we died and went to Heaven....I'm in Heaven...and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak......sorry, segued into Fred Astair....
Anyway, these Girl Scout Samoa-like Cookie Bars are A-Frikkin-Mazing....I made two minor changes. I omitted the egg in the crust-without the egg it's a sturdier shortbread. And I used Cream instead of the milk with the caramel. I used Kraft Caramels. I didn't dip them, but used a knife and just spread the chocolate on the bottoms then I put the last of the chocolate in a sammich bag and snipped the corner to squirt the little chocolate lines on top. Other Half was eating the "mistakes" (the ones that fell apart as I cut them) before I could even put the chocolate on. He said they were good just like that> but I tell you, as soon as I added the chocolate he couldn't keep his hands off...4 cookies later he was begging me to put them away....LOL. They were a bit fiddly to make, but it seems these fiddly ones are almost always some of the best.

So that's what's new.
I miss my kids really bad.
I miss Jackass Joey really bad.
I miss my friends really bad.
I'll keep baking my blues away..........

Where did it go?

time, that is....Life has kept me busy. It actually got in the way. I guess I'm not one of those great bloggers that seems to be able to keep up with posting and life. Big changes are happening for me. Hubby lost a job and landed a new one....across country. We're in the middle of that so it explains alot doesn't it? The thought of leaving the kids/grandkids and family is almost unbearable. It's taken quite a while to come to grips with that idea. I've finally made my peace with it and just keep reminding myself that I'll just have to fly out and see them whenever it gets to be too much. ....and then there's my wonderful friends...sigh....and doll club....and....and....and....you get the idea.

So, I've been crocheting. All my sewing is packed away in storage...talk about withdrawals...so crochet it is. I don't use patterns so all my work is OOAK.....Here's some eye candy for you:

Little Miss Liberty

Peach Delight

Little Victorian Darling

snail and hooty owl

This little darling is Strawberina. I just love crocheting for her. The outfits have been selling as fast as I can make them...which is a good thing. (do you know how frikkin expensive it is to move across country?!!) and then I decided she needed some little pets so I made her a snail and a hooty owl. I think she may need some more pets.

Amelia Thimble

oh, then I made an outfit for a little doll called Amelia Thimble. Holey crap NEVER again...that doll is so whonky and I was so afraid I would break her.  She's 4inches.

ok. that's it for now...this has actually been good for me so I'll try to remember to do this more often. Later Gators.....

Impression Challenge

Another Challenge!

An online sewing group I belong to is doing a challenge this month. Choose a picture from the Impressionist era of a little girl/boy and reproduce the outfit/look. I loved this idea. I chose a painting by Mary Cassatt-Sarah in a Green Bonnet.

It's a darling painting of a little girl. I added a challenge to myself to work from within my stash-no buying anything. I dug around and found the perfect piece of Salmon colored silk velvet, some ivory color lace, a preformed bonnet, some dupioni silk and some green ribbon. Overall, I'm happy with the final outcome.

I may redo the collar. that's the only thing that irks me right now. the perfectionist in me keeps my eye comparing the collars. but, it's got the overall feel of the painting so I'll leave it go for now. this is the full dress

Love on a Plate

I find hearts in all kinds of places. yes the steak really came out of the pkg just like this, well, it was raw so I broiled it, but hey, you get the drift..... This was last night's dinner.....yummmm. I'll just call this Love on a Plate:
'Nuff said.......

Challenge Done!!

Well, this went better than I thought. I ended up using size 12 perle cotton and a size 11 steel hook with great success. At first I thought the size 12 perle might be too big and that I'd be diving through my stash for my size 80 tatting cotton, but it worked nice. I don't think it looks too bulky on them. I even managed tiny 'diapers' for their bottoms.

No booties this time. no way. not on those microscopic feet! LOL. The little long dresses came out wonderful and I'm very pleased with the lacey bonnets. So, here's the twins all warm and snuggly.

New Challenge

I'm challenging myself again. Anyone that knows me, knows that this is a HUGE challenge to myself. I really don't like teenytiny, miniature stuff. oh, it's awesome as long as someone else has done it. I love to admire stuff and I'm in awe at the gals that love to do miniature. Anyway, someone gave me a set of twin dollhouse babies. Really teenyweenytiney babies. Here's a picture of one of them on a ruler. yup, that's only 1 3/4inches long

teenyweenytiney....
So I have these poor nakey babies that have been that way for almost a year now. I guess it's time to make them some dresses. I really do love a challenge so I've gotten out my size 12 perle cotton and size 12 steel hook.........more to come in a few days.....this will be a good project while I watch it snow....and snow.....and snow....and snow............(that great lake effect snow is just chugging away at full speed)....I'm off to crochet.

More French Fashion Shoes

I've made another pair of shoes. I'm hoping to teach these as a workshop next summer. They fit a 12" French Fashion doll.

The box is just a prototype but I've got it worked out to a perfect fit for the shoes. I'm going to make it in a pretty color with some lovely graphics for the lid.

Gosh I just love making shoes......

Doll shoes

My poor dear PUF(Petite Ultimate Fashion)doll Marie Terese was in desperate need of shoes so I made her a pair today. Cream Silk shoes with leather soles. I pulled the threads from the silk to make the little tassels (yes, I do crazy stuff like that! LOL) and the ribbons and ties are silk ribbon.

I also made a pair of maroon silk shoes for my 12" French Fashion. I needed to get this size down pat because I need to send of samples. I'm pretty happy with them so now I need to make a couple more pairs for samples. Maybe a luscious chocolate pair and pair in cream.....hmmmmm....

Second baby done!

Today I finished the second little baby's crocheted outfit. This doll is a bit bigger at 3 3/4inches head to toe. LOL. Yeah, I know, not much bigger huh? A more traditional baby gown and oh so pretty.

More tiny booties,

a 'diaper' with ruffles on the butt and ties on the sides,

sweet little bonnet and long gown. I must say I've had fun crocheting for these two little darlings. I'll deliver these two in Saturday. I think she'll like them don't you?

.....now I'm going to vacuum and clean my carpets.....

Joey tries a new chair

Ah yes, Deputy Dipshit strikes again..... LOL. Poor Daddy is sick with the flu/cold virus that's going around and is spending lots of time in the recliner (easier to breathe sitting up). After much pacing and I'm sure measuring and sizing things up in his little pea brain, our sweet Not So Little Joey decided that if Daddy was comfortable in the recliner he wanted to see what it was all about. What a hoot. Honestly this dam poodle thinks he's only teacup size. He just climbed right up into Daddy's lap. He looked over at me and stuck his tongue out. Then, quite pathetically he threw himself across Daddy in a super sympathy "pet-me, I love you" pose. He managed to get his butt on the arm of the chair. If you look you can see he even tried stretching those long stinkin legs out to get more comfy. LOL. Just when you think he can't find another way to look more pathetic.......dam dog......

I am NOT 60 pounds!

Keep the voice of the Abominable Snowman cartoon character in your head as you read below.

Joey says: "No. I aM NoT. REally!! I am only 4 lbs big. that IS all. I fiT hEre fiNE. SEE????FRom hERe I can WaTch all the TRaffiC and my SqUirrel buDDies. See DaD??? oooooh Loookie, there is a deer. oh, oh, another one and another one. They keep running aCroSS thE strEEt and OveR heRE to See ME!! Oh DaD can I Go ouT to pLay Tooooo? Please DAd, PuHLease?? oH LoOK, hERe comES aNoTHer sQUirrel!"

Back to me: While watching Deputy Dipshit draped over the back of my couch, he actually tried to get his back legs up to perch his whole body up there! OMG....he certainly earns his nickname!

Joey says: "I aM so Sad....No oNE wiLL Let mE oUT to ChasE thE sQUirreL......

Tiny Baby

Wow, I got hit by the flu this week! I haven't been this sick in a couple of years. Needless to say, everything got put on the back burner as I was stuck in bed. I couldn't even watch junior....sigh...

Last night things took a turn, my fever broke and I finally started feeling better. YEAH!! I actually felt like doing something so I grabbed my thread and hook and the tiny baby.

Baby now has a darling new baby-blue bubble suit, bonnet and itsybitsy, teenytiny booties (they measure about 3/8inch long.

Amazing what you can do with size 30 thread and a size 10 steel hook.

This morning I cleaned the baby up(there was some sort of dark yuk on those little hands), added ribbon to the outfit and bonnet and put the clothes on. Now, isn't this the cutest little doll house baby?!!! Oh, just to give you some idea of size, the baby is 2 3/4inches long without clothes. Go look at a ruler-yup-that's all! LOL.

Here's those little booties.

I think I'll work on the larger baby this afternoon. That bisque baby is a tad larger-3 3/4inches. Maybe I'll do a vintage gown type of outfit.

It was Love at first sight

I delivered Kewpie yesterday and it was Love at first sight! She loved her so much that she commissioned two more outfits. She had two more naked babies with her that need little crocheted outfits.

One in bisque and a little plastic dollhouse type. They need a bit of cleaning first and they're pretty small so I'll have to work in smaller thread. I'm thinking size 30. I'll probably make more of a long crib dress rather than a toddler style since they're very babyish. My project list just keeps growing.

I love Kewpie

Hey there! it's been a while hasn't it? Life took over and my poor blog just got left to collect dust bunnies for a while. I'm back again.
Let's see, Joey is still our lovable Deputy Dipshit (or Jackass Joey depending on what nonsense he's gotten into)LOL! he's so dang spoiled to Daddy it's hard to say who's happier, Joey or Daddy...sigh....see what I mean?

I'm still watching Junior most days and he's just the angel of my eye. What a wonderful child to care for. Last week I was sitting at the kitchen table working on a pattern. He picked up my curve ruler and proceeded to play 'air guitar'. He even called it his "Ittar". now, how does a two year old know about playing air guitar???? isn't he just a cutiepatootie??

so, I suppose you're wondering why I said I love Kewpie for this blog title. I just finished a commission for a friend. She had scored an old kewpie at some flea market or something for an insanely cheap price. Poor thing was butt naked-the doll, not my friend-LOL!!! Anyway, the request was for a frilly little crocheted dress for Kewpie. I thought about it for a couple of weeks and looked for patterns but couldn't find anything I liked. I decided to just crochet off the top of my head so last Sunday I took the doll and thread and hook along while going on a bus trip(to a doll show no less). I really didn't want to just sit and ride with nothing to do. I was able to get the dress, panties and bonnet done on the bus. I finished the little shoes and then did all the final work tonight. I'll be delivering the doll tomorrow. I'm sure she's going to love it. this is a one-of-a-kind outfit as I didn't write down the pattern. I just crocheted. Isn't it adorable?? I even put little ruffles across the back of the panty.

well, I hope to be around a bit more often. I know, I know, you'll believe it when you see it. LOL.......sigh......

The Poodle has taken over....sigh....

Can you say Pampered Poodle?

This was him sleeping last night while I folded laundry.

and this was today while I was in my sewing room. Daddy had to call me out to see his precious poodle:

Yup, he's completely taken over....and we're mush. LOL. Joey has calmed down nicely (gawdamighty getting him fixed was such a good idea). He's only JackassJoey once in a while. He can't quite give up his title yet-today he decided to chew a bunch of twist ties....jackass...see?! Where did he even find them?? not a clue. apparently he can open the kitchen drawer.

So, my BFF made me some fabulous new couch pillows. Awesome pillows- one with a poodle silhouette and one with a poodle face. I love them. They looks so nice on my poor sad couch. They give the couch new life which it dearly needed. And they're just plain comfortable to get cozy with. Joey likes the couch. He reallyreally likes the couch. Joey discovered the pillows. Joey reallyreally likes the pillows now too. He especially likes it when I have them leaned against his kennel at the one end so he can get super cozy. well, I don't put them there for him to get cozy, I put them there for me to get comfy to stretch out and watch TV. Works great for me, and yes, he has discovered how comfy they are at that end. Couch+pillows+joey=doggy heaven. LOL......jackass.......sigh........but daddy thinks it's cute and funny. In Daddy's eyes Joey can do no wrong.....sigh.....I lose.

He was sticking his tongue out at me, I swear he was!

Little Sea Creature

Today I took a left turn. I had a request for a Bleuette sized SeaHorse. This was a fun little venture. I drew a simple little seahorse template in a size that I thought would be appropriate for my little bleu, grabbed some fun cotton fabric and went to work. At first I was overthinking and then I stopped myself and simplified. I sewed, turned and stuffed. Made some ears and glued those in the head. I wanted little purple eyes so I grabbed a pair of clear eyes and painted those and set them aside to dry. Next I grabbed three colors of fine tulle and sewed it together for the little horse mane. After sewing I cut and trimmed and then hand stitched it in place. By the time I finished that the eyes were dry so I trimmed off some of the stem (it was too long for this little tiny head) I made holes and glued them in place. I added a piece of silk ribbon for a pretty little bow to finish off this darling little SeaHorse. My little Claudia was thrilled. Now that I'm happy with the final version I have to make another one to sell. See what Claudia found in the tidal pool by Lake Erie?? It's just the right size for her.

Knitting insanity

Gosh, I just love to be challenged. I'm being challenged now. A friend had made me a pair of tiny knitted socks that I just adored. they are really perfect. They are knitted. Now, I am not a very proficient knitter. I'm self-taught and I dash to the internet for help each time I get 'stuck' or can't remember how to do something. (thank goodness for sites like YouTube and Knittinghelp.com!!) I have been crocheting all my life so I can do that in my sleep. Knitting...well....I really like to knit, I just suck at it. I mean really, how many times do I have to look up how to M1???? you'd think it would stick in my brain at some point. LOL...sigh. so,This is my hand trying to figure out how to juggle 5 long, skinny (size000) knitting needles. It's not pretty! I felt as though I had 7 thumbs that all kept getting in the way but I persevered on. I was determined to figure this out. Once I got the hang of holding the 4 needles and working with the 5th it got a little easier. I finished the first sock. It came out pretty darn cute. My variegated perle cotton striped itself and I was pleasantly surprised by that. It looks mighty cute doesn't it? Now I've got to get the second sock done. Here's the foot done. I even 'turned the heel'! and without any gaping holes along the sides. I'm amazing myself. I wish someone made short needles in this tiny size. I know I'm not the only one knitting doll socks-or any other tiny doll size stuff. It would be so much easier than these long needles. I mean, they're sock needles so they're only 7inches long, but that's like knitting with samurai swords when you're working on a teenytiny doll sock. LOL. So, off I go to finish the second sock...maybe I'll get more adventurous when I tackle another pair and try to do a lacey upper part of the sock.

hugs and smiles everyone!