TTT - the Dolly Edition

I know my last post was a little depressing (thank you for the sympathy and lovely messages, they meant alot) but I now have good news. Nay, great news.  I have finally found my sewing mojo.  Yippee!  To be fair, credit must be given to the group of lovely ladies who came to my house last night for our first ever Night of Craft.  Admittedly not much craft was actually done but there was plenty of chat, brainstorming, encouragement and oohs and ahhs.  It was exactly what I needed and I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of excitement.  Consequently, I quickly grabbed my Christmas stash (before I lost the urge again) and started cutting, pinning and sewing.  I am trying something new (for me) and, I must say, it is coming along nicely.

I'll leave that as a little teaser, though, and move onto the real purpose of this post...


During this week I shamelessly begged for a doll cot that one of the families I babysit for was about to throw out.  Even though it was slightly embarassing and the Dad thought I was slightly weird, once I saw the little cot next to their bin I just couldn't get it out of my mind.  What potential!  I was thinking, with a little love and care, it would make a wonderful display item if I ever get around to holding my own market stall (as is the eventual plan).  And, since I have re-discovered my mojo, I've had a million and one ideas bouncing around in my head in regards to this little find.  Because once you start talking doll cots... it can only naturally progress to dolls and quilts and clothes...

The Cot that Started It All
Firstly, here is a picture of what the doll cot started as, way back before Miss M and Miss E got their little hands on it (minus the mobile, doll and... err... little girl).

Score!  Stay tuned for the post where I turn the remains back into something of beauty.  I promise to include photos from every step of the way - from its current state to the final reveal.

Doll Softie
At this point in time, I am a huge fan of the quirky, yet simple, doll, with triangular shaped body, long limbs, round head and cute little embroidered face.  I love how, with one pattern, you can create dolls with completely different personalities, by just changing fabrics, hairstyles, embellishments and expressions.  There are many, many, many similar dolls out there, and just as many patterns, but, to give you an idea for what I'm on about, here is an example, by Dolly Donations

Doll Quilt

In the last week the Fabric Fairy and I have become BFFs and, as such, my sewing den is starting to resemble a shop.  So, in the interests of severely reducing my stash before Mr C comes home and has a conniption, a couple of adorable doll quilts will not go astray.  Due to their compact size I am thinking that these quilts with give me many fantastic opportunities to be adventurous and try different patterns and techniques and, maybe even, free motion quilting.  Eek!

Here is a simple, yet effective, design by During Quiet Time that I am hereby adding to the list.

 

So, there you go.  A whole doll extravaganza seems to be in my future.  And, you know what, I can't wait!

Once again, this post is linked to Thursday Think Tank with making rebecca lynne.  Don't forget to pop over and see Becca's wonderful ideas for this week.  You'll be sorry if you don't!  ;)

E.