Here's one of the cutest dolls I've found at a thrift store. She is about 10" tall and has such a pretty face. The markings on her back are 1988 (the best I can tell), a scalloped circle with a Z in the center, and the numbers 22/34.
I've had no luck finding anything about this doll on line either. Just need to spend more time searching.
The dress pattern for my latest thrift store doll, the American Girl, came in the mail yesterday.
Good gosh, it took a while to cut out all those tiny pattern pieces, then after supper I managed to get in the sewing room early...6:30!
The outfit I wanted to make was the bottom left view, the dress and pretty pink coat, but then decided to cut out the top right view for now. Anyhow, it took forever to cut out all those fabric pieces too.
I had also started a new pink flowered apron and worked on making the bias tape for it. About 9:30 that tired feeling came over me.
Do you know how hard it is to sew, or spread out a pattern, or cut a piece of fabric, or thread a needle with two or three kitty cats in the sewing room? Why, I've given up trying to lay out pattern pieces on the bed...even with the new cutting board...
Poppy says, "run them out and close the door"! Now he knows better than that! Look at that face. I could never hurt their feelings.
Pull out the cutting board and Dumperoo thinks it's play time. He has two empty thread spools that he loves to hear rolling down the board...he even jumps out and bats the spools back at me.
Well I had a brain storm last night and asked Poppy to bring in our big folding table from the shop. Like there's room for it in the teeny tiny sewing room! I have to turn sideways and squeeze in, but it worked, and no cats!
Bickett even kept his little paws on the bed.
that's right, you, Mr. B!
Gosh, the table is a big eight feet long and four feet wide, so now I'm looking to buy a smaller, inexpensive folding table.
Come to think of it, Smokey has never bothered anything in the sewing room. He usually stretches out on the foot stool in front of Poppy's chair at night.
Smokey is just a big old furry sweetie pie...
more shots from the sewing room...
Always a kitty cat stretched out just where you need to be...
I wouldn't have it any other way :)
Better get up from here. Big sweet Eli is at the Groomer's getting a much needed bath. They should be calling any time now. Can't wait to see him.
Hope to be back soon.
Love,
Henny
I had also started a new pink flowered apron and worked on making the bias tape for it. About 9:30 that tired feeling came over me.
Well I had a brain storm last night and asked Poppy to bring in our big folding table from the shop. Like there's room for it in the teeny tiny sewing room! I have to turn sideways and squeeze in, but it worked, and no cats!
Gosh, the table is a big eight feet long and four feet wide, so now I'm looking to buy a smaller, inexpensive folding table.
Come to think of it, Smokey has never bothered anything in the sewing room. He usually stretches out on the foot stool in front of Poppy's chair at night.
more shots from the sewing room...
I wouldn't have it any other way :)
Better get up from here. Big sweet Eli is at the Groomer's getting a much needed bath. They should be calling any time now. Can't wait to see him.
Hope to be back soon.
Love,
Henny
Aw Henny, that is the sweetest doll face ever. And you are such a good seamstress. That's something I never tried to learn. :( I certainly got my fill of cats today. I just love that adorable trio. I understand how they get in the way. Every time I try to write or wrap around here they are both right on top of everything.
ReplyDeleteDeb, after publishing this post I walked in the living room and there was Smokey on the foot stool, just like I said. I took a picture and added it to this post...since you recently asked about Smokey. Thank you for the nice comments.
DeleteHow sweet those kitties are! Timothy goes from lap to lap, warm spot to warm spot. Sometimes he messes with my knitting.
ReplyDeleteOur grands would love it if I would sew doll clothes. I just don't do it. Weird.
Your sewing is always lovely.
Thank you Pom Pom. I never thought I would ever sew anything! I never liked sewing until I retired in 1999. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful sewer you are. I don't have a crafty bone in my body. I love your kitties! What wonderful helpers they are. I couldn't put them out of the room either. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh Robin, if you could see some of the big sewing messes I've made. I really know just enough to get by. Thank you. :)
DeleteOhhhh, I love that doll!!!! The face! The hair! I love her!!!! And the dress you made for her, completes "the picture"... :-)))))))
ReplyDeleteAnd oh your sweet kitties, they are precious. Especially the one, lieing (on top of things) in the pool of sunlight.
Hooray for the *brilliant idea,* about a folding table. Solves all problems. You can work and they have the bed. ,-)
When first seeing your lovely doll, I was *overcome* with a thought.... "Wouldn't it be lovely, for me, to get a doll, and sew for her?" SILLY ME! 'Cause then I finally really realized, how tiny those pattern parts are... And how difficult it would be, to sew them!!!
My *brilliant idea*! Not for me, to try to do! :-)))))))
So I can go on, enjoying watching, what you are doing, with these projects! For which I thank you very much.
Gentle hugs,
Luna Crone
Thank you Luna Crone. She does have a cute little face. Maybe you should get a doll and try it. I never thought that I would enjoy sewing, but now I do. :)
DeleteSewing for dolls can be a challenge for sure, but isn't it fun! I have LOTS of barn kitties, but none I can bring to the house because of dogs. Everyone who knows me, knows how I feel about dogs :)
ReplyDeleteSewing doll clothes can be a job. It really is fun. I love to find a poor doll that needs clothes and her hair combed. Poppy and I love dogs too.
DeleteI love this post. Your cats are precious. Funny how they want to be right where we are working! You have found some great dolls at the thrift store and I love the pattern your ordered. I have always loved cats, dolls and thrift stores!
ReplyDeleteHey Mildred, I've always loved dolls and cats too, and I could spend a day looking in a thrift store. You just never know what you might find.
DeleteIt's amazing you get any sewing done with your cats. : )
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely outfits you are making for the dolls.
That's the truth! Sometimes they drive me crazy! :)
DeleteJust like our home, a cat in the way or on my project everywhere I turn , and i wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDeleteThe doll does look like she is one of a "collection" type. I have the same AGD pattern and sew dresses for our 7 granddaughters' dolls. What is nice is some of our granddaughters want to learn to sew their own doll clothes. Yay, more time with granddaughters having fun sewing !
Your home always looks cozy and inviting.
Oh my goodness, Kathy! 7 granddaughters! That would be so much fun. Both my granddaughters have turned 18 now. It went by way too fast.
DeleteYour dollie is sweet and the outfit in the left bottom corner is my favourite of the choices. I can hardly wait to see her all dressed in her new duds. BTW How many dolls do you have? If you tell me then maybe I'll count all my Teddy bears and shock you with that number!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really wanted to make that little pink coat, but decided to wait until I find the right fabric and buy the trim needed. I don't have near as many dolls as I used to have. I carried a big box of them to the thrift store a while back. I was buying every pitiful doll and it was getting overwhelming. I would love to know how many teddy bears you have. I will count the dolls and let you know. :) Do you collect Boyd bears too?
DeleteYour cats are so adorable! I don't have cats but it is hard to knit or be on the computer when Coco thinks she should be on my lap! I would not like working with those tiny pieces either but when finished they will be so cute! Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you. Oh I remember when little Pooh wanted me to hold him all the time. He was our little poodle and he was 15 and blind and could not hear. I couldn't do much of anything back then. Coco must love to be held. Dog are so sweet.
DeleteI have a sister-in-law who makes the doll clothes for the American Girl sized dolls. She sews and sews and sews and then she goes to a few different arts/crafts shows. So I know there is a lot of work involved in what you do. Your cats are so sweet...every one of them!
ReplyDeleteHey Dianna. I've sold a few dresses at the farmer's market. Doll clothes do sell good. Thank you. I've got to visit your blog! Be there soon. :)
DeleteI enjoyed sewing American Girl clothes for a while, when my granddaughter wanted them.
ReplyDeleteYour photos make me miss my kitty. Sigh.
Linda, I bet you made beautiful clothes for Irene's doll. Don't they grow up way too fast. Both my granddaughters are 18 now.
DeleteThat really is a pretty doll. I like the pattern too - those doll clothes are very cute.
ReplyDeleteWe had only one cat at a time, but ours always wanted to be in the middle of things too. They can be so funny! Your cats are beautiful!
Thank you Mari. Cats sleep until they see you busy, then they join in. :)
DeleteThose sure look like happy cats. And it's sweet how happy they make you. That doll has a beautiful, sweet face. She's a Zapf doll. But, I couldn't find her name.
ReplyDeletePeg, what would I do without you! I have tried and tried to remember what that "Z" stood for. Zapf!! I think I've found her now that you said Zapf. I'm pretty sure she is the Zeph Balica doll Bonnie. What do you think? Thank you!
DeleteEveryone needs a sewing room kitty! They do make the best company, don't you think? I love that you take us into your sewing room to see what's going on there! You really are making me want to make that apron I've been putting off.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Kitties do make good company. Aprons are fun to make. Your dolls clothes are amazing!
DeleteYour kitties make me think of Smudge when she was a kitten. She would be attacking the pattern pieces as I had them laid out on a piece of fabric on the floor. She loved the the rustle of the tissue paper! Right now I have to make sure I don't leave any scraps on the floor of my sewing room, as Tucker will grab them and eat them. He seems to chew/eat anything and everything!
ReplyDeleteHey Karen. Attack! That the right word for sure. Dumperoo jumps out and lands in the middle of my fabric and pattern. Tucker is so cute. Bet you are enjoying keeping him.
DeleteThose cute little outfits are adorable, I am so looking forward to seeing your sweet doll in all her finery. Such a joy to see those kitties having so much love given to them. \Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I can't wait to get a little outfit finished and on the doll. :)
DeleteI remember my inlaws old cat furball would always want to be in the room at the same time. During board game time he'd walk right into the board and ruin the game
ReplyDeleteYep. That sounds just like a cat. :)
DeleteMy cat's the same way, even with a table, so I have to lock her out when I'm cutting fabric.
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy. Cats are something else, but I do love them. Thank you Janet.
DeleteNow that we're Dog People instead of Cat People, I do miss having a helper with everything I do. Never thought I'd miss pulling a cat off of a keyboard or away from knitting or off of my newspaper!
ReplyDeleteBet you do miss him. Cats are just so strange, and into everything! Mamie probably keeps you from missing Satchel too much. Hope I remembered his name right. Thank you Marty.
DeleteWhat a darling little doll....her face is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLove the dress you have sewn for her, she's a lucky little doll :)
Your cats are quite the characters, I think Smokey is smitten with Poppy !
My Tom-Tilly girl is quite the bully. When the sweet neighborhood dog roams into our yard, she takes off running after her like a lion, the dog is ten times her size, but that doesn't deter her.
Have a wonderful weekend Henny !
~Jo
Jo, that is so funny. I can't imagine sweet little Tom Tilly chasing a dog. Smokey goes after little Weetie, but they play good together. They are the same size and weight. Hope you are having a good weekend too.
DeleteDo you sell your dolls and doll clothes? They are lovely and I'm sure some little girl would love them. Aren't cats funny? They can be sound asleep in another room when you start a project and arrive in the middle of it before you know it! They make sure everything takes twice as long. I wouldn't be without them, either.
ReplyDeleteHey Cynthia, back when I was selling at the farmer's market, I made and sold a few doll clothes. Usually someone would ask me to make them a doll dress. I did carry a big box of dolls to the thrift store a few years ago. I bought every pitiful looking doll I found and it got overwhelming. I kept the ones I like best and actually enjoy looking at them and holding them from time to time. Guess I never grew us. :)
DeleteHow nice you are to rescue abandoned dolls from thrift and antique stores. I always look at the dolls when I'm in one of those places. I keep thinking that I will find my Diane. I got her for Christmas from my grandmother when I was about 5 or 6 and she had made her a whole wardrobe of little dresses, a coat in houndstooth material with a matching hat with a feather in it, as well as a lavender prom dress with a little corsage and bow at the waist. All these wonderful clothes were packaged on hangars in a little red suitcase. I'd love to find her with at least one of the clothes still intact. Seems unlikely but you just never know about these things.
ReplyDeleteOh Vic, I do wish you would find her. I've always hoped to find my Saucy Walker doll. My dad bought her for me in New York when he was there on business in the 50's. I was about twelve years old. I absolutely loved that doll. I've always looked for a book too like the one daddy brought me from New York. A big story book. :( You're right, you just never know.
DeleteIt certainly is a challenge to sew with cats. I can't wait to see the finished outfit on your doll. Such pretty fabric and a great way to use up those remnants. Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteThe doll looks cute. The dress for them also looks good.It would be a great challenge to stitch dress with cats.All the best for your work to be done:)
ReplyDeleteSweet Kitties! The baby doll is so pretty in her new dress.
ReplyDeleteLove you bunches
Oh Henny, I am a cat lover, so this post simply made me smile.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day,
Carla
Oh, my....my cats are not that bad. But Bubbie always shows interest in any quilt I am working on and tries his best to get to sleep on it. I say my quilts are KTCA--Kitty Tested, Cat Approved.
ReplyDelete