We Interupt this Hibernation to Bring You this Special Report

I found this plaque at my favorite thrift store yesterday morning. It was 25 cents.

For a day that held plans of doll making, it ended on a much different note.

I'm thankful that my paths are directed.

Anyway.., look, Look, LOOK!

I made this doll. With my sewing machine. And a whole bunch of thrifted stuff. Everything you see here, actually.

We had our carpets cleaned yesterday, which meant that it was impossible to be on the main floor, due to drying carpets and displaced furniture.

So I went downstairs and thought that I would make some stuffed toys for Christmas gifts. But, then I found a pattern for dolls that I had bought at a thrift store for a quarter and an iron-on transfer face that was originally intended for a pot holder. I looked at the 22 inch doll pattern, and it looked like the face just might fit, so I sketched it on in pencil.

Let's just say that I now know at least a dozen ways NOT to make this doll. I fixed most of the problems, but gave up on the pinafore after two failed attempts and just tied a make-shift apron on her. Oh, and somehow I sewed her arms on wrong and will have to amputate and reattach them later. I was somewhat successful with the interfacing at the neck, which was something I had never ever attempted. I truly did not believe it would work. But, all though I doubted, the pattern people where correct.

I was trying to figure out if I could make a doll in a day, but in the evening I was interrupted by a call from an EMT calling from my dad's house. We had JUST BEEN THERE less than an hour earlier and he was fine. Just perfectly fine, for the shape he is in.

Somehow, on the leg that my dad had cellulitis, a varicose vein broke open.

I'll spare you the details, except to say that he seems fine for now.

I cannot believe he lost as much blood as he did and lived.

He can't either.

Tomorrow we shall head off to the doctor, and hopefully find some help with the fragile skin on that leg. Then, we will call around until we find a carpet cleaner willing to deal with blood.

Never doubt the power of blood thinning drugs,

and trust in the Lord.

Sewing In the Noon-tide and the Dewy Eve

My dad had another early morning doctor's appointment today. Whenever I set up doctor's appointments, I seem to forget that I do not like to go out early in the morning. It's like I truly believe that there will be a point in time when I suddenly am not like I actually am.

My mom, until her brain gave out, kept all of my dad's records up to date in her head. I knew my dad had been given these test in the past, but I could not remember when.

Strangely, what I could remember was that at the office where the test was done the last time, they had a fabulous mobile of fish made with old CDs and craft foam. I often wonder, if I were to donate my brain to science, would someone take one look at it and say, "What are we supposed to do with THIS?"

Anyway, it was almost five years ago, the nice lady told us.

When I arrived home, I decided that I was going to just sit down and sew the very Very VERY simple project laid out before me.

I now know five ways NOT to do it.

On the sixth try, I actually got it. I don't remember how now, but for a brief moment I thought that I truly might have retained the ability to learn.

So, I have the 'bag' part of my lined bag finished. I still need to make the handles. I want to try to make cotton clothes line handles. My hope is to use up the stuff I have on hand, and I do have that.

The rest of the afternoon I spent folding up little bits of material, dreaming of what I could do with them as I layered them in the cabinet.

It's fun to dream.

Blessed Holy Day

"...how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." Ephesians 3:18