a doll of my very own

Awhile ago, Lindsay loo asked me "why you not make doll for you yet?" So I did.

Meet Penelope.

I've been working on learning how to make more detailed doll clothes, and was frustrated with not having "anybody" to try them on. So making a doll for me to have hanging around makes sense, right? I mean, I get to keep a really cute doll and make lots of cute clothes for her and OMG I am totally living out some childhood dream. Good thing my husband dosen't mind.

Looking at these photos of her- she totally looks like my grandma. Whoa.

I guess I should re-name her then.

Hello, Betty!

Aaaaaannnnnd her bun. Yes, that is the very popular top knot ballerina bun that is so very popular right now and is the hairstyle that I wear most days. I just HAD to figure out how to do it on a doll. It took me 2 days to figure out, and I practiced on a smaller doll first, before doing it on her with very expensive but oh so worth it hand-dyed yarn from a local yarn shop. Each strand of yarn is individually hand stitched on her head. It sounds so tedious, but it's actually kinda fun, and totally worth every minute.

She's a little top heavy, and that bun is as big as it looks. Damn cute, right?

I'm totally into peach right now, so I gave her a peachy striped peasant top and a grey paper bag skirt, and of course matchy peach shoes.

Fairly simple pesant top.

I tried to make a similar grey paper bag skirt for myself, like same fabric and everything, and failed. Failed so bad. BUT. I do have to say that it was totally the patterns fault- it was written wrong. It said to add 2 inches to your waist measurement, when it clearly needed DOUBLE your waist plus the 2 inches. But the large buttonholes for the tie are damn perfect, even though I can't get it over my hips. It might fit a broom. 

Right before I went back home, I successfully made a paper bag skirt for myself. (from a different pattern) And it's gorgeous. It's a not so deep navy blue non corded corduroy, the drape is so fantastic and wonderfully unplanned- it was on sale so I bought it and I wanted a navy skirt so I used it and I couldn't have picked a better fabric. I'll have to take some photos.

what I've up too...

I customized a super soft, gorgeous recycled sari cloth baby blanket with embroidery.

A custom doll for Misty.

A custom doll for Lea Mim.

And, you can read all about them on my ragamuffin blog!

happy holi-dolls!

Wow, was that a cheesy title or what?

Must be due to me putting all my creative energy into these little cuties:

Annabelle.

Viola.

Pearl.

Clara.

Celia.

Edith.

They will shortly be available in the shop- except for Opal, she sold at the show on wednesday.

If you would like a custom doll for your little girl for Christmas, the cutoff date for orders is December 15th. Email me!

jessica@ragamuffin-baby.com

juniper and laurel kittens

See these BFF's?

Read all about them here. (P.S. I totally hate it when bloggers do that. But...)

Did you read Monday's post?

I'm gonna be a little busy this week. Also, I'm trying to be a better blogger/business woman so I've been updating and posting a lot on my rag-a-muffin blog- so if you want more delicious photos of all the new fantastic things I have been making, pop on over and have a gander!

the ugliest doll in the world

So I found this vintage book of doll patterns. I thought that this babydoll could be saved from the ugliness of the 70's.

But the entire time I was working on her all I could think was "OMG she is SO ugly."

I watched one of my very fav movies while making her- Troop Beverly Hills. So when I look at her I kinda think of Shelly Long's poofy 90's hair and super skinny cigarettes.

Kinda cute? I really can't tell anymore. I'm biased.

Do you think some little girl could love her? Or does she have a face only a mother could love? I made her for my shop- but maybe I should just send her back to the 70's.

What do you think?

it's a wee wonderful world

The shop is now stocked to the brim with these lovely dolls...

Mabel

Winifred

Cora

Evelyn

Ivy

Harriet

You know me- I can't just make one of something, I have to make 6. Besides, I needed to have my shop all stocked up before I get a job, right? Cause what if I get too busy and I can't make any?

Haha. I'm so good at justifying my sewing addiction.

And right after I took these photos, as I was uploading them to my computer- my Tilda kitty ran across the cord and brought my camera crashing into the hardwood floor. Busting the bejesus out of my new lens that I got in the mail a few days before. Because the old one got broken in the move.

So, buy some dolls!

So I can by the non-plastic version of my fav lens! Ok?

it's official...

I am a licensed Wee Wonderfuls toy maker!!! As soon as I possibly can set up my sewing factory at The Loft- I will be stocking my rag-a-muffin etsy shop to the brim with dolls!

Hoooray!!!

Custom orders welcome- I would love to make you or a loved one a truly unique handmade doll!

happy 27th loo-loo!

For Loo-loo's birthday my mom decided we should surprise her by taking her to Build-a-bear to make a new "bear". She loves that place. Every time we go to the mall she begs me to buy her a new outfit for one of her many animal pals.

This time she chose a very cute grey kitty. And she dressed her up as Cinderella. Loo-loo was so excited she could hardly contain herself! And my mom and I were glad there was no party going on to frustrate her.

What a ham!

We took some shots while my mom paid...

All packed up in a little blue tote, perfect for Loo-loo to carry.

My mom gave her a few coins to throw into the fountain...

And since we just happened to be downtown, my mom and I strong-armed Loo-loo into going to Settebello, home of the best pizza in Utah.

I had the best arugula salad with goat cheese and balsamic dressing. Mmmmm. And my pizza was amazing too!

Dessert, of course.

I had the stracciatella- the chocolate chip one. Soooooooooo good!

Princess/Cinderella themed Family Party:

I had this extra cake, and some leftover frosting so we played a little prank on Loo-loo. She knew about the princess cake, so when I yelled "surprise!" she was not satisfied with this one. "Where is my Cinderella?" she demanded. So I brought out the real one...

And the next post will be all about this fabulous cake.

Loo-loo, kitty Cinderella, and cake Cinderella.

Here is Stevie and Nick getting food. We had salad and individual pizzas cooked on the grill.

Danny.

Here is my pizza- I used all 3 sauce options- red, alfredo and pesto. I topped it with fresh mozzarella, basil and pepperoni.

Happy birthday girl!

Nick's birthday is one week after Loo-loo's- so we celebrated it too. My mom made him a cheesecake and all of us gave him money in cards- so no exciting opening presents photos of Nick.

Smile! See why I am such a photo taker?? I get it from my dad.

Me getting ready to cut up my creation. She was delicious by the way...

And now for the presents!

Loo-loo doll. New and improved over the one I made her last year...

Like by a TON. I've gotten a lot better in a year...

Cory & Mal.

I found this huge bubble wand for a dollar- and my brother was fascinated with it. It was hilarious, and Loo-loo didn't even notice. He was trying to get the biggest bubble possible- but was just getting lots of small ones. Can you see the blurry bubbles?

Every princess needs a tiara and wand...

(magic wand noise)

Happy happy birthday Lindsay Loo-loo!! I love you!