Tutorial - tights for 18 inch doll

Using a pair of ladies knee socks from the Dollar Tree I made these tights in about 30 min. 

The technique you use I think depends on the sock design for mine I used both  socks.  

To determine how long they needed to be I  held the sock up to the doll and held the sock in place as I wanted the knitted band for my bottom hem, and measured up the doll to allow for a the waist band... I allowed 1/2 to fold over and then cut for lengh  My cut was about 3 inches from the heel of the sock

Then I measure for the front seam from the dolls waist to her crotch ... on mine this was 3.5 inches.

I sewed a seam from the waist to the 3.5 inch mark  - done for both pieces front and back

I folded my waist band over .5 inch and stitched it 

Then join front to back  

matching crotch and legs/front to back stitch along entire inside leg seam 

No hem needed as I used the pink knit band on the sock as my hem ...

tights for ONE dollar !!

 Pixie Faire has great

 patterns and tutorials !!

SOCCER BALL IN A SHOE BOX??

For many years I have packed shoe boxes for this project; I love this organization for many reasons. Charity is a personal thing and I encourage everyone I know to give in some way. I don't particularly care which charity they support as long as it's legit.  I was taught that to whom much is given, much is expected.  I am not wealthy, but consider myself comfortable, and blessed to live in the USA. I consider the opportunity to reach others not as fortunate a privilege.  The Salvation Army Angel Tree is also a favorite for Christmas giving. 

This year I am filling boxes for Boys 10-14 and Girls 2-4.  I set out to educate myself on boy items and learned they all love receiving a Soccer ball, particularly in this age group.  A SOCCER BALL ... tell me please how do you get a soccer ball in a shoe box !!  Thank heaven for Facebook, and bloggers where I found a ton of useful information, and decided to order deflated soccer balls.  Locating deflated soccer balls was another day of research! 

So here's what I came up with :

BOY 10-14

Plastic Box (reusable)

 Soccer ball – pump – extra needles

Wash cloth – soap

Deodorant

Tooth brush (2) – tooth paste

Chapstick

Combs (3)

T Shirt

3 pair ankle socks

 Flashlight w batteries, extra batteries

 Bic Pens – 10/pk

Pencils – 6

Sharpener – eraser

 Bag of suckers, gum, smarties

 

WHO KNEW you could get so much in there ... I surprised myself !!!

I had fun dressing these baby dolls.  I bought them at Walmart for 2.88, made them a hat, gown, and blanket then wrapped them with a ribbon.  I added a baby bottle. 

Girl 2-4

Plastic box (reusable) 

Doll dressed gown and hat – blanket – bottle

Tiara

 Washcloth – soap

Toothbrush – toothpaste

Cups (2)

Chapstick

Hair dodads

 T shirt (2)

Panties (4)

Socks (4)

 Crayons – printed free pages to color

Pencils 

Sharpener – eraser 

Flashlight – extra batteries

Bag of candy – suckers/smarties (no gum this age)

In researching I learned much about  the needs of the children, 

and their families; I sincerely believe this small gesture is a blessing.  

The joy I get in doing these shoe boxes is well worth it for me.  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Nearly Done

WIP: Gift in progress

http://joannswansondiyminiatures.blogspot.com/

I have been making minis for a couple years and have 

found much inspiration from Joann Swanson's blog.  

I saw the tutorial above and was inspired to use some of her 

tutorials to make a gift for someone who loves Halloween.  

I bought a faux book, and intend this a piece to be used 

both to display the scene as well as to store the minis inside when not in use.  

This is where I am headed, but make changes every day, 

and sometimes every time I pass by!!

I found this gnarly dog and felt he needed a nice collar 

and a little something to eat so I made him a hand to gnaw on. 

We will have games to play.  This game image is all over pinterest.  I copied, 

sized, and printed, all in MS Word.  I do everything in MS Word

or MS Publisher.  I have limited skills :)

I am not a Ouija person but the person I making this 

for is so we must have a Ouija Board

 There are lots of books.  All are made from images found on pinterest, 

none of these books open. 

There are lots of anatomical charts scattered about our room.

 Mr. Skellie is reading the NY Times, wearing his fluffy slippers, and 

resting his feet on an ottoman I made with a matchbox; 

the feet of the ottoman are tiny skeletons.  

I bought the chair from Alpha Stamps.

 Mr. Skellie has a pet crow sitting over his shoulder.

 There will be a side table next to Mr. Skellie's chair.  I dressed the table, 

and on top is a skelton candle holder, a crystal ball, and a "shrunken head".

I'm loving the "shrunken head" in a tiny jar resting on stacked books. 

This was fun to make and my first ... very first ... 

attempt at polymer clay ... why???  It's fun !!

Mr. Skellie will have a snack that will rest on his ottoman.  I made the drink, cupcake,

and napkin; the tray is a button.  There is much work to be done here!!  

the inside of the "book" has a hutch filled with potions, books, 

owl bookends, a dish, and an hourglass. 

On top is a gargoyle, a candelabra, and a jar

filled with "eyeballs" 

Above the hutch there is a friend of Mr. Skellie's floating into the 

room from the framed mirror.  A fun project with much left to do.  

I can't decide what to do with the interior walls and floor ?? ... decisions decisions.

Thanks for stopping by.  E 

Excitement in the 'Hollow

The Bushytail's have been very busy getting ready for summer.  They found a great deal on a new/old camper; today Mr. Bushytail went to pick it up.  Mrs. Bushytail took advantage of the sunny day and took baby to the beach with friends.  

Mr Bushytail sent a picture of the camper, he says it needs a bit of refurbishing but believes he can have it ready for the July 4th holiday.

THE really BIG news here at Honeysuckle Hollow is the arrival of my first grand-baby to my daughter, Laura and her husband Graham.  

On March 25th we welcomed our new "mini" Hudson weighing 7lb 7oz, 20 inches.  

All are doing well and baby Hudson is "perfect" !!   

He is the first grandbaby on either side of the family 

so will be appropriately loved on and spoiled rotten!

Getting back to Mrs Bushytail, you may have noticed her accent table ...

It is 2" tall, the top is 2.25" and the base 2".

The seahorses were cut using a Silhouette and are about 1.75"

 

The items on top the table were also handmade, except the starfish, its a sticker.  

The "fruity coconut drink" is paper clay

 with paper flower and umbrella.  It was made with wire and tissue paper, 

the pink "straw" is also wire.  

The SL magazine is made from a scan of the "real thing"

the sunglasses ... holy moly the sun glasses  

I'm not sure I would ever mass produce these suckers again!!  

They were cut using the Silhouette BUT it is not designed for tiny intricate 

work so I destroyed several in the process. 

The lenses were glazed with "Glossy Accents".  

This touch really did make them appear very realistic. 

Again thanks for stopping by I am always happy to have visitors!  Hugs, E

" ... and there were in the same country shepherds 

abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the 

Lord shone round about them...: 
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  

Luke 2:8-14   KJV  

Honey Run Baptist

The annual Christmas Pageant  is just around the corner and Mr. Bushytail and cast are busy with rehearsals and last minute adjustments.  Tonight the crew successfully finalized the rigging so the angel bearing "good tidings" could fly.  If you can't be with us at Honey Run Baptist we hope you enjoy Christmas Eve services at your place of worship.  

Merry Christmas