Bonnie,

I'm glad to find someone else who shares the needlework-crafing love with the rest of us. Power tools for your sons' wives? Like you, I own the power tools here. The big problem I have is space. Until my daughter moves out this summer and takes half the stuff in the basement, I don't have room to use them. Then I want to work on some desperately needed book shelves for another passion of mine--books, especially old SDA books!

In the meantime, I will get my serger out of the shop and do some more sewing. If I don't start soon for winter sewing, I might not get it done by next summer!

I really want to get back into dollmaking. I have loved making dolls since I was a little girl. I remember making my first dolls when I was 8 from a pattern in a book from the library. They were wire armature wrapped in cotton cloth. I like to make dolls that can be played with. I would also like to make dolls that portray the fashions of the nineteenth century and already have books and patterns of it, just need to get started.

I'm even thinking of getting out my easel and oils and a canvas and start painting again. I keep saying I've got to use that art degree for something.

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For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
_________________________

Linda

[This message has been edited by Linda Sutton (edited June 29, 2001).]

Linda,
Several years ago I made jama's and robes for all the grandchildren, then made teddy bears for each and dressed them in the same thing. They still all sleep with them including the fifteen year old grandson. He is quick to point out it is just sitting on the end of his bed. You really need a embroidery machine, they really add to your capabilitites.

Bonnie

I decided to forgo the embroidery machine and get a serger instead. I used to do hand embroidery, but am not really into it now.

I finally got my serger out of the shop which cost me more than I really wanted to pay, but considerably less that a new serger would have cost. The tip had broken off the upper looper. I hope it doesn't happen again.

I pulled out my doll making supplies last week, and started back in. I have some ideas for some new dolls and want to refine some that I was working on in the past. It's been so long since I used needle sculpting that I need to relearn. Guess I shouldn't stay away from it for so long.

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For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
_________________________

Linda

When my daughter got married & moved out, I made her room into my sewing room. I have been doing some de-junking and reorganizing around the house over the past year, and have been storing the things I've removed from the rest of the house in the sewing room, until I can sort through them and find them a permanent place. Unfortunately, that has made it impossible to do any sewing until I finish the job, as there is now barely enough room to get through the room. I can't even set up my ironing board and do the ironing! But right now, I'm putting everything else aside while I spend as much of my time as possible getting the job finished once and for all! In fact, I already took all of the large apple boxes full of clothes and shoes to the Community Service Center. I had planned to saved them for a yard sale, but finally decided I'd rather just get them out of there.

Before my granddaughter was even born, I bough patterns for several different dolls and their wardrobes, and a variety of stuffed animals, including a Vogue teddy bear pattern with 2 or 3 sizes, the largest being much larger than my granddaughter is now! I'm hoping that once I get the sewing room cleaned out, and I get those nightgowns made, I can have a bit of fun making a doll or two for Aislyn.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

Did you know that there are some sites online that have free doll patterns that you can download?

I downloaded a sumo wrestling doll this week and want to make it up. (I know, I'm a little weird in some ways, but I like sumo wrestling!) I've also found patterns for girl and baby dolls, and lots of places that offer patterns and supplies for sale.

For those who want crafting, knitting, crochet, quilting, needlepoint, etc., vist Free Patterns. All the patterns are free in PDF format. Just sign up, then choose what you want, download and print out.

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For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
_________________________

Linda

Day before yesterday I finally took my knitting machine out of the box and tried it out. I had bought it over a year and a half ago, but didn't have any place to set it up until my daughter moved out.

It's a simple machine, a Bond Classic, completely manual. No electric, no computerized anything, but I find that I like it. If I hand knit now, it bothers my hands, so I will probably switch over to the machine. I still crochet, which doesn't bother me like knitting. It's so easy to use that I wonder why I waited so long to try it out. Family will probably get homemade gifts this Christmas.

Does anyone else have or use a knitting machine of any kind?

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Jesus is the joy of living
_________________________

Linda

[This message has been edited by Linda Sutton (edited September 04, 2001).]

Linda, I have a knitting machine. It's a Brother, which I bought 17 years ago. I used it a little back then, but haven't done much with it through the years. Unfortunately, never having had twins to raise before, I didn't realize that after their birth a few months later, I would not have time to even go take the free lessons which came with my purchase, for many years. Now it's too late - we live too far away, and I don't even know if the woman is still in business. So whatever I learn about its use, I'll have to learn on my own. I'm not working on that now, too busy with other things, but I may get it out and get some good instructional books some day. If I had known how things would work out, I would not have spent $600+ on it way back then, but that's the way life is sometimes.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.