Poor orphan! The mannequin I mean! Some of the photos are before I got her a wig. She looks much better with hair!

I have been making hats lately.... some can be seen in the ESTY mini off to the right; others I will post from time to time. It took several tries to perfect the pattern draft for the hat currently in progress. It is an 8-panel parachute pattern, in a modified aviator style that Brando wore in the 1953 classic "The Wild Ones"... camel melton wool; lined in silk oxford cloth with leather brim and sweatband. The customer provided a metal stretch band for the front. I am ready to begin sewing it up.... it should be hot!

Spring is in the air!

Just a note to remind myself that I need to get busy posting! I have been working on making hats for fun and to list in my etsy shop..

A couple of full coverage hats that work perfectly for "chemo caps"... The blue twill hat is reversible and extra long sot that even rolled up you can have "full coverage". It reverses to black micro fleece; very warm! The organza pin gives it a bit of panache. :D

The Raspberry Mohair and Wool Felted hat was knitted on size 17 circular knitting needles to be extra large so that after felting it is still a full coverage hat. Incredibly warm! I felted it by hand rather than in the washing machine because I am a control freak. I shaped it to dry with a fold in the front above the brim. I was inspired by the Darrow Cloche.

The newsboy hat was a custom order made in black velveteen and lined with a fun red printed flannel for warmth. I also made one to list in my etsy shop that is lined with green and black checked flannel.

I found the head to use as a model in the local antique shop... she isn't antique, but maybe vintage. I am thinking that someone must have used it it a beauty school to test hair cutting; as you see, she has none! Prickly little 5 o'clock shadow on the head!

I found a wig to put on her so she is now happy.

What's new here?

I cannot believe it has been so long since last posting! Bad, bad, bad! I have been really busy on my ETSY custom orders, and am happy to say that all are completed, other than one or two that we agreed would wait until after the holidays! Yay!

So.... I am taking a couple of weeks to work on family items for Christmas and beyond... the beyond part includes cloth diapers for the newest addition to the family. Baby Idhalia was born on a frozen, snowy winter afternoon in Portland, Ore. Her parents are so proud and happy, as well they ought to be! She is, of course, very beautiful! I will post photos as they are received!

Recently went to Sisters, Oregon for the annual quilt festival. If you haven't seen a whole town covered inside and outside with quilts from all over the country, then you have a real treat in store!!

Sisters is a very small community in the mountains near Bend. I am fortunate to have a friend there who has offered her hospitality and home so that Susan and I could attend the quilt show again this year. Wonderful time!

Camping over July 4th

Camping at Red Mountain Praire, which is within a couple of miles of the trailhead to Vulcan Lake, southwest Oregon. As you can see, the view toward the ocean is a bit hazy with smoke from whatever wildfires are within range.

It is still spring in the mountains, so there are some lovely wildflowers in the meadow.

We pretty much did nothing but absorb the sun, take short walks, and throw the ball for Lola-dog.

On the way down the hill again I took a picture of Snowcamp Mountain, Collier Butte, to Game Peak, which is to the north. The top of the mountain was in a cloud, so couldn't see Snowcamp LO even with binaculars. It is the farthest range in the center of the picture.

You can see in the picture taken near the top of Vulcan Mtn that the undergrowth is coming back nicely, but evidence of the Biscuit Fire remains.

Baby Booties

This pair of booties is made from a combination of fabrics by designer Mary Engelbreit.

Sole is lined with yellow hand dyed felted wool. Upper and heel are lined with a dotted red fabric. Really breit and fun!

ETSY seems to be down right now, but when it is back up, I will be listing these little cuties!

********** NEW*************

Just wanted to tell you about the new booties I am making! The booties are inspired by the classic ones we see everywhere, but my version is narrower to better fit the newborn foot. This first pair shows off a sweet rosebud cotton, and has oilcloth monkeys on the toe. The sole and upper is lined with hand dyed felted wool for cosy toes!

I have lots of fun fabrics to mix and match and will be listing them on ETSY as they are completed.