I'm just so proud...

I've commented here and there when I've seen other crafters whose children are joining the fun, that I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to join me in the crafting madness that goes on around here. Not that she hasn't tried already (though pulling on my yarn skeins as I try to knit and trying to hit buttons on my sewing machine (see step 10) are not exactly helpful -- it comes from a good place, "mommy, I help you"), but, well, she's two! I figured it would be at least another year or two until I could brag about, um show off, no -- display (no mommy pride going on here at all folks) her handiwork. HA! Shows what I know. Look what came home with dd yesterday from daycare/school. Yep -- the two year old made this! Well, before you start thinking I have a prodigy or something (not that I don't believe she's the smartest and most talented kid I know) she did have help. They've been doing a unit this fall on bodies and differences at daycare. Part of this was the doll project -- the kids got to choose the basic doll body (pre-made) from a variety of skin tones. Then they talked about eyes and they got to chose their eye color -- and while the kids pointed, the teacher glued where they pointed. Same with the hair, mouths, noses, etc. And the clothes -- oh yeah, the design options for the outfits were all theirs too (with execution help from the teachers) -- and trust me, I've seen some of the other dolls and their outfits -- hers is way cooler (no bias here, nope, not me). And she is so in love with her doll -- and has now named her "Baby Dolly" (a better name than "poopy dollie" who came home with us from the toy store while 'Nama was visiting).

The enjoyment she's getting out of her dolls lately is giving me hope that my main present for her for Christmas is going to go over well. Which is good because the patterns for most of it came in the mail yesterday! Wooo Hooo!!!! I can get started on her doll and doll ensembles! I saw this doll over at the Material Obsessions blog this past spring and just fell in love. I have since started reading the blog of the designer, Rosalie Quinlan and her sister -- Melly and Me Designs (you should seriously check out some of their joint designs folks -- they are fun, fun, fun), and been trying to get the patterns here in the states. I did try and see if a LQS could get them (no luck) and finally decided enough was enough (especially if dd is going to get these before she has children of her own) and ordered them from Australia. I can't say enough good things about the folks over at Jet Music and Books. When I originally emailed about the patterns to check on the shipping costs (very reasonable) the patterns were out of stock. BUT -- they kept me informed via email (once even to let me know they were still waiting but they hadn't forgotten about me) and let me know as soon as they were available. Great service and they got to me within a week and 1/2!

So -- you know part of what dd is getting for Christmas -- shhhh, don't tell! (And since she can't read yet, I'm pretty safe here) The doll is to go along with the doll crib she's also getting. It's actually MY old doll crib from when I was here age -- it's been reinforced with 2x4's since I used to want to get in with my dolls and wood and wonderful. I'll get a photo when I can (right now it's "hiding" in a box so little one can't see it) -- but, a little old, a little new, and a little handmade. Sounds perfect to me.

And before this post gets to be REALLY long -- I'll keep the rest of what I was going to say for another post. Maybe tomorrow. I'm not going to join the NoBloPoMo challenge (goodness, I have the feeling people's eyes would be popping out of their heads if I did that) but I do have enough things I've been mulling over and wanting to post about for at least 3 or 4 posts. In the meantime --- here's a current picture of my sewing/work space (aka the Kitchen/dining table) -- um, really, there's 4 or 5 projects in various stages of completion there. But I do need to get back to it so I can start on the new dolly! As for dinner being eaten there any time soon -- not so sure.