Fabric panel dolls

Every once in awhile I come upon a fabric panel for a doll that reminds me of my grandchildren.  This year it was Opal and I just had to sew it up for her for Christmas.

The fabric line was "Just Another Walk in the Woods" by Moda and the panel was 36 by 44 inches, so one yard of fabric.  Just a bag of polyester filling and we were ready to go.

I loved the cheater quilt panel with backing and the Home Sweet Home pillow.

And their little stuffed animals.

Now I knew that this was a lot of pieces for a four year old to carry about so I found myself back at the Cotton Shop looking for coordinating fabric from the line to make Opal a carry around bag.  A half yard of fabric and some stiff woven interfacing and the problem was solved.

Closeups of these two cute faces.

Isn't it so adorable how the fabric piece for the skirt gathers up and make such a lovely dress?  I added some lace around the bottom.

So there you have it, Opal's look alike Christmas gift.  I understand that there have been some tea parties at Opal's house.

Julianna's baptism day and dress

My granddaughter, Julianna, turned eight and was baptized as a member of The Church of Latter-day Saints during our last visit to Arizona.

 It was a special day which she had been looking forward to for some time.

She had many of her friends and family come to support her including this "best" friend.

I love being present for the baptisms of my grandchildren.  It is a truly special time.

I have made baptism day dresses for four of my granddaughters so far.

Grandpa Glen was also happy for his Julianna.

Grand parenting is an amazing adventure.

Julianna with her sweet mother, Susan.

It was a special day for Julianna and her family.

Both sets of grandparents had traveled far to share her day.

And they were not the only ones.  It worked out well that Rachel's wedding and Julianna's baptism were on the same weekend.

Here are some closeups of her dress.  I added a jacket because it would be December.  On Friday at the wedding, it was 75 + degrees.  After a big wind Friday night, it was a chilly Saturday at 55 degrees.  I was glad that I had included the jacket.

Embroidery on the jacket.

Each baptism dress is white and has smocking details with a bit of color.

The smocking was made with the same colors as the embroidery on the jacket.

Crystal buttons on the back and a back buttoned belt.  She seemed to really like her dress and I was happy to make it for her.  It was a great day Julianna!

Rachel and Manny get married

We traveled to Arizona for the wedding of my niece, Rachel and Manny.

They were sealed for time and all eternity in the beautiful Mesa Arizona Temple.

They make a wonderful and caring couple.

The traditional photo on the temple steps after the ceremony,

I loved Rachel's dress.  She looked beautiful and Manny was indeed her handsome prince.

Rachel and Manny with Rachel's immediate family.  Rachel is the daughter of my sister, Becky.

Rachel's paternal grandparents and my former neighbors.  That is how Rachel's parents met!

My husband with my youngest sister's sons.  They were kind and laughed at his stories.

All six of my siblings were in attendance.  This picture was taken at the reception in the evening.

It was a wonderful evening and Grandpa Glen was more than happy to hold his newest granddaughter and our son, Ryan's first child.  Both are quite delighted with her.

Grandpa and his girl.

I skipped taking a picture of cake on faces.  Congratulations Rachel and Manny!

Small quilts from scraps for Christmas

This year for Christmas I made small quilts for the granddaughters who had received "Little House on the Prairie" dresses, aprons, sun bonnets and dressed cloth dolls for their birthdays in 2016.  I used the scraps leftover from this big sewing project.

Each quilt was about 21" by 21".

This is Julianna with her doll and now she has a quilt.

Each small quilt had a backing of Little House on the Prairie logo fabric.

I had a great time photographing these quilts in my Arizona backyard before wrapping them up for delivery.  The leaves were long gone at my home in Utah where all the sewing took place. I loved these yellow leaves on my pomegranate tree.

Those are one inch squares of fabric.

I couldn't resist the pepper plants either.

Ruby with her doll with matching dress which now also has a quilt.

This quilt also has one inch squares.  I love the nine patches and secondary diamonds.

More Arizona blooms and yes, it was in December.

I machine quilted this quilt as well as the three before.

Sadie with her doll with matching dress.

 

This small quilt was hand quilted and was the first that I finished.  I knew I would never get them all done if they were all hand quilted.

 

 I photographed this quilt in front of the bougainvillea.

I liked the pop of blue.

 

Mabel and her doll with matching dress.

One of these small quilts is not like the others.  What, oh what, to do for the little brother?  And then I remember his current cow obsession and Lori Holt's cow block as part of Farm Vintage and I made the biggest size cow block for the little guy.

He loved it and I understand it goes to bed with him.  I really enjoyed putting together their small quilts!