Today, April 12th, is 'Big Wind Day', and even though it was raining.... ....it was way too windy for an umbrella...
When her sisters arrived, Bianca introduced Yvette's new beau, Eden.... They chatted for a while... He seemed to be a very nice young man....
It was very windy, so Jan had to keep fixing the map each time it started blowing away... My back pain was really acting up, so I thought I'd try taking a photo just sitting on the ground.... ...but then the dolls weren't low enough against the 'horizon' for forced perspective to work, so they still looked like 'dolls'. So I had to get even lower, and lie down, so the entire set up would be higher against the background, with Owen's head well above the horizon....
Rex and Bianca were next to arrive, with their daughter Judith. Rex gave his sister a hug... ...and wished her a Happy Birthday... Nami and Bonnie spotted Judith right away... Nami was excited to introduce Judith to their new cousin Bonnie....
It's taking me a lot longer to make the little guy's clothes than it did for the ladies. Rhett Fox needed something suitably elegant to go with Kitty. I chose a nice small gray and black stripe for his pants, but the stripes seemed a bit wide, so I used a Sharpie to draw lines down the centers of the gray stripes before sewing the pants together. I chose a nice purple brocade for his vest/shirt combination, and gave him a stand up collar with black cravat... Their outfits matched nicely.... Next, he ended an overcoat. It took a bit of trial and error, but I eventually completed one.... I would have liked to see him with a top hat, but his ears made that way too difficult, since top hats were usually worn straight on top of the head. The only way he could wear a hat is if it's off to one side like Miss Kitty's. So I've not tried to make one yet. Next came Mr. Ropuha and Manny Mouse. I tackled the 'easy' part first, and made them some pants. Although the pants I sewed for Manny proved too stiff, so I made a new pair out of an even thinner cotton. Happy to have pants al last, the two of them proceeded to practice their karate moves.... In the meantime I had to tackle their tops. Every single step required a redo. I don't remember sewing doll clothes being this hard years ago. But then I never made clothes this small before either. I can't think of anything harder than trying to inset a tiny one inch sleeve into a tiny armhole. I always baste the sleeves in first by hand, before sewing them on the machine. But after having to redo each sleeve several times, I finally gave up trying to sew them on the machine, and just did them by hand. Mr. Ropuha's shirt/vest combo has stretch tricot sleeves so they can fit snug under his coat sleeves. The mouse's top is too small to have an actual collar, so I'll need to sew some tiny strips of thin ribbon around the neckline by hand.... Hopefully I can get their outfits done soon, so I can move onto other things....
Monicas Birthday turned out to be way more than I'd originally anticipated, but because I'm also continuing to take other photos, her birthday scenes will just continue to be sprinkled throughout for the next while. Lawrence had only invited close family and friends. Baron was back together with Rosie.... ...but there were a few awkward moments when his ex and her new partner arrived... Milo was too interested in Shadow to notice anything.... ...while the adults remained friendly and cordial... . and soon the two guys became friends...
Not only was it International Bird Day yesterday, but it was also Draw a Bird Day. Nami and Judith were playing with their budgies.... Their new cousin Bonnie was over, and she was an artist, and wanted to do a painting of the birds ..while Nami and Judith posed with them... "I'm almost done."
Not all birds eat seeds, berries, or bugs, and with it being International Bird Day yesterday, the boys were only too happy to be allowed to feed the Falconry raptors.... The snowy owls already had their lunch.... ...as did the eagle.... ...but he was still eyeing the one being offered to the other owl.... "Here you go. This one's for you..." The two older boys thought it was fascinating.... ....but Ringo was a little grossed out....
Another set of pictures for International Bird Day.... Nami & Judith were playing with their parakeets... The birds were nice and tame, and would sit on their fingers - and not fly away....
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
May 2024
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