January is drawing to a close and after a rough few months and a lot of changes in my life, I am finally ready to reemerge. Although I have been busy with my Mom, an adult disabled brother, and my youngest who just went off to a high school for the arts, I also have been spending a lot of time working and thinking about my business.
A lot of good happened this January. A range of dolls donated, new visions for my business (when my shop reopens you will see) and two visitors to my studio.
A few weeks ago, two ExtraSmall Phoebe owners came to spend the afternoon in my studio. You may remember Maggie, the talented young seamstress who stitched up dozens of gorgeous dresses for the dolls I donate? Well, Maggie and her friend Elena who's ExtraSmall Phoebe has her own IG account came to visit.
First I put them to work. They helped prepare and organize the dolls, wardrobe carry bags and dolls that were to be donated to The Shriners Hospital for Children—a hospital that treats children who are burn victims. Each girl doll had several of the gorgeous dresses and a sweater made by Maggie. All of the dolls (boys and girls) had a little hospital gown too. You can see the boy in front is wearing his.
Prepping doll donations
Next before the sun set, I showed them a few of my favorite photography tips. Their ExtraSmalls (Madeline and Scout) posed for a photo together. After this photo, Scout got a quick hair touch up. Incidentally Scout was the first ExtraSmall, so she's a bit historic.
Matching dresses by Maggie
Next Maggie learned a few new sewing tricks: sewing jersey and snaps, while Elena looked through my craft books (Elena is more of a crafter than a sewist)
Maggie and my 28 year old Bernina getting acquainted.
In the end, we had a day of sewing and creating (and cupcakes, it was Maggie's birthday) and hopefully the first of a few of these visits. These girls were just a joy. A big thank you to Maggie and Elena and to their Mom's who traveled here to bring them!
Photographs courtesy of my daughter Annabelle (who is pretty much their age) but rather photograph than sew. And the white doll hanger in the top photo was made by Elena on her 3-D printer.
