The View From My Window...

...makes me happy!

Star Baby

My doll-making saga continues with this little Star Baby. Designed for the younger set, she is machine washable! She breaks with Waldorf tradition in that the materials used are not 100% natural, but this was step one in an experiment in combining wash-ability with traditional looks.

I love handmade and natural toys, but let's be honest here. Babies are messy and moms are busy. Handwashing and real life are mutually exclusive in my house and I'm betting yours, too. When I look to buy something for Ben, it needs to be safe, age-appropriate, and easily cleaned.

So, after surviving a trip through the washing machine and dryer, she is off to a new home!

Waldorf - Inspired Doll Take 2

Taller but daintier than her older brother, and sewing-wise, this little girl is a vast improvement on my first attempt. She's a full 12 inches tall, made from a pattern I drafted. Her hair is 100% sport weight alpaca and is so soft! I had an easier time on the eyes this go-around too, but they're still not quite where I want them to be.

Making doll clothes without a real pattern tries my patience severely, so I kept it simple. Once I settle on a body pattern I'm 100% happy with, I'll officially draft more sophisticated clothing. I made her for a friend of a friend that is having a little girl in September. They have a bumblebee theme going and I just happened to have some bee fabric scraps leftover from the Loose Change Quilt I made a couple of years ago.

*I'm slowly making a doll army*

Sneak Peak

My First Waldorf - Inspired Doll

*What's up?*

I made this little guy for my son after coming across Waldorf dolls while I was searching for safe, non-toxic baby toys. 

(Side Note: My personal crazy is worrying about toxic toys and house cleaners. I have a theory that China is slowly trying to take over the West by giving our children toys with heavy metals. Again, this is just my own personal crazy, no need to comment.)

Ben likes him, he started waving at him when he was just a head. He likes to play with him, but the last time he did, he pulled out a few strands of the hair that I spent so much time carefully tacking down. So, the little guy is on the shelf for now. (I guess I'm one of those moms.)

The pattern I used for the body can be found here. Everything said and done, the doll is 11'' tall.

The t-shirt was made from this pattern.

The pants I made on my own, that pattern needs work.

This website has the best list of doll-making resources that I've seen out there.

*Goodbye!*

Toilet Paper Rolls and Hot Glue

I made this dahlia-esque wall decoration using this tutorial. I saved toilet paper rolls for a couple of months, cut them and my finger up with a rotary cutter,  and glued them all together. Volia! In one measly nap time, I actually accomplished something creative.

I hung it in my downstairs bathroom, fitting, no?

It could stand a coat of spray paint because up close its humble origins are evident. From a distance though, I think it could pass as some over-priced decor from Anthropologie.

If I Had a Million Dollars...

I would buy this farm.

Actually, I only need $ 595,000 plus closing costs. And some money to get alpacas and such. Anyone want to help a city girl realize her fiber farm dreams? I'll let you make a reality tv show out of it.