Elmer Elf

I'm still working on the hand quilting of my Dutch Treat quilt. And I'm making good progress. But I don't have pictures to share yet.

So here are a few pics of the Elmer Elf dolls I made a few years ago. Since they were my own design and made without a pattern, each one was unique. I still have one, but the others found new homes.

Hope they bring a smile to your face. It's really cold here today, but at least we don't have any of the white fluffy stuff that my family in Iowa is struggling with..not yet anyway!

Happy 4th of July!

Started thinking about the patriotic items I've made over the years and realizing I only have one for myself. I guess looking at pictures is almost as good so here goes...........


I made these Uncle Sam dolls sometime in the mid 1990's. I had no pattern..just made them up as I went along like most of my dolls, so they each unique. Sold or gave away all three. I think I should make another for myself.

A crocheted flag afghan for son, Jeff, about 1995.

It's not surprising that most of the patriotic themed quilts I've made have been gifts for either our career Army son, Mike, or his son, Greg.


Signature Flag Quilt made for Mike on his promotion to Sgt. Major in 2002. Close up showing all the signatures of his peers and friends. It was a big surprise to him.





"Serving Proudly" 20 X 24" Christmas present for Mike 2003




Fons & Porter's Patriotic Sampler quilt birthday quilt for Mike 2004

"A Star Is Born", made for our grandson, Greg, to celebrate his graduation from Army Basic and AIT training in 2005.

The first shipment (Oct 2006) of 40 Purple Heart quilts made for Mike to distribute to his wounded soldiers in Iraq and one for him (in front).

"American Storm" 12" square. Birthday present for for Mike in 2006.

My July table runner from the "Gather 'Round the Table" series from Iowa Star Quilts. This one uses the Martha Washington's Star block. 2007. This is the only patriotic item that I made and still have. I was the pattern tester for Cynthia and I'm honored to have pictures of all 12 of my runners in the book alongside her versions.

Large wall hanging made from an X-block pattern in 2008. This one I sold.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July everyone! Celebrate Freedom!

We are off to Grove, OK for a quilt show.

Raggedy Ann & Andy

A chance of pace today. Instead of quilt blocks I thought I'd share some of the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls I made in years past. All were original designs..sort of an amalgamation of versions I saw in magazines and at craft shows. Sadly I didn't keep a single one for myself. They all were either given as gifts or sold a craft shows. Someday I will have to make myself at least one to keep.

Sleepy time pair in their flannel P.J.s

Halloween Annie

Fall Annie

Valentine pair

Summertime Annie

The Magical Doll

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep I started thinking about the doll that I received three years in a row for Christmas. The same doll..three years in a row!



And then this morning I was browsing blogs and found this contest prompting readers to recall favorite Christmas memories. It is wonderful to read the comments and share stories with others.

So back to my Magical Doll. My maternal grandparents raised me and money wasn't ever in great supply. For the second and third gifting, my doll disappeared a week or so before Christmas. And then she "magically" reappeared on Christmas Day with a new wig and new dress. She was all wrapped and presented as if she were brand new. She started out as a redhead, but became a blonde and then a brunette.

There was never an explanation of what happened to my "old" doll and I never had the heart to admit I knew what had been done, or to comment on the fact each doll's dress was made from the same fabric as Grandma's most recent RNA convention dress. I smiled and acted as if she was the prettiest NEW doll I'd ever seen.

I get more joy from remembering Grandma's efforts to stretch a dollar while still giving me a happy Christmas than if the doll had come from Nieman Marcus. I wish I still had the doll. Even more..I wish I still had my Grandma with me.




Grandma & me
1946







Our last picture together 1990

Elmer & the Penguins

Since I've been busy quilting and binding table runners but don't have any new quilt pictures to show yet, I'll keep sharing Christmas craft photos.

Elmer Elf is an original doll I created about 10 years ago. I made him without a pattern, so each incarnation looked a bit different. But in all cases he tends to have a bit of mischievousness showing I think.

I made these penguins after seeing a similar group in a magazine.

Before Quilting Took Over My Life....

......I used to do other things...like designing and making fabric dolls. It's when I really started my fabric stash. All of these are my original designs, no patterns.

These are some of my Pilgrim Dolls.

And some turkeys.

A Harvest Raggedy Ann

I sort of miss making these. So many ideas... not enough hours in a day.