Emilie Claire - Chapter 10

Emilie Claire is preparing for her visit to Cousin Sarah. Sarah’s father and Emilie’s father are brothers. Emilie’s father is the older brother, they live in the family home, and Sarah’s father works in the capital. It is several hours by train from Emilie’s home and she does not visit often during the year. Emilie will be gone for several weeks and needs her favorite things. Packed securely in her small personal trunk are her comb and brush set, a whisk to keep her clothing clean and her favorite scent. Emilie has laid her sewing kit out to needlepoint on quiet afternoons. She has saved her fabric scraps and some dress drawings in her scrapbook, and a few family pictures to share with Sarah. KathiDear Diary,
Today I worked diligently to prepare my train case. I have tried to thing of everything. As I place things about, I could not help thinking of how happy Sarah is with William. She has written so much of him in the months since Christmas. I have a suspicion they love each other. Is an engagement announcement forthcoming? I feel only happiness for Sarah. I wonder about William’s friend, James Ian. I understand he is charming and intellectual, easily conversant. I feel anxious about our meeting. E.C.

No-hole beads back at minidolls.com

Hi all! I finally got in some stock of the teeny weeny no hole glass beads. Only 1/2 mm.
Click Here to see them on my site: No Hole Beads
Silver and Gold in Metallic, Opaque Black, Transparent in Fuchsia, Red and Purple.

In addition to the above I also got in 2 new silk checks. Both are 1/16". Choose from Ivory/Tan or Red/White. You can find them on my site by following this link: SILK CHECKS

Michelle minidolls.com, Doll Artist's Workshop

Look what I bought!

I really have not bought any miniatures or dolls since my kids were born. There always seems to be things they need. But when I saw this little guy on Ebay I could not pass him up. I just got him today and he is so much cuter in person. SO PRECIOUS!! I am glad I splurged. I showed him to my daughter Natalie and the look in her eyes. She has not been feeling good and they just sparkled when she saw him "Babaee" and gently touched him with one finger...and I said yes baby. She loves babies like mommy.
He is created by Brad Deville. You can see more of his work on his website: Brad Deville Designs
His porcelain work is extraordinary.

Emilie's Response

Click Image to See Larger. Kathi

Silk Doll Hair - New Colors!

I just got in a shipment of 100% Silk Doll Hair. It is hand dyed Silk Tussah. I had some new colors custom dyed to my specifications. They are really nice and realistic. You can see them here on my website: Silk Doll Hair
Of course the scans do not do them justice but here they are:

Michelle, Doll Artist's Workshop/minidolls.com

Chapter 9 - The Accesories

Creating accessories for Emilie’s traveling dress has been quite fun. Along with the pink boots we received for Christmas, Kate made us a matching handbag. I have followed the directions in the book to complete the bonnet. I made a few artistic changes along the way. (Isn’t that the fun of it, making it your own?) The pink straw bonnet is a simple oval, with a row of silk piping before the finished edge of gathered straw. The ribbon ties run across the top and the floral decoration is old velvet flowers and some vintage leaves. The bonnet lining is tiny silk check. The bonnet needs something else as I am not yet satisfied and perhaps we need to visit the milliner one more time. Kathi minipatterns.com

Tutorial - Cartridge Pleat

How to Make a Cartridge Pleat on a Smaller Scale

Step 1
Fold over approximately ¼” of edge of fabric and press.
Step 2
Begin gathering at the edge and stitch with consistent stitches across the space you want to gather. Step 3
Thread needle with a new thread and knot. Sew in consistent rows again, each stitch directly underneath the stitch above it. Step 4
Thread needle with a new thread and knot. Sew in consistent rows again, each stitch directly underneath the stitch above it.

Step 5
Pull the threads and gather the stitches. The fabric will “stack” evenly against each other

Step 6
Sew the front folds to the waistband or dress top by taking one stitch per fold. You can even the folds as you sew.

Step 7
Fold the waistband up and press the folds in place. The front will be flat and the loose folds will be toward the body.
Kathi, minipatterns.com

Forget Me Not - New to Doll Artist's Workshop/minidolls.com

Forget Me Nots
Vintage style millinery flowers. Shown a bit smaller than actual. Each flower is approx 3/8"-1/4" (9-11mm). They are made of paper that has a bit of a velvet texture. 16 wonderful colors. They are $3.65 per bunch. Click here for full details: Forget Me Not

Michelle Doll Artist's Workshop/minidolls.com

Emilie Claire - Just A Short Note

Lily handed a short note to Molly. It read:

What is Labor Day?

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Ok...I tried to find cute vintage images of Labor Day...No luck..but this is cute!
Go figure there are no cute pics of children laboring away.....Michelle