My true love gave to me...

Two turtle doves... aren't they cute?? I found this adorable vintage pendant on Etsy, and I knew I had to buy it. The colors are so vibrant and lovely that I could not resist.

And with the contrasting aqua beads and the antique raw brass chain, the necklace is delicate, beautiful and eco-friendly. It's one of my favorite new pieces to wear, and I have a few of these pendants to spare, so perhaps more turtle doves are in my future...

Mission upcycle

I love the idea of taking something old, like a t-shirt, and refashioning it into something new. I have been attempting this miracle for many years, and until recently, I never knew that it had its own word, upcycling. I must just be behind the times, because Etsy house tons of stores dedicated to upcycled clothing.

However, buyers be wary. The quality of some of the upcycled pieces leaves much desired. So, my mission now, try to upcycle something in my closet--because I know there are a ton of things that I love, but won't wear again. I hope some of you will join me in my mission, but if you cannot be persuaded, check out these fine Etsy retailers for the best of upcycling:

• Heidi & Seek offers a bit of everything, but the hodgepodge is definitely cute!
• Labudde won't be back until September, but her shop was definitely on the top of my list.
• wonderwear has some beautiful appliqued t-shirts that are a model of upcycling.

Little Swiss Girl

I made this doll as a belated birthday present for a very sweet little girl in my neighborhood. I put a lot of work into it, and although it isn't perfect, I'm proud of this first attempt. The pattern came from Stitched in Time, the book from the lovely writer of Posie Gets Cozy.

I, of course, made things a bit harder for myself and altered the pattern from the directions. Instead of gathering the ends of the arms and legs with a whip stitch, I sewed them closed on the machine, to make them more sturdy for a small girl. The effect is not as smooth-- the feet and hands are a bit square-- so perhaps I should have rounded the ends as I sewed.

The pattern also called for the skirt to be gathered and sewn to the doll, with the ribbon added simply as decoration. I made the skirt interchangeable by making a casing for the drawstring and bringing the ribbon through two buttonholes in the front.

I also felt that the pattern directions were not as clear when it came to adding the hair, but I did my best. In retrospect, I should have almost overstuffed the head, or added the hair before I had sewn on the legs, so I could have added more filling.

However, the expression on the little girl's face when she saw her doll was enough to erase any fears about its appearance.

Preoccupied with P&P and zombies

Gladly, my lack of blogging is not due to illness or death, but to a very interesting book. I can't decide if this book is genius, or sacrilegious (for a true Jane Austen girl, such as myself). But I do believe I like it none the less. Scenes from Pride and Prejudice are interjected with world-class zombie fighting by the Bennett girls, quite entertaining and definitely funny.

Guatemalan Gold

Okay... well, technically silver, but I love to alliterate.

My family just got back from Guatemala, and unfortunately, I did not get to go. However, I did get back some great goodies in the form of jewelry and a few other things. I love the shade of this lavender jade ring, which has not been well-captured in the picture.

Also, joy of joys, my thoughtful sister brought me back an ever-handy chicken oven mitt and fabric!! I haven't come up with a plan for the gorgeous fabric, but I'm sure I'll find something...

Perhaps a pillow, or a car-visor-sunglass-holder for my ever-growing collection of sunnies?