Tools

Mostly I just took this picture to show you some of my cool stuff. Everything except the Sajou needles and thread holders (gifts from Jody) has been with me for a while and each has a little story.

There's two darning eggs (one more "egg" than the other) The first one was my Mom, the second is from Sweden.

Two crochet hooks. The big wooden one is from Sweden and it certainly looks it! The little ivory one is actually a set of two that I bought in an antique shop years ago and use all the time.

The little booklet is a needle case sent to us when I was a kid, as a gift from our local oil company. Interesting concept and much better than a calendar!

The magnifying glass with the Bakelite was my Mom's. I remember her using it to take splinters out of my fingers. Not a pleasant memory, but I still use it all the time for sewing or reading teeny tiny labels.

Those spools of thread (and there are more) are from my Mom as well. They are at least from the 40's perhaps before. I remember hand sewing doll clothes with them.

And, nestled in there are some crocheted buttons which are a part of my extensive button collection. Some are from Mom and some, like these were bought at antique stores.

A sentimental day. I have such strong feelings about passing down needlework supplies. What are we using today that will be considered "retro" and "cool" or quaint? Is the high-tech of our world, breeding it all out of us?

If you treasure these things, hold onto them or pass them to someone else who will use and care for them. Yes, I do use a darning egg!

Whatta Doll

These images are in reverse, but they tell the story of a kit.

When we first started, Krafti-kit I was really looking hard for cloth doll kits. For a child, I assumed. Then we came across these wee dolls from Dorothy Christian. It was only after I made my first one, that I went: WOW. This is fun. This is the kind of fun I haven't had in a really long time. These babies are for me.

Little pieces of cloth, little shiny bits. LOTS of little shiny bits. They are somehow the Talisman for the missing whimsy in our lives, I think. I used to have a friend who said, when in doubt, make a cake. Like, when all is going south, remember, you know this: I can bake a cake.

That's entirely how I feel about these little dolls. Laura has to keep me away from the inventory but I got this one in blue to make, just for this post. Happy! Each kit is different in fabric but we've grouped them in colorings. The surprise is a good thing. Trust me. They're all great.

Oh, and what do you do with them when you're done? Place them somewhere to remind you to smile!