I've been having fun this week. I acquired some American Girl Doll sweater/coats in a stash that I got at a garage sale last summer. This week has been spent making little hats to go with those coats and sewing buttons on the coats. Like a big goof, I forgot to take pics before I took them to DD's salon to sell them. I will be going down there on Sun. and hope to take my camera along and get some pics, then. I used to have so much fun making dolls and doll clothes when my girls were growing up and when the DGD's were young they had AG dolls and I had a ball sewing clothes for them. I have a total of 33 of these little coats to finish and make matching hats. Fortunately, that stash was so big that I am finding the matching yarn. But, since it is all out in the shed and it is the kind of cold here that freezes your hmm-hmm off, It will be next week before I get out there and find some more yarn to work with.
I got a new crochet pattern today at the LYS. Fibertrends Felted Crochet Childrens Slippers. I want to start on those soon, too for the CIC kids and for the kiddos in Akkol, Kaz. It gets down to minus 40 degrees outdoors there and only up to about plus 40 degrees F. indoors. the orphanage in Kaz has about 250 kiddos and a budget of about $18,000.00US per year to support them. So there are many things that the children do without. Warmth should Not be one of the things they get along without! the orphanages in Russia are a little better off in some ways, but they don't heat them any better. For one thing the orphanages in Russia have been receiving help from US knitters longer and there is a larger group of knitters helping them. Even so, the need is very great in both places and we knitters cannot completely fill the need. But, we try our best and take comfort in knowing that every pair of socks, each sweater or vest, will help to warm one more child.
When it is very cold(like it has been this week) here in Michigan and I feel a little draft or get a little chilled, I have to remind myself just how well-off we are here, with our central heating and carpeted floors.
It's so hard to take time away from knitting for the orphans sometimes. Doll clothes and pretty things for our family that all have so much, just seem silly sometimes when I think of the little ones who are shivering in those big drafty buildings. It's enough to spur all the CIC knitters on to make 'just one more' pair of socks, sweater or vest. I hope that anyone who reads this will consider joining the Children in Common yahoo group or the Mittens for Akkol yahoo group, or both.
On the lighter side, I spent this afternoon helping DD Annie sew on her wedding dress. It is just gorgeous. This is her second wedding, it is pale champagne pink crepe backed satin and a very sleek design. She'll be a knock-out in it. I'm going back on Sunday afternoon to help and hope to get it nearly done.
Well, morning will be here before long and I have a busy day tomorrow. The whole family, kids and grands, are coming for turkey dinner. I baked a pie tonight and DD Kimmi is bringing one and another dessert, so the important stuff is taken care of. LOL Annie is bring the stuffing and Karin came and cleaned the house for me today while I was at Annie's sewing. So, I'll be busy, but I won't be crazy-busy.
DJ