Change of Direction

The sewing project I had been working on for myself was not going well and after a couple of days of working on it, unsuccessfully changing things up in an effort to make it better, I finally admitted it was nothing but a garbage can liner, or "wadder" as some call an item destined for the trash. Needing a refreshing change of direction I put my sewing skills to this task instead.

Ben's wife, Wilhelmina, has retired and, with a new one piece costume entirely hand sewn by me, he/she has instead become a little fellow named "Twill" my Creative Muse. If his interview goes well, perhaps he'll be my blogging assistant too? 

He's suggesting that he'd like a hat, if I could work that out?

Fun Little Fellow

I've been helping out as a daily volunteer in my granddaughter's classroom. That commitment has left precious little time for crafting which in turn leaves little to blog about. But there HAS been one fun little addition around here. 

I HAD been selling off my ball jointed dolls, intent on leaving the hobby. This little Dream High Studio "House Elf" enchanted me and convinced me that I was missing out on too much fun.

My original intent was to style him as a drab "old man next door" type of character -- a quiet loner into books, newspapers and other solitary activities. He went along with that idea for a brief bit but is now demanding much more colour, pattern, and FUN in his life. 

With his direction and supervision I've made him a fun new chair. Now he is refusing to get into his drab old man clothes.  He wants a new wardrobe too! "Lots of colour, pattern, and FUN, just like the chair!", says he.

Oh. And apparently I'm to make another chair. He says he's intent on wooing a lovely lady he has just met via the Internet and when she comes visiting she'll need a place to sit. 

Gingerbread Millennium Falcon

For Flame's final assignment in Gingerbread House building class he handed in a Gingerbread Millennium Falcon.

Elfonda's not quite sure if she should give him a failing grade because it's NOT a "house" as requested, and not at all traditional ---

-- or if she should give him an A because he showed creativity, originality, and that he could keep up with modern trends.

It's a Marshmallow World

Our first small skiff of snow fell today. Most of the snowflakes melted shortly after hitting the ground. Slush doesn't work well for snow angels.

Flame was terribly disappointed but Elfonda took pity, 

and allowed him to play indoors with a mound of marshmallows.

He is having so much fun I don't think he'll miss the Rice Krispie squares she had planned.

PS: The here, there, and everywhere alignment of my blog lately is not MY fault. I can't tell you the number of times I've centred everything, or put it all as left alignment, yet when published Blogger just does as it darn well pleases. It's driving me crazy!

Wrapping It Up

One of the things every Christmas Elf must master is gift wrapping. 

Flame sometimes struggles with getting those corners tucked in neatly.

But Elfonda is happy with his progress and encourages him to keep practicing.

Which is very good news for me,

Because I have a stack that still needs to be wrapped!

Two Weeks and Counting

Flame kindly moved the advent calendar to the next position

 and I was in for a bit of a shock 

when I realized that there are only two more weeks until Christmas!