Warm Thanksgiving Wishes

And where have I been?  Seems like an eternity since I posted a blog.  Sort of.  When you consider how many I posted in October, you'd think I went on strike.  Well, given that I truly believe, now, that my subscribers aren't getting notifications, it's been a bit of a letdown.  And, if you're here, and you're not, I am on Facebook and always post all my new creations and with a link to my latest blog posting.  Melissa Hoover.  Look me up!

What have I been up to?  Okay, so I did make some something for the November Club Grace.  I didn't post it because I didn't feel it was worthy of a full blog.  Ruby Red Galleria did a smash up job of recreating one of Kate Middleton's red outfits for Grace, and as the queen had recently passed, I decided to dress Dolly Dingle in something sweet and commemorative.

I'll get to that.  First, what I've been doing.  Trying very hard to get something done.  This is a busy time of year.  We all know that.  And this year I'm making Christmas gifts of doll clothing and that includes everything from finding fabrics, waiting for them to arrive, reordering if I don't like them, drafting patterns, redoing them, on and on and on.  The bottom line is, I've nothing much to post but warm wishes to you.

I did pull out a project from early last winter and thought I could just jump in and complete it.  But no.  I realized why I hadn't.  I needed more of this and that, so took a few days finding just the right notions and fabrics to finish it.  

I've long wanted to make Tonner's Fancy Nancy some outfits from the books, and this one is from Its a Snow Day.  At this writing, I do have everything now to complete it, but presents for friends first.

Rachel had Ruby Red Galleria make this gorgeous red outfit for Grace and some beautiful coats in different colors as "ad-ons".  I purchased the green one to give her a holiday look.  I can't even imagine what is in store for December since this one shook the timbers!

During the queen's last celebration prior to her death, there was an adorable YouTube of her and Paddington Bear having tea together.  It was the inspiration for making Dolly a Paddington Bear outfit.

Later I would discover that Kate had been photographed with Paddington Bear, too, so this all came together nicely.  

Diana Vining had illustrated some beautiful paper toys with the Club Grace offering and one of them was a crown.  I printed it out smaller, cut it out and placed it on Remmie Lou's head.

Here's Dolly Dingle in all her glory, complete with a note to look after her.  I created this the first few days of November and since then have been scrambling and getting nowhere.

And Remmie Lou.  I never forget the dog!

Here's the story in which Kate and Grace are friends, and the outfit is a gift to Grace.  It's a who wore it better moment.

Given that, this posting is short.  I'm not even sure I'll have time to create anything new in December, although I might be able to finish Fancy Nancy's outfit before Christmas.  The goal is getting the gifts done and shipped!  I'll be able to share these creations after Christmas, of course.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I'm looking forward to a lovely turkey dinner like many of us.  It's been dry and cold and the leaves have started their final journey to the ground.  On days like this, I take my dog out to stretch a bit, me and him, and shuffle and crunch through the leaves.  Earlier in the month we had a huge rainstorm that dropped 25" of snow in the Sierras, so my husband I didn't waste time in getting up to the snow two days in row to go cross country skiing!  Were we in Buffalo, New York, nobody would be getting doll dresses for Christmas.  Snow is a treat and a priority.

The tree is up and strung with lights.  Tomorrow I'll decorate it.  Another priority!  I've been watching Hallmark "royal" Christmas movies at night and enjoying them for the happy feelings they give me.  

And now, I'd best get back to work.  Wishing you a wonderful start to the Christmas season, and for those of you in the U.S., a Happy Thanksgiving!  Here's some of my favorite images of our holiday.

Love, Melissa