Favorite finishes of 2024

Joining in on the: Best of 2024 Linky Party at Meadow Mist Designs. I have decided to post about my favorite finishes of 2024. Select the image to be directed to the post. Are you ready? Here are my top 5 favorite finishes of 2024 {in chronological order of dates posted, beginning in March}:

1. This is a tote bag that I made for a blog hop that was hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. It features the Martha Washington Star quilt block. It was truly fun! This post had the most comments of all 5 favorites, at 13. Please continue reading for more...

Something Wicked Blog Hop: Gourdon

Meet Gourdon. He is all ready for Halloween and Autumn with his gourd head and cute attire. He is my project for the Something Wicked Blog Hop, hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. Do you think that he is OK to sit out in the room any time of the year? His face is hand-painted {a skill that I am still trying to improve at}. The entire doll is coffee-stained. Gourdon is actually the 6th doll that I have made from a Sanker Studios pattern. Do you ever make any dolls? This is my 990th blog post- getting close to that 1,000 mark! Thank you all who visit/comment and/or follow. You truly make me smile. Please continue reading for comments, and for a full list of all of the blog hoppers.

doll pattern: Gourdon | ©2019 Brenda Jett Sanker

Happy Easter 2024

Happy Easter! Today is also the last day of National Quilting Month. This is another doll from a Sanker Studios pattern. The title is B is for Bunny, and I have named mine Beatrice. She is approx. 23" from tip of her ears to toes, and wears a pink dress with white geometric print. My favorite part of her emsemble is her furry, muslin-lined bunny hood. Isn't it adorable? She was actually made a few years ago. Please continue reading for more, and for comments.

White Rabbit Blog Hop!

UPDATE: 26 January 2024
Good morning blog friends, "new" and "older"! Welcome to day 2 of the White Rabbit Blog Hop. There are so many fabulous creations already posted, wow! What a fun hop. Here is my project. It isn't completed, but will be soon. He is a white bunny rabbit, made of 100% cotton fabrics. 'Wanted to make him of wool felt, but couldn't get to the store with all of the snow and ice. He is 14" tall, and has an embroidered and painted face. 'Think his name will be Anders. He wears a green and white pinstripe romper. I had not heard of the tale of the white rabbit bringing good luck, but maybe he will and clear up the weather. This is a free pattern from Purl Soho titled: Soft Woolen Bunny. 'Hope you are enjoying the blog hop, and will visit all of the amazing creations. Please continue reading for comments, and a complete list of all blog hop participants.

Happy Easter + a Rabbit doll!

Happy Easter friends! 'Hope your day is bright and sunny. This is a doll from a pattern called Daffodil & Carrot, designed by Brenda Jett Sanker. Actually, there are two dolls, as Daffodil has her baby Carrot on her arm.

Tilda cat doll

Good afternoon friends. 'Hope you are all safe and well. The weather here is cooler and cloudy. Well, that is to be expected in the Spring in Alabama. This is another Tilda doll that I made for my great niece last year. The pattern is from: Tilda's World.com, and is free. That fabric the dress is made of, 'wish I had many yards of that one. Great niece Lydia did like the doll.

I actually have been quilting, and have a couple nearly ready to post. The H2H quilt is finished, but awaiting the party to reveal it. Quilting and doll-making, two of my favorite hobbies for sure. Things have been kinda hectic here, but getting better. How have you been doing? Blessings.

Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange 2021

Hello friends! Welcome to day 2 of the: Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange at Just Let Me Quilt. My projects are first, this Sallie Snowblls doll. She is made from a pattern by Sanker Studios, and was so much fun to make. She is holding a little wooden snowflake, and wears a red holidays hat with a jingle bell atop. Notice that her shoes also have jingle bells.

Ghastly Ghouls Blog Hop 2021

Today is my day on the Ghastly Ghouls Blog Hop, and here is a very Autumn-themed witch doll. She is approx. 32" tall, and her face is hand-painted. The braided hair is black roving wool. This is a pattern that I had wanted to make for a long while, and finally did just that. Her [new] name is Ezra, and she wears her bottle of witches' potion around her neck. Remember Simone (Bunny Boo Hiss), another Sanker Studio pattern? These two could be friends, couldn't they? Be sure to visit all of the other bloggers this week to see their wonderful projects. Continue reading for those links, and to leave comments.

Born To Be Wild Blog Hop!

Hello friends. Are you enjoying the first day of the Born To Be Wild Blog Hop? My project is this little monkey doll, Judith, wearing her African wax print frock and holding a hand [small bunch] of bananas. She is approx. 16" tall, and was made from a pattern that I just made up. The body is cotton flannel, and her frock is 100% cotton. Thank you to Carol for hosting this fun hop! Thank you for visiting my blog. Be sure to visit all of the other blog hoppers this week, and see many awesome creations:

May 17th- Creatin' in the Sticks, Vrooman's Quilts, Homespun Hannah's Blog- you are here, Scrapdash, Kathleen McMusing, Just Sew Quilter, Just Because Quilts

May 18th- MooseStashQuilting, Selina Quilts, For The Love Of Geese, Elizabeth Coughlin Designs, Quilt Schmilt, Life in the Scrapatch, Sewing Up My Fabric

May 19th- Ms P Designs USA, Patchouli Moon Studio, Beaquilter, Hill Valley Quilter, Quilted Delights, Stitchin At Home, Sew Many Yarns

May 20th- Samelia's Mum, Inflorescence, Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel, That Fabric Feeling, Words & Stitches, Websterquilt

May 21st- Just Let Me Quilt, Days Filled With Joy, Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting, Quilting Gail, Lianne Makes Stuff, Quilt Fabrication, Food for Thought

Baby boy arriving in December!

Guess what friends! I have a new grandson, arriving in December! Wow, how blessed am I? Already have one grandson, and one granddaughter. Three will make it even better! These are stuffed fleece dinosaurs, and a decorated wooden frame. Daughter and family are decorating the nursery in navy and grey, with dinosaurs, so these should fit right in with the theme.

Patterns designed by: Choly Knight at Sew desu ne? Of course a quilt is in the works, so stay tuned to see the progress on that. Hoping you are all safe and well. Continue reading to see more gifts {photo overload!} for grandson, and for comments.

Virtual Cookie Exchange & Blog Hop 2019

It is day three of the: Virtual Cookie Exchange & Blog Hop at Just Let Me Quilt. 'Hope you are all enjoying the event. This tomte gnome is something that I have wanted to make for a while. 'Also learned some interesting information about gnomes as well. According to legend, they are active little sprites! 'Wonder if they like brownies... This one measures 13" tall and has a weighted bottom to stand. The body and nose are cotton fabric. His clothing is olive cotton flannel and his beard is white craft faux fur.

The recipe in that little blue plate is Chocolate Mint Brownies. They were quite easy to prepare, and do taste yummy. The filling is gel-based food-colored dyed green, and the topping is a ganache made of real chocolate morsels. The link to the recipe is below. Be sure to hop on over and visit all of the bloggers for all of their special recipes and projects. This is so much fun!

Chocolate Mint Brownies recipe: Betty Crocker-General Mills® | Privacy-Cookies Policy re-posted with permission

Witchy Stitchy Blog Hop!

Today is my day on the: *Witchy Stitchy Blog Hop*, hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. My project is this witchy yet adorable pumpkin bunny. Her name is Simone, and she is approximately 20" tall. Her face is hand-painted, and she is coffee-stained heavy weight muslin. Simone's head is dyed orange, and her "stockings" are pained orange and grey. Around her neck is a Trick or Treat hang tag and her little green potion bottle. Simone wears a grey, black and orange pumpkin print shortall and her fuzzy bunny ears headband. The burlap neck ruff and the pumpkin pick just complete her look, don't they? While cute, Simone is just a tad bit scary. That book she is sitting on, could it be full of Halloween spells? Whoo! I love this pattern so much, and so enjoyed creating Simone.

Be sure to go visit and check-out the other projects in the Blog Hop from 7th through 11th October. It's not too late, as the links to all of the blogs and sites are listed there.

doll pattern: Bunny Boo Hiss | ©2018 Brenda Jett Sanker

New 18" doll clothes for granddaughter

Here are some new dresses for my granddaughter's AG dolls. She now has four dolls, so granny has to sew so many outfits. These dresses went to her for her birthday back in June. The magenta dress is just like granddaughter's dress, so they can dress alike. Actually, I am now hooked on sewing doll clothes. It is so much fun. Do you ever sew doll clothes?

Kelsey's NCAA gear!

It's that time again- NCAA football season is in full swing. Kelsey is all ready in her Ole Miss® gear (my alma mater). Her white shoes are a good fashion choice. The big hair bow tops it all off. Kelsey is all ready to join in on the fun of traditional tail-gating. Be sure to visit Diane at Lavender Dreams to see her "wee ones" dolls. Do you have a NCAA team that you cheer for?

~Linking-up with: Diane at Lavender Dreams' Wednesday Wee Ones~

Kelsey's sailor dress

Here is Kelsey, wearing her navy and white sailor-inspired dress. The navy skirt portion is dropped and pleated. Her sleeveless bodice portion features navy anchors on a white ground. All she needs now is a large white straw hat! 'Couldn't find one to fit her though. Kelsey looks all ready to attend the horse racing track, doesn't she?

~Linking-up with: Diane at Lavender Dreams' Wednesday Wee Ones~

My Raggedy Dolls: Part 5

It has been a while, but here are some more of my raggedy dolls. The one in the center was made by Rene of Sew Many Raggedies blog. The other two were made by me several years ago. They are meant to be a brother and sister. I was learning how to paint and sand the muslin fabric. Yes, it is fun to collect raggedy dolls, isn't it?

Humble Quilts' Doll Quilt Swap 2016

Participated again this year in the Doll Quilt Swap hosted by Lori at Humble Quilts Blog. Pictured above is the adorable quilt that my partner: Cathy of: Big Lake Quilter , made for me. Isn't it perfect? The fabrics and pattern are all gorgeous. The log cabin is one of my favorite patterns. Cathy hand-quilted this adorable doll quilt. She also sent some much-needed quilt clips, a pair of metal snippers, and a darling quilt pattern. Sending many thanks to Cathy. Be sure to visit and follow her blog. To see the doll quilt that I made for Grace, keep reading.

Happy Easter and a bunny

Happy Easter wishes to you all. 'Seemed to slip up on me this year. Spring is one of my favorite times of the year, with the warmer milder temperatures. Pictured above is adorable Basil the Bunny made from a pattern by Wendy at: Ravenwood Whimzies. She had used this as a Doll Challenge back in 2011, and I just found it recently. 'Talk about delayed reaction, lol. Although it is far too late to enter the Challenge, this Basil was still such a joy to make. Thanks to Wendy! The adorable Easter egg tuck in Basil's arm is from Spring Tidings Swap 2014 with Sheila of: Seasons of Thy Heart. Happy Easter blessings to you all.

~celebrating National Craft Month~

Prayer dolls

Have you ever heard of Prayer dolls? I found out about them from Dress A Girl Around The World, a charity that provides dresses for needy girls. Some ladies include a Prayer doll in the pockets of the dresses they send. They are really minimal and simple to make. Inside the doll's head, you place a prayer written on a scrap piece of paper or fabric. Even though the girl will never actually see the prayer, the idea is that the well-wishes are there. Mother and I sew dresses for this charity when possible, and thought these dolls would also be nice to send. Although neither of us is employed by nor receives any financial benefit from helping this charity, we so enjoy helping them. Yes, the reward is being happy to help the needy. To see three more of these dolls, continue reading.

Snowgirl in corduroy cape

Hello friends. 'Remember the post from last year, about the: Thrifty Thursday corduroy bundle? Here is how I used some of the burgundy corduroy- this snowgirl mounted on an old brass candlestick. Her cape and hat are made from that fabric. The snowgirl head is from a tutorial by Willa at: The Old Cupboard Door Blog. Doesn't this snow girl look all wintery, with her sheep's wool hand muff and her warm corduroy cape and hat? Prim Winter blessings.