The Christmas lights for the porch have been hung. I must say, they look very pretty and festive. While I was out there, I dumped the contents of several porch pots onto our mulch pile near the shed. It was such a pleasure moving the pots into the nicely organized potting area in the shed. What a difference from years past when I had to jam them inside each other, toss them on a pile of STUFF and hope I could find them the next spring. There’s more porch organization to go, but I can’t dump a pot in which the plant is still somewhat alive. It’s not in me. Plus, we have to fold up the Adirondack chairs and bring all the cushions inside.
Yesterday’s mini project. Reader Elaine from Ontario gave me this idea. I’m proud to say I was a bit of an enabler with Elaine and she now has two Blythes. I may be wrong about that number, Elaine, feel free to correct me. Anyway, she read about these little sweater ornaments that Target does every year. Of course, I had no idea they existed. They come on a gold hanger and they’re supposed to go on a tree. But, many people buy them for Barbies and Blythes. They’re only $3 each, This year, there is a white sweater and a gray sweater.
Photo: Target
I knew the neck was too small to fit over a Blythe body, even the small licca body of Olivia. But they’re only $3 each, so why not experiment? I did try to fit it over Olivia’s body before I experimented, but the neck wouldn’t stretch enough. So I grabbed my embroidery scissors and snipped an opening at the back of the neck, extending about a half inch into the sweater. I used some Fray Check, but it’s really not meant for knits, so I ended up using my yarn needle and some yarn to bind the edges of the opening. It worked!
It’s not all that attractive to look at, but who the heck cares? I’m the only one who sees it and her hair covers it.
It’s a little bigger on her than it will be on her sisters as Livvy is the only one with a licca body. I love it. The hat, by the way, arrived yesterday all the way from Thailand. It was included with a dress I ordered. It seemed meant to be – perfect for this outfit and for Olivia.
The hangars are sewn in and can be easily removed.
I can’t afford to buy handmade sweaters for the girls that are holiday themed. That’s a lot of money for something I can only use once a year. This solution is perfect.
Thanks, Elaine.
Favorite line from Little Z (who is no longer little) during yesterday’s FaceTime. (He was about to go visit Santa.)
Don: Why don’t you want to see Santa?
Z: Because I’ve already seen him multiple times.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
What a stellar idea from Elaine—adorable sweaters! And I simply love a good and thrifty repurposing idea!
Me too!
How is Fred?
Stay safe, Shanna.
Fred’s sooo much better! Of course, he’s still weak, tires easily, and trying to get himself off the oxy/pain meds, but better and stronger every day. We think his home healthcare people and therapy people will cut him loose soon. We’ll know more after a doctor’s visit and PET scan in a few weeks. Thanks to you and all of your kind readers for the good vibes.
oh, that’s great news, shanna!!! :)
i will keep praying for you all.
smiling over here and thanking God for fred’s improving health,
kathy
Couldn’t be happier for the both of you. You’ve been through such stress and trauma. Sending love to you and Fred and a big hug, too!
xo
The sweaters are a brilliant idea…so cute!
I love little Z’s comment. Kids grow up way to quickly, especially these days.
Take care
He is so intelligent – uses words that we wouldn’t even use!
Stay safe, Marilyn.
I like the sweater. I guess for a Barbie it would be easy enough to remove the head to put the sweater on. That must not be the case for a Blythe doll. The hat was a perfect match.
You can remove the head, but it involves removing screws and sometimes I just don’t want to mess with the head.
But that is also an option.
Stay safe, Olivia.
ornaments as sweaters for the girls and you solved the problem about the neck opening … very clever and cute!
glad you put up cheerful lights and had easy planter put-aways (that hard work by you and don cleaning the shed paid off again!).
we’ve been having a week of super-mild weather (which will soon change in a not-surprising way) … so mild that i found a small caterpillar crawling on my parents’ driveway yesterday. moved him to a safer green-space (common lawn) across the road. the day before that, we had a redwing blackbird at the suet cake feeder … seen many of them along roadsides in rural areas, but never ever in town. on a ride on thanksgiving, we appropriately saw a group of wild turkeys. best sighting of something wild and free, though, was when we went north to the biggest lake around here (actually a human-made reservoir for our biggest local river) and saw two pelicans! they only migrate through iowa so we were excited and grateful to see them. :)
now have fifteen hats ready for the church sale (will deliver them on monday). glad about that, but all that knitting means nothing much got done around here so i best get to some other projects.
hope you, don and everyone else has a happy, safe saturday.
kathy
Love pelicans- your timing was perfect!
So nice of you to knit hats for the church sale, Kathy.
Stay safe.
You know what I would love? To know where everybody on your blog lives and maybe just a small picture to see what everyone looks like . Possible?
No way for commenters to post pictures, but someday, I’ll ask everyone to comment and say where they live – if they want to. Some people are private about that.
xo
Stay safe, Deb.
What a great idea for the Christmas sweater ornament! I love the look!
Christmas lights are always so festive and cheerful!
Stay warm!
They are! Thanks so much, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Claudia, just wonted to tell you we are seeing the promotion trailer of your movie on tv. Can’t wait to see the movie. Will be looking for your appearance as a nurse………… Love’en your blog!!!!
Thanks so much, Deb!
I’ll alert you when it’s about to open.
Stay safe.
I love the comments from the young one’s! They really do speak their mind! The sweaters are adorable. I must admit I’ve thought about buying a Blythe doll myself. Hugs!
I can’t say as I blame you! They are very tempting!
Z keeps us laughing. He also said, about reindeer “It would be practically impossible for them to fly.”
Stay safe, Linda
You’re welcome, Claudia. Clever girl to make the idea work. And yes I have to admit you are an enabler, lol, but I thank you for that. I’m having so much fun. I actually have 3 Blythe dolls – two girls and a boy. They are pretty well under wraps till Christmas. Sweaters are very expensive to buy. I can knit but I haven’t found just the right pattern yet. Isn’t it lovely when you receive that little something extra from a vendor? I recently bought a cute dress for Jessie and was given a sweet sleeveless summer dress at no charge. I call that great customer service. It’s nice you got your Christmas lights up. They are so welcoming on a cold blustery night. Hugs, Elaine
Ah, yes! I thought I might have the number wrong. Yes, a lot of vendors send along a little extra. So sweet of them.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Elaine, I can vouch that Claudia is a Blythe enabler :).
The Target sweater is so cute and such a great price!
My heart goes out to you on the shopping front. Those change room mirrors
can really bring me down too. A pretty scarf over something comfortable or some other
accessory can be a big help, however even finding something as a ‘base’ can
surprisingly challenging. A long open cardigan can work well also.
Being in something comfortable also helps one to let go and enjoy.
much Love
Thanks so much, Grace.
Stay safe.
Darling little sweaters. Prompted me to look at Target’s online site; gosh, they had a ton of adorable “Wondershop” ornaments for just three bucks each. But how cute; to think to use these well-made sweater ornaments for doll clothing! Olivia is wearing it well.
She is!
Thanks, Vicki.
Stay safe.
Cutest Blythe look yet! What a great idea!