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Twins!

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I have been wanting to design a little baby doll for some time, and have been experimenting with various shaping and design elements. It took a while, but I finally have something that I'm really happy with. So ... welcome Bubbles and Bobbi, the Tiny Toddlers! They are a lovely size to be able to carry around, or perch on a book shelf, or sit on your favourite fluffy cushion. The pattern is being put into PDF format, so hopefully that will go onto my Ravelry page soon. The Tiny Toddlers measure around 18cm to 20cm. Their little chubby limbs are all movable, which makes them lovely to play with. I have paid attention to little details, like the tiny ears embroidered on, and the little mouth indentation, which gives them expression. I will be adding little jerseys and shoes and so on to make them dress-upable (is that even a word? You know what I mean!) Working on little things like these dollies really gets a bit fiddly, but the end result is just so cute, that I enjoy it tremendous
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Welcome Lucy Lavender!

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  Lucy Lavender is a little yarn dolly, 30cm tall, and she loves the colour purple. She's made to cuddle, and take with you wherever you go, or sit quietly at home, adding her special touch of whimsy to your room.   Lucy's little cardigan is removable Little buttons close her shoes and pinny Her movable arms and legs make it easy for her to sit, or to go on wonderful adventures! Having an adventurous soul adds sparkle to life. Surrounded by shades of lavender and purple is Lucy's happy space! What a pretty little person she is! "...her clothing is fine linen and purple..." Proverbs 31.22
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Welcome Phindile!

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  Phindile...the second born Phindile is sister to Éna the little doll on previous pages. Éna means "one". The name Phindile is usually given to the second daughter, and we will call her Phindi for short.  Soft sandy beige pinny is covered with a removable cardi in cotton mix yarn in shades of cream and brown. Her little tie-up paper bag boots are removable too I chose earthy neutrals for Phindi as well, as she is also a little nature-loving girl who loves being outside on an adventure. You'll see more of that in another post. Of course Éna was delighted with her new sister. They couldn't stop chatting...  ...and eventually I had to just pick them up and put them to bed...where they continued until the wee hours! What are sisters for, if not a good natter? "A friend is loving at all times..." Proverbs 17:17
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Seeing Beauty in the Ordinary Things

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 Sometimes we are so rushed that we look without really seeing. There is beauty all around us. The most ordinary little plants can show us the lovely heart of God... A strawberry plant... A closer look reveals the inner heart of the beautiful flower! We need to slow down and really see ... ...beauty all around us! I hope you are blessed by my short video.
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A Hair-raising Experience

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Decisions, decisions... choosing the dollies hair will make all the difference to the final character. It's about the style,  the texture, and even whether it's going to be embroidered, knit, or crocheted on to the head. I decided on a playful, fluffy style, with super-soft yarn, to give her a childlike, almost fantasy-creature look...á la Narnia! With this style she could become a childs playmate...or a decor piece.  Decisions, decisions... She finally went with the creamy yarn... I'm glad, because I'm already planning a little caramel skinned friend for her😘 My new yarns arrived, after quite a search online, the skin tones are lovely! I'm already seeing a whole tribe of little people...   "  Even all the hairs on your head are numbered.  So do not be afraid; you are more valuable ..." Matthew 10:29-31 
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Putting on a good face

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All put together, but without a face. Our faces really do tell the story, don't they? Whether we're happy, sad, or upset about something, or whatever we feel... It's painted across the canvas of our faces. Our faces reflect the inner being.    I usually begin by putting in a few well-placed small stitches as markers to position the doll's features.  This is where the magic starts to happen ... what do I want her to look like? I really like to give all my toys a slightly whimsical expression. (I would like them to be comfortable living in Narnia!) I also like them to retain a childlike aspect, and puffy little cheeks help to achieve this look. Embroidering the eyes, nose and tiny mouth give the final touch... Before the coloured thread is applied for the mouth... After ... amazing what a difference one tiny stitch can make! Wow!  I can see! All done, except for the hair and of course her outfit.    " As in water the face
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When we are all in pieces...

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  I finished all the little parts of the new dolly, and they are ready for assembly. The yarn remained silky and it has turned out well so far. Looking at the pieces laying disjointed and waiting, I am reminded of how we can at times feel just the way the dolly looks now... all in pieces.  I know the plan I have for all these disjointed pieces. I know how I'm going to bring it all together. The picture of the complete doll is already in my mind and I'm working towards that goal with a sense of purpose and expectancy. God feels the same way about us. He has the plan in mind, and He is going to take all those disjointed pieces and work them together. I like to hold the right sides together, and then, tiny stitch by tiny stitch, join the seam. This takes time and a lot of patience. And that's what we need when we're all in pieces...  patience . God works in His own time because He has the plan and purpose in mind, and it takes a process. " Haste makes was
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Beginning again...

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Everytime I start a new project, it feels like beginning a new adventure. You are not always 100% sure of the final outcome, but you are excited to begin.  I found this gorgeous silky yarn online and at the time I had in mind to make myself a pair of socks. But everytime I looked at it, it kept saying "dolly"!  It's a lovely, soft yarn, and feels like a bamboo or silk mix, although the wrapper is in Spanish and Chinese. All I can make out is the Spanish for wool...so not sure what it is. The texture lends itself to an item that needs some "flex", so I think it will do for dolly.  After doing a tiny swatch, to test how it knits up, I began, and so far I've done just a few rounds of the new dolly's foot, and it looks so soft and silky, that I had to post it!  So now I can't wait to see how she turns out. Of course it's a one-stitch-at-a-time process...making each little part perfectly to make up the w
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Meet Some of the Ferny Creek Folk

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Little Owla and Little Peaches are both carefully and lovingly hand knit from finest quality yarns, and filled with polyester fibre filling. They are soft and loveable as a toy, or would add a touch of whimsy to any decor. They measure approximately 32cm, and have arms and legs that are moveable. Their clothing is removable, and separate outfits can be added .  I create unique dolls, and make them available. These are part of the Ferny Creek Folk.  Always off on an adventure...    Sweet little girl, ready for her new home! Little Owla, a wise little bird... She's off to find her friends...the Ferny Creek Folk  
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Little Yarn Dollies

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There is nothing as soft, loveable and appealing as a hand knit dolly. Each dolly I create is carefully and lovingly planned and produced, stitch by stitch. In these pages you will meet the Ferny Creek Folk, unique ethnically appealing dolls approximately 32cm high made from quality yarns, and filled with soft polyester filling. They have moveable arms and legs, and a variety of outfits. Their little faces are hand embroidered. Suitable as a decor item to add a whimsical touch to your home, or as a toy.  (I would recommend that small children should be supervised during play, as there are some smaller items such as shoes that might present a hazard for very small children. Alternately, these small items could be secured to the dolly with a stitch or two. )
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