Julie

So, Natalie's new American Girl doll, Julie, has quickly become a member of the family. We tuck her into bed every night next to Natalie, brush her hair every morning and she even has a pink storage bin for her things in Natalie's bedroom.

 She comes on walks around the neighborhood with us, naturally.

And this doll  has me knitting again (which I haven't done since I was pregnant with Natalie.)  And even learning to sew!  These American Girl doll clothes cost more than I spend to dress my own living, breathing, school attending children, so this mommy had to get creative! So far I've knitted Julie a poncho and a matching hat...

and (thanks to Grandma Lala showing me around the sewing machine I've (we've) been carting around the country for 10+ years) sewed her a sundress and matching headband. Actually, Grandma Lala did most of the sewing project, but seeing how quick and fun it can be to make a few items for Julie, I took the 60 year old sewing machine in for its first servicing in at least 30 years to make sure it can keep up with the projects we have in mind for this doll! Still working great, according to the repairwoman. Just needed a lot of cleaning and a little love. Hilarious. 

 

 

 Anyway, Natalie is loving all the Julie crafts.  Once we showed her the sundress Lala and I completed during one nap time, Natalie was so impressed with our success she started designing her dream wardrobe for Julie.  I had to remind her that Lala was heading home to Palm Springs the next day and she was going to be stuck with me...novice seamstress squared!  But that didn't seem to discourage her dreaming so I ordered an instruction/pattern book for beginners and I'm hoping for the best!