Inspiration!

I have so many doll ideas.  There is a list on the wall of my studio (yeah, dining room) with lots and lots of ideas.  Between filling doll orders,  wanting to work on things other than dolls, and life, it's not often I get around to making something new for My Gigi Dolls.

So, these days, inspiration to make something new for the dolls comes from my customers!  This dress turned out so cute!  A woman ordered a doll and asked if I could make a dress for the doll based on a dress her niece wore.  

I really hope she likes it.  I LOVE it! 

And, now it's in the My Gigi Doll Etsy shop!

In your creative endeavors, what inspires you to actually create something new?

Why I Give...

I give because it brings me joy and freedom.

As an adult, I started out giving in a consistent way because that is what was modeled for me and  I felt like it was the right thing to do.  

The irony is that the more I give the richer I feel.

When I began making My Gigi Dolls, I was at first surprised that I loved making them.  I never would have expected that.  Truly. 

But, the real beauty came when I began giving them away...to a little girl with Down's Syndrome...to military kids....to hospitalized children.  

When I give a doll away, I am sending out a little bit of myself - my creativity, my time and my passion - with each doll with no strings attached.  

I love the feeling of sending a doll that has been purchased, too, but there is something a little magical in sending something out there to someone you've never met, in hopes that it will bring them a bit of joy.

In all honestly, I'm not an especially selfless person.  Remember I said giving brings me joy and freedom?  Yep.  I get something out of it.  

I explained the joy I feel in giving, but what about freedom?

Well, the more I let go of things - not because I should, but because I want to - the freer and more satisfied I am with my life.  The times I give when it is difficult for me are the times I am the most blessed.

What prompted this post is that my family and I are in the process of downsizing from an 1800 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2 car garage home to a 1472 sq ft, 3 bedroom, carport home.  

And, I couldn't be happier.  

But, I have a LOT to get rid of!  At least a 2 car garage and full bedroom worth.  

I started out selling things.  But, yesterday, I was given an unexpected gift of $110.  I gave each of my kids $10 and when they asked me why, I told them that I wanted to bless them because I had been blessed.  It was easy for me to part with $30 I hadn't been expecting.  

This morning, I thought:  I'm going to give away all of the things I've been planning to sell.  Because I've been blessed; because giving brings me joy and freedom; because I have what I need today; I will give with no strings attached.  

And, I promise you, after I've given away what I no longer have room for, I will feel richer.

This is a more serious (and far less PRETTY) post than usual.  And, harder to write, ya know?  But, I felt like I needed to put it out there, whether anyone reads it or not.

Since you are reading it, I'd love to know:  How has being generous impacted you?

Back to the Drawing Board and a New Tutorial!

You know how I wish things worked?  

I come up with a great idea.  

I try it out.  

It turns out just right.  

I take pictures and blog about it and everyone loves it.

(CHEER!)

You know how things usually actually work? 

I get an idea.  

I try it out.  

Something needs to be fixed.  

I fix it.  

It still stinks.

  I fix more.  

Eventually (hopefully) it is exactly how I like it.  

Or, I forget about the whole idea.

I have a bin full of dolls that I would ONLY show my closest friends.  Seriously, they are that bad.

I also have a quilt top that I may never actually make into a quilt because I hate it.

When things don't work out how I imagine they will, it makes me feel so uninspired.  Like looking out on the morning rain, ya know?

And when I knew I had to face another project

Lord, it made me feel so tired

(are you singing it?)

So, my GREAT idea last week was to make a pea pod baby doll.  I actually think it might still be a great idea, it just needs some work.  

The reason I am posting about this today is because when things turn out really well, it is SO much fun to come blog about it.  But, when they don't turn out well, they get ignored.  I mean, who wants to take photos of a sucky project?

Ready to see the pea pod doll, take one?

 

 Stuffing her just was NOT working...grr...

I think she needs an outer pod, not just the round peas on her belly, don't you?

I'd love to hear your suggestions!

One good thing about having a project flop is that it forces me find a way to get inspired.  

And, you know what inspires me?  

An organized sewing area!  

Before:

After:

(CHEER!)

OH!  I almost forgot!  I wrote a new tutorial.   

Check it out here:

Easy Seed Stitch Dishcloth {Tutorial}

 

I'd love to hear about a project that just isn't (wasn't) working for you? 

xo,

Melissa

Meet Elizabeth

Hey there and Happy New Year!

May I start out by saying that it is a lot of work to sew AND blog?  Sewing is fun and exciting and I love to do it every day.  Blogging is harder for me.  I want to rush through it and just get to the project photos already! 

This year, I want to make this blog have meaning and add value to the people who take the time to read it.  I haven't quite figured out the how yet, but I'm hoping that my blog will add value to others this year.  

And, that is as close as I am getting to making a New Year's Resolution.

I want to introduce you to Elizabeth today.  I listed her in the My Gigi Doll Etsy Shop in December and I have been using her as my model today.  

I am really drawn to this doll, and think I may keep her.  

From the Etsy listing, here is Elizabeth's description, "Elizabeth is a giggly girl who loves to dance and romp through the woods. She can get lost in her thoughts for hours while exploring nature. A crown with leaves and flowers is the perfect accessory for her. She is a true nature princess!" 

Doesn't she should like fun?  

I'll let you in on a little secret:  Elizabeth is based on me as a little girl (my middle name is Elizabeth).  Her hair should be a bit more messy, okay, a lot more messy, and she should have dirt smudged across her face, but besides those things, this doll is pretty close to me as a girl (YES, I had light blonde hair when I was little.)  I actually seriously thought about adding a tiny smear of dirt to her face, but just couldn't do it.  Models don't have dirty faces.

Hope you liked meeting Elizabeth!

Another thing I'd like to tell you about today is that I have something really fun coming to the shop soon:  

Doll/Child felt crowns!

Not only do the doll crowns fit My Gigi Dolls, but they also fit American Girl dolls!  You've already seen the crown on Elizabeth, but here is a sneak peek at the doll AND girl/boy crowns:

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  

If you have a minute to leave a comment, I would love to hear what makes a blog valuable and meaningful to you.  

xo,

Melissa

What's In The Mail Today!

Three fun dolls are in the mail today on their way to their new happy owners!

First, here is sweet little Norah:

She's super cute, but I think she needs a tutu, don't you?

That's better!

These two Super Dolls are headed to Oregon.  They have their trusty Super Dogs with them!

It feels good to have all 3 dolls on their way.  

Tomorrow it's back to quilting.  I'll also be making curtains for my sister's bathroom.  Fun!