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Another version of my favorite character

This little doll is going to my favorite one year old in the world. She is an amazing girl with a constant sparkle in her eye.

Happy Birthday Ella (yes it is tomorrow). We love you!

My wonderful family!

Maybe if you let time pass by?

 It is a really dumb expression. There are some things that are impossible to forget or forgive. Yes, time passes but what ever happened in the past is still there. I guess that you as a person can make a decision to get over it and leave it in the past, which is what happens most of the times but time doesn’t have anything to do with it.

 I have learned one thing this summer and that is that you have to be very careful with the relationship that you have with your children. As they grown up the will choose their own path and the only thing we will be to do is to support whatever they choose to do and you have to be very cautious with our meddling. If you step over that line, as a parent you really make a huge mistake and once you have done that you can never go back. Your children will never trust or respect you again.

 Time will not fix that.

 I am sure that we are going to have to bite our tongues in the future, cross our fingers and hope for the best but I know that L and M will be able to find their own way and do well. I will never doubt them and I will never criticize their choices or life callings.

 I pledge that I will love and support them forever.

 What was it that John Lennon said? “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

 Today we are going to Carpe as much Diem as possible, enjoy that we are a happy and healthy family. M helped me to make pancakes this morning and maybe we are going to drive down to the beach in a little bit.

A nice attitude is for free!

I think this entry is directed to rude people who are working in the service industry or own shops. The point is, isn’t it (?) to create a nice feeling between the shopkeeper/salesperson and the customer or at least potential customer. I know that I live in Spain and that customer service is not taken very seriously and it hasn’t been properly adapted. Today I walked into a store which looked really nice on the outside and it was specialised in patch work. I entered the store and said hello and asked a few questions (yes in Spanish) and got short, spitting replies back and finally I said, oh, what a nice store, whereupon I got. VALE (OK!) as a reply. I rolled my eyes and went out, never to return again. The next fabric store was not much better. I went downstairs to the basement and asked for fabric for party dresses and the attendant sent me upstairs, whereupon the upstairs attendant told me to go down stairs. QUE (what)? It is so frustrating. Still, the rudest comment I got was, are you going to buy something or what? No, gracias.

My advice to you, all shop owners, read a book on customer service. Practice how to smile at customers. Welcome them into the store. Wish them a nice day. Even though you might speak different languages the goal is pretty simple, the (potential) customer is looking for something to buy. Your job is to be so nice that the person doesn’t just walk out of the store with no intention of ever coming back and also writing bad reviews on the internet. You, the shop owner is the person missing out on business. In these trying times, you should really take this seriously. 

Other then that I had a beautiful walk in Valencia. I forget how nice it is to pass by the city hall and walk around in the fabric district. It is still warm and I was wearing short and a tanktop, carrying my camera but ended up taking no pictures.

About the Frieda Dolls

The basic idea for Frieda Dolls is that handmade things are good. The idea came form this: I read a study many years ago where kids in all ages had been asked where milk came from. Almost everyone had answered – from the store. And it is actually true; almost everything that we purchase comes from stores and is mass-produced. It is, for me, pure “geniessung (enjoyment)” as you say in German to make things from scratch and to see these dolls take form.

Another idea, is that you have to be a little bit careful with something that is handmade but if a doll should break a little bit you can mend it…perhaps you can learn how to sew a little bit…figure out how to fix it… I would like to make my own doll… I have made my own doll… I have taught my sister how to make a doll. The doll is not only a toy which you will play with and exercise you imagination, it is also something that will make you more responsible and perhaps create an interest anything that has to do with creativity.

Good morning or Good afternoon from me. : )

It is Monday! Yay! Or? Not too much yay? Well, at least I stated the week by ironing the weekly laundry (after dealing with company correspondence and other work related things). Once that was done I felt more of a yay. Then I went on to work on the two custom dolls that I have to finish this week. They are cute. I designed a pattern for a dress for one of the dolls and it turned out great. I am really happy with it. Looking at the result from across the room. Definitely pleased. Great, it is a new week, yay!

By the way, we had a great weekend! I will let the pitures tell you about it!

Changing

 

 It is Saturday, just before lunch. I have been sitting at the table sewing for the last couple of hours. The kids are playing nicely. M is wearing one of my t-shirts pretending it is a princess dress. J came home with coffee after working for a couple of hours. He is the best. In a couple of minutes I am going to prepare grilled sandwiched with cheese and ham and we are then going to go the beach. It looks nice outside, and I am hoping that it will be warm enough to dip in the sea. I think it will be. Feeling a bit worried lately, hoping things will work out. The will, they always do…yet, it is tiresome. I want to fly, not tread water….anyways…this will be a beautiful afternoon.  

I am working on two custom dolls, a girl and a boy. Exciting!! The boy is almost done!!! I only have to finish the wig and his red merino wool sweater.

Have lovely Saturday!

PS. Here is where I found the princess crown.

Collaboration

Collaboration

My love for felt continues. We collaborated, L, M and I yesterday in making felt cupcake brooches. They helped me to design the different combinations and I think it was a great project to do together. We were able to sit around the table, work and talk about their day at school for an hour or so and they really felt as if they were also doing something important. It was a good afternoon.

 What comes next in regards of the felt creations? Pin cushions? I am dying to do a big cupcake pincushion and J is begging me too as he is ending up stepping on needles everywhere…; )

 However, I am going to do marketing this upcoming week and only that (surely not). If anyone has any ideas about where and how I can market the Frieda Dolls, I would be happy to receive any advice. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Children of the Forest Waldorf doll

 

This is a doll inspired by one of the characters in Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow. I love this story and Beskow’s illustrations.

About the doll

This is Kajsa. She is a 13’4 inches or 34 cm Frieda Doll and she is made with 100% cotton tricot, cleaned and carded sheep’s wool from Sweden. Her hair is made out of mohair. The dress is 100% cotton and the knitted hat. Kajsa’s blushing cheeks are done with beeswax crayon. She is also wearing crochet shoes with straps which are decorated with little pearls.

I am off to play tennis and enjoy the wonderful fall weather that we have in Valencia. Have a fabulous day!