annieadaysblog

2011-07-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

Blog, Does this look like a Nanny McPhee blanket to you? Looks real good to me! This is the cover of a Japanese Craft book,

Crochet Motif Winter Goods /Japanese Knitting Book/632

Now winging it’s way to Cape Ann !!! Yea!

We are having fabulous weather and looking forward to a great 4th. Happy 4th to you all. Hugs, annie

Nanny Mcphee film

2011-06-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hi, We rented the Nanny Mcphee 2005 film Sunday and I love it. We got the full screen version and I didn't see a number of images we have seen online. I'm posting one still and I apologize for having no source to credit. I think Moonstitches has done a good job of selecting similar colors.

This is a totally delightful project. hugs, annie

Summer 2011

2011-06-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I'm obsessed with what I call manic crochet. I'm working on a Nanny Mcphee blanket people size. ( so right for July... lol!!!) (also dying yarn with koolaid). I'm about 6 years late on Nanny Mcphee 1. (not the 2011 'Return of Nanny McPhee'. (Both have utterly wonderful interiors). The Nanny Mcphee project allows for total yarn lust and I've cornered the market on clear plastic boxes.

I also bought a copy of 'Mollie Makes' at B&N and I'm in love! This is a delicious magazine. Someone described it as like an especially nice blog.

Blogs I'm loving right now are Attic 2, Moonstitches, others I've found by googling Nanny Mcphee. I'm also learning my way around Ravelry.

Most of my projects are carry along or do not take a long time out of the day and seem right for Summer.

I'm still running every day in all weathers ... I think it is 8 years in December.

I planted 13 tomato plants that are doing well.

Back to my hook! Oh yeah ... I got a set of pink hooks, a ltd. ed from Japan, too cool!!! Hugs, annie

Same time... same station

2011-03-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Same time... same station... only one year later. Opening day is this week!!! Fantasy Baseball Drafts were Saturday night.

In between we have shoveled a lot of snow! Our dear old house is like a warrior after a tough battle.

I bought these pansies (just set in the window box) ... They are living indoors!

I'm anxious for the yard sales and flea markets to begin. I love Jane Wheel! More about her soon. See ya at the flea! annie

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-15T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hi, It's almost too cold to run. It feels like snow. Maybe it will warm up by noon. I've run in colder weather.

Why does the weather turn miserable when there is so much to do!!!

(later)... I did get out and run at noon but it was about 17. Eckkk! I've been spoiled being able to run at sunup and see the Christmas trees downtown during the recent Spring like weather.

My current doll is Una-na and I wrote about the book, Una-na (here someplace). I always take a little time everyday to play with patterns. I took the pattern to Staples yesterday and enlarged the actual doll. I'll do a paste-up of the clothes before I attempt enlarging the patterns... identifying some of those clothing pieces
will be a challenge. I LOVE the combinations of fabrics shown in the illustrations.

The coffee shop downtown is closed and I'm sad. I have gone there since we
moved here almost 40 years ago. The same family has run it and I'm not sure
they'll be back. It is funny how much a thing you take for granted can bother
you so much when it changes.

I should be baking or something... I used my Joanns coupons to get 2 Wiltons loaf pans. I must have given mine away during a phase when I decided teflon was bad. I used my other coupons to buy some Buffalo Snow for doll stuffing. I really NEEDED THAT!

Please don't let Christmas shopping and crafting keep you from paying attention to what is going in Washington, DC ... we can breathe a sign of relief when they all go home for the holidays. hugs, annie

fight for liberty

2010-03-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

http://blog.heritage.org/2010/03/23/patrick-henrys-fight-for-liberty/

Wake Up!

2010-03-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

I had hoped never to return to the subject of Socialized Medicine.

If you do not know the meaning of "statist" the term refers to a Modern Liberal. They are the 1960's and 70's radicals you may have met in college years ago. Now they are in Washington DC.

I suggest that you read "Liberty and Tyrrany" by Mark R. Levin. Mark is giving a speech at the Reagan Library tonight at 9:00pm est/6 pst and you can watch it on his web site;

http://www.marklevinshow.com/home.asp

here is a chilling article by a Canadian. This spells out the threat of Govt. run health care far better than I can.

http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/health-237719-care-government.html

This explains why the Democrats are willing to throw their careers away. It is scary stuff.

New Beginning

2010-01-25T08:42:00.000-08:00

Today is a new beginning here on my blog. Pitchers and Catchers (Red Sox Spring training is around 3 weeks away and I even heard a mention of Mardi Gras. It is veeeey early Spring. reeeeally!

I have been running every day for over 5 years and I always take my little Kodak. It is a Kodak Easy Share C533 that I got for a steal because it was a return in a torn box. (you get a 20 or 30 day return privilege). Never be a snob about this stuff. (In Best Buy and Walmarts this stuff is in a locked case near the cash registers in electronics.) I think this is our third nice camera bought this way. I have a 2G memory stick ... no port, no program ... simple. This camera fits in a small cosmetic case with my coffee shop money. I have also added a Sansa clip MP3 player that I totally love.

Maybe it is the economy but I have been back to collecting Ginny and the patterns for her clothes. She fits the times somehow.

2009-09-12T02:21:00.000-07:00

Hi, When I began this blog I decided to let it shape itself ... so to speak. Recently I was thinking of removing the posts about tea parties but really why? ...
Today is the march in Washington, DC and I imagine there will be very many people. We considered going on a bus but it didn't work out. The price was so cheap that I had grave doubts. We will attend a tea party in the next town.

On another note we have been doing work on our antique house and made some interesting discoveries. This ia a carving over our door.

We had our roof redone several years ago and the builder assured us that we didn't need a gutter. This was a big mistake and caused a lot of paint peeling (we bought our house as a fixer upper and it needs a lot of work.) Anyways we are now newly barn red except the door and I have been walking around town finding similar carvings.

Sat, August 29

2009-08-29T02:26:00.000-07:00

It is time to divide this into two blogs.

Today I'm going to look for several things. I want some really outrageous pens to wreck my Wreck This Journal. And maybe some tea dye muslin to make a doll.

I want a delicious cosy Mystery to take to the beach. I did get a super one about an antiques dealer in NH (kind of a low key female Lovejoy)... can't touch the Lovejoy humor though.

I may get a cook book. We are having work done on our house and meals have gone to heck.

I have to buy something to wear to a wedding late today. arghhh!

My Team Sarah Poster

2009-08-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hi, Boo Hoo ... I lost my Team Sarah Poster yesterday! I doubt anyone who sees this actually found it but you can post on team sarah or on facebook. Thanks.

August

2009-07-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

Hi, This coming weekend is the first weekend in August... time for barbeques and beaches.

The congress mercifully goes on break. Responsible people can take time to read the HC bill that is available online. I hope all the bureaucrats can find time to study the bill. And maybe the Pres. will read the bill.

How nice that they have EXEMPTED themselves from ever having to have "US National health care". They won't have to tell their aging parents that they should choose between using antibiotics for an infection or just "getting out of the way" while we will all pay to have our aging parents counseled about "end of life issues" every 5 years. The Catholic Church in Boston has said they will close their hospitals before having to perform abortions. My point is that this is arrogant, thoughtless legislation. A person would have to be crazy to support it. No wonder congress has EXEMPTED themselves.

There will be a March on Washington in early September. It is too bad our media has so few people who understand the difference between reporting news and editorializing. You really have to search for articles like this one,

http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2009/07/growing_numbers_at_antitax_tea.html

August and September will be busy months!

Sunday

2009-07-26T01:21:00.000-07:00

Thank God for our liberty.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759)

chart

2009-07-24T04:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.marklevinshow.com/Article.asp?id=1426138&spid=32364

Tea Party Photos from Boston

2009-07-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, These photos are from early in the day. I'm guessing at least 500 people were there. There was a second tea Party from 3:00 until 6:00 pm and I imagine a lot of people combined it with going to the fireworks on the esplanade. Not bad to find a few conservatives in Boston!!!

Tea Party

2009-07-04T03:27:00.001-07:00

Hi, Happy Independence Day!!!

I'm going to a Tea Party today! I just re-did my sign. It is a little lumpy but it will look worse after our train ride!

I'm very happy today! I like Sarah.

I can't be silent about this stuff. This is why I have comments disabled. A.

"Material Obsessions" and "Stuffed"

2009-07-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hi, Another title would be "the joys of our gorgeous remodeled Joanns" ... a veritable candy store!!! Imagine a Joanns with no big black areas on the floor with thread stuck in them where tiles had been removed in a previous rebirth.

And there was the new "Stuffed" and a beautiful quilting book, "Material Obsessions". And I had 2 coupons (!!!) and conned my husband into going through the line. That makes up for all the times the darn item was on sale already! A.

Serious Stuff

2009-07-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hi, I keep thinking that this blog is an opportunity to do a little more than relate my day to day meanderings.

I’ve finally decided that the best thing I can do is continue to write about the lighter moments since we are confronted by so many serious facts these days. And I'm not gifted to write about serious stuff. I do want to suggest that you read “Liberty and Tyranny” by Mark Levin. This is not a good time to be ignorant about government and unfortunately there is little dependable information from our ordinary sources.

It is thundering and pouring rain for the twelth day. I wore my winter hat when I went running. I'm just a country girl ... how is raising our electric bill (oil, gas, taxes ... fill in the blank) ... going to help this global warming ... Not to mention changing to light bulbs that don't work. A.

Good Riddance to January!

2009-02-02T03:41:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm sorry to be scarce. It would help if I didn't keep loosing the expletive deleted password!!!

Thank heavens January is over!

This is a hard time of year for us anyways. We always struggle
through Jan. and Feb.. We're having a lot of snow. This time of year
we end up with one car frozen in a drift and the work car (ugh) to go
and get groceries in. I try to double up on everything at the market. We
have at least 3" of solid ice in out driveway and walking and
running are hazardous.

I did get to Walmart last week end. I was thrilled! I got a new Kodak pocket camera. Imagine ... 5.0 MP and 3x zoom for 79.00! The box is damaged ... big deal! (Always look at the locked case of retutned and former display cameras if you like a bargain. BestBuy and Walmart give you plenty of time for returns.) It is
real nice to have an easy to use Kodak again! ... So brace yourself for nature photos!

I also managed to buy a third Bisou from YahooJP ... Her name is Lilly and she is just super. Her wig is not coming until after Lunar New Years but I'll post photos as soon as I get it!

My neighbor moved to VA and gave me three orchid plants that I'm
delighted with. And I do have the seed catalogs out!

Red Sox start Spring Training soon. I'm signing up for Fantasy BaseBall too.

Hugs all around!

Almost New Year's Eve

2008-12-30T01:09:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve. I think they throw the old mattress out the window in Italy. Not a bad idea. Out with the old, in with the new! I'm going to clean the refrigerator! We take our trash to the dump which is a social occasion on Saturday. However Tuesday is the big dump day as it is closed on Monday. Definitely out with the old today ... I'm even tossing a rug. Cheap rugs are a really good thing!

Notice there is no mention here of cleaning out the computer/work room!

Another really good thing is that gas prices and heating oil prices are down. I don't intend to get too political with this blog... But I must say it is a very sad idea (trust the New York Times) to suggest higher gas taxes. Is this another "fair tax" even if it is bad for our economy?

My Yahoo Group and Seed Catalogs

2008-12-29T03:55:00.000-08:00

Hi, This is my Asian ball jointed doll group. It is for chat about tinies. We do talk about dolls like Unoa and MSD sometimes.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LittlewondersBJD/

If you google "seed catalogs" you will find treasure! I also plan to get a gardening magazine next time I get to the market.

Enough already with the Holiday decor. Joann's has progressed to Valentines day! hugs, annie

Christmas Day

2008-12-27T05:18:00.000-08:00

Hi, I hope you all had a wonderful Chrismas Day.

My husband took me to my favorite fabric store on the Tuesday before Christmas and I got some delicious Kaffe Fassett FQ's. I really needed more fabric! lol! Now I need the KF Garden Gate book. I also got "Patchwork Handbags" by Chuck Nohara.

(I have a long way to go as a blogger so I just continue on rather than keep trying to re-do things). The Christmas pictures are in part self explanatory. My grands gave me the bird feeder. My good friend Eileen made the bird ornament.

If you look in the back ground of the bird feeder photo, our house is behind me, The shared driveway is in the photo. If you are silly enough to continue reading this, you will read my adventures with this parking arrangement ... the price paid for living in the historical district.

Merry Christmas! Hugs, annie

Christmas Day

2008-12-27T05:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day

2008-12-27T05:01:00.001-08:00

Watching a Movie Being Made

2008-12-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hi again, I have been watching the filming of a movie! It has been pouring rain and cold so hard taking photos. All the hard work and long waits are very impressive.

The lights at night were amazing and I wish I could have captured this better. hugs, annie

Another New Machine and Two for Sale!

2008-12-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hi, I have a lot of news! I guess it has been a year since I bought my Hello Kitty Blue and now I have a Hello Kitty Green which is far more adorable than the photo!

I really like the small machines. I have a new Babylock Imagine and a new Babylock Intrique. They are both too fancy for me and both are mint in ther original packing and boxes. If I can avoid eBay I can sell the Imagine for 750.00 and the Intrigue For 450.00. shipping on each would be about 35.00 (I will charge actual shipping in USA only). The machines and accessories they come with are described and pictured on the Babylock web site. hugs, annie

New Book

2008-10-24T03:16:00.000-07:00

Hi, I just bought "The Runaway Doll". "The third Doll People Story" by Ann M. Martin, Laura Godwin and Brian Selznick. So far so good. I think you either really go for this series or you just don't get it.

I think the first book, "The Doll People", is wonderful. I'm luke warm on "The Meanest doll in the World". Maybe I'll try it again.

It is also the time of year to re read "The Hobbit" and the "Trilogy".

Almost frost last night. I really don't want to put my garden to bed. hugs, annie

My New Doll

2008-07-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

I'm awaiting a new doll! She is a petite ai from Custom House. I collect patterns for doll clothes and cloth dolls. I love the Ann Estelle, Bitty Bethany sizes.
A friend and I have been looking for a perfect doll in this size range. This is because of our fascination with "Fruits", (Japanese street dressing). "Fruits" is magazine and also the title of several books. There have been a few tries in USA style dolls. I think the Fruits look needs an Asian doll. Petite ai is closest to date. Always looking for new dolls! annie

Middle of Summer

2008-07-16T03:14:00.000-07:00

Hi, I hate to say it but it felt like August early this am.. I'm happy that I can be running at 5:15 and almost miss the sunrise right in my eyes. It isn't in my face by the time I turn to go home.

This has been an uneventful Summer so far. We have been invited to Martha's Vineyard and I hope that works out. I'm a huge Susan Branch fan and have dreamed of visiting the Vineyard for years. (Our neighbors had a Summer place there when I was a kid ... imagine!).

There are two exciting books due out this Autumn. One by Kelly Rae Roberts. (see her blog ... http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/). The other by Ray Slater. Cloth Art Dolls. This book is about the British doll scene ... should be out in a little over a month.

hugs, annie

A Few Cloth Doll Notes and Stuff

2008-04-09T05:47:00.000-07:00

Hi, Where have I been? I have fallen in love with Bleuette and have been doing my best to invigorate the doll economy. I have added two Bleuettes and have two more on order. Also a same size Heidi Plusczok. And I am taking the Bleuette in Cloth class with Judi Ward.

I adore any dolls with lots of patterns and books.

Also I was reading about a friend's Little Soul Dolls and remembered this promotional video that is here someplace here on a VCR tape ... oh the joy of U-Tube!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6923267854936425165&q=little+souls&total=10332&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

And While googling I looked up Shelly Thorntons web site. She has designed an excellent ball joint for a cloth body.

My yard and garden is still littered with debris from tree work and exterior work we had done last Fall. When I went running at 6:00 am today everything was covered with frost so it is just as well the garden is still put to bed. ( And yay! I can play dolls).

I'm looking for seeds for a viola hybrid, angel terra cotta or maybe angel wing terra cotta. Any help much appreciated. hugs, annie

Making Vintage Style Dolls

2008-03-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hi, I added this book when VCD was having the Alabama Rag Baby challenge. This is a real dream book, so much pleasure to browse through, and has me imagining dolls to make and vintage fabric to hunt for. The various dolls are all cloth dolls many of us would love to own but most of us would find very expensive.

It is almost 50 here today (North of Boston). Perhaps Spring will get here before we are all exhausted from trying to bail out our cellars and basements. I want to get to a greenhouse and get a Shamrock plant (Oxalis). I long for green leaves. hugs all around, annie

Good Morning

2008-02-27T01:52:00.000-08:00

Hi, I have a NEW book coming from Kinokuniya. It is the Nina Doll and Wardrobe Book. I 'm looking foward to making Nina! I also have the Una-na book ... all those cute doll clothes.

It sure is nice to have books and fabric to look forward to during these last rainy cold days of Winter. (The Red Sox are playing games down in Florida so we will get to Spring sooner than it seems on these cold mornings). I'm looking forwards to the new Friends and Flowers, Mary Engelbreit fabric collection. I wonder if I should splurge on a FQ bundle since I just bought Moda Urban Indigo FQ's. That was a BIG indulgence. This morning I heard gas may go up to 4.00 a gallon this Spring! The first day of Spring is March 20th! This will cut into the book and fabric purchases. But that is not now! Hugs, annie

2008-02-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

PS, I just want to add that it wasn't me whose fabric was being auctioned off! They won't have my auction for awhile lol!

Also ...and how could I not have said... I LOVE Japanese doll making books!!!

Hi!

2008-02-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

Hi, Welcome to my blog. Recently, (in a weak moment), I bought this Hello Kitty sewing machine. I have a 3/4 size Janome, a 3/4 size Singer 221 (great , looks like a Featherweight), I actually have a few machines ... quite a few...

Things I love; (my family and my friends goes w/o saying). Things I love include dolls, cats, sewing machines, flowers, fabric ... lets be honest I'm insane about fabric. I was at an auction once and overheard someone say, "she must have been insane ... she had all these pieces of fabric and not big enough to make herself a dress"... so... I'm suppose to do a 12 step fabric thing? Only if the meetings are next to a Joanns! hugs, annie