Happy News

Hi everyone,

I've been a bit quieter lately than usual. There has been plenty happening here at the cottage though!

This letter came this week.  My mother always told me I had a fascination with Australia since the age of 5. She told me she watched a movie while pregnant with me (The Sundowners), and she thinks I was imprinted in the womb LOL.  My first visit was in 1998 and I have lived here continuously since July 2005.  I am excited and happy that I passed the test last week and I now have dual citizenship.  I've waited for this moment for a very long time.  The swearing in  ceremony will be in around 3 months time.  (You can click on the pic for a closer look if you want)

My career (while I was still able to work) was neonatal nursing.  I've always had a desire to make clothing and other things for these tiny bubs.  I can't tell you how many times I've heard over the years at work from the parents  that there is no clothing small enough other than poorly made doll clothes.  I've done plenty of research, and didn't find anything like my own ideas, so I am hoping my soon to open ETSY shop will have some success.

I've been head down, tail up, for weeks making these things from special premie patterns.  I've finished 8 pairs of pants, ready to put in the shop.

I had a newborn size bonnet that I bought many years ago for one of my dolls. I used that to make my own design for a smaller bonnet that will fit a premie baby. I used eyelet fabric and eyelet lace.

I ordered some super cute labels from an ETSY seller who just happens to live only minutes away from where I am originally from. I couldn't be happier with the labels.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought another doll.  I was so happy when I saw her in the box.  I wanted to use her as a model for my premie items. Her head seemed the right size, and her limbs and body were also in proportion for what I wanted.  I didn't notice until I removed her from the box just how bent her arms and legs were!  Her head is bent up at an odd angle too.....oh well.  Yesterday, my dear friend De came over and I was telling her about the doll and she had an idea...

She asked me if she could pull her legs off....

Then she poked around the kitchen and found these...(there was plenty of hysterical laughing from both of us by this time)......

See how much the arms are bent?  The legs were bent that much too.  I will spare you the actual surgery photos, but this is her after recovery...much less bent legs than before.

She does have a scar (and the remains of a chopstick)  on the back of each knee, but she is in a much more natural position now than she was and much more photogenic for my needs.   I can work around the bent arms, but the bent legs were scrunching up the pants too much.  Much better now!
xx debbie