Beauty all around.

After driving my husband to Newark train station a brown paper parcel was waiting on the door step when I returned.

The Secret Garden ordered from Milly and Dotties Emporium.

It came beautifully wrapped in green tissue paper and tied with string.

And is full of gorgeous illustrations.

I have to confess that I took rather a long coffee break looking through it.

But then back to the real world. I changed the bed and put on my favourite Shabby Chic bedding. The cotton is fabulous and is still feels like new two years after I bought it.

Then to the ironing mountain from last week although I have to say I think my p.j's looked scrummy all folded and ready to wear.

Then finally another wonderful sunset. What a sky. If only I could paint!

Enjoy your evening.

Instead of the ironing.

Today I set off with all good intentions to try and clear my ironing mountain but then found myself distracted by a piece of tea dyed muslin in my stash.

After drawing out the pattern in pencil I machined over the line on the body...

and around the arms and legs.

She was then stuffed with rags and bits of leftover calico. This gives a heavy and bumpy feel to the doll.

Next comes the face carefully stitched and blusher added for some rosy cheeks.

Her 'hat /ears' are an inpiration from my love of Julie Arkell creatures.

Add a button to hide a small mark on the vintage dolly tights.

I have never been able to resist vintage dolly dresses on my travels and have thought for a while how great it would be to make some dolls to fit them. Now complete with her socks she is finished but my ironing sadly is not!