Black Apple Dolls

I've been a Martha Stewart devotee every since I , as a newly engaged young women, discovered a book jacket-less copy of her classic debut, Entertaining on the sale table of my campus bookstore. Price: One dollar. These were pre-internet days when you could find such books only at high retail in physical rather than virtual bookstores. I was at once overwhelmed and inspired by the possibilities of my future domesticity. Though I didn't know how to cook when I married--unless you count bean burritos and Rice-A-Roni with chicken--Martha tutored me through a successful, albeit exhausting, first Thanksgiving feast complete with homemade pies decorated with pastry cut-outs and a to-die-for dried fruit and nut stuffing soaked in brandy.

Despite Martha's high publicized personal problems and the discovery that her life was not as idyllic as Entertaining lead me to first believe, I've continued to be inspired by Martha's creations. The lady has style in spades. And now that she is Martha Stewart, The Conglomerate, she knows how to find others with a great sense of design style.

While sitting in the Cleveland airport last August I noticed that the TV monitor was broadcasting the Martha Stewart Show. I'd never watched it before (don't watch TV, except in airports) but I settled in, hoping to learn something new. I was not disappointed. Her guest was Emily Martin , currently the best selling artist on the craft site, Etsy. (Six figures was mentioned.) Emily demonstrated how to make her selling-faster-than-she-can-make-them dolls and with the extra bonus of a link to the Martha Stewart website which provided video tutorials and download-able templates for the patterns. Perfect for Tayta (youngest daughter)! thought I.

Here are Tayta's first two dolls--one is now resting on a bookshelf in Oldest Daughter's dorm room in Ohio. She loved making them and did nearly all the stitching by hand. I helped only with the final machine seam. Tayta has plans for many more dolls which include ideas of how to embellish them with scarfs, little purses, and hats. Thanks, Emily for sharing your great idea!

(Not sure why most of my hyperlinks remain in black; all bold, italicized words and phrases should be active links.)

For a Knitting Neighbor~

"Mrs. C. is so nice!" exclaimed Younger Daughter as she burst through the kitchen door. Younger Daughter was returning from our dear friend and neighbor's house where Mrs. C. had helped Younger Daughter transform her knitted rectangle into a purse. Added Y.D., "She even gave me some perfect fabric of her own for the lining and she helped me to sew it together! " (picture ear to ear smile on Y.D. as she tells me this).

Y.D. had been wanting to learn how to knit for some time and since this is one of the handicrafts that I have never mastered, I was very thankful when my dear friend offered to teach her; she is one of those special people who patiently teaches others what she herself enjoys. Y.D. loves to pack up her backpack with knitting projects and head down the street to Mrs. C's to receive loving instruction and enjoy some delightful conversation.


Though she only began knitting this fall, Y.D. has already completed five projects under Mrs. C's tutelage. Older Daughter and I were grateful recipients of lovingly hand knit scarves this past Christmas. Y.D. models her handiwork in the picture to the left: the black scarf is mine, the pink is hers and the black and white one is O.D.'s. Y.D. received several skeins of yarn for her recent birthday and she even has a dreamed of yarn drawer (imagine, a whole drawer, just for yarn!), just like Mrs. C. If Y.D. continues to knit at the rate she has been, we can look forward to a full size afghan by next winter!

Thanks, Mrs. C. You're the best!