Well It Wasn't Another 2 Months

It's just March and this year has already
gotten away from me!  I guess life sometimes
gets in the way of your plans.

The husband of my good friend in all things
Barbie, Carol, passed away on January 31th.
They are also our neighbors, living just 3 doors
down.  He had been in and out of the hospital
a good portion of last year but no one was prepared
for the final prognosis of a very agressive form
of pancreatic cancer in late October.

Though he was able to have some precious time
with his family, his death has left my friend in
emotional and financial hard times.  We have spent
the last month helping her cope and also helping
her prepare her house for sale.  A daunting
task for a grieving widow of just a month.

The sale of their home will take her 2 1/2 hours
from me, but put her closer to family.  Good for
them, bad for me but for the best for her.  I will
miss her.

But in between working, trying to do our taxes and
helping out my friend I have gotten some things done.
Just not much Barbie related.

I did get these two ladies welcomed in the group.

My latest Model Muses, Zumani Odelette
and Teyana Timms. 

I also got a gentleman friend for the Silkstone
I bought myself for Christmas.  I figured she
needed a dashing man about town so The
Husband got me Roger Sterling from the
Mad Men collection for my birthday.

I think they will make a lovely couple.  He also
got me this clothing gift set.

That has been about it for doll stuff.  I've
been doing a lot of sewing but not doll
related.

The Husband's nephew and his wife just
had their first baby.  This is a big deal for
The Husband as his family is very small, he
only has 2 nieces and the one nephew and
they are all into their 40's.  This will most
likely be the one and only baby.

So even though I don't do any quiltmaking
since I closed my store nor do I enjoy it
anymore I felt I had to make his new little
grandniece a little blankie.

With the left over fabric I made her this.

She is a tiny thing, just 5 pounds, so I am
hoping she can wear it at 8 or 9 months.

I quit sewing clothes for myself about 3-4
years ago.  It was just easier to make doll
clothes.  But I have recently seen some
repurpose items that I wanted to try my
hand at, so I got this XL shirt from the
Goodwill for $4 and took the button
front of it....

And used some fabric from my stash....
and made this....

The front

The back, with all the buttons!  It needs
some tweaking but I like the way it came out.
It will be great for summer or with a cardigan
for the cooler months.  I love all the buttons
up the back AND the fact that I didn't
have to make one buttonhole!

This is what I've been up to....