support handmade at Christmas

tree of life celebration stocking

paper doll celebration stocking

'tis the season

ok, so it might be a bad idea to start a new blog during the holiday season. Since this is the busiest time of year for shopping, it turns out to be a busy time for me to be sewing. I haven't had time to update my blog, which can be a good thing. But I do feel guilty for neglecting it. When I usually blog at night, I am now knitting. My gumdrop hat supply has gotten low and now with some finally cool weather coming upon us, it is a good idea for me to get to it and get busy. And there is so much cute, fluffy yarn out there for me to use and make cute, fluffy little hats.

I have also been making some custom christmas stockings for my neighbor. She picked out some really cute fabrics that are very un-christmas. I think they are really celebration stockings, especially good for birthdays. There is nothing sweeter than waking up on your birthday morning than to find a cute little gift stuffed into a stocking tied with a bow to the foot of your bed.

The stockings have been fun for me to make too. I have made at least 10 of them, but every time I sew a new one I have to remake it in my mind. It is a pattern that I have made myself and now I think I need to write the instructions down so it's a smooth process. This would make so much sense to do. Would you like a tutorial? hmmm...

getting out

It hasn't been very cold here yet. The daily temp says 60's, but it still feels almost in the 70's. Which is still too warm for November. Even though the days are beautiful, I can hardly wait for the change. Maybe buy myself a cozy sweater.

Since there is no school this week we are looking for adventures. So today we took a walk around Traylor Ranch. This is one of my favorite places to take my kids. It used to be a working ranch and the family donated the property to the county. Now it is open for walking (it's pretty flat), horseback riding, and bicycles. No dogs allowed though, my kids always ask me why, and I just say because they might scare the horses.

So, we walk and ride bikes, then stop and have a snack. After a break the boys get back on their bikes and we go over to the big rocks so they can climb them. Molly wanted to get up there with them too, and she did a great job at it. I don't think she was scared at all. I was a little scared for her. I remember what I was like when I was little, always scared to try new things, especially things like climbing big rocks. But I did get a really great picture of them that I think I will use for my Christmas card.

One of the great things about where I live is that it's in a rural area, but still close to the mall and airport. Places like Traylor Ranch are such a real treat for me to find. A lot of people don't know that it's there. Which is a big part of it's charm. I am so thankful for these little hidden places. They are like little secret retreats that we can go to and share with others. I especially love sharing them with my kids. Getting out, into nature it's a little adventure for all of us.

paper doll

This is my paper doll.  I use her everywhere I can.  It's my attempt at branding.  When you see a paperdoll you think of katie jean.

I found her at a local antique mall.  She came in a packet with two brothers, an older and a younger.  There was also supposed to be a little sister but she wasn't there.  My doll came with some cute clothes too.  But I think her underwear is cute on it's own, that's usually how she appears.  She is even on my business card in her undies too!

When I bought her, I had no idea how I was going to use her.  I love to decoupage using some Mary Engelbreit paperdolls, so I thought I might do that.  This was before I had really started my business.  Now she is kept safe away from all scissors and glue!

So, now when I see a paperdoll, my heart beats a little faster.  Old or new it doesn't matter.  I even love to find paperdoll fabrics.  What do you like to collect?

welcome to katie jean!

I love all things vintage and have so much fun having my own business making what I love. I hope to share with you the fun things that I make, which is mostly baby items. I am also excited to share with you the adventures that I have searching out my special finds.

Thanks for reading my blog and I will have a ton more to follow!