gnomes and pockets

after much deliberation, calvin is going to be a garden gnome for halloween. i made the hat using a pattern from bend the rules sewing. it turned out cute and calvin loves wearing it (yay!). i am also making a belt and a wee vest. for only using what i have on hand here, i am pretty impressed with how it is coming out (maybe that tells me that i have a bit too much on hand...). the beard is a different story. i have not found one that fits him or that he will keep on. i do have some white felt so i am thinking of fashioning a felt beard and then somehow attaching it to his hat and/or vest so that it stays on without having to go around his head (this seems to be an issue). i will keep you posted on how it turns out.

playing out in the yard last week calvin discovered that pockets have a purpose... he can put stuff in them. a whole new world opened up for him. he is a child that likes to squirrel away rocks, balls, bits of this and that so pockets are perfect. i did learn the hard way that i now have to check all of his pockets before putting his clothes in the wash.