See You In September

Published on by Bumbleberry Stitches
 

Hi there! Summer has gone by so fast and there is still so much left to do. I have to finish painting my house, there’s the back splash in the kitchen that needs to get done, and the kitchen cabinet doors that need to be stained. With school starting back and my job, I’m trying not to stress.

To be honest I don’t spend much time sewing. Summer for me means lots of home projects. So coming up with things that I’ve done over the Summer isn’t really that hard. Deciding what to share is. I’ve picked two projects that I completed and I managed to get a sewing project in there as well. Because this hop is about gingham and that’s because gingham does really matter. 🙂

My first project took most of the summer to do. It started with a plant I bought back in May, a Wondering Jew. It was very tiny but over the Summer I kept taking little starters from the plant and it didn’t take long till my little plant really took off. 

 
Here it is after transplanting after bringing it home from the store….

 

 
Here is some of the starters….

 

and here it is after a Summer doing this several times.

My second project was another one that took time over the Summer to get together. A sweet friend and I decided that we wanted to learn to make jelly. We looked over Taste Of Home’s Canning magazine and their website for recipes. Because neither one of us had ever canned before we also had to buy supplies. That’s an investment! So we slowly bought supplies over the summer. We were originally going to make jelly together but we ended up on our own. Instead we decided to exchange with each other.

Can you guess which one is the one I made? 🙂

She made Strawberry jelly and I accidentally made Cherry/Pomegranate jelly. (I thought I was buying Cranberry juice, lol).

Hmmmmm….they were soooo goood!!…..

…….and our families think so too.

Now for the gingham project. Since gingham does matter, I wanted to make something that matters to me too. I love to make prim dolls. So I made a doll. One that I’ve been wanting to make for some time now. She comes from a pattern designed by The Craftaholic Creations.

 
 
 

To go with her I also made to home made laundry soap. Another project that I’ve been wanting to do for a while.

 The jar I found at a thrift store. I did a little stenciling on it with chalk paint and glass paint.

Here’s what I used. I got the formula from the blog The Happy Money Saver.

 
 

She used a food processor to finely grate the Fel-Naptha. I don’t have one but I did have an old blender. I certainly didn’t want to use my new one. Ewww. You don’t have to use a blender though; the bar of soap is rather hard so it grates up fine texture. Using a blender or a food processor makes it a powder. A word of caution, if you try this keep the lid to the blender on the whole time. When you do take the lid off do it outside because there will be a powdery puff coming out.

 
 
 
 

Thanks for sticking with me. Thanks also to Mdm. Samm and Shari.

 

Have a wonderful day of hopping!

79 thoughts on “See You In September”

  5. Wow–you are really stretching yourself with the new to you projects. Jelly making, making laundry soap and tackling that Wandering Jew. I used to have one of those, LOL—note the past tense!Love the doll and its cute little face. Your jelly story reminds me of the time I was making Thanksgiving dinner for the first time for family and a few friends. Yep, I thought I was making cranberry relish salad only to discover, way after the fact and when the dish was being served, that I had bought frozen cherries of cranberries!! It was tasty but not what I intended. Someone remarked about the size of the berries–big tip off.

    Like

  6. I love your doll, her face is so expressive. Be careful-jam making can be addictive-I am in my 40th year of jam making. Love the homemake laundry soap. Gotta give that a try.

    Like

  9. Your prim doll looks sweet in her gingham dress! I saved the soap recipe to give it a try. Thanks for the link.

    Like

  11. What great summer projects! I too worked on plant starters, but not to the extent you did, and yours turned out great! I appreciate the jelly too, also the picking up a different juice than you were actually going for. Thank you for sharing your doll, I love her curls.~Brandy

    Like

  16. My goodness you have been busy! I love the jar. I do love jam too, and canning. I should be canning tomatoes, but it's not going to happen. That's neat that you tackled learning it! And your doll is adorbs.

    Like

  17. Your jelly looks yummy. I received a jar of jelly today from a friend. It must be a fun project. I wish I had a green thumb and knew how to get shoots from plants. My place would look a lot better with a little green.Your doll is precious. She is just so perfect in every way. Will she be a gift or is she staying with you? What a fun project.

    Like

  20. You have had a very productive summer. Such a cute doll. Homemade jelly is great and you probably invented a new flavor!

    Like

  22. Your doll is precious. I remember all the canned goods my grandmother made. I hope to have the time to do that one day. I grew and canned pickles last year. That was exciting. I need to retire so I can work more 🙂

    Like

  24. Hi! Thanks for your post. I really enjoyed it. My favorite part was the sweet little doll and the soap in the hand decorated jar. So nice! We went back to school August 5th! Talk about a short summer 🙂

    Like

  25. I've never canned anything but I enjoy making jam, yours looks delicious. Cute doll, I really miss sewing for girls. I have two grandsons.

    Like

  29. Oh, I am in love with that little girl…what a great job…all the details really shine on her…I too love the Gingham…and your use of it was so cute! I could almost taste that jelly…Good for you for doing something new and for accomplishing so much during the summer!!!!

    Like

  30. The Cherry Pomegranate Jelly sounds delicious! I have been drinking and eating a lot of cherry things… Known to be very effective in reducing inflammation. There is nothing better than homemade jelly. 🙂 We make several batches of Strawberry Rhubarb jam each year. SOOO good! Thanks for sharing all of your goodies. Janita

    Like

  34. I remember having a Wandering Jew plant when I was a teenager. I haven't seen one in over 20 years. Seeing yours makes me want to find one.Cute doll and I am going to have to try the laundry soap sometime.

    Like

  37. Your doll is so cute! I really like he expression you put on her face. The square nose just makes it all just right!

    Like

  38. Wow! You have had a very busy summer. I LOVE your Gingham Prim Doll and your homemade laundry soap with its own creative jar. Thank you sew very much for hopping and sharing. Creative Gingham Bliss…

    Like

  39. It sounds like you have been very busy. The little doll is so adorable. I really love hand made dolls and you did a great job making her. Gotta love all the red hair!

    Like

  40. You sure had a busy summer also. I think we all did. Your doll is adorable…Where did you get the pattern? I have the recipe for soap also but dud net try it yet. Let me know how you like it.

    Like

  41. Adorable little dolly! I hope you'll let us know how the laundry soap works out for you — I've been curious about that project, too! 🙂

    Like

  42. Busy, busy summer for you. Seems painting was the thing to do this year though not for me. 🙂 Absolutely love your doll and her ginghamness (a word?)!!! I've not made a doll since my total failure when I was 12 or 13 but I'm gettin the urge to try again and your sweet one is egging me on.

    Like

  45. You doll just looks like summer, nice curly hair and a nice smile, I like it! I am cooking lots of preserves every year during summer and autumn, I know what it means to test some new recipes, yours look yummy!

    Like

  46. You've had a wonderfully productive summer! Your jelly looks delicious – and so cute with the gingham topper! Your little prim doll is oooooh, so precious. What a great idea to make your own soap. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Like

  50. You had some great summer projects, I have always wanted to try my hand at canning, just about anything, but have not ventured in that direction. I love your doll it was great. Thank you for sharing all your great summer projects.

    Like

  53. Your doll is so darn cute! Congratulations on joining the canning club. I enjoy canning all kinds of things and hope you do to. I love to give gifts of canned goods at Christmas or New Year's, especially jams and jellies. I haven't tried making soap yet, although I've thought about it. Thanks for the link to the recipe. That's just the push that I need to get busy and make my own. Thanks for sharing your creations today.

    Like

  55. I really enjoyed reading your post. So many fun photos and interesting ideas. The laundry soap is a great idea. I have looked at this “recipe” and have not tried it before. You are very inspiring. Your doll is adorable. The jelly looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your summer … 🙂 Pat

    Like

  57. Your projects are so useful and that cute little doll is precious. I don't make dolls but I would love to make this one, I received 2 similar dolls in a doll quilt swap I participate in and they make such a cute gift along with a matching quilt, Your soap jar is especially nice…may have to copy that one. Enjoyed the visit. Blessings, Gmama Jane

    Like

  58. Wow! I love everything you did! You had my kind of summer!! (My summer this year was not as much fun as that.) Your doll is adorable. Your jelly looks delicious. AND I love the home made soap container!!!

    Like

  59. What an adorable little doll. I've always been wanting to give this laundry soap making a try. You might have just been my inspiration here. Love your container too. Looks like I am off to the store for some supplies! 😉

    Like

  62. Quite a busy summer you've had! My plants don't usually last long enough to get clippings…no green thumb for me. Your doll is absolutely adorable and looks beautiful in the gingham!

    Like

  65. I have that same plant and am always so thankful for it – my first cutting came from a cousin who passed away about 5 years ago. It just grows and grows! I love making jelly because it's something I can give away to friends and know it's appreciated. Yours is gorgeous! And that doll….oh my she's cute. I make my own detergent too and that looks like the same ingredients I use except I switched from Fels Naphtha to Ivory (bars). You're going to like it. 🙂 blessings, marlene

    Like

  69. Oh boy….. I love this variety of projects. Like you said, summer can be full of so many things to do that sewing time gets put aside. I just love that sweet doll! You did such a nice job on her expressive face. And enjoy those jams!

    Like

  72. Your prim doll is adorable and what a fantastic use of your gingham. Canning and preserving can be awfully spendy when you are first starting out. My great grandpa had a deal with my grandparents that if he brought back all the empty jars from the prior year then he could exchaange them for filled jars. This is a great way to get the jars back. The Ball canning and preserving is my fall back for all of my canning. Have fun and thanks for sharing. Cheers!

    Like

  73. what a delightful welcome back and your rag doll is just plain delicious ….goes well with your jam and cuttings….yes nice to see you back

    Like

  74. Great transplanting…the wandering Jew is such a pretty plant and it is such fun to help and watch it grow! Can I say, that I am absolutely in love with your doll. She is just beautiful! Homemade laundry soap…is a great project. I've made both liquid and dry…got lazy this year, purchased pure soap flakes to use with my washing soda…then measured them out. Love your storage jar…chalkboard paint is the coolest. A very productive summer…thanks for sharing with us!

    Like

  75. Wow! What a productive summer. A great first at jelly. I helped my mom make jelly as a girl and I've never made it myself. Yes, canning is expensive. Your jelly is beautiful and makes me hungry for homemade jelly. Your doll is adorable. I wish I had the patience to do something like that. And I have heard of folks making soap and have never tried it. I would not have thought to use an old blender. I have no idea if I still have the blender that goes with my old mixer. I know it's somewhere in the garage. I'd probably use a grater and grate and grate and grate and grate and never do it again – I have fibromyalgia and my arm ache. Your projects are marvelous. Thanks for sharing your productive summer with us.

    Like

  76. Fun projects! All of them! One question. Does the soap WORK? Is is better than regular soap? I love to try stuff out too but I never made soap!Thank you for sharing!

    Like

  77. You were busy keeping an eye on those sprouts but it is so much fun to do~ I have never made Jelly, Freezer Jam is my specialty, your flavor sounds delish!! Your Doll Theresa is absolutely precious!! and she looks right at home with her jar of Laundry Soap. Thanks so much for sharing your Summer projects, it is hard to pick!!Huggs, Nancy

    Like

  79. What great projects. I always make Jelly, or Jam as we call it in the UK, but missed out this year to be so busy I missed the harvest of strawberries which are my DH & Boys favourite. Love the idea of homemade soap but don't have a spare blender. The doll is so cute. Hugs, Susie x

    Like

Comments are closed.