!!!!!MOMMA CAT MEETS GIANT GRASSHOPPER!!!!!

MOMMA CAT MEETS GIANT GRASSHOPPER!!!!!  Sounds like one of those "B" horror movies from the 70' s, doesn't it?  Well, that just goes to show you how wrong you can be.  My story actually goes like this.....

Wow, am I a lucky cat, or what?  I live in a great neighborhood where there are plenty of parks, shops, restaurants, coffee houses, and many other things to see.  Walking through this neighborhood is not only pretty safe, but it is fairly entertaining.  It's a great way to get your daily exercise and maybe run into some friends or neighbors.  

Daddy Cat and I have been doing a lot of walking lately, and we always walk past Farmhouse Antiques, which is on 13th Avenue in Sellwood.  It's one of my very favorite places in our neighborhood.

Momma Cat's favorite antique store

  

Recently, I saw a wonderful giant metal grasshopper in the window.  He was made out of nuts, nails and other different metal parts all welded together.  I walked past that window day after day, then Thursday, Baby Cat and I went for a walk and we passed Farmhouse Antiques and my grasshopper was no longer in the window!  Oh no!  I was VERY sad because I really liked him, and he was gone!

Friday morning Daddy Cat and I went for our usual walk, and as we passed Farmhouse Antiques I looked in the window, just to torture myself, and he was back again!!!!!   I continued on to Starbuck's to meet my friends for coffee, and afterward my friend, Maureen Cat, and I went back to the antique store and I grabbed the giant grasshopper and made my way to the cashier and purchased him.  As luck would have it, the store was having a 15% off sale, so I got him for the low, low price of $3.80!  Doesn't that just kill you?  

Giant Grasshopper, Cael

Anyway, I just adore him. Isn't he gorgeous? I named him Cael because grasshoppers are from the suborder of insects called Caelifera.  He doesn't look so giant in this photo, I know, but in actuality he's easily twice as big as my hand.  God help us if we had a whole swarm of them around here!

One giant grasshopper is plenty if you ask me.


-  Momma Cat

Meet Caolainn!

Remember, I was talking about Farmhouse Antiques

 And going there to find handkerchiefs to make doll dresses out of?  Well, I just finished a dress for this little doll that I made.  Her name is Caolainn (kay+linn), it's an Irish name meaning slender, pure.  It also sounds just like my name and my sister cat's first names combined.  Yay!  I think that's the best reason to choose it, don't you?

Anyway, I started with Beth Webber's pattern for a crocheted Bleuette, which I got off of her blog, By Hook, By Hand (byhookbyhand.blogspot.com).  I made this little doll, then I created my own set of underclothes for her.  Notice that she is jointed?  This is the first jointed doll I've ever made.  It was wonderfully easy!

Caolainn with her crocheted underclothes

I used Beth's pattern for stockings and shoes too.  See how cute they are!

Then, I used one of the two hankies I purchased at Farmhouse Antiques to create the dress that Is in the next picture. 

 I got that pattern off of Beth's blog too!  She has a lot of wonderful stuff on her blog, and she's very sweet about sharing.  Thank you Beth! 

Last, but not least, I gave Caolainn a pretty little pair of pink earrings to give her outfit a little zing.  
 

A little jewelry is just right for this outfit

 I absolutely adore my new little doll and have already started another one!  I think the next one is going to be a blonde because I have some blue eyes I want to try.  Keep your fingers crossed.

My little Caolainn has a yarn hair wig and wig cap, which is the main difference between my doll and Beth's.  But you can use doll wigs if you prefer and can find one you like.  

Anyway, I hope you like my little doll.  I think she's precious.

-  Momma Cat

Sweet Surprise for Momma Cat

Today I went for a long walk, it was a beautiful spring day and Daddy Cat and I went outside and walked for a couple of miles.  Then I went to Starbuck's and had a coffee date with my Friend Cat.

While we were talking Friend Cat gave me a silver bag with a surprise in it.  This is what was inside.

Nancy Ann Storybook Doll

Friend Cat was with me the other day when I went to Farmhouse Antiques on SE 13th Avenue over in Sellwood, to buy some handkerchiefs to make doll clothes out of..

My favorite antique store

She's the one that found the little basket full of Nancy Ann dolls.  You may recall that I purchased one that day.  My Friend Cat bought me the other one that I wanted.  Here's a picture of the two of them together.

Almost Twins!

Aren't they sweet?

If you're interested, I think there are still a couple more dolls there, but you'll have to ask where they are at the front counter, otherwise you might overlook them!

-  Momma Cat