Simple DIY Monster High Outfit - made from scraps

The Great Scarrier Reef edition of Clawdeen (Monster High)

The Great Scarrier Reef edition of Clawdeen moved in three months ago and I completely ignored her pleas for an outfit change. I'm pleased to report that I finally rectified this dire state of affairs and - after a brief outing into the world of hand sewing - here we have her in a prototype of a new stripy outfit, which was made from the sleeve of a an old top and the salvaged components of a retired bra. 

Clawdeen Wolf (Monster High) in custom stripy outfit

As a result of the fins on her hips and arms, and her mermaid-style stand, the scarrier reef version of Clawdeen poses certain challenges when it comes to creating clothes for her. 

The  design of this two-part (three-part, if you care to include her small scarf) outfit tries to work around these obstacles (arm fins, hip-fins and and tail-stand) rather than altering the doll.

Custom DIY Outfit for Monster High Great Scarrier Reef Clawdeen 

As I didn't have a suitable piece of velcro to hand, I resorted to cannibalising an old bra to salvage the metal fasteners and the elastic bands. The fabric scrap used for her sirrong-style skirt and drapey top is rather stretchy and wraps tightly around the elastics when sewing up the fasteners. The elastic top seams help adding drape to skirt and top, and ensure a good fit around hips (below the fin fasteners) and torso. 

Clawdeen should be much happier now, whilst I'm off improving the design. 

Clawdeen Wolf Monster High in Custom Outfit

The Weekly Swatch: Lace Mesh Stitch

Vintage 80s Knitting Patterns - Part 2

If you can't get enough of 1980s knitting patterns, here is another post full of them. Some might be 1970s, some 1990s. Unfortunately, the majority of these don't have a publication date.

At any rate, be prepared for broad shoulders and daring colours.

More of my vintage knitting pattern collection is available here.

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern, Ladies' Slash Neck Slipover - Argyll Wools Ltd, Leaflet No 647

Vintage1980s Ladies' Jersey with Aran Stitch Bands Knitting Pattern

Vintage 80s Knitting Patterns

As I was going through my vintage knitting pattern collection, I came across these gems from the 80s. They simply had to go on the blog. 

It's time for knitted jackets (preferably with foam shoulder pads), over-sized jumpers and colour blocks. Let's go back to the 1980s.

Enjoy!

Vintage 80s Argyll Knitting Pattern - Ladies' Cotton Drop Stitch Sweater 

Vintage 80s Alafoss Ladies' Jumper Knitting Patterns 

Vegan Baking: Pumpkin Spice Coconut Oat Cookies (Gluten-Free)

An Update on Pickle: 8 Weeks Since Her Cancer Diagnosis

Thanks so much to all of you who have commented and left well-wishes for Pickle. Pickle and Team Pickle appreciate them very much. 

For all those, who don't know the back story: At the onset of January 2018, my cat Pickle (aged 8.5 years) was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the colorectal type being most likely. A detailed account of the background to this, her conventional veterinary treatment to date and her diagnosis is available in this post. 

Today's post is a brief update on what we have been up to over the past eight weeks, discussing dietary changes, supplementation and some general information that helped me cope in the initial phase after receiving the sad news.

Colorectal Adenocarcinoma - Average Life Expectancy

According to available veterinary statistics on this type of cancer, Pickle was given an average life expectancy ranging from 8 weeks to 18 months from the point of diagnosis.

Today, Thursday, 1st March 2018, marks the eight-week point. 

Pickle -  8 weeks after her diagnosis with colorectal adenocarcinoma

Pickle - 8 Weeks after her Cancer Diagnosis

As I'm writing this, Pickle is lying curled up on a towel next to the laptop, having a digestive snooze after her lunch of turkey, pumpkin and turkey broth. Weekly weigh-ins confirm that she has maintained her weight and she continues to have a healthy appetite. The presence of both blood and mucous in combination with loose, smelly stools prompted us to seek veterinary assistance at the end of last year. Now, two months into the New Year, I'm pleased to say that her bowel movements have improved quite considerably. She is no longer passing loose stools accompanied by visible, bright red blood. Nevertheless, we are a long way away from optimum quality in the bowel movement department.