Delivery date for Miss T's winter collection of 65 pieces is set to happen the 24th of November. In my attempt to save myself from testing all the paints and beads for lead on all my ready made flowers from China, i created a collection that i could count on being pure by making my own flowers and/or using vintage laces. This winter collection feels wholesome and warm to me as a result and i am hoping everyone feels the same : ) i have lots of wooly sweaters and the Salvation Army to thank for my supplies this season. And thank you to all the talented unknown people that crocheted the vintage handmade laces that i used to try to convey the delicate filagree that winter does so well.

Posting more pictures of Salaam in full dress, including his book and a friendship bracelet my son made for him out of glow in the dark thread he got for his birthday.

My son recieved many a glorious gift for his birthday, including "3 Cups of Tea" (young readers addition) from my sister (a truly magical creature). The introduction of 3 Cups of Tea begins....."as-salam alaykum"

What?......how could this be?

A huge birthday coincidence. My sis lives in Seattle and had no knowledge of my doll making/naming adventure. Still pondering this phenomenon. Big goose bumps on the connectedness of things.

i must give another plug to sweatered soap mentioned in previous posts. Last week was week 4 and still no mildew or smell there of on my sweatered soap. After being gone from it on vacation for 2 weeks it melted into a goo and absorbed into the sweater envelope, which after one week home was forever sudsy. A miraculous curious phenomenon. It is not much to look at now though so i am posting and unused version of sweatered soap.

Returning home to handmade lotions and soaps feels like luxury. I love my softly scented world at home. My trip abroad was very scented (perfumes, diesel emissions, cigarettes, hand sanitizers and quite often sewer). Home has such a sensory quiet. I love home.

Thank you Sono-Ma for your beautiful article about me and my daughter Maddy. It is really magical for me to watch Maddy's creativity unfold. Her competance truely delights me daily.

As requested, a larger current photo of Miss Teapot's current style of work from my Autumn collection of 2009. My Winter Collection is still in the works and has yet to be photographed. And besides ....no peaking :

Presenting... "as-salamu Alaykum". Meaning "Peace be upon you" in Arabic.

I so still wanted to call him "Souq", so fun to say. But i found the souq in Alexandria a little...well... scarey. So as-salamu Alaykum it is, a beautiful sentiment the Egyptians use as "hello". Or "Salaam" meaning "peace" for short.

Salaam has quite a story knitted into him. His first 18 stitches were cast on while in an airplane 35,000 ft above Greenland going 743 mph, part of his neck was knitted while cruising on the Nile river, his right leg in Istanbul Turkey, his right arm on a beach on the Greek island of Mykonos....etc.

I am making him also a small book, mapping his unfolding which i will call, "The Life and Times of as-salamu Alaykum" and will include extra pages for my son to add to his story.

The pattern for Salaam is from a book i love called "Knitted Babes" by Claire Garland. So many inspirational patterns for dolls and their clothes, though there are no boy dolls within so i modified. I was unable to find appropriate, inexpensive textiles for him during our travels as planned, so instead he will have recycled sweater clothing. I will post a picture of Salaam in his full regalia next week, today he sports only his undies which i made from an old cotton t-shirt.

My son was aware of my knitting a doll on our trip but he has no idea it is for him. I think. He is used to my creative meanderings. In fact... we bought an extra camera on our trip and i quickly knitted a cover for it to protect it : )

Such a delight intricately pouring (or knitting) myself into a few of my children's gifts every year, leading them by example into the realm of living and giving from the heart.

Bon voyage!

The question is, "How will i cope without a creative project while away".

The Answer, "i won't have to" : ) i will be taking a project with me. i plan to knit a doll while on my journey for my son for his October birthday. A doll for a boy you ask? My answer...yes! and i am reminded of "William's Doll" a story by Charlotte Zolotow. So sweet.

i will knit the doll and buy textiles for clothing as i visit Turkey, Egypt and Greece. And come up with a proper name for him. Perhaps "Souq"? the name for an Egyptian market? When i return home i will stuff him with "Charlie the Llama" fur (pictured), a generous gift from my wonderful neighbor Holly (and Charlie the llama of course).

Will post pictures when finished.

i counted the number of crowns i've created over the years via old invoices. 1709 crowns is the running total i came up with after 10 years of crowns and/or 40 seasons. Incredible. i have pictures of crown evolutions over the years. Pictured is one such early model. It is the first. Where it all began more than 10 years ago. Fairy crowns for my daughter's fairy party when she was turning 4. It came complete with a handmade, floaty fairy skirt, one for each party guest. My son's comment today on this rather old school miss t crown, "It's so plastic!" : )

i have used some really great ready made flowers over the years but now i prefer mostly to make them. Knowing that "ready made's" place of origin is usually China, i began to feel uncomfy using them, not knowing the safety of the paints and glues. And the waste that comes with tearing down a ready made piece to get to the flower etc. is huge, forever sitting plastically in the landfill. That part of my work felt really hurtful. I will still occasionally use the ready made pieces if i find the glorious, but i much prefer the waste management and biodegradable nature of natural and vintage materials.

i use recycled wool sweaters a lot now. Every bit and scrap gets honored and appreciated and used. i don't like to make garbage. My twist and turn into a more eco friendly miss t is for the care and keeping of our beautiful Mother Earth.

This Winter Collection you will see recycled wool sweaters, hand crocheted flowers in wool, vintage crocheted lace and trims, needle felted birds and vintage and new beads. My Winter Collection of 60 pieces will arrive at The Ark a few days before Thanksgiving and i am so excited to share it.