You may already know this. But…. I spend a lot of time volunteering. And in volunteer meetings. And volunteering to do non-profit websites. But mostly, organizing the Old Homosassa Learning Center. That’s my main unpaid job. I’m there a lot and when not there, I’m the one that gets the calls.

Friday we decided to go along with the State of Florida that had just closed all the schools. We closed the learning center. No more yoga. No more ukulele. No more Sew Cool! Workshop. No more kid’s after-school programs. The responsibility of spreading COVID-19 is just too great.

While I was really sad when we made the decision to close the program because I believe that what we are doing is a benefit to our little community, I eventually looked at the bright side. I said to Terry, this is like a vacation! And he said, but you can’t go anywhere. Oh. So it’s more like retirement and living on a fixed income and eating at home all the time. Ehhh. Not as much fun!

So what will I do with all my free time?

Gardening, cooking, reading, napping, and I’ll be getting a lot of sewing projects done!

Like Fernie Fox.

When Wee Wonderfuls brought out this pattern last year. I was smitten. (That’s not a word I usually use. But I was definitely smitten.)

Here’s the original photo that made me fall in love with the pattern from Wee Wonderful…

That was sometime last year and I really didn’t need to buy any more projects. But then she put the pattern on sale during the holidays and it ended up in my inbox.

And I am still smitten. She is so stinking cute! (another term I seldom use!)

Okay. Going to tell you right up front. This is kind of a DIFFICULT pattern. But only the face part. Everything else is pretty easy. But I struggled with sewing that face together. Jack the Ripper was employed. More than once. And all the appendages had to be hand-stitched to the body. I had all the machine sewing finished two months ago but I couldn’t find the time to stitch all those parts on.

Finally finished this past weekend. Cause I didn’t have to get prepared for all the STUFF I usually do! And she is so CUTE! (yes, cute is in my list of words!) I do think I will need to make more!

Warning! The next four pics are of a NUDE FERNIE FOX!

I had to take her out in the yard and enjoy the spring weather we’ve been having. This is my favorite season!

I stuffed the arms too full. That’s why they stick out to the side. Adds to her character! That huge tail helps her sit up very well!

And I haven’t embroidered in awhile. That’s a skill that you really need to practice on a regular basis. I struggled making Fernie’s face, but it turned out okay. Actually she’s better than okay!

She’s my new bestie softie! She is right now sitting on the arm of my couch as I type this.

But don’t tell Blue Jean Baby Queen. She is the jealous type!

I absolutely followed every step of the pattern. I always follow…every…step the first time I make something. Just like when I’m making a new recipe. Next time I make this foxie fox, there will be Ch..Ch…Ch..Changes……. Mostly not so much hand-stitching.

The dress for Fernie was included in the pattern and you can buy more clothes patterns for these dolls from Wee Wonderful. And her dress has an opening for her tail!

And now I’m going to do a PSA. Stay home. Sew. Don’t buy all the toilet paper–what is that about? (We’ve been through numerous hurricanes–never ran out of toilet paper!) Don’t buy all the water–guess what–it comes out of the spigot! Wash your hands!

And have fun with whatever hobby you might have!