a new tradition (and a new craft)

My focus should still be on my Morganite sweater, but somehow my mind has decided that the most fun to be had out of that project is to pick it up and finish a few rows only when I'm in the mood. And since this whole knitting business is supposed to be fun (a fact I have to remind myself of from time to time when ambition is striking to hard), I'm just going with that tempo. Hopefully I'll finish it before the year is over, though.*ahem* But there are some distractions on the horizon:

Although it's hard to believe, my little Ósk has her first birthday coming up in less than 6 weeks and since I'm trying a new tradition of homemade gifts I thought I'd get an early start in case this is more time consuming than presupposed (which is the case for me all.the.time.). My friend Dagga made the coolest sweater for her son last winter with the Faroe Island Snælda wool yarn and some Noro Silk Garden. She used a traditional Lopi pattern but used the Noro as a filling for the colorwork. The result blew me away and I decided to make similar sweaters for my children for next winter. So Ósk's first birthday sweater is this practical, warm, Noro inspired wool piece. It's coming along well, minus a few miscalculations of mine due to my lack of experience in making open sweater patterns into closed. Nothing serious though. With luck I'll be done with it by August, which is just as well since her other present is going to be...

...a waldorf doll! Not this one pictured, that is just me practicing on an retro Swedish kit my friend (and experienced doll maker) gave me. I think the head I made looks all right but it's a bit bigger than planned so I might have to make some changes to the body. Let's see how it all turns out, this is my first ever attempt at this craft. I'm waiting for a doll kit for a bunting doll from Weir Crafts, it was honestly the only online website I found that ships doll making supplies to Iceland. Have any of you ever ordered this stuff online? Can you recommend good stores? (Best if they ship worldwide, not necessary though). I have wanted to make a Waldorf doll for years so this is a crafting dream come true. I hope, hope, hope that it'll be a success, I have to admit I'm a bit nervous. If this bunting doll for Ósk will be a hit I plan to make Úlfur a traditional Waldorf doll for his birthday. He has shown a lot of interest in this little doll I am making now and asks me every time if he can keep it.

Other than this, it's just summer vacation and loads of packing and doing moving preparations. Hope you are all having a great summer.
Crafting on and along with Frontier Dreams, which is also where I got the idea and inspiration for homemade birthday presents and a yearly birthday sweater. I think it's brilliant and so lovely :)