Two weeks ago my (almost) six year old granddaughter said “Grammy, will you make me a stuffed fairy doll for my birthday?” She gave me the specifications, which I wrote down.
I was hesitant. “I would love to, Sweetie, but I am pretty busy.” 
“Allright.” She took it in good grace.
Ada, I should mention, is an artist. That means she is very capable of turning illusions into reality. Thus, despite my initial hesitation, I found myself mulling over the task. Magically, during our recent jewelry show in Atlanta, our hotel was two blocks from both a fabric store and a Michael’s. All the stars were aligning for the fairy’s emergence, and I spent an hour sorting through fabrics and making purchases.
Last weekend I drew a pattern and cut out the body, arms and legs. I drew on a face and traced it with my embroidery thread and needle. This weekend I planned only to sew and stuff the body parts, but got carried away and made the entire thing. Oakley the Fairy charmed her way into existence. Ada’s illusion became mine, and similar to Pinocchio’s transformation into a real boy, muslin, gold cloth embroidery thread and yarn became a real….Fairy.
What a great story and a great doll! Usually something has to be famous before you do a “making of” story, but you’ve always been unconventional!
Thanks! She has so much personality that I have to peek at her once in a while; She’ll be happy to emerge from my drawer!