Category Archives: other projects

other things that got done

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When I am getting ready for a show or a trip, all kinds of random things get finished. And not just dolls. I think I make myself a new bag before many trips. And lately, it has been summer shirts.

The polka dots is a light weight linen. The plaid is a vintage cotton from my mom’s stash, probably from the late 60’s.

and earring-

The things is, I never think about my clothes, accessories or jewelry unless I am doing an event or packing my suitcase for a trip. And why should I? I work at home where my main consideration is comfort. And then, all of a sudden I start obsessing about what I’m going to wear!

I’ve started making shirts (and other clothes too) by making patterns from old ones that I like, that fit and have worn out. I cut them up and trace the pieces. These two shirts were made by tracing the pieces of 2 other shirts that are no longer wearable. The polka dot shirt is the fourth one I’ve made from one shirt that I really liked. I used the shirt directions in the book Sew U to help me with pattern piece placement and instructions for how to put them all back together. I make clothes this way because of my dissatisfaction with commercial patterns. I guess I must be of an age or body type that doesn’t match up with the patterns. And I don’t have the patience or knowledge to alter (or completely rework) them. When I try matching up my I-know-this-fits pattern pieces to commercial patterns that I have spent (wasted) money on, they seem to be quite different. Hmm… mystery!

dorset buttons

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We had great fun at my doll club yesterday- we made dorset buttons.

The pink one is mine- slightly off centered. The multi-colored wool one was made by Jean who was sitting next to me.

We used this tutorial by the amazing Sister Diane!

I thought I had some of these type of handmade buttons in my collection but I couldn’t find any. Of course that doesn’t mean I don’t have them somewhere! I did find these buttons though-

The white button on the top right-hand side is the closest. It is made on a ring. The other button look like they were crocheted and they were all made on those forms in the middle of the pic. The top form looks like it is made of bone. The two lower ones are wood. Here are some close-ups-

If you are interested in making some yourself, I just googled “dorset buttons” to try to get some kind of history and discovered many tutorials.

and the last 3

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Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you had a nice day. We had a Skype family visit- so nice to sit and see everyone!

I got these last 3 finished. I restarted my juices by doing some fabric dyeing and by spending a few days away from my desk. Sometimes you have to do that.

It is PINK world! Lot’s of pastels in these ones.

I listed all the others in my etsy shop and I’ll get these in soon.

and 2 more

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These were finished yesterday but the weather did not cooperate with picture taking.

The mug above is not a gorgeous Portuguese traditional pottery classic. It is a cheap Made in China rip-off that I bought at the thrift shop. Oh well- it is still pretty.

And another lighthouse-

I started another 3 tiny worlds, but suddenly I’ve run out of steam. So I went to work on the foxes and there was no energy there either. I will probably spend the afternoon puttering around the studio. Tomorrow I am off to Portland (Maine) to pick up the son from school. Who knows what I will end up working on next week!

the Artful Bird

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I am so excited about Abby‘s book, The Artful Bird! I feel that it is a highlight on her incredible growth curve in softie making since I first met her in 2005. As I wrote in that post, she was the first blog friend that I met in person. Here is her post about that first visit. Wow- what a long time ago. She has had 2 more babies since then, made enormous leaps in designing in fabric, has had numerous shows, and now a book- Go Abby!

I was thrilled when she asked me to be part of her blog book tour- a first for me! The book is gorgeous and I love the interviews with the other bird artists. The interviews and photos of 4 other artists, all working with bird imagery, make it clear how much style shines through each artists’ (including Abby) creations. I loved seeing them all.

And look- I made the Wren! He (?) now sits perched on the living room window, supervising all the goings-on at the bird feeder. I made him out of wool- of course.

My intern, Tori, worked on one with me. She put her wings on with a button which I thought looked great! Also, she made her beak with needle-felting.

My take-away from this book? It’s not for a beginner, but if you have some experience with sewing and and love all the detail work, you will have loads of fun making these birds. I could imagine hand-sewing a bird like this, especially if you used felt. I also think that you could take a basic pattern like this one that I did and be very creative with it and make it your own. There are many useful techniques to learn from Abby. This book will be placed on my shelf of books by my friends, and next time I see Abby I am going to get her to sign it for me. Thanks for letting me be part of your book tour Abby- I loved doing it!

Night Friend Owl Pattern!

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Hurray! It is now available in the shop!

I am busy listing all the owls and will hopefully be done by the end of the afternoon today.

Thanks for all your help with the names. I had so much fun reading all the suggestions. I don’t want something too specific or gendered since I think that can ruin the fun for whoever makes or gets the owl in the end. I think this is a nice compromise.

stitches

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does anyone know what the official names are of these stitches?

This one is sort of a back stitch but looks like a running stitch. Unlike a running stitch, it doesn’t pull out. I think of it as a locking back stitch.

And what about this one? I think of it as an overcast stitch but not sure if that is right. I couldn’t find anything in all the embroidery books I have. And I have a lot.

It is for my pattern. I want to use the correct terms if I can figure out what they are!

first week 2011

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It is really hard to start back up again. There are the unfinished projects that feel like they need to be finished before I start in on the new. But those projects don’t have any energy now. Or maybe it is me that has no energy. I know that the only important thing is to actually spend time in the studio and do something. Anything.

I was inspired to get out the ink and brushes by this podcast interview with Lynda Barry on Sound of Young America (thanks again for the recommendation Abby!)

I started filling up pages last night.

I am trying out different brushes on each page, trying to find one that works well with the ink.

More today.

And, I’m working on the owl pattern.

I come over to the desk and do some more scribbling when I feel frustrated.

And, Hey- It works! I’m having fun!