A new quiting project

I finally was able to take a real live class on Saturday (haven't done that in years) and it was so nice to do that. I was wondering how it would work out since all I've done for so long is online classes. That of course is not a problem, it's always been a bonus to do online classes when I was working and I will continue to do them...but now I can actually sign up for real live classes if I want to.

Colleen if you're reading this......don't. Then you would know I played hookie for a couple of days from working on my Soul Whisperer, oops... ;~(

This is a table runner we did. It's called In A Whirl. I can see so many options for this design, incorporating it into many other ways. The first thing that comes to mind is panels in a jacket....let your imagination take you there and think of just two colours rather than the six we used...The possibilities are endless....

Hoffman Challenge 2008 Part 3

So here she is all done and ready to send off. I've secured her to her chair and hopefully enough so she doesn't sustain any damage. I've seen pictures of disasters, so I'm keeping everything crossed that all will be well.

I designed the outfit myself and it's made with Silk Dupioni and Cotton. I had the peacock feather cotton in the cupboard for who knows how long, guess it was just waiting for this. The bodice and sleeves are pleated using metallic thread. The beadwork is just simple vines, flowers and leaves. She has her mirror handy to keep an eye on her appearance all the way.

I really enjoyed working on her and as I've never entered a doll contest where I've had to send the doll away to be judged, it was kind of exciting to challenge myself and see what I can do, so we'll see how she will be received. Ms. Peacock will be flying out today to join all the other amazing dolls that I'm sure are on the way as well.....Good luck to everyone entering this challenge. I'm sure there will be some wonderful eye candy for those who are fortunate enough to be able to go and see it all....

Hoffman Challenge 2008 Part 2

I'm a little late getting the next pictures up, I had to perform some surgery on my dolls eyes. I had her looking like she had cataracts, so hopefully now, it's better. I guess it will have to be, because I have no more time to work on her. I'm working at securing her to her throne tonight and I'll will post a front and back picture tomorrow. For today, here are some step by step pictures I hope you will enjoy. The first picture is of her sleeve treatments. I've used a soutache trim between the knitting ribbon ruffles I made. I've also created a ruffle at her neck as you'll see. Another picture is of her face and bodice close up. The beads on her head are meant to resemble the top of the peacocks head and since feathers would likely get damaged in transit, these beads fit the bill nicely. If she's not really a peacock, she's at least trying to dress the part. The next part is the hand mirror I made for her.

I was so pleased with how this turned out. It's made with scrapbooking frames, a piece of oval glass that I got at the dollar store, a wire and bead handle and some silk mini roses to dress it up. She does need to check her appearance after all. The last picture I'm especially pleased with. I did encrusted beading on her feet and the design I did was meant to emulate peacock feathers. I am really happy with myself for these, they turned out so well and complete her look.... So if you want to see her completed look, please check back tomorrow....

Hoffman Challenge 2008 Part 1

I'm almost finished the doll for the challenge, should be tomorrow...but for tonight I thought I would show you part of it. This is a chair I made for her. The base is a small wooden plaque with a small wicker basket upside down on top of that and then the base is covered in batting and fabric, then trimmed up. The sitting part of the chair is the top part of a corrnucopia that I cut the bottom pointed part off. I then covered that with tons of batting, about 3 layers thick. This is the first step to the end result. Yes I know.....it looks like a potty. I've heard about that....lol
So now go to the next picture, the finished chair looks much different. We had to use the main fabric for the challenge but any other for the finished piece. I've chosen to use the main fabric for the chair. It took a while to figure out how to make that work, but I think it came together just great.
The tassle trim worked out well as the tassels were in perfect proportion to the size of the chair. I stuffed the inside of the chair, then made a cushion for her to sit on. I used woven ribbon roses and little roses to trim the corners of the chair on either side of where the little lady will be sitting. I used some leafy trims and mini roses to finish up with what is meant to look like vines growing around the chair.
Tomorrow I'll post more pics of the finished piece with the doll and the embellishments I've added to her, so do check back to see.....

New Clothes

Time to get some new clothes made. My poor old closet needs a major overhaul. Ever wear clothes so much you're even tired of seeing yourself in them. That's where I'm at. I have a stack of fabric here for new tops, pants, jackets and you name it. My first project is done and time to look at another, but now I must finish my doll for the Hoffman Challenge. She's almost ready and I will post here in the next few days to show you how she turned out...

The fabric I used for this blouse has been taking up space in my cupboard for who knows how long, but it's great for this time of year, and now it's finally made into something and has become functional. The pattern for anyone who might be interested is Simplicity 4122. There are 6 different views and all are labelled as easy....Enjoy.

Charmed Quilted Bags

I finished this today inbetween bouts of lying flat out with a miserable summer cold. Don't get one, they are so horrible. Haven't had one in years and forgot how much worse than fall/winter colds are. On top of that, summer finally showed itself and I don't do hot weather well....

This quilted bag is the first of a few different coloured ones I am working on. They will be for sale on my website eventually, but thought you might like a preview. As I finish more, I will post pics. They measure roughly 17" W x 11". The straps from the top of the bag to the strap have a space of 8" and fit nicely over the shoulder. There is a small pocket on the front behind the flap, and there are two pockets inside that can easily hold things like your cell phone, keys and so on...

Socks reborn

I'm finally getting back to those socks I started last year. Never do one sock of many colours and put them down and think to yourself you will do the matching one later....Don't do it. It requires to much thought to remember what size and hopefully your tension is even. Mine worked out okay, but not without a few minor pull back of stitches...hate that.

So here are finally, 3 pairs done. One pair, the bright green/orange combination went to one of my sweet little ladies that I was caring for. I paid her a visit on Monday and wanted to make sure she got these. She told me once that her feet get cold in bed, so I thought these would help. One good thing to note, this yarn is machine washable and the pattern develops itself as it's built into the yarn. Check you local yarn shop or some craft places might carry it. One ball will do a pair with a bit left over depending on whether you make them a bit longer or not and the various colours of yarn and the different companies will give you lots of choices of patterns. Each one is so much fun to work with as you can watch the patterns developing without having to change the yarn throughout.

This Is It !!

I always wondered when I would have the chance to say "This is the first day of the rest of my life" and now that day is here. My last day in the work force in the formal sense, was June 17th 2008. People like to use the term retirement, but I choose "change of directions", it's signifies more to come. After just over 40 years (because I was working kid jobs while in school when I wasn't legally allowed to work), I feel released from the ties that bind.

The week leading up the 17th, was emotionally conflicted. It was the conflicts between leaving a job as a home support worker that I had done for 30 years and I loved the people I helped, and the anxiety of being away from a structured enviornment of having a regular routine and now having that job of organizing myself. However, when weighed against never feeling appreciated by the employer for the job I did (because actions mean more to me than words), I knew it was the right thing and the right time to make the move.

I had always said I would continue to work until the house was paid for and that is done now, so my time now will be spent on doing all things creative and healthy. No more racing from place to place all day, skipping healthy meals and replacing them with some quick fix to make it through the next few hours, no watching the clock every five minutes, nothing but setting my own schedule.

My garden is happy because I'm busy making up for such neglect while working away from home, my piles of doll body parts now have a real hope that they will be joined together and be who they were meant to be, fully formed and dressed to impress. I will be able to catch up on all the changes I want to make on my website and showcase my own designs and offer more of my creations. My hope is be able to offer my own designs and creations made from those designs. So many options to explore and now the time to do so.

Hubby came home on Wednesday with flowers, a card and a dinner date....what could be better. The next day flowers arrived from a mother and daughter I cared for with a thank you for my care....how sweet is that.

I have come to terms with leaving the work force after having some time to catch up much needed sleep and getting my list of "what to do's" in order. This is the first week of the rest of my life, the first few days were a blur....and now it's straight ahead to whatever lies in my future.

Fred

I've been working to catch up to all my UFO's, but I had to get this done first. It's a gift for a special friend and I need to take it to him tomorrow. It's like the man himself and I think he'll really like this. He's the kind of man who really appreciates the things he's given and loves to show them to others. He's shared some of those with us. For Fred's clothing, I did a combination of real and illusion clothing. Some stitching and some gluing. The backhoe of course is purchased, but I personalized it with bits of twigs and bark from our wood pile. He will understand the significance of that. The closeup of his legs is to show the faux socks and shoes. I painted the feet black, threaded the laces in place and voila, work shoes. The socks are made with three folds of knit fabric and just glued around his legs. The faux gold chain and nugget is another touch that will have meaning to him as well as the faux pencil and note paper in his hands. It's all Fred and I know he's just going to love it. It's hard to think of giving a man a doll but when it's personalized to suit them directly, it's quite easy to come up with something. The body itself is done using Mary Tresslers, basic body for a man pattern. The head is from a pattern called Gypsy George that I found on Dollmakers Journey. I hope to have more to post shortly.....stay tuned for the next UFO....that will be renamed to simply AFO....

Swaps

I don't get a lot of time just now to join in on swaps, but I did do a couple recently. The first one I responded to was a post that my friend Connie had on her blog. She was hosting a Pay It Forward exchange. I think it's such a great idea and right away thought I would like to take part in that... This is my Pay It Forward gift that went to Serena. The actual gift is the crystal and bead hanger, but I couldn't help but send some extra goodies. The folded over card is actually a sewing kit. (Thank you Serena for having that picture on your blog ;o) )

The other day I received my Pay It Forward gift from Connie. It's a lovely little pincushion and isn't it pretty. It looks like a big yummy piece of Marzipan. Connie designed it herself and it's perfect. Even the trims on top are felt covered pins that are meant to look like decoration. Thank you Connie....... I love it...


The other swap I did was a pincushion swap on Cloth Doll Artistry, a group that is hosted by Connie. I attempted to make this look somewhat like a cabbage rose. Lori received it and didn't seem confused about what kind of flower it is, so whew.....that's good.... Hopefully soon I'll be able to spend more time catching up to my creative side and join in on more swaps. They are great and a nice way to meet new creative souls....