Sew Many Things... Sew Little Time

Bravura

2010-01-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

I think this is my favorite doll of the coolaberation. Meet Bravura, who is Gail's doll. She's always reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." So I decided that she needed the cigarette holder and cigarette, which of course necessitated hands. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I still need to finish the edges of the gloves though.

A thing of beauty.

2009-12-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

This incredibly beautiful face was created by Susan. She does the most incredible embroidery work as you can see. I feel so fortunate to have been able to do a swap with her. Now I'm busy planning the doll I'm going to make.

3d Icicle Swap.

2009-12-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

This is the swap doll I received from Nina. Gorgeous beadwork! I love the face. I think I'm going to make it a goal for the coming year to learn how to do this type of face.

Unfortunately I thought I had taken a picture of mine when it was finished but I hadn't. However I've been playing with some alternative versions of the icicle doll so when I finish them I'll post those.

3D Momiji Swap

2009-11-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

Decidedly Different Dolls had a momiji swap. The criteria was that like a momiji doll the doll had to have a secret compartment for a message. I wanted my doll to have a bit of the momiji shape with the big head and Fisher Price Body.

I used a medicine bottle for the body and a styrofoam ball for the head. Cut out the bottom of the ball to insert the medicine cap and glued it in. Then I paper mached the head with newspaper. After which I gessoed it white. Then I used toilet paper and glue to create the nose, eyes and mouth. When that was dry, I covered it with white tissue paper for the face and a patterned tissue for the hair. The body I covered with Japanese Origami paper and embellished with beads.

This is the doll I got from Y. Isn't she beautiful? Her head comes off and she has a darling tiny scroll inside.

Day of the Dead Challenge

2009-11-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

Well once again I didn't finish my doll on time for the challenge. Had a good excuse this time though as I caught a nasty cold and lost a week or two of craft time. Here's what I have so far.

Shudayra Finished Up

2009-11-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

My local doll club had a stash swap and in the pile was this mound of curly copper hair. I had Shudayra with me and she kept nudging me and telling me to go check it out. We tried it on her and all the women agreed it was definitely her.

Her feet were just begging to be beaded. : ) Would have loved to make spiky heels for her but ran out of time before I could figure it out.

Made her a healing hand charm with a heart to go in her charm bag.
For her journal I made a page for her charm. Used my hand as a print and then used copper foil on it.

And last but not least, I painted her portrait for her journal as well.

Seed Bead Fusion Fun

2009-11-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

I have been working through the book "Seed Bead Fusion" by Rachel Nelson-Smith and have been having a blast. Below is a bracelet that I modified by making two rows instead of one. The base is a right angle weave and then the bumps are made with peyote stitch with crystals between each row of bumps. It works up really fast and I love making them as it's one that I can do and talk to people at the same time.

Take time to admire the beautiful clasp. It cost me more than the entire bracelet but is definitely worth it. : )

My next project from the book is a funky spiky bracelet that I am no sure how you would ever wear as it would catch on everything.

3D Halloween Swap

2009-10-26T11:02:00.001-07:00

This is the doll I made for the 3d Halloween swap. Frankie has a beaded body and I made the face, hands, and head from polymer clay and beads and wire. He is four inches tall.

This is the fabulous doll I recieved in the swap. Gail made this beauty. The faces are painted clay and the bodies and welcome mate are fiber.

Shudayra

2009-09-30T20:13:00.001-07:00

This is MA's doll for the Coolaberation. Her name is Shudayra. From the moment she arrived, she has been sending me vibes to give her a face. So I did.

Halloween is coming : )

2009-09-30T20:10:00.001-07:00

I made these Halloween bracelets. The pic didn't get the colors very well and I don't think the backgroud color helps either. : ( But it says "Boo" and has little pumpkins along it. I made the purple and orange for a friend who loves Halloween. She was showing people and another woman liked it so much I told her I make her one too.

3D Dia de Los Muertos Challenge

2009-09-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

I've been working on my challenge doll and the other day at the store I found the perfect skull. I'm going to gesso it, paint it and then add embellishments and either varnish or layer with glue. It's about five inches tall.

Halloween Giveaway at Dollistic

2009-09-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

I just have to share the chance to win this fabulous five inch doll. Go to Dollistic for your chance to win. Gail has outdone herself on this doll.

If you like this doll, why not join our Halloween Swap at Decidedly Different Dolls? This doll was originally intended for the swap but was five inches instead of four. Come and play!

My wonderful swap doll

2009-09-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

G from Dollistic and I arranged a swap and this is the fabulous doll I got! I just love her. She has the look of worn leather, like she has mellowed with age.

I love the musical notes and her body reminds me a bit of a cello, which I've always told myself I was going to learn to play someday.

Between her and the bird, it just reminds me of the beauty of music, nature at it's finest. : )

Hands, hands, hands...

2009-09-15T11:10:00.001-07:00

Y from Ink Spiller's Attic posted this tutorial on some hands she made from polymer clay and wire. She mentioned though that she thought the wires might break as they seemed really fragile. So I got the idea of wrapping the wire around itself. I used a 20 G wire and it makes a really stiff finger. I'd like to try it again with maybe a 22 or 24 G wire, because I found this a little tiring after all that wrapping. Those are the ones with pink finger tips. The other pair, I just used the wire but I put beads on the wire. It turned out really cute and it allows me to use up my "bead soup."

Sapphire Beauty

2009-09-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Miss Sapphire Beauty is the doll I've been working on lately for the BAD birthstone RR. There is something really meditative about this doll. Maybe it's the shape? She reminds me of those statues of Christ that you see on the cross that are in the Alps and other high mountain places. Sort of a nunlike quality.

I did the arms and area below the arms. The center section is peyote with with a ruffle. Easy to make just do two rows where you put two beads instead of one between each bead. I got the idea from the "Frill Seeker" bracelet that I made. The sides are Right Angle Weave

Latest Raggedy

2009-09-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

I took a picture of all the Raggedy's I've made minus one's I've given away. And here is my latest Raggedy doll. This one I did for a woman at my bead circle and she picked the colors. I think I much prefer bright happy hair to real hair colors. But I'm sure she'll like it since it's what she wanted. The dress is actually more purple than the reddish color that is shows here. Ah, photography. Speaking of photography I want you all to notice that these are in focus! : ) I used a timer and it's really helped.

3D Metal/Wire Challenge - Miss Bobblehead

2009-09-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for the 3D metal/wire challenge. It's not quite finished. I'd hoped to finish by the deadline but wasn't feeling so well over the weekend. I still need to do her legs. Maybe this weekend?

I need some suggestions for her poor head. It's supposed to be a bobble head but I think maybe the wire isn't stiff enough, because it isn't hanging the way I'd like. I really like the colored wire though so I am loath to change it to silver or some other metallic. Any ideas for re-enforcement while still looking nice?

The Delightful Miss E

2009-08-31T19:36:00.001-07:00

The finished bodice. Created using a metallic fabric paint, 26 G wire wrapped and glued into place using E600 glue. Which was a chore in itself. I had to hold the wire in place for twenty minutes as it didn't like those curvacious breast. LOL... Then I added a herringbone wrap at the bottom of the corset to finish it off.

Frill Seeker Bracelet

2009-08-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

When I went to bead circle this week, M had made the cutest bracelet. It was white with colored ruffles on each edge. It looked so fun I had to try it over the weekend. All it is, is single peyote and the ruffle is made by putting two beads inbetween each bead instead of one. You do two rows of the ruffle in contrasting colors. If I did it again I think I might use smaller beads for the ruffle for a more delicate look. Of course with my stupid camera and my shaky hands I can't get a good pic. I'll try again tomorrow in better light, but I kind of liked the light patterns of this pic so I posted it anyway even though you can't see the details.

This bracelet is in the current issue of Beadwork (Aug./Sept. 2009 p.72 Frill Seeker) The picture in there is really ugly too. I would have never made one based on that picture!

Recyling Effort

2009-08-31T19:21:00.001-07:00

One of the efforts to heal my foot fractures was a machine called of all things, the bone stimulator. It was outrageously expensive, I think the first on was $7,000.00 and the second had fallen to $3,000.00 a few years later. Even though the machine still works, it is programmed to only work for 400 days. Hmmmm....

I was going to take the bag apart and use the straps, zippers, etc. for projects, but I got looking at the bag and it has all sorts of cool pockets inside and would make a great bag to store all my bead stuff in. So I appliqued my Picasso Woman to the front and now my designer $3,000.00 ; ) designer bag is ready to rock and roll.

Croquet Anyone?

2009-08-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

"Get to your places!' shouted the Queen in a voice of thunder, and people began running about in all directions, tumbling up against each other; however, they got settled down in a minute or two, and the game began. Alice thought she had never seen such a curious croquet-ground in her life; it was all ridges and furrows; the balls were live hedgehogs, the mallets live flamingoes, and the soldiers had to double themselves up and to stand on their hands and feet, to make the arches.

The chief difficulty Alice found at first was in managing her flamingo: she succeeded in getting its body tucked away, comfortably enough, under her arm, with its legs hanging down, but generally, just as she had got its neck nicely straightened out, and was going to give the hedgehog a blow with its head, it would twist itself round and look up in her face, with such a puzzled expression that she could not help bursting out laughing: and when she had got its head down, and was going to begin again, it was very provoking to find that the hedgehog had unrolled itself, and was in the act of crawling away: besides all this, there was generally a ridge or furrow in the way wherever she wanted to send the hedgehog to, and, as the doubled-up soldiers were always getting up and walking off to other parts of the ground, Alice soon came to the conclusion that it was a very difficult game indeed.

The players all played at once without waiting for turns, quarrelling all the while, and fighting for the hedgehogs; and in a very short time the Queen was in a furious passion, and went stamping about, and shouting `Off with his head!' or `Off with her head!' about once in a minute." - Alice in Wonderland

Gail is having too much fun and I can see that I need to re-read Alice in Wonderland. I didn't remember that the poor hedgehogs were used as balls.

I have laughed so much hearing about the Queen's antics while she travels around. : )

Long Live the Queen

2009-08-27T16:44:00.001-07:00

Isn't she just beauuuuuuuuuuutiful? This is The Queen of Hearts after G worked on her. She did such a fabulous job.
I am so happy! : )

This is too cool!

2009-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

This photo is so cool. Just as I was taking the picture, Bismark lifted his head up to bark.

Elsepeth - Coolaberation RR

2009-08-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is Miss Elsepeth, a steampunk detective from the 2009 coolaberation. This is her in the beginning. She is made of felted wool with a clay face and breasts.

This is Elsepeth after Em gave her some arms and hads and a beautiful tulip skirt, which in real life looks like it is made out of feathers.

I decided that she needed a little glamour in her life so I made her a venetian mask to wear to the masqurade ball, where she is sure to find all sorts of clues. I'm also in the process of making her my version of a steampunk bustier.

Lend a hand...

2009-08-21T16:24:00.002-07:00

Wish I could take better photos but my hands shake too much. : ( This is my hand for the upcoming BAD hand challenge.

Long live Spock!

My first bracelet

2009-08-21T16:24:00.001-07:00

This is my first bracelet I made after taking a beginning wire twist class. I don't know why but it took me a while to be able to produce nice round links.

My First Charms

2009-08-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

These are my first charms. I'm really pleased at how they turned out. I took a beginning wire wrap class and though my loops and wraps were pretty good for a beginner. But a few days later at home when I tried it gave me fits.

I might have to make me some skull earrings for Halloween.

Dead Parrot Sketch

2009-08-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

Working on this stupid parrot has continually reminded me of Monty Python's Dead Parrot Sketch. Polly is such a bedraggled parrot.

And for your enjoyment...

Hair beautiful hair

2009-08-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd done all that I was going to on Persia, but last night she demanded that she have hair NOW! So she has luscious locks made from strips of fabric. It really worked up fast.

First Decidedly Different Doll Swap

2009-08-01T13:42:00.001-07:00

Decidedly Different Dolls had our first doll swap in July. The dolls have to be 4 inches or less which is a challenge for me. I made "Puck" the green doll for Yvonne. I really like the arms. The arms and and face are peyote stitch. The body is Right Angle Weave.

The orange doll is mine. MA made it or me. Isn't it cool? The body is very cool it is fairly hard but has a rubbery texture to it. I thought at first it must be some sort of clay but MA told me it's a cloth form that she painted and then varnished. I love the face.

Coolaberation 2009 - Persia the Pirate Princess

2009-07-31T20:37:00.000-07:00

Persia is very particular and looks nothing at all like I had planned for her. As you can see, She is really into jewels. Why else would she be a pirate? She still has some time with me so I may do more. There are so many tings a pirate needs...

hair
a hook for a hand
more jewels
a map
treasure chest
cool clothes
a parrot
The list goes on...

Sunshine

2009-07-31T20:34:00.001-07:00

July BAD Calendar Doll

Coolaberation 2009

2009-06-29T13:57:00.001-07:00

Today is the official start of the "Coolaberation 2009." There will be nine artists involved. Here is my doll, The Queen of Hearts." Along with the doll, each doll has a journal. The first entry is either ten words or less to describe how you want your doll to be or a quote. I chose:

"I am an acquired taste, like anchovies.
Not everyone likes those hairy little things.
If I were more like potato chip I'd be everywhere." -Tori Amos.

Art Coolaberation Comes to and End

2009-06-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that the coolaberation is over. Seemed to go rather quickly to me. This is my last doll to work on Lakeloon. As I believe I mentioned previously, his main goal in life is to catch hummingbirds. So I made him one.

Had a bit of trouble with the nose and wings being floppy. The pattern is for a necklace and the rope of the necklace attaches at the ends of the wings. I fixed it though by inserting head pins in the top line of the wings and the nose. Worked great! Thanks bead gals at my bead circle for the great idea.

BAD Birthstone RR

2009-06-29T13:49:00.001-07:00

The theme for the BAD RR is your birthstone. As you should be able to guess from my doll, mine is Peridot. The funky leg is done in right angle weave (RAW) for both the front and the back using 11s and 8s. The crystals in the middle are 4mm. I did the other foot in peyote using 13s. The butterflies hanging from the hand are a pair of my favorite earrings that my husband bought for me, Holly Yashi earrings. But I lost one! : (

Now for Something Completely Different...

2009-06-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well, after a lot of thought, I decided to start my own art doll group, which I am calling "Decidedly Different Dolls" or 3D for short. I've searched the net for an art doll group that is active and organized but have been quite disappointed. So it's time to create what I've been looking for.

It's going to be a lot of fun with scheduled organized challenges, a few swaps and tutorials and helpful tips throughout the year. Please consider joining. : )

Finished at Last

2009-06-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well here are the completed Weird Sisters. I'm glad to have finished them as I am sick of black and white. I did try the punk hairstyle on the one with the black face but it was awful. : ( In my mind I can envision what I want but I guess I don't have the skill when it comes to felting hair.

My first homemade journal

2009-05-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

I took a class at the local art store on how to make an hardbound accordion journal. It was quite easy to do and a lot of fun. I made this for my bead friend who loves purple.

My last Art Doll in the Coolaberation

2009-05-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here is Lakeloon. Isn't he just fantastic? Everyone has done such a fabulous job on him. I think he is just perfect. I'm working on a beaded hummingbird for him because his great goal in life is to catch a hummingbird. :D

The Racoon Queen

2009-05-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

This month at the local doll club the theme was animals. So I dug out my raccoon bead and attached it to my doll form. It was only about half the size of the doll head so I made her a fancy doo. The hair is felted. I quite like her hair style. It's modelled after an old Japanese style. Very long in the back with it shorter on both sides. The sticky up hair is my idea. LOL....

Update on the Weird Sisters

2009-05-19T12:43:00.001-07:00

I'm now finished with doll2, the black and white flowered one. Am debating whether or not to add a punk hair do. I was thinking black hair that came out in spikes around the face, but J says that it's better without. That she looks like she's been mummified.

I really like how the beading turned out on this one. The smaller flowers are done one bead at a time with 15s. It was so time consuming, but well worth the effect. It looks like lace.

The other doll, is number 3. I have not been happy with her face. Her eyes look a bit like a football player with the black under the eyes. Will have to break the beads out and redo them. Had fun with the flower. Did a raised satin stitch for the center part and it looks very nice.

Birthstone RR

2009-05-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the doll form for the BAD birthstone RR.

Ayala - Art Coolaberation Doll

2009-05-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Well I can't believe that I'm almost finished with this RR. After Ayala I think there is just one more. From the first time I saw her I knew she was a mermaid at heart.

So when I got her, I Shortened her lace top so she could have a belly button. Embellished the lace with more beads and added a few sequins. Gave her a necklace. And then made her a tail fin

For the fin, I added batting and quilted it. Then I added sequins ( a first for me). It was much harder than I expected. Because I had machine quilted it, it had compacted the fabric and in places it was incredibly dense. I actually broke a curved needle which is also a first for me. The sequins look white in the photo but they are clear iridescent in real life. In the sunlight they are almost blinding.

He's finished... For the most part

2009-05-06T12:20:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally did it and got up the courage to do the felting of the hair. Thankfully good ole Karma veranda gave me lots of advice that was great for a beginner. Thanks Karma! I think it turned out fairly well for a beginner. May try it again on other dolls.

I still have to line the cloak with black satin but other than that he's done!

Shes' finished!

2009-05-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well, doll1 (the big one) and four are finished. I think I gave myself tendonitis sticking those nails through. Thanks to Paula I used some white rubberized flannel. First I painted it a silvery white and then I made a helmet. Once I was sure it would fit around the face, I added the nails and glued it on. Right now she has pins in her face to hold it in place until the glue dries. Hope it works!

Doll4 happens to be about 4 inches. What a coincidence. She's done in charolettes. And I think that is about as small of a face as I can bead. I guess I could go one size smaller on the beads, but those tiny needles drive me nuts.

I'm working on Doll2 now. The front flower reminds me of lampwork beads. It's size 13s alternating black and white and going up to 8s near the center.

Any ideas?

2009-04-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

We have tons of these sweet gum pods all over the yard. I just know they would be great for crafts. But the only crafty thing I can think of is to include them in pouppori of some sort. I'm want to make Christmas ornaments. Any great ideas? I'd love to hear them.

Doll #1 is so vain, she has to be in every picture!

Matroyshka update

2009-04-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

I am now 80% finished with the large doll which from now on will be doll #1. For now the ball and chain is pinned in place. Boy was it a bugger getting the needle through the sweet gum pod! Tried it on a test piece and it went through like butter, but not on the real thing. GRR... Still have to do the hair, may attempt it tomorrow.

Doll #4 just about has the body finished. It's peyote with size 11 charlottes. Gives a really nice sparkle to the doll.

Update on the Weird Sisters

2009-04-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

I've finished beading the bottom of the doll. I used size 8 beads and did a peyote stitch. I'm still working on the embellishments but hope to finish her this week.

BJP - April Doll

2009-04-21T13:47:00.001-07:00

Introducing Sassy, she's a bit of a tomboy and likes hanging out with her pet frog. She's actually a swap and in return I got this fantastic head. She's very dreamy, isn't she? I have special plans for her but they will have to wait a bit.

странны сестры - The Weird Sisters

2009-04-13T19:33:00.001-07:00

Here are my dolls for the Yahoo Beaded Art Dolls group matroyshka challenge. Introducing the Weird Sisters. I've made six of them so I'm not sure that I'll be able to finish them all by May, but I'm going to try. I'm quite excited about them because they are going to be so fun to create! : )

Got them all sewn together this weekend and started beading the big one today. I did the face before sewing the doll together. It's done in size 13 and 15 beads.

I'm hoping to be able to so the smaller faces in beads as well but we'll see when I try.

I really like those fabric markers for drawing the designs. No bleeding and they are really easy to see.

And some extras...

2009-04-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

I had some fabric that had matroyshka dolls on it so I cut out a couple and made into doll forms. If I finish those for the challenge then I'll play with these two. Love the pre-built patterns.

One of the things I'm working on...

2009-04-02T18:33:00.001-07:00

This is one of my Matroyshka dolls for the BAD challenge.

One thing I did differently for this doll is I used fabric markets to draw the design on the fabric. It works really well and doesn't bleed or rub off.

I also beaded the face before sewing the doll together because of future plans I have for this doll.

I am so pleased with how the face turned out!

A few touch ups...

2009-04-02T18:28:00.001-07:00

Introducing my rendition of the infamous Rat King from the Nutcracker Suite.

Had some problems with the tail. I used a pipe cleaner but didn't think to fold the end over on itself so the wire sticks out at the end of the tail. Think I'm going to have to undo the last bit, fix it and re-bead it. Also I need to add some wire whiskers. Still trying to figure out how I want to do that. Glue them? Some how work the wire from one side to the other? Any suggestions?

The Keeper is finished

2009-04-02T18:20:00.001-07:00

I REALLY loved working on this doll, I think she is so fantastic and everyone who has worked on her has done a great job making sure it all goes together.

The keeper's torso is made out of a purse so she has hidden trinkets inside.

I made the wings. The hardest part was finding the perfect fabric. It had to be really sheer and all the colors I thought were going to be "it" weren't. She also needed very simple wings for all her sparkly bits (her head piece is made of parrot feathers) she really is a simple girl. : )

Meet the Count

2009-03-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well here is the face of the doll I've been working on since the first of January. I am quite disappointed with the photo, because you can't really see the fabulous three-dimensional nose! Maybe I'll have to try again tomorrow in the day light.

Bras, glorious bras...

2009-03-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

I came across this site , it's a group effort to raise money for cancer by making far out bras and displaying them and then auctioning them off. Oh to have been in on that. They must have had so much fun making them. Interesting how there is so much interest in raising money for breast cancer as opposed to say heart disease which causes more deaths among women. Always have found that fascinating.

The Toy Society

2009-03-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

I came across The Toy Society blog last night. It's a group that make toys and then drop them off in public places for someone to find and take home. Reminds me of the signs around town reminding people to be nice to each other, that life is short etc. Just trying to make the world a better place in your small way.

I've signed up so I guess I'd better design my first toy. : )

Not your Mama's Matroyshkas

2009-02-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

BAD is doing a Matroyska doll challenge, so of course I had to search the web for ideas. Russian Vogue has a piece displaying modern ones created by famous designer's. They are very cool! I may have to do a similar one in beads...

Please check it out: http://www.vogue.ru/promotions/fashion/081021-1635.aspx

Goldilocks and Friends TT2 First Project

2009-02-22T15:06:00.001-08:00

For the first assignment we could choose from three choices - Angelina fibers, Shiva sticks and foil. I chose the last two. I had fun with the Shiva sticks but I found them to be messy and I am not sure I like the heavy intense look from them. I really liked the foil.

I made templates out of freezer paper and then ironed those to the fabric. I used the Shiva sticks to paint around them. This was very effective and I liked the result a lot.

The second photo shows variations of a stamp I made out of string. There is one of just the shiva sticks and two showing the foil method applied with glue. This etching method also worked well with a thick string stamp.

With this I attempted to use the foil with a stamp. It was a dismal failure for achieving the stamp feature but it did make some really great textures.

Kool-Aid anyone?

2009-02-22T14:57:00.001-08:00

At my doll club some women were talking about a woman at the Saturday Market who sells knitted items and she dyes her wools with Kool-Aid.

One of the upcoming projects for the StudioQuilts-GoldilocksAndFriends

group will be using silk roving. I don't want to spend that kind of money on something I'm trying for the first time so I got this great idea to use my dog's hair and dye it with Kool-Aid.

I think it turned out really well and it smells like childhood while you are doing it. : ) I put about a half a cup of hot water per packet.

First Attempt

2009-02-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

I've wanted to do freestyle embroidery on my machine for a while. The old machine you couldn't lower the feed dogs, so I couldn't really try it until I got my new machine.

These are my first attempts. Can you tell which is the first and which is the third? ; ) J says that if I do it three more times it will be perfect. He's probably right! I'll try tomorrow.

J

Yuki's Home : )

2009-02-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Well, Yuki made it home after all his travels. He looks fabulous. This RR was a great experience. Each doll was so different from all the others. And I really enjoyed seeing the other women's beadwork up close.

J

Nothing to say

2009-01-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

Well I'm trying to make it a habit to write once a week and Sundays seem easiest. This wasn't the best of weeks and I didn't do much of anything I planned to. : P Still chugging away on the January doll. I think it's going to be a late one unless I pick up the speed.

J

What I'm working on now...

2009-01-21T16:57:00.001-08:00

My latest calendar is a bit different and is by request. I am going to attempt to do a 3-d nose and hooded eyelids. I sure hope it works or I'll be so disappointed.

It has been a nightmare working on a black form with black thread and black beads. Note to self: In future when using a black form choose a black fabric with some sort of pattern!

Doll Competitions - What do to do?

2009-01-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been thinking maybe I should try the "All Dolled Up Beaded Art Competition." When I first heard about it, I was too intimidated but now I'm thinking it could be fun! I've been planning to do the Haufman Challenge which is due a month earlier. The advantage of the All Dolled Up one is that it's beaded and you only have to submit a photo, whereas the Hoffman Challenge you have to send your doll.

J

Lovely Mayrah and her friend Bart

2009-01-14T16:19:00.000-08:00

This round in the Art Doll Coolaberation I have Mayrah who has come all the way from Sweden. She's quite the lucky gal, travelling the world. So far she's been to Australia, Canada, California and now Oregon.

I helped her aquire her useful hands and a travelling companion, a cat named Bart who is literally two faced. He has a Cheshire face and a whimisical surprised face.

Calendula

2009-01-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

This month the theme at the local doll club was monochromatic. We drew colors and then had to do the doll in only that color, which someone else brought. I sort of cheated, I drew yellow but traded someone for orange because I love orange and the woman was quite unhappy to have it.

She reminds me of the calendula plant, one of my favorite flowers. The flowers are that color of orange and the green isn't far off either.

J

Edward Scissorhands

2008-12-30T13:04:00.000-08:00

I told my hubby I wanted some beading scissors for Christmas. So he sneaked one of my doll forms and made this great doll. : D

I couldn't get the camera to catch the detail of his face which is too bad. It's made on paper, but I'm going to make a cloth face and embroider his face on there.

Just in the Nick of Time

2008-12-30T13:02:00.001-08:00

Here she is Jolly Holly, just in the nick of time to enjoy the last of the holidays.

Stitch in Time Doll Club - Christmas Party

2008-12-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

Last month we took a blank doll and decorated it for the Holidays from a stash on the table. The rule is you can't use any of the stuff that you bring. This month at the Holiday party we swapped. I received this beauty. : )

November BJP - Calendar Doll

2008-12-16T17:17:00.000-08:00

Finally I've finished Miss November - Hiawatha. Obviously she has too many fiddly bits as she's two weeks overdue. She represents the first Thanksgiving.

She is a combination of right angle weave (RAW) on her dress, the sleeves are peyote and the tassles, headband and corn are done in ladder stitch.

Just in time for the Witches Ball - October B JP

2008-11-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

This little doll took the entire month of October to bead but Wendoline was finished just in time for the yearly Witches Ball on Halloween.

She comes dressed in the latest in witches finery. A cute flirty dress with a matching cape and hat. Of course her striped stockings and last but not least her broom.

Wendolin is 100% beaded. Face and arms are 13 seed beeds the rest are 11s. Her eyes are tiny buttons. She is about six or seven inches tall. Clothing and hat are peyote stitch. Feet - Booce. Hat and broom band - ladder stitch. Face and legs - Back stitch. Hair is loops that intersect itself to make a looooong letter eight.

Fly dragon fly....

2008-10-20T18:55:00.001-07:00

I found this pattern on the Bead & Button website. It is so fun to make. You just can't stop. I'm making one for each month in the birthstone colors. Was going to do it for the BJP but it's too easy. So I think I may have to do my dolls for both the BAD Calendar Challenge and the BJP.

The Color Purple

2008-10-01T16:49:00.001-07:00

Here's my second doll of the Art Doll Coolaberation. His name is Cass. This is the before picture with out his glorious new hair. It was a lot harder than I thought choosing a medium for it. I think it would have been a blast to bead it but that would have made it quite heavy and it has to be mailed several more times and not just in the U.S. Then I thought about torn strips of fabric but it didn't look right. So I finally decided on yarn but now what color? All along I'd been planning to do greens and yellow but that didn't' look right either. : P Black, black has to look good.... Nope. Finally Cass chose purple and I have to say he was right. : )

Ta da! Still needs a few embellishments for the hair and then he'll be ready to go to Arkansas.

Quite the mane don't you think?

Beautiful Mermaid...

2008-09-27T17:42:00.001-07:00

This doll is gorgeous. When I opened the package I have to say that it took my breath away - such beautiful beading. And the journal cover that Rolanda made is exquisite. Made me want to run right out and make one.

I added the turtle on the front left fin and the turquoise "seaweed" that extends from that and around the back up to the face. I also added some hair and the dolphin on the back.

Calendar Dolls - September

2008-09-26T21:49:00.001-07:00

Well, I have to say I've had a much more difficult time trying to decide what them and what item to do for the Beaded Journal Project. At first I was going to do a found object for each month, but then decided against that because what would I do with those twelve squares?

Then I thought maybe I'd just do my dolls for both the BJP and the BAD Calendar doll challenge. I would just focus on making them more detailed and trying new stitches and techniques. But there is a part of me that thinks it's a big cheat to do the same thing for two seperate events.

The other day I found the cutest dragonfly pattern so now I'm thinking that would be great for the BJP. I could do one for each month in the birthstone colors for that month.

Here are photos of my calendar doll for September. Her name is Sapphire for the birthstone of September. The stars on her front look like a scarf but it's really shooting stars to represent our stargazing from our new deck which should have been finished in September. : P

Below are faces for October. The skeleton is for the challenge, notice the coloration in the face. My version of an Opal - October's birthstone. I think I did a GREAT job considering I had no idea how to copy an opal. The green one is for a witch. I love Hallowen.

Seasonal RR

2008-08-27T19:43:00.001-07:00

This doll is Rolanda's and since it had a religious theme I decided to go all out and add the cross. The fabric looks like stained glass to me so I went for a stained glass theme. The purple reminds me of grapes which are an Autumn fruit and this is an Autumn doll. Hope she likes it.

Latest Results

2008-08-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why Cindar is sideways. Probably part of her quirky personality. She fights me over everything. Had to do her lips TEN times, count them ten times, before she was happy.

Cindar is Mary of California's doll. She is half tiger and half woman and is represents the strength of women to overcome bad situations such as domestic abuse.

She has decided that with all her strength but also compassion that it's time to become a super-hero and help make the world a better place. I'm really excited to see how she turns out over the coolaberation. There are so many talented people in the group and I think we all think a little differently which makes for all sorts of exciting possibilities.

And then you lost me...

2008-08-24T17:34:00.000-07:00

I have this dream that I'm uber organized and that I'll post on my blog on a frequent basis sort of a journal of my progress through life. Ha... The summer is almost over and my blog got lost somewhere along the way.

So let's see what have I done since I last wrote? On the Wild Art Dolls group I joined the Art Doll Coolaberation, which has been a blast. You create a doll or part of a doll and the rest of the group adds to it.. I created an alien which I named Plain Jane.

More of those Darlin' Dotees

2008-03-29T22:24:00.001-07:00

Wedding Dotee Swap - in progress

Hippy Dotee Swap

Braiding beads is not easy!

It's a puzzle to me...

2008-03-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

It's a puzzle to me how to go about this doll. I was thinking I could do front and back, maybe in peyote stitch and using a curved needle. The doll is two layers of peltex 70 and I was thinking with a curved needle I could just go through one layer in the front and do the same when doing the back. BUT... I wanted to bead the face and those are MUCH smaller beads, and of course the curved needle is too big for the beads. I can only find long straight needles for that size of beads. Sigh... But a thought just occurred to me that may work. I did the hair three layers deep of pellon to add some depth, so maybe all I need to do is make a back hair piece for the back of the head and attach that. Maybe for the body I can still try my curved needle experiment.

Now I'm excited to go try but no time...

J

Catch Up - Never...

2008-03-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

A friend in my pattern making class gave me some samples of Japanese silks. I was so excited. I'm not sure what I'll do with most of them, maybe make a bag. In September, my Japanese friend came to visit. She is an expert at Japanese calligraphy and she wrote a poem on a fan for me. I 've been wanting to frame it ever since and found a great shadow box for it but couldn't find the write background. You guessed it, one of the silks made the perfect background. : )

This week is Spring break for my pattern making class. I thought that I could get so much done if I pretended to be in class for three hours today. Unfortunately I felt like crap, but I did manage 2 hours of my "class." Got some patterns drawn and worked on a princess seam shirt.

It's a puzzle...

2008-03-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well I finally posted my beginning photo to the BAD site for the flat doll challenge. I choose to take the yellow option with a ten percent contrast. Yellow isn't really much of a challenge for me, because I like yellow. However I thought it would be harder to find nice yellow beads. Luckily I was wrong and I've been having a blast searching for yellow beads.

I am so behind...

2008-03-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that the last time I posted was the 24th of February. I'm trying to make it a goal to post at least once a week. HA!

Well, I have been working on things even if I haven't been posting. I've been loving my pattern making class. I've got to finish up a bunch of projects during the break.

And here are some of the dotees that I particularly like.

Valentine Swap

2008-02-24T18:08:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share the incredible doll I received from the BAD Valentine swap. We were paired so that that the person we were making a doll for was also making a doll for us. It was a great experience for me as a beginner because I had a fabulous partner. The moderator paired me with a generous talented woman who very kindly answered my questions. When I received my doll I was so amazed when I saw it, it was so beautiful. And the beadwork is incredible, I can learn so much from looking at her work. The picture doesn't do it justice, the beads reflect the light and it almost glows.

J

Swaps Galore....

2008-02-24T17:52:00.000-08:00

I have been doing some swaps the one on BAD for Valentine's and some Dottee dolls on swap-bot. I won't mention names as some people don't like their names being used on the net but I've posted the pics of some of the swaps I've received. Such talented people in the world.

The pink dotee, is from a valentine swap. The maker said it reminds her of Dr. Suess and I agree, so I named her Suessie. The other one is from the ugly doll swap where you were supposed to pick three things you thought were ugly to make the doll. However it doesn't look ugly to me! Looks Polynesian or Hawaiian to me.

The blue doll is from the winter icicle swap. If you look closely you can see there are beads wrapped around the middle. It's a bracelet. Very clever.

J

Wow!

2008-01-31T18:52:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that I haven't posted at all since the New Year! Actually it's pretty typical but I am trying to do better. Maybe I should have the goal of only once a week and anything else is extra.

I finished my first beaded doll. I'm actually quite pleased with it. I had no clue what I was doing in the beginning, so over all I think it looks fairly professional. It's for a swap in the Beaded Art Dolls Group (BAD for short. : ) ). They are a really great group, which is full of incredibly talented women, who are kind and helpful as well. Does that count as a run on sentence? : P Often talented people don't have much patience to help others, but these people are fantastic.

J

You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous chain!"

2007-12-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

Well, hell! I may never finish this "simple" chain for the Christmas tree. I feel like I've been working on it forever. Christmas is over and it's still not finished. Tried the chain on the tree and am twelve feet short. : P Ran out of white Christmas fabric. Oh rats! another trip to the fabric store.

J

My First Swap

2007-12-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

I registered at swap-bot in the hopes of finding some fun swaps. I must say I'm a bit disappointed and frustrated by the place. Almost all the swaps you have to have ratings and these stupid hearts, newbies need not apply. They all say they are sorry but they're not or they'd offer a seperate swap where newbies could get experience, it's an old girl's network and will take forever to get in. It's a real catch 22, they say get experience before you can do "my" swaps but few will let newbies in. And I really don't want to do pointless swaps just to rack up ratings and hearts so I can play.

However I have found a few generous people who are willing to assume positive intent and let newcomers in. So my very first swap is making icicle dolls for two swap partners. I finished then and packed them to be sent today. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. It was a lot of trial and error and I learned a lot. (unfortunately the blue one didn't photograph too well. : ( )

J

Burda Style

2007-12-19T15:45:00.000-08:00

While searching the internet I found Burdastyle , which is an open source pattern website. Most of the patterns are free and they're cute! There aren't a ton of patterns but I think over time there will be more and more.

You just download the pattern and either print it on your printer or take it to a copy shop. When I printed the pattern there were 29 page! I wasn't sure how big of a project it would be to put the pattern pieces together, but it wasn't too bad gluing the pieces together.

J

Fiddly Bits

2007-12-17T16:13:00.001-08:00

This is our tree this year. The majority of it is homemade. We didn't feel like getting out the boxes of ornaments and decorations so I've been adding bit by bit. I think it's turned out quite nice, if I say so myself. : ) It's been so much fun, that we might do it again next year.

I don't seem to have gotten any real sewing done for a while. Too busy with the fiddly bits I guess. Bought a new Babylock serger a few weeks ago and have been busy experimenting and learning new things with it. I bought the "self-threading" one but it or me doesn't seem to be working properly. I have a lesson tomorow so we'll soon find out which is at fault. : P

J

Hinamatsuri Dolls

2007-12-05T14:23:00.001-08:00

When my Japanese friend visited in September she had some parties to celebrate her Japanese culture. At one of these parties we made Hinamatsuri dolls. Hinamatsuri is celebration for girls where they put out a display of their dolls. These dolls are handed down from generation to generation, and the real thing can be quite expensive. We made a prince and princess.

We had so many people at the party, we could only make one of the set. So finally today, I got around to writing up some instructions and pattern for future use and making the princess. Not too bad. : )

J

The List

2007-12-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

Since I plan on having a major sewing /craft adventure this coming year I think it's only proper to document it along the way. What better way then starting with a list of all the things I've made? : )

The LIST:

Dec 2 - white satin slip with cute pink rolled hem
Dec 2 - paper chain for x-mas tree out or origami paper.
Dec 4 - 3 pairs of fluffy soft pink polar fleece socks.
Dec 4 - snowflake ornaments made out of qtips - darling on the tree.
Dec 5 - finished hinamatsuri dolls - finally!
Dec 9 - more snowflakes
Dec 12 - redid the pink polar fleece top. Took off five inches in length and six in width on the sleeves!
Dec 20 blue icicle doll
Dec 23 white icicle doll