I have always had a distressing tendency to rotate through hobbies like I have commitment issues. I cross-stitched everything that came in to reach for a year, then did no cross-stitching for 4 years. Then I was devoted for two and a half years and haven't touched cross-stitching in at least eight years.
There is a real possibility that I may suddenly begin cross-stitching everything again either next week or twenty years from now. LOL
The dolls just haven't been getting the time and attention they used to. Part of it is that we've had a lot of big projects and overtime at work that leave me with less time, and to be honest, a lot less energy. Part of it, I think, is that after all this time, I've really made everything the dolls could need! And part of it is just my natural hobby-rotation... I'm not as interested in sewing or knitting right now. I've been drawing and trying to learn Spanish in my limited free time instead.
But I love my dolls!
I truly cannot part with most of them. What I really want is to be able to enjoy them more, rather than just taking pictures four or five times a year.
But I could part with a lot of their wardrobe, and a lot of the props. I think having less for them will allow me to enjoy them more, and will give me more incentive to make them things!
So I think I've made a few decisions:
1. Flake is to be sold. She's charming! But having both her and Hope feels redundant. I know that there is someone out there who would adore having Flake and her pink wardrobe come to stay with them.
2. I'm only keeping the props for the "main room" set. That means that Emily's bedroom, and the truly awesome furniture I purchased for the Pukifee nursery, will all go. Extra stuff from the "Craft Room" setup will be heading out. And a lot of the "little" props that go with those rooms.
3. I'm going to be doing a couple giveaways, to send off a bunch of clothing in Pukifee and Littlefee size. That clothing might as well go to someone who will use it frequently, and Emily, Kipling, Cairo, and Samara will have wardrobes that only contain my very favourite of their outfits. I'll likely do it through Flickr, and it will be done in 1-3 Lots, to reduce the costs of shipping.
4. I won't be purchasing any new dolls in the near future. The only doll-related spending I may do is to find an alternate faceup artist who favours very natural faceups (preferably in Canada) to do Hope's faceup.
I hate the thought of parting with anything, but I love the thought of the extra space I will have, and how much easier it will be to find what I want for the dolls. I suspect this is one of those cases where, once I have less, I will be able to enjoy what I do have more.
...plus, once they no longer have giant wardrobes, I am much more likely to be motivated to make them something new! ;)
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Plans About Plans!
I've been carefully selecting a few new things for Kipling and Cairo, now that they are going to be on taller bodies:
So we have here:
1) Two Lori outfits, which are reputed to fit and were on sale (other than the shoes)
2) A shirt, leggings, and pair of boots from Megdesignsonetsy
3) A pair of dress shoes each. These are the Marley Wentworth (child) doll shoes, which are supposed to fit Realfee well. They seem a good match size-wise for the boots, so I'm optimistic! They are from Dollchris on eBay.
I've started sewing a dress from a Blythe pattern, and I've got a second cut out from the "Little Dress" pattern from MyOwnLittleWorld. I took yesterday off from Work, though I will have to spend most of today trying to catch up on the things I can't get through in the work week. I hope to take a couple breaks though! ...I've been eyeing those Lori boots, and wondering if they wouldn't fit little Samara....
I've also got plans about re-doing the Pukifee nursery. I hardly ever set it up for pictures in the past, but now they are going to get new beds, and I've got some fabric scraps to make some new bedding... I think it will be very cute and fun to photograph when it is done!
So we have here:
1) Two Lori outfits, which are reputed to fit and were on sale (other than the shoes)
2) A shirt, leggings, and pair of boots from Megdesignsonetsy
3) A pair of dress shoes each. These are the Marley Wentworth (child) doll shoes, which are supposed to fit Realfee well. They seem a good match size-wise for the boots, so I'm optimistic! They are from Dollchris on eBay.
I've started sewing a dress from a Blythe pattern, and I've got a second cut out from the "Little Dress" pattern from MyOwnLittleWorld. I took yesterday off from Work, though I will have to spend most of today trying to catch up on the things I can't get through in the work week. I hope to take a couple breaks though! ...I've been eyeing those Lori boots, and wondering if they wouldn't fit little Samara....
I've also got plans about re-doing the Pukifee nursery. I hardly ever set it up for pictures in the past, but now they are going to get new beds, and I've got some fabric scraps to make some new bedding... I think it will be very cute and fun to photograph when it is done!
Friday, July 24, 2015
Life in Fifteen Minute Intervals
Work has been...well, let's say busy, and leave it at that. I keep reminding myself that this project won't last forever. Till next June, but not forever. And I'm getting paid, which means I have an apartment and food and yarn and Nieceling's gymnastics and Nephew The Elder's Football camp covered, and these are all very good things.
At any rate, I haven't had much time for anything, and this is the time of year I have small visitors (my sister's children) part of every week as well. LOL Posts may continue to be sporadic.
However, there are are a few things I can work on in 15-20 minute bursts, and one of them is a doll sweater for Nieceling's birthday in September. I was hoping to get two completed, and it is still within the realm of possibility... If I get this first one done!
I'm actually further along on this now; I've reached the point of joining and knitting the rest of the body in the round. So it is possible (maybe?) that I might hit my self-imposed deadline of the end of July.
I also purchased a Gingermelon kit the other day, when there was a sale, so I will be sewing up the most adorable little cat for Nieceling as well:
The decision was made this year that Nieceling, who has done a great job taking care of her Journey Girl doll and co-owning Saila with me, would get to pick out her very own Maplelea Doll for her seventh birthday. She's picked Alexi, who just arrived this week! She was allowed to pick an outfit as well, and of course picked the gymnastics outfit.
Nieceling started gymnastics in the spring, and is loving it, so I think that impacted her choice of doll! I knew from Saila that the dolls are actually great quality and very cute, but I was pleasantly surprised when Alexi arrived. In pictures she is one of the ones that tend to have the "staring" or "startled" look, but that isn't evident in person at all. She is actually adorable.
Now I just have to wait till September to be able to give her to her very excited new owner...
I have today off, and intend to enjoy every minute of it, starting with catching up on blogs and Flickr this morning! :)
At any rate, I haven't had much time for anything, and this is the time of year I have small visitors (my sister's children) part of every week as well. LOL Posts may continue to be sporadic.
However, there are are a few things I can work on in 15-20 minute bursts, and one of them is a doll sweater for Nieceling's birthday in September. I was hoping to get two completed, and it is still within the realm of possibility... If I get this first one done!
I'm actually further along on this now; I've reached the point of joining and knitting the rest of the body in the round. So it is possible (maybe?) that I might hit my self-imposed deadline of the end of July.
I also purchased a Gingermelon kit the other day, when there was a sale, so I will be sewing up the most adorable little cat for Nieceling as well:
The decision was made this year that Nieceling, who has done a great job taking care of her Journey Girl doll and co-owning Saila with me, would get to pick out her very own Maplelea Doll for her seventh birthday. She's picked Alexi, who just arrived this week! She was allowed to pick an outfit as well, and of course picked the gymnastics outfit.
Nieceling started gymnastics in the spring, and is loving it, so I think that impacted her choice of doll! I knew from Saila that the dolls are actually great quality and very cute, but I was pleasantly surprised when Alexi arrived. In pictures she is one of the ones that tend to have the "staring" or "startled" look, but that isn't evident in person at all. She is actually adorable.
Now I just have to wait till September to be able to give her to her very excited new owner...
I have today off, and intend to enjoy every minute of it, starting with catching up on blogs and Flickr this morning! :)
Thursday, March 12, 2015
A Bit Of Random
It's been hovering at about 2 degrees C for the last several days. It is wonderful! (Not so wonderful as the man in shorts I saw yesterday thinks it is, obviously, but pretty awesome!). This morning I can see patches of sidewalk, which makes walking to work much easier.
The sun is even out! The Weather Forecasters keep warning us it isn't going to last and isn't really Spring, but no one is listening. It is ABOVE ZERO.
Life is good. :D
Here's a few things I've been enjoying lately:
Elvie Studio - Prettiest journaling ever. I would love to be able to do that!
The Postman's Knock - I mentioned this the other day, but it is worth another mention. Calligraphy and some neat tutorials. I've used this one twice, most recently to decorate the envelope of my sister's birthday card. :D It turned out pretty good, and considering my lack of artistic talent, that is exciting! LOL
Many Small Friends has been doing a series on sewing with knits that seems really helpful!
Open House Miniatures has the most amazing printable version of a McLoughlin Folding Doll House. I think this would be really neat for the dolls. (Just a note, I found the site slow to load. Hopefully a temporary thing.)
Miniature Gardens/Fairy Garden..... They are so charming! (And would be so perfect for dolls!)
I'm working away on a little blue Pukifee blanket right now, doll-wise, and saving egg cartons for my second attempt at the brick wall for Parker' clock-tower attic.
I didn't like the way the first one came out after the grouting. It's perfectly usable, but not quite what I'm looking for. So this time the steps will be slightly different:
1. Cut out all the bricks!
2. Paint all the bricks while unattached to wall!
3. Place grout on the wall.... (which is just a piece of cardstock, that then gets attached to the "actual" back wall.)
4. Set painted bricks in place!
I found that I just lost too much of the brick texture when the grouting was the last step. I did a little test, and I think the new order should do the trick. Two of the three necessary egg cartons have been collected. :)
The sun is even out! The Weather Forecasters keep warning us it isn't going to last and isn't really Spring, but no one is listening. It is ABOVE ZERO.
Life is good. :D
Here's a few things I've been enjoying lately:
Elvie Studio - Prettiest journaling ever. I would love to be able to do that!
The Postman's Knock - I mentioned this the other day, but it is worth another mention. Calligraphy and some neat tutorials. I've used this one twice, most recently to decorate the envelope of my sister's birthday card. :D It turned out pretty good, and considering my lack of artistic talent, that is exciting! LOL
Many Small Friends has been doing a series on sewing with knits that seems really helpful!
Open House Miniatures has the most amazing printable version of a McLoughlin Folding Doll House. I think this would be really neat for the dolls. (Just a note, I found the site slow to load. Hopefully a temporary thing.)
Miniature Gardens/Fairy Garden..... They are so charming! (And would be so perfect for dolls!)
I'm working away on a little blue Pukifee blanket right now, doll-wise, and saving egg cartons for my second attempt at the brick wall for Parker' clock-tower attic.
I didn't like the way the first one came out after the grouting. It's perfectly usable, but not quite what I'm looking for. So this time the steps will be slightly different:
1. Cut out all the bricks!
2. Paint all the bricks while unattached to wall!
3. Place grout on the wall.... (which is just a piece of cardstock, that then gets attached to the "actual" back wall.)
4. Set painted bricks in place!
I found that I just lost too much of the brick texture when the grouting was the last step. I did a little test, and I think the new order should do the trick. Two of the three necessary egg cartons have been collected. :)
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Building a wardrobe...
Around the regular tasks, I took some time to work on fun doll things this weekend. Mostly, of course, stuff for Parker.
I started gluing down bricks for the back wall of Parker's attic. I swear I thought I was being really consistent with the size I cut them till I started gluing them down! I'm consoling myself that it's an old, abandoned clock tower...how great could the brick work be anyway?!
I did the finishing on Parker's sweaters - sleeves knit, blocking, ends woven in, buttons and snaps sewn on. Then I gathered her little pile of clothing together to admire what she has, and got an idea:
Nothing new needed to be purchased for this, much to my glee. The foamcore is left over from when I cut down the walls of her attic. The dowel, t-pins, and wire were in the craft bin, obviously purchased for some abandoned project in the past. LOL
I need to make a little basket or something to hold her socks down there at the bottom. I saw a great one someone had made from Aida, and I believe I have some of that in the craft bin as well.
I've got two sewn dresses in progress for her, but ran out of time to finish them. I've also got one knitted dress in progress. After that though, I think I really need to focus on more socks, a couple skirts...then maybe a coat.
I think half the fun of this project is finding ways to use up the odd stash of craft supplies I've accumulated over the years. ;)
I started gluing down bricks for the back wall of Parker's attic. I swear I thought I was being really consistent with the size I cut them till I started gluing them down! I'm consoling myself that it's an old, abandoned clock tower...how great could the brick work be anyway?!
I did the finishing on Parker's sweaters - sleeves knit, blocking, ends woven in, buttons and snaps sewn on. Then I gathered her little pile of clothing together to admire what she has, and got an idea:
Nothing new needed to be purchased for this, much to my glee. The foamcore is left over from when I cut down the walls of her attic. The dowel, t-pins, and wire were in the craft bin, obviously purchased for some abandoned project in the past. LOL
I need to make a little basket or something to hold her socks down there at the bottom. I saw a great one someone had made from Aida, and I believe I have some of that in the craft bin as well.
I've got two sewn dresses in progress for her, but ran out of time to finish them. I've also got one knitted dress in progress. After that though, I think I really need to focus on more socks, a couple skirts...then maybe a coat.
I think half the fun of this project is finding ways to use up the odd stash of craft supplies I've accumulated over the years. ;)
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Nieceling's Birthday Presents....so close to complete....
Got a few things completed. My favourite sewing project this time has been these really simple, really quick reversible wrap skirts:
You can get this pattern for free, here. It's quite easy to make two at a time that are identical - one to keep, and one to donate! I managed to make six, two of each, in a single day, which is really fast for me!
Things I like about these:
1) Fast and easy to make
2) Easy for even a small child to put on the doll on their own.
3) Versatile - each skirt gives her two different looks, and they look great with either t-shirts or sweaters.
4) Because of the velcro fastening these fit not only the American Girl sized dolls, but the slim 18" dolls like Nieceling's Journey Girls doll very securely.
The pretty dress has finally been blocked (though this is not the best picture), and just needs the back sewn up/buttons attached to be ready:
I used a pattern you can purchase on Ravelry, here. (I believe it is also available on Etsy.) It is written slightly differently than I am used to, but so worth the effort! I'd rate this one as an Intermediate pattern. It's a perfect fit on Nieceling's Journey Girl. :) I believe there is also a version available for the thicker American Girl/Maplelea sized dolls.
I have a cardigan in progress, and a little shirt and jacket cut out to sew, but truthfully I'm not likely to get those done in time. They can be for Christmas, perhaps. LOL Or go away till next year's birthday!
You can get this pattern for free, here. It's quite easy to make two at a time that are identical - one to keep, and one to donate! I managed to make six, two of each, in a single day, which is really fast for me!
Things I like about these:
1) Fast and easy to make
2) Easy for even a small child to put on the doll on their own.
3) Versatile - each skirt gives her two different looks, and they look great with either t-shirts or sweaters.
4) Because of the velcro fastening these fit not only the American Girl sized dolls, but the slim 18" dolls like Nieceling's Journey Girls doll very securely.
The pretty dress has finally been blocked (though this is not the best picture), and just needs the back sewn up/buttons attached to be ready:
I used a pattern you can purchase on Ravelry, here. (I believe it is also available on Etsy.) It is written slightly differently than I am used to, but so worth the effort! I'd rate this one as an Intermediate pattern. It's a perfect fit on Nieceling's Journey Girl. :) I believe there is also a version available for the thicker American Girl/Maplelea sized dolls.
I have a cardigan in progress, and a little shirt and jacket cut out to sew, but truthfully I'm not likely to get those done in time. They can be for Christmas, perhaps. LOL Or go away till next year's birthday!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Checking off the mini-steps....
I'm back to working on what I'm supposed to be now: the top-down laceweight sweater pattern for Littlefee. I'm working it in white this time, as 1) Emily could use a white pullover and 2) Stitches are so much easier to see in a light colour!
I think when I'm done that I will take a quick break and sew up a little dress or skirt in a pretty spring print to go with the white sweater. It's definitely poor Emily's turn to get some pictures...it looks like more snow this week, but perhaps we'll get some Spring weather next week, and I can head outside for pictures!
I'm working on basics for Claire right now, as that is most of what is missing from her wardrobe. So it's white, black, and grey 3/4 sleeve t-shirts and tank tops to start. Then I have a pretty blue shirt all cut out as well, as a reward for getting through the neutrals. ;)
I always mean to use the sewing machine for t-shirts, and always start to do so....and then get frustrated and switch to hand-sewing. I know it is faster, and should in theory be neater, on the machine, but it never works out that way for me. I'd much rather spend an afternoon hand-sewing a single shirt than machine-sewing four or five that I'm not happy with. So hand-sewing it is, even if it means I will be done the shirts for May rather than March. LOL
My nine9style order is in Canada today, so by the end of the week Claire will have a jean jacket, which I am very pleased about. I think Spring really does have to arrive any day now!
Monday, March 3, 2014
The Deal With Overtime...I think Claire likes it.
The Deal I have with myself regarding paid overtime is this: Half goes into savings, the end.
Which means the remaining half is mine to do with as I please, so Claire will be getting a jean jacket, hat, and not-knitted cardigan from Nine9style. :)
My projects right now are all "in progress", as I took a break to crochet a birthday present. Add that to overtime, and not a lot has been getting done. However, I'm now finishing off another dress for Kipling, then finishing off a sweater for Claire that I had started before her body arrived.
The goal this year is to work on clothes for Claire and patterns for Emily. I'm not sure what my excuse was for venturing into knitting more for the Pukifee, who have more than enough clothes. (Particularly this last dress, which I don't think I have any desire to keep - I just wanted to knit it! LOL)
I'm hoping to take a few hours this weekend and sew up a couple shirts for Claire. The patterns and fabric are bundled together, so all I have to do is actually follow through. It seems sometimes that my organizational skills take a hit proportional to the amount of overtime I work. I am glad things are slowing down again.
Which means the remaining half is mine to do with as I please, so Claire will be getting a jean jacket, hat, and not-knitted cardigan from Nine9style. :)
My projects right now are all "in progress", as I took a break to crochet a birthday present. Add that to overtime, and not a lot has been getting done. However, I'm now finishing off another dress for Kipling, then finishing off a sweater for Claire that I had started before her body arrived.
The goal this year is to work on clothes for Claire and patterns for Emily. I'm not sure what my excuse was for venturing into knitting more for the Pukifee, who have more than enough clothes. (Particularly this last dress, which I don't think I have any desire to keep - I just wanted to knit it! LOL)
I'm hoping to take a few hours this weekend and sew up a couple shirts for Claire. The patterns and fabric are bundled together, so all I have to do is actually follow through. It seems sometimes that my organizational skills take a hit proportional to the amount of overtime I work. I am glad things are slowing down again.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Itty Bitty Bit Of Progress
Finished off a couple things this weekend. Well, if by finished you mean "didn't sew the snaps/velcro on but otherwise done!" ;) My favourite part is that these are done entirely from my own patterns, even though those patterns are still far from final.
The sweater is a top down pattern I am working on. It still needs adjustment, but I'm pleased with this sweater for Emily as is. I wanted to make a simple skirt to go with it, mostly because I love that fabric a ridiculous amount. The tiny houses! LOL It is just a rectangle of fabric, sewn to a stretched elastic for the waist, so it is not the prettiest, but it does the job.
I couldn't stand to use muslin again and went ahead and made the yoke-dress/tunic in the good fabric. I used the sewing machine for everything, which was a mistake. You can see I made a mistake with the lining around the neck, and didn't gather the sleeves properly at the top. I accidentally eased them instead. Oops!
However, that said, I still like it and will still use it.
Now all I have to do is add some vecro to the one and snaps to the other, and they can be added to Emily's permanent wardrobe. I need a better way to organize her clothing, as it is in a plastic container right now. Some way to hang them up would be nice, but I'm short on space, so I'm not sure how I'd manage that. Something to think about...
The sweater is a top down pattern I am working on. It still needs adjustment, but I'm pleased with this sweater for Emily as is. I wanted to make a simple skirt to go with it, mostly because I love that fabric a ridiculous amount. The tiny houses! LOL It is just a rectangle of fabric, sewn to a stretched elastic for the waist, so it is not the prettiest, but it does the job.
I couldn't stand to use muslin again and went ahead and made the yoke-dress/tunic in the good fabric. I used the sewing machine for everything, which was a mistake. You can see I made a mistake with the lining around the neck, and didn't gather the sleeves properly at the top. I accidentally eased them instead. Oops!
However, that said, I still like it and will still use it.
Now all I have to do is add some vecro to the one and snaps to the other, and they can be added to Emily's permanent wardrobe. I need a better way to organize her clothing, as it is in a plastic container right now. Some way to hang them up would be nice, but I'm short on space, so I'm not sure how I'd manage that. Something to think about...
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Work In Progress + cat news
Before I get into talking about my latest sewing project, which may not be of interest to anyone but me, I wanted to make sure those of you who love the BJD cats had heard this bit of news: They are planning to open a shop with in-stock cats. That means if you don't want a specific, custom cat, you will be able to order and have it ship out in days, rather than three months! How awesome is that? There doesn't seem to be anything about it on their site yet, but it was in their newsletter. :)
On to the project!
On to the project!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Neat Tutorial for an Art Supplies Bag + Random
This tutorial from Pixie Faire, here, is for American Girl size dolls, but I bet it could be very easily adapted to LTF size!
Yesterday's birthday present sewing:
One dress left, hopefully today, and I will be able to move on to the challenge of making some patterns for Emily. I was digging through a couple Japanese kids clothes books, and the "Boutique"styles for kids on Etsy, and the week's flyers for ideas. (Um, no, I will try not to mix those three styles into one garment. Though you have to admit, it might be pretty funny!)
It's been a long time since I tried this!
Yesterday's birthday present sewing:
One dress left, hopefully today, and I will be able to move on to the challenge of making some patterns for Emily. I was digging through a couple Japanese kids clothes books, and the "Boutique"styles for kids on Etsy, and the week's flyers for ideas. (Um, no, I will try not to mix those three styles into one garment. Though you have to admit, it might be pretty funny!)
It's been a long time since I tried this!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Oh, so that's the problem!
I go in crafting phases....I might obsessively cross-stitch everything in reach for eight months, then be done with that for a couple years. This year has been an all-knitting kind of year, with a sudden resistance to sewing. I thought at first it was just a matter of the Hobby Wheel having turned again, but working on the simple dresses for my niece's doll lately, the problem has become clear:
I don't want to make anything because I don't want to make any of the patterns I have! I want to make "something else!"
This should have been obvious, as I've been tending more towards trying to make my own knitting patterns for Emily (and Nora, when she was here). So once the birthday present sewing is done, I'm going to sit down and work out patterns for a couple things I'd like to make for Emily.
Suddenly, sewing is exciting again! I've been happily thumbing through The Dressmaker's Technique Bible and sketching out outfits.
Even though, with making up a new pattern of my own, the end result is far from guaranteed.... LOL
Now to see if I can finish up the Birthday Present sewing this weekend!
I don't want to make anything because I don't want to make any of the patterns I have! I want to make "something else!"
This should have been obvious, as I've been tending more towards trying to make my own knitting patterns for Emily (and Nora, when she was here). So once the birthday present sewing is done, I'm going to sit down and work out patterns for a couple things I'd like to make for Emily.
Suddenly, sewing is exciting again! I've been happily thumbing through The Dressmaker's Technique Bible and sketching out outfits.
Even though, with making up a new pattern of my own, the end result is far from guaranteed.... LOL
Now to see if I can finish up the Birthday Present sewing this weekend!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Another Item For The Birthday Present...
I managed to sew something for the Nieceling's birthday present. It's a from a pattern called "Carousal" by Doll Tag Clothing. I got it off Pixie Faire, which has all sorts of great patterns for this size. (And also quite a few free patterns, many of which I've used in the past!)
It had good clear directions, and was pretty straight forward. It fits a bit loosely on the Journey Girls, because it is designed for the American Girl dolls, but it still looks nice, I think! I might make a second in another colour. :)
I would probably alter the bodice to narrow it slightly and bring up the neckline just a tad, so it fits this line of dolls better, if I do a second one, just because I can! LOL
I was amused to see that even though the scale is completely different, she can also use the Cabbage Patch baby as a prop. One of the things I like about the Journey Girls is that one hand is posed in a way that makes is possible to hold some small items!
It had good clear directions, and was pretty straight forward. It fits a bit loosely on the Journey Girls, because it is designed for the American Girl dolls, but it still looks nice, I think! I might make a second in another colour. :)
I would probably alter the bodice to narrow it slightly and bring up the neckline just a tad, so it fits this line of dolls better, if I do a second one, just because I can! LOL
I was amused to see that even though the scale is completely different, she can also use the Cabbage Patch baby as a prop. One of the things I like about the Journey Girls is that one hand is posed in a way that makes is possible to hold some small items!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The New Years Dress
Way back in December, I started dresses for Emily and the Pukifee, but in all four cases, I ran out of thread. By the time I got thread again, it was after New Years, and then things got busy... so Emily's dress got finished today!
I have been ill, so I only took a couple pictures. This is my favourite, even though you can't actually see her party dress that well:
It is so nice to get something completed! Perhaps I will finish up the three for the Pukifee next. :)
I have been ill, so I only took a couple pictures. This is my favourite, even though you can't actually see her party dress that well:
It is so nice to get something completed! Perhaps I will finish up the three for the Pukifee next. :)
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Ah, the phases of crafting!
There was a period of time where I could happily sew for my dolls the whole weekend. Right now? I couldn't be less interested in sewing, much to my exasperation. I want doll clothing that is sewn, but all I want to make is knitted items! LOL
That will switch around and reverse itself at some point or another, if I'm patient. In the meantime, I did manage to make some sleeves and a mock shirt-bottom that Nora can use with a variety of sweaters:
That will switch around and reverse itself at some point or another, if I'm patient. In the meantime, I did manage to make some sleeves and a mock shirt-bottom that Nora can use with a variety of sweaters:
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Patience and Knitting
It's been a frustrating couple months, knitting-wise. I've had some neck problems, so I've been very slow...and I'm not a fast knitter to begin with!
My current three ongoing projects are:
1) Human size sweater! (So heavy in comparison to the doll clothes I usually make! LOL)
2) Cabled jacket for Claire/Ellowyne. This is so close to done, I just need to finish picking up the stitches and knitting the shawl collar! (I don't want to. I hate picking up stitches!)
3) 1.2mm needles + very fine laceweight + all over cabling jacket for Abbie. (I love this one, but it requires me to be very, very careful!)
So I've been working away on 1 and 3 (and avoiding 2), but neither of them are progressing quickly. It seemed like forever since I'd finished something! So this past week I took a break and knit a couple sweaters for my niece's Les Cheries doll instead. Oh the joy of something I can finish in 1-3 days... :)
I used the Swing Coat pattern for 13" Les Cheries Corolle Doll by Kdys for one, and then I modified it within an inch of it's life to get a short sleeved cardigan similar to the Froggy Duds one I have for my Littlefee.
Then, of course, her doll needed something to wear with them, so I made a simple sleeveless dress last night, using an Ann Estelle (the 10" doll) bodice pattern as the base, and cut out a second very simple sleeveless a-line dress of my own design. I hope to sew the second one up tonight, as the Small Person is visiting on the weekend and would enjoy having both outfits.
I was thinking a lot about how sewing and knitting for BJDs has taught me to pay attention to scale and realism, but for a three year old's doll I need to ignore those and think about ease of dressing. So wider sleeves and armholes, for one. I put one button on the short sleeved cardigan (a little larger than I would normally), and didn't put snaps on the other sweater as I'd intended because she's unlikely to have the patience for it! It would likely be worn open most of the time anyway. The dresses open all the way down the back, and close with a wider strip of velcro than I'd use on a BJD of comparable size.
I took a couple pictures of the one outfit, but didn't have time to upload them. Maybe tonight!
My current three ongoing projects are:
1) Human size sweater! (So heavy in comparison to the doll clothes I usually make! LOL)
2) Cabled jacket for Claire/Ellowyne. This is so close to done, I just need to finish picking up the stitches and knitting the shawl collar! (I don't want to. I hate picking up stitches!)
3) 1.2mm needles + very fine laceweight + all over cabling jacket for Abbie. (I love this one, but it requires me to be very, very careful!)
So I've been working away on 1 and 3 (and avoiding 2), but neither of them are progressing quickly. It seemed like forever since I'd finished something! So this past week I took a break and knit a couple sweaters for my niece's Les Cheries doll instead. Oh the joy of something I can finish in 1-3 days... :)
I used the Swing Coat pattern for 13" Les Cheries Corolle Doll by Kdys for one, and then I modified it within an inch of it's life to get a short sleeved cardigan similar to the Froggy Duds one I have for my Littlefee.
Then, of course, her doll needed something to wear with them, so I made a simple sleeveless dress last night, using an Ann Estelle (the 10" doll) bodice pattern as the base, and cut out a second very simple sleeveless a-line dress of my own design. I hope to sew the second one up tonight, as the Small Person is visiting on the weekend and would enjoy having both outfits.
I was thinking a lot about how sewing and knitting for BJDs has taught me to pay attention to scale and realism, but for a three year old's doll I need to ignore those and think about ease of dressing. So wider sleeves and armholes, for one. I put one button on the short sleeved cardigan (a little larger than I would normally), and didn't put snaps on the other sweater as I'd intended because she's unlikely to have the patience for it! It would likely be worn open most of the time anyway. The dresses open all the way down the back, and close with a wider strip of velcro than I'd use on a BJD of comparable size.
I took a couple pictures of the one outfit, but didn't have time to upload them. Maybe tonight!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Cairo
I finished up the snaps on this on the weekend,along with a few other things, and I just really love it!
The whole outfit, including the sleeves and stockngs, is from Wovenflame's Knitting Patterns for Pukifee! This outfit is meant to be traded away, but I think I will need to make another one to keep! LOL
The whole outfit, including the sleeves and stockngs, is from Wovenflame's Knitting Patterns for Pukifee! This outfit is meant to be traded away, but I think I will need to make another one to keep! LOL
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Today is a good day, because....
1. Package I shipped to someone overseas arrived way faster than the Post Office predicted, and the purchaser was happy with it! Woot!
2. The shoes I ordered for Claire arrived, and they are just as awesome in person:
3. Finished putting the Sylvanian Family dollhouse together, and amused myself by making a little photoseries to go along with it:
4. It's Saturday. I got to do some sewing, and after dinner? Moving on to knitting. :D
2. The shoes I ordered for Claire arrived, and they are just as awesome in person:
3. Finished putting the Sylvanian Family dollhouse together, and amused myself by making a little photoseries to go along with it:
4. It's Saturday. I got to do some sewing, and after dinner? Moving on to knitting. :D
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
One of the fun things about the Pukifee is that I can use some of the old toys I saved from my childhood for them. I have no idea where the rocking horse came from, but it's just the right size for them! The daybed in the background is from a much loved Skipper set - I just made up some new bedding, as the old sort of screamed "80s!"
A lot of the fashion doll furniture looks quite cute with them, though of course it's nowhere near in scale with the MNF, who serve as the adults of my personal doll collecting world.
I did some sewing on the weekend, and have a t-shirt, two pairs of stockings, and some armwarmers in the Pukifee Wardrobe Project now. The stockings and armwarmers/sleeves are from Wovenflame's patterns, and look unbelievably adorable with the little knitted dress. I need to make some more, to keep!
I handsewed them, but will have to switch to the machine for the dresses and pants. I might have to wait for the weekend for that. Perhaps tonight I'll start sewing on some of the many snaps and buttons on the "completed" items waiting for them! ;)
I picked up the DollProject Tiny Doll Shoe Workshop from Etsy yesterday, and it looks amazing. It's a really in-depth look at making doll shoes, with lots of pictures! Though I'm hoping to apply the knowledge to different sized dolls (Minifee and Minoruworld Junior), as the Pukifee are scarcely lacking in shoes. At least, that was the plan. I think now I have to try some their size first, because it's just too cute not to!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Things That I'm Excited About!
1. The bed from Shannon's Little Critters (complete with matching bookcase, straining my budget to the max, but I'm so excited!) is on it's way! I've been setting aside little things for a bedroom set for quite some time, so this is big encouragement to finish that up! The bed and bookcase are for the Littlefee, and the old Skipper bed I re-did will move into the possession of the Pukifee, upgrading them from their foamcore beds. LOL
2. I should have time this weekend to take some pictures and list a couple things on DoA - the money from the sales will go into the fund to purchase LTF Luna faceplates for my Minoruworld Junior Hybrid. And a couple wigs. And the faceups. And eyes.
On the chopping block: Bluefairy Tiny Fairy Emilie, Puki Body with Ante and Cupid Multiheads (and wigs), an Elf Shiwoo LTF Faceplate (from an event circa 2009) and a Puki Pukisha.
3. Got a couple items sewed up for the Pukifee Project, and a stack of knitted items needing buttons!
4. The Experimental Downsized Tiered Jacket pattern is too big for my Littlefee, but I'm pretty sure I can alter another pattern to do it now for that size. And it seems like it will fit one of my favourite Small People's Les Cheries doll! She should be pleased! (The next time the Yarn Budget is replenished, I'm tempted to get the yarn to make a matching people-sized version for her...)
Another picture from the weekend's photshoot:
2. I should have time this weekend to take some pictures and list a couple things on DoA - the money from the sales will go into the fund to purchase LTF Luna faceplates for my Minoruworld Junior Hybrid. And a couple wigs. And the faceups. And eyes.
On the chopping block: Bluefairy Tiny Fairy Emilie, Puki Body with Ante and Cupid Multiheads (and wigs), an Elf Shiwoo LTF Faceplate (from an event circa 2009) and a Puki Pukisha.
3. Got a couple items sewed up for the Pukifee Project, and a stack of knitted items needing buttons!
4. The Experimental Downsized Tiered Jacket pattern is too big for my Littlefee, but I'm pretty sure I can alter another pattern to do it now for that size. And it seems like it will fit one of my favourite Small People's Les Cheries doll! She should be pleased! (The next time the Yarn Budget is replenished, I'm tempted to get the yarn to make a matching people-sized version for her...)
Another picture from the weekend's photshoot:
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