Polymer dolls

I have done a little work with Polymer clay.  In the past, I've made little Christmas ornaments etc.  I've been wanting to learn more about it and create dolls vs simple animal figures.  I bought various doll molds but, found them challenging to use but, decided to give it another try.  This is a mold by Patricia Rose that I bought off Ebay.  I made a little Elf out of it.  I have a long way to go but, for my skill level, I was happy with the way it turned out.  Even after getting the doll out of the mold, it's challenging to figure out how to do the hair, painting the face, and designing its clothes.  These do not come with any clothes patterns and traditional ones have to be modified.  Since her arms and legs don't bend, you have to consider that when making the clothes.  I bought another packet of flesh tone clay today and will keep trying.  I think I'll try an angel next.  Here's my little elf girl.  She is about 5 inches tall.

By the way, she is still an ornament.  Hidden in her hat is an metal eye so, I can put a hook through it for hanging.

I'll take pictures of the process on the next one.  If your interested in trying your own, maybe seeing my process will help you through some of the pitfalls you might otherwise encounter.

Thread Art

I went to a couple of craft fairs this last weekend and picked up a few goodies.  There is one particular textile artist that I think is great.  I first came across her 3 years ago and bought one of her thread art kits.  Since then, I bought a few more and this year, I picked up the gift tag set.  I have not played around with the new set but, here is a picture of the thread art ornament I made last year with one of her books

You get a template that you can use over and over again, all the directions and, if you buy a kit you even get the thread and everything else you need to make one.  Three years ago, I used her Christmas tree pattern for Christmas cards.  This year, I want to incorporate the designs in her gift card line into some Artist Trading cards and, of course, gift tags.

Check out her website with the link below,  Her prices are very reasonable and this is a fun craft to do.

http://www.tfw-designs.com/

Here are a couple of the ones I bought.  The star one from above and the new one this year

Artist trading cards "Mini Quilts"

I have mentioned before about how much I enjoy trading on Artist Trading Card sites.  I made a series of Crazy quilts for trades.  These were made on a bigger piece of cloth and then cut down to ATC size afterwards.  The standard for an ATC is 2 1/2 by 3 1/2.  I guess I'll see how they trade and if others share my interest in "Mini" ATC size quilts

Here is a picture of 3 of the cards:

I enjoy working with Mixed Media and obviously have a big love of dolls so, I combined those 2 things and made this winter scene canvas.  The doll is a paper piecing pattern by Gabrielle Polacco.  I used that pattern with white paper for the skirt and a sparkly blue for the top although the flash washes it out in this shot.  I need to get my daughter to teach me how to make better pictures because she is an expert at using cameras but, I think you can get the general idea from this shot.  It's so much fun to work with mixed media.  I really get into a creative mode when doing it.

Green Quilt Completed!!!

Time to celebrate because I finished the quilt.  I made my goal of finishing this month too so, I'm on a roll.  I added a border after quilting the middle which has its advantages and disadvantages.  The advantage is that it's easier to quilt the inside because you are moving around a little less material.  This can be important especially when quilting the middle and trying to roll the whole end of the quilt under the arm.  The disadvantage is that you can have a seam lump where you add the border.  To minimize this, I grade the seam and then iron it.  This makes the seam almost invisible although you still notice it when quilting the border.  Here's some pictures of adding the border and, the finished quilt.

Border pieces laid down so you can see the order they are place prior to sewing them on

Border pinned in place

Seam graded so reduce bulk

Finished quilt

Another view of the finished quilt

Art Journal

I've been working on some artist trading cards swaps and I started an art jounal.  The art journal is so I can experiment with different types of drawing or painting items and at the same time express what may be on my mind at the moment.  I bought a mixed media journal from WalMart.  I'll decorate the front eventually but I did take a picture of it so you can see what I purchased.  I also took a picture of the first few pages.  I lay down a lot of paint on these so I staple together several pages to support the weight.  Many people use glue but, when I saw a youtube video of someone who used staples, that sounded better to me personally.  When it comes to an art journal, it's all about personal choices and what pleases you.

Mix media notebook I'm using for my art journal

I've worked on so many Halloween things that I created a page in the journal about it

Some of the things that are going on in my life such as new glasses, learning about Zetti Art etc

Beginning of a page with a Christmas theme

Paper doll collage page


On the quilting front, I've basted the quilt together and I'm ready to start quilting the layers.  I still have a goal of trying to complete it this month.  It's getting close though so, I'm not sure if I will make it.  I have enjoyed working with paints and artist trading cards so much that I have spent a lot of time on it this month.  We have also been trying to get out as much as possible and enjoy this wonderful fall weather.  This week, we are driving to a huge craft show that is hosted once a year at the Tacoma Dome.  I have not missed it for the past 4 years.

Let the quilting begin!

Backing

I sewed the backing for the green quilt today.  It's not a very exciting step but, it does not take long.  I got 3 yards for the backing which I cut at 1 1/2 yards and the sewed those together side by side.  I'll be putting together the "sandwich" of the quilt next.

I played around more with the basket pattern I posted on 10/12.  I had cut enough for 3 sizes and have sewn them all together.  Here is what I thought

1)  The first one I made was 11 inches square with ties at 2 1/2 inches.  It's the largest one.  After sewing this one, my personal preference would be for the sides to come up a little taller

2)  The second one sewn is the Halloween pattern at 9 1/2 inches square with ties at 2 3/4 inch.  On the side with the plain orange fabric, I added decorative stitching for a fun element.  I think this size is my favorite

3)  The third one is 10 1/2 square with ties a 3 inches.  I like the taller sides on this one

All three sizes work fine so, it's just a matter of personal preference on how big you want the square and how tall you want the sides.  Here are some pictures if you are thinking about making these

The 3 baskets laying flat.  As you can see, the difference is not dramatic

Decorative stitching added to the Halloween basket.  It's a variegated thread in fall colors

Side view of all three baskets so you can see the height.  Again the difference is small.

The complete instructions to the link for the basket instructions are on my 10/12 blog posting.  It's a fun and quick project.

Green quilt - Main patchwork completed!

I sewed together the 15 large blocks and now have completed my main piece of patchwork.  Here is the picture.  (It's on my bed so, you do see my quilt for that bed in the back round.

Main patchwork completed

There are just a couple of steps to get to this point

1)  Make your bed (Tee Hee)
2)  Lay out the blocks and make sure there are no 2 pieces side by side
3)  Begin sewing blocks together then finally the rows together
4)  Always have your iron ready and use it frequently.  I always iron seams before I go over them in a different direction.  For example, the blocks are sewn together but, before adding rows, I iron.

 Next step:
Sashing - to be continued.....

Happy quilting!

Green quilt progress

I've made great progress on the green quilt.  All of the large blocks are done now.  In the next day or so, I will be sewing those together and then deciding what type of border I want.  Before I get into the actual quilting though, I'll have to buy the batting and the backing material so, that's on my agenda for next week.  I have 15 large blocks.

15 completed large blocks

On another subject, I came across a free pattern for a simple block basket.  Here is the link:

http://www.the-red-kitchen.com/2011/02/reversible-fabric-basket-tutorial.html

It's a blog call the Red Kitchen and she posts some wonderful how to pictures to make this fabric basket.  It's super simple and can be put together in a very short period of time.  Here is my basket which I made exactly like hers in the pattern.

11 inch basket with ties at 2 1/2 inch

I thought I might experiment a little more with the basket so, I have cut out a 9 1/2 square (vs 11 inch) and a 10 1/2 square.  I also want to experiment with the placement of the ties.  If I move them further from the corners, the sides of the basket will be taller.  I'll try a Halloween version and then I have this darling pixie shoe pattern that I will make into a basket.  Those are only cut out now so I'll show you a comparison when all three are done.

As I was taking these pictures, I also took one of my pin cushion.  I made this little lady awhile back but, I enjoy looking at her while I'm sewing and she provides a lot of room for pins.  They not only work with the cushion in her arms but pins can also go in her hat.  The hat is make of felted wool.  It's a Terese Cato pattern

Pin cushion lady

Paper dolls

I've never been a collector of Paper dolls but lately, I have been very interested with them.  I especially love the older designs from the 50's like the Betsy McCall dolls.  My kids use to have some of them but, those dolls are long gone.  I thought I had a few left but can't seem to find them in the kids old junk storage box.  Oh well.

I did find this one set this summer that I bought at a garage sale for 25 cents.  I think it's cute and may go ahead and open the package and use it in a paper collage art piece along with other paper dolls on line.  I will probably do that.

I have started an art journal and since I seem so focused on Halloween these last couple of months, I made a Halloween layout.  It lets me express my creativity without worrying about perfection.  The next page will be about dolls.

Quilting:

On the quilting front, all of the pieces are cut out for the green quilt and I'm about 70% done with the quilt top right now.  I'm not posting any new pictures on that yet because it's really just more of the same that I have already shown you.  I'm on track though to finish the quilt this month.  I'm also working on a fabric swap I joined.  In this one you cut 25 squares of 5 x 5 fabric in Christmas prints of green and red.  The idea is that you get 25 back that are completely different so you have a nice variety for a quilting project.  I'm in the process of cutting them now.  I'm making a set for myself along with the partner I'm swapping with.

Pictures:

First page of Art Journal

Front of Paper doll

Back of Paper doll

Scraps storage

I thought I would show you another way that I use for storing quilting scraps.  I have a strange corner in one of my closets that works perfectly for a shoe storage hanger.  I use it for scraps instead.  Each "shoe" cube has a different shade in it.  I had trouble getting a picture of it in the closet but, I think you get the idea.  This one goes almost to the floor.  The great news is, I still have room for more storage!!

I'm multi tasking today and have gotten a few projects done.  In the winter, I love to make a lot of soups so, I've got a huge pot of chicken broth simmering on the stove.  I'll put that in mason jars and freeze it for use during the winter.   I also finished cutting the last of the pieces for the green quilt so, I was able to put away all the uncut material I did not use along with the cutting tools.  Progress!!

Lastly, I finished this canvas piece that I'm putting in my craft room.  I like the color pink but, limit the use of it just to my craft room since I'm married.

Zetti Art

I have not been quilting since the last post.  I switched back over to Artist Trading Cards to work on some swaps.  I joined this one called Mix and match elves using Zetti art.  I had to look up exactly what that meant and I adore it.  It's a mixture of paper and painting with elements of the unexpected or different thrown in.  I created 3 cards.  The top is the head, the middle the body and the bottom card is the legs and feet.  This swap is made so that cards can be switched out and mixed up similiar to those flip books we had as kids.  It's great fun.  Here are my cards:

Green quilt update

I've been making steady progress on the quilt.  I just keep building it from the mini blocks to the small blocks and now the big blocks in this picture.  I'm going to do 15 of these and I'm at 9 for now.  My goal is to finish the quilt this month.

After I finish the big blocks, I'm rolling around ideas in my head of a small border.  Maybe something like the flying geese design.  I'm not sure yet.

Pieces of the quilt as I build into the large blocks

Large block (I have 9 so far)

Happy Quilting everyone!