Project 9: Mushroom Pincushions

I’ve had this project on my list since July 2009 when Jessica Jones posted about these little mushroom pincushions on her blog How About Orange. It is projects like this (and my procrastination thereof) that inspired me to create this blog. One benefit of waiting a year and a half to make some is that we’ve been saving bottlecaps and have collected a good handful of them. I should be able to crank out a bunch of these this week!

I’ll be following the step by step photo directions by Jen Segrest and maybe throwing in a few twists of my own.

Photo by Jen Segrest

Weekend Fun: Raku Firing

Yesterday I had the opportunity to accompany a potter friend to a raku firing at a local arts center. A few artists came out with their pieces for the kiln so we got to see a variety of glazes and techniques. Now I really want to try my hand at pottery!

See the rest of the photo set at Flickr.

Project 8: Lessons learned

Whew, this was a week. I wasn’t quite sure about it at the beginning, but by the end (like about 10 minutes ago) I ended up having some fun. Making little dolls may get added to the list of Crafts I Can Do While Watching TV. Previously that category was filled with yarn.

Lessons learned:
– With a little scrap fabric and some fiberfill you can make anything. It wasn’t until I was sewing up the bird that I really felt this way, but I’m looking forward to trying more designs.
– Paint fixes a multitude of sins. Or: Don’t leave wet paint lying about with a mischievous 5 year old in the room. Many thanks to Elina for fixing the Mermaiden’s face.
– Hand sewing dolls makes me feel old timey and grandma-like. I don’t know what it is, but this week I felt the most resourceful and creative so far (even though I was following plans).

I’m sure there are professional doll makers out there who wouldn’t be too impressed with my efforts this week. There are also probably a whole range of fancier dolls I could have tried. For me, though, this was a stretch of my sewing and imagination abilities and I’m happy I did it. I’ll never look at store-bought toys the same way again.

Next week: another stay-at-home sewing project before bigger things start happening. I can’t wait to show you some of the things I’ve been learning!

Project 8: Bird doll

The bird doll is done! The original pattern called for wire feet so the bird can stand on its own, but I’m going to leave those off. If I’m going to hand this bird to a kid to play with I don’t want poky bits threatening to get them. The pin legs you see are just for this photo.

I’ll post a photo of all three dolls and my lessons learned next.

Project 8: Babushka doll

Completed doll #2. I haven’t yet received the PDF of the bird pattern, so that one may need to wait until tomorrow.

Project 8: A finished doll

Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday. Wednesdays get away from me.

My friend and I did get together on Tuesday to make dolls. I made the Mermaiden above from the Wee Wonderfuls tutorial at marthastewart.com. She was entirely hand stitched and fun to make, though I’m not thrilled with her as my only doll for the week. Today I hope to make two more: this cute babushka and a fabric or paper bird that requires a PDF purchase.

I’ll post them as they’re done!

Project 8: Doll options

I’ll be working on dolls with a friend later today. In the meantime here are a few links we’re using for inspiration:

Elisa doll
Ruby doll
Wee Wonderfuls
Pointy Kitty
Babushka

Project 8: Doll making

This week I have the opportunity to hang out with a crafty friend so we can try our hand at doll making. I have no idea what they’ll look like in the end, but I’m looking forward to trying!

Photo by ♥ KawaiiCloud ♥

Project 7: Done! and lessons learned

Finished! This scarf came together really quickly. The flowers were easy and fun to make, and once I got the hang of connecting them I finished in no time. It is lovely and fun and will soon be winging its way across the country to its (surprise) recipient. I hope she likes it!

Lessons learned:
– Ah, yarn. I’m most comfortable working with yarn. I hadn’t crocheted in a while, but after relearning the lingo so I could follow a pattern it all came right back.
– There is a great satisfaction in working on a project all week and finishing it on time. Maybe I’ll carry this lesson on to future projects.
– I should have been making things more often. I’ve known how to crochet since I was a kid. Why don’t I do it more often?

I’m considering digging out the old cabbage patch doll dress that I crocheted when I was little. It’s in a box around here somewhere. I’ll post a photo when I find it.

Next week: I haven’t decided yet. I have another sewing project on the schedule but I may rearrange it and do something else. Stay tuned!

Project 7: Almost done!

I’ve joined all of my flowers and now I’m just adding a border around the outside so they will hold their shape a little bit better. The yarn I chose (caution: audio) is soft and slippery and doesn’t hold much shape on its own.

I should have time to finish the border today. Check back for the finished scarf!