Happy Birthdays

I think these postcards should have arrived at the birthday homes by now so it's safe to post pictures.  Cindy and Sheila have the same birthday, so they got almost the same card!  Ladies, if yours has gone missing, please let me know!

I made these two postcards for the January birthday swap I belong to on Stitchin' Fingers.  For the background, I used the trimmings collage I posted about in July.  I stitched it to a purple fabric so some color would show through and then added beads and trinkets.  The weather has been pretty gloomy around here all month, so I needed to use the sunglasses and give them a summery feeling.  And what could be more cheerful than a little sunshine and music on your birthday?

A little side fact I found interesting:  There are two birthday swap groups on SF this year.  Both groups had two January birthdays . . . and all four are on the same day!  You can't plan for things like that to happen! 

Now to get back to the February postcards.  Theme?  Why, Valentines, of course!

Trip to Wonderland

So, seems like all I'm doing lately is making things for swaps. That's OK with me. What could be more fun?!

In the Cloth Dolls group on Stitchin' Fingers, we took a stroll through "Alice in Wonderland" and swapped characters from the story. As soon as I heard the theme, I knew what I wanted to make! Let me tell you, that doesn't happen all the time. LOL! Of course, knowing and doing are two different things. But I'm happy with how it came out.

I love the character (or characters) Tweedle Dee & Dum. They may have a fairly small role in the story, but they can sure walk away with the part. I wanted to make them cute and a bit goofy. Waddya think? Did I succeed?

I used fusible web to applique the clothing on these guys, and then the heads are separate pieces. Some machine and hand embroidery, and penned in faces. Here is the back view:

Their hats are made from loosely gathered yo-yos with just a wisp of orange mohair sticking out. It seemed to be the perfect touch! I wish I'd made their legs a little wider - it's hard to tell that each boy has two legs - really! This doll is about 4" high, so I added a pin back and they are wearable.

But wait - there's more! Wait until you see what I got in return!!! Oh my goodness!!! The Queen of Hearts!! My second favorite character! (Gee, think there enough exclamation points in this paragraph?)

My partner, Jules, made a wonderful Queen. We decided that she is a kinder, gentler version than the one Alice meets. But don't be fooled by that sweet face.

I'm sure she can be pretty demanding. She may love her subjects, but she expects to be obeyed. And I'll bet after a few more years with those cards as gardeners, she won't be quite as patient. LOL! You know - Off with their Heads!

My thanks go to Jules for this wonderful doll. And thanks to Chris for coming up with the theme. Such fun!

Sophia

Sophia is my latest doll, taking sweet wishes to my swap partner Anita.  She has arrived safely, so now I can show you some pix.

 

Doesn't she look sweet and demure?  I just fell in love with her!  I made her for the Valentine's doll swap on Stitchin' Fingers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I started working on her at this month's doll club meeting.  We were making dolls using directions in Ray Slater's latest book, "cloth dolls for textile artists".  This is the same technique as I used for Jan a couple of months ago.

There are very clear directions in the book, but here is a brief recap for those who might be interested.

Step one is to build an armature by bending a length of wire following Ray's instructions (or sort of - my best intentions don't always follow through, proportion-wise!).  

Then, wrap the wire form with strips of batting and wrap, wrap, wrap until you have built up a body shape you are happy with.  I stitched the batting into place as I went along since I was adding additional "padding" in strategic areas, if you know what I mean!

At this point it is best to add the head and hands.  I always have a few "spare" heads lying around and find it easy to grab one and enhance the face to suit the doll.  Sometimes I also have hands already made up.  If you don't have a parts supply like this, there are patterns and good directions in the book.

Then you're ready to wrap again, using your chosen fabric this time.  Ray suggest using a stretchy knit - and that is all I've tried so far - but I can see using a woven perhaps cut on the bias.  It's your doll and you can try anything!

The fun part is last - embellishing!  I put skirts on both of mine, but that is not all you can add.  Ray has some excellent samples using couched fibers and threads.  Ribbons are always fun.  And a scattering of beads is almost a requirement! 

I had so much fun with Sophia and Jan.  I have to admit, that when I saw Sophia all curled up in her box ready to leave, I felt a lump in my throat.  So sweet!  I didn't want to part with her.  Anita, you are so lucky I was brave and sent her to her new home!

Halloween is A-Comin'

Although I don't usually "celebrate" Halloween, I am fascinated by all the decorations and spooky things that crop up this time of year.  We don't need to get into why I don't join in - that would involve Deep Thinking! - but I will show you what I have done this year.

  Last month I showed you the witches my doll club created from water bottles.  My little Witchy Poo has been finished up and embellished.  She actually looks fairly benevolent.  Maybe not a Good Witch, but not totally Evil either.  Sort of a SoSo Witch?

She also serves as my October challenge piece for Stitchin' Fingers Cloth Doll group.  Each month, one of the members posts a theme and we can create as simple or elaborate a doll as we like and share the pictures with the group.  Nothing complicated or stressful.  Just a good excuse to show what you have done and get some feedback.  Love the feedback!

Speaking of feedback.  Be sure to leave a comment here to be entered into my Blogiversary Giveaway.  This is post number 97!

In This Week's Mail

I just love getting goodies in the mail, don't you?!

From a postcard swap on Stitchin" Fingers.  The theme was Halloween and this is from Wilma in the Netherlands.  She said they don't celebrate Halloween over there, but she loves the colors and the spooky decorations.  And I love the postcard!  You should see the wonderful hand stitching in person!

And also in this week's mail . . .

  An ATC (Artist's Trading Card) and goodies from Dakota.  Some glass buttons, an amazing thread flower, and tatted butterflies on silk. 

What a wonderful week it's been.  Thank you so much, ladies!

This Little Piggie . . .

. . . is a Finished UFO!! (UFO=UnFinished Object)

Along with his somewhat larger pal . . .

 

These porcine buddies are from a McCall's pattern that I cut out many, many years ago.   Exactly how long is lost in the mists of time (or my mind!).  I would have guessed late 70's or early 80's, but the pattern is copyright 1992.  My goodness time flies!

One of the groups I have joined on Stitchin' Fingers is called "UFOs Uncovered".  We try to encourage each other to dig through that pile of long ago projects and pull out our enthusiasm and get that aardvaark* completed!!

*An aardvaark is a term I picked up from a former co-worker, meaning any project or equipment that has been giving you fits and resisting your efforts to fix, finish, or install.   Better than the words some of the other co-workers use!

 

 

 

 

 

I did not manage to get these done for the first month, but looking good for the second go 'round.  This pair is now ready to join my Piggie collection and I am ready to pull out another forgotten project.  This is almost like a Treasure Hunt - except for the fact that there was usually a reason why I didn't finish the piece in the first place - and I'm sure to discover what it was shortly!

UFOs Uncovered

That's the name of a group I've joined on Stitchin' Fingers.  I would guess that every sewer, crafter, stitcher, whatever has some projects that just get stalled.  For a variety of reasons, progress will halt and it gets pushed to the back of the closet.

Yes, I know there are people out there who actually finish everything they start.  Not in my family, though!  And certainly not ME!  I can never really forget the UFOs, either.  We have moved quite often and every time, those Projects in Boxes (PIBs) get packed up again and transported to the new house.  Usually to be pushed to the back of the closet again!

Well, one of this year's goals was to start using books and tools that have accumulated over the years and you could say the underlying push is to clean up the studio.  That would include all those UFOs.

The SF group has decided to start today by "declaring" the UFO that is to be finished this month.  We are to post pictures of our progress (or not) so here is my starting point:

I have had these little Piggies cut out for too many years.  I have no idea how long, but the fabric is scraps from some projects in the 1980's.  Um, 20 years? 

Some of you are probably thinking "why pigs?"  One of my personal quirks is that I adore pigs!  Their rubbery noses and funny snorting noises really delight me.  This may also explain my love for my little pug dog, Jake.  

I have collected all manner of pig-ish figures and decorations for years.  Can you imagine how odd it feels to have a co-worker come in and say "I saw the funniest pig this weekend and I thought of you, Liz!"  Uh, thanks - I think!

Well, I think it is time these little stuffed pigs join the collection, don't you?  Wish me luck.

Postcards

I've been playing with postcards lately. There have been so many people doing fiber/fabric postcards that I had to join in. And to really join in, you have to SWAP!


The great thing about a swap - you see - is that someone else will send you their really, really beautiful work. The one on the left here is from Susan Lenz as part of the Cyber Fiber exchange. Cyber Fiber is an exhibit that is being planned for January 2009. You can read more about it all at the link above. Susan has made several hundred postcards and ATCs to trade with fiber artists all over the world. The ones she receives back will be part of the exhibit. Pretty cool, huh?


The other postcard I got was from Celia as part of a swap on the Postcards group at Stitchin' Fingers. Celia named this piece "Seashore" and it is great! I can hear the waves coming in and hear the seagulls squawking in the distance. Makes me nostalgic for a day at the shore.

Since I mentioned Stitchin' Fingers . . . have you noticed that green box on my sidebar? Nice color combination, don't you think? Lavendar and neon green - LOL! Well, that means I am a member of this community/social network/whatever. A growing group of people who are interested in textiles and sharing their work and experiences. It is powered by Ning - and that's about all I know about that! Back to SF - there are a number of sub-groups where you can focus on a particular textile art. The ones I belong to are Fabric Postcards, Fiber Books, Stash Bustin', Take It Further Challenge, and . . . Cloth Dolls! (What a surprise!) We are in the sign-up phase for a doll swap. I'll have something to post on that later.

If you are interested in any of the textile arts - and have not checked out Stitchin Fingers yet - click on that bright green box and see what all the noise is about. Go on! We're done here for now.