Doll making for fun

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Welsh National Costume doll

Our group of friends enter a National competition every year to put together a random list of items around a general Theme.  Its usually a challenge but also lots of fun.  This year, the theme was Wales and the random items include a piece of coal, a slate with a daffodil on, sheep’s wool and an 8 inch doll in Welsh National dress sitting at a spinning wheel.  The group gets extra points if the doll was handmade.  so with that Gauntlet being thrown down, I set to to make the little doll from scratch.  Malcolm made a wonderful little spinning wheel and stool for her to sit upon.

The doll body was made from an old washed out t shirt as I needed stretch fabric.  Simple shaped limbs were created with a little but of wadding and a pipe cleaner inside the fabric.  this was so the little doll could be ‘posed’ to sit at the spinning wheel.  My first attempt meant the doll when measured was about 13 inches – far too large to fit in with the rest of the items to scale.  After a bit more trial and error, and mostly changing the main body size not the limbs, the doll was 8 inches.

The body was filled with rice to give a bit of sit down weight to her bottom and her head was stuffed then needle shaped to form hollows for the eyes and extended nose before minimal features were added.  It was designed to look like an old Welsh lady and I think the  hand stitched and looped grey hair and face makes it look old.

The next step was the clothes, a pair of gathered bloomers, an embroidered long sleeved shirt. A full striped skirt.  A black gown/overdress complete with tiny fastening button.  A lace pinny over the top and a red embroidered shawl,  All topped off with a black felt and lace traditional Welsh top hat and tiny little felt boots.

I was quite proud of the little doll when it was finally finished.  Now  I just have to wait and see it if WINS!

 

Gladrags and Handbags

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One of my interesting hobbies is designing and creating unusual handbags.  I love picking up fabric and matching colours to create a new bag.   The large brown weekender bag can hold all the clothes and toiletries needed for a weekend away, and the comfy padded straps mean your shoulders don’t suffer.  The lightweight design is really strong.  The brown fabric was picked up as a curtain which has been recycled many times.  The turquoise silk was left from one of my wedding outfits .  The colours matched perfectly.

Floral Brown and Turqouise SilkLarge Floral Brown and Turquoise Silk weekender bag

Balck Suede

The Black suede bag has bright funky purple and lime lining with a flower on the front.

Denim Birdie

Denim and sunflower Birdie bag

Love me, Love me not Handbag

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I love making bags from funky fabrics.  These have a secure concealed zip pocket at the back of the bag, external elasticated pockets for a phone or bottle of water.  Inside the contrast lining has lots of additional pockets for purse, lippy or necessary girly essentials.

The fabric was called Love me, love me not. but the internal fabric was a hot pink mini animal print.  I created this one for a friend.

George’s Marvellous Monkey Quilt

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I made my eldest Grandson Logan a baby quilt for his naming ceremony in February.   I must admit, it was started before he was born in beige neutral tones with teddy bear alphabet fabric.  By the time I had fussy cut every separate teddy bear letter into 3inch squares, the rest of the quilt had to be designed around those.

This poor quilt was unpicked and restitched several times before I got the layout right.  I must admit, I thought I would never see the end of the tiny inch squares by the time it was finished. I included my first attempt at appliqué for over 30 years when I included his name to personalise the quilt.. It was a small cot sized baby quilt, which hi mum uses as a snuggle quilt when Logan needs a nap.

When my youngest Grandchild George was born, I didn’t want to make the same mistake with the quilt and tiny patchwork pieces,  so I planned to make a traditional design quilt which could grow with George.  I bought a MODA Blueberry Crumbcake Jelly roll seen here.  I loved the range of blues and browns together and the fabric looked like it was cross stitch samplers.  It was a lovely colour combination but still very grown up for a four month old baby.  Then I found the fantastic Comedy monkey fabric in Scarborough.  Every time I looked at it I smiled.  It was sitting in my stash box with no particular use until I thought to add it to George’s Marvellous quilt.

I fussy cut the monkey fabric so there were a range of the monkeys in the centre of the simple log cabin squares.  George’s mum asked it I could include his name as I had for Logan so I created the appliqué the old fashioned way with cut fabric and free hand zigzag stitches around the outside.  I even included a couple of cartoon looking cars for fun.  I was now getting better at the freehand foot on my machine.

I still look at this design and smile at the funny Monkey faces.  I only hope George grows up to love it as much as I do.

 

 

Pirates Ahoy

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Last week I was visiting my favourite craft fabric store the Singer sewing centre in Scarborough and I found the most fantastic 100% cotton fabrics.  I selected a black cotton with white skull and crossbones, some with a red spotted kerchief design and a fantastic comedy monkey design.

I bought the pirate fabric for my 3 year old granddaughter as she loves ‘Pirates’.  I made a simple double sleeveless bodice with a very full double width gathered skirt.  The red was a simple quarter made into a tie belt with a black ‘wave’ style embroidery on the front.  Her mum said when she say it Daisy shrieked with delight and insisted on wearing it for nursery.  It looks like it is a hit for her summer wardrobe then.

Aliyah Baby Quilt

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pink quiltOh how old I feel!   When my eldest daughter married and gained a young step daughter, Amy was welcomed into the family.  a ready made Granddaughter for us when our own were a long way off.  Amy turned 18 last year and this year has just given birth to the most beautiful little girl to her partner Nico.  I wanted to make her something to keep but I know Amy would not want a traditional baby item.  So I had a Moda Boutique Jelly Roll and set to make a simple quilt.

Only a simple log cabin design but the bright pinks and oranges look well and as you can see, our gorgeous Great-Granddaughter enjoys playing on the quilt.

 

Union Jack Cushion Cover Pattern

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2012 is the year for British national pride.  We have the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. I noticed least year the range of Union Jack home wear, but frankly some of the printed designs were a bit tacky or not well made.  I wanted to recreate my own version of the Union Jack cushion but to fit a standard square insert.

After a bit of trial and error, I finally got a working pattern.  These have then been made for several family members in different fabrics to create quite distinct looks.

In patchwork quilting terms, I found it easier to use a base foundation to sew the strips on to.  As they are on the bias, the foundation keeps the square block true. The design is basically four separate blocks with a wide sashing to join the four blocks.  When it is broken down into these separate elements it is easy to create.

Fabrics – A Dark colour 1/4yd (red)  B  light colour 1/4yd (white) C  Mid Colour small square (blue). use the following guide to rotary cut the strips

Fabric A (red) cut strip

  • 4.5in by 8in (x2)
  • 4.5in by 18in (x1)
  • 3in by 9in (x4)
Fabric B (white) cut strips
  • 2.5in by 7in (x4)
  • 1.5in by 7iin (x12)
Fabric C (blue) cut 4x 4.5in squares and cut each in half diagonally
Once the four blocks have been patched, then use the wide red strips as sashing to join the blocks.  Then just add the back to your cushion cover.

Going Green with Solar Power

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Today we have turned green at home .   I don’t mean we are angry and physically turned colour as the incredible hulk, or that we are unwell or slightly bilious but we have finally embraced the green environment.

Recycling has always been a way of life, whether it involves making a meal from leftovers or our garden waste being composted. We dutifully rinse, separate and leave for collection  and recycling all our glass bottles (of which are mostly red wine bottles), cardboard, paper and  the few cans we use.

On Friday, the roofers came and installed our eight Solar Panels onto our full South facing roof.  These will apparently generate 2KW of electricity during the day.  This morning, the electrician came and install the inverter and monitoring meters. Mr Mac was disappointed that the weather was grey and overcast as we had full sun yesterday.

While the electrician was busy, I was doing my own bit of recycling.  I had some pink gingham left over from a quilt backing.  There wasn’t much fabric but enough to cut out a tunic top for my granddaughter. I used my new Tim Holtz Tatted Florals big sizzix die to cut some blossoms added some leaves and appliquéd these onto the front with a few buttons to finish.  By the time I was pressing the finished garment, the electrician had finished.

After the electrician left and everything was working, I loaded up the washing machine and switched it on and left.  I stocked up on groceries at the supermarket before visiting my daughter and grandchildren to take the new tunic top for Daisy.  Unfortunately both the children were feeling unwell and a little bit grouchy.  I spent a few lovely hours giving cuddles as each fell asleep on my lap.  I love the simple joys of being a grandma.

By the time I finally returned home, Mr Mac had prepared our meal and was excited to exclaim that even though the washing machine was full on when I left, as the sun came out our electricity meter was going backwards.  We were actually creating more electricity through the Solar Panels that we were using.

Mr Mac informs me he has now ordered a wireless monitoring system so he can see what power is being generated an any time and see what power we are using in the house.  I can see that I am going to have to be careful before he realises how much time and electricity is used on my crafting!

What do you think of the quick Daisy top I crated from scraps?

C

Daisy Gingham Tunic from Scraps

 

 

Party till the Cows come home…

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party or hen night card

Don’t you just love this poor cow?  flat out sucking on a daisy.  The card was created from one of my digital design sheets.  Just download the A4 page to print, cut and stick to create this wonderfully quick card.  The centre topper is layers to ‘pop’ from the page and create depth.  A range of sentiments is included for the card.

Pop along to have a look at this easy sheet here