Little Arms and Little Hands

Why is it whenever I plan to work something always comes up that prevents it? Well, today I was able to continue with this piece. The dad now has a pair of sneakers and more importantly the little girl has arms. Little arms with even littler hands and fingers. I’ve never attempted hands this small before- quite a challenge. At first I tried separating all the fingers but I didn’t like the way it looked, very unnatural. so then I started over with mitt hands with a separate thumb. I think that when you reach for a cotton candy you keep your fingers pretty close together so I like this better.

The picture doesn’t show that the girl has a white blouse with a black and white belt under her jacket. Her jacket is made of felt and machine embroidered in a mustard color thread. Once again, I am trying out some of the embroidery stitches on my machine- add a little more detail.

Vacation Week!

I’m on vacation this week and plan on working on this piece every day, so I should make substantial progress! I’ll start by finishing the dad. Today I gave him his arms and finished his sweatshirt. He still needs a chilly dog in his left hand, cotton candy in his right and some sneakers on his feet. Of course he also needs a head but I find if I don’t start with the head then I usually leave it off until the very end.

Although I have a plan to finish the dad before moving on to the other figures, that doesn’t mean I will actually follow this plan. Tomorrow when I approach this piece I may switch over to either of the other figures and start the day there... I have no idea today what I will be motivated to work on tomorrow. The one thing I do know about myself is that I never start a second piece until the one I am currently working on it totally finished. Some of the doll makers in the Textile Tarts will work on a piece, put it away for a while, start something new, then at some point return to the first piece- bouncing between projects is something I just can’t do.

Dad Takes Shape

I have been working on the male figure today. He now has a shirt, belt with loops, and the beginning of his sweatshirt. The Big E takes place in September which is sweatshirt/sweater weather in New England. My next step is constructing and clothing the arms. His right arm will be extended offering a cotton candy to the child so it needs to be positioned in reference to her. I also need to decide if he will be holding anything in his left hand because that will determine the position/shaping of that arm as well. Decisions...

Starting a New Figure

Last weekend I started a new figure- three figures actually. They will eventually be called “A Day At The Fair” and will be my submission this year to the Eastern States Exposition which is held every September at Springfield, Massachusetts. Three years ago I submitted my Mermaid and she took first place; two years ago I submitted a fairy which took third place; and last year I didn’t get my act together in time so I missed the fair entirely! This year I’ve decided to start early so I should have my piece ready well in advance. Every year the fair has a theme, although it is not required that submissions represent the theme, I was inspired by this year’s theme which is “The Big E” (nickname for Eastern States Exposition). When I think of going to a fair my first thoughts are of the food! So my figures will be enjoying different foods found at the fair. The mother will be eating a creme puff which is a specialty of the Big E, the dad will be handing the daughter a cotton candy and maybe he will even have something in his other hand for himself...not sure yet. I also want them to look like they are having fun! That will be one of my challenges with this piece- creating three faces that seem to interact with each other. My first challenge, however, was drawing the patterns and stuffing the figures so that they are proportionally correct in relation to each other. I started with the adult female then worked off her proportions to create the child. This will be the first time I have made a child- so that should be interesting. Once I had those two figures stuffed I made the adult male. They are able to stand freely because each has a brass cylinder up one leg which slips over a rod that will be permanently attached to the final platform.

Kindle Keepers

I bought myself a Kindle and I just love it! I’ve always loved to read but haven’t had the time recently to go to the library so I decided to buy an e-reader and download books whenever I wished. I looked at different kinds and settled on the Kindle because I like the fact that it is not back-lit. I find it very easy to read for lengthy periods of time. Well, now that I own the Kindle I needed to protect it so I have been making these Kindle sleeves. They’re fun to make and people seem to like them so I will continue for a while. I also thought this item would extend the season of my etsy shop a bit. So I am trying something new. They are also a nice way to use up small amounts of wool- not enough to make a pair of mittens but still enough to be useful.

Star Ornaments

I have been making star ornaments for my family- I plan on putting one in each Christmas stocking this year. I’m also giving one to the aide that works in my classroom- a little personal thank you for all she does to help me and my students throughout the year

Textile Tarts Ornament

It has been quite a while since my last entry; very busy with school, my knitting shop, and family. Thanksgiving is this Thursday. I decided to get my Textile Tarts (New England fabric doll-makers club) ornament completed before Thanksgiving so that I can concentrate on my knitting during the holiday break. So I made this bird for the swap. The only requirements were that it be hand made and brought to the gathering into a plain brown paper bag (it can be decorated inside the bag but not showing on the outside). Apparently last year, some members knew which bag to pick depending on the wrapping used...I was clueless to this and simply picked a gift when it was my turn. When I unwrapped it , I found a lovely snow girl ornament- completely made by hand by Rita Hernandez. Rita’s dolls have been featured in the Challenge of the Gypsies two years in a row so it was certainly a great pick on my part. The ornament I gave last year was an elf that I made using a pinecone for the body, paperclay head and knitted sweater and hat- very cute. I neglected to take a picture though so... this year I am taking a picture of my bird. I’m not worried that someone from the Tart’s will see the ornament since I’m pretty sure no one actually reads this blog. Nonetheless I persevere.

At our last meeting of the Tarts we made star ornaments. Originally I thought I would finish my star ornament and use it for the swap- then I saw the brilliantly completed stars done by Pat Hinga (another fabulous doll maker in Tarts) and decided I would not want her to pick my bag during the swap if it contained a star ornament because she can already make such extraordinary ones herself. That led to the creation of my bird ornament. It is not an original pattern- but for me it is always about the fabric and this little bird is sporting some beautiful fabrics! I used three different jacquards in silver/white/grey and red. Once cut out and stuffed I added the bead work (I hate beading). Voila!

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