Hallowe'en Dresses!

The ladies dressed up for Hallowe'en!

I made these dresses:

And these cat ears:

There's more pics (with pics from the San Francisco Hallowe'en Blythe Meet, too!) here!

Collodian Shoot

Doug & Kathryn have been taking a lot of collodions lately... they had me model for some:


This one's my favorite:

They gave these three to Chris for his birthday. I love playing dress-up, so don't be surprised if there are more to come!

New Pretty!

I totally forgot to post this, too!

Lovely new pin by Oh My Cavalier!, as modeled by my little fox pal... just when you thought he couldn't get cuter! I was thinking of selling him on Etsy, but I just couldn't part with him, especially since I would have nowhere to store my pin! The gracious Julianna made the pin to order, when I just just had to have the Pet Fox drawing on a simpler pin than she had already for sale... What a sweet piece from a sweet artist.

Foxiness

Psssst.... I made a fox.

He likes to play hide and seek.

I got the pattern from a japanese book, but the instructions were for a solid colored one.

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Also, I've been working on the dollies...

Cotton (in green) and my still unnamed J-Doll got new lip paint:

And, I started my first custom Blythe:

Wish me luck!

Bits & Bobs

Here's what I've been up to lately...

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Trying out for dream jobs...

Sketches and miniature display for a Display Coordiator job at Anthropologie... I didn't get it :( But I can use the display at home for spring!

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Playing with dolls...

In the dollhouse I just finished making! I'll post more/better pics when I get some furniture done. By the by, these dollies still need names. I'm thinking of "Wren" for the Petite Blythe (2nd one)...

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Making crazy posters.

Poster I made for my friend Todd's movie (his design).

New and Improved!

Lemon Drop's new dress (with ReMent boots). I had meant to make her candy themed from the beginning, and I finally got to it! She also has a candy striped heart for her new pull. I was a bit put out when I saw the new My Little Candy Blythe, but I like mine better!

Lemon Drop & Astrid (yes, I finally decided) showing each other their new pulls!

Tinies!

Introducing Cotton & Candy!

They are Petite Blythes (originally Squiggly Squirrel and Feline Fancy, mohaired by I Love George, Re-Ment accessories, outfits by me!)... re-named Cotton & Candy by me. I wish I could find some blue/green boots for Cotton's outfit...

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She needs a name:

She's a Mini Pullip Anne Shirley (in Squiggly Squirrel's outfit), with Re-Ment and mushrooms knitted by me! Any name suggestions?

Beatrix's New Dress

Beatrix needed a dress to wear that isn't a wedding dress...

I decided to go with grey/silver tones because I thought they would go with her coloring really well... I just used scraps of fabric and ribbon I had around.

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I'm working on a dress for my Blythe right now... it's candy themed! Of course, you say, if you've ever met me. By the by, I named her Lemon Drop. Perfection, no? Here is a lovely pic of her by the ever talented Doug.

And here is everyone:

I'll have pics of the Mini Pullip & Petite Blythes soon...

I like dolls! You wanna make something of it?!

So, I've been wanting a Pullip doll for a few years, and this year I needed some retail therapy, so I took the plunge... It took me awhile to get up the courage/funds for such a thing. Chris is none too happy.

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Pullip Erternia

I ordered her from The Valley of the Dolls, who had super fast shipping and super cute packaging... it was like a present!

In her box.

Getting her hair redone... it was really messy out of the box.

I named her Beatrix (after Beatrix Kiddo), since she's The Bride... get it? Chris said, damn, that thing is creepy, to which I said, wait 'til you see Blythe! I'm going to make her an outfit soon, but I can't decide on whether to go with grey/green tones or a Snow White-ish fairy tale thing. Maybe both, huh? But which one first?

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J-Doll Malecon Avenue

I had a hard time deciding between a Pullip and a J-Doll, but after I ordered Beatrix, I saw this one on the TIB forum... She was nude, so I made her this dress. It's not perfect, but it was my first try... The J-Dolls have the exact same bodies as the Pullips, just different heads, and Blythe patterns fit both. She needs a name... suggestions?

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Blythe Frosty Frock

And I tried to resist Blythe, but no such luck. I'll admit, she creeped me out at first, but after trolling the Blythe group on Flickr, I fell in love. I keep seeing my favorite bloggers (here, here, here) falling under the spell, too! I had to wash her hair several times (it was super frizzy and icky). I want to do a few mods to her- sand matte her face, first of all. She needs a name, too... I think something icy, snowy, wintery... what do you think?

Thanks True Up & Pink Chalk!

This was awhile back, but I just realized that I never posted pics...

I won a $100 gift certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics from True Up!

I tried to save it for when I had a project lined up, but I'm an instant gratification kinda gal. Here's what I got:

They are very courteous and friendly and have the most lovely selection of designers...

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These are the stack packs I got... on the left is "Sugar Snap" by Melissa Averinos and the right is Amy Butler's Daisy Chain (in the pink colorway). They will be quilts at some point. You know, when I learn to quilt. Don't look at me like that. It'll happen.

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These are the single pieces... mostly 1/2 yards, some full. I don't have any specific plans for them yet- an apron or two for sure, Blythe/Pullip clothes (more on those ladies soon), Nutcracker Dolls, small things like that. I'd love some suggestions!

Swedelicious!

This Christmas I decided to make some Swedish themed decor... Every Xmas Eve in my life has been spent at my Swedish grandmother's (and non-Swedish grandpa, but you know, he didn't decorate) house, until this year (Chris & I have decided to start switching locations year to year instead of trying to do both family celebrations). Anyway, I decided to have a brunch for my family before we leave town to make up for it, and thought I needed some Sweden in the house for it...

Swedish Hearts

Wool felt with blanket stitch edging.

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This year's Christmas Cards

I carved a block for printing these and finished them with stardust pen details.

For non-Swedes, the Julbock (or Yule-goat):

"is a ubiquitous symbol of the winter holidays in Scandinavian countries"... continue at Altreligion

Now, it's mostly thought of just as a cute Xmas decoration, though...

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Lucia Doll

This is the first doll I've made with yarn hair, which was a bit tricky, but she really have to have the braids. The crown-wreath is loop knotted yarn with felt/tiny pom-pom candles. And she's even got Dala horses on her tights!

"Lucia Day, December 13th, initiates the Christmas season by marking the beginning of brighter days to come in Sweden. It is customary that the eldest daughter as Lucia... dresses in a long white gown with a red sash around her waist and wears a crown entwined with sprigs of myrtle greens on her head. Five or seven lighted candles in the crown spread a luminous glow around her."
-American Swedish Institute
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Next year, I'll make some tomte... I just ran out of time...

Beverly's Pincushion Contest

I won!

For this:

Thanks Beverly's!

New Sewing...

Oddly, I did not have a pincushion, soooo...

A strawberry pincushion...

I made it with vintage and new velvet, and wool felt.

The pink baby strawberry is filled with emery, for sharpening needles.

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And the Bag to end all Bags (Hopefully.)

It's the Birdie Sling pattern from Amy Butler,

with Amy Butler fabric for the main panels.

I added an additional panel with pockets to the inside to divide it,

which turned out to be much more difficult than it sounds...

lesson learned, I suppose.

I love it- I can fit all the usual junk,

plus knitting and reading material!

It's a little ridiculous trying to find my keys in it, though.

More Gifties

For Doug's Birthday:

Pattern from Animal Mascots

(ISBN-10: 4391624206, ISBN-13: 978-4391624205)

On Crafting Japanese

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For Rhiannon's (FIRST!) Birthday:

My own pattern!

Because she's a cowgirl.

See?