I made a doll!

Introducing my first ever completed doll.

I am pretty happy with my first effort at doll making.  Flaws and all.  I will keep those a secret but I will say there are a few.  She wouldn't have been made at all if I didn't have a bloggy friend talk me into a doll swap!  I mentioned a wish to learn to make a doll and now I have.

I learnt so much making this doll, from staining the body to making hair.  I used this pattern and tutorial from Lillie Mae's Crafts found here.  I didn't follow her instructions on hair making but used this tutorial instead.

Lastly, her collar is something I whipped up from a pattern I drew.  I was trying to make a sailor's collar.  If I make a dress with sailors collar again I will be enlarging the pattern I made.

Oops!  Just realized I didn't take a photo of the back view and she has gone off to live with her new family!

Platypus Softie

Love this pattern!  So cute!  These platypus's were one of a number of unfinished projects.  I finished them in late July.  Yes, a bit slow to blog about them but that's life for you!  "So much to do, so little time" is my life!

Anyway!  For those that have the Australian Homespun Magazines, the pattern can be found in Vol 10, Issue 1.  For those that don't have the magazine you can purchase the pattern from Kate of Two Little Banshees fame.  Her etsy shop is full of the cutest softie patterns ever!  I really want to get my hands on her elephant pattern one day.

More little posts to come.  I have been pottering around doing bits and pieces and have totally neglected my bags making!  Had to pack up for a scrapbooking party and now can't find some ruffles I cut out for a bag.
I don't know about you guys but when I can't find something I can't rest until I have turned the house upside down looking for it.  (Then have to spend precious time putting the house back in order.)

Hello!

I am sewing some things that are for swap partners and other friends so I can't show them yet  (Explains my lack of posting on my blog! lol).

I did find a unfinished project my daughter started AGES ago.  I took it into the living room, where it was warm and cozy, and finished it in front of the telly.

You can come over and pick it up whenever you want Jess.

This felt mascot is from "The Cute Book".  Author is Aranzi Aronzo and is one of my favourite designers of cuteness.  I have several of their craft books and one day hope to make some of the cute softies .

I still can't believe it!

I won Cyndi from Bluebirdswing's July giveaway!  

She included some extras!!

Some pretty cards!  I love cherries!

Sticky notes!  I will be sticky noting myself all over the house!

Last but definitely not least.  A strap made by Cyndi.  I love it!  I already have come up with a ton of uses for it.

Now I am going back to play with the jelly roll I won.  It's droolable I tell you!  My teenage son also has been stroking the side of the roll!  He loves the fluffy feel of it.  But he can't understand why its called a "Jelly Roll".  He says it "Looks nothing like jelly Mum!"

Little blue handbag.

This bag looks like it could be a great bag. I really like how it turned out except for the handles. Too short!!!! I think I did an oopsie. The pattern did look small and I did wonder if it needed enlarging but couldn't see that mentioned anywhere.  What I did see was a statement saying that the bag measures  ....input some figures as I have forgotten.........I measured the pattern and it fit the measurements stated.  But I think I misinterpreted WHERE I should have been measuring from!!!


My fault! I am really mad at myself because I also tried to be clever and cut out four of these bags before making up the first to see how things go!!!!

Please help me and advise me on what I can do to salvage this poor bag.  The only idea I can think of  is to cut off the handle and add a tab and one of those circle O rings to try and lengthen the straps.

I wanted to show the lining as well. Beautiful blue. I think I love the colour blue!! :)

I will leave you with some fantastic news!  Well it's fantastic to me because the postie arrived today.

I wasn't even expecting a parcel for another week and was extremely surprised to find my parcel from Cyndi of Bluebirdswing had arrived.!!

The postie also thought he would tell me I have had another package delivered and left in my carport.  On closer inspection he was pointing to a bag of potting mix I picked up earlier from Bunnings!!  I am still shaking my head and muttering WTF over that one.  He also took my "Wow!  That was quick!" comment about the parcel arriving so soon as personal praise!  As if he was the only kog in the postal delivery service from the good US of A to Australia!! lol

I will post about Cyndi's package and what was in it tomorrow.  I spent too long touching and drooling over the goodies she sent and am now too tied to post anymore.  I think my night owl of a hubby has beat me to bed.  Not good!!  He snores and I have to fall asleep first!! lol

G'night.

A little bit of crafting

I finished my daughter's socks/slippers!  She says they are "deliciously warm".
While it's so freezingly cold Down Under I will be making as many as I can.  All depends on whether the op shops will have anymore jumpers for sale once it gets out how easy these things are to make!

I had to wash my slippers that I made out of 100% felted lambswool.  I was nervous that they would felt even more and that the flowers might be damaged.  As you can see below that they turned out fine.  So yes you can just throw them in the wash.

I was reading Kristen's blog So Happy and was quite taken with her cute pincushions.  I had a little play with some scraps myself and was quite satisfied with the enjoyment of sewing linen and cute scraps.  I love the things Kristen makes and often feel a craving to make some.  Her fabric baskets are truly inspiring and she has a tutorial for them  :)

Naomi from Nome's brag-a-long knows I like doing self covered buttons and sent me an email with the link to a tutorial.  This tute shows you how to make the self covered buttons without buying a kit.  You make everything yourself with stuff found in your home.  Michele from Michele Made Me is the talented lady of this tutorial which you can find here.  My first button made from the tute!

Off to make my bags!  When I am done there will be lots to show you.  I might take mystery shots of my bags as I make them just to tease you.  I have been teased myself by many bloggers! lol

So Happy giveaway!

 

Click here to be transported!

Kristen from So Happy is having a giveaway!  Not only do you get the chance to win the Moda fabric above but also some:

Greet the Day in Aqua and Red of the Early Bird collection from Cosmo Cricket fabric.  

AND!  A choice of one from her cute pincushions!

Good Luck!