turkey feathers

Miss Kitty Takes a Bow

One of the first things I did this morning was check the rose bushes for any signs of foul play, and although I did note a few deer nibbles most of the buds and flowers were still there, which made me exuberantly happy.   Another thing I just noticed is, there isn't an aphid in sight either.  They're usually prolific this time of year because I don't like putting systemic in the ground.   It's amazing, I didn't see a single bug.  The leaves are beautiful and shiny,  no brown spot from the damp we've had either which is also pretty typical in this climate.  I'm telling ya, we may be onto something here with The Misters magic concoction.  I asked him again about the recipe over lunch yesterday.  We were *dining alfresco on the terrace* just enjoying the warm spell of weather we're having.   He comes home for lunch every day, and I usually make something or have a pot of soup ready and we sit and nosh and chat awhile.   Anyway, he was pleased to hear the news that the magic smelly stuff was working and said he'd dig up the recipe for me to share if all goes well.   

So, I'm still thinking about dolls a lot right now, because what's a wee doll quilt without a wee doll?  Miss Kitty has been dancing around in my head for sometime now, and I thought it was about time I got her out of my daydreams and onto the dance floor.  I made the pattern for this doll many, many years ago, when there were babies in my life,  my own, and those belonging to friends, and I was sewing quite a bit, and one day I just started making these crazy little colorful cloth dolls as teething toys.  The long arms and legs were easy for tiny hands to hang onto and they could be tossed into the washing machine.  They weren't made as fancy as this one, no tutu or flowers or dangling strings obviously,  but the faces were embroidered with crazy expressions and they were silly and fun and I made SO many, sold them at craft fairs and gave them to my mother-friends (and their babes) as gifts.  I recently ran across the pattern again, (I save everything; to my credit and dismay), and decided to revamp it a bit and this is what I came up with.  My dancing queen.  (Insert ABBA song.)  In red toe shoes, naturally.  Uh, I think I hear more doll prancing up there in the attic space of my brain trying to get out now.   Maybe Miss Kitty needs a dancing partner, yes?

My Pal Prickles

Look who I found nestled here in my wool blanket scraps. 

Isn't she sweet?  I don't think she bites, but her needles are sharp. 

I really hate to disturb her.  Hope she doesn't mind if I borrow a few of her pins.

Looks like I have a new friend!

~

Materials used: hand-dyed wool felt from this amazing gal.  Pattern found at Urban Debris.  More pincushion love here.

Lambkin Love

 Last week, we were driving through the countryside passing farms along the way with fields of fluffy sheep.  The lambing season just ended a few weeks ago and the mamas and babies have been sent out to pasture, some of them only a few days old but already romping in the grass and kicking up their heels the way only young animals do in the spring.  SO adorable to see that.  There's always the odd black one too; hence the saying, "the black sheep of the family", an old colloquialism for being 'different'.  Sheep can see in color (although not as well as humans), and have wide- angled perception that allows them to watch for predators without turning their heads.  In other words, hard to sneak up on one with a camera!   Anyway, I found an old lamb doll pattern that someone had traced and had tucked inside another pattern envelope.  The pieces were full of pinholes like it had been used many times.  A clue to it's cuteness perhaps?  I'm guessing this is about as old as the pattern it was found with, which isn't dated; guessing 1940's or early 50's maybe.  It has the number 1218 written on it.  Anyone recognize this?  I decided to see if I could make a doll from it using my wool blanket , by omitting the seams and just hand-stitching the wool.  It worked perfectly!  And perfect for spring. In fact, it turned out so darling that I'm offering it as a free print-out here on my website.  You have the option of using wool felt, or cloth--they both turn out sweet as can be!

                                                            

Spring Forward

Two lovely bunnies, hopping merrily down polka-dot lane, singing as they go, "to market-to market jiggety jig", on their way to find a lovely chocolate egg to put in their basket.  (Little do they know, I've already eaten them all.)  Made from this kit (now discontinued). 

Miss Bliss

They say, "third time's the charm", and it certainly seems to be the case here. Meet my "official" wee bunny, Miss Bliss. The first two attempts didn't seem to be quite right, and I kept looking at the others over here and wondering why Petula and Chocolate Bunny (see below) were so different. So I double-checked to make sure I was using the same pattern as everybody else. Indeed I was. But it turns out that, if I had put on my glasses and actually read the directions I might have discovered that I was one piece short! (Very possibly one short of a full deck too, if you know what I mean.) Oh dear is me, and my sincerest apologies to Hillary; I am thoroughly abashed over my blunder, as it was never my intention to alter your perfect design. So here she is...and oh my stars, what a difference that one little piece makes. Here is my wee bunny looking precious and plump wearing *GingerBliss* Amy Butler designer fabric. The eyes are wooden flower beads stitched down with embroidery floss. They do look blissful don't they?   Now I have to confess that this is all just slightly embarrassing. What a pitiful poor state I'm in now, so much so that I can't even bring myself to show you the bottom half of Chocolate Bunny, attempt #2. In fact it has been suggested (by certain children in the house) that she looks more like the Velveteen Rabbit. So let's just pretend that this was *intentional* and leave it at that.  And, maybe not mention that there's no wee family resemblance here either, even though she is a distant relative.

Signs of Winter

Jack Frost has been here a few times this past week leaving in his path a crystalized world of sparkle and shine. Cobwebs were frozen chains of silver, and through a child's eyes it seemed to rain "diamonds" (freezing rain) one evening. A sure sign that Winter is not far off. Which brings me to this little doll I just finished up, a special request to keep her seasonal sister, Autumn, company. I used this same pattern from Magic Cabin, with my own materials, but didn't have any icy blue velveteen fleece and couldn't get out of the house to shop, so this is what I was able to come up with on the fly. I want to send a grateful shout out to Cassie for including this lovely blue velveteen fleece with all the other Vintage Swap goodies she sent me. It came in handy as you can see. And, now that we have started down this road, I'm sure Spring and Summer dolls are to follow. But right now, I'd better get this one wrapped and under the tree.

Autumn Root Children

Weeks of stormy weather seemed to dictate the direction of our current nature table.  Credit also goes to this one hundred year-old German folktale The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle Von Olfers and a few other books (mentioned on a previous post), that provided the basic ideas for creating the dolls and inspiration here.  This is the story of the "root children" living beneath the ground, with Old Mother Earth making colorful clothes for them to wear in the spring as they emerge as "flowers". The insects and the wind guide them along their journey as they travel through the seasons. It's a simple, visual story about the cycles of nature.  Mother Earth gathers up her harvest of "children" and puts them all to sleep for the winter, and this is where we've picked up the story in our diorama:: Summer is over and Autumn is moving toward Winter.

And here is kindly "Grandmother Winter" (my version of early winter) before Old Man Winter moves in and really lowers the boom with snow and ice!    Our dolls are made from pieces of wool, felt, and cotton. The lower half of their bodies are weighted with barley so they perch nicely. The arms are wrapped wire that can be posed or made to hold objects.  Other small animals that gather and store, such as squirrels and mice, are also nice additions. I think these came from Hearthsong a few years ago. The hedgehog is especially cute!

Another beautiful book: When The Root Children Wake Up by Audrey Wood is an updated version of the story. And check out this wonderful diorama made from polymer clay figures here by artist Gwendolyn Holbrow.

Willa & Pip

 

I love this book, 'Making Dolls' by Sunnhild Reinckens.  It was first published from German to English in 1989.  Look at these knitted sweaters and slippers! I never seem to get tired of looking at these adorable dolls.

Especially these little finger puppets....

 
...simply made like this.

 

Using this basic design concept, I made two little characters:  Willa & Pip. She's about 6-inches tall and is completely posable and can stand on her own felt-covered feet because of a sturdy wire armature wrapped with wool and thread.  The calico dress and petticoat are sewn on and aren't removable.  Baby Pip's bunting is cut from a (thrift-shop) angora sweater and stuffed with wool.  The cap is cut from the tip of a cotton glove.  Facial features are sewn on with a few strands of embroidery floss and the hair is a loopy wool yarn that looks just like tendrils!   

We Are Family

...I've got all my sisters with me....Peeps for sale-- now in my shop. 50% of all proceeds donated to Red Cross for Hurricane Relief.

Signs of Autumn

We are enjoying the last days of summer, although autumn is definitely closing in.  We've added 'Autumn' to our doll family. She's so cute.  Made from this kit from Magic Cabin.  This is another time intensive project, but well worth the effort, I think. I've made a few of these little dolls from other kits and patterns and they always turn out so delightful. There are four in this group called Little Blossom, one for each season. The others I'll probably make using my own materials though. The aftermath of Katrina has left all of us emotionally drained, but I think it is important (especially if you have children) to carry on and make the most of each day. There's nothing wrong with spreading a little hope and joy around. We've made donations to the organizations that specialize in disaster relief, are helping with fund raisers, and continue to hold the victims close in our thoughts and prayers.