More petite dresses

I have been busy with tiny little outfits, I have listed two little outfits on Etsy this afternoon. One is a cute little blue cotton top with purple variegated thread embroidery of a snow flower and button hold stitching on the edges. The other is a Granny square turned dress that I crocheted, surprisingly the crochet ones take a little while longer than I had ever expected I guess that is just due to the size and being careful to not split stitches, it seems if you do that you cant get the hook in on the next round.

I am going to carry the little giveaway over, I will wait to create the vest until there is a winner so that it can be something that the winner will really like, ie to use a doily style pattern, color or something else that will be unique for the person.

If you have been following my flickr feed the last few days you would have seen the Petite Blythe Love in my photos, but for those of you who haven’t had the time to check here are some highlights:

I have recently started a flickr group for Borrower Style Clothes and Accessories for dolls, I am doing mine for the petites mostly at this point although I have had some wonderful ideas for Blythe sized items. But for now there have been lights installed in the cardboard box house that my petites are claiming as their own little domain, including a set of $2 battery powered fairy lights I bought at xmas time..

As you can see Harriet has found a cute little hat for herself, even a pillow a trash can and a stuffed toy and some found paper wall art she glued herself (trust me there was a mess before I helped her clean it up)

I am also almost done with a new dress and shoes set, currently I am still working on her tiny crocheted footwear, I really love the way that this dress has turned out and wonder what it would look like in other colors, I am almost tempted to create some green leaf wings to the back but I think that might be a little much for the dress..

I have also been modifying one of the dolls, she has much bigger ears now and will be getting a flesh colored paint job at some point, for now, she is very white..

I hope you are already for a wonderful weekend!

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Little update and a little giveaway.

(UPDATE: The top has now been listed in my Etsy Shop)

I don’t know about you but I love trash day, there is something about having someone else remove stinky stuff from where you live at a certain time every week that just makes everything better, although today ours was picked up really late, usually its a mid day thing but today.. 5pm.. I didn’t think that the garbage was even picked up that late! Needless to say that it through my trash day break all out of order ( no not really) but I like knowing that I can set the kettle to boil go get the trash and check the mail and bring in the bin and then sit down for a drink and a bit of a break.. Not today, whatever will I do! I guess wait until after I have put the rice into the cup to soak for a bit before cooking it (brown rice) go and get the trash, wash my hands and then cook dinner, or do I wait until I have eaten and then get it before I wash the dishes.

I am sure everyone has that one thing that they rely on to let them know that yes the world is still functioning, and that public services are still working..

I have been keeping busy playing with threads and crochet hooks and day dreams of clothes I would never actually wear myself.. I have posted a few to flickr over the past few days but here is a little glimpse at what I have been up to, please forgive the slight blur my camera was being temperamental today.

So far the pink and cream tops are still available (I am yet to list them in etsy) but hopefully someone will have a perfect outfit to set them to. It is always a shame to have items packed away after I make them so I must get better about finding them homes to make room for new ones to be made. The pink one is made using various scraps of pink embroidery thread, mostly DMC single strand and crocheted with a lovely little size 6 UK archer crochet hook I was lucky enough to find in one of the local op shops for $2 I wouldn’t mind getting another this size and one smaller. This one has been used so much that the thread is starting to stick to it (much like when you use a sewing needle too much)

The cream one is various threads and methods, hairpin, crochet and needle lace to join in places, the threads range from white DMC embroidery thread single strand to DMC tatting thread size 80 and 100 the 100 is stained with age and is very lovely.

I also finally got the gusto to start adding some of the velcro that I bought for dolls clothes to actually complete some of the pieces that have been gathering on my desk, I was worried that it wouldn’t stick or that it would be bulky and that hand sewing would not give it a nice finish. It worked out fine and I really like how simple it makes to put the clothes on the dolls. Especially the petites.


I am going to giveaway a little crochet petite blythe vest, all you need to do is link to a picture of your petite who really really wants a new little item for their wardrobe.  Just leave the link and comment below, you have a week until I do a random draw for it so hop to it! (please be sure to leave your email to be contacted as I have had winners miss out before because of this)

And thanks for  reading folks!

3 weeks later..

No not a zombie tale, even though that seems to be the coloring of my foot at the moment. Whilst this is a great deal better than it has been, no longer yellow, green, black, red and everything in between,  you can see the impact where I have clearly torn the tendon up the side of my ankle. I can at least sort of walk on it and I am at least able to shower again (baths do not get you clean imho) I am going to get some braces for  support so that when I am riding it at least is -safer-.. Note to self.. PAY MORE ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU ARE WALKING..

As to other things I have been up to here is a little bit of a taste (it was very hard trying to get photos while unable to move into a better angle.. These will hopefully be up in Etsy by the end of the weekend along with some little kits I am putting together for something non-blythe related..

These have all been piling up in my stash, the market bags have been a great relaxer and I have others that are made in various thread including some antique cream and white that I bought online, also I have made some in newer threads which are Lizbeth size 80 in various variegated and solid colors which are lovely. These are very simple to make so if you are interested and have the items required the pattern is simply as follows;

1:6th Scale Market Bag

Crochet hook 0.75mm
Thread Lizbeth 80 or DMC 60
Small  safety pin to use to mark the start of each round ( put this in after you have made the first stitch of each new round)

ch 2
sc 6 in first chain
2 sc in each sc of previous row
sc 1,  2 sc in next st to end
sc 2, 2 sc in next st to end

Repeat this adding in an extra stitch for each new row until you get to the desired size (I usually choose between 6 and 10 stitches)

ch 5, skip 2, sc in next st around until you are at the last chain, ch 3, dc into sc of previous round,

repeat this for 4-6 rows

3ch, 3 hdc or dc in each ch space around

sc around for 4-6 rounds

sl st to join ch 1 turn, sc in the next 3-4 stitches, ch1 turn

sc in each st 3-4, ch 1 turn (repeat this for the desired handle length)

Fasten off, sew handle to opposite side of the bag and weave in the tail..

Voila super cute useful bag for blythe  or other fashion doll.

 

Have a fantastic evening and be sure to let me know if you make one, as always I would love to see it so leave a comment showing where you have it posted and I will be sure to peek..

Introducing Adele Panthatz

I am currently nursing a very badly sprained ankle, it is 14 days later I still can not walk on it without crutches, it is still very bruised along the ankle and outer size of my foot but I have managed to get some work on these dolls done. This is just the first of a few wonderful characters that are almost finished. I could barely wait to share it with all of you. I am really pleased with how she came together and her little story. I am working on a map to share as I add them all to it I will update it. I have almost finished another called Pumpkinella Vine.. Hopefully that gets all of your minds racing as to what she may look like.. for now, here is the lovely Adele Panthatz. Adele is available here on Etsy if you are interested.

Adele Panthatz
63 years old
Widowed : Devlin Panthatz (missing during exploration adventure , presumed dead)

Librarian at the Ministry of Silly Hats(MoSH) in Lambeau Central

Loves to shop at the Central Markets which are open late on a Tuesday evening in the Noreast of the park. Adele lives in the upper south east quarter park facing ring of Lambeau central which was one of the first areas to be developed in Lambeau, consisting mostly of inhabitants who can afford the extra space. Everyday of the week Adele enjoys her leisurely walk along the parks lower walking path which is rumored to have been worn into existence from her walking to and from MoSH everyday for the past 45 years. It is said that it was paved at about the 17th year and lights put in on the 20th year (this was the year Devlin went missing). Adele stops at the 5th light post (which is JUST before the Southern path intersection and over half way) every evening on her way home to ‘make sure that she has everything’ . Upon arriving home she is greeted by the dooking of her two lovely ferrets Dewey and Melvil who have as usual been sure to tip over their water dish each day that she works in a pointless attempt to be taken with her to work.

The rest of her story.. Is up to you..

—
Adele was made using left over fabrics, thread and anything that was available in my stash in an effort to make use of those small bits I just cant part with. Her body is made with stained calico, her hair is plaited sock yarn, her scarf is made from the same yarn which has been split and knitted. Her outfit is left over linen scrap with crocheted edging and a fabric down from a small piece of printed fat quarter. she has hand embroidered facial features and small Delica gold bead earrings and bracelet. Her boots are scrap black fabric and her signature pants hat is made from left over pants from pattern making for Noxians which has been finished with darning thread pom poms made especially for her. Her little bag is made with antique crochet thread which may show signs on stain.

As with all the Lambeau Citizens the aim is to use those small bits of fabric and thread rather than to send them to the trash heap. Too much that can be used gets wasted because it clutters up and often has no purpose to others. This is my attempt to create something meaningful and enjoyable out of those pieces.

—

Enjoy and remember be kind to your ankles!

More Motifs.. 2,3 & 4

It has taken me a little while to actually intentionally get some motifs done for the 25 Motif Challenge..

This is Motif #2/25 it is Frivoles Leaf pattern, made in Lizbeth size 40 – Blue River Glades

The next is Motif #3/25 which is another of Frivoles patterns, this one is her Small Rainbow Motif made in Lizbeth Size 40 Natural and Charcoal (just thread I had prewound) I experimented with right and wrong side only to realize that the last round should have been done as normal for better results. Oh well that’s why I am doing this challenge right?

And finally Motif #4/25 is from Judith Connors Contemporary Tatting Book this is one of the Capella earrings  i thought it would make for a good lesson in adding beads, I am fairly happy with it except that I would have been better off to add a larger bead to the center. It is Lizbeth Size 80 Spring Garden and misc gold and silver beads that I have had for donkeys years. This motif does still need to be stiffened and pinned out, its a little bubbly at the moment.

 

I love this thread colorway, but I think I should try some of the others I have bought on the next motifs, definitely pleased that my tension and skills are getting better.. I do have number 5 completed but am still finishing  up the split chain I have on it.

Bunch’O’Tatting – Welcome to 2013!

So, it seems my every good intention to pose more to this blog with the new year has met with 15 days of delay. However in most cases I would leave it at that and put down my good intentions and just let it be, but that’s what I did last year and I barely made a post. So along with eating well, more protein, vitamins and so forth whilst maintaining the foods that I like and being able to make and eat my cake too is the intention to loose at least another 10kg this year. Believe it or not since June last year I have dropped at least 10kg down to where I have been hovering for the last two months, slowly though pants are getting slightly bigger.

I have also tatted more pieces which I have included below.. Firstly this is the finished Folded Bookmark I had mentioned in the previous post.. One of my housemates claimed it already.. heh!

This is one of my first tatted motifs, the pattern is by Lisa C. Trumble I made it in DMC  Size 30 Ecru Cebelia over a found button a few months ago. I think I would like to redo this and see what the comparison is.. I will get back to you on that..

I also finished this bookmark by TattyPatty which is called The simple bookmark. Even with that I still managed to add in an extra ring and chain at the start of this (which is where the tails for the bookmark are joined.. I rather like the addition personally 😛 Though I may be a little biased! It is made with Lizbeth thread in size 20, Wildflowers Colorway

Another TattyPatty pattern is this one, it is a snowflake that she listed in two parts. I wanted to play with these darker colors so maybe its a nightflake? Made with Lizbeth size 40, Charcoal and Blue River Glades

And last in the tatting links is that I decided to join the Tat It And See 2013 that Jane Eborall is holding over at TIAS I have day two to catch up on but it is fun so far, though mine isn’t as straight as other peoples… I think it should be ok.. Again tatting in Lizbeth size 40 Blue River Glades.

The following two are patterns by Jennifer Williams who has some lovely pieces that are both great to learn with and look at!

 

There are a couple of other pictures up in my stream if you are so inclined.. Well that’s a few things I can tick off my list today.. Along with make bread rolls (these are very easy to vary ingredients, soy milk, buttermilk, raw sugar, plain flour.. herbs etc..), vacuum my floor again.. wash fan seeing as it isn’t a sweltering hot day here… Onto day two of TIAS I go!

I am still alive!

It has been quite a year, though it seems things are slowly getting back to  normal. I am currently busy searching for a job and keeping busy, thankfully it has meant that I have had time to sit down and learn to tat! There are a lot more resources out there than when I tried 5 or so years ago (it probably helps that I know what I am looking for now :p

I am hoping that all my blog friends have been well and have had a good year and still have me in their reader lists. I am going to post more but for now  I have a link to two great DVD’s on sculpting that I have put  up on ebay. I am sure there are people out there who will be interested in the techniques covered by these and they are especially helpful to anyone who wants to learn to make characters from sculpy and armatures.

The first of these is Creating a Faery Figure with Wendy Froud which is a 2 disk workshop and goes into detail about making the clothes for the figure.

The second is Creature Sculpting with Peter Konig which goes into lots of different detail and methods of working with more detail and more complex figures including using beads for eyes, adding in supports for parts and using isopropyl  to smooth and aid detailing.. and much much more!

And now for some eye candy, and expect more as I am going to be taking part in the 25 Motif Challenge this post on wards starting with this little part of a bookmark I am making, it is called Folded Bookmark by Jon Yusoff as you can see I have done the second part first and am about 1/4 of the way through the main part. I am using Lizbeth Thread size 80 (fine) and is in the Spring Garden colorway.

Pretty isn’t it?