We Are Challenged....Challenge

That's very hard to say fast:)

Ok...our challenge this week is about brides and anything related to that concept. Here is our muse....Grace Kelly on her wedding day...Go to http://we-are-challenged.blogspot.com/ to find out all about it and join us in the fun. (link no longer available)

p.s. Did you know that Prince Rainier banned the showing of films in Monaco if they had Grace Kelly in the cast.It is still against the law in Monaco to show films featuring Grace Kelly.

See ya later :)

WIP Friday....

I love Fridays. I guess it's because when you are out in the working world it's the last day of the week before THE WEEKEND. Now that I'm retired it really shouldn't matter right?...:) Still....I like Fridays.

I'm getting on with the mice. I've stuffed the bodies and sewn them closed. I have also made a decision to change their faces. The original mice that I made had black noses and small black mouths but looking at them now I think they are too monotone and ordinary. I need to spice them up a bit. I'm thinking their noses need to be a softer shade of pink with a gray overtone. I have nothing in my stash of embroidery thread that really talks to me so..... I think I need to go to Micheal's for some colour inspiration:)

I'm not sure yet if the mice are all going to be female or not. I have tons of plain pastel fabric from my mum...leftovers from baby quilts that she made...that I really need to do something with....pretty green, pink, peach and blue.

The mice should be finished by next Friday and I have already decided what unfinished project I will be doing next.

Stay tuned:)

New Year's Resolutions.....

To me a good resolution is one that is measurable. That way you can see results and feel sort of better about yourself when you have accomplished whatever it was that you resolved to do.

So, I decided that in order to get on with my creative plan I need to clear up any backlog. That's my resolution.....to get rid of old sewing projects.

I'm hoping that by doing that it will help me in my current creative slump.....remind me that I did once do a lot of creative stuff that I've just forgotten about:)

First on my list are some mice that I cut out so long ago I'm embarrassed to say when that was. To the younger generation the fabric that I used might be considered vintage.

I designed the pattern about 30 years ago. I think it's a pretty good design for a mouse. The mouse is about 16 inches tall and has a compact little body. It's very hug-able:) I cut these mice out for a craft show that was canceled. At the time I put them into a box and never finished them.

Today I took them out and made sure that I had all the pieces as I don't have any of the fabric now. As you can see I had done some work on them.

I had 8 bodies to sew together and then add legs......that's done......

So the next step is to stuff the bodies and add arms and ears and then the face.

Stay tuned:)

Keep Calm and make your own poster.....:)

http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/

A neat calendar for 2011.....FREE

If you go to the link on the top right hand side of this blog...the owl thingy...you will find a calendar that you can download month by month...design your own...or download the pre-made calendar...it's all about owls which I love.

...Deva was a bit miffed about the owls:)

I spy......

Deva is very nosy.....

A new pattern....

I bought a pattern from Dollmakers Journey and it came in the mail yesterday. I really like dealing with Mary Ann and Bonnie as they have always given me good reliable service. I also get their monthly newsletter via email which is always filled with fun stuff.

Back to the pattern...it's for a doll...go figure...Secret Keepers by Julie McCullough. I've looked at it a couple of times and this time I said to myself...self... buy it! I think it's going to be really fun to make. When it's finished I'll post a pic.

See ya later:)

http://dollmakersjourney.com/index.html

My sewing space and.....

Here are pictures of my wee sewing space.....very tidy for me:)

and a pic of my shelves with my fabric in 8 banker's boxes...and I have lots of fur fabric that I really should make up...and 11 see through plastic boxes with scraps. I should get busy eh?

and a picture of a pin cushion I was thinking of making to sell again. The last time I made one like this was 45 years ago. When I was putting it together yesterday I had a deja vu moment. I remembered that the measurements for the arms were wrong then...and still are. I amended the directions so next time I should get it right:)

and, Ruby budded into a picture as she wanted to show you her new bling...geez. She couldn't wait for her picture to be taken. She has a new neck thingy and wonder woman bracelets....hopefully she'll be happy now.

See ya later:)

p.s....still trying to get the hang of my new camera:(

Another fun challenge......

http://clothdolls.ning.com/group/babydollstudio

Blogitis....

Yes...I'm afraid I'm a victim of this dreaded disease. I'm sure all new bloggers must be. I have changed the look of my page several times....ok a lot of times....geez who's counting anyway.... just to see what fits with the templates that blogspot.com offers. I know I'm not finished yet but I'll leave it alone for awhile.

I finally found a header where my blog title actually fits. It kinda suits the title "My Tate Gallery" as it is a "version" of Raphael's Little Angels.

Gallery = Art............oh never mind:)

Maybe some day I'll get a personalized header that relates to what I'm doing but I think I'll keep the cats for now.

I was thinking this morning...always a dangerous thing. I was going to put up some pictures of my sewing/craft room to show you that I did indeed clean it up and how wonderfully organized I am now. I have seen on other blogs where other "Sewer/Crafters" call their spaces "Studios". They are "Artists" but they seem to be doing the same thing I do. So I'm wondering when will I become an Artist and be able to call my little space my Studio. What is the criteria?

Further investigation required.

Recycling

This "planter" can be found on Etsy. The shop is called giddyspinster. She has recycled old high heels into planters. Strangely cool.

Munday, munday.....

OMG...I have another follower....:) Welcome to my humble blog.

It's cold outside...-16C...brrrrr. A good day to stay inside with a nice cup of tea.

I have been looking through all my craft magazines and my doll books for inspiration but nothing seems to be working at the moment. I think I should finish some of the things I have started...like 10 mice that need clothes....and a kitchen witch...the pink kitchen witch. I know..I know...no one has a pink kitchen but the fabric of her dress is so pretty. It's a print of tea cups and tea pots and flowers in very pale pink. Nice.

I have been wandering around various blogs and I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of people who are very good photographers, are very talented and live in very nice houses. Who are these people that have such ordered lives? Who have such tidy homes that they actually put pictures up on their blogs. Are these people real? Just wondering.

My blogging adventure continues......

So yesterday was a pretty good day blog wise...I discovered how to put text with an image. Not so hard if you use the help function at the top of the screen.

I added some pictures of dolls I made recently...the pictures were taken by my son Sean.

I found a new site for free blog stuff.....www.shabbyblogs.com.

I put up a nice welcome sign and added a nice comfy chair.....and changed my wallpaper yet again.

Ruby the "Circus Star" has decided that she needs more bling for her costume. I really think getting her picture posted on CDA has gone to her head...what a Diva.

I've been using my new camera:)

Close up of mermaid

A close up of Ruby

Clothespin Doll

Ruby for the Circus challenge on CDA

Ruby was made from craft felt and Christmas gift ribbon that I bought at Micheal's. It seemed a good idea at the time to use the felt but it isn't as stable as cloth would be even though I stuffed her as firmly as I could. Her legs need to be constantly repositioned. I really should have used an armature. A learning experience. The existing head was my third try as I couldn't paint a face on the felt...it has too many fibers so in the end I used safety eyes.

My First Cloth Doll

This is based on a doll called Shy by Barbara Willis from Clothdoll Workshop. I did change it (the face and the tail) but then I would.

Oh...I just noticed I have my first follower....yeehaw!!!!!!