What about her feet ?

Hi Everyone

A few days ago I talked about making a paper mâché doll in the form of my Miss Mitchell character (1/9/16 blog). I'm  almost there with preparations, I've made a sketch and collected all the bits - I'm probably ready to go - famous last words !

 I've  also done a bit of research over the last few days re paper mâché recipes and techniques and have decided to go with a combination of paper towel layers and newspaper. I like the paper towels because they are clean to use with no print to discolour the piece and my hands but the newspaper does add a certain something to the finished surface when the newsprint shows through. I think the print will be visible on the face ? - however, her face is quite pale so maybe not ?

I'd like to print some fabric for a dress and will try to include some customised polymer buttons and jewellery in the costume. I'm not sure exactly how my Miss Mitchell will turn out, the detail of the feet/shoes are not decided yet and the hands - should I form fingers  ?

 I do like the idea of reproducing Miss Mitchell's uniques hair style and will definitely incorporate the 'hairdo'. The colours and butterfly detail is key too. Ultimately, I will allow Miss Mitchell to tell me how to proceed. I'm treating this project as an experimental thing, hopefully I can make a range of dolls and improve on each one.

                                 

I'd like to make printed fabric using my Gelli plates with some flowers/weeds from the garden providing the surface design and even get some butterfly images onto the piece. 

I'm hoping to spend some time today experimenting. I'll share my results - good or bad.

Thanks for calling in today.

The Rebirth of Vita

Hi Everyone

Yesterday, I spent some time trying to organise all my current projects in an effort to complete them. One of the projects which has given me so much trouble is a crochet doll known to me as Vita. Various body parts have been made several times, each time I've made the arms and legs for instance, they have been slightly different and not quite what I wanted, either too short of too long or too thin ! I've decided to completely undo the doll and start again. 

This time I've started with the limbs rather than the body. Ive made my own pattern and started with the legs. I want my finished doll to be larger than the previous version, so will have to experiment to get the right dimensions rather than sticking to the original pattern. I'm still on the legs but it's going great. This is an early photo of a new leg.

                                  

I've loosened up the crochet stitches and everything seems like it will work. My first effort of the body was much too small and very tightly finished. The doll shape is a specific shape with a series of increase and decrease curves so this job needs to be proportioned. I will take a view on the resize options after I've finished the limbs.

I've done more in a few hours than I managed in the whole project, as a result it's much more enjoyable. I'm keen to get this back on track and have some ideas about clothing already. I like the idea of printing some fabric for a dress and dying some wool for a cardigan, socks, hats etc.

You can see some of my ideas for Vita on the 15/8/16 post - things have moved on ! and that Vita is no more. However, she will be reborn, bigger and better with lovely new clothes.

                               

                                  

The doll featured in the 15/8/16 post will be a fabric version - I can't loose the Angel idea !

Thanks for calling in.

Socks News

Hi Everyone

I have good news and bad news to share re my latest sock MAKE. The socks use the yarn I acquired while on the first part of our Garnd Tour 2017 in North Berwick (read back a few weeks for more on this). The yarn is a lovely range of greens and I've managed to create my own pattern for this pair of socks. They are 'made to measure' and very simple but for this pair Ive developed quite a long leg part, with hindsight it's probably been a mistake because I've run out of yarn before finishing the second sock !! 

                                  

There's no chance to get another skein as its a single, hand painted yarn - so bad news. However, good news too, it's an opportunity to improve my socks by developing a new yarn to compliment the main body of the sock. I'm going to undo the toe section of the sock I've completed and add new coloured toe sections to both socks along with an additional couple of rows at the top of each rib.

                                  

 My dilema is what colour to use ? - should I use another green shade or another colour altogether ? I can't decide. I'll give it a day or so to make my decision.

I'm actually feeling very positive about this little problem. I'm sure it will improve the final socks.

Thanks for calling in today.

Hand Painted Yarn

Hi Everyone

I had great success yesterday with my first attempt at hand painting/dying yarn. I'd done a bit of research but was slightly unsure of what to expect ? However, everything worked out well and I'm now very keen to try more !

Take a look at the finished 'painted yarn' :

                                 

Here are a few images to illustrate the very simple process I used :

                                 

Initially, soak the yarn in water. Mix the dye liquid and prepare a layer of cling film. Spread out the yarn and 'paint', in my case pour dye in random places. Very quickly, I ran out of Kool Aid (my initial chosen dye colour - it's a kind of dilute drink in powder form) and was reduced to looking into the baking cupboard for some simple food colouring. I liked the deep colours of the Kool Aid but ........ I think, I favour the flexibility of the food colouring re mixing different colours and subtle shade developments. After 'painting' my yarn, I covered the whole thing in cling film and places on a plate. Then, microwave in stages of 2 mins until the yarn is heated (total of 4 mins) - hot to the touch. I waited until the yarn cooled completely before rinsing. All the colour had taken and there was very little colour in the rinse water.

                                 

The colours turned out well, vibrant and varied.

I'm hugely impressed with this dying technique. I'm looking forward to knitting a pair of socks with the yarn. I'm also planning my next dye colour combinations - it's my new favourite obsession.

Thanks for calling in.

Dolls and Dying Things

Hi Everybody

I've long been a fan of the dolls created by Julie Arkell. Paper mâché styled characters with quirky clothing and a little message embroidered somewhere on the costume. One of the first pieces I came across is the doll used by Loop (yarn shop) to market their shop. This little character is amazing and embodies everything I love about making stuff from recycled materials.

                                 

I'd like to try and made a version which will be a Miss Mitchell - my own favourite doll character. Miss Mitchell has a distinctive 'look' and I think she lends herself to the paper mâché doll. Here she is, for reference. I especially like the chunky feet from Julie Arkells dolls but Miss Mitchell has smaller, ballet slipper feet. I've been thinking about a little doll stand to compensate but it's a bit of a disappointment that the feet will not be 'chunky'. Maybe I can come up with something that can work ? I'll keep thinking.

                                

My other exciting news is my yarn dying project. I've got everything in place to get on with it today. Fingers crossed, I can get it right. I'll share what I create tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Thanks for calling in.