Holiday Day 2

Hi Everyone

Today, I'm going to make a batch of new buttons from polymer clay. My starting point is a couple of moulds as well as some buttons already created. I'm hoping to finalise the buttons for the Freya doll (read back for more on Freya).

                                 

Will share my creations tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in.

Holiday Post 1

Hi Everyone

It's a holiday week - this week. Each day I will aim to post a photo story which gives a flavour of my day(s) - this should give a little collage of my week.

Today, I'm sharing something which happened on Saturday. I went to a felt making workshop and made a lovely bowl/vessel run by one of my lovely friends (thank you Yvonne). I enjoyed being a member of the class as much as the the actual 'make' and lost myself in the making process. I love my felted thing and I've had a bit of a re think ! I'm going to turn it into a bag with a clasp. I intend to line the felt and possibly add a few beads. Here it is at the moment :

                                

Thanks for calling in.

Crochet shoes etc. !

Hi Everyone

I'm delighted to announce,Freya has a tiny basic wardrobe - a dress, undies (finally fit) and some shoes. 

                                  

She is coming together but needs more. I started a little jacket yesterday and there's a bag and some hair accessories almost ready to add to her look. Ive researched some embroidery ideas to add to the dress, so will also have a go with that. I'd also like to give her a little dog, so will plan how to make that later. After all these plans are realised, I'll leave her there for a while and make the next doll. The new doll will be Miss Mitchell. 

I've allocated a day to developing the crochet doll world and will have an ongoing series of projects within the overal idea. I like the PaperSac Village theme (search back through the blogs for more on this) which I've had a long association with. When I get something more definite I will share my plans.

Thanks for reading, have a great weekend.

Crochet Distractions

Hi Everyone

I had a very lazy day yesterday. My work list was abandoned !! - I was very excited to take delivery of a couple of lovely books about making purses, which distracted me (all day). I'm developing some purse projects of my own and wanted to make up some samples to inspire my designs. I will share some ideas over the next few weeks. One of my new books uses crochet to make the purses and I was particularly drawn to a little Bobble stitch purse. I decided to have a go with this crochet stitch, new to me. It's my new favourite stitch and came together quite quickly.

                               

The pattern for the purse is quite short and reasonably straightforward. I eventually made a little square. Here's the first line of the purse in my photo. Unfortunately, my work list is rather long at the moment so having tried out the stitch, I need to wait a few days before I can get going with the purse. I'm also waiting delivery for some little snap frames for the purse, somewhere in my house, I have some of these frames but ............. where ?

In the meantime - Freya is still waiting for some accessories. Her undies are not there yet, several pairs have been made but as you can see - all is not well. I've put together a list of essential items which will be started today. She needs shoes, socks, a jacket and a hair accessory as well as a bag. After these items are created, I will be ready to make Miss Mitchell. I'm incredibly slow when it comes to crochet but I'm enjoying the process so no problem there. I did finish Freya's dress yesterday - other than a little button. I've made a polymer button (waiting to be cured) and will add some similar buttons to her shoes (eventually). 

                                

                               

Thanks for reading.

Crochet News etc.

Hi Everyone

Today, I'm reporting on the huge success of our recent crochet Making Framework Workshops. Our current project (last 3 sessions) has been to make a simple crochet sack with some mini embellishments. All our Makers have done a great job. Most of the group had never crochet before so we were starting from scratch. Here is a selection of the amazing sacks under construction. All the completed sacks looked very different. Hopefully, we will return to crochet (in the future) and build upon the techniques practiced in this project.

                                 

Crochet seems to have been one of those skills that take a little time to learn but also generates lots of creative impulses to experiment and adapt the stitches. Well done to everyone. Next time, we are moving on to another material and another range of skills. We will start making some polymer buttons which we will then use to make and embellish things. The buttons (initially) are to be attached to little cards - waiting for the right use over the next few months. Here is a quick example of what we will produce :

                                

I love buttons ! - I'm never sure what to do with them but I'm especially drawn to buttons attached to cards on pretty paper. I will work on the cards to make them more attractive but you get the idea from the images above. The buttons will be used over the next few workshops as actual buttons but also as embellishments. More on this project in the  next Making Framework post.

Thanks for reading.