ARGGG....the Princess Pirate!

A friend of mine has a precious little girl in need of glasses and an eye patch to strengthen the muscles of one eye. But the taped on bandage style are sweaty and sticky and tight and annoying. Any patch will be annoying, but to have a reusable patch is much cheaper! So I designed a small patch that fits all ages and can be for play or some medical purposes (not for keeping out light completely or dirt) I want to make a small barrette to hold the ribbon off her uncovered eye and to make it one step harder to throw off. And I figure you might as well mix style with function!

If you want to make one of these, it takes 2 layers of fabric (one in black) and two layers of iron on interfacing. The patch I made has a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

I cut two pattern pieces of interfacing and two squares of fabric large enough to fit the pattern piece.

I then ironed on the interface to the back of each fabric and cut out around the interfacing EXCEPT for the center dart.

At the sewing machine, sew the dart with right sides of fabric facing together and on the interfacing to a point in the middle of the patch.

Now you can trim the un-faced fabric. Do both fabrics this way.

On the colored fabric fronts, sew two pieces of ribbon, 1/4 of an inch from the top corner of each side and as close to the edge of the eye patch as possible. (The ribbons should lay to cross each other, with the front of the ribbons down on the fabric.) Pin the ribbon to the middle of the eye patch and hang the ribbons down to the bottom of the patch.

Place the black piece on top so right sides are together and starting on one side, sew around to the other side and leave the bottom open. Turn inside out and whip stitch the bottom closed!

Nature Day: Hibou Park on Georgian Bay Ontario

We are starting a nature study! It really was too cold for the water today, but what child can resist water! These pictures are actually our second trip today, as they soaked their clothes the first time! So we returned home to change into water wear and to bring warm clothes to stay warm in after. DD and DS1 filled in a page of their new nature journal today as well after supper. We had a wonderful day!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Vintage Find: Project bag

Just before mothers day this year, our local Salvation Army had all their craft supplies 50 % off, so I went in to look for yarn. But I found something better! (I did find yarn too!) Priced at a whole dollar, and rang in for 50 cents I bought this vintage folding work basket. It folds into a purse and opens into a sitting work basket. I had eyed one of these up on eBay a long time ago but couldn't convince myself to pay the shipping.

(before picture)
It had a "lovely" (read the sarcasm) fabric of brown and gold upholstery and a lining of gold. I did like the lining color and material, but it had a few small holes from stray needles poking, so I removed and discarded the entire bag AFTER I cut it up and made a pattern to copy it. Here is the result!



I have traced the wood for a pattern and also kept the pattern for the bag. If anyone desperately wants to try making one or has one to recover, email me and we'll see what we can do!
Here's a question... is this a work basket that you would be interested in seeing brand new, in an etsy shop? Click "Interesting" below if it is, or leave a comment!

Thanks to DD for modeling the bag and letting me use her camera!)

Vintage Find: Spool Caddy

It's officially spring when we make our first trip of the year out to the Keady Market (close to Tara, Ontario) Last Tuesday we had a wonderful day out at the market with my parents and the children, looking at flowers for grandma's flower beds, browsing the vendors, and sitting in the cattle auction. I didn't buy much, in fact only one item. But OH What and item! It is a sewing spool caddy. And each level spins Lazy Susan. I am in love with this vintage piece and might have been willing to pay more than the $12 I did hand over for it. It is my new sewing friend! I am contemplating turning the little cup on the top into a pin cushion, although it might be useful to hold the machine bobins in, still undecided on that yet.



I am working on the tutorial for the doll head (this post is me procrastinating) It is requiring me to make a few diagrams in the windows draw program to help explain the process. I hope to finish soon to get it up for you all!

To Ad or not to Ad

I really don't admire the distraction of adds on a blog side bar. 10 adds in neon flashing colors asking me to trust their company as my best option for products?! I don't even have cable, or buy magazines, because of all the ads.
BUT!! I do believe in promoting things you believe in, and from people you trust. So you will notice I have two buttons on my left side bar. FOFDesign and Mom pack.

Mom pack is a requirement for being a part of the group. I usually don't like being told what to do, but I love their group concept. It's moms helping moms in their home based incomes. And that's something I can get behind! You can send out your advertising to various other moms who will include it in showcases, info packs, guest packs, shipping orders etc.

FOFDesigns is my personal choice to add. It's a new company started by a wonderful mom and aquaintance of mine! (Her husband was best man at our wedding!) I believe there are several readers of this blog who would appreciate her services. She designs announcement tools with your photos. From book marks to thankyou cards for your weddings, births and hollidays. Carissa is also an accomplished artist who will also draw portraits from your photo's. Beautiful examples are posted at her site. So please have a look around, and if you are inspired, pass her link on to others who would be interested too!

Part One: Make a Dolly!

Whooooosh......That is the sound of time getting away from me! But here is Part one of doll making!

Materials:
Doll Pattern, such as this one
Cotton knit (or lycra knit if you don't care about it being made of all natural fiber), such as you find for bathing suit lining, in your choice of skin tone.
Cotton floss for mouth (and optional eyes)
all purpose sewing thread, skin tone color
Quilting or heavy duty all purpose thread, skin tone color
one neutral colored Bamboo stocking (or nylon if you're not going natural)
Pins
Stuffing ( I use a corn based eco friendly stuffing from Walmart)
Scissors
Wool for hair
Crochet hook
1 long beading needle ( at least 3 inches) or doll needle
Pencil (mechanical works best) or marking chalk pencil




Cutting out your doll
To make a doll like mine, she needs to be made from 2 pieces. The average doll made his way is sewn around the head and left open at the side for stuffing.
BUT for this doll, you will extend the top of the head by 2 inches and sew all the way around, leaving the head open for stuffing

So, cut out your doll and sew her up. Snip the curves carefully but not all the way to the stitches. Turn her inside out and pop put all the seams. Use a large end crochet hook to pop out the thumbs and heals if you need, but be careful not to stretch the fabric too much or you will break the thread (The fabric stretches much more than the thread. Also remember this when you stuff the doll)

Start stuffing the doll, legs first. Pack it as hard or as soft as you desire, but be careful not to strain the seams. Pack up to the top of her leg and stop. Using your quilting thread, cut off a long piece and double it on your needle.



Jointing Your Doll:
I like this style better than plastic joints, as the doll hangs more natural baby like.
Knot the end of the thread 4" up from the bottom. Take on stitch at the top of the leg and then wrap the thread around at least 5 times, cinching the stuffing into the leg. Knot tightly and then pass the thread through to the other side of the leg and cut. thread the 4" tail and pass it through the leg as well and snip.
Repeat this process with the other leg and both arms.

Stuff the body up to the neck and set aside


Thus ends Part one. Part Two will be "Forming the head and face, body sculpting" Part Three will be "WIGS"

Proof!

I really am working on the giveaway doll, in fact, I am further than this picture and I just need to finish her face. Then I will post all my pictures with direction to what I am doing!