Packaging....

My daughter helped with the design (and execution) -- I explained what I wanted.

So here's my packaging "toppers"

Read More

Thrift store finds

A couple weeks ago I went to a thrift store.  I bought some things.  I've been repurposing them for Blythe.

My first project was a little mink collar.  I made that into a stole.

Next was a linen dress... that started as a napkin...

I did a "cut as you go" deal and made up the particulars as I went a long (long or short sleeves, collar or not, etc.)  I still need to add buttons. But I'm no seamstress, so I was happy with the results.

Here's a close-up.  

I've sewn the skirt closed in the back and left the bodice to be closed with some buttons (Or I could use snaps)....

Read More

New shape

I mentioned making a new mold....  It was inspired by Disney's Oswald.

I'm going to call it Kawaii rabbit!

I think it is adorable.

Here's a peek.

 It's a work in progress...

tag: Gnome Dome

Read More

Here kitty kitty

So this will be my Kawaii Kitty Helmet...

I have not decorated it as yet... Here it is "in the nude" (A lot of "things" will be done to it after this stage before it is ready to "go")

I'm happy with the process.  This is my second kitty helmet.  My first I made as a lark for one of my girls.

I'll share with you tomorrow the other shape I've been working on.

Tag:  Gnome Dome

Read More

What's in a name?

Everything!  When my daughter was here, we ordered labels.  They arrived.  I'm very happy with them.  Very cute.

I chose the sheep as all the domes are wool.

Read More

My dying paid off

I look at this Gnome Dome WIP and I think "I'm glad I dyed that myself".

I was looking for a pink that was more of a Raspberry or Watermelon shade...  I went through my stash and found nothing.

I decided to dye some.

As I look at this dome, I'm very satisfied with the color.  Just what I wanted!

Read More

leafing

Continuing to experiment with some leaves.

Some autumn leaves and an ivy leaf...

tag: Gnome Dome

Read More

Making Domes and Working on some new molds....

I've planned out the Domes I want to make, so I need to have the right colors....

This dye makes the cotton candy blue wool that I'll need for a sky background.

Boil, boil, boil.... stir, stir, stir....

dye's all absorbed, shock with ice cubes....

Remove, rinse, allow to dry....

I have 2 ideas I'd like to execute (it's always easier said than done).  So, I've been experimenting.  I was recently inspired by Oswald during a recent trip to Disney.  More to come.

(My shoulder trouble won't make this easy ;) )

Read More

Dying to show you my latest

Here's the first mix of dye....

Looks like yucky cough syrup I had as a child!

I toned it down with some yellow.....  Then added orange to the dye pot.

You can just make out the orange on the edges... Looking for an autumn look.

The dye is absorbed and the ice is added.... (you can really see the orange "appearing")

Here's the wet roving... just "out of the pot"

This is the fluffy dried version.  Very autumn.

Here's a needle felted maple leaf WIP.

Want to do some oak leaves and a hanging acorn for a dome....

tag: Gnome Dome

Read More

Went to Dr. this morning (emergency visit)

Good new is they know what's wrong...  Bad news is they think it's a torn rotator cuff (shoulder socket thingy).

We started with anti - inflamatories and pain meds.  Next step cortizone injections and possibly surgery????  Uggh.

All I kept thinking was I won't be able to experiment with making stuff now... UGGGhhhh.

Read More

I dug out an old jewelry chest I wanted to convert into an armoire

I bought this a few years back, but never used it.  It sat idle in my office.  It was a little short for my porcelain Agnes doll.  I think it is the perfect height for Blythe or any doll that is around that size....

I'm trying to see if it is deep enough to hold a hanger -- if so, I'll convert it to a rod on each side.  One side for casual, one for dressy....  Drawers for accessories and shoes.  Done.

My Lady Vic's hair and the armoire are almost the same cherry red.

Read More

Ice bath and drying

After a nice Ice bath....

And some drying time....

tag: Gnome Dome

Read More

Working quickly....

So as not to felt the wool.  I don't want to stress the wool in this stage...  So there's some boiling but not too much and there's cooling -- but not too rapidly....

That's a summer green!  The dye has pulled into the wool...  I'm going to be making some more domes this coming week and I want to make sure I have just the colors I want, so I went through my stash and anything I don't have, I'll be "making".

tag: Gnome Dome

Read More

My newest girl...

Here she is in all her de-boxed glory.  Hair washed!  She's in street clothes.  I made her a new "Cat Hat"...

It's an experiment I was doing (made the same way as the gnome dome) -- I'm not sure which is harder to make.  ;)

Here she is just "chillaxing"....

Read More

Who knew?

Got my newest doll in the mail.  She came lightening quick.  She looked so lovely (in the box).

I left her there for a couple days.

I took her out today...

(like breaking into Fort Knox)...  I think they have Barbie beat with tape and twist ties and small plastic bags.  Who knew?

I wanted to dress her in Street clothes (as the stock fashions -- the ones I have seen -- sort of lack ... well quality... )  Easy enough solve.  

But when I took her out, her hair.... (It is very thick... but has something in it???  It feels like it was dipped in something greasy??  And the doll needs a hair cut???  It is all wrangly and tangly.  The ends are all different lengths (as if they used one length of saran and did all parts of the head -- which they probably did -- then whatever length that it ended up -- presto done!

I don't want to be a complainer (but I'm going to be).  Even Barbie or any lesser priced doll can get it right.  Wake up Takara.  When the fake dolls have better hair, that's a wake up call..

I actually like this photo as she looks like she's got wet hair (it's just greasy and stringy)

I couldn't even capture the back accurately (it looks much better in the photo)

Read More