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Showing posts from July, 2008

More Bead Head Granny progress

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I just keep wanting to stare at her. Her outer robe is now done - as far as I can tell without seeing the obi on her. I made her chemise from white poplin, tea dyed and aged at the hem with some painted "mud" stains. The more I looked at her bead hands, which I intended to paint, the less I liked them. So I made some tape covered wire hands. After a couple of tries, which included cutting away the big old paper bead, I got some hands I can live with. I still have more detailing to do on them, and I like that they are poseable. Still to be done - obi, hair and headdress, narrative book.

Plastic bag crochet for sale

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A nice solid crocheted bowl about 10 inches diameter at the rim, made using a big fat number 10 hook and 3 inch wide yarn. It would hold fruit or any other relatively light items. I am very happy with this crocheted basket using the J/6.00 hook. I guess I go to more trouble when I know it's for sale! 13 inches tall, 11 inches diameter and a nice wide handle. Here's a close up of the trim color. The handle is sturdy because it's wide, all single crochet and has an edging of single croche also.

She's coming along nicely

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With the addition of handmade rolled cloth beads and paper beads, she is really starting to get the encrusted, detailed finish to her outer gown that I was looking for. I think each of the rolled bundles represents a fable that she has collected. I'm doing a small hand painted and appliqued cloth book to go with her telling her story.

A Basket full of Wish Dolls for the craft fair

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All ready to remember good wishes.

Robe in progress

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Just a couple of quick looks at the Granny bead head doll's outer robe - still a ways to go.

Renaissance Doll Dress

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Since I have already given the gown to the recipient, I can show you some pictures of an outfit for an American Girl sized doll, that I made from my own pattern. There is a gown, a soft hat and a tie-on neck ruff. The base fabric is some sort of slubby upholstery fabric that has a nicestiffness and sheen to it, while the lining and attached petticoat are cotton sateen sheeting. The trim and the front of the skirt are two lovely brocade ribbon remnants I grabbed by the baggie full, just because I thought they looked Elizabethan. I know a zipper is not remotely accurate, but it makes for easier doll play. I was so pleased to find these two lone buttons falling about loose in my drawer, ready to be antique brooches. Repurposed element: chain and pearl from a vintage necklace. Plus I can't resist adding some beads to everything. I can hardly wait to see the doll all dressed up for the next Ren Fair . Hail and well met!

By popular demand...

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In response to the enthusiasm people show for my crocheted baskets whenever I carry them or post pictures, I am bowing to the inevitable and will be offering several for sale at the SoCal Bench Project fair on August 9th. I hope all you nice folk who spoke to me about them at Swaporamarama will stop by. I will be in booth 24, which appears to be outside. Here is the first one - a humungous round bottomed basket tote with two handles, 25 inches tall sides. The pear is there to show scale. This would work very well as a beach or picnic tote including fitting a groundsheet. I use my similarly sized one when I go to Costco to haul bulky but not too heavy items like the big packs of paper towels or TP. At home I have been using it to store my stock of scrounged plastic sacks. Right now it's almost empty! It would just as well store blankets, towels, or stuffed toys. The not-very-technical specs: The yarn is about one inch wide strips of post consumer plastic bags and grocery sacks. I

Only ONE now (Monday 7th) left on ebay

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Only ONE patriotic fabric dolls left in my Ebay store! SOLD!