Kettle dyed roving

I just couldn't stop spinning.... except when I went to eat.

After the core spinning with the Bricolage Batt this morning I just couldn't stop, I wanted to see what this amazing Kettle Dyed yarn would do.  My friend Carla hand dyes and spins, so of course I had to buy some of the lovely fibers from cjkoho designs.  It was so exciting to see the colors of this kettle dyed pack, it is fascinating to me that different fibers can be put into the same dye batch and how differently they respond.
I'm not sure if I want to use this for doll hair or a scarf.... I still have more to spin so maybe a both  =)

Let the show begin

Testing the new iPhone and blogger app while I finish setting up for the show today.
Stop on by and find some goodies!

Peculiar Poppet Progress v.4

Bringing them to life!

With right sides together I pin and stitch around the body with arms and hair on the inside.  Pinning and stitching around the hairline is a bit tricky, the more hair the more patience.  I leave a small opening on one  side under the arm to turn and stuff and while stitching around I add my small red Oma patch around the hip area of the other side.   I stitch over the hair yarn a few times to make sure everything is secure.
I trim the hair yarn across the top and the fabric around the curved areas then turn the doll right side out.  They are a bit flat without their plush, but with hair and arms in place the personalities are really starting to come out.
Next is time to Stuff the doll, tack down the hands and add embellishments.

Peculiar Poppet Progress v.3

Time to start adding some personality to these happy little ones  =)

During this step of the process I add the hand-stitching to the faces, that starts with a quirky little smile.

I then choose buttons for their eyes, I love to use ones that are different sizes and don't match, makes them a bit more curious.  I choose a color of embroidery floss and stitch around one of the white area (inside, on, or around the edge) and add the smaller button for that eye, then I stitch the bigger button into the other white area.  I try to place the buttons in their eye area to look somewhat random, to add to the playful nature of their expression.

Their face is now complete so I move on to the hair selection.  I LOVE to use handspun and art yarns for this, it really makes them unique and draws your attention to the details within the yarn.  I look at the body fabric and facial expression and try to pair up a yarn then will bring out the next level of personality for them.

Next process includes adding the hair, and stitching together

When Pigs Fly

Special Order: Crocheted Pig with Wings

It took me a long time to find wings that I liked for this request, but they turned out to be magical.  Who would have know just the right wings could make a pig fly.
This little piggy has been buzzing around the house since he got his wings.  I think he keeps doing it because the other plushies find it so funny.
I am working on the second one for the pair and that one will have wings and a halo, a special angel pig.

Oink Oink!

Excitement in the Giraffe cube

The exhibit at the University Hospital is going well, all the Giraffes have sold.  Looks like one of them was trying to give a kiss to one of the kids in the area.

I is great to be able to visit the exhibit on random days during lunch.  I feels really rewarding to have people walk by and smile, or stop to take a closer look.  One day an employee was talking on her cell phone and pacing in the center area of the cubes, almost like it was giving her a big hug of comfort.
Life is Good !!
=)

Trip to the Fiber Expo

It is very rare that I spend less then an hour to drive to a fiber expo, sometime only a half hour if it is the somewhat local spinning group that does shows a few times a year.  This weekend there was the Fiber Expo at the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds, Yippie!  Only and 8 minute drive, it is almost as fast as running to the market!  I wish I could have justified spending more money on the soft, lovely fibers, but I was able to get some goodies that made me Very Happy.

Earlier this year Lynn and I were at a fiber show and she asked a vendor what the Lucet was and received an impromptu lesson.  I found some itty bitty teeny tiny ones and thought they would be a wonderful accessory for some of the Peculiar Poppets, they do know how to knit after all, so why not making I-cords with the lucet.   Hee hee, aren't they cute:

My main objective was to hunt down Emily from Bricolage Studios for an orifus hook and soft goodness.  I found her busy carding new batts and picked one up with the hook, along with some soft textures to add to the spinning, Oooooooo, Aaaaaaaaaa :

I think I am going to play a bit more with my spinning before I grab onto the Bricolage goodness, I want to do the fibers justice in the end result.
Well I am off to the wheel to spin!!!

I'm still here

I will be posting again soon. I have been busy setting up an exhibit, taking a class, adjusting to northern temperature changes and general craziness.
While you wait feel free to check out my friend Lynn's Blog . I took her class over the weekend and had a lot of fun and inspiration.

Have a Happy Wednesday !!

Peculiar Poppet Progress v.2

Eye see you... well almost =)

Heads are attached to bodies and eyes are started. Now on to the hand stitching to finish the eyes and add a playful little smile.

Once that is added I can match up hair and sew up the bodies.... the little ones are coming together... hee hee

Then the details.

Step by Step they come together. Each one matched with yarns, ribbons and embellishments that bring out their character.

See you soon ! :-)

Peculiar Poppet Progress

Work in Progress... The Process

I'm working on another batch of Peculiar Poppets, so I thought I would share part of my process with you.
I don't use a pattern for the doll, just my playful sketch with notes written around the image. I did create an arm pattern since I want those to be a bit more consistent. The rest is all a general shape.
I love tea dyed fabric for the flesh-tone, so after cooking up a batch, drying and ironing I am ready to go.
I cut the rectangles for the bodies and head sections and trace the arm pattern along a strip of the tea dyed fabric.
Now off to the sewing machine to stitch the arms, trim and turn.

Arts & Craft show season is coming up!

Can you believe it is October already !!
Only five weeks until my first show:
Time has flown by this year and we have to start thinking of the holidays already. I always loved giving handmade goods to friends and family over the years. There is something special about a gift made by a person, not a machine. If you make it yourself, or buy it from another artist, it just seems to really say "I am thinking of you". Granted I am always happy with a gift card to my favorite coffee shop or a bag of coffee (just pick the bag of choice with care because roasters are artists too).

As you start to think of who you want to give gifts to this year, make them special and buy handmade, they will love you for it. I try to support my artist friends and locals first, then I hit Etsy, sometimes it depends on what I am looking for. Does your friend have an etsy account, look to see what they have marked as their favorite shops and items for ideas (I've used that trick already for a friend), then you know they will truly Love it.

Happy Holiday Art Shopping !!!

Ninja Giveaway

The weather is getting a bit chilly and plushies need some people to snuggle up to, even ninjas.

This Ninja Whabbler is looking for a fun home to play in, he promises not to hurt you with his throwing stars when he gives you a hug.

He is made from sturdy poplin fabric to hold up to lots of play. His face panel felt, hand sewn on with safety eyes so that children can play with him. Poly pellets are used to weigh the bottom down and then polyfill for the remaining stuffing. His bottom closure is covered with felt hand sewn into place, while his top closure is covered with a hat made from the toe section of a black tube sock, hand sewn into place.

His approximate size is 6 1/2 inches tall and 3 inches wide.

He was made in a smoke-free, pet-free home.

***************************************************************************************************************************************

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO WIN HIM ?!?

just leave a comment here by 7pm EST October 5

Winner will be chosen randomly, please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you for shipping information.

***************************************************************************************************************************************

Are you on facebook?

Swing by my fanpage and become a fan, I will be having another giveaway there when I reach 200 fans.

***************************************************************************************************************************************

While the Love Train is passing by visit with artist Jen Osborn to check out more giveaways and her really cool stuff. Just click HERE

***************************************************************************************************************************************

WANT ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN THE NINJA ?

If you keep the love going and post a comment below about a giveaway you are having before this giveaway ends, you get a second chance to win.

Spread the Love !!

Become a FAN !!

Are you on Facebook?
come help me get to 200 fans!
Once we get to 200 I will be having a giveaway =) But you have to be a fan of my page on facebook to win.... so go on, get over there!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Omas-Patch/142246132715?ref=mf

Inspiration

Helene Hedwig Muller Fritzsche
My Oma XOXO

I enjoy creating toys that make people smile. I grew up helping my Oma (German for grandmother) with local charity organizations and it shaped me into the person I am today. Even though she is no longer with me I still continue to share what we started together, giving comfort to others in little ways. I love to see people smile when they see my toys; it is what drives me to continue on the path I have chosen for my art, the huggable kind.

When I create a toy I think about how people will feel when they see it. While working on a sketch or with the fabric I try to bring it to life in a way that will affect others in a positive manner. I keep most of my toys safe for little ones by using safety eyes and embroidery to avoid choking hazards. I love how the light reflects off of safety eyes to give them a bit of life, or an embroidered crooked smile makes them a bit mischievous. By keeping the toys kid friendly they can be a great comfort for all ages, because no matter how old we are there is still a little kid in each of us. The use of fabric and fibers helps keep the toys huggable, we all need a hug with a special friend from time to time.

Plushies Do Stack !

Check out the very cool online photo collaboration project that Seth Apter is putting together over at his blog, The Altered Page.

Today is the day to post a picture of your stack.
My time as of late has been focused on getting plushies made for an exhibit I have coming up next month. The picture seems a bit fuzzy, but they were pushing each other around as I was trying to take their photo.

Head on over to Seth's blog to see a list of everyone who is participating so you can take a look at everyone's stacks.

My First Wheel !

The Little Diana, a nice little size for the apartment dweller =)

She will get her own name once I start working with her more. Spending time today with her and getting familiar with the feel of her peddle.

Looking for some good sites on the spinning basics. I have checked out some YouTube videos already on spinning, but any recommendations would be great.

Stacks!

Yup! They are all over the place in my studio space, which has currently invaded the living room.

September 21 bill bring about a collaboration of stacks. Check out The Altered Page http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/and the great stuff there along with the great idea to all post a picture of our stack on the same day, September 21. Check it out here: http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/2011/09/paper-stacks.html

"One week from today, on Wednesday September 21st, The Altered Page will host Paper Stacks, an online collaboration. Please leave a comment on this post if you would like to participate. All you need to do is post an image on 9/21 on your own blog of your stacks - be they papers, books, journals, or anything else of your liking. On the 21st I will post a list of all participating artists on my blog so that you can be sure to find all the links to the stacks. Feel free to let your own readers know about this project by spotlighting it on a post on or prior to reveal day. Please (and this is important) email me with a link when your post goes up so I know to add you to the posted list on my blog.

This is one time when the higher your stacks of stuff, the better. "

I wonder if I can find a way to stack the plushies =)

Inspired by Goldfish Crackers!

Nom Nom Nom....

Plate of goldfish =9

Can't eat these ones though, well I guess you could if you wanted a bit of dry mouth.

I made some penguins a few weeks back and it has been bugging me that I did not have any fish for them to snack on. While these ones are a bit big for them they are cute. I think I will dig out my thinner yarn to whip up some fish for the penguins.

Another inspiration with these fish is that I was thinking of displaying them in a glass bowl with blue marbles on the bottom, a co-worker suggested a crochet bowl... even though you can't see through the crocheted bowl I like her suggestion of a color game with a child, have the fish in different colors (like the yummy rainbow goldfish crackers) and they can put them in the fish bowl. I think I will crochet the bottom section of the bowl in blue like water and the upper area in white. I was thinking when I change colors I will section off the inside and stuff it to help with the structure. I hope I can get this done in time for the hospital show inventory list which is due Monday. I want to have all the items complete when I turn in the list, nothing holding over my head.

Peculiar Poppet Mermaid Princess Perriana

I've been busy working on toys for an exhibit coming up at the University of Michigan Hospital. My peculiar poppets will be part of my Huggable Art collection.

Perriana has a handspun yarn (purchased at a fiber show) necklace and a horn that calls to one of her special friends.
Her hair is made from handspun/hand-dyed yarn from Carla at cjkojo designs along with a couple other handspun finds. She has a cute little crown of three pearl beads =)
You can find Carla's beautiful fibers on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cjkoho

The Knitting Circle

The weather is cooling down, time to start working on those knitting projects!

These lovely Poppets meet in the Peculiar place of the meadow to work on their scarves.

Do you knit too?

What project are you working on?

I am working on a pair of toe up socks. I found a cast on that I absolutely LOVE and I'm hooked! I used to do cuff down but found that I was so afraid of running out of yarn and the foot ended up being to short. One of the gals at the day job kept getting handmade socks because they wouldn't fit me =(

Troupe of Gophers

I chose felt teeth over beads to keep them kid friendly... They are Huggable art after all =)

Teeth or No Teeth?

Welcome to the Amigurumi Gopher !!
Go Pher it !


But should I give him teeth?
From the front you can see his cheeks a little better too.

Ulla Won!!

Ulla Won Best in Category at the University of Michigan Health System Employee Art Exhibit!
Yay Ulla!!
*
My day job is at the University of Michigan Medical School. We are linked to the University Hospital and share resources. It is a great honor to work for an institute that strives to better peoples lives through research and medicine.
This is the second year I have been in the Employee art exhibit and find it wonderful to see what the staff creates on their own time. We spend so much time with people at work and that environment that it may never occur to us that they are so creative when not in the office.
Congratulations to all the Artist for showing wonderful work!

What are U up to Today?

Warming up with tea and working on a ripple afghan.

This is a project that will be auctioned off for a Make a Wish fundraiser.

I really like how this blanket is turning out!

It is almost the size of a twin comforter, or will fit on the top of a full bed. I may have to make a smaller one for me after this project is done =)

Learn more about Make a Wish here: http://www.wish.org/

Lots of OInks !

This little piggy is going to the market!
hee hee, such a cutie! He is made from Toddler socks, he is just a little piglet.

I'm starting to work on the socks I bought Wednesday night, lots of little piglets to head to the market =)

What are U up to Today?

I received requests for a few piggies today. With good sales going on at Kohl's and a 15% additional discount ... I think I got excited to find socks with cuffs =) Check out the cool Tony Hawke sock on the right!

What are U up to Today?

Tweet

Tweet

As a member of The Toy Society I randomly leave handmade toys for people to find.

Yesterday I gave a plush piggy to a little girl outside the Hospital Cafeteria with her family, and today I left a Purple Patchwork Bird at the Cancer Center for someone to find.

Check out more about The Toy Society here:

http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/

Plushies are my way of spreading happiness and smiles.

Keep Smiling !!!

=)

Kate

New doll series

My latest creation =)
This is Fergus, he is a funny little fellow. He really likes the Rold Gold Everything Bagel pretzels.
I am creating more dolls/toys with his quirkiness that will be available at my etsy store. I hope they don't all like the little pretzel bagels or we will have a problem around here, we shall have to see what gets created =)

I need to find a name for this series of doll, I was thinking Ragged Rag Doll, but they are not very Ragged or Rag like. Any Suggestions?

Pig Day is almost here !!!!!

Did you know that March 1st is Pig Day?
Well you do now, make sure you have a pig to celebrate with.
Visit my shop if you are in need of a piggy friend for the holiday
http://www.omaspatch.etsy.com/

Plush sock piggies make great friends.