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 !!
=)