Odd Dotty Dollymaker

Dragon Boy!

Inspiration struck the other day as I searched through my piles of fabric. I came upon a piece that the husband had given me for my birthday a couple of years ago. It had been hiding under mounds of previously cut fabric that had been thrown back into my "storage" unit...I really need a better way to organize all of my supplies, but that is another story...and so I had completely forgotten that I even had it. I love those moments. It's like finding a $20 bill in the pocket of your winter coat the next year.

Immediately I knew what I had to do with it. I had to make Dragon boy. Don't let his size fool you. Even though he's an Itty Bitty Oddity, he is a force to be reckoned with. I am pretty sure he can take down any monster no matter the size, with just a look. I am not sure if he can breathe fire yet, as I am a little nervous to provoke him to that type of anger. But he assures me that as long as I am on his good side, there won't be any issue.

So, without further ado, I present for your viewing pleasure, Dragon Boy!

He also assures me that his brothers and sisters will be joining him soon. I am only a wee bit frightened, but don't tell him that!

Happy Birthday, Aly!

Well, tomorrow anyway.

This past weekend, as I was gazing bewilderedly at my calendar, (you know cuz...um...where the ham did this year go? Is it really already the middle of the sixth month? Wha...?) I realized that my best friend's youngest turns 2 tomorrow!! And she lives in California. I live in Illinois. Which means I had to quickly put something together and get it shipped out in time to make it there for the big day.

So! I had been wanting to make one of these for a while but just didn't have the impetus I guess. Well, nothing kicks me in the butt like a deadline let me tell you! Using some of my most fun fabric in the stash, I was able to whip up this coloring book bag complete with crayon pockets rather quickly.

 

 

Then I searched my garden for another Itty Bitty Flower Oddity, and found these;

 

 

This one seemed to be attracted to the crayons, so she was added to the package.

 

 

And then the girl decided she really wanted to make her one of her Critters.

 

 

 

They were all thrown together, celebratory words of love and blessings written on the card, the box wrapped with homemade wrapping paper and off they went!

 

 

 

I hope they get there in time! And I hope she loves them!

As for the other Itties, they have found new homes through the shop! I can't keep these things in stock! I LOVE it! Thank you! And now? I must away to hunt for more Oddities, and sew like mad because you know what? I just found out that my application for a craft fair was accepted. Which means I probably should have something to sell, yes?

Reconstruction

So, I made this shirt a month ago to wear to the performance of Charlotte's Web but I am only just now sharing it because...well...no good reason really, it just took me this long to actually take pictures of it. This was made from a shirt that no longer was wanted by the husband. I think he realized the sleeves were too short when he got home and tried it on. To my side of the closet it was given with the intent of reconstruction. I realized half way through the modification that I didn't take any before pictures, but it is/was your standard men's dress shirt from Target. All I basically did was take it in, add some darts for shaping and moved the pocket from the chest to the bottom. Well, and added the cherries to the pocket, too. It didn't come like that. Oh yeah, I also cut off the sleeves and changed them to puffy short sleeves. I had done a reconstruction similar to this a couple of years ago and when I did, I cut the length of the shirt. This time I decided to keep it long and I am happy with the way it turned out. Wanna see? Aww, c'mon you know you want to!

Cherry pocket detail:

Know what I love best about this shirt? It matches these shoes:

Please pardon the vascularity of my feet, it was pretty humid when this photo was taken. And for some reason when the humidity comes out, so do my veins! Do I need to drink more water?

Flower!

Look what I found growing in my garden today!

Isn't she just the sweetest little Itty Bitty Flower Oddity you ever did see?

She's a very happy little girl, and I found her sitting contentedly amongst the toadstools and frogs.

She loves being held and sung to. Also? She told me that she wants to come live with you! She will be waiting for you in the Shop.

I hope more of them grow very soon! I would love to have a bouquet of these little guys.

Summer Dress Numero First

It is finally finished! I didn't get it done in time for the girl's birthday party, but I got it done! I was so close to having it done on time. All I had left to do was the bow and the hem. But alas, it was time for me to shower and get ready for the party. So, over the chair it was thrown until I had time to come back to it. Which I had today. So here it is!

It's a bit windy today, so please forgive the hair and billowing skirt. This was my first garment I have ever made using a commercial pattern. If I do use them, it is usually for a costume for the kids.

This is also the first thing I have made from scratch that has a  pocket. Actually it has two!!

Don't you love my poses?  Yeah, I am not exactly sure what I was doing.

Here's the back.

This is a fun dress, and I really can't wait to wear it. But...I can't. I don't know what I was thinking making a halter top dress. Really brings out the bra straps doesn't it? Niiiiiiice. And I am one who cannot...nay...SHOULD not go braless. You see, after birthing two children and nursing, my girls need some serious support. Both emotionally and physically. So if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. Is there a good halter strap bra that would work? Or any other miracle-like solutions that you would be so kind as to share? Please? Help a sistah out!!

EDITED TO ADD: Please also forgive the wonkiness of this post...Typepad is trying out some new way of things, and I don't know how to make it work. I don't like though.

Summer of the Dress

Iffen I am quiet for the next couple of days it is because I am busy making this dress;

with these fabrics:

It needs to be done in time for the girl's birthday party this Saturday. And because I am using a pattern, it takes me longer to make. I don't know if I ever told you this but I really really REALLY don't like using commercial patterns. The tissue that the pattern is printed on drives me up a wall. And the instructions are very often written in such a way that I have to read and re-read them about three hundred and four times before I realize I need to sew the front piece to the back piece. Yes, I have a problem. But! I liked this pattern, and since I do have some sewing experience, I figured that I could always wing it if I didn't feel like hiring a professional translator to read the instructions to me. Plus, once I use their pattern, I can always modify and streamline it to a point that I can just whip one of these babies right out. Because this? This is going to be the Summer of the Dress for me. I am determined to make it so.

I will have pictures upon my return, so make sure to check back in a couple of days!! Happy rest of the week to you!!

A day of Firsts!

Happy April Fool's Day!

This is, indeed, a day of firsts for me! The obvious one is the date. But also? It is the grand opening of my very own Etsy Shop! I am excited, nervous, tired and...excited to open it up. There is always the fear that no one will care. That my slaving over the sewing machine and pouring out my heart and soul into each creation will be for naught. Well, it's not really for naught because I do love the whole creating process, and I love what has come out of it lately...but I would feel a little red in the face if there is nary a bit of interest from anyone else. I am, however, ignoring those feelings and just flat out going for it! So, please go have a look-see at what I have to offer! I hope there is something there that you love!

Another first? I am going to post a wee tutorial...in fact, it is an Itty Bitty Tutorial! When I first posted these little creatures on Craftster, I was asked to make a tutorial for them. I have never made one before, so forgive me if it makes no sense or seems all muddled. If there is something that doesn't seem quite right to you please send me an e-mail and I will try to answer all of your questions. Also? I know it shouldn't need to be said, but please please please only use this pattern for your personal use. Do not make an Itty Bitty Oddity to sell, that's my job. :)

Ok! So, here we go....

First, download the pattern, print it out and cut out the pieces.

Download itty_bitty_oddity_pattern.pdf

Gather all your supplies:

You will need fabric, I used Alova Suede for the head part and cotton fabric for the bottom part. The pattern pieces, a chopstick or tweezers for turning and stuffing, 6mm safety eyes if you so choose to use them, a pen, an iron and thread.

Use the pen to trace the pattern onto the fabric, making sure to mark the dot at the top of each of the body pieces. You will cut 6 body pieces from each fabric and 8 of the arm/leg piece.

Now arrange them in a pretty flower pattern. Don't skip this part...it's fun!

Okay, so now we are going to sew the head pieces to the body pieces right sides together. I like to rotate which one is on top as I sew...also for fun...and I sew them all at once so that they are connected. I use a 1/4" seam allowance for everything.

This is what they will look like...see how fun? It's like an Itty Bitty Oddity pendant!

Now do the same for the arm and leg bits.

Next, we iron! Iron the body piece seam open, and turn and press the arms and legs. First detach them, and I also trim the seam on the arms and legs before turning and pressing.

Take two body pieces, right sides together, and match the seams up. Pin the seams...this is one of the rare occasions I use pins. I don't like pins. I find the whole pinning process tedious and time consuming. But! You know what I like even less than pinning? Ripping out the seam and having to sew it again, so sometimes? I concede with the pinning.

Did you remember to put those dots on the pattern? If not, go ahead and do so now. I'll wait...did you get them? Great. Now we sew from one dot to the next, like so...whoops that was punny...can you tell it's late? *sigh*

Sorry about the cruddy pictures, my camera likes to pretend the background is what I am trying to focus in on, but I hope you can get the idea from these. Now do this again adding to this piece. You should have three parts sewn together. This will be the front. Using the last three body parts, sew two together as usual, but when adding the third piece leave a hole of about 1 1/2" for turning. I didn't take a picture of this one, sorry. This is when I usually put the face on. For some I use 6mm black eyes, for others I simply embroider everything...you do what you want. Here is my example:

You still with me? We are almost done, I promise! Again, I am going to apologize for the quality of the photos...I really had no idea they were this fuzzy until I pulled them up on the computer. But, anyway, now is when we pin...again! with the pinning! First we pin the arms and legs to the front of the body ah-like so:

And then we pin the back to the front, right sides together,  matching the seams as closely as possible. I didn't take a picture of this part either. Sorry.

All this is left is to sew the back to the front all the way around, turn right-side out and stuff and close using whichever closing stitch you prefer. Stuff the dickens out of it. The more you stuff, the cuter they are I have found. You should end up with something like this:

You can leave it like this if you so choose. Or? You can accessorize! With things like hair!

Or wings, even. Which I did, because this one is a fairy that was made for the girl. She named her Kiwi.

And there you have it! An Itty Bitty Tutorial. I hope you have enjoyed yourselves, folks! And if you use this tute, I would love to see what you create! Send me a link or an e-mail! I would love to see an army of Itty Bitty Oddities taking over cyber-space.

Here is another example of how to make them different. I made this one for the boy, he named him Cooly. He has the power to ward off monsters...it's the mohawk.

And if you are, like me, too tired to make one right now but would instead like to adopt one, here is an example of what is now available in my Shop!

 

I hope to see you there! And happy sewing!

Super Sleepover Secret

Ahhh...the sleepover. That single word that can strike both fear and excitement into both children and parents alike. Well, okay it's mostly fear for the parent(s) and excitement for the child(ren), but still. A rite of passage, almost, the sleepover can mark the transition of your child going from your little baby girl to your growing young woman. The friendships that are formed and solidified at the sleepover can last a lifetime. The bonds of those relationships strengthened with each "truth or dare" question, with each secret told, with each nail polished and with each hair braided.

As a child, I had a love/hate relationship with the sleepover. I suffered from homesickness. Severely. It was a bit embarrassing and I was very often the only one left awake from 2am until around 9am in a home that wasn't my own. Whose middle of the night noises I was not familiar with. And whose shadows I didn't know the owners of. Still. I never turned down an invitation to a sleepover. Never. I knew all too keenly the importance of being part of the ritual that is the sleepover.

As parent, I now get to see the other side of the sleepover. The work part. The cleaning up after everyone goes home part. The constant hushing of the girls in the middle of the night part. The monster that has taken over the body of my lovely daughter the next day part. And I have so much more respect for the parents of my childhood friends. So. Much. More.

And now, as a parent, and a former sleepoverer...we'll just say that's a word...I wanted out to find the secret to hosting "The Best Sleepover Ever!" First, I tried letting the girl have just one friend over. I left the girls to their own devices and let them just have fun. The result? Good. Not great. Next, we had the two girl cousins over one night and, on a whim, I decided we would turn it into a spa themed sleepover. We made homemade masks, sat in a relaxing candle-lit room with ambient music and drank fruit smoothies. This seemed to be a little more successful, but still...not the best. And I wanted the BEST. More one friend at a time sleepovers followed. Good times every time. And yet? Well...I think you can guess.

But! BUT! I think I have found it! I think I may have stumbled onto the recipe for "The Best Sleepover Ever!" It's as easy as 1-2-3, and looks a little sum'n like this:

Step 1: Give birth to an insanely creative girl. Let rise for about 9 1/2 years.

Step 2: Tell the girl that she can have a multi-friend sleepover when we move into the new house.

Step 3: Sit back and relax as she plans everything. This is what she will come up with:

She decided one day to make money for her sleepover. And each friend would get $45.25 with which to spend on the events for the evening.

That's right. Events. There were several events that took place during the evening. And each one had a dollar amount attached if you wanted to participate. The husband was kind enough to make this menu for each girl so they would know what they were in for:

First up; The Marvelous Makeover! I gave each girl a quick makeover and they dressed up to get ready for the Catwalk! I hung some fabric against the wall in the basement and rolled out a runway using a ream of packing paper. We put on some crazy fun music, and the girls each got a turn to model their new look and have pictures taken of themselves.

Next up; The Fabulous Feast! We had pizza, but to make it fabulous, their juice was served in wine glasses. And included in the price of the meal was a make-your-own sundae bar! This is always a hit, and I recommend it for every occasion. Who doesn't like making their own sundae?

Then it was movie time! Sleeping bags were arranged on the floor, stuffed animals or dolls...a requirement for attending...propped up to see the screen and the popcorn was set to pop! The air, it was alive with girly giddy glee.

When the movie ended, it was my time to exit the party. I knew that this was when the real sleepover started. And moms generally create inhibitions. And inhibitions do not a fun "truth or dare" game make. So, I retreated to my bed and was impressed with how quiet they were actually being, all things considered. The morning came and found the girls all tattooed with markers and happily content with chatting with one another while I made chocolate chip pancakes. And I knew. I knew that it had been accomplished. How did I know? I overheard one of the girl's friends exclaim to herself, "This was the best sleepover ever!"

And all was right with the world.

Now, my lovely readers, as a reward for sticking with that long-winded assertation of my sleepover experiences, I give you a sneak peak of Sick and Tired. The brother and sister pair that will be available for adoption in just four more days from my shop!

Top O' The Morning to Ya!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I came downstairs today to find some Itty Bitty Oddities had gotten into the spirit of the day, with their green dress and/or hair.

They were elated to be able to sit down and read some Leprechaun Tales!

But now I fear I will find them under my feet all day making mischief of one kind or another. Don't worry, however, I will have them back to their best behavior in time for their adoptions from my shop!

Enjoy your day!

Art Attack!

Whoa, look at the time! Did I really just let a week and some days slip by without a post? Sorry about that. As I believe I briefly mentioned in the previous post...or maybe I just eluded to it?...either way, I have been really busy as of late. Our homeschooling group has decided to branch out and start a drama club and we are currently in rehearsal for our first production. Charlotte's Web! And I am the director! Me! Yikes! Actually I am having a ton of fun with it. It has brought theatre back into my life in a way I never thought it would. I never ever ever wanted to be on this side of the stage for a play. But, oh my goodness, why did no one tell me how much fun it is?! Okay, maybe what I should really say is...But, oh my goodness, why didn't I believe people when they said I should think about directing?! It's a lot more work, that's for sure, at least it's a lot more left brained work, which is why I think I avoided it for so long. However, I find that amongst all my grumbling and complaining about how difficult it is to put together a rehearsal schedule knowing that certain actors can only be there on certain days, I secretly enjoyed stretching that side of my gray matter! One thing I forgot, not having done any theatre in oh...say...12 years? It takes up a LOT of your time. A LOT!!

So, while I have not been able to get as much sewing done as I would like for the grand opening of Le Shoppe, the family and I have been surrounded by art. And I love that! The boy and the girl have been crazy little art makers! This is my current most favorite piece by the girl.

Isn't she sweet? I especially enjoy the little monkey friend she has.

And then there is this. This the masterpiece by the boy.

Let me 'splain about this one. That right there? That is a clown. You know what he is doing? He is crying. Why? For what reason would a clown have to cry? Because, and this is straight out of the babe's mouth,: "...he is looking at something so beautiful that it is making him have tears in his eyes." And that ball of red right in the middle of his forehead? Why that is his brain, of course! The boy. He draws the brains in for all his people! I nearly exploded from the cuteness when he handed this so lovingly to me and explained the meaning of it!

We learned about the Roman's using mosaics for their floors and walls during school this week. So, the kids tried their hands at it, only instead of using tiny stones and grout we used plasticine tiles and instant paper mache:

It was a ton of fun, and that Celluclay was amazing! Has anyone ever worked with this stuff before? I am totally intrigued by it now, and am thinking I may want to buy some more just to play around with it to see what can be made.

Today, for art class we further explored the joys of plasticine...or clay. I just like saying plasticine because it sounds fancier, and it's more fun to say. Plasticine...plasticine...plaaaastiiiiciiiiiine. Try it, you'll like it.

The girl created this fantastic alien from the Planet Z. Her name is Ro-Z and her little pet is Zizzers.

I am thinking she may have some mad sculpting skills! I may need to supply her with more clay...excuse me, plasticine. You can't really see the details in the photo, but they are pretty darn cool. She even created a symbol for the dress of Ro-Z that I have never seen before. Crazy creative, that one. Or, as Ro-Z would say: "Cra-Z creative!"

The boy? He pretty much just pretended his clay was Mighty Putty, and told us of its many uses...and how you just "cut, activate and apply!" "It even works with water, mommy!" Ummm...I'm thinking too much T.V.? Bad mommy. Bad mommy.

That is just a small sampling of what has come out of the past week, there is a constant stream of papers, markers, crayons, scissors, plasticine *giggle*, fabric and yarn being strewn about the house. In every room. On every surface. It can get a little maddening, but I love it when gems like these are produced. After all, I know how messy creativity can be. I won't even scare you with pictures of my crafting area. It's scary. Very scary.

In other news, I have laced Bernice into her corset!

Poor Bernice. She has waited so patiently since being promised a little air time on this here blog. But I was thinking...I know, I know...nothing good ever come from thinking, right? Now this is just a thought, mind you...a radical thought, but just a thought nonetheless. I was thinking I may actually use Bernice for the purpose for which she was intended!! You know, actually use her as a dress form instead of as an interesting little, or not so little, oddity of a decoration. Did I tell you? Things are going crazy round these parts. Watch out! Next thing you know, I will be posting pictures of crafts on this crafting blog.

But maybe that's taking it a little too far?

So, for now...here is what the dog has been up to.