Witcher Plushie

I finally got my ass in gear and finished the Geralt de Rivia plushie in a bathtub.  This is for a swap on swap-bot.  The pattern I bought for this plush proved to be too difficult for me to understand with regard to the body.  I ended up keeping the head from that pattern and used a body pattern that I was more comfortable with.  I had to redo my tub because the new body was significantly larger than the one I'd previously planned on.  No, those aren't rocks in the Witcher's tub.  They're supposed to be bubbles, but I guess they are a little big.  He looks really sad about bathing doesn't he?  

Teesha Moore Inspired Patch Pillow

Since I already made two bags, I felt it was time to create something else out of my collection of Teesha Moore inspired patches.  While I was on Pinterest the other day, I saw a TM inspired patch pillow, so that's what I made.  Here is the front and back of my pillow. 

Making anything out of these patches requires sewing through numerous layers of fabric.  I found that pulling the needle through with a pair of pliers makes things 1000x easier.  However, I still have a blister on my thumb from all the sewing.  

I Finished Another Teesha Moore Inspired Bag

I started on another Teesha Moore inspired bag last night and finished it tonight.  I didn't put the binding around this one, so it has a scrappier look.  The pictures really don't do it justice.

Next, I may make a journal cover instead simply because I own way too many bags.  Do you have any ideas of what I could make with my Teesha Moore inspired patches?  

My First Teesha Moore Inspired Bag

In the past I've participated in many Teesha Moore inspired patch swaps on swap-bot.  I've never counted how many patches I've received and I can't begin to guess.  I have them in a large tote bag being put to no use whatsoever.  My BFF, Naomi, has made me 2 bags and 2 journal covers from some of my favorites.  A couple of years ago, I got up the courage to try and make my own bag.  The patches didn't all line up and I got discouraged, so I put it away and it was forgotten.  I found it the other day and had an idea that if I could add a border to each panel then that would even out the unevenness.  I chose one of my favorite faux bois fabrics and essentially made the panel of patches into one large patch.  The entire bag is hand sewn.  The handle is made from fabric scraps twisted into rope that I divided up into 3 parts and braided.  I received the fabric rope in a swap years ago and didn't have use for it until now. Here is the finished product.

Magpie Journal Cover

I just joined a magpie journal swap on swap-bot.  I ended up using the altered journal that I put in my shop.  While I was working on my journal, I leaned over it to pick something up and accidentally bent the front cover.  I decided I'd make a felt cover to hide the damage. 

I used some donut printed felt that I got a long time ago from Hobby Lobby.  I cut out a name label from stiff, brown felt and embroidered the word, "magpie," on it.  I think it looks much better.    

Altered Composition Book Project

I'm currently participating in a swap on swap-bot where we take an 80 page composition book, cover the front and back covers, decorate every 3rd page, and leave the rest of the pages blank for our partners to use to journal in. I'm having a great time working on this project. My front cover looks like this:

I got the taxi scrapbook paper at Joann and the collage images from the wonderful Sandy at onecrabapple on Etsy. Whenever I alter a plain notebook, I love sprucing up the sides of the pages with washi tape. This notebook had 80 pages and I was bound and determined for each page to have a different pattern of washi. I actually have enough washi where I was able to do this. This is how it turned out:

Yesterday I found some space themed stencils at Target for $1.78 on clearance. I decided to use a couple of them for my first decorated page in the altered comp book. I used Distress Ink and regular metallic stamping ink. I love the way it turned out.

I've got to decorate 25 pages in all. I'll probably add some drawings, collages, and pockets. What would you like to see?

Little Paintings

I've always said that I hate to paint. It's because I'm not very good at it. However, I've been on a painting kick as of late. I've been using acrylics as my medium for ATC's (artist trading cards). I found a killer deal the other day on eBay and purchased 7 mini canvases with easels. I've already used three of them today and they just arrived in the mail this afternoon! The canvases are 3 by 3 inches. I like working on a small scale. It's probably because of my ADD and inability to focus on any task for too long. Here are the little paintings that I made today.

"Cupcake" for a swap on swap-bot.

"Sitting Sloth"

"Self Portrait"

Smash Books, Mini-Zines, and ATC's, Oh My!

I've been trying to branch out to other crafts besides sewing. I'll have to say I'm a little burnt out on Dotee dolls at this point. Yesterday I decided to make myself a Smash Book. A Smash Book is like a journal that you put random stuff in. K and Company has an awesome line of Smash Books and embellishments. I thought it would be more fun to create my own. I painted a composition notebook and added stickers and other elements to the cover.

So far, I've started one page in my Smash Book. The page includes two mini-zines that I completed yesterday. There is a current swap on swap-bot called "Fill It." For this swap, you download a page with prompts on it, fill in your details, draw some pictures, and then fold it mini-zine style. HERE is the blog that explains the project and where you can find the downloadable prompt sheets.

I've also been working on some ATC's (Artist Trading Cards). I made this Frida Kahlo ATC for a tag on swap-bot.

I actually painted a Studio Ghibli inspired ATC for a swap. I usually hate painting, but this was really fun to do. I only hate painting because it's something that I'm not particularly good at. Here's my winter themed Soot Sprite.

I've not decided what I'll work on today. Don't get me wrong, I haven't given up sewing, I'm just taking intermittent breaks. I actually completed two plushies yesterday as well (I was super busy!). The first one is a felt doll for a swap.

The tutorial and pattern can be found at The Purl Bee.

I also made a Spock plushie for an upcoming commission next month. I am to make 3 more Star Trek characters for this order.

A Little Break

I took a little break from making Dotee Dolls to work on a couple of swaps I'm participating in on Cut Out + Keep. One of the swaps I'm in is a Harry Potter swap. My partner loves Snape and Lily. I wanted to do something outside of my comfort zone (sewing), so I decided to make this necklace.

I had seen a lot of "Always" necklaces on Etsy, so I thought I'd make one. I hand stamped the "Always" charm. The "S" is squeezed in there, but I think that adds to the charm. The doe charm was made using the same technique used to make Scrabble Tile pendants. I'm really proud of how it turned out.

Do They Have a Rehab for This?

All I've been doing in my free time lately is making Dotee Dolls. I can't seem to get enough of them! I think I may have a problem. Anyway, here are some of the Dotee Dolls I have been making lately. Notice how "some" is emphasized.

Little Miss Sunshine Dotee Doll

Dotee Doll with a Bad Attitude

Valentine Princess Dotee Doll

Nacho Libre Dotee Doll

Alice in Wonderland Dotee Doll

Cheeky Nun Dotee Doll for "Holy Humor" Month in April

If you are interested in swapping Dotee Dolls with me, just send me an e-mail.

My New Addiction

Hello my name is Suzanne and I'm addicted to making Dotee Dolls.

A Dotee Doll is a little art doll originally created by a crafter named Dot. These dolls are meant to be traded or given as gifts, but never sold. The body of the doll should measure between 3 and 6 inches. The doll also needs a hanger and a tail.

Swap-bot seems to be the mecca for Dotee makers. I've been a member of swap-bot for several years, but since I've been sewing I've been on hiatus from the site. Out of boredom the other day, I decided to log back on and join some sewing swaps. Of course I was drawn to the Dotee swaps because of my love for making dolls. I've made a handful of Dotees in the past, but never really got into it like I have now. Here are two that I've made for upcoming swaps.

Annie Oakley Dotee Doll

Blue and Green Dotee Doll

Sloth Quilt Square

My friend Dana Wilson is currently organizing an event on deviantART called "A World of Friends." She is collecting artwork from fellow deviants in order to make a collective quilt. I'm really stoked about my contribution to this event. I love the little sloth I designed, and I'm planning on making another to frame for my room. I may even make some for my Etsy shop.

Anyone on deviantART may join this event. You can find more information on "A World of Friends" HERE. If you're not a deviantART member, it's free and easy to join up, so what's stopping you?

So Stoked!

 

Inspired by my bipolar medication yet again, I decided to make a prescription pill bottle plushie.  I submitted the project to Craft Foxes.  My plushie is now one of the featured projects on their front page!  They even featured it on their Facebook page.  I am so stoked about this!  

You can purchase this cute little plushie in my Etsy shop. 

Give Us This Day Our Daily Meds

My latest creation was inspired by the numerous prescription pill bottles sitting on my dresser. I have to take medicine daily for my bipolar disorder, depression, and ADD, so the phrase "daily meds" came to mind as I stared at the orange bottles. Swap "daily meds" for "daily bread" and voila!

My mom pointed out that my new embroidery is very sacrilegious, but I think Jesus has a sense of humor. You can purchase this item here.

Happy Shark Week!

This post is a little late as shark week is wrapping up, but I thought I'd share what I made in honor of shark week.  I did some felt embroidery of a great white shark which I think came out pretty awesome.  It's been featured in several treasuries on Etsy.  It's available for purchase here.

Free Embroidery Pattern

Here is a simple embroidery pattern I designed. Feel free to use it to stitch to your heart's content. Just right click on the image and save it to your computer. You can resize the image prior to printing if you'd like another size. I just got a new iPhone and wanted to use my scanner app, so I thought this would be a good way to do so! Have fun!

Craft Show Prep

On December 3rd and 4th, I'll be selling my creations at the St. James Episcopal Church's craft show in Knoxville, Tennessee. This is my first craft show and I'm really excited about it. Being broke as I am, I can't afford to go out and buy displays for my table. I was able to get a ring display for $3 after using a PayPal coupon on eBay. Everything else will have to be homemade.

I was really concerned about what I was going to do about a banner. I happened to have a large amount of off-white felt which made the perfect base for an indoor banner. I ended up stenciling my text on using freezer paper and fabric paint. I printed my logo on card stock, and then "laminated" it with packing tape. I then glued the logo onto the felt. Voila!

I put some old picture frames and a discarded cork board to use as well.  Using a frame, some plastic grid, and some vintage fabric given to me by a friend; I made an earring display.  I made two cushioned pin boards which will display necklaces and cell phone charms out of the remaining frames, the same vintage fabric, and some pillow stuffing.  Finally, my mother brought a cork board home from work that someone was throwing out.  I covered it with the same fabric and I'm going to use is to display my stenciled and appliqued bags.  Here are my results:

 

Click to Enlarge

I'll be posting pictures of my table  when it's all put together.  I'm really proud of my thriftiness by creating my own displays!

Christmas Ornament Swap (Made by Me)

Here are the Christmas ornaments I made for my friend, Heather, for a Christmas Ornament Swap I participated in via my group "Crafty Friends." I didn't really do anything too Christmasy, but I think this suits Heather's style. She really loves woodland themed things. Heather is a super talented gal who crochets like no other! You can see her work at her Etsy shop, Snoodle Studio. I'll definitely be posting pics of the goodies I receive from Heather! I'm sure they'll be super awesome and I can't wait to get them!

More Scoodies!

This is actually the original scoodie that I made yesterday. Since I thought it looked like it should be worn in a nativity scene, I decided to jazz it up a little. Initially, I was going to make it into a monster scoodie, but after getting two orders for monster hoodies last night I decided to do something cuter. Now it's a mouse. I listed it for sale at House of Plush.

This scoodie is actually for a 4 year old. My niece, Allie, wasn't around, so I couldn't have her model it. It looks really funny on me, but you get the general idea. It's a Vampire Moon Bunny for my friend Sugarlishes' daughter's upcoming birthday. Sug tells her daughters a story about Vampire Moon Bunnies to get them to go to bed, and I had previously made them plushies of the characters. Sug gave me the idea yesterday, so here it is!

I'm currently working on a Little Red Riding Hood Scoodie, then off to work on my two custom hoodies: a shark and a polar bear. Later!