1 Craft-3 Ways: The Essie Doll

One day, I was just thinking about my little girl and how nice it would be to make something sweet and simple just for her. I folded a piece of printer paper in half length-wise and drew one half of a doll shape. I cut, I tweaked, I reformed and THEN I used my new pattern to cut out the form in muslin and gave a set to Anisa, Angie and myself and we each made it our own. I made the doll, keeping open a side seam (thanks, Angie), made her dress separately and used acrylic paint for her hair and lips. I used a fine Sharpie pen for her face. Putting her all together, I realize that there's a lot more tweaking and enlarging to do, but she's sweet anyway. Very June Cleaver-ish as opposed to the little girl look I thought I'd captured.

- Cami

I took my fabric and chopped her limbs off to make a dress form... big surprise! I made her a tiny apron and I'm using her as a pin cushion. (she looks a little weird.. I probably should have cut the skirt shape off of her too.... sometimes crafting is such a learning process).

-Anisa

What started as one idea quickly turned into another completely unexpected idea with this sweet little thing. Originally, I thought of making the doll into a little elf that would show up around Christmas and "spy" on my kids. A few sample dresses later and I realized something. This doll was not meant to be an elf. She was meant to sit on top of my Christmas Tree!

Her leggings were fused on to the muslin cutout with some wonder under. The dress is a separate piece, but hot glued around the neck. The red trim around the neck is also hot glued. I used some curly doll hair that you can get at most any crafting store for the hair. Her face is drawn on with a fine tip Sharpie, and her heart shaped mouth is painted on in a deep red. She was looking a little drab still, so I added some of my own eye shadow and blush to perk up her face a little. I love her to pieces now and can't wait to see her on top of my "mommy" tree. (Anyone want to come decorate the rest of the tree for me though?)

Ang

Checking for interest in a new idea: Art Trading Cards

I learned about Art Trading Cards (ATC) a few years ago and was fascinated by the idea of random people trading bits of their own artistic souls to each other. The basic rules of the game of ATC is the cards must measure 2 1/2" by 3 1/2". After that, what you create is only limited by your imagination. You can use traditional art media: ink, paint, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, stamping techniques, etc. You can embroider, layer objects, decoupage, USE YOUR COMPUTER AND PHOTOSHOP (and the like), paper piecing...the sky is the limit. What I am wondering is if there is enough interest out there for me to set up ATC swaps. Is there? See a gallery of examples of ATC here , here or here (the list to the right)

If there is, this is how it would work: I would set up small groups of probably four people. You would create four Art Trading Cards and mail them in to me as would the three others in the group. I would then divide the cards up amongst the four in the group (you'd get one of your own back) and mail them out with postage that you would have provided when you sent them to me in the first place.

If you are very, VERY intersted then email me at twiddlethumbs@rocketmail.com or leave a comment. If you think this is something you might like to do this then please click the "Gotta Try It" box below.

What I'm really hoping for is that a handful of people will join me on an initial swap and then you'll all be able to see how fun it is and then we can do more groups in the future. I'd really like to have younger ages participate in the future, like a 7-12 year old group and a teen group.

I know this is a little more arts than crafts, but I hope you'll let me know what you think. I would love it if you'd consider participating. --C

Fluff and Stuff for little Girls

My kids had a birthday party to attend the other day for a little friend of ours. Ever since I've dived more heavily into crafting, I hate buying store-bought presents. Especially since you can't get much for the amount I'm willing to spend. The little girl was having a costume party to celebrate and that gave me an idea. Being newly 5 she's into all things princess-y and girly. I found this cute wand (with an easy-to-follow tutorial) at Little Birdie Secrets and knew I was onto something. If a princess has a beautiful wand, what else does she need to go with it? A beautiful fluffy tutu of course! (Tutorial coming soon!) A few dollars at hobby lobby and a couple of hours later I had dress-ups made for the princess that she is-a curly ribbon wand, fluffy tutu, and with my extra curls I was able to pull a cute little korker bow together. Sigh...I love crafting.

Wood Craft Workshops

I've added a class in St. George, UT on Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Scroll down for details on the class or click here. If you're interested, please place your order by Friday, Sept. 25th. anisascholes@gmail.com

Use your Stash! (oh, and contest winner!)

And the winner is.....

Jamie Lovell said...

Dress forms have been around since the time of the pharaoh and have kept peasants and royals busy designing or mimicking the latest ‘envogue’ designs for ages. I have considered Egyptian names, and names like Florence, and Marie Antoinette all of whom used dress forms, but couldn’t get them to fit. I also considered naming her Threads or Silk, but those both seem to trendy, but Poly as in polyester. That is a name that has staying power. Although most of us would admit to having a love/hate relationship with polyester, this little synthetic fiber really is amazing. Since 1941 this tacky, heavy duty fabric has been repelling stains, keeping us iron free and covering everything from kid’s knees to floors. Did you know that polyester can be worn for 68 days straight without needing to be ironed? So with that verbose bit of commentary added to your lives, I think that you should lovingly call your vintage dress form “Poly”. Happy Name Hunting.

September 7, 2009 9:23 PM

I have to say that I Love the name Poly Ester. And I didn't even vote! And it was fun to finally read the comments and learn a little bit about dress forms along the way. Thanks, Jamie. Send me an email at twiddlethumbs@rocketmail.com with your mailing address and I'll get that apron to you asap.

Sally, you were neck and neck with Brown Sugar the whole time. I am coming up with a small 2nd place prize so, leave me your mailing address at twiddlethumbs@rocketmail.com and I will mail it to you as well.

Now, on to my post.... Here is a great way to use your stash and some super cute gift wrap. DVD cases (cd's, wii games, etc.) are the perfect size to be wrapped in a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper. I have a lot of papers that are still cute, but I've already used them enough or I don't LOVE them anymore. They are great for gift wrap. Add a little tulle and you're set!!!

-Anisa

Appliqué Revisited

There's just a little more time to vote for your favorite name here --------->

Who knew that the simple techniques of appliqué would bring such smiles my way?

For my little girl's first day of school, I purchased a shirt and skirt for her to wear. I had forgotten about them until I asked her what she wanted to wear for her big day the next morning. She showed me the clothes, but they now seemed so plain.

I needed something quick so after she was in bed for the night I cut 3 hearts out of felt and sewed them on with a zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine. I added three buttons and when she woke up on the morning of her first day, she was delighted with my little surprise. I was too and liked that I didn't have to buy something new to accomplisht. My oldest son wanted his brother and him to have matching super-hero capes. He designed the back of the capes. Free-hand cutting the lightning bolts was about as difficult this simple technique got and they were so pleased with the results.

Maybe what the world needs is just a few more embellishments.

--C

Halloween Wood Craft Workshops

I've added a St. George, Utah Class..... Saturday, Oct. 3rd 9:00-11:00 a.m. Location to be determined... please contact me if you are interested. anisascholes@gmail.com

I'm feeling ambitious and I've got my crafts already to go for Halloween!!! I hope you like what I came up with this time.

Mummy Yard Stake- $18 (this would also be cute just sitting on a shelf. Let me know if you'd like to do that and I could cut a base to put him on).

Vampire- $15 (if you're not a Twilight fan:), you could put different text on it like trick or treat or happy halloween)

Ghost Trio- $6 for all 3... if you still need stands they are $3 for all 3.

Dates:

Wednesday, Sept. 23 6-9pm

Tuesday, Sept. 29th 6-9pm

Thursday, Oct. 1st 6-9pm

***Please let me know what you would like to make and what date you will be attending by Friday, Sept. 18th so I have time to get prepared... although I probably won't turn away any last minute requests.

*** If you haven't been to my classes before, here's how it works. First, I live in South Jordan, Utah and the classes are taught in my home. I provide the wood and all the supplies. You come one of the nights and make your craft. You don't need to be there exactly at 6:00... most of the crafts go pretty quickly. If you are not able to make any of the dates, I am pretty flexible and could have you come some other time or you're welcome to do the crafts on your own at home. I also custom cut wood, so if you have anything you need cut, just let me know. I am willing to ship the wood, so please email me if you're interested.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

anisa

anisascholes@gmail.com

Top 5 Favorites... Name the Dress Form Contest/Giveaway

Scroll down to the next post for details of the contest

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Okay, so I have to tell you how this contest has gone for me. The first time I went to our blog after posting the contest, I saw that there were about 7 comments. I was about to click to see what names people had thought of and I thought.... wait a minute. What if the name I like best is my sister-in-law and I want to have her win so I pick her name... or I don't want to pick her name because I don't want people to think I'm playing favorites. So, I determined that I could never look at the comments. So, I had Cami email me the names. She mixed them all up so that I wouldn't know who had commented first or last. She said that if people left more than one name, that she took the first name they left, but still included them in the contest. Can I say how hard it was? Lot's of creative names out there. But, after going through the list and narrowing it down, my 5 top favorites are......

Brown Sugar

Dollie

Zola Mae

Lola

Poly Ester

I put the names up on a poll on the side bar and you have until Thursday, Sept. 17th at midnight to vote. So, if you're one of the lucky 5 (and I don't know who you are) go and get your friends to vote for you so that you can win my super cute apron!!!