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2012-01-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

Toothless: Halloween 2011

2011-12-11T23:53:00.000-08:00

I feel embarrassed that I am just barely putting up pictures of Halloween especially when Christmas is just around the corner. It has taken me forever to post anything up on this blog, mainly because I rarely get the chance to sit down at the computer without distractions long enough to do it. (Talk about distractions: as I am typing this my cat Larry is on my lap and trying to walk all over the keyboard... Larry only comes out after the kids go to bed and by that time he is starved for attention and wants me to love him.) So as you can see, I am bulk-blogging while I have the time- this is my fourth blog post in one night!

Let me get to the point:

Charlie has been in love with the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" for the last year, so before Halloween rolled around I asked him what he wanted to be, and by no surprise to me, he said "Toothless" (that's the main dragon in the movie). I initially asked him that question a few months in advance, and I hoped he would change his answer as time got closer to Halloween, but it didn't. He stuck with his decision to be Toothless. I didn't see any costumes for sale, so I decided to make it by hand. I looked online for inspiration and ideas on how to make a Toothless costume- that helped because I was able to plan the costume better and determine what I liked and didn't like about other homemade costumes out there.

Charlie's costume was made out of recycled black sweats from his dad and grandma, along with other materials that I had around the house, so I didn't have to spend any money to make it... just a lot of time.

A LOT OF TIME!!!

Without the mask.

And don't forget our pretty kitty.

Charlie wanted me to make Eloise a dragon costume too, but because I spent all my time making the Toothless costume, I was burned out and out of time to do anything fancy. So Elle got to be a super simple cat with felt ears and a felt tail safety pinned to the back of her sweater. She pulled it off nicely.

rainbows and unicorns (and a horse)

2011-12-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

These little guys stand about 9 inches tall. These two are my prototypes and they are a work in progress. I am currently making some more, but I have tweaked the pattern a bit, so the next batch will hopefully turn out better.

More dolls

2011-12-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures that I have been holding onto for awhile. You've seen the dolls already, but now you can see them with the girls they were made for.

Meet Caroline

2011-12-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Here's my inspiration, and here's the finished product!

Pretty cute, huh?

Here's the bag that I sent the little Caroline doll in.

Davy Jean

2011-08-11T23:27:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I made this doll for Davy Jean. Her mom sent me the cutest picture of her in this outfit and I was so excited to get started on a new creation.

I really enjoy being able to look at a picture and make something from it: something you can hold in your hands, something you can hug... and I love plush!

Davy Jean is a very special little girl and she has a super special family. She was born with an extremely rare chromosome deletion, a cleft lip and palate, Congenital heart defects, and has had numerous other medical conditions (and surgeries to go along with them), yet she is one of the smiliest and happiest babies (okay, toddlers) I've met.

Back in June Davy's grandparents and extended family held a Benefit and fundraiser to help pay for Davy's future surgeries and current medical needs as well as to support 'Operation Smile' and 'The Unique Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group'. I made a duplicate doll, like this one that I made for Davy Jean, to auction at the benefit. It was a beautiful event for a good cause and it was so fun to be able to contribute something little.

(Here are some pictures of the Benefit.)

Davy's mom, Ruth, has a blog called 'the mom' where you can read more about her journey and other goings-on of their lives.

Here are some pictures of the finished doll along with Davy herself. Thank you, thank you Ruth, for emailing me these pictures! Every single one made me smile! :D

Seriously! How sweet is this girl!

Technical difficulties

2011-07-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

So, if you have been by the blog in the last month or so, you would have noticed that pictures from the last few posts were missing! I don't know why that happened. I think the server lost them somehow, but I've replaced them now, and I hope they are there for good. It would be a tragedy if someone were to come to my blog and not be able to see all the fantastic dolls that I've made. Right? I mean, not to toot my own horn or anything, but HONK-HONK!

Isla Rag Doll

2011-04-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

8 dolls / 25 days = 1 messy house

So, there was Lucy, Evelyn, Madeline and Makayla, Wendy, Violet, Lola and now here is Isla. April has been a busy month for my sewing machine. It has gotten more use this month than it has for a long time and I finally feel like I have been able to put my talents to good use after the long dry spell, but now I need to catch up on getting my house in order... (if you could see it right now, I would be so embarrassed.)

Lola Rag Doll

2011-04-27T00:54:00.000-07:00

I give to you Lola. Sweet and huggable with her gold leggings and heather gray dress... ready to be loved by a sweet little girl.

Violet Rag Doll

2011-04-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

Madeline and Makayla Rag Dolls

2011-04-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

Two cute dolls for too cute twins.

(is it just me, or does the doll on the left make you want to go to Hawaii?)

Evelyn Rag Doll

2011-04-26T00:42:00.000-07:00

Wendy Rag Doll

2011-04-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

Lucy Rag Doll

2011-04-06T05:36:00.000-07:00

Rag dolls.... I think they are really cute, and I'll probably be making a few more.

This particular doll was made for Lucille (and isn't she the cutest!) I sketched out the pattern free-hand, but if you wanted to make one yourself, there are great instructions on marthastewart.com.

Sock Elephant

2011-04-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

So here is a little ditty I made about a year ago, but forgot to blog... sorry. (It all goes back to how crafting, and blogging for that matter, has taken a back seat to mommy-ing) Well, I was reminded of him just the other day and determined that he needed to make his appearance on this wee and sorry craft blog. So here he is!
Another sock animal taken from Sock and Glove (have I mentioned that I love that book?): a studious elephant made to be the best of companions. Soft, squishy and loves to be read to. Specially made for the sweetest Lola in the world!

Plush Robot for Charlie

2010-08-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

This robot took me over two years to complete. Not that it was extremely difficult to make (although I did have fun with all the details), but I only worked on it little bits at a time, and most of the 2 years it spent sitting at the bottom of my closet. I am proud to say that he is finally finished... now if I could only get to all the other neglected and unfinished crafts at the bottom of the closet.

Some details

Materials: Exterior: heather grey fleece stitched with silver thread "circuit" design, scraps of ric-rac, metal zippers, snap buttons, red and yellow embroidery floss and yellow vinyl.

Interior: Foam blocks and polyester fiber fill.

(Snap button eyes and sipper mouth, Charlie's initials, and chest flap with vital signs monitor)

More details

(Arm bands and elbow, my initials, snap hands that open and shut, and maintenance flap in the rear.)

2010-03-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

More shoes! Wow, somebody stop me. This time I used a pre-made pattern instead of trying to figure it out as I went along, and this was WAY easier. (I don't know why I torture myself by doing things the hard way) So these are similar to the Mary Jane shoes that I've made in the past, but slightly different.

Pattern by Sweet Pea Patterns. I purchased it HERE and you can too!

More shoes, different baby

2010-03-24T01:54:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I said I would post a tutorial, but that is a lot more work than I thought it would be; so many pictures to take, and instructions to write, and a pattern to draw up. Who has time for that? I hardly had time to make these little gems.

These darling little shoes are for a soon-to-be darling little baby, Lucille. My favorite parts about them were the yellow roses made out of jersey knit fabric, so of course I added the hair clip (which could be used for mom too).

A Color Coordinated Christmas

2009-12-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

This is the first crafty thing I have done in a LOOOONG time.... it felt good to be back behind the sewing machine. So good, in fact, that I may just have to find more things to make... ;)

I owe a big thanks to my mom for the serger that she gave me (I love it!!!!) and to my husband and mother-in-law for watching Charlie for me after I stayed up all night sewing and made my self physically sick. You are the best.

Here is the end product:

The inspiration for the pajama pants came from the fact that J and I planned to stay at his dad's house on Christmas Eve night along with J's little sister, but his older brother needed some extra convincing to stay the night. I was able to get him to agree to sleep over if everyone had matching PJ's, and because I wanted it to be a special night, I knew what I had to do. A trip to the fabric store and a few days locked in my apartment later, I had 8 coordinating pairs of pajama pants for the family to wear on Christmas Eve.

We had a merry Christmas, indeed, and it was fun to be a little cheesy with the matchy-matchy pj's. What fun things did you make for Christmas?

Dearest Crafting,

2009-04-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I miss you, Crafting. I am sorry that I have been so distant; I promise that I will return to you one day soon. Until then, I think of you often and I long to have you near.

Love, Emily

RogerRuth

2009-03-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Our new blog for Roger Ruth Photography is up! Go there NOW!

rogerruthphotography.blogspot.com

Mary Jane baby shoes (with matching headband)

2009-03-10T02:19:00.001-07:00

Ya, I know. Cute, right? I want to make more... and when I do, I will totally post a tutorial with the pattern to go along with it so you can make your own. As for now, you will just need to sit there and admire mine!

lion

2009-03-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

The Original Sock Monkey

2009-02-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure that this is the monkey that started it all. This vintage workman's sock and timeless design has made him a classic. He is definitely the inspiration for all the other sock creatures out there (many of whom are displayed on this blog), and he has made his mark in pop culture as well.

So it was only a matter of time before I made my own...

And here he is!

Charlie's Room

2009-02-18T17:21:00.000-08:00

This is what I've made, folks.

It was ages ago and I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to post pictures... but that's my life, and this is how I roll.

Guitar: inspiration from >>{this}<< website.

Crib bumper and bed skirt: fabric from Ikea, pattern by me.

Business?

2008-11-20T08:58:00.000-08:00

So I've seriously been considering how I could make money selling hand made items. I know I could go to the usual places like Etsy or boutiques, but what should I even do?

Any suggestions?

Raggedy Ann & Andy

2008-11-13T11:48:00.000-08:00

These are for my mom. I love my mom. (Who doesn't love their mom?) Anyways, my mom collects these dolls. She has a whole bedroom decorated with different sets of Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls. I made Ann as a Mother's Day gift, but I didn't finish. I gave the uncompleted gift to my mother, but after she opened it I told her that I needed it back to add the finishing touches.

That was 3 years ago. Ann sat at the bottom of my closet waiting and waiting until the end of this summer when I finally got around to completing her. Yay! she was done, but she was lonely... so along came Andy. Now they are a pair and they are happily on display at my mother's house if you would ever like to see them.

(So mom, happy Mother's Day/birthday/Christmas/or whatever!)

Pen-Gwynn and Yellophant

2008-11-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

I recently took up crocheting specifically to make this penguin. I first found the little guy on the cover of a Joann's mail flyer, and I thought to myself, "wow! he is really cute. I'd like to make that one day", but that was the last I thought of it.

A few weeks later, I was at the book store perusing through various magazines where I came across this same penguin in an add for Lion Brand yarn... well, short story shorter: you can down load the pattern for the penguin here, along with a ton of other cute things to make at lionbrand.com. I was super excited to find the pattern, but then I actually read it and I realized I didn't understand one thing it said.

So I learned how to crochet; yay for me! and now our home is filled with 2 more toys...

Gwynn with her bestie, Charlie.

'Ello yello elephant!

1st Halloween

2008-11-02T14:57:00.000-08:00

So this was Charlie's first halloween. I put off starting this costume until October 30th, and as with anything that has a deadline, I stayed up for hours trying to get it completed in time.

No pattern; just my pure genius and a little inspiration from my husband. I think he was the cutest turtle around.

the shell:

the shoes:

(It's all in the details)

the complete package:

Sock giraffe

2008-08-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another little guy that I made from a sock... he was a gift to my new nephew, Rowan. The giraffe was an idea from home made by jill, but the pattern wasn't in Sock and Glove, so I had to figure out how to make him by just looking at a picture.

Pretty hansom, isn't he?

Hoot Hoot

2008-08-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Owl & Blanket for Wendy: Several months ago I came across this owl print flannel at the fabric store and I needed to buy it. I had no reason to purchase it and I had nothing in mind to make out of it, I just thought it was really cute and I liked it so I bought some of it. I knew that my unborn son wouldn't appreciate the sweet pink and gold owls, so this was destined to be a gift for a little girl.

Then along came Wendy, daughter of my friends Ryan and Heather. I was invited to a baby shower for her back in March and she became the perfect recipient for the flannel owls. I made a small baby blanket with the fabric, but that didn't seem like enough, so I made the owl to match. I patterned the owl after one in the flannel's print and she turned out really awesome! My favorite part about her is her wings and tail (I wish I had a close up picture to show how cool they are). I pieced each feather on individually and I like the effect.

Diaper Cake

2008-08-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

I also made this diaper cake along with my sister-in-law, Melissa for Shelley's baby shower. Thank goodness Melissa was there, because if I tried doing myself, it wouldn't have turned out half as cute. Here is a good tutorial from home made by jill that explains how to put one of these together.

Bird Mobile

2008-08-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

So I totally copied this idea from Spool, and they even gave the pattern for the birds. I made this mobile for my sister-in-law, Shelley who is expecting a baby girl any day now. It was really fun to make and I am super happy for the way it turned out... I am pretty sure I will be doing more of these in the future.

Sock and Glove

2008-08-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Buy this book!

Jason gave this to me for my birthday earlier this year and it has opened up a world of excitement for me. I love it, and you will too- even if you don't plan on ever making a stuffed animal in your life, the book itself is fun to look at.

Here are a few of the sock animals that I have made so far (I will post more at a later date.)

"Peter the dog"... for Jack

Notice the initials stitched into the rear end.

A small horse for Christy's new baby boy:

This horse was actually the first animal that I made from Sock and Glove. He ended up being so cute that I didn't want to give him away, but then I wouldn't have had a gift to bring to the baby shower...

Again, my mark in the butt.

So thank you Miyako Kanamori for your cute patterns and happy little book. I love it!

Hooded frog towels

2008-08-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

These are the first of a line of hooded bath and beach towels that I would like to make (if I ever get around to it). I actually stayed up all night making these (along with other things) the night before I went into labor with my baby-boy-Charlie. I made four at once with the idea of using them as gifts some day, but right now they are still sitting in the back of my closet... I didn't plan who I will be giving them to, so if your child receives one, act surprised like you've never seen them before!