WIPS

I'm finally back to work. My mom can now do most things for herself now. She does a lot she shouldn't do but that just the way she is...stubborn.

I had a bit of a meltdown yesterday because of a problem with one of the characters I was sewing, but I pushed through and fixed it. These will be some of the most detailed characters I've made since the Frank and Elsa doll and they will take time and since I tend to work slowly, don't expect to see these finished anytime soon. There are 7 characters in this series and of course I can't do anything the easy way so I'm still hunting for materials: striped jersey fabric - black and white or red and white, a certain kind of pink fabric, and a few other things.

I promised to keep showing my wips so here they are. I got these guys sewn and stuffed yesterday. The middle one looks like a bear right now but he won't once I'm done. He'd make a pretty cute bear though. These 3 have a ton more detail work but I think most people will know who they are now.

Thanks for popping by and taking a peek!

Wordless Wednesday

The work on 300 Penguins continues......

Semi Wordless Wednesday

I carry ziplock bags full of body parts around with me...that's normal..right?

Bigfoot Needed Some Serious Tweeking.

So I started working on a plush Bigfoot design last week. You would have thought I never made any plush before if you saw the way he turned out. Ugh! Now to be fair to myself I haven't designed any new plush for months and months since I've been concentrating on dolls and things so I know I should give myself a break...except knowing me I won't.

After I made the prototype and stuffed him I realized the "plush mistakes" I made. 

#1. Flat doesn't translate to a 3D piece so what looks good flat NEVER does stuffed.

#2. I made the design too simple. 

#3. His feet should have be the focus not really the face. 

#4 I got cocky and thought I could just bang out a design without thinking about it properly. UGH again! Disappointing!

So I sat back down at the computer and looked at my design. I played with it and think I finally have the final design. In case you are interested and haven't run screaming from this post yet I'll show my designs and you can see my thought process.

First here is the horrid thing I made. I'm embarrassed to show you. This is the mini prototype. The body isn't big enough for the large face features.

This is the first re-design I did. Hate it!! Ugh, pancake feet!

 

This one is modified more with the feet as more of a focus. The body is the same and I was really not happy with it but I felt like there was something good about the feet. So back to the computer I went.

So this is where I am at the moment. I thought I was done really I did but as I was writing this post I was thinking about other changes I can make. He's a bit too doll like. It's a never ending story around here. Once I finally make a firm decision he'll be made from green fake fur. Why green? Cause the person who requested him wants him green and I thought it was a fabulous idea.

Thanks as always for reading my crazed ramblings!

Worktable Wednesday

Both my worktables are a complete mess again of course but here's what I'm working on.

This is a prototype of a Bigfoot plush I'm working on.

The final will be done in neon green fake fur.

A skellie paper clay doll WIP. I might actually finish

before Halloween!

What's on your worktable today?

Worktable Wednesday...so much going on.

I've been approached to possibly have some plush at a Tech conference this summer. They were especially interested in my plush Tardis since the Doctor Who show is gaining popularity here in the States. But I can't just sell those so I started playing around with some new designs to go along with the Tech theme. A Nerdy Guy and A Robot. Thinking about A Nerdy Girl too. What do you think?

The other side of my worktable holds 2 of my Pirate theme plush dolls that I've had on hold forever. They were in my unfinished projects pile. I dug them out and started working on them until this whole "Tech" thing came up so they may remain unfinished for a bit longer.

Messy, crazy worktable! I'm usually pretty good about tidying up but since I'm in the thick of working right now it's going to stay a mess for a while. What does your worktable look like?

Worktable Saturday

Lots to keep me busy!

What I'm Doing On A Saturday Night.

Sitting and sewing and sketching a bit while watch t.v. Pretty much what I do every Saturday night.

Some custom jobs. A plush doll and a plush art doll.

My companions on the other hand are a lazy pair and are snuggled in sleeping. What do you all do on your Saturday nights?

WIP

Wee Pirate Hats.....Argh, Matey!

A Very Tiny Sneak Peek.

I've been steadily working on new plush designs specifically for STUFFED magazine. They are different from what you've seen me do before. I can't really show what I'm doing. It's partially a jinx thing and partially cause I want their debut to be in STUFFED. Of course if they aren't accepted (I might cry but I'll get over it) then I'd show them. I've given myself a deadline of next weekend to have them finished and ready to ship.

One of my twitter friends, Joni has been asking to see something on these new plush so here's a sneak peek. Well I did say peek, didn't I?

So far I have one almost done (he needs clothes) One 3/4ths done, one not even a 1/4 done and the last one is only a body with no details at all. So you can see I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.

In case you are interested, the bodies are a pattern of my own making, obviously. The clothes and details of all my plush and dolls are freehand and I usually make them up as I go along which is time consuming. I change my mind a lot and usually end up with something completely different than I intended when I first started.

Here's a small hint. I was working on my custom stationery business doing an invitation and favor stickers in a Princess and Pirate theme and had a "light bulb" moment for these plush. And that's all I'm saying.

Wordless Wednesday WIP

Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose and Other Things.

I had a sudden urge to make a Jack Frost doll when I saw the ones made for the ADO monthly challenge.  He's a wip but further along than the other 2 dolls I showed last time. They were rudely pushed aside for this doll and I've have to get back into their good graces again. ;0)

I finished the very LAST TARDIS I'll do this year and shipped it off yesterday. Had to take the listing down but will offer them again after the holidays.

My daughter asked me to make her a stocking this year but it keeps getting pushed to the side cause I'm trying desperately to finish her doll. 

 Hoping I can finish all the gift projects but sadly knowing I won't. Hand sewing zebra stripes on this may just blind me but it's what the Girl wants! I know I'll finish the Girl's presents but my mom is just SOL this year. Sorry mom!

WIP that's slowly coming along.

Gingerbread people, snow people, reindeer, Santa and the Mrs: cut out, laid out and bits and parts sewn. A very long way to go! Thought you'd like another peek.

 A pile of arms and antlers and some legs.

I had to break out the holiday buffet table!

Sigh! So much and so little time!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

...in 67 days! OMG! I'm such a last minute Nellie! I have started but will have to work like a complete lunatic to finish in time as I curse my silly procrastinations. 

I did have a lovely productive day yesterday cutting out gingerbread men, reindeer and snowmen and really felt like I was getting somewhere until....I realized that I still have to cut out all my Santas, Mrs. Claus', elves, hand stitch all the facial details, hand sew, stuff each one, cut out all the minis of the same designs, hand stitch, hand sew and stuff.

I also wanted to offer large Snarky Girl dolls for the Holiday and have started those too but I think something will have to give.

This may be the year I loose my mind! Anyone want to take bets on when that will happen, should I start a pool?

Re-worked the Gnome Pattern

I worked up a Gnome pattern a few weeks ago but I just wasn't sure it was quite right yet so went back to the drawing board (computer) and re-worked him a bit.

He's still not quite there yet. I think a few more small tweaks to the pattern and I'll finally have it but would like any input you may have about it.

WIP Sneak Peeks

I'm holding off on Sassy's Friday Finds until next week so I can catch up with some other posts. Finally got my camera problem solved so can do the post I meant to do yesterday. Sneak peek at 3 projects I've got going on right now.

When this is finished I'll do a special post all about it. Gnomes, hedgies, shrooms and leaves. Squee! This is a fun personal project.

Prototype of a secret project. Shhhhh!

Yes I know owls again but in a fun new way!

Hope you enjoyed these quick sneak peeks!

My Plush Gnome is Done

I recently asked my blog readers to tell me what new plush things they'd like to see me make next. 2 of the answers I got were a Fox and a Gnome. You saw the fox previously but I thought showing them together would be so cute as they are both woodland creatures.

Gnome WIP

The prototype of the Gnome came out o.k just needs a few small tweaks but I love him. I hope you do too! He's 12 inches tall (30 cm). I plan on making more in different sizes and have a female Gnome in the works too. There is the possibility that I may make him into a DIY kit but I really need to think about that.

WIP Thursday

A peek at my worktable today.

Foxy Loxy Is In The House...

..or at least the studio. I did the drawing for this 2 months or so ago (maybe more?) and the pattern has been sitting cut out and staring at me since then. Yesterday afternoon I just pushed everything I was working on aside and started working full force on this new pattern idea. Not sure why but it felt good to start something new that's been pinging in the back of my mind for a while now.
 This drawing is a combo of a fox and my Chihuahua Carmelita.

 Here's the original drawing.

The drawing in plush.

Sorry for the photos. It is super sunshiny in here this morning and this was the best I could do.

I've already modified the pattern to change the face cause while it works in a drawing it doesn't in plush. While this fox was fun to make I can see that modifying the pattern further to a more simple streamlined design is probably the better way to go. So I'll do that and show you all soon how that goes.

Meanwhile I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, so please leave a comment. And it's fine if you don't like it just tell me why.

Working On A Custom Tardis

A fellow etsy seller saw the previous Tardis I did for a swap in my new blog banner and asked for me to make on for him. I only do these little plush as custom jobs because of the time and tiny stitches required to make them. So if you want one just let me know!

 Door panels and sides are done. Need to add the special details then the top light and stuff it firmly. I'm 3/4 of the way done. I still haven't made one just for me yet.

I'm going back and forth from this project to my art doll which I can't show any peeks of. She's giving me a run for my money and there have been some hair pulling times but I think I finally have her under control now. I'm going a bit blind from all these tiny stitches and may need to pick up some magnifying glasses soon!