Lina revisited

Posted on September 8th, 2008 @ 9:13 am in waldorf dolls by Meike

Lina

While I was waiting for more dollmaking materials to get here (all out of the bigger sizes of tubular stockinette), I decided to tackle a project I’d been putting off for a while.

You see, my Lina had a slight problem. She didn’t have a neck. Why? Because I forgot. Yes, I know. Sloppy, sloppy. But see: she has one now! No more floppy neck for Lina. All healthy! :)

Thanks once again to Stefanie, who suggested the solution. (Really. How did I ever manage to make dolls before? You know, I think I should probably have you included in my will. :mrgreen: )

Of course, there’s also the problem with her hair. It fell out. Because at the time I made Lina, I didn’t know what I know now about hairmaking. So: off with the hair! Poor Lina. But really, once I’m done with her, she’ll look better than ever. I promise.

All dolls deserve a second chance at beauty, don’t you agree?

pincushion

Posted on September 5th, 2008 @ 11:04 am in sewing by Meike

Just as I was about ready to give up on my new sewing machine, hurl it into the garden so it could rot with the soon-to-drop autumn leaves, I remembered my pincushion.

Of course! My pincushion! Exactly what I needed to restore faith in my meagre sewing skills! So last night, I cut two circles - one in Amy Butler fabric and one in 100% wool felt - and got to work. And lo and behold, just 30 minutes later, I ended up with this:

I’m happy, the sewing machine is happy, my pins are happy. Hurray!

P.S. The tutorial is here.

little red book

Posted on September 3rd, 2008 @ 9:27 am in wish by Meike

Have you ever felt like there’s so much in your head that you just don’t know where to start? That’s me right now. Having finished Keiko and Carolina, there’s a dozen new dolls screaming to get out. A dozen ways to make their hair, a dozen different body types, a dozen different kinds of fabric… I should really just pick one and get to work, instead of wanting to make THE perfect doll in one go. Because that won’t work, and we all know it!

Therefore, I’ve started a little notebook. I’m jotting down all my ideas, illustrating them with drawings (not that I can draw, but hey…) and glueing in pictures that serve as inspiration. I’ll get there one day, I hope. When I’m 40 at the very latest. That’s six more years. Doable, or what? ;)

Until then, it’s play time. :mrgreen:

Waldorf doll Keiko

Posted on August 31st, 2008 @ 1:03 pm in waldorf dolls by Meike

It took me a while to finish her (Carolina fought for precedence and won…), but she’s finally done: Keiko, my Japanese Waldorf doll. You can see her taking advantage of the last of the summer sun to the left. :)

NB: if you’d rather see her dressed, please check out my Flickr account here. Or just click on the photo and you’ll be taken to Flickr.

Her pattern’s from a Japanese crafts book I found on Ebay: “Heart Warming Waldorf Dolls” (should still be available).

Many, many thanks go to Stefanie, who sewed the body and the jumpsuit for me as a gift. :)

shoes

Posted on August 29th, 2008 @ 2:19 pm in waldorf dolls by Meike

Leave it to me to spend a couple of hours stitching doll’s shoes… only to discover I’ve accidentally made two right shoes, instead of a left and a right one… AND I’m out of wool felt to quickly make a new one! Ugh!

What’s even worse - I’d been warned:

Don’t forget to make both a left and right.

Sigh.

Anyway, if you ever find yourself looking for Mary Jane types shoes for your Waldorf doll, look no further. There’s a pattern right here: Dancing Rain Dolls Shoe pattern & tutorial.

Just remember - dolls usually have two different feet! :)

Waldorf doll Carolina

Posted on August 26th, 2008 @ 12:24 pm in daily life, waldorf dolls by Meike

She’s done at last! My Carolina. :) I’ve been knitting like crazy the last few days. But it’s not the knitting itself that took the longest - it’s the finishing, the details. It has to be just so, you know. It all has to fit together, or I’m not satisfied. But… I’m happy now.

Even though Pieter didn’t get the job he’d applied for, which means we’re still stuck here in this noisy place. Sigh. Will it ever work out? I’m seriously starting to doubt it all…

I think I’d better concentrate on my next doll. Think happy thoughts. Cuddle Carolina. Because that’s what these dolls are for - cuddling, making people happy.

ouch

Posted on August 20th, 2008 @ 4:17 pm in daily life, knitting by Meike

I love painkillers. I had to have some minor surgery done to my foot (or more specifically, to the toe that had been troubling me lately) this morning, and I’m now living in my comfy chair with my feet on the coffee table. Had to go to the bathroom a little while ago (sometimes, you just gotta go), and whoa, not fun. Am safely ensconced again, gobbled up a nice painkiller, and now all is (almost) well again in Meike-land.

Of course, I need something to keep my mind away from the hurting regions down below, so I’m knitting away like mad, making a Sandra Polley teddy bear. Laptop’s acting all funny, so I’m going to have to include links later! (Fingers crossed that I get this post into cyberspace!)

ETA: link to Christopher and Rosie on Ravelry

to do

Posted on August 17th, 2008 @ 9:55 am in wish by Meike

Things I would like to do:

  • sand & paint the doll’s bed we picked up at Pieter’s sister’s a few months ago
  • make a new blankie & pillow to go with it
  • finish *all* the dolls I’ve got lying around here. This includes making them clothes & shoes - knitted or sewn - and hair
  • crochet a doll’s hammock
  • knit more bunnies
  • finish the teddie bear I’m knitting
  • finish knitting Nynke’s Hickory Dickory Dot before she’s outgrown it
  • knit my children some play food
  • make a pin cushion
  • learn how to sew
  • learn how to spin
  • dye some more yarn

I mean, do I need more hours in a day, or what? *hangs head* Right. Need to get off the computer now! :)

pumpkin and hedgehog

Posted on August 15th, 2008 @ 8:48 am in needle felting by Meike

Instead of trying out my new machine, I was needlefelting last night. Shame on me! ;)

This is a project I found in Living Crafts (the latest issue, Autumn), my copy of which I received yesterday. I just couldn’t resist! It’s a pumpkin home for little hedgehogs. Wouldn’t you want to live there if you were a hedgehog?

Yes, definitely getting ready for Autumn here. Who cares if August is  still only halfway…

sew

Posted on August 14th, 2008 @ 1:10 pm in found, sewing by Meike

Will you look at that? It’s my new sewing machine! I’m like a kid in a candy store, so happy! An early birthday present from my husband. :)

We were just taking a look, feeling the water, but the owner of the shop was so very enthusiastic, he lured us in. Even got a 100 Euro discount for trading in my rickety old machine. And I got the telephone number of a lady who offers sewing lessons. I’m in heaven! :)

O yes, and before I forget - it’s a Janome Decor Excel II 5024.

Next Page »