Hiya Friends

I've been busy these last couple weeks in fits and spurts.  Life has been going pretty well with some interesting 'bumps' along the way.  Our oldest son finally decided he was ready to start the enlistment process to join the Army. During the process we found out he had a heart murmur.  Which in turn the Heart Specialist says might actually be a small leak in one of his valves.  So his enlistment is on hold while we wait for him to have and Echocardiogram next month.  If you would I'd be thankful for any prayers, good thoughts, and healthy vibes you might send our way.  He is hoping to be able to become a Vet Tech for the Army. :-)  I'm very proud of him, and just know he'd be great in a Vet's office.  He just has an amazing way with animals! Of course we know there are plenty of other ways for him to become a Vet Tech, but doing it through the military is the way he really wants to go.

I have been working on a set of 5 short sleeve button down shirts for the MH guys. After almost 3 weeks they are all finally ready for my customer to choose her favorites. Once she does I will add snaps if she wants, as well as faux buttons. She asked for green plaids and I found 3, plus I added a light brown/blue plaid and a great red plaid. (which is my favorite!) I used a vintage Ken pattern that I reduced and altered to fit. For the most part I've got the pattern to where I want it as far as looks go, and it honestly doesn't take too long to sew them up...that is IF I can stay focused on sewing. 

 Staying focused seems to be a big problem for me.  I think the problem is that I really really like facebook, it's pretty much the only way I keep in touch and chat with friends.  Moving up here to NY has been, well honestly, lonely.  I've only met a few of my neighbors and while they are all really nice, there isn't really any one I hang out with, have coffee, go to lunch or go shopping with.  For the most part I don't really mind very often, but back in GA I knew there were folks around if I wanted company doing those things.  So these days FB is truly my social network, and I enjoy every minute of it, but it is SO easy to lose track of time.  A few weeks back I started treating my day more like a work schedule and turned off my laptop by 10am so I could get to 'work'.  That worked really good until things like doctors appointments and maintenance people fell into my schedule.  And I'm the kind of person who, once they fall out of a routine, find it incredibly difficult to get back into one!

I am bound and determined to get back on track this coming week. (although with Hurricane Sandy expected to make landfall not far from here, we shall see)  But barring major issues, I plan on sewing and sculpting all this week.  If I can work some photography in all the better.

At least I know that even if we lose power I can still sculpt and sew by hand as long as I have light.  I can also prep clothing to be sewn once power is restored.  Of course God-willing we won't lose power, but at least I know I have things I can do if we do.

<-- This is my favorite shirt of the 5... this shirt was actually made from fabric from a shirt that belonged to my youngest son!  I also think this one turned out looking the best too.  Thank goodness I have more of this fabric as I have several ideas for more things to make for both guys and girls.  I love how well it paired with the shirts from the Create a Monster set.


I have decided that I am going to change my focus with my Monster High clothing.  I am going to start creating pieces that are designed around each characters individual personality and style.  Yes I think this might require a bit more work, but I think it will also really open up lots of avenues, especially if I can showcase how my items mix and match with each characters stock clothing.

I have started compiling 'files' for each of the characters with ideas of where I want each line to go.  I have some really great ideas, as well as other collectors sharing their input as well.

I still plan to create custom order work for anyone who wants it, as well as some non-specific pieces also.  But I am very excited about this new idea and can't wait to finish up my custom orders and really get down to it!

Of course in the midst of all the sewing there will be food as well.  Once again I am well behind and just didn't get my monster-ish foods done in time to list for Halloween. :-(  Although that is one nice thing about Monster High, those items will be in demand year round!  So I'm not stressing over that too much.

<--- This is another favorite of mine, this material I actually found at Walmart.  I am SOOOO glad our WM's up here still carry fabric!  The ones down in GA had phased out their fabric departments several years ago.  But that wasn't such a big deal since there was a JoAnn's, a Hobby Lobby and a Hancock Fabrics all within 2 miles of each other and within 10 miles of my house.

I think I about had a craft-related stroke when we moved up here. Not only were we at least 30 minutes up or down the mountain from the nearest WM. But the only craft store was Michael's.  Now don't get me wrong I LOVE Michael's, but they don't carry more than a few (read: TINY selection) of Fat Quarters.  I have to drive 45 mins to a hour to get to JoAnn' or Hobby Lobby.  I about cried the day I discovered that. 

So it was a happy day indeed when I discovered that our WM's still have pretty respectable fabric departments!  Although I really don't need any more fabric, I often come home with a quarter yard of this or that! :-)  (Thankfully a quarter of a yard makes a good bit of Monster High sized clothes!)

This last image is from my newest addition to my studio. I bought 2 flat pack media towers for $20 each.  They are almost 3 feet tall, a foot wide and about 8 inches deep. They come with 4 shelves, although I decided to just use 3 in each.  The bottom 'shelf' of each one I have turned into a mini Diorama. That way I can enjoy having a couple dolls down at eye level.  In this one, I used a picture from a magazine, mounted onto cardstock as wall art.  The red bench came from the Dollar Tree, as did the green lamp on the left.  The bucket of flowers is made from a clear hairspray cap I painted with nail polish on the inside.  the flowers are made by me, from wire and hand painted punched paper.  The books, oh the books... Can I just say that I LOVE books everywhere.  These particular books came from Hobby Lobby.  But not in the miniature dept. as you might expect.  Nope these are part of a new line of jewelry making charms! They have 2 different sets. The Classics set which includes: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and Romeo and Juliet.  The 2nd set is the Fairy Tale collection, which includes:  Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Snow White. They retail for $4 a set (but are often on sale, as well as being able to use coupons on them! Don't forget if you have a smartphone they take the coupons electronically now too!)  They have really nicely designed covers and gold edged 'pages' (which I'm pretty sure is just chip board).  But these are a great way to add filler to book shelves, desks or where ever.  They do have a simple eyepin in the spine of the book, but mine came loose with a simple gentle twist.

Also in the room is a grey kitty I've had for ages that came from one of those Toobs filled with plastic animals and such.  While many of the Toobs are less than ideal for miniature work, the cats are pretty decently sized for 1/6th scale and work really well for 1/12th.  The Dog Toob is darn near perfect for 1/12th.  They also make several building/landmark sets that I'd like to pick up for knick knacks and such.

I'll try to get a few better shots tomorrow to show off the other details in this mini room as well it's neighboring room.  Thanks for hanging in there while I babbled.  To everyone in the path of Hurricane Sandy, please stay safe and try to stay dry! HUGS

Well hello there!

Ugh has it seriously been almost a month?  Guess so!


I had a couple weeks where I just felt bleh, and didn't feel like doing much of anything.  The weather was crappy and that affects my mood.  I finally started to get back in the mood a week or so ago.  I started working on a Monster High commission.  I had been asked to do a plaid button down shirt.  I printed a pattern off-line, but it just didn't work the way I wanted it to, so I ended up purchasing a vintage Barbie and Ken pattern.  I figured since I've successfully taken Barbie patterns and scaled them down I should be able to do the same for Ken. 

 Well it worked...to a degree.  the first draft ended up just a shade too small.  So I added about a 1/4 inch to each pattern piece.  I had to alter the sleeves and collar more as the proportions were off. The second version was good, a bit snug in the chest but it worked.  So I again altered the pieces to allow a nicer fit.  And fit nice it did!



For the most part it looks good.  I snapped these pics and loaded them for my customer. Then went "Crap!" 

I managed to sew the collar on crooked.  The right side of the collar sits WAY lower than the left.  Well my customer loved it, except for one thing.

Nope not the wonky collar, she'd like short sleeves.  Oops, guess I should have double checked on that tidbit first!  So my wonky collar is no longer an issue.

So tomorrow I will start on version, um 8 million point 2, this time with short sleeves and making SURE to get the collar lined up properly!

She has even asked me to make a couple open and with a tank or t-shirt underneath!  Sweet!

Still on my To-Do list is a Parisian picnic and some Copper-style outfits. Copper is a BBC America police drama set in 1864 New York.  I have yet to actually catch the show, but I am excited about the challenge the outfits will present.  I will be working on 2 suits for a pair of Create a Monster guys.  Should be loads of fun! :-)

I also have some Barbie outfits to work on soon as well.  Hopefully I will be back soon with a few more updates!

Monster High Photoshoot

When I decided to head across the street into  the woods, it was quickly apparent which Monster High ghoul I should take with me.  Who better than a 'plant monster'!  Venus McFlytrap is billed as the daughter of 'a plant monster' and an eco-punk.  Personally I prefer to think of her as the daughter of Mother Nature herself. :-)

Now, I must be honest, I never truly intended to purchase Venus, her promo photo's didn't call to me like Rochelle Goyle and Robecca Steam did.  But when I found Robecca in a local store for a super cheap price I knew I'd be silly not to go back and grab the one Venus they had too.  I even flirted with the idea of selling her online for a bit of a profit.  But in person she intrigued me more than I figured she would and well she quickly found herself released from her box.

Our first stop was this Red Oak tree next to the playground. Venus found a nice branch quickly settled in.

I decided I wanted to kind of do a 'Senior Portrait'  type 'shoot with her.

For a doll that initially didn't intrigue me, well I must say I think she photographs really well!

We headed down the path and I caught her in this patch of sunlight.  Aside from a few stray hairs, I really like this picture.

Venus communes with a tree.

This is another of those shots that I think turned out really well.

Here is Venus perched on that fallen tree with the spiral bark I mentioned yesterday.  Normally I wouldn't have kept this shot since Venus is a bit blurred, but this was the best of the bunch and I still like it a lot!

Just relaxing in the woods

Standing tall top the look out tower.

(This shot and the others I took of her here kept me nervous as she was standing on her own atop the look out tower a good 30 feet above the ground! Thankfully the wind chose to stay still while I was shooting them!)

Glorying in the sunshine

Sometimes even a plant needs to pull up roots.

Such pretty flowers

Shall we go this way?

Hopefully no one gets offended by this or the next picture.  I found this really neat patch of moss and thought a few shots of my Nature Ghoul au naturele wouldn't be amiss.

Personally I think these are lovely  shots and I hope you do too!

Nature Ghoul au Naturele

Another 'Work' week Done!

I did end up taking Scruffy for a walk Wednesday afternoon and I did indeed take a doll out for a hike!  I had a fantastic time and got some great shots.  Of course it helps to remember that however far you walk one way...you have to return that same distance! LOL  I was tired, but very happy! :-)

 I'll start with some great landscape shots.  I am really blessed to live in an area that is 'wild' right across the street.  We live in the Hudson River Valley area of New York and the scenery truly is gorgeous.

This is the view when I walk out my front door! =D  I simply cannot wait for the leaves to start changing colors!  I hope to try and get out every couple of weeks to take pictures.

 As I was taking a few shots of my doll, I noticed the spot of reddish in the base of the tree.  Getting down to take a closer look I discovered this.  I am pretty sure it is a mushroom, although I haven't a clue about it's variety.  And since I do know that many, many mushrooms are highly toxic, I chose to leave him be.  But not with out snapping a few shots.

Next stop on my hike was this really neat fallen tree.  The bark is peeling off in an almost perfect spiral. 

I stopped here to get a few shots as well.  I just love how lush and green everything is right now. So beautiful. :-)

Next up was this spot...not sure what it was that called to me about it, but it just did.  That boulder on the left is huge! Probably about 3 feet tall.

And this shot, well, it gave me the heebie-jeebies! But at the same time I found it incredibly fascinating.  I will be the first to tell you that spiders rank right up there with snakes of critters I try to avoid at all costs!!!
But I can certainly appreciate the beauty of a spider web.  This hollowed out stump was maybe 3 feet in diameter and was just chock full of this spider 'nets'.

As I trekked farther into the woods than I'd ever been, I came upon this marshy area that I didn't know existed.  Now if we still lived in Georgia, I would definitely have been concerned about alligators in the water, but I'm pretty sure here in New York, that is not really a problem! lol (But since I had no desire to slip of come across any snakes or other things, I chose to use my Zoom! LOL)

This image is of the Hudson River, from high atop a look out tower in the woods.  It looks so calm and serene and I could honestly sit up here for hours and just relax. 

But that day I stayed for a short while and took some landscape shots as well as some doll shots.

Which I think I will do as a 2nd post, so as not to make this one 8 miles long! ;-)


Stay tuned for a Monster High photoshoot!

What's up Wednesay

Today has been a 'blah, don't feel like doing anything' kind of day! :-(  Months ago I mentioned that when I keep on track and force myself to a schedule I do pretty well, however disrupt my schedule even one day and I find it really hard to get back on track.  I've run into that this week.  I just can't seem to get back into  the groove! *sigh*

That being said I did start walking my dog yesterday.  We did one lap around our Loop, and it was enough.  I am woefully out of shape. :-(  Hopefully if we keep it up everyday we'll soon be walking further and further! I am going to ask my husband to help me rearrange our living room this weekend so we can get our home gym equipment set up again. AND start using it too!

 I haven't listed anything new in my shop yet, but I'll leave you with a few pictures of the pieces coming soon!

 This outfit came about when  Facebook friend mentioned her granddaughter loved tie-dye and Monster High.  So of course knowing I had this ribbon in my stash I had to do something.  It's cute, flirty and fun!  Lala wears it with a velvety top made from a drapery fabric sample.

Cleo wears a hand painted halter top.  I liked the plain pink top, but felt it needed a little something.  I didn't want to add beads or sequins, which I thought would make the top seem heavier, so I pulled out some paints and added the solid strip at the neckline and then embellished it with polka dots.  This paint has a shimmer to it, so there is a light sparkle too!

 Here is Rochelle, my Parisian gargoyle.  She is wearing an outfit brought about by both my mom and my aunt.  The solid blue fabric in the top came from my mom.  It is a single shoulder tank top accented with coordinating blanket stitching and sequins at the shoulder.  The skirt is a super cute cherry print fabric that came from my aunt.  She had previously hemmed and gathered it. (Which OMG I have to get a gathering foot for my sewing machine!!!!)  I simply folded the fabric in half and added the waistband to create this bubble skirt.

Thinking about it know I wish I had added the pair of hot pink Mattel made tights I have to this outfit! lol

Ah my dear Cleo...this might be my most favorite outfit I've put her in so far!  This fabric also came from my mom.  Its a retro-ish floral stretch knit.  Because of the stretch this slim strapless dress fit beautifully!  And the colors look amazing on Cleo as well!

Miss Ghoulia wears a Bratz denim mini skirt with a top I almost didn't make.  This top gave me no end of headaches and I think this final version was about the 18th reincarnation... and of course it ended up looking nothing at all like my original plans.  But I'm ok with that, as I really like the final result1

Ghoulia models for me again here, wearing one of the black faux suede pencils skirts I've made, plus a Mattel made top.  The denim shrug I decorated by first sewing some decorative stitches with my sewing machine THEN cutting out my pattern piece.  I finished the edges with a matching gold blanket stitch.

I plan on having lots of these shrugs in my shop in several different shades of denim, fleece and faux suede.  They sew up super quick, there are just 2 seams.  The longest part in the blanket stitching around the edges, but even that doesn't take too long.  Plus I like doing it as it's kind of mindless work.  Good for days when I don't feel like doing anything...Hmmm like today!  I think I'll do some stitching after I take the dog for a walk! =D

Well my friends I'm off.  Scruffy is gettting antsy to go on a walk.  I might just take a doll and my camera with me too! We shall see!

Eeep! Sunday already???

I meant to post this yesterday, but well Saturday just kind of slept away from me...nope not slipped, slept! LOL  I was up at a decent hour this morning even got some things done online. but by noon I was feeling lousy and went and crawled back into bed. I think the weather played a big role in how I felt too.  It was cool, grey and stormy all day.  (To include a tornado warning!) Thankfully nothing more than heavy rains and some blustery winds though.  But it ended up being 5pm when I woke up, then of course I had to figure out something for dinner. (guess who needs to go grocery shopping tomorrow? o_O)  Ended up picking up McDonald's chicken nuggets and a couple of salads.  I enhanced the salads with extra veggies and added some french bread.  Was actually a pretty nice dinner.

But needless to say I accomplished nothing today! :-(  Although I suppose I should feel good because Friday I got 9 items of Monster High clothing listed in my shop. I still have loads more to list though.  I don't know if I'll get any in tomorrow, what with grocery shopping and all, but I'm going to try.  If not I will start first thing Monday morning.

 I figured I would share some of my favorite pictures from my 'product' shoot the other day.

<-- This one here is of (Left to Right) Ghoulia, wearing a custom skirt with a Mattel made top. Cleo in the middle is wearing a custom denim mini and Mattel Made top. Nefera (seated in the back) wears a custom top and leggings.  Lala wears a custom top and Bratz skirt.

I want to check out Lowe's or Home Depot to see if either place carries 24" peel n stick tiles.  These are 18" and for most things work great. But since my photo set-up is 24" wide a nice solid tile would be awesome.  My other thought would be to buy a pack of smaller tiles and adhere them in a pattern to a sheet of either matt board, cardboard or foam core.  I think I'd also like to get some wood grained paper or shelf liner to do a simulated wood floor. as well.

Here is Lala modelling a full outfit by me. She wears a faux suede mini, a cute tulip print flair top and a bright red mesh shrug.  This might just be one of my favorite outfits. :-)  I wish I knew how to sew super thin knit material, as I love the way these bright green Mattel made tights look with this outfit.  So instead I try to watch ebay for listings that include the tights.  They can be expensive, but I've gotten some good deals. :-)
(Plus an awesome friend who sent me this pair as well as a couple of others! Mwah! =D)

Here we have my dragon twins. (who are still bald and awaiting rooting)  One of these days I will get their hair ordered and get them finished!

Brinnande (with pink lips) is wearing Pink Pleasure, a mini dress I made from a fun print with shimmery silver accents. Her sister Kaitrus (with green lips) wears Glorious Green, a  neat Grecian inspired dress, made from the coolest crinkled ribbon!

Next up is the adorable Abbey Bominable!  I just adore this figure, and her character in the cartoon is fabulous too! She's a no nonsense kind of ghoul!  She is wearing a pair of Bratz jeans, that I paired with a teal floral top I made from an upcycled little girls top I found on clearance and fabric given to me by my mom.  The solid blue came from Mom and is really unique.  It has the appearance of felt, but only on one side.  The other side is really smooth.  It's weird, but really cool!

Here are the GFF's (ghoul friends forever).All three ghouls are wearing Mattel made tops with my custom faux suede skirts in 3 different lengths. 

I love this faux suede material a ton!  It is perfect for clothing, but also works great for upholstery. I think I have it in red, olive green and purple.  I need to pull some of the other colors out and make some more skirts and such!

 Here Lala and Cleo are modeling skirts I made in different lengths from the same material.  Lala's mini skirt is trimmed at the top with some antique cream lace that came from my husband's aunt's sewing stash.  She sadly passed away a few years ago, but I think she'd be thrilled to see her supplies being given new life! :-)

Cleo's skirt is unembellished, but she wears a deep maroon strapless top I created.  Lala's top is also made by me and is from a sample of 'velvet' drapery material

 This is Rochelle, my Parisian gargoyle.  she has such a sweet face!  I paired her stock skirt with a grey denim off the shoulder top.  I used a wire mesh 'ribbon' that I twisted up to make the strap.  I added a Swarovski cyrstal to the corner for a little bit of pizazz. :-)

Last but not least is Cleo again.  Here she is wearing a denim mini made by me and a cute white 'baby doll' style top.  This material was sent to me in a box chock full of goodies from my aunt!  (It's so awesome to have relatives who sew! =D)  She had already serged this piece so I just did a casing for the elastic at the top and added a piece under the bust as well.  I topped it off with the pretty coral pink bow because there are small VERY subtle pink polka dots in this fabric! 


I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.  I'm off to bed now!

Much love,
Deborah

Friday already!

Where has this week gone???  I've not been nearly as productive as I would have liked to have been this week, but I did get quite a bit done.  I finished off several items of clothing for my shop and spent all day Wednesday setting up my scene and then photographing each item. (I still have about a half a dozen pieces to shoot as well as some pieces that I need to shoot on Nefera as she has a slightly larger body size. Those shots will allow me to market those pieces for her as well!)

First off here is Cleo De Nile's walk-in closet! =D  Is it wrong to envy a doll? lol

 

Essentially being an Egyptian mummy princess, Cleo is used to...hmm...excess, maybe is a good word to describe Cleo. Her favorite colors are teal/aqua (as Cleo would say, the color of an Egyptian sky on a clear day) and GOLD lots and lots of gold!

I used the Mattel made vanity as my jumping off point for this diorama.  I wanted to use this 'room' as the backdrop for the clothing items in my shop. I used plain white walls (matt board from the craft store) and added the large butterfly image (cut in a square on the back wall and 'fussy-cutted' on the left wall.), the butteflies came from a couple sheets of glittery scrapbooking paper.  On the left wall I used the Mattel made Coffin Bean loveseat and added a small end table made from a Dollar Tree office supply cup. (this one I think would be for like paper clips, tacks or rubber bands). 

Along the back wall I used 3 pencil organizers I also picked up from the DT as bookshelves/shoe racks.  I stacked 2 on their sides and filled them with shoes, books, and a few other items

 The third pencil organizer I stood up on end and used the large middle section for the tall boots.  On tops the of the shelves I have a globe, some handmade candles, a pair of black cat statues, the dock and Cleo's Icoffin, a tray filled with necklaces, a fan and of course the world's largest diamond! ;-)  In the vertical shelf there is a polymer clay 'tablet' with a peacock design and a miniature Sphinx.  On top of that shelf is a basket with Cleo's crowns.  On the floor is a beige purse and Cleo's Fearleading duffel bag.

 This is Cleo's vanity.  It's a bit busy with all the gold, so eventually I might try to tone some of it down with a bit of dry brushing or painting to highlight certain area.  There really is a lot of detail in this piece and it'd be nice to really show it off to its fullest potential.  There are 4 shelves on either side of the mirror.  On these I've used MH items, rement, as well as Barbie and Bratz accessories. There is a little black bird statue, a clear cup with make-up brushes, a bottle of scented talc, and several perfume bottles.

On the surface of the vanity sits more perfume bottles, a tray of jewelry, a lantern, some votive candles, the dragon egg Cleo is supposed to be hatching for Mad Science and her sister Nefera's pet scarab beetle Azula.

The last area I put together is Cleo's purse shelf.  I've used various MH, Barbie and Bratz purses here. On the top is a smaller golden cat statue, a chunk of gold, a sphere of (I think) serpentine jade, a piece of tigereye, and a potted plant.  In the forefront is a black corduroy club chair that desperately needs lint rolled! o_o Eep!


I hope you enjoyed a tour through Cleo's Walk-in Closet.  I will do another post later with some images from the ghouls 'fashion show', in the meantime, though, if you'd like to see more, please visit my photostream over on Flickr! =D