Tag Archives: work-in-progress

Which Photo Came First?

I took these first two photos today.  Can you tell which one I took first?  Look closely… it seems obvious, but it’s not what you think.

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Which one did you guess?

Here’s a close up photo of the sweater (the little pink one in front) that I embroidered a couple of days ago.  Do you see anything wrong with it?  I don’t think that I was having a very good day when I worked on it and didn’t notice how far off the sides were from mirroring each other.  I realize that hand made things aren’t going to be 100% perfect, but the more I looked at this sweater the more I knew I had to redo one of the sides; one motif took up a LOT more space than the other side took up.

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So, the less compact motif is already ripped out, and I think I will be doing coordinating motifs, not mirrored motifs, on this sweater.  I am thinking two smaller motifs to balance the larger one.

You’ve already figured it out by now… the second photo is the first one taken.

I hope you all have a great weekend!  We are in for a very springlike weekend– yay!

Bye for now.

In & Out of the Studio

How’s the first week of this new season going for you?  It started out pretty nice for us, but it is rapidly going downhill—cloudy, rainy, cool cold today.  Oh, and it will get worse as the week progresses; snow flurries are predicted.  Happy spring!

I had two outfits to pack up and mail on Monday.  Thought I’d show you how I wrap up my outfits in case you are curious.  It’s no big production, just the way I package right now.  I put my Amelia Thimble and Pukipuki sets into a small box.  This way the hat will not get crushed, which is especially important for the crocheted brimmed hats.  I sew the pieces onto card stock like how the first Barbie® clothes were packaged.  I use plastic envelopes for mailing these little boxes.  They can be mailed first class as they only way a few ounces.

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I don’t use a box for the larger doll ensembles; they aren’t needed with the Priority boxes I use.  First, I put all of the accessory pieces is small zipper bags, wrap the knitwear in tissue paper, stuff the sewn dress with tissue to keep it from getting wrinkled.  All of these pieces fit in a larger zippered bag.  I then wrap the bag in tissue; you can see the package below.  I used to use ribbon to tie the package, but ran out one day.  I got the “brilliant” (ha ha) idea to use coordinating or matching yarn from the ensemble to tie up the package.  The yarn can then be reused for hair bows or whatever other creative purpose my customers can think of.  I print out a little thank you note card with a photo of the ensemble, its title, and month/year made to include with the ensemble for future reference.  I use brown paper to wrap up this package and into a Priority box it goes.

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Outside of my studio I found this tiny clump of crocuses that naturalized a few feet away from the main grouping of crocuses.

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On Monday this was what a few of my dolls were wearing.

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I still had my husband’s macro lens on my camera, so took a few more close up shots of the orchids in the bay window.

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And,… that was how the beginning of my first week of spring went.  How was yours?

Oops, forgot to mention that Jpop will have a few Gracie elves and humans for sale on Thursday night.  Here’s the link:  Extra Gracie BJDs.  Also, I think, but not positive, that you will need an account with them, so I’d make one ahead of time if you don’t have one.  I imagine that these will get sold in seconds, so good luck.

This Week

Happy Saturday to you all!  I don’t have doll outfits to show you today, sorry.  I should have at least three by the end of next week, maybe more.

I do have some photos of works in progress and photos of a few “detours from work”, such as this pile of old cards that I dug out of my memories box.  Lately, and due in part to Pinterest, I have developed this nostalgia for vintage illustration.  Not only are these cards vintage, but they are from my loved ones, so are even more special.  (So glad I kept them!)  I even found a signature from my great grandma.  I long forgot how she would sign her name.  And, many are from my younger siblings before they had their own families; they would give a card together from the three of them, so long ago…

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The sun was coming up so beautifully this morning.  I went outside with my camera to see if I could capture the rising sun’s golden glow and long shadows.  I found our bird feeder empty and looking a bit ravaged.  Raccoons?  I think they are the only ones who could knock the tray down.  I know that the squirrels are mostly responsible for emptying the feeder.  They sit there, sometimes one on each side, for the longest time, and eat and eat.

02-23-16 588I dyed some rayon ribbon this week.  It took a few tries to get the right shade and then I ended up using a previously dyed piece.  Oh, well!

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Earlier in the week some of these pieces were in progress.  Patience is now dressed in her dress and sweater ensemble.  She’s looking very cute, I might add.  The pink sweater (for Talyssa and/or Gracie) has been blocked and is waiting for embroidery.  The little yellow dress for Pukipuki is also waiting to be embroidered.

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Another mid week shot of my work space.

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That’s all I have for today.  Hope all of you have a relaxing weekend.  Bye for now!