The Finishing Touch, and Some Menswear

I was going to post this yesterday, but after waking up early and attending and singing for two church services, I was exhausted. 
Anyway, I mentioned before that the first two projects on my list needed to be done by the end of the week.  Rest assured I did finish them right on time.

The first is this little bitty bag.  I have already used this fabric to make a skirt and a dress and there is still more than enough to make another skirt or something.  So I thought I might as well make a matching purse to go with all these somethings.  It is about 7 inches in diameter, small enough to fit under my choir robe.  It was a perfect edition to my Easter outfit yesterday.

And the second project was the finishing touch to my Easter outfit, a wreath for my hair.  I had a different idea for it in mind, but that plan kind of fell flat.  This is plan B, take wire stem roses and twist them together to form a ring.  Then wrap green ribbon around to cover the wired part.  Loop on long hanging ribbons and it’s ready to wear.  It barely took 10 minutes to make, but it made quite an impression yesterday.

I got one other project finished this week, clothing for a “man”.  I wanted to make some doll clothes for my nephew, “Ken” doll sized ones.  It presented a slight challenge for me.  The clothes had to be just right to fit a Ken doll, be easy for my nephew to take off and put back on, plus look like something a guy would actually wear.  Sadly this meant no lace.  This translated to a pair of yellow elastic waist shorts, a white open top with a tank underneath and a blue messenger bag.  All easy to slide on and official approved by my nephew.  The shorts I made based on a store-bought pair I had lying around.  They are actually pretty quick and easy to make once you figure out how to do it.  There may be more in the future.  Much more.  By the way, the doll in the picture isn’t my nephew’s it is one of mine.  I got it years ago from one of my nieces,  She didn’t want it because the head kept on popping of which creeped her out.  I traded it for a doll with a more secure head, problem solved.
Here’s the updated list:

• Floral bag
• Wreath
• Doll
• Top
• Doll dress
• Gloves
• Black purse
• Tiny plushies
• Tiny “men” clothes

Three down, six  to go. The next one should be up by this Thursday.

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More for the Dude

No too long ago, I made a cute little doll for my nephew (see Dolls for Dudes).  He absolutely loved it, and since has grown more fond of it.  I decided to make some more items for the doll, makes it more fun.

I made an extra top with another old t-shirt I had laying around.  The irony being that the old shirt said “princess” on it and now it is for a “dude”.  I made a simple pair of shorts cut from a polo shirt that belonged to my nephew’s mom, he doesn’t know that.  And I still had scraps of the t-shirt I used to make the original shirt for the doll, so I made it into a drawstring backpack.  It’s perfect, it holds all the doll’s accessories so they won’t get lost, plus my nephew really likes it.  He said it was just like his backpack.  It isn’t, but who’s going to argue with a three year old?
Here’s the updated list:

• Rosettes
• Doll aprons
• Zipper charms
• Refrigerator
• Heart purse
• Doll
• Kitchen sink
• Cupboards
• Clothes
• Vase
• Dishes
• Curtains

Nine down, three to go.  Almost done, and I’m back to making the minis.

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Dolls for Dudes

My nephew has a thing for dolls, mainly my dolls like my Ken doll.  However, he only recently turned 3 and I don’t think he is quite old enough for Barbie and Ken, so I decided to make him a more appropriate doll that has that same appeal to him.

Here is our little guy,  when my nephew saw him he loved him.  The hair is embroidered and is the same color as my nephew.  In fact the doll does bear a great resemblance to him except for the tan, that’s thanks to tan-ish shirt I used to make the doll.  Wearing a simple tank top and elastic waist jeans made from fabric scraps, it’s a casual outfit that is easy for a 3 year old to put on and take up again.
 
I am particularly proud of the shoes, a simple pair of slide-on sandals that are easy to put on and stay on surprisingly well.  To make them, I cut strips of fabric and glued the ends on the bottom of a round piece of cardboard.  Then glued another piece of cardboard underneath to cover, and then I glued a similar shaped piece of fabric as a lining to make it look better.
The must have for this doll that’s missing from most fashion dolls, a pair of boxer shorts.  My nephew has a thing about “big boy” underpants, I figure his new friend should wear them too.  I made them the same way as the the jeans except a bit shorter and with cotton scraps instead of denim.  It really completes what I hope will become a life-time friend for him.
Here’s the updated list:

• Rosettes
• Doll aprons
• Zipper charms
• Refrigerator
• Heart purse
• Doll
• Kitchen sink
• Cupboards
• Clothes
• Vase
• Dishes
• Curtains

Six down, six to go.  More doll house stuff is up next, so stay tuned.

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Real Men Craft

I think this is something everyone should check out, especially those who thinks crafts are too girly.  Nathan Vincent has create several lace doilies with a somewhat more masculine theme to them.  They feature such icons as John Deer, James Bond, Superman, and other shall we say “manly” images and trademarks.  Who says real men can’t crochet?

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