Cutie Pie Felt Doll

Another Cutie Pie Felt Doll
Originally uploaded by Reyney

I haven't made any felt goodies in a really long time! Happy to share this cute new dolly with you.

She's the second lone like this. Inspired by my collection of vintage Japanese pose dolls and bunka dolls! Topped off with vintage embroidered trim and a polka dot ribbon.

I've also included a red crocheted basket with a little blue paper flower!

She's available here in my Shoeflower Etsy shop!

xoxo

My First Bunka

My First Bunka
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Whenever I obsess over something, I always try to see if I can make it myself. A few years ago, I was obsessed with my pretty mohair sweaters! I taught myself how to crochet, and now I can crochet anything, with or without a pattern.

Now, I have been obsessed with Bunka dolls from Japan. They're really really hard to get here. So, this is the second doll I have made on my sewing machine.

I made her based on the traditional Japanese instructions. But, since the instructions were written in Japanese, I'm not sure if I followed them precisely.

Thank God for Fabri-Tac!

She's tooo lovely in my eyes. AND I am thrilled that I made her!

XOXO
Renee

I Finally Made Something on My Sewing Machine

I've had my sewing machine for 2 years now. I never really knew what to do with it. I attempted to use it once, and then I just let it collect dust.

I don't know what inspired me, but I took it out a few days ago, and began messing around with it. After a few setbacks, and almost losing a finger, (LOL, J/K) I made my first dolly! I named her Missy, (aka www.boopsiedaisy.etsy.com )after a dear friend of mine, who, well, makes the most wonderful dolls in the world. AND I know how much she loves dollies with blue hair!

The dolly is far from perfect, but I am soo impressed with myself! AND so happy too. Part of me still actually can't believe that I made something with a sewing machine.

Save the Date - July 11, 2009

Our wedding is less than 6 months away! I started making my save the dates last February, but didn't mail them until recently. One thing I neglected to do was take a picuture of the whole bunch - because they're all slightly different. I ran short of my Save the Dates so I had to make 8 more today. Here's a pic!



I love them sooo much, wish I could keep them all!

HUGS,
R

How to Make REAL SnowFlakes

As an art teacher, I find that many of my students do not know the real way to make snowflakes. Often we find them making square snowflakes with mostly triangles out of them!

Sorry these pics aren't great, but I had a little fun with Flickr and Picnic graphics to help with the tutorial below.

STEP 1: Start with a piece of copy paper and fold the corner up. The thinner the paper, the better! Tissue paper can rip easily, but the results are still quite beautiful!




STEP 2: Fold up the second corner.



STEP 3: Cut off the excess at the top. You now have a square that is folded in fourths (the triangle in pic.)



STEP 4: This triangle needs to be folded into thirds. Why are we folding fourths into thirds? Because snowflakes have 6 points and the points are symmetrical halves. So, technically, when you open the triangle, you'll see twelfths.

Start by folding in the left side.



STEP 5: Then, fold the right side over it.



STEP 6: Cut off the excess paper at the top. I tell my students to cut off the "bunny ears" at the top. They are left with an ice cream cone in their hands.




STEP 7: Draw a pretty design. There's nothing wrong with sketching your design with a pencil first. Since the snowflake is folded, it's best to draw half shapes on the creases. Half circles and hearts are quite easy to draw. The more details you draw, the more delicate the snowflake will become, and the harder it will be to cut out. If you draw a line directly across the snowflake, you will end up cutting it in half.



STEP 8: Cut out your design carefully!



STEP 9: Open your snowflake carefully, and enjoy!




DISPLAY YOUR SNOWFLAKE: Snowflakes can be taped to windows and mirrors. Hang them from pretty ribbon. Glue to construction paper or pretty cardstock paper. Add glitter. ETC! Have fun!

Thanks for reading!
Hugs,
Renee

Bunka Bunka

Bunka Bunka
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Ok - my latest obsession is the Japanese Bunka Doll. I don't really know much about them. I believe there is some specific method to making them and there are definitely vintage ones out there.

The one thing I do know is that they are not for sale in the US. I don't know why. I wish someone from Japan would market them here.

So, I placed an Alchemy order on Etsy. (Alchemy is a part of Etsy that allows you to order something that you would like to be made).

3 bids were placed on my order and I accepted one from http://www.kollectionbyketura.etsy.com/. She actually made 3 different ones, and well, because I love them so much - I bought 2! Aren't they so cute! I named them Marci and Macy - my American Bunkas!

I also just purchased one from http://www.boopsiedaisy.etsy.com/ It's on it's way - so no pics just yet.

AND I am working with the lovely Gretchen of http://www.shop66.etsy.com/ to acquire one from Japan on Rinkya.

My my my - when it rains it certainly does pour! I love them!

Scarfette

Scarfette
Originally uploaded by Reyney

I used the leftover yarn I had from my www.FolkTale.Etsy.com purchase - It wasn't long enough to make a neck warmer, so I had to improvise with what I had laying around! Not bad, if I do say so myself!

Also features a little red wooden bead and a crocheted flower!

I'm not going to try and rewrite this pattern. I found it in Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet. Page 142. It's called the Solid Shell Stitch. My starting CH was 12 + 1.

I love how the shells separate the colors and you can really see the pattern forming within the colors! (c;

Now, I have no more beautiful yarn - need to buy some more! (c;

My vacation is over - back to work on Monday. Can you hear me crying???

Complete Scarf, A Scalloped Ending

Complete Scarf, A Scalloped Ending
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Well - the yarn came in the mail yesterday. And needless to say, the scarf is complete today. I think I was just too darn excited about the colors - and combine that with a whole week off of work, and you get this beauty.

I don't like writing patterns, but here it goes for anyone who's interested.

CH 15 (Plus one for turning)
SC for 2 rows (Allow 1 turinging chain at the end of each row)
DC for 1 row (Chain 2 at the end of each row)

Repeat until you get your desired length.

Scalloped endings:
CH 2, 2 DC in same stitch
Skip 2 SC
Slip stitch in on SC
Skip 1 SC
5 DC in next SC
Skip 1 SC
Slip stitch in next SC
Skip 1 SC
5 DC in next SC
Skip 1 SC
Slip Stitch in next SC
Skip 2 SC
2 DC, CH2, Slip Stitch in last stitch

WHEW!

I have no idea if any of that is correct.

Felt pin handcraft by moi. I used a button, some sequins, some seed beads, and size 10 crochet thread. It is only pinned to the scarf and can come off at any time.

This scarf reminds me of something Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie would sell for a million dollars! But this one is mine, and it is not for sale, so sorry!

I know I keep repeating myself, but awesome yarn is by
www.FolkTale.Etsy.com

YAY!

AND PS I have a tiny bit of yarn left over - maybe I'll make a little plushie animal if it snows tomorrow! I just need to get some more stuffing!