Mermaids are Magical Creatures

Presently working on a possible Mermaid-en....Its great fun to see the individual personalities pop up out of nowhere as hair is sewn on, material choices are being made and fun findings (buttons, laces, sequins) are placed.

These are the moments that are what make "dolls" magical for me and why I keep making them.
My husband asked me one day why I continue to make them....(my thumbs are losing their lining-a bit painful sometimes.) And I answered...."they're Magical to me" I feel kind of lost without that time that I spend in creating them and I love being able to share that "Magic" and joy with others.

 I chose a simplified body structure (my own pattern-just squares and rectangles) because I wanted to do a lot of covering with the dressing and tail. I may even at this point re-work the body...not sure just yet.

So this is where I'm at right now and still playing with the hair style, but who knows what we'll end up with..that's the pleasure and the magic of making dolls.

I'll be back soon! Oh and be on the look out for the Funkefragmentz website! we're in construction now! yay!

Thanks for stopping by,
Michelle

I'm a Flower Child at Heart

Hello............ its been a long time since posting here at blogger, June to be exact and we're now almost through July, that's hard to believe. I do love seeing that 11,000 + readers have passed  by my blog since 2007 that's an amazing feeling to say the least. Its nice to come back in some respects to what has been my blogging home for some time now but its time to let progress ease its way into my life or run me over! So I'm on to the creative task of putting my website together and the next chapter of what I  LOVE doing most in this amazingly wonderful life...... sharing my love of creativity.

my Recipe Book Journal

My focus with Funkefragmentz will be to showcase my love for the 60's, 70's & 80's.....patterns, sewing, tools, handy hints, tutorials & all crafty creations with just a twist of FUNKY fun!

Drop by funkefragmentz.wordpress.com while we are in construction mode on the website to see what's new in the "material world".

I am a FLOWER CHILD at heart,

Michelle

A Caballo for Cole

Just a quick look at the stuffed toy I made my Grandson Cole! Its a horse named Caballo.........

My daughter (youngest) and her son left this morning for his Auntie A's house! Its his first airplane ride and I wanted him to have something to keep him occupied. He loves anything orange or yellow so when I saw this great looking orange polka dotted stretch fleece I was sure that he would enjoy this fun horse.

These were my first choices, I already had the brown minky from Cole's quilt that I made just before he was born and the orange polka dot is the new material.

I bought this pattern last summer when Hobby Lobby had their 99cent pattern sale in hopes of making something for my grandson once he was here. I finally had the perfect opportunity when my daughter (youngest) said that she was going to see her big sister this April..yay! I knew Cole would need something bright and fun to play with while on his first airplane ride to see his Auntie A.

I cut out the pattern and the orange polka dot material but decided on a brown flat fleece to use instead of the minky because the minky was of course bumpy and would prove difficult. I put this together in an afternoon, stuffed it and took care of the hand stitched areas and was all done by bedtime. Cole and his Momma were leaving in the early AM! so it had to be finished by flight time.

During the cutting of the orange polka dot stretch fleece I found that even though I had washed it, it was still shedding. I had orange fuzz all over my cutting board and my ironing board too so I thought a quick run over with my lint roller would be a good idea, it was.

This is the finished horse named Caballo.

I drove my daughter and her son to the airport this morning and gave Cole (my grandson) his Caballo to play with, He loved it!

Have an amazing day.....

 

 

Michelle

 

A Doll For Baby Brynlee...completed !

I've just finished the slippers for Brynlee's doll and she's complete. I'm really happy with this doll, I had so much fun making her and now I can't wait to send it off to baby Brynlee!

 I posted in the early stages that I was going to use the bright patterned pink material that you see on the doll's slipper as the pinafore. But I decided in the midst of making her that I would use the white eyelet that I spied in the fabric store instead, it was too cute to pass up. I of course still held onto the bright pink...I love material ! I knew that I would use it someway, somehow...someday!

 So when I was ready to make the shoes I thought that I would make them black, it seemed the natural thing to do. But I didn't want to have the stark contrast against the soft colors that were already on the doll so then decided to use the patterned pink that I had bought. I love the slippers on her, a great finishing touch, and that's what it's all about...the little things that make each handmade item so special.

I also posted that I would let everyone in on the little trick-tip that I found on the internet for sewing hair into a wig.

Just cut a thin strip of paper! Lay the strands of hair across it and sew down the middle! Position the strip with hair down the middle of the dolls head and tack on with similar colored thread.

If you are not going to add a hat or bow on top of the hair I would add more hair than you see here. I would also use a strip of bias tape or same color material that you've used on the dolls head instead of the paper so that it does not show. I have used a hat so I used less hair and went with the paper.

Another handy tip is about thread, don't skimp when it comes to thread. Spend the extra dollar and buy quality. I've used Coats & Clark since way back when and have always been extremely happy with the outcome. I've cut corners a time or two also and I don't even want to talk about those projects! Suffice to say...buy good thread, you will be happier.

So until the next project, and I have a great feeling that it will be very soon, enjoy whatever artsy crafty idea you may have!

Michelle

 

A Hat for Brynlee's Doll

Good Morning!

 I was working on the hat for Brynlee's doll last night and stayed up until 12 midnite...where did the time go? I also finished the seams on the back of the dress and pinafore, I just need to sew some buttons and ribbon on and they will be done. I'm still planning on making a pair of shoes for her, I'll have to see what I can come up with as far as patterns but it shouldn't take much. I'm posting a quick look at this doll, she's just about done!

See you soon!Michelle

Brynlee's Doll

More progress on baby Brynlee's doll.

As a refresher....I started with..

Simplicity pattern #2462

I found this at Hobby Lobby..only my most favorite place in the whole crafty world! on a 99cent pattern day! yay! double favorite!! I followed the instructions for the pattern and was pleased with most every part. The only part that I had to modify was the neckline of the dress, I found that it was a bit large for the dolls neck. But everything else was great!

 

I'm going to make some shoes for this doll, the pattern doesn't call for shoes nor does it come with a pattern for this so I'll make my own. You can also pick up a baby shoe pattern if needed and that would work perfectly too!

 

I used a synthetic curly hair in "blond" and I finally found a suitable method for sewing it on too. I have as I mentioned before always used yarn for a baby's doll so that it would not come apart when played with but this doll will be on Brynlee's shelf.

 

I'm also going to make the hat that came with the pattern and still need to sew the buttons and ribbon embellishments on. I'll post the process of the hair on the next publishing, I hunted quite a long time to find a way to put this type of hair together that I liked.

(the back of the doll that still needs to have a few seams sewn and some buttons & ribbons!)

 

                                    (Her hair attached to its base and sewn to her head)
I've really enjoyed making this doll and "especially"  knowing that it's for a very special baby! But, they all are VERY SPECIAL aren't they?

I'll be back soon with my handy hints and my special additions for this doll! And of course the finished doll.

Michelle

 

 

 

 

A Doll for a Baby Girl

Im on the road to finishing the "rag" doll that I started for my daughter's best friend's baby girl born in December of 2012! And as usual I have my favorite friend...Ms Sophia to help me along.

The head and face are now done and Im in the process of adding hair. I applied an iron on face with brown eyes that I purchased from my favorite Hobby Lobby store ,also a bag of synthetic curly hair.

This will be my first try at using curly synthetic hair, should be fun learning a new style of hair application. I have always hand sewn yarn onto a "baby's doll" so that the hair didnt come out when played with, this doll however will be one that will sit on a shelf. I will post a step by step on both styles so that you can make your choice.

Next on the list is the baby's clothing and Ive chosen some really cute pink combinations. I'm also thinking about some lacy pantaloons, but I'll have to look into what I've got in my material stores or go back to the fabric house...such a difficult thing to do! I could spend days in fabric stores and hobby & craft stores too ;)

I'll leave you with this for today and I'm off to the sewing machine for a few moments in time.....back tomorrow. Patterns to post in the next few days.

Talk to you soon,

Michelle

 

New Baby Doll in the Works!

I'm working on a doll for my daughter's best friend who is due in December I believe, she's having a girl. Its a fun little "raggedy" type doll that a  little girl can carry around just about anywhere!

Body parts;) I haven't decided yet what type of face I will make her. I've used a disappearing ink pen to stencil in eyes, nose & mouth. I may paint it or I may use some doll eyes & paint? Not sure yet but working on it today.

I

I have the body completely sewn & all parts attached except the head. I want to create & complete the face before I attach it, it will be much easier this way.

I'll be back when the face is complete......then on to the dress, MY FAVORITE PART!

see ya, Michelle

 

3rd & Final Segment in The Making of Mahdreen

Good Morning! Its hard to believe that I'm posting the last segment of Mahdreen, when she took sooooo long to be created. But here she is........

This is just after the hand sewing of her hair, made from a portion of a yarn that was very popular about 4 yrs ago for scarves. You can see I experimented on her eye makeup also, this was with watercolor pencils.

I also added in braids before completing the hair that was attached to her head.

Once I had her hair in place I played around with some embellishments, 2 more types of yarn that I had in my bag of tricks! When you compare this picture to that of the completed Mahdreen you can see many changes! That's what I love, love, love about creating my own dolls ;D

CREATIVE LICENSE..yayy

As I had posted in the previous segment, I added on breasts for Mahdreen by cutting out a small piece of flesh colored knit fabric. I hand stitched a gathering under each piece (they are connected),stuffed them with a fiberfill and then hand stitched them to her body.

You can also see some of her jeweled embellishments, I added beads just about anywhere I could find a place! And a bit of ribbon here and there.

Elf Shoes, again a scrap piece of drapery fabric, cut in the shape of a curly toed shoe!

I changed the yarn in Mahdreen's hair to ribbon & gave her an earring. You can also see that I've changed her eye makeup as well. I used acrylic paint this time and achieved the final look, which I was very happy with.

Mahdreen has one wire sculpted hand and one jeweled mystic hand...there is a story behind that, that I will have to tell sometime. Turning small fingers like these can be a bit frustrating but with the right tools you can breeze through them in no time.

                                                    A completed Mahdreen.....side view

                                                                       Front view

                                                            side view left

                                           MAHDREEN THE ELDER ELF OF WISDOM

I've enjoyed making Mahdreen from the top of her ear to the tip of her toes! Every moment filled me with a thrill of excitement........ENJOY!

Thank you for dropping in,

Michelle

 

 

 

Mahdreen the Elder Elf of Wisdom.....COMPLETED!

First a picture of the beautiful Mahdreen, my Elder Elf of Wisdom.....completed!

 She has been the most patient Elf that I've ever known, so many months and a yr have gone by since I began her. She has waited through all my healing from surgery, moving to AZ, getting settled in my new abode and then a few other projects that seem to have jumped ahead of her. Ah, but here she is finally completed and as beautiful as I thought she would be from the inception.

I will post a tutorial on her as best I can, being that she was a personal project I didn't get a step by step picture of her progress. She has gone through many changes as I put her together and played with the possibilities of what she would look like when finished.

This has been a learning experience for me as well in making Mahdreen. As I read more about soft sculptured dolls I came upon new ideas, I mixed them with the picture I had in my vision of her and voila'.........My greatest desire is to add more Elves to Mahdreen & Zandar's world.

Zandar (above), for those who are new to my blog, is my first Elf. Zandar is not my pattern (a pattern from SDA) but his clothing and detailing are. Mahdreen is a pattern drawn by me, as are her sculpting, clothing and detailing.

I will have a tutorial on Mahdreen coming this week! I also have a grandson on the way (November) so I'm making a quilt...my first for both! I will be sure and post on the progression of it and of course make a tutorial out of it as well. I also have a new doll that I've drawn just recently and plan to start that too! Busy, Busy, Busy!

See you soon,

Michelle

A Summer Hiatus

Hello Again.....I've had a few months off and still I'm making things (big smile).

Since I've last posted I have made another purse but this time its for my youngest daughter's Mini Chihuahua! She's only 4 1/2 lbs and loves to be carried or taken with no matter where you go, she's a cutie.  And since dogs are not allowed just anywhere and she's so small, well, you can fit her in a purse and shop as you please.

Most of the time when we shop with Lupe (the chihuahua) in arm everyone wants to stop us and pet her or talk to her. Sometimes though when we get to the check stand...some of the attendants are not  as pleased...so hence the making of the purse. Now Lupe can come along with us, happy and undetected!

I made the purse from a Simplicity pattern, decided on some upholstery fabric and leatherette (for durability) and also bought a purse bottom (a lightweight Plexiglas) so that Lupe felt sure footed when she's in it.

I didn't make a tutorial out of it but if you like it and want more information on it I can certainly do that. Or I can just pass along the pattern #.. :) Here's the purse, completely finished..its now in the custody of Lupe and her Mom, my daughter-youngest, Kristen.

I also put in a lining with special meaning....a piece of material that we saved from Kristen's childhood curtains.

I'm now starting a quilt for my grandson to be born in Nov ! So excited, this will be my first grandchild. Here's some of the material that I've chosen. I have it cut out and ready for sewing.

There will be a tutorial on this coming soon.............

This is just a snip-it for your viewing pleasure....

Talk to you soon, p.s. Mahdreen's finished, she'll be in the next post!

Michelle