Gargoyle

This is the gargoyle finished.

Knee Blankets

This is another knee blanket finished.

Gargoyle

Simplify! this is the body for the gargoyle, a simple shape, triangular base tapering off towards the top.
The head is pinned into the front, and the body features will be needlesculpted into the body.
Side view. I have at the moment run out of fibre fill and have used fabric scraps.

Gargoyle

The head is finished. Just need to add the mouth spout pipe detail.
Side profile. Starting on the body tomorrow.

Gargoyle

All the head pieces have been cut out ready to sew, the nose, eyes and mouth have an iron on stabilizer to help give it body.

Savers

I took a break and went shopping, The new Savers in Mill Park that opened on Thursday. This is what i bought, Sketch a Graph, I always wanted one of these when i was a kid! Mythology, I have the Dragonology and Pirateology so i wanted to add to my collection, and two super sewing books, Killer Slippers and Killer Tea Cosies, Very funny stuff to make. Total cost? $10. A bargain!

Gargoyle

I am happy with the face but before I undo it all I mark the positions on the face front and mark all the pattern pieces including the nose gusset and chin gusset and inner mouth piece. Then I mark the upper head and lower chin gusset making sure i put positional marks on them first.

Soft Sculpture

Tilli and Meggie helping as usual! This is the fabric i am using, along with the stuffing and the trusty cardboard that i like to use to help me create.
A rough draft of my new project, The cardboard pieces are to help me visualize and get the dimensions of my new project. This is going to be made all in one colour, a mid to dark grey woolen fabric.

Knee Blankets

Whenever I finish a project, and before I start the next project, I knit knee blankets. I do a section at a time before starting my next sewing project. I call it my in between project. I use odd balls of wool/yarn. They are in garter stitch, 4mm needles and 8 ply wool. It is made up of rows that are joined as you knit This saves time and each row is 35 stitches wide. When they are the size want I finish them off by doing a couple of rows around the edge in crochet.

Tiki Cushion

This is the Tiki Cushion finished.
Side Views. I have stuffed it with the same wadding i used to make the textured fabric. firm but soft.
It is 65cm tall and 91cm around.

Tiki Cushion

This is the same picture as before, but photo shopped. It has given me something to think about, I think that the cushion in colour would be visually more exciting.

Tiki Cushion

The background is done, I have positioned the pattern pieces onto the newly made fabric, I like what i see. I will be making the individual pieces onto Vliesofix ironing them on and then stitching it on.

Tiki Cushion

Tilli and Meg helping.
Preparing the fabric for the cushion. I have used batting off cuts for this available from The Pillow Factory in bags full, Cheap stuff. It is on some cotton fabric which will not show because it will be the insides of the pillow.
Sandwiched and pinned with some lovely brown 100% wool suiting fabric i bought from Spotlight last year.
Randomly textured the fabric. This is great fun.

Tiki Cushion

The Camera Works! This is the start of my next project. I am making a cylindrical Tiki Cushion. This is the cardboard pieces ready to choose the fabric and applique next.

New Camera

My husband is a real darling, Look at what he bought me, a new digital camera! He bought it for me, not because it is valentines day, but just because he know i use mine all the time. This is a link if you want to know the specifics of the camera. All I know is I click and shoot!
http://www.dirtcheapcameras.com.au/Digital-Cameras-Film-Cameras/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Sony-Cameras/Sony-Cyber-Shot-Dsc-W510-Cybershot-Digital-Camera

Coconut Tree

This is the tree finished. I have decided to just add the green balloons as they are because to tell the truth, i was scared of blowing them up, and the kitties might not leave them alone! I have added a fabric gecko to the tree for added interest. The trunk is painted with house paint. The leaves were spray painted.
The tree is comprising of two parts, the trunk and the leaves.
Looking forward to sewing this afternoon, I will be making a Tiki Pillow for the classroom to keep.

Coconut Tree

It is almost finished, I am just waiting for the final leaves to dry and then add the coconuts.

Coconut Tree

This is the tree leaves. They will be a separate piece to be assembled at the school onto the trunk, this is because it is so big. What i have done is made it out of a wire lampshade, the bottom edge has been cut off and the wire sprayed out. It is stiff enough to hold it's shape. along with additional wire to stiffen the leaves. The leaves have been spray painted. There will be 12 leaves in all. The cardboard insert is in the centre of the lampshade base. I hope it does not rain tonight because i have left them all outside under the veranda to dry. I have not totally covered the leaves because i want it to be seen as made from cardboard, It is all about recycling materials as art.

This is the cardboard insert from the top of the tree that will be stuck into the tree once it is in school. The trunk has been painted and is now drying. It should be finished minus the coconuts, they are still in production.

Coconut Tree

Making the leaves today, then painting the whole thing. I have one other activity i will be making towards this project, this time it will be a sewn one, More on that later.

Coconut Tree

Ready to add the leaves and coconuts, then it will be painted.
How i made the bulbous base.
This is a close up of the layers. They just need to be evened up then taped to each other.

Coconut Tree and Meggie

Now it is Meggies turn to play with the cardboard! The tree is coming along nicely now, more pictures soon.

Coconut Tree

Inner part of the tree trunk done, It will all be covered in paper, ready to paint, Need to add the leaves and the coconuts. The leaves will also be made out of cardboard and i will use coat hanger wire to stiffen them.
Close up of inner inserts.

Coconut Tree and Tilli

Not easy cutting out with a cat that likes to lay down on the cardboard!
The tree is quite tall, it will have 9 cardboard round discs with 8 cut out pieces. The main trunk will consist of 8 pieces also that will slot into the discs. I will then cover the whole thing in paper ready to be painted. Currently it is taped to the edge of the door. When i have cut out all the pieces and assembled it it will be able to stand independently.
This is the base. The bottom of the tree is bulbous.I will also add a cardboard insert on the bottom for stability.

Charity Makes for 2011

Today i am making 20 doll quilts for the dolls i am making for charity today, and I have got my cardboard and will be making a couple of coconut trees using balloons to make the paper mache coconuts that will be hanging in bunches from the top. I just have to go out and buy the balloons for that, all the other supplies i now have.

Pink Flamingoes

I have finished making the 3 flamingoes for the classroom for the kids to finish off, I am looking forward to seeing how they do them.
They just need the dowels for legs.

Charity Makes for 2011

Whilst i am waiting for more cardboard, i went back to the dolls i was making before i went on holiday. To make my life easier, i like to make face templates. Using ordinary paper I fold it in half and draw an eye, nose and mouth. I then cut them out, test it against the doll and when i am happy i contact it. The razor is for the dolls face, Nice and soft as the fabric is, i have found it to be too fuzzy to draw on.
This is a lovely photo of my Great Niece, Just wonderful don't you think?