Cat of the Day

Tilli asleep in one of the cat climbing equipment posts.
Showing her lovely white belly.

Lounging on the bed.

Monkey Marionette

Side profile of monkeys face. This is how he looks so far. I have still to do some needle sculpting and although on the original picture the monkey has no ears i will be adding some. His neck is not yet sewn onto his body, just pinned for the photo. I will be sewing that on when i have finished his body.
His hands and feet have to be sewn on, the safety pins are where the strings will be when i am ready to do that. I have bought some fishing line and some dowels for that part of the project.
This is a close up of the finished dreads on his head.

See De Sew

See De Sew is having a little giveaway for not one, not two, not three, not four, BUT FIVE patterns to ONE lucky winner.
Her dolls are just the cutest little rag dolls around.
Please leave a comment on her blog to be entered. Winning name will be drawn on Monday 8-24-09
Winner can choose FIVE printed or e-patterns.
I want to win!!!

Meg and Tilli

Meg and Tilli settling down on one of the two computer chairs we have in the family room. Tilli always gives Meg a wash before they go to sleep.

Monkey Marionette Update

Front View of Face.
This is an update on the monkey so far. The face is partially stuffed at the moment, i have to add teeth and needle sculpt the lips and add holding stitches to put the mouth in position. He still needs his nose and eyes added. A long way to go before he is done. The body has been sewn, turned right sides out and stuffed, I have to add the bones to the limbs, the wire to the tail, then add the feet and hands.
Side View of Face, but as you can see it is taking shape quite nicely.

Dreads Finished

The dreads are finished, ready to be attached to the monkey's head.

dreads

This is how i am making the dreads for the monkey.
I have a bowl of hot soapy water, my roving pulled into strips, bubble wrap and a towel.
First i will lightly wet my palms of my hands and carefully pick up the roving and gently rub my palms of my hands over the roving backwards and forwards. I will do this all along the length of the roving. I will repeat this step rubbing harder each time until the fibers start to mat together.
onto the next step.

Having gotten the fibers now stabilized i am ready for some more vigorous felting to happen. I lay it onto some bubble wrap, bubble side up and lay the semi felted fiber on top. fold over the bubble wrap over the roving and roll the top of the bubble wrap backwards and forwards matting the fibers together. Let me warn you, this takes time! and you get a good work out on your arms in the process, What a bargain!

When it is done to your satisfaction, rinse it under cold water until soap is gone. squeeze out the water,
take it to a towel, fold the towel over the now made dread and press out the excess water. Put aside to dry naturally. This is a close up of the felted roving.



This is a close up of the roving before felting