Under the Sea

Under the Sea
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a picture of my completed block. It measures 8 X 6 and it is a charity block for CQInternational. This will be part of a wallhanging that will hang in a childrens cancer center.
This block has threads, lace, funky fibers, beads, sequins,3 different shell beads, charms and whatever else thrown in. Once you start adding things it is hard to stop. In fact, I just might have to add a few more shells at the bottom in the center. I'm just afraid it will be getting too heavy.
I still have many shells left so I have started another block that will be for me. It is pretty similar to this one. The block is pieced and I did the seam treatments already. In fact, the mermaid is half done.
To make the mermaid I drew it on paper first. I really can't draw, but I do like to doodle. Anyway, I then traced it onto muslin and pinned that to the block. Then I beaded over it. Easy! I was afraid that it would pucker too much, but surprisingly it didn't.

Under the Sea

Under the Sea
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Just a quick update on my Under the sea block. I put a lot of "stuff" on this. I think my favorite is the green/blue shells with the pearl in the middle. And what about the curly q thingy in the middle. (It is a snail in case you can't tell.) I wasn't sure what to do for the mermaids hair so I went with some hairy yarn. The fuzzys that went over her head I pulled back and tacked down. The small shell represents a hair clip. I still want to add sequins and beads as air bubbles. And I have some more fishy charms to add.
This block has to sewn with right sides together and turned right side out to be finished. I hope it isn't too far off in shape and size. I just might add more shells to the bottom after it is completed!

Under the Sea CQ Block

Under the Sea CQ Block
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I hand pieced my first CQ block. I just had to try to have curves in there! Sure, some people can do that with a machine, but I'm not one of them! And it wasn't as fidley as I thought it would be. I will definately try this way again.
Leslie (Of CQI fame!) is collecting Under the Sea blocks for a Children's cancer treatment center. These blocks will be put into a wallhanging. Each block measures 8 X 6. I really enjoy working on charity blocks. After all, it is just a block. Not a very hard thing to do. And the time frame isn't too great. Put my block with other peoples blocks and it is amazing what the end result is. And it just makes me feel good doing it!
Many years ago I used to volunteer at the Cancer Society's Annual Childrens Christmas Party. There were a few of us from work that went. We dressed up in costumes and mingled with the kids. Just had fun with them. I remember being Alice in Wonderland. My son had one of those little dogs that barked and stood on its hind legs. I brought that and put it in a basket. My version of Toto was a hit! I think a few years I was either Minnie Mouse or Mickey Mouse. Funny I can't remember who I was and of course I can't tell from the pictures!
Anyway, it is so easy to do a simple thing and how wonderful if that simple thing ends up being a big thing to someone else!

Petals

Here is another picture of my doll Petals. I was going to edit the previous post but decided to play it safe with a new post instead.
I found the link for the challenge from Sherry Goshons elf pattern. It is called "Who Am I Challenge". Some of these are amazing! I think I have found a new addiction. These dolls are a lot of fun to play with. I'm trying to decide what doll to make next. Of course I am still working on the white angels. I finished the one I'll be sending to Pat of Gatherings.
I know that I'll be making more for her also. I have also finished one for the CQ Friendship doll swap at CQI. I am almost done with one I"ll be sending to my Aunt. I'll have a picture of that one pretty soon.

Petals

Petals
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I am such a terrible blogger. It seems that I keep up in spurts. Oh well, at least I have been busy. Besides family life in the summer that is.
I'd like to introduce Petals. I thought that the name "fit" but she may be up for a name change. She is made from a free pattern by Sherry Goshon. This was actually a challenge pattern. (I'll edit this post when I find the link to those dolls. They are just amazing!) This pattern can be found at http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/ with the free patterns.
I had a lot of fun with her!

CQ Friendship doll

CQ Friendship doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Where has the time gone? I haven't posted in a month? I guess I have been busier than I thought.
Here is a picture of my latest cq friendship doll. There will be another swap on CQI for a Christmas Friendship Doll. I have a few of these dolls all in varying stages of completion. These dolls are all of 6 inches! A lot of fun to make.
I don't have pictures of the other dolls yet. My son has gone on vacation and has my camera. When he gets back I should have a few more pictures to share.

Spirit of Friendship Doll

Friendship Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I must be on a roll today. I just finished this doll. All it really needed was the tassel. I was going to add more beading and decided that I liked it just the way it was.
The swap at CQI is over but this doll is for me. There will be another swap coming up though. I have a lot of ideas for that one. But I must wait, I have other things to finish up first.

cloth doll

cltoh doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here she is! The first doll I've made. It was quite a journey. There is a very fine line between fun and frustration. I'm happy to say that the fun stands out more. There are quite a few mistakes I've made along the way too. I hope I remember them so I don't do them again.
I'm not too crazy about her hair but she looks better this way than bald. I think that doing hair will only improve with experience. Oh, and her legs are way too wobbly, I think the thread broke. I'll have to redo them. That was part of the frustrating part. Her arms and legs would get in my way. I felt like I needed an extra hand at times.
For now I'm going to leave her up on the television where she is very visible. I'm waiting for her to tell me her name!

Friendship Doll

I received my dolls from the Friendship Doll swap at CQInternational . I am so thrilled with the dolls I received!

This first doll was rec'd from Barbara. Look at that beading. And the fabrics! Now, if you know me, you know how I live on coffee. I tend to say that is what is running through my veins. This doll is perfect for me!!

The second doll is from Jo. Look at her stitching! And the ribbon work of course. And I love these colors. Green is a neutral in my book.

Aren't these dolls wonderful. If you want to see the rest of the dolls go check out the CQInternation blog. There is even a group picture there!
This was so much fun that I hope there will be another one.
Thanks ladies!

Purple doll

Purple doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Just a little update on this doll. I dyed the lace and then added some Jacquard paint for a little sparkle. I'm using seed beads to hold the lace down. My poor fingers and I'm not even half way there yet! I love adding beads to things. That extra step just makes a big difference.
I also dyed lace for her wrists and ankles. Unless I change my mind.... again.

Friendship Doll

Friendship Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here is a better picture of my friendship doll. This one is for me and she is finally finished. I'll have to think up a name for her.

Another Doll

Another Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

This is what I've done so far today. I think I'm addicted to these cloth dolls. And look at those hands! Not one seam broke through. Perhaps I'll get the legs done tomorrow.

Another Friendship Doll

Friendship Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Here she is! Another friendship doll. This one is for me. While she isn't completed yet, I do have her hanging on the wall. Unfortunately she is by herself for now. I swapped 2 of my other friendship dolls at the CQInternational yahoo group. I'll be sure to post photos of the dolls I receive.
I'll also be sure to post a better photo when the sun comes out. It is a rainy day here in my part of NY.

Paisley Face 2

Paisley Face 2
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

This is my second Paisley Face ATC. As I mentioned before, I painted this one first. I couldn't do any shading with the face since I only used markers for the features. I really don't know which one I like best.
Well, I'm on to other things already! I've been waiting for the rain-delay to end for the Met game so I pieced another Friendship doll and started to bead it. This one will be for me. I just might be back tomorrow with a picture.

Paisley Face

Paisley Face
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

Its a paisley... and its a face so I named it Paisley Face! This is an ATC that I made today. I wanted to make something fast and instead worked on this off and on all day. I thought an ATC would fun. I haven't made one of these in a long time. I marked a piece of muslin 3 1/2 X 2 1/2. I drew the paisley and in the curve I "saw" a face. It came out better than I thought it would and was disappointed that I did it on plain muslin. I tried to bead the background but I didn't like the way it looked. So I tried to stitch the background and didn't like that either. So, out came the paint. This is Lumiere by Jacquard. The color is halo violet gold. Since I had the paint out I painted more muslin pieces to make more ATC's. I don't know if the face will work on the painted muslin but I will try. I need to get a new black marker. Her "mascara" is on a bit thick. I don't know why the marker came out like that. I'm going to have to get in the habit of marking a scrap fabric before I draw on the face.

Cloth Doll

Cloth Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I made a little more progress this afternoon. I finished the ruffle around her neck. I also added the lace and ruffle around each wrist. Her hands are finally painted and no longer look like she was wearing gloves. I think her hands look much nicer with the fingers interlocking. You can see less flaws. Maybe I should put something in her hands? Hummm, I'll have to think on that. And the waistband of the skirt just isn't working for me. lol I'll have to play with it a bit. I have what I think is the perfect fabric for the shoes. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to play with that. I am way too tired to start tonight. I know I'll just get frustrated. And then comes the hair. I have absolutely no idea on that one. I think I should practice on one of the many "extra" heads I have in a small plastic bin on my sewing table.
Well, I am proud of myself for coming as far as I have with this. I have always admired these dolls and never thought I'd be able to do one. I am already trying to think which one I want to do next!

Cloth Doll

Cloth Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

This is my current work-in-progress. She is chock full of mistakes but I am loving every minute of it! Especially once I purchased an open-toed craft foot for my sewing machine. What a difference that made. Imagine being able to see where I am sewing.
This should be "Goldberry of Withkywindle" which is a Patti Culea pattern. I did her feet wrong but thats ok since she will be wearing shoes. I didn't stuff her hands enough nor did I paint them before I attached them to her arms. When I have her fingers interlocking they look much better. I was just sitting outside attaching the ruffle and when I went to snip a thread I gave her a boo-boo instead. Time to put her down and some fray check should solve that one. I hope! I'll also paint her hands and they can dry overnight.
I will be posting an update in the next few days.

Friendship Doll Sold

Friendship Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I am so excited! But I shall start at the beginning. On CQInternational, a yahoo email group, we are making and swapping friendship dolls. When I posted a picture of my first doll I was approached (by email, of course) by Pat inquiring if I would make and sell one to her. Can you imagine my surprise! Pats own work is awesome.You can find her blog Gatherings here. And she was interested in something of mine. As Grandma would say "Imagine That!".
So, here she is and as I type she is in the capable hands (cross those fingers and knock on wood!) of the postal service on her way to her new loving home. I just couldn't be any more excited as I am now.
So, thank you Pat! Your simple request has made my day, week, month, and year!

Friendship Doll

Friendship Doll
Originally uploaded by sewquilty.

I just realized that I never posted a picture of my second friendship doll for the CQI swap. She is made of all cotton fabrics. Her hair is a trim and then small beads which kind of look like a crown. You really can't see it too much in this picture. She is also beaded all around the edges. She is also only 6 inches tall.
I love making these dolls!

It's a Jungle everywhere!

This picture is Rags "hiding" behind the flowers on the windowsill. She doesn't look too happy that I found her!








The second picture is Marshmallow "hiding" behind the flowers in the garden.

They are just too cute!!