A wee bit of Holly

This little pattern was designed by Sherry Goshon. I know a lot of you are being creative for the holidays. So here's a FREE pattern for you to try! Click the picture to get it.

Sherry also has a great winter type figure as a class. Check out Mackenzie, a snow angel. She's a lot of fun to make!

Have I got mine done? Not yet! But I will! How about you? What are you crafting this month?

FREE doll pattern!

Colleen Babcock has designed a pattern especially for  new members of Doll Street Dreamers. It's a Snowflake Sprite. I am so grateful to Colleen for offering this pattern to us.

If you join now, you get this Free pattern. It's just $21 to join Doll Street. For that, you get the FREE pattern, membership of the online daily Journal; access to the Clubhouse, which has a library of articles and special coupons for classes on Doll Street. http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/joindollstreet/

I love the Journal, doll makers from all over the world exchange news and ideas and ask and answer each others questions on doll making. It really is a happening place! Won't you join us?

Wordless Wednesday

Movember

I love this quote. I also love the picture with the fabulously ridiculous moustache. Lots of wax used there!

It is Movember and I hope the guys in your life are supporting the cause. One of my guys is. Your moustache may not be perfect, but it's the effort that counts. One thing about facial hair, it grows back!

As for perfection and never reaching it, I think the message here is this: Give it a try, Aim for perfection, but don't get bent out of shape if you don't reach it.

The other part of this is the old adage: If at first you don't succeed, Try, Try Again. So not reaching perfection first time out is no big deal. Do your 10,000 hours and you'll be an expert. maybe not perfect, but an expert.

If you haven't read Malcolm Gladwell's book The Outliers, it's an interesting read on expertise and standing out in a crowd.

So off I go, striving for perfection, but not too hung up on actually reaching it. I guess that makes me a process and not product driven artist.

Which are you?

Wordless Wednesday

Chicago Cloud Photo by Edwina Sutherland

1812 costumes continue

 

After the rush of going to Chicago and exhibiting at the Vogue Knitting Show, it's been back to my neglected studio this week.  No dolls. That means back to 1812. I have finished the yellow Spencer, with the help of my able assistant, Laura. The sleeve detail is exquisite, taken from a period source. The silk godet insert is the softest twill silk you can imagine. 

 

The front was taken from a period fashion plate. The military look was big back then. The braid was made form covering piping with yellow silk, then braiding it. The collar stands up to properly display the trim, which is ruched silk and floral trim.

 

The back has lovely little pleats which swing nicely and the buttons to finish them off. I loved making this beautiful jacket, even with the challenges presented by the sleeves fitting the armhole and the collar standing properly, which required several pattern drafts.

 

What's next? Well a pelisse (coat) is under construction. Then I have an idea for a dragon....

Wordless Wednesday

Orchids

Channelling Chicago

What began as a simple trip to Chicago was complicated by the weather. First, Fog. Toronto was fogged in. Our plane actually flew to TO and back to Ottawa, because there was nowehere to land. It meant we missed our fun day to tour Chicago.

 

Then coming home, the hurricane kicked in. This gournded us inToronto again, so I was a day late coming home. I was tired of lugging those suitcases around by Tuesday, I tell you!

Still, the Vogue Knitting Show was exciting. I set up my art and it was well received. I met some great fellow artists. Kelly Fleek and Carol MacDonald among them.

You've got to smile at these amazing knit hats by Kelly Fleek. One amazing lady!

Carol MacDonald follows a theme of knitting with her current work. It was great to meet you, Carol and Kathleen!