That Sweet Wabbit

This is the sweet rabbit I completed while in Colorado.  Her (his??) eyes are now complete as well as the sculpting of the face and plucking. Even that black "tail" of perle cotton has been cut off now! It will be a free pattern for you soon.  You will be able to change the ears to make it any animal you want. Think of the possibilities...... dog, cat, bear, or just about anything you want.  I will also make different ears and faces available for you at a later date. How exciting is that?? One pattern, multiple animals!! I used the body and legs of this pattern and changed the shape of the face and ears to make a long, floppy-eared dog.  Can't wait to finish so I can show you. All in due time! (You know, after school and laundry for nine people!)

Why don't you go get yourself a quarter yard of fabric; whether mohair, acrylic fur, or cotton, and let's get started. You will need perle cotton, strong thread like fishing line, thread to match your fabric, 10mm eyes (I used glass), and some different fabric for your paws and inside the ears. For notions you will need a long (6") needle to sew the eyes in later, also a sewing needle, an embroidery needle would be helpful for the face, small sharp scissors to cut your fur with, and fibre-fill (I use poly-fil). You will need some joint sets as well, nothing bigger than about 30mm. If you don't have any handy, I can show you how to joint without them or how to use buttons. I'll share the pattern pieces tomorrow, once we have everything collected. Can't wait! Be thinking about how you will "dress" your rabbit up.  I might add a necklace or bow on her ear, the possibilities are endless! Collect what you might need for that too. It helps to have all your tools and supplies at the ready.

LET'S DO THIS!!!!!

see you soon,

Debi

A Bit of a Catch Up

It has been a very long time since I posted to the blog, I am sorry.  Life for us has changed a bit since I last posted. I let you know I was in Colorado with Rachel to help with her broken arm. From there, I was home for about 15 hours and headed to California to look after our son's children while he and his wife were deployed on TDYs with the Air Force.  I came home and haven't stopped since. We have our five grandchildren here with us from Alaska.  The family has been here for two months. Mommy and Papa are working through some issues and it is better if they work through them here with us. Since arriving home, we have started school and our days are uber busy with five children between 4 and 12 years old in school. We are learning everything from our ABCs to all those things that make us smarter than a fifth grader! I now know their favorite subject is Science! (my least favorite!) I am sure they will learn to appreciate all the sentences, words, and stories I am making them write!

I haven't sewn much and I am not happy with that. I need to remember what it was like when I schooled our children and get back to setting aside some time for myself. I have a new pattern cut out and not sewn. I am going to start with that. I also need to finish a couple of quilts.....too many projects, not enough time! I did get the rabbit done, still working on the pattern writing to get it on the blog. I am writing it in tutorial form to be better understood.  Can't wait to get it out there! It is so cute! It is time to do some sewing and sanity time!

Thanks for stopping by, that was our life in a nutshell for this week.  I will try to get organized to get back on here tomorrow and post some pics of the next sweet animal I am working on! Can't wait to finish so I can show you. Have a fantastic day! Please take some time for yourself, I learnt as a young mom that we all need that, but as a Nana, I appreciate those minutes more than ever! You will too!!!!!!!!! Don't forget to share!!!

happy crafting,

Debi

Adjusting Patterns

A lot of times I like certain parts of a pattern, but not others.  I love taking bits of each and shrinking, enlarging, or tweaking and putting them with parts of other patterns. The dog I am working on has parts of a teddy bear, a rabbit, and dog.  I brought fur and hardware to make it while in Sacramento. The weather has been warm here, so I am spending a lot of time outside with the children, but I am still working.  I have a pattern to finish writing and publish.

Why not try mixing patterns? Take the parts of each pattern you like and mix them together. I wonder if Picasso started this way?? If your patterns are the same size, it should be easy to take parts of each and put them together. If not, you may need to decrease or enlarge with a scanner and printer. OR, if you like the pattern just the way it is, shrink enlarge the entire pattern for a different look. If you are working on a garment, try using sleeves from one and bodice from another. If you have any questions, just ask. I've done this a lot and am old hat at it!!

I also brought my knitting. I am working on a dishcloth. I usually take one along when I travel. It is an easy, quick project and everyone can always use an extra dishcloth! This one is a raised diamond pattern. Pretty easy once you get in to the groove!

Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate you. I hope you get time to do something today you enjoy. Please share. Also, try adjusting a pattern and show us your new creation. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Go ahead, jump out of your box!!

Debi

Busy in CA

I have been in California since Saturday. We have two grandchildren here and I have been looking after them while their parents are on TDYs with the Air Force. One is overseas and the other on the other side of the nation.  The children have been really good and I am getting a lot of pattern drawing and writing done. I am enjoying my time here. Two children is kinda like a break after looking after five and three.  I love all our grandbabies tho, so this summer has been fun.

I got this bunny finished while in Colorado last week. It still has thread hanging out in this picture, but you get the idea. I am taking part of this one and making a dog. See tomorrow's post for that one!

The pattern for this bunny will come out in pieces as tutorials on Patchwork Posse soon.  Try heading over there for a look. Becky has a fantastic blog with tons of ideas across the crafty spectrum. Enjoy your time there!!

I hope you have had time to do the things you love and you will post and show us what you're up to. I love to see your projects and get inspired to try something I have never done. Have a fantastic day. Thanks for stopping by, see you again very soon!

happy crafting,

Debi 

 

A Bit of Time

Since I have about half an hour, just thought I would post an update.  I am sitting in LA waiting for my next flight to Sacramento to look after two grandbabies while our son and his wife are both deployed on a TDY for the Air Force.  I have my computer this time, so it should be easier to keep up with my deadlines on Patchwork Posse and my own deadlines. 

I have been busy while away, looking after grandchildren, feeding pigs and poultry, keeping a farmhouse moving, and bathing children for their broken armed momma. I also finished the bunny I was working on.  I am currently drawing a dog, so watch for that soon! Here is a picture of the bunny not quite finished though. I will be happy to put it on the website and also, it will be on Patchwork Posse as a tutorial and free pattern....go pick it up once it posts.  I'll let you know when it is there. Mine is made from light cream string mohair, but I am sure it would look good as a patchwork, felt, acrylic fur, or any fabric you may choose. My grandchildren tell me I need to add a tail!  I will do that when I go back home and add it to the pattern.

I will be away until next weekend, so posts will be sporadic but will be posted.  I only have two grandchildren this trip, so it will be a bit easier. Going from five, then three, now two....I get to see all my grandbabies this summer. YAY!

Well, I want to get this posted before I have to board. So, I will stop here and post and try to get another ready for tomorrow. If not, I'll see you the next day. It will be late-ish when I get in this evening, so the post may be a bit late tomorrow.

Hope you have a good day and you have the time to do something you love.  Please let us know what you're up to. We love the inspiration and encouragement. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you.

happy crafting,

Debi

Repairing Soft Toys

Seems like no matter where I am or which set of grandchildren I am with, there are always soft toys to repair.  Today it was Hunter's little teddy bear with the head holding on by a few stitches.  I think he is really excited to have it back all fixed and he can play with it again. He is such a sweet little man, saying thank you and blowing kisses to Nana in thanks. Love my grandbabies!

I have found the easiest way to fix the seams in these guys is to use a ladder stitch and pull it all together. It seems to keep them together and give new life back into the little guys.  But, be sure all the stuffing is secure and you take into account the seam allowance.

I found it takes a while to upload pics to an old computer. I think I have been sitting here an hour!!  Oh well, we got there in the end. At least I know I can do it.  I will start earlier tomorrow!

If you check out Becky's blog at the PatchworkPosse.com for today's post, I know you will see someone familiar.  I am excited with my introduction post.  Lots of pics of my bears there. Looking forward to working with Becky.

I hope your day is going great and you have time to do something you love. Please post pics of what you are up to today as we look forward to the inspiration.  Thanks for stopping by.

happy crafting,

Debi

Coming and Going...

Tomorrow I will be going home from Colorado. I have been here helping Rachel and the children get used to the broken arm.  I've been changing diapers, laundry, cooking, cleaning...you know, all the things it takes to keep a mini-ranch moving.  She is healing pretty well and is finding ways to do things one handed.  I will be praying she does well once I'm gone.

I will be home for about fifteen hours before I head off to Joshua's.  He and his wife have a short TDY with the Air Force and I will be looking after grandbabies for a week. I WILL NOT forget my computer this time. I will be posting from there on both blogs, mine and Patchwork Posse.  I will be rolling out the new "bear" soon.  I am already working on the next one.  It is all so exciting.

Now I have been sitting her for half an hour trying to upload a picture. The internet keeps failing, so I give up.  It will all be back to normal in a couple days.  I'm sorry, I will post pics from this trip as soon as I can. P.S. I just connected the computer to my phone instead of a straight connection and it seems to be working!! YAY!

I hope you have time today to do something you love. I am finishing up the new design and the post for Patchwork Posse. Thanks for stopping by.  Hope to see you again soon.

happy crafting,

Debi