Monday in the making

As mentioned in previous posts, it has been a rather busy week or two, preparing for a market. Here are some of my most recent items...

I had a lovely time photoshooting some of my products yesterday, in particular, these tie headbands, my latest product. These soft headbands are designed to tie around a baby, toddler, child or even adult's head. They look particularly gorgeous for newborn photoshoots. They could also be used for special occasions.

I also finished stitching this country lass. Introducing 'Jill'...she is solo at the moment as I am currently stitching her partner, Jack. Her body is handstitched with felt, wears a red and white gingham shirt, calico pants and brown felt boots. Her look is complete with a beige, felt hat. All items are stitched on.

I am itching to get into my 'Tupsy Tees'. I was so disappointed that I could not get a range completed before the market on the weekend. However, they are definitely on my list to complete. I am also  desiring to add to my cushion and canvas collection. I had a number of designs ready to roll, but then the markets arrived and have not had a chance to get back to them. Lots of ideas on my list!

Have a super week!

Monday in the making

As mentioned in the previous post, I visited the local craft shop and bought quite a few metres of soft tulle - the tulle used in dancewear or for bridal veils, not the rough netting type.

Then I spent a bit of time, carefully rolling it up, rather than folding. That was the tricky part...however it has been worth it as I have been working on another project which is quickly taking shape.

I am making ballerina skirts that fit girls. I am about to embark on making more of my ballerina dolls and I thought that I could make larger versions for little girl ballerinas. I have chosen pink for the trial and I am just about finished it. I will show you photos of the finished product soon...

As also mentioned, I am busily making up another doll set which is quickly coming to life. I am about to go on a short break and I am gathering together a few projects that I can take with me that don't require a sewing machine - unfortunately, my newest doll set falls into that category, so that will be a project while I am at home. However, I will be bringing lots of tulle with me and hopefully ballerina dolls and little girl tutus will be the result.

P.S - I apologise for the photo size. My computer is not letting me open my usual photo program and I have resized these photos in a different program. Hopefully the problem will be fixed soon!

Monday in the making

I have a few markets coming up in the next few months, therefore I am busy stitching away.

This is the beginning of my next doll set. As mentioned in previous blogposts, I am now releasing new dolls as 'sets', generally a male and female version of an idea. They don't necessarily need to be purchased together, but I think it may provide a bit more option. I am also making my newest set together, rather than making up one whole doll and then making up another. I think that this may save time, rather than putting away materials and bringing them out again to cut out another doll.

You can't see in this photo, but my 'girl' (the left one) has a pony tail at the back. I have a style picked out and names already! As you can tell, I am very excited. It won't take me long to stitch up their limbs, then I can start on their clothes.

Monday in the making

Sorry that this posting is rather late, but I was determined to finish off...

As I had a bit of extra time today (as it was a holiday), I thought I would treat myself to some crafting time in the afternoon and evening. I could see 'Delta' taking shape and becoming so close to being finished that I couldn't stop. That is the exciting thing about making dolls - you see their little personality and body taking shape, and for me, that's the drive to complete the doll.

Therefore, here is my 'Superhero duo': 'Dean' and 'Delta'...

I love their little matching outfits. I wanted a 'Super symbol' but did not want to take the 'S' as it is Superman's, so I opted for a very powerful triangle. It looks kind of heroic...

I had to giggle a little at Dean's shorts as they look like work shorts. I suppose, saving the world is an occupation...

I wanted Delta to have a frilly skirt as part of her outfit and I am very pleased how it turned out. I really like the bright green band on the bottom of it.

I can't wait to get into some more doll creations!

Monday in the making

Yay! I have finally finished my little hero! He is one half of a crime fighting duo. I thought that I would release my new doll designs with a male and female version, to be sold seperately (not necessarily together). This is a little sneak peak. Here he is...

Ready to save the world from anything detrimental is 'Dean'. He is equipped with mask, cape, utility belt and power bands.

I am in the process of making his partner and hope to show you what she looks like soon!

Weekend Wonders - Relaxing, Chatting and Munching

It is nice to sit down and relax for a bit...

After a few weeks that were very busy with work, I decided to have a weekend where I could relax and catch up on a few things...one of them being my craft! I managed to finish of my latest little doll. He is such a cutie. I plan to show him off with some photos posted of him tomorrow. He is also one half of my design. I started cutting out the pieces for his crime fighting partner and hope to get some more stitching done tonight.

It was also lovely to catch up with friends that are part of my Bible study group. We had an 'Indonesian Night' - cooking up some Indonesian inspired food and sharing a meal together. It was delicious and it was great to chat the night away! My contribution was some 'Mie Goreng' (Fried Noodles). Mr T and I spent a few weeks over in Indonesia a couple of years ago and this is one of the dishes that I lived off of, as I am vegetarian. My version was quite tasty, but not exactly like how they make it in Indonesia. I also have a problem that when I cook a noodle dish and try and mix the noodles with the vegetables, my noodles end up in one big clump. I tried very hard to disperse the noodles and the vegetables evenly.

Even though it has been rather cold and wet this weekend, I managed to get outside for a little bit to plant some crysthanimum plants that were given to me. I also tried to tidy the veggie patch a little by pulling a few weeds. The weeds seem to love the cooler weather and grow like mad. It is an effort to keep up with the weeding.

I hope that you all had a lovely weekend!

Monday in the making

I was hoping that I would finish this little man over the weekend, but I just didn't have enough craft time to finish him off (I apologise for the 'shadows' as I had to take photos of him under lights).

I am so pleased at how he is progressing. I have a utility belt to make for him, a cape and mask and he is all set to fight for justice. I love his little shorts! They look quite formal with tucks in the front...a little more dressier than underpants over stockings. The cape and mask will set his outfit off quite nicely.

I hope to share with you the finished product by the end of the week and the start of his partner in power.

Weekend Wonders

Wow! What a weekend...

Mr T has been away this weekend, so I made a few short cuts (particularly with cooking), but also had to accomplish all of the weekend jobs by myself (washing, etc). When Mr T is away, it also gives me the opportunity to visit some shops that Mr T isn't overly fussed with (eg. Craft shops, clothes shops). Hence, I purchased some fabric, felt and thread and some clothes.

I also had my brother visit me, be it all very briefly. He arrived late one night and left early morning, so it only gave us an hour or so to chat and catch up, however, I am very thankful for that time. He is such a busy man!

I am still busy with assessment for work, however, I did squeeze in some stitching time. My doll has now got some shorts. His outfit is coming together nicely. I hope to show you my work in progress tomorrow.

I hope that you all had a lovely weekend!

Monday in the making

Introducing 'Grace'...

'Grace' is ready for the ball! She wears a satin pink gown, with a single layer tulle petticoat underneath. She wears earrings and necklace, made out of beads and a glimmering crystal. She is mainly hand sewn and stands approximately 36cms tall. More suitable for children over the age of three.

Weekend Wonders - So close, yet so far

This past week and weekend have been a little busier as I have had to get ready for work again. I would happily craft away the hours, however, the house still needs attending to, people to feed and (beginning again next week) work to be completed. Hence, the balancing act begins again...

My main aim at the moment is finishing 'Grace'. I was dearly hoping that I would finish her this weekend. I am SO close, but my perfectionist streak sees a few things that still need to be completed. To add to everything, my sewing machine does not like sewing satin (which I am using for Grace's gown). No matter how I adjust the tension, the straight stitching is not neat. Therefore, Grace is 99% hand sewn, as my sewing machine did allow me to neaten the seams with zig-zag stitch. She needs her sleeves to be stitched and her necklace stitched down and then I think she will be finished. I will share photos of her tomorrow (hopefully finished!) tomorrow on my blog.

Monday in the making

Things have been relatively busy in the world of Tupsy Turvy Designs during the past week as I have had to prepare for a market stall. I have also had a bit of extra time to spend crafting. So I got to work.

This is just a small selection of the items that I made. Firstly, 'Simone' the ballerina...

...secondly, football team 'bag buddies' and lastly, fabric flower brooches.

I am absolutely loving making dolls and presently I am working on a princess doll named 'Grace'. I hope to show pictures of her progress soon.

Monday in the making

The finished product...'Leah'...

'Leah' has been a lot of fun to make and looks like she has a fun personality. 'Leah' is now available in my Madeit store.

I did have a special 'launching' price for 'Leah' on Tupsy Turvy Designs Facebook page. I will have occassional sales for Tupsy Turvy Designs Facebook followers. Keep in touch and you may pick up a unique creation at a special price.

Now to finish off a special little gift in time for Easter...

Monday in the making

Over the weekend, I managed to finish 'Leah' (her body at least). Once again, I have given her modesty as she is clad in a clean (but scrunched??) hankie...

I am busy making her clothes. I am making a similar sundress to 'Nicky's'. I have found a bold purple and pink pattern on a white background material which I am going to use as the body of the dress. I will have a pink band down the bottom of the dress and her straps are also going to be pink. I am also making a 'clip' to have in her black, short hair.

 I can't wait to show the finished product...

Weekend Wonders - Sewing and sowing

Weekends seem to go very quickly...

 This one was much more quieter than last weekend. I have completed another doll (her body at least) and I will introduce 'Leah' to you tomorrow. Doll making is quickly becoming a favourite craft of mine and I have a special little dress and hair do in mind for Leah. I love how I can make each doll different.

A couple of our garden helpers

I also enjoyed spending time out in the garden. It was cloudy and cool, which made it perfect weather to get into the garden beds and dig! Cooler weather also means the end of Summer vegetables and the beginning of cool weather vegies. Today I sowed broccoli, spinach, kale, pak choy and carrot seeds. I love eating vegetables seasonally. It ensures that the vegies are fresh and full of flavour and vitamins. We have just gone through the tomato,corn and zucchini season and I am now looking forward to these green vegies (besides the carrots). We will also leave some space for peas in the garden.

 The last of our carrots out of the garden bed

Whatever you did this weekend, I hope that you had a lovely one!

Monday in the making

I have finished...

It has been wonderful to design and make 'Nicky'.

Her body is made out of felt, all handstitched, including her facial features. She wears a stripey sun dress (that is stitched in place) that is embellished with blue ric-rac and white lace down the bottom edge and also a bright, green crocheted flower. Her dress is machine stitched, however, all embellishments are handsewn in place. Underneath her dress, is lacy underwear, all handsewn on. Her pigtail holders are ribbons that are handstitched in place.

I will definitely be making more dolls! Nicky was a lot of fun to make, although I will ensure that all dolls will be a different in some way. Mostly handsewn, but all with lots of love and care. I might even try my hand at a 'boy' doll.

Weekend Wonders - Country, cakes and craft

What a lovely weekend...

We visited a Field Day event in our area over the weekend. I am always fascinated how this little, country town, puts on this huge event and I must say, they do it very well. I love attending the Field Days as it is my little dose of country. I love looking at the farm machinery and watch the sheep dog trials. Then, there are heaps of stalls to look at varying from plants, crafts, stain removers to tools. Something for everyone.

It was also St Patrick's Day on Saturday and our Bible study group celebrated it by having an Irish inspired night, complete with green food, baked potatoes and Baileys and Guinness flavoured cupcakes. A very busy, but enjoyable Saturday.

Today, though, has been much slower in pace. I was very determined to finish 'Nicky' (the doll that I have been working on) this weekend and I managed to achieve that goal this afternoon. I have thoroughly enjoyed making her and I can't wait to make more. I think this is so because, for me, doll making involves a number of crafts in one. Firstly, designing and making the 'body' of the doll. Secondly designing and making a little dress to fit the doll and finally adding all the 'prettiness' - the embellishments (in my case ric-rac and a crocheted flower). I will post photos of finished 'Nicky' tomorrow, for 'Monday in the making'.

I hope that you had a lovely weekend!

Monday in the making

As it was a holiday weekend where we are, I had a little more time to spend on my latest project. Meet Nicky...

Today, I finished her body (I thought I would give her some modesty and photograph her with a clean hankerchief over her). Her body and features are all hand-stitched. Nicky has a sun-dress, hair ties and pants awaiting her (they will be machine sewn). I hope to get them finished soon...

I have had SO much fun designing and making her. She is definitely going to have some siblings, perhaps even a brother, each different in their own way.

Thanks for viewing!

Wonderful Wednesday - Piece by piece

I had a lovely time designing, cutting out pattern pieces, cutting out felt, now starting to stitch together...