Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Fairy Doll :Random Project

My aunt sent me a doll yesterday. It was a Christmas Elf, and while it was cute, something about the face spoke of Fairy potential. She sat on my windowsill all night until this afternoon when I began to strip her of the felt Christmas garb. It was hot glued and nasty work. But when I was done my work revealed such a delicate little face, almost eagerly gazing up into the heavens.



I like her very much, and I think that when she's done I'll like her even more.
Because I've never really done "dollmaking" before I'm documenting how I did/ am doing her hair. I have a big braid of my own hair from a past cutting. I selected several short locks, and for ease of attaching them to her head, I straightened the very curly hair.



I used an old pair of nylons and gave her the World's Smallest "do-rag" as a base to glue the sections of hair to. I could have glued them directly to her head, but I've simply chosen to use the "do-rag". My glue is good old wood glue, perhaps not the best choice, but that's what I've got. Next I select tiny sections of hair, gently rolling the cut ends to make the hairs form a brush like end.



Then I dipped it into the glue, wiping off the excess on the edge of the dish. To keep the amount of glue minimal, I squeezed the brushy-end gently until it stuck together and was slightly tacky.



Then I applied the lock VERY GENTLY to the "do-rag", smoothed it, and brushed a little more glue on top. It's not terribly pretty, but the extra glue ensures the sticking of the hair.

More tomorrow!

Monday, January 22, 2007

happyhappyhappyhappy!!!

I know the title isn't proper english, but it is an expression of how much glee I feel when I learned of two films that are coming.

There is another Narnia film coming, you can see spoilers (not too many) and read news here I am so excited! I keep wondering why they are doing Prince Caspian next, and I just realized why. Lucy and Edmund are in that one. Rather they continue on with the stories without Peter and Susan.(They're too old. :( )

The other film I am excited about is another book adaptation incidentally. The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman. THis is the most interesting site I've found yet. You can play with an alethiometer and look at fabulous pictures from the film.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Current Knitting



Perhaps the oldest knitting currently on the needles, this sweater is patterned after the Lieutenant's Jacket from Master and Commander. It has, by far, been the MOST annoying thing to knit first because it is my first sweater that I have designed (there fore working without a pattern) and secondly, because I have ripped this out something on the order of 5 or 6 times now. Maybe the yarn just doesn't want to be the "MAC" Sweater, as my brothers call it. Maybe it wants to be something else. I don't know. What I do know is that I'm going to knit this and it's going to fit, damnit! :)



In far less artsy pictures-
This is now a capelet. The rose coloured part was inspired by Teva Durham's Loop-d-Loop Cowl. Rather than follow the pattern, I used the amount of decreases to make the cowl. It was cute but it needed something more. The green part came from a sweater I was going to knit for a play. It didn't want to be a sweater either, has sat in my knitting basket for months, until blossoming into this capelet.



A hood from Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falik (?). It isn't so sure it wants to be a hood after all. But the pattern in lovely.



Lastly, a blanket for my brother. Yes, it's safety-highlighter orange. He likes bright orange. Oy vay. I can't say it's the greatest thing to knit as the colour can be hard on your eyes after a while. But he likes it, and that's the best part.

Friday, January 12, 2007

A haircut...

I love having curly hair, but there are times when I crumble and straighten it. It is during these times that I sometimes snip and trim a little, resulting in something completely cute when it's straight. I cringe to think of what my hair will look like when it's curly. This will be an interesting experiment.



I feel like Anne Hathaway! Hee hee.

Knitting update coming soon!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Tender Shepherd

I love babysitting. I think I've babysat for almost ten years now. I've had a couple little rotters, but they have taught me how to effectively deal with screaming children.
The munchkin I babysit right now can be hyper at times, but is a good child. It's interesting to me to watch them. To think about what my life will be when I have my children. I will read to them and sing silly songs with them. I will teach them to grow up strong and healthy in this sometimes crazy world. I will treasure all of their special moments probable much more than I treasure the special moments I've already had with children past.
I just put the munchkin to bed, read a book, and waited until the child fell asleep. Watching the sleeping child with the arms crossed above the head made me think of the song from Peter Pan.

Tender Shepherd, tender shepherd
Let me help you count your sheep.
One in the garden,
Two in the meadow,
Three in the nursery,
fast alseep, fast asleep.

Good Night!