Special for this Week

Shadows Pattern 

In the pattern I have instructions for knitting the Shawl

 

with  Madeira Catona 80 cotton thread

or with Venne 70/2 cotton thread

The pattern is available in 

English or Nederlands

I deliver my patterns via email in PDF format.....

so no postage 

I accept PayPal

Tutorials 1:12th Scale

Decide on the shape you would like for your Tree skirt.

Having curved corners or a round makes for a much neater finish.

FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES I HAVE SEWN WITH WHITE THREAD

Click on the photographs to get an enlarged view of each sequence.

You will of course match your thread to your fabric colour

I chose a circle shape which I drew onto my fabric

with a white quilting pencil and a whisky glass

I then used Steam - A - Seam 2 

which is a double Stick Fusible Web

to join the two pieces of fabric together.

This double thickness gives weight to your carpet!

 http://www.warmcompany.com/saspage.html

If you visit this website you can see a  You Tube demonstration

Use a ZIG ZAG stitch to finish the edge 

The side with the circle drawn onto it is the wrong side

Stitch width at setting 2

Stitch Length .05

Turn the piece over

Keeping the foot of your sewing machine on the edge of the zig zag stitch and your needle as far over to the right as possible. 

Use a strong thread for the straight stitching as the last thing you want is this thread to snap.

Make sure there is a length of thread from both the bobbin and top thread before your begin stitching

Stitch a line of stitches using stitch length 2.5

Try to finish up as near to the first stitch as possible

Break off thread leaving a length of thread as you will need to tie the threads  off

Turn the piece to the wrong side again and pull the loop of the thread  through.

There are now 3 of the four threads on the wrong side.

Turn your work to the right side again

Thread this last thread into a fine sewing needleand insrt the needle next to the first stitch completeing the circle, and pull the thread to the wrong side

Turn your piece again

Using a reef knot tie these 4 threads, 2 at a time and weave them away between the two pieces of fabric.

Cut away excess fabric and then using the Mettler no 50 thread and a 0.6 crochet hook

Attach your thread around the stitch, at the opposite side to where you began and ended the line of straight stitches

Round 1     

3sc into each stitch as you make the first round. 

Slip stitch into the first single crochet

Round 2    

3ch (for first treble) *3ch, miss 2sc 1 tr into next sc

rep from * till end of round

Slip stitch into 3rd ch of round to complete the round.

There must be an even number of holes formed for the pattern to work out

Round 3      

Slip stitch into first hole make 1sc into this same hole

*3tr, 2ch, 3tr, into next hole, (we will call this a shell)

1sc into next hole rep from * finishing with

a slip stitch into first sc of round. break off thread

Round 4     

Change colour and beginning at the oppsite side of the edging, 

(you don't want all the threads at the same point difficult to weave them

away  later.

1sc into a sc, 4ch, then 1sc, 2ch, 1sc, into 2ch space at the top of shell

4ch, then 1sc on top of sc of round below

You can use this technique for all sorts of miniature items, it is not as though we will be washing the items every week.

There are so many different delicate crochet stitches that were used on handkerchief edgings.

You can use it for turnovers on little sheets for you beds and cribs. Of course you won't fuse the fabric with those.

Hems of little dresses that need a trim, also it is difficult to get silver or gold delicate lace, so one can do this method in silver thread to decorate jackets....I think it is endless.

I can't see the woods for the trees anymore, so if you don't understand any part of this tutorial I'll happily see what I can do to make it better.

Just post a comment and ask for help!

I'll show you other examples another time!

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

I really pushed the envelope when designing this jacket.
Menswear in Mini is rather rare, so I wanted this piece to be the best I could do.
I love baby ware the best so had to really work hard to finish the project.

 The jacket is now 100% complete and will leave for USA tomorrow

I had the perfect beads in my stash so am more than happy with the result.

!

I am thrilled ...Teri Davies has said she will dress one of her Handsome Men Dolls in my Jacket and send me a photograph for the pattern.

 

Here are some pictures of the process of making this jacket. For me this is the best piece of design work I have ever done.

Detail on Back of Jacket

Showing the working pockets

Adding the Lining

Stitches picked up for the cuffs

Showing V darts at the cuff there is a definite left and right cuff

Enjoy 

Sharon

Tutorials 1:12th Scale

I would like to see how many of you out there would like to see a tutorial on how I made these Christmas Tree Skirts. 

One could also make a "rug" for a little girl or boys room.

Also trim the bottom of a dress or the front of a jacket!

Just pop a comment telling me if you would like to know!

Having rounded corners makes it much easier when it comes to the finishing for the crochet work.

I used a variegated thread for a few of the edgings

For this project you do need a SEWING MACHINE.

One could always to the project with a friend who does have a sewing machine!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED IN YOUR SEWING BOX

1.    100% Cotton quilting fabric preferably with a small     

       design to keep to the 1:12 scale

2.    Quilting double sided applique paper

       used to bond two pieces of fabric together

3.    100% Cotton Sewing thread to match the main colour you have chosen.

       This you will use on your sewing machine

4.    0.5 crochet hook

5.    4mm Silk ribbon or Bunka

5.    Mettler No 50 100% cotton sewing thread, two colours

6.    A very fine No 12 Hand Applique sewing needle

7.    A white quilting pencil

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

I was asked to knit  a sweater and realized it would have to be on the back burner for a while....so much needs doing.

Then while knitting in all white as I usually do, the sweater kept popping into my head. So I thought I would just try out the collar to see what it would look like...I am so easily distracted....and then
 

VANESSA for a lady doll

Ja ja..... I ended up till late last night knitting...it was such a change to knit in colour,  love how it has turned out.
What perfect  colours for a Christmas sweater after all.
Did my soul good to do something different for a change.
I have charted the pattern so anyone can knit it no matter what language they speak.

Very little written instructions..... anyone out there who could translate English into Spanish/ French /Portuguese  for me?

The translating programs on the web while are great to read a blog and sort of know whats going on, certainly have the ability to make one laugh out loud, that is for sure!

I have it on good authority that patterns don't like to be laughed at! hahaha

As the sweater is now complete I thought I would add a picture.

Photography in the Studio

CAPE TOWN SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY

DSLR 1 An entry level course that will enable you to take better photographs with your digital SLR  camera.

Photograph Selection for my FIRST WEEKS PROJECT
 

Never having used a SLR camera before
(a camera with a removable lens) only a point and shoot which did all the "light thingie" and focusing for you, I was so intimidated.

I had no clue as to what cameras "DO"

I simply waited for the time of day when the light was the best for the type of photographs I needed to take.

Doing this assignment I constantly read and reread my notes, then looked up Aperture and ISO on the net...the more I read the less I knew and that was even less than NOTHING ....

Now this week I at the very least know what articles to look for.

I know how to set an ISO and aperture, which dials and buttons to press to do so...How to keep the exposure needle in the middle...one heck of a lot more than last week!

This course was a Christmas present to myself as I wanted to do tutorials, the photographs taken for tutorials don't just happen.

In November I hope I know enough to give your girls and boys a photographic tutorial on how I make fimo flowers for my outfits.

THAT'S a PROMISE

A great site for first time photographers

http://www.digital-photography-school.com

Knowledge with understanding is vital....

PS Did you know that when the shot you want to take is in focus the camera BEEPS at you, now there's a thing
Wish I knew that 200 shots ago!!!

Photography in the Studio

PHOTOGRAPHS a whole new world

For homework we need to print three 6 x 9 photographs that we have shot this week (all on manual) concentrating on exposure not under or over and take them along to class.

Well a hundred and something pictures later, I need to choose at least one of this series. 

Thank goodness I had had my cataracts removed as now getting pictures in focus is a mission.

This last picture is out of focus!

These shots have not been touched up in Photoshop as yet,

as I don't know how to.

I was trying light from behind no shadows wonderful.
The sun is now so bright I'll have to rig up some sort of curtain behind the soft see through one hanging at the moment.
All a learning curve.

My doll Hilda which is an antique reproduction doll,
is my most favorite of dolls.

It was a smaller version of her that I bought on Pier 59 in LA
which started me down the porcelain doll road. 

She was not a particularly well painted doll,

but could she talk... That was 30 years ago now.

My child size Hilda was painted by my friend Lesley Vermaak.

Lesley is a wonderful artist and sculptor. I love her style of doing things, how she manages to get a new creation look as though it was made years ago is such a skill.

Enjoy

Sharon

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

Spent the afternoon going through photo files,

I wish I had not sorted them into new folders as now I can't find anything.

SPRING IS DEFINITELY IN THE AIR

I eventually found what I was looking for, a photograph of an outfit I had made for a lady doll about 6 years ago.

As you can see the socks don't match, I was playing around with different lace patterns to see which would be the best for the ensemble.....

The pattern was written out in a diagram format  using EXCEL.

The tights take 4 days to knit....looking at the ensemble I feel it has not dated, maybe in colour choice, it seems all the young woman are walking around in tights these days.


Enjoy
Sharon

Photography in the Studio

Well the first photographic lesson is over...it started out with having to climb 8 flights of stairs, the building is in a revamp mode at the moment. Crikey I'm not fit, glad I got there first so I could catch my breath without anyone seeing the performance.

I turned out to be the oldest duck there. Six woman and one man is in the class. Must be that men "get" manuals and tech jargon better than us woman I suppose, but who cares we are on our way to learn to drive these camera's of ours.

The lesson was wonderful, a light was switched on and the shutter went up on what I hope is a whole new world of pleasure and creativity.

One of the biggest needs in our blog and miniature world is to take beautiful pictures of what we create for them to be properly enjoyed.

Blogs I enjoy for the wonderful photographic skills is 

Linda Carswell of the Une Petite Folie Blog 

and 

Monica Roberts of Hither Thither and Yon Blog

Check them out you won't be disappointed.

Even learned a little photographic jargon

"open up" and "close down"

The aperture that is.....for a moment I thought I was at the dentist.

Also learned about "The Rule of Thirds" had heard of it before but so much better to have it explained and named all good. 

Was shown photographic examples which made it so much simpler to understand.

Google Rule of Thirds to see what is meant by it..interesting

Our brief for the first weeks homework is to put our cameras on 

M = Manual and go for it.

Take as many pictures as we like 

making sure they are not "over or under" exposed.

Getting that little line slap bang in the middle.

Was rather over excited I think so came home and finished off a little blue and yellow mouse dress.

Getting back into a calmer center of being, 

the rhythm of the clicking needles once again.

This is the last photgraph I am allowed to take with my 

Sony point and shoot, I'm now putting it high up in the cupboard so I am not tempted to use it till I have the 

"Knowledge with understanding" (our old school motto)

of this new which was until yesterday 

"a terrifying camera"  

Wow these cameras can do so much if only we take the time to learn how to push the various buttons.

One lesson at a time...YES

Taking good photographs knowing what was done with the dials and buttons and not by flook

1:12th Scale Miniatures

I gave myself space yesterday to make a dress for dear Miss Mouse

 A PROTOTYPE at this stage.

What Fun it turned out to be.

Having been introduced to Vera de Muis so many years ago

I loved the idea of a mouse dressed in real clothes.

My friend Ana has made the most delightful mouse doll. 

I call her Miss Mouse.

Ana's ability to make the finest quality of miniature critters and 

teddies is astounding. 

See one of her creations  which is on Ebay at the moment.

Item number:290615686059

Her seller name is anabear555

Her ability to constantly push herself to greater heights, 

and to be innovative is only to be admired.

Miss Mouse has arms and legs that move!

Looking through my photograph albums 

I managed to find the photograph of the first  mouse 

I made and dressed.

It was in 2004, seems hard to believe,  how time flies!

I sold her on Ebay

I realize now that I called that first little mouse, 

Miss Mouse as well.

Her outfit was knitted in DMC 80 at the time, 

ones taste and quality does change  and improve over the years. 

Believe me when I say, I love shoes.... and so does Miss Mouse.

Enjoy

Sharon

QUILTS

A couple of years ago I did a beginners course in quilting...I could not make the quilt that the teacher had made, 

I simply could not like it.

I learned all the methods of piecing which was fun.

I still have not put the edge on the quilt because there is a special method of doing it, Ricky Tims was the guy that uses that method.

One uses a sewing machine that involves piping, I think it is much neater than doing it by hand. I know it is not the traditional method, but it is now 2011

So I would like to use this new method.

Rein was so sick at the time that I was easily distracted. 

So this is one UFO that needs to be completed soon.

ABOUT TIME !!!

I just thought about it today I can print this quilt onto a very fine Batiste then hand quilt the design onto the a piece of flannel. As you can see that in real life I love the Autumn shades of the world. 

I took the pictures of the houses from some 

"Tourist Tiles" I had in my kitchen.

I then photocopied them and then played for a week.

I stood on the ladder today to take the photograph, as it is far to windy today to take it outside. 

You can see the photograph is a little squiffy.

I THINK IT WILL LOOK GREAT AS A MINI !!!!

My teacher thought I had done quilting before, and others asked if I bought a kit.

Maybe I should sell a kit for this quilt...

Any takers for a beginners quilt.

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

I had to take a deep breath this morning....The square of my shawl was not square!!!

One of the more difficult things to get right in miniature knitting is to 

make a square.You measure and believe it is fine.

Then you wash the square and the fabric takes on a life of its own. 

Now I had pretty much got it down pat when working in the Venne 70/2

Working with Madeira catona 80 thread is a whole new ball game.

 

I had finished the square, washed it and blocked it with the edging.

This morning I had to unpick the crochet edge I had done and the cast off edge. 

I had sewn in the cast on and end threads .....MISTAKE.

When unpicking remember to hold the stitches of the fabric with your left hand, then gently tug the thread to undo the knitting, if the thread sticks use a sewing needle to help dislodge the thread, remember the square was already washed taking out the dressing of the thread so it is not so slippery any more......

I DID IT ....STITCHES ALL SAFELY BACK ON THE NEEDLES.

I have taken the day off from knitting shawls.