About Me

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IMAGINATION IS THE EYE OF THE SOUL Joseph Joubert. I am a mother of four...I still remember the smile that refused to go away for weeks after our daughters birth. To have a little girl appear after three sons seemed such a miracle. I have always enjoyed My Doll World, sharing it with Lara when she was little. Today I design knitted outfits for miniature dolls and enjoy every minute of it. The fact that the outfits are removable is what makes it so special for me. Using ever finer threads has opened so many MINIATURE DESIGN opportunities.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas

Two weeks ago I ordered my "Christmas Present" to myself.

  The hardest part will be NOT TO OPEN THE PARCEL
until Christmas Day.

The question now is is will it arrive in time!


I can't wait to dress this little boy, he will have to be an 
"Old Fashioned Baby Boy" disguised as a girl! 
This little chap is 4 inches long so not a doll house doll.


A Camille Allen Baby has long been on my "Wish List"

I can just see him lying on one of my lacy shawls!
 
His little arms are not attached to the body so I will be able to dress him....
Leaving the dresses open down the back should do the trick.

All in all it will be a fun project to do over the holidays.

 Enjoy and thanks for your visit!
Sharon Chrystal

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

My daughter arrives from London on Saturday....I am so excited I can't settle to anything.

So I decided to go back to my roots and play with fabric needle and thread......

A lot needs to change for these tiny fabric garments.

The skirts a little fuller ....lace gently gathered, bonnets really fussy for these.

Little dresses for Belly Button Baby

I like the garments to be removable...and no glue except "Mod Podge" for sealing the fabric edges.

Need to make coast hangers for them this evening.


One has to start somewhere!

Enjoy

Monday, November 26, 2012

Whats Up in The Studio



 Ana came over on Saturday and we Baked Cakes.
 Now I understand what all the fuss is about ...instant gratification.

I felt like a kid again, deciding what colours to use 
and how to shade this or that 
Lets try these sprinkles...Oh Lordy Lordy Miss Claudy, what fun we did have!!!



We used a mold by True2Scale
and Hey Presto instant cakes....excuse the pun.


By the end of the afternoon we were a lot wiser than when we started out.





For me to be in my comfort zone I knit!

For the Nursery i had to start somewhere.
So I made a dress in the thread I had found in my stash.

I could then begin the knitting the frills for the cot in the Nursery.


I started off making the frill for the sheet. 
Turns out it is one pattern repeat too long for "My Eye"




I then made the frill for a pillow ....... have not finished the embroidery yet!




I now have to work out how to knit the frill.

Exactly how long should it be.
How many sections should the frill be knitted in.
Can't have too many stitches on the needles 
my customers will think I am crazy.

Where do I decreased on the arch shape of the canopy 
so the lace does not stick out funny.

So I draped the knitted frills using press stick to keep them in place
I have come to the conclusion it won't be as easy as I thought, the mathematical brain will have to work overtime.

When draping the pillow frill I saw that the corner sections of the pillow which had extra gathers sat far better over the arch. 
So there will have to be extra decreasing in this area, well we will see.


Pillow Frill over arch far too many gathers in total but I now have a starting point.

This frill is too long






I feel like Goldilocks, when will it be just right!


Enjoy
Sharon

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns Belly Button Baby







LUCY is now available in both DUTCH and ENGLISH
Price 7.50 Euro's


LUCY
 Embroidering the flowers along the top of the frill on the bib has given it such a different look!

LUCY

LUCY      


I always wash the garment before I start the crochet edge and embroidery.
 I find the colours do fade with washing!!!


Enjoy and thanks for looking
Sharon

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Rooms in a Doll House




NEW  BEGINNINGS!

8 years ago I received a gift from my husband for our 30th wedding anniversery.

The parcel slip arrived much excitement
Then on closer inspection of the document there was an item for the amount of

R1500.00

This was a fine!
In South Africa we have to pay 14% VAT on imports. What had happened was Motts Miniatures had put a value on the outside of the parcel which was half of the value of the invoice inside the box.
Customs opened the box!!!
I understand that Motts had written on the outside of the parcel the ammount for insurance purposes. This they caluclated at their cost price, and not the retail price.....
After all said and done try explaining that to the South African Customs and Excise.

The fine put a dampener on everything ....

I have now decided to
 "GET OVER MYSELF' 
and make the nursery into the wonderful project it was ment to be.




These are the items I have so far, there is also a towel rack, but it has fallen apart,
 as in come unglued.

A little how I am feeling at the moment!
Far too many things in the creative side of the brain.


My Thoughts

I dont want this nursery to be a play room with a gazillion toys around.
It must be an elegant and restful room for both mother and child. A place to feed the baby without baby getting distracted by everthing around......The playroom can be through an inter leading door.
This can come later.

If I was giving a brief to a customer,
what would I have to include in this breif so they get the idea of the end result.
If you don't write it down it does not happen, one can so easily forget.

ELEGANTLY SHABBY CHIC leaning more to the CHIC side.....


There will be no adults in the room or garden only the sugetion that they are somewhere around.
The cot linen will look as though they baby just just been taken out of the cot.

Bay window with french doors leading out into a garden.
Garden must have a chair with a scatter cushion and table with a tea cup and book. An English country garden flowers.

As this room box is not part of a rectangular dolls house I can have any shape I like, I don't want to see only the side of a piece of furniture. Many antique rooms I have  seen on Theraults Auction Catalougue many of the room boxes have the windows at an angle, good thinking, I like this style.

Brooke Tucker's suggestion of a room leading off somewhere in her style of design opens our imagination....makes us wonder.



I would like cream carpets with the blue toned throw rug  on top.
Cream walls, not sure about wall paper at this stage, would need to find the perfect fit. I favor monotones. So the search is on.
Also that the wall paper is the best of quality so it does not fade in our African sun.  I like a dado rail.

I would like to dress the crib and cot without it being over the top......elegant shabby chic

Rather than use lace on the crib I plan to knit the lace. Having found in my stash 80/2 Egyptian Gassed Cotton in the perfect shade, was serendipity playing with the room.

I would like lace curtains as well as the main curtains. The main curtains need to elegant rather than child like.
I feel cream silk with a delicate design of flowers hanging down as though they were hanging from a pergola would be perfect. I have similar curtains in my main bedroom and have loved them for over 30 years.

A portrait of mother and child, I had the perfect picture on my wish list on Etsy, but after my computer rehash it has disappeared. I cannot remember the name of the shop either.....will have to do a search.

There have to be toys, but understated, once again in delicate shades, not primary colours, those can be for the playroom.

I still need an oval table with a cloth to the floor.
Indoor plants ferns
A table lamp 
A baby night light
Gowns in the wardrobe
A robe hanging ready for the baby to wear.
Toys for in the crib and one or two on the floor
I have a dolls, house dolls house which needs to be put together...now I know what colours to choose.

As I have not made a room box before I'll need to find out the following.

I want the walls to be collapsible as in a flat pack, so they will have to slot into each other with grooves in the wood.
Ideally  the bottom section should have a drawer in which to house the furniture pieces.
My reason being,  if I choose to take this nursery to a show it will be easily transported and everything would be safe and sound.
How can one do this?
What wood should I use?
Who to ask?
I read on a blog of someone who prints fabric and wallpaper for dolls houses top quality too!
RESEARCH        RESEARCH        RESEARCH

Any help from "My Followers" would be much appreciated 
Links to sites for what I need.
Who do you suggest I ask?

Enjoy
And thanks

SHARON

Monday, November 19, 2012

Miniature Knitting in the Studio


Needed to complete bits and pieces then when I saw all the bibs together......
I just had to take a photograph.





Enjoy

Sharon

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

I have completed my order for the USA and am so happy with how it has turned out.



ERIKA  for BBBaby with pink trim

I'll be posting on Monday, then the big wait begins. 
My EBay parcel took 4 weeks very nerve racking indeed.
Looking at the photograph I realize I have not done the bib....
Way too much on the mind

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

I am not very good at doing orders

I am so easily distracted then wiz off on a tangent 
ESPECIALLY if I have an idea that seems a good one.

I am not very disciplined at all when the creative me pops up her head
"They" say if it is not written down it has not happened ....

I say if I have not knitted it, the idea remains only an idea.

MARY

MARY

I believe this idea was a good one, 
I still need to do a petticoat the will be right for the dress.

I embroidered the dress with YLI silk which I was given as a gift on Saturday, well not quiet a gift I will be making a bedspread for my friend 

I already know exactly how I am going to do it....

BUT BACK TO ORDERS FIRST!!!

ENJOY!

PS I used a no 12 sharps needle to do the embroidery, made by PONY in India very inexpensive and work like a dream to sew the garments together as well.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns BBBaby

I have had a few request for patterns knitted in Venne 70/2 for BBBaby as not everyone can knit with the Madiera Cotona Thread.

The pattern now has a full length Petticoat and Coat with the usual Diaper and Booties.

The pattern is available in ENGLISH and DUTCH
KATELYN FOR BBBaby

Without the bows!!!





ENJOY!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns Pearl

Here are Pearl's Nightdress and shorty Pyjamas. For the photograph I put the longer pants on her.

PENNY's PJs for Pearl

SURPRISE FOR TODAY

2nd November 2012

The Pattern is available in DUTCH and ENGLISH 

The pattern consists of pyjama top with short or long pants, a nightdress and dressing gown.

Enjoy!

Miniature Knitting Patterns for Pearl



To see all the patterns available for Pearl on one page look on the right hand side you will see a  list under Pages, click on the page you would like for example Patterns Available in Dutch.
I have finally worked out how to use this feature.
 Also when ordering patterns you may copy the picture of the pattern you would like into an email.
Thank you.



This little low waist er is the perfect party dress!

MADISON for Pearl

The pattern includes a dress, hat, petticoat and knickers.

The thread used is Venne 70/2 and knitted on 1mm knitting needles.
I used the Venne 70/2 for the embroidery as well.



Enjoy!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns Pearl

I have been on a roll these last few weeks as far as 
"Patterns for Pearl" are concerned. 
When I saw Christmas decorations and what have you in the shops I thought she had to have a Christmas Dress too.


SAMANTHA for Pearl

Enjoy!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns for Pearl

Had to share the MANDY Pattern for Pearl again showing the adaptations to the pattern.

No wonder it tskes me forever to complete a design.

Those final tweaks to a pattern make all the difference....

Yes a few rows added or taken away, a stitch added here and there.

This is all so you may sit down and knit of an evening knowing the outfit will be as perfect as I see it to be!
I like to sell designs that I would happily have let my children wear!

Please don't share my patterns with your friends, I would so like to be paid for what I do!


MANDY for Pearl


Enjoy
Sharon Chrystal

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns for Pearl

This time round I have adapted the Erika Pattern for Pearl.

The design is named MANDY and she has her first pair of shoes made in polymer clay.


MANDY'S dress is slightly too long, but the pattern has been adjusted.

Imagine if I had a separte doll for each outfit I designed...not posible for me.

Much prefer to have the outfits in a box with one doll, and all her outfits on display.
Only hassle is how do I change her shoes!

SO I have asked for 10 pairs of legs for Pearl and I am going to make her different pairs of shoes to match the different outfits...

ALL MADE IN POLYMER CLAY.

Many a time I have looked at dressed dolls and always felt the shoes have spoiled the finish of some really beautiful outfits. I have made shoes for my bears before but this is a lot easier as the foot is already there.
In the greenware stage the moulded shoe will have to be sanded off, but it does work.

Fortunately Pearl has legs attached into a body armor of pipe cleaners, so easy to remove the legs when photographing a different outfit.......

Well that is what I am going to do and have fun doing it!


ENJOY and thanks for following my work.
I love all the comments and the fact that people take the time to write.
It's GREAT THANK YOU

Saturday, October 13, 2012

ORDERING PATTERNS


If you would like to order a pattern look at the older posts 
The pictures have the name of the pattern then
email me with the selection 
I only accept PayPal
I charge 7.50 Euro's for most of my patterns others are more expensive.

Please wait for me to send you a PayPal invoice before paying me
My email address is 

sharon@chrystalsdesigns.com




For example this pattern is Sean for Belly Button Baby

Knitted in Madeira Cotona 80 thread which is very fine ...... the finer the thread the more detail one an achieve ......knitted on .07mm Hiya Hiya knitting needles

Thanks to all of you who have made inquiries about my patterns

Thursday, October 11, 2012

PATTERNS FOR PEARL

I had fun adapting the Katharina pattern for PEARL

 It is ages since I used the Venne 70/2.........it works well for Pearl
As you can see I am still "Into Flowers"

Rather fun to do the embroidery!



I'll call this design    

MOLLY

The pattern has a Dress, Beret, Petticoat and Knickers


Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

eBay Listing

 It is years since I did an eBay listing, I had help this time to do the listing...

It is not often that I knit to sell to busy designing new patterns.
So here is a chance to own your very own Chrystal's Designs outfit.


I have embroidered tiny little daises along the top of the frill ...
they don't show up in the photograph which is a pity.






My seller name is chrystalbear555

Enjoy!

Monday, October 8, 2012

SEASONAL

It was Ana's birthday on Friday so I designed a special Belly Button Baby outfit for her ......
I knitted the dress in Madeira Cotona 80 which knits up like gossamer... 
I love the fabric produced from this thread

LUCY


Miniature knitting at it's finest


 I'm happy to say Ana was thrilled with her present

Enjoy!


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns Belly Button Baby

KATHARINA DAY DRESS

I have to share with you the embroidery on the Katharina dress.
It is all thanks to my friend Diane Smith in Tasmania
 that I have at last gone a little embroidery happy.

Lazy Daisey stitch is not as easy as it looks,
 one has to "let" the thread lie in the way it wants to or else you get all these long thin petals...NOT GOOD
much prefer the petals to take on a gentle curve.
Also unpicking a flower is harder than you think.

One thing you must do is wash the white garments before you embroider.
The soaps do change the colour of the thread slightly.....
even though I use delicate soap.




KATHARINA DAY DRESS

ENJOY!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns Belly Button Baby

KATHARINA ROYAL LENGTH GOWN

I had to share this "NEW" design with you all....

A baby needs a gown that is extra special.

The delicate contrasting colour used for the crochet edge and embroidery has simply inhanced this little ensemble.
One must look at the whole ensemble and admire it, in it's entirety

Designing the garments using the same Vine Stitch Pattern enables you to interchange the garments for your little doll and display them all as a complete layette.

Please note the little coat hanger cover....I am thrilled with how it turned out.
The bib with a contrasting colour around the edge of the frill has truly delighted me.

The pattern includes
 Royal Length Gown, Coat, Petticoat, Bonnet, Bib
Vest, Diaper, Booties, Coat Hanger Cover
and Round Shawl


KATHARINA ROYAL LENGTH
This pattern sells for 8.50 Euro's


Enjoy!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Miniature Polymer Clay and Paper Flowers

Garlands of Flowers

I was wondering why my hands were sore then realized...I had been making flowers instead of knitting and the muscles in my hands are not used to rolling the clay anymore.

I had been using the pasta machine to help in the process 
BUT STILL

This getting old is for the birds. Holding a cup of coffee became treacherous.....first time EVER I spilled coffee on my keyboard, unheard of for me.

Painted the bed, made a mattress, The Amber Shawl and Pillow work so well for the whole scene.
I am rather pleased with the bed, still need to paint the trims here and there in a darker shade.

The teddy sitting on the bed and the little mouse were made by Ana Esteves 

The teddy on the floor was made by Ana Braun 

he wears a matinee jacket knitted for Belly Button Baby...rather suits him I think.

The little bird and pink flowers are by Beth Freeman Kane
I bought those at the Cape Town Miniature Fair this month and am so happy I did.



The colours I chose for the first garland was not quiet what I wanted, so I made the second one .......This I much prefer.


This is what I have produced for all the time spent.



Enjoy!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

1 : 12th Scale Miniatures

Cats and More Cats

My friend Ana has been honing her furring skills,
she is off to America to learn all she can.

 In the meantime she has been "getting ready"...

I know all her tools are packed.









I love the cats she has already made, can't make up my mind which one I like best!
The tails move and the eyes simply talk to one.


Enjoy

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

SPRING CLEANING

I have been going through boxes and sorting out stuff and came across the only little rubber baby that I find appealing.

I DID NOT REALIZE IT....
but guess what
HE IS THE SAME SIZE AS BELLY BUTTON BABY

So I tried on the Erika dress and low and behold it fits him except for that bent little arm, but that is not too serious.

I just had too share as I know how many of you out there just adore these little babies.

Erika Design being worn by a little rubber baby


ENJOY
Sharon

Miniature Knitting Patterns Belly Button Baby

ERIKA for Belly Button Baby

I am slowly completing the designs I have done over the last few months.



ERIKA Miniature knitting Pattern for 1 3/4 inch Belly Button baby



     
Belly Button Baby dressed in the Erika Ensemble!        

Enjoy

Sunday, September 16, 2012

The New Baby

I was going through my photographs and thought these were too cute not to share.


Julie arriving home in "THE BASKET"


Alex taking a closer look!!!  Then he simply walked away...
He knew trouble when he saw it!


This baby sitting lark is a job all on it's own!!


This was "MY" basket after all!


Look how small I was!

Now I am all grown up and can jump onto Moms Work Station when she goes out shopping and eat her miniature flowers that she took a whole morning to make!!!

Julie says "I'm the boss in this house for sure....."



This gave me a whole new meaning to the saying

THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK!

Enjoy

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Miniature Knitting Patterns Belly Button Baby

Welcome to my new followers thank you for all the comments about my work, really kind of you all.

It has been a roller coaster ride these last 3 months.
I have been really busy in real life...started out thinking I would fix up an apartment I intend using in my "OLD AGE" as in when I can no longer drive.

I realize that I am no longer 30 
things take longer to do these days.

Ended up gutting the the place....new windows floors, kitchen, bathroom, doors and floors.

I DID KNIT THOUGH it was the only thing that kept me sane.

MINIATURE   KNITTING   THE AMBER LAYETTE

CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH TO ENLARGE
I am so happy with the way the design turned out especially the bib! I am busy with a pillow and that should be finished tonight.



Pillow Finished So I have added the new picture
Early tomorrow I will do the tech edit.

ENJOY