Chrystal's Designs

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

2012-02-24T10:22:00.000+02:00

Our Miniature Guild here in South Africa are having their Annual Convention and Auction at the end of March.

This is my contribution to the Auction

I chose the light ecru shade of the Madeira Cotona 80 thread this time round, wanting to achieve a more antique feel to the outfit.
The colour will blend better into an older style room.
One would look at thew whole room not just the outfit.

The JADE design has now been tweaked to my satisfaction 40sts less in the dress, the coat a wee bit longer the petticoat an extra panel.

So in fact I have re knitted the whole outfit ......

albeit for a very good reason

I would I could let well alone, my nature simply does not allow this. I wonder where this little outfit will end up.

Jade takes her bunny with her wherever she goes

Enjoy

Days of Our Lives

2012-02-18T15:04:00.000+02:00

I have decided that from now on I will buy myself

A Birthday present....

Sooooo.....I have ordered another Helen Kish doll from

The Denver Doll Company

http://www.denverdoll.com/helen_kish.php

Cosette is a BJD and only a mere 5 1/2" high!

Don't you just love her Mary Janes!!!

She will only be shipped in the middle of May so I have to be very, very, very patient.

I love her colouring and am already dressing her and thinking of toys for her.

She will have her very own 1:144 Scale French Townhouse

which I have ordered in

"Kit Form" from Keith Bougourd"

keith@small-time.com

I have to get ready for the project as it should soon be in the post.

I have it on good advice to use Aleene's Aliphatic glue.
Now that is a big word like Jam

This glue is water resistant so if you make a mistake you will need to "un glue" it with a coat of vinegar, which will soften it again after a few minutes.

I am sure she is going to love the Little Mice

that I have waiting for her ....the mice also have to have toys so Ana is busy with THAT

In Ana's cupboard is a Teddy who wears a pink bow...

for that Little Bear to come and live with me

I will have to make her something very special

NOW NO MORE PRESENTS FOR SHARON

Miniature Knitting Pattern for BELLY BUTTON BABY

2012-02-13T08:16:00.001+02:00

This Miniature 1:12 scale knitted outfit began with me wanting to make a matinee jacket for the Sean Pattern....

Then I thought how can I make a gown with dropped points.

So I tried it out on a petticoat, it worked so I am one step closer to a new gown I want to knit.

I would so like to see a motive in tatting in very fine thread up the center front of this gown or some bullion rose embroidery.

Maybe even some bead-work...still all in my head.

Even though the texture of the knitted fabric is very fine, embroidery on knitting is difficult if you want to achieve a perfect finish.

I thought of putting that material that dissolves in water on the back of the panel before I try the embroidery.

JADE for BELLY BUTTON BABY

Once again a Round Shawl

which is so much easier to drape inside a pram!

The pattern gives a choice of a bonnet with or without frills.

This pattern still needs to be test knitted

Fantasy Hats and Bags

2012-02-10T17:01:00.000+02:00

I am looking forward to teaching at our

South African Miniature convention at the end of March

I have called my Class

Fantasy Feathers and Flowers

Just a few examples

This Miniature Hat I gave away but still rather like it!

Fantasy means I then don't have to make a perfect replica of a realflower, we have artistic license to do as we please

I'm busy making kits at the moment

Also having to work out how long it will take the girls to complete all the things I have planned.

I am primarily going to show how I make fantasy feathers and flowers in Fimo, which is a brand of Polymer Clay

Working intuitively as I do,

does make it difficult to record every step of the way.

It must LOOK RIGHT how does one explain that

I know that real life florists never put

HALF a flower into an arrangement

but in my miniature flower arrangements I simply "have to"

The whole arrangement would be too bulky if one did not use these little tricks.

I have learned so much more since then.... so have to set the knitting needles aside so as to practice once again with clay

I love what one can do with clay, so between now and the end of March all I am going to do is produce "stuff" which will have flowers as decoration......

JUST TO GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS

Working out what the students need

in their tool kit was a lesson in itself,

when working at home we take so many things for granted.

StudentRequirements

so far hahahah

Paper and pencil for making notes

Scissors for cutting paper and card

Scissors for fabric and ribbon, Ialways mark my "good"scissors with a fob

Fine point glue syringe

Aileen's tacky glue

Paint brush for using with glue

Ceramic Tile to work on

Ball Styles Set of various sizes

Tissue Blade

Stanley Knife blade or one of those American blades they sell in little dispensers

A porcupine quill these are available at Merrypak

Chalk pastels if you have them, youwill also be able to use mine in class

Piece of fine sand paper

3 brushes for use with differentcolour chalks,

Prime art Bianco # R 000

Child's Plastic Float for rollingclay

Rubber roller with a handle, about 2"wide will be fine

Short length of dowel 9cm long x1.5cm in diameter

Dolls head and Torso with "bigboobs" remember it will go into the oven

If the head needs to be attached to the the torso, join them with very fine wire

MONICA DESIGN

2012-02-06T14:09:00.003+02:00

I have now completed the Monica Design in that the petticoat is finished.

Have also created a new crochet edge which adds a

"Touch of Delicateness to the cuff and hem edge"

The double frill on the bonnet is an optional extra.

Now to try adding hair to this cute little face.

MONICA for BELLY BUTTON BABY

2012-02-02T07:41:00.000+02:00

Don't ask me what happened to January.

At least I am ready for Valentine's Day This fella could be my Valentine any day of the week, I love the way he dresses.

Terri Has done my Bomber Jacket Proud, he could not be more perfect.

AT LAST THIS DESIGN IS COMPLETE

The pattern for the Bomber Jacket and Beanie costs

7.50 Euros

I accept Pay Pal

Terri Davies was kind enough to make a Modern man for wearing my Bomber Jacket Pattern. I am allowed to use the photographs of him for my pattern.

Terri has put him up on Ebay here is the link for the listing

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220945940208

Enjoy

Sharon

2012-01-07T08:46:00.000+02:00

The winners are both from Spain this time!!

Maite http://miniaturista-minisypx.blogspot.com/

Pedrete http://elblogdepedrete.blogspot.com/

I have emailed you both to please let me have your

Postal Addresses.

Thank you to all who follow my blog.

Have a great Mini 2012

2012-01-06T07:34:00.002+02:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

HELP!!!

I have not forgotten to draw the lucky number of my list followers....I SIMPLY don't know how to get a listing of the names of the people that have joined my email feed. So I am going to ask if anyone reading this blog knows how to do it?

Also since blogger changed the posting format I can't work out how to put a heading on the post. The label system works.

In the meantime ladies and gents who did join my email feed please drop me a line in the next 24hours and then I can add you to the DRAW....

Thought I would add one of my most favorite cards...

I do so love little mice!
How cute is this little scene...
I love the colours in fact everything about it

2011-12-20T08:35:00.000+02:00

Crochet outfits are coming along great, I do wish the patterns were easier to write out.

As a Christmas present to all my followers,

you will have the chance to win a bonnet and dress that fits

Belly Button Baby

All you need to do is follow my blog by email, and you will be added to the draw.

Unfortunately the doll is not included. The draw will take place on the

5th January 2012

Here are other outfits that I have been busy with.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas.

I wish you a very healthy and prosperous New Year.

Thank you so much for all the comments you have posted on my blog over this last year. It has been truly encouraging.......

THANK YOU to ALL

who have bought my patterns, your support is so appreciated

Miniature Crochet in the Studio

2011-12-14T15:31:00.001+02:00

The mice have been breeding and so have the number of outfits.

I have been working on a system for making a crochet pattern that one can "read" from a photograph.

I was taught to crochet my copying a doily that my grandmother had made.

The Japanese patterns work really well for me, but when I try to draw the design I run out of paper. I know the patterns can be done in the software program Illustrator but that involves learning a new program.
I wonder if I could learn just the part I need to know.......

All the mice have been made by my friend

Anna Esteves

Enjoy!

2011-11-22T07:05:00.001+02:00

SALLY MAVOR

What a delicious imagination, Sally's creativity, sewing skills and choice of colour are to be marvelled at.

How she must have enjoyed creating such a

MUST HAVE book.

The illustrations are so beautifully detailed.

Imagine a miniature version of this Nursery Rhyme Book, in a room display.

The book is available from Amazon for US $ 14.95

See other pages of her work at these links.

http://weefolk.wordpress.com/pocketful-of-posies-a-traveling-exhibit/

http://weefolk.wordpress.com/category/pocketful-of-borders/

Sally is doing a traveling exhibit in America, wish I could be seeing it.

2011-11-14T17:13:00.001+02:00

Dianne Smith sent me a picture of her version of the

Lisa Marie pattern.....

I love what she has done, she tells me one outfit is definitely for a swap and the other is going to be a Christmas present.
Dianne has been test knitting for me for years now.

The outfits have been knitted in Venne 70/2

The pattern is now available in

Dutch or English at a price of 7.50 Euro's

Enjoy

Sharon

2011-11-07T17:49:00.002+02:00

6 things I wished I knew when Istarted

1:12th Scale Miniature Knitting

I can distinctly remembersaying ....

I'll never use smallerthan a 1mm knitting needle,

in fact I would be nuts if I did

Never say Never

Now I wish I had started on that size, in the beginning.

I wonder how muchfurther down my knitting path I would have been today!

20/20 vision is such a bonus, so we need to get the youngerknitters started in our miniature world.

Having had my cataracts removed this year has opened up awhole new miniature world for me. Thank goodness I did my eyes now and did notwait until I was "do dally tap" or 95 in the shade.

I know there are risks in every type of surgery but what apleasure my new eyes are and how colours have changed they are simply deliciousagain....when not seen as though through a mist.

OK BACK TO MINIATURE KNITTING

Some needles do rust or should Isay tarnish with use, then they definitely begin to rust over time.

You willfind your stitches "stick" on the section of the knitting needle thatusually rests between yourthumb and index finger. It is to do with the acid content of the skin.

No amount of rubbing the needles in your hair one remedy I was told of or buffing up the needle, once the coating is gone it is gone and will begin to rust.

A coupleof years ago I took a human size shawl and knitted it in Venne 70 /2, just to see what would happen.

Firstly I should have used a larger size needle...so the result would never have pleased me.

After having nearlyfinished the first side, I stopped working on it, leaving it on the knitting needle I was working withat the time.....

Well I came across the piece last week and found thatwhere the needle had been resting on my skin it had totally rusted.

The finish coating had worn away from me using theneedle.....

the stitches cannot move atall in that section. it will need a lot of twisting to remove the work from the needle.

I'mhappy that I did so, as now I have a perfect example of what happens to knittingneedles that are notstainless steel and only have a coating.

You can see the rust that has formed on the needle and how it has damaged the fabric

For years I had useda pair of 1mm stainless steel knittingneedles that I had bought in Holland.

Then horror of horrors one of the needlessnapped. I felt as though I had lost the extensions to my hands.

I tried to find out who had manufactured the needles so asto replace them but to no avail.

I bought and tried every miniature knitting needleavailable on the market...homemade ones,lace knitting needles from Lacis,

I felt a little like Goldilocks, these weretoo sharp, those rusted, others were too floppy, some were just too long, some were too short, it turned out the ones mostsuitable at that stage were the Heidi Ott brand.

UNTIL

I discovered the HIYA HIYA brand

These knitting needles are stainless steel and they workPERFECTLY for me.

I have been using them for more than a year now with no signof tarnish or rust on the needles.

NB For the moment,

I am not affiliated to the"Hiya Hiya" Brand in any way....

I'm just thrilled to have found these perfectly wonderfultools for knitting my miniature lace design and garments.

I happen to use the 0.7mm 24" circular needles, asstraight needles for my layettes.

The length of the needle section is 5 inches, so they sit inmy hands exactly as they should.

Not too long that the points stick into my clothing, makingmy knitting go every which way causing me to drop stitches. One needs to becareful that the cord between the needles does not get caught.

That has happened to me a few times much to my horror as Isee stitches drop from the needle.

I have asked

www.brownberryyarns.co.uk

stockets of the Hiya Hiyas needles in the UK toplease approach Hiya Hiya and ask them to make other sizes required for the miniatureknitters of the world...namely 0.8mm and 0.5mm

1. Don't beafraid of these tiny knitting needles they

don't bite.

Sayingthat.....remember they will if the needles you

are using, have too sharp apoint on them.

not so with HIYA HIYA needles the points ARE PERFECT

2. Don't useknitting needles that are so sharp that they

cut through your skin, this istotally unnecessary.

3. Alwayshave a pair of finer gauge knitting needles than

the size you are working with, in yourknitting basket. Perfect.....shouldyou need to unpick a row.

I use the 0.5mm for unpicking

4. You needa range of knitting needles in various sizes

0.5mm for unpicking a row

Unfortunatelythe smallest size Hiya Hiya make are 0.7mm

I cannotremember where I bought my very fine needles

from...sorry

0.7mm for knitting in a Madeira Catona80 thread

0.8mm for knitting stocking stitchgarments in Venne 70/2 Cotton Thread.

I use my Heidi Ott needles, which are the oneswith the

gold bead on the ends, for theBomber Jacket

HiyaHiya do not manufacture this 0.8mm either.

1mm for knitting lace patterns inVenne70/2

Cotton thread.

1.2mm for casting off when a garmenthas been

knitted using 1mm knitting needles

1.2mm when knitting shawls in the Venne70/2

Thefinished fabric needs to be far more of an open

weave for shawls and the drapeis marvelous.

5. You needa range of crochet hooks in various sizes as well

0.4mmwhen working with Madeira Catona Thread

0.5mmwhen with working with Venne 70/2 Thread

6. Whensewing up your garments use a very fine No 12

sewing needle.Thisgives a far neater finish.

Enjoy your miniature knitting experience

hoping this post helps in some way

Sharon

Special for this Week

2011-10-17T16:11:00.001+02:00

Shadows Pattern

Special for this Week only

You may buy my Shadows Shawl pattern for

1 Euro

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

Email me direct

if you would like a copy of the

Shadows Shawl pattern for this

the Special Price of 1 EURO (yes ONE euro)

To keep my house in order, please remember I have a photographic course this week

so I will only send the patterns out this coming Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th

Tutorials 1:12th Scale

2011-10-16T10:04:00.003+02:00

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

2011-10-14T16:44:00.003+02:00

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

2011-10-13T09:05:00.003+02:00

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

2011-10-11T22:30:00.002+02:00

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

2011-10-10T06:49:00.005+02:00

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

2011-10-09T10:25:00.002+02:00

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

2011-10-07T17:34:00.005+02:00

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

2011-10-06T06:35:00.001+02:00

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

2011-10-03T14:44:00.002+02:00

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

2011-10-02T14:09:00.000+02:00

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

2011-10-02T09:38:00.002+02:00

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.

Miniature Knitting Patterns 1 3/4" Belly Button Baby

2011-09-20T17:03:00.001+02:00

I wish I could say the outfit is complete, but as per usual the booties and knickers have not made an appearance yet.

I have called this design TARA for Belly Button Baby.

I am now going to make a confession, I spent at least 6 to 8 hours frogging that long coat, I dropped stitches when I hooked the cord of my circular needle.

Crumbs drop a stitch and it really becomes intense.

I find the thread has a silky finish, so it is rather slippery.

Would not suggest beginners start on this thread.

Then when everything was safe and sound, I got up to make a cup of coffee and Julie my little dog walked under my desk and caught her little bow (she had been to the parlor) on my thread. I wish you could have seen me spring into action...saved.

All in all I did not enjoy myself, but learned how to "frog" that particular lace pattern.

Enjoy

Sharon

Miniature 1:12th Scale Petitpoint

2011-09-20T11:41:00.001+02:00

After seeing a Petitpoint Carpet stitched by Helen Wood in

New Zealand, I thought I had to do something similar.

"The Nursery"

that has been floating around in my head has to have a carpet.

A good place to start.

As I have always loved cherubs and they do form part of my own home decoration it was only a matter of time that this was to be the design for my rug, I kept looking at the oval tablecloth.

that is in my lounge, YES the design is perfect.

I can also make cushions at a later date on finer silk gauze.

I'll have to live to be a hundred.

Is it too difficult for a beginner project?

I'll probably drive myself crazy...the experts set them selves a minimum threads per day, which slowly but surely gets the project done.

That is surely the way to go.

This fabric came in a selection of cream tones as well, wish I had a picture of the cream tones. Would make my life easier, I know it can be changed in Photoshop.

The rug needs a boarder so the shape of puffy clouds should do it.

Then with an inner border of maybe a Loral Leaf Boarder, similar to the leaves in the top right hand corner of this picture.

This will have to depend on the eventual size of the rug, I will ask the designers of carpets for input.....

I am going to play with this design in Photoshop,

Make the borders then print it on "Fuzzy Paper" to see if it will be suitable, before I begin stitching.....

I have decided that I will use 35 count silk gauze, as one thread of DMC embroidery floss will work for this first project and see

what happens.

Photography in the Studio

2011-09-17T16:36:00.001+02:00

When one hangs a picture in a passage not many people look at it as they walk right on by.

Well, this would describe this spot which is on a busy local road at the base of Chapman's Peak, cars and bicycles rush by, no one taking a second look.

To view this "River of Lilies" and to really enjoy one needs to walk to the spot and breath deeply...

The arum lilies have decided without any help from humans that they want grow on this marshy area between two fields.

We call it the common, during the day one can see children and dogs playing on the fields as well as horses grazing in the sunshine.

Taken with my point and shoot Sony, which I have had about 10 years now....can't wait to start my photography classes, to find out what new knowledge learned will bring to my photographs.

Enjoy

Sharon

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

2011-09-14T09:15:00.002+02:00

Thought I would show you whats happening in the studio this week. The jacket has to be knitted again, one extra pattern repeat is needed and also needs to be made longer.

I usually knit a new design starting on the gown, can't work out why I did it differently this time.

This new thread I am using is like starting at the beginning and I am thrilled with the results.

This is a design I have had on my mind for ages love this little rose leaf pattern

The petticoat has to be done next ...I have a thing about petticoats, gowns simply need petticoats....

Enjoy

Sharon

Miniature Teddies

2011-09-11T21:44:00.001+02:00

Our Cape Town Guild had their annual miniature fair on the

3rd September and I could not resist buying 3 little teddies.

Once again I had to buy a pair of twin teddies.

I could not resist them especially for the fact that they were wearing little knitted jerseys

The little twins were made by Vardibears

Vardi had decorated her table really beautifully the

The cot is one of my treasures

I also bought a little teddy made by Ana Braun.....he was so cute I could not leave him sitting on her table, so now he lives very happily in my house

I bet all you teddy lovers would have bought them too.

I have one "small" problem they all want to sit in the cot but it ain't big enough for three.

I have set myself a task for this week it is getting down to decorating the the miniature cupboard I moved in 4 months ago so I no longer have any excuses for it not getting done!

Miniature Knitting Patterns 1 3/4" Belly Button Baby

2011-09-10T16:44:00.003+02:00

The latest little outfit is presently winging it's way to the USA...

It is a version of the very first outfit "Candy" that I designed for a miniature doll.

This little outfit was knitted in Madeira Catona 80 cotton thread.

MONICA for Belly Button Baby

Funny how one begins a design thinking, Shaz, just knit with the new finer thread, while Fenny my sister in law is visiting....

No pressure, mind on the gentle rhythm of the knitting needles, creating a calm centre of pleasure....

Then all things change....

The work on your needles becomes a variation, now how did that happen, not an exact replication at all, but becomes something new......was it the different thread that helped make the changes.

One has to concentrate more than one would if reproducing a design already written out in pattern form, but it is still fun.

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-08-21T12:04:00.001+02:00

I thought you would like to see Sean wearing the Sage outfit.

Dianne Yunnie has made Sean with a straight arm in the past,

so the little coat would fit him.

SAGE for 3" Sean

Miniature Polymer Clay and Paper Flowers

2011-08-19T12:34:00.001+02:00

It is ages since I made Polymer Clay flowers so I had to practice.

A friend and I spent 4 hours each, making flowers...funny how one starts off rather large then slowly managing to get smaller and smaller.

Miniature flowers made in Polymer Clay

When one looks at what was actually achieved for a days work it certainly does not look like very much.

Miniature Knitting in the Studio

2011-08-18T12:31:00.000+02:00

A lady from Japan asked if I would knit her an outfit...

For the first time ever I took an order, I have no idea why I said yes, as usually I sell what I have already knitted.....less pressure.

As I had changed the Sean pattern for my "Fellow" I thought why not, I could sit and knit listening to my Audio Books and perfect the pattern at the same time.

A friend had sent me this Claude Monet card, it was on my desk when I was preparing to take a photograph, I picked up the card and placed the outfit omto it....

I love it as a background for the outfit, the pink water lilies are quiet beautiful, and enhances my knitting.

The outfit is on its way to Japan so I just hope it arrives safely.

I lost count of the hours I spent on the knitting ....getting up early and finding I was still knitting at 11 o'clock at night....I was listening to the audio book of

"A Game of Thrones"...I really enjoy fantasy stories, made me feel I was doing two things at once...perfect.

Gift Pay it Forward

2011-08-17T13:29:00.006+02:00

The last few months I have been very quiet,
yet very busy in my miniature knitting world.

The saddest part is my Giveaway did NOT arrive in Holland.The postal services of both countries seem not to care a fig.
One can almost see them shake their heads and say

"You win some you loose some" excuse the pun.

Funny how I allowed this situation to drain me,or maybe it was just an accumulation of being so very busy these last few months.

In a strange way I felt my integrity was in question somehow.....

My sister in law from Holland is arriving next week for a two week holiday...I am looking so forward to seeing her.

I will be sending Klara another doll....and Fenny has offered to be the postman.

Klara's new outfit has arrived in Holland

AM I HAPPY and RELIEVED!

Miniature Knitting Patterns 1 3/4" Belly Button Baby

2011-08-16T11:25:00.001+02:00

I have also made a new design for Belly Button Baby knitted in the Madeira Catona 80 thread, when the pattern is knitted in Venne 70/2 the outfit fits Baby Randy

SAGE for Belly Button Baby

Miniature knitted outfit

The flowers really give the outfit the finishing touch, I knitted the shawl on 1mm knitting needles it made the resultant fabric so delicate.

Days of Our Lives

2011-06-12T07:43:00.001+02:00

Our daughter Lara heads up store development for the firm

Jimmy Choo

She has been working on a store in Antwerp.

How beautiful is this old world facade.

Then you walk inside to this ultra modern, very chic display.

Oh I remeber when one's feet could wear beautiful shoes.

One time in Canada I found this wonderful pair of Italian shoes, half the price I would have had to pay back home.

I was walking up and down admiring them when the sales assistant said in a very American/Canadian accent.....

"An they ganna walk right out the door!"

THEY DID!

Every time I put those shoes on, I heard his voice.

Emelda Marcos had nothing on me when it came to shoes.

Love them.

One part of one's body that stayed the same size....until now!

What I found so appealing was the unexpected greenery of the back garden.

Incorporating the garden into the store was clever, I imediately felt more relaxed when I saw it, I can only imagine what it does to customers when in the shop.

My Miniature Baby Boutique will have to be equally elegant...

What say you!

Days of Our Lives

2011-06-12T07:08:00.001+02:00

Well I found something I have not seen in years.
This time it was in a box I was keeping for my son Gary.

What with all the wedding talk over the last few months thought this would be fun.

Just look what I made my bridesmaids wear I feel embarrassed really. Then I look at how young my little sister was.

How time flies.

Also that I don't have coloured photographs of that very first auspicious event in my life...makes one realize the years go by so much quicker than you think.

I remember trying to explain to the lady who made this bridal bonnet as to what I wanted.....She just couldn't understand first time round she made this Monk's Cowl affair....it was horrid.

Try and imagine one of those with flowers all over it.

It was the 60's after all we all were doing the flower power stuff.

Weren't we!!!

The woman became so impatient with me.

I remember looking at her, then quietly saying

I'll show you how....

I gently took her work apart.

Ohhh remembering her mouth becoming pursed with annoyance, and anger showing all over her face...

I wonder how much extra Mom and Dad had to pay.

I made what I wanted for her right there in her workshop.

Slowly she came round and a smile appeared on her face.

We are so determined at such a young age....but thinking about it now I was the one that had to wear the bonnet.

One does not have to accept mediocrity at all, if we can improve what has been done, do it!

I say to my children if they supposedly flew to the moon with the computers they had way back then .....

anything is possible today.

Now to make a miniature Bonnet.

They will have to be flowers made out of paper.

Watch this space

Days of Our Lives

2011-06-05T08:39:00.001+02:00

Doing the unpacking I have unearthed all sorts of things.

A little book A Woman's Work is Never Done which has a selection of quotations put together by Helen Exley...she has been doing these books since 1976

The year I married for the second time....

so it seemed a good idea at the time!

Apparently

I have a new company car, or so my son Shane tells me.

It does not have a chauffeur as it is insured for one driver only....

Another perk is a Lear Jet.....bought for me by my son. Now this is a wonderful toy. It sits perfectly, hits all the right spots of an old ladies cranky bits and pieces.....

The stockist in in South Africa are Cecil Nurse,

the operative word being "Nurse."

How I lived in my other chair for so long considering the amount of time I had to sit in it

God alone knows, I promises you

The arm rests swivel inwards, so for knitting what a pleasure the height of the arm rests are also adjustable...

Even an Orangutan would be comfortable knitting

I wonder if the designer of this marvelous affair ever thought this chair would be used by a knitting granny ...I think not.

For the moment I have decided not to have staff.....

I want to settle in then make decisions on

people who share our lives

I still need to do this, the tiles are clean

but the grouting leaves a lot to be desired.

Needles to say I am looking for a machine to hire for doing the job.

So for these moments in time, I am just getting on with it!!!!

BUT TODAY IS SUNDAY

I remember discussing housework with my Mom one evening just after getting my Dream Kitchen installed.

One with all drawers so no standing on your head to get to something.

This is what caught my eye in the book shop at the time...

THERE IS NO PLEASURE IN HAVING NOTHING TO DO

THE PLEASURE IS IN HAVING LOTS TO DO AND NOT DOING IT

Mary Wilson Little

AAAHH I thought

Imagine having an illustrator draw this on the wall

behind my stove.

Now Mom was a very reserved woman,but it sure had her

laughing out loud.

Never ever did get the sketch done but it was fun thinking about it.

Rein always said the best restaurant in Durban was our kitchen ......ya ya NO NIGHTS OFF.....

All the illustrations above come from Helen Exley's book, the illustrations are buy Rowan Barnes-Murphy

A wonderful buy I kid you not, worth every penny

I have laughed and smiled all over again.

Unpacking is time consuming but also a lot of fun.

GIFT Pay it Forward

2011-06-02T19:24:00.003+02:00

The Winner of my Giveaway is

KLARA

Please contact me I need to know where to post your gift.

Thanks so much for entering, and your kind words.

Days of Our Lives

2011-05-29T16:55:00.002+02:00

Well the first Rule of moving into a new house,

is make up the beds first.....

Did I do that for Julie ....NO
It took me two weeks to find the key to the Chinese Chest, that is where I had put her bed for the Great Trek to Cape Town

I found it last night and made up her bed just a few minutes ago

She is as now "Happy as the day is long"

In her 5 ***** bed

Days of Our Lives

2011-05-29T13:06:00.001+02:00

I GIVE UP

Madam has taken over the new home

she is now on the dining room table

SHE KNOWS WHOSE THE BOSS

Julie has decided she needs to clear the dining room table and become a miniaturist I think!

She looks surprised that I am not a Happy Chappy with her dining room table lark!

Maybe she is telling me to sew those darn curtains.....

But she is such fun you know.....

Days of Our Lives

2011-05-29T09:06:00.002+02:00

Well am I glad it is not this time two weeks ago...

Moving is certainly a very stressful and tiring time

I don't care how old one is.

My new home is nestled under this mountain called

"Chapman's Peak"

as one drives to the local store you find yourself surrounded by the mountains, I love it and the sea is just 5 minutes away.

One of my passions is arranging furniture which I know I do well as people always ask me to help with that.

This home has been particularly difficult as I wanted to create a studio area without having the feeling I am locked in the basement.

Fortunately I don't have to share the space on a permanent basis.

Only when friends and family come to stay.

The guest bookings book has already been created...which is great

I could not find the special key for the Chinese Chest and that is where Julies bed had been packed.

So I made up a cozy place for her on a chair in the studio.

It appears she has lost all her manners.....

I turned around to find this situation.

"The Table Climber"

I could not believe my eyes, I wonder what she thought she was doing, playing "King of the Castle" I suppose.

One word from me and she was back in the chair but admittedly with a rather playful pose.

I turned around and she was back on the table, I just worked it out she wanted to have her chair closer to me, a bit like when the kids were little and they would fight as to who would sit behind the driver in the car....Now Missy is all settled.

I am on the last leg of the move now and am busy playing with the display cabinet.

I am using the ironing board as a temporary table.

"MY BACK" has said How is your mother..my reply

Oh! not too good today.... can't take the bending anymore!

I think I am going to put all the knitting work in a different cabinet I have one of those old fashioned bookcases. It is only a two shelf unit, I am sure it will be enough, now to figure out where to put it.

Excuse the ironing board in the middle of nowhere, I rather like the little sitting room area I have created.

It is the place to put the feet up and put the brain in neutral and watch TV.

Do you know the TV was the last thing that we connected, just shows how TV does not play a major role in this household.

I have created a table area in the studio for when friends come to work and play. This table used to be in my kitchen and my friends and I always sat in the kitchen to chat.

Gee-sh the vacuum is still out.

At least the computer is up and running, not that I have much time to spend here at the moment. In a mad moment I agreed to do a tutorial for AIM magazine luckily it did not take too long.

Then as an extension of the studio is the dining room table where I hope to give my knitting lessons.

I have a feeling the surface is never to be seen again......

As you can see there are still some really diabolical areas...how long it is going to take I simply don't know.

Every surface has some "STUFF to be sorted on it.

When I want to feel all clean and tidy I go to my bedroom.

There is one part of the bedroom that

DOES NOT PLEASE ME

so I have made a PLAN of sorts.

I have put up a board to hide a really ugly window behind the bed the architect sure shot himself in the foot putting that window in his design. Now that still has to be painted out....never to be seen again while Sharon lives in the house. As I told the landlord I want to LIVE here not CAMP.

This painting job is a project for July I think...I want to knit.

Well at least you can see the progress.

GIFT Pay it Forward

2011-05-09T16:25:00.002+02:00

GUESS WHAT

5 is my lucky number and my Followers now number 55

I felt I need to give somebody a gift

I have so many things to celebrate, and be thankful for

Being able to move to Cape Town

Finding a place for me on my birthday holiday

Actually getting my Fellow first time round

Enjoying what I do for a hobby and a mother who inspired me through out my life

Nearly finished packing, having friends and a son to help me unpack

The draw will be on the 2011 JUNE 02 and it will be for

Leave a comment and I will add you to the draw!

Thanks for all the wonderful things
you have all had to say about my work

Makes me feel rather humble that I have been given this talent
and have been guided to using it in this exciting way

I am going to start teaching miniature knitting
when I am settled in Cape Town

A few ladies have offered to be my "Guinea Pigs"

This is a learning curve for me, as I would love to teach in
Guild School in Castine, USA

I would like to have the perfect prospectus for that!

I will be finding out from the ladies "What I know!"
and what I need to teach them
.
So many things we take for granted I am truly grateful

Teddies in My Life

2011-05-07T11:55:00.001+02:00

These two little bears I could have sold a 1000 times but they are simply too precious to me. One thing I find is that is is very difficult to make two bears exactly the same.

The little faces always turn out differently,

but one can see they are family

So I call them "Chrystal's Children".

The patterns for the bear outfits are available.

I call them Christine and Christopher the boy is 4" and the little Girl just over 3 1/2"

They are both packed so I can't measure her exactly.

I often find myself making designs as if for twins, usually a boy and a girl, my mom always said my brother and I could have been twins, although he was five years younger than I

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-05-07T11:41:00.002+02:00

I had made a very similar design called Antionette but I found it a little too wide, so have reduced the width of the skirt and knitted it with a different stitch calling it

AVA for SEAN

The pattern includes, dress, 2 bonnets, knickers and booties.

Days of Our Lives

2011-05-04T09:19:00.001+02:00

This is a GOOD DAY as I received such wonderful news yesterday!

Hi Sharon

Congratulations and well done! This is a brief email to confirm that on Sunday, May 1, 2011, you were elected a Fellow member of The Guild by the IGMA Board of Trustees.

Best regards

Pat Hartman

The box was made for me by Brian Coetzee a South African wood artist, he made it for me in a week which was extraordinary to say the least. I love the masculinity of the box..... then upon opening it one see's all these feminine little things

I have this stupid grin on my face that is so very difficult to remove......I thought I would share some pictures of my submission.

A friend Ana Esteves made the little teddy, bunny and lamb. The teddy and bunny have moving arms, legs and head. They have been flocked and are perfect replicas of a large teddy, they are only 1 inch BIG/SMALL. Ana also did the flowers for me, at that point after my Mom had died I simply was not up to it any more.

I used Madeira Catona 80 thread for all the outfits.
They were made to fit the

Belly Button Baby

I hope you enjoy!

SEASONAL

2011-04-24T08:44:00.000+02:00

Happy Easter to You All

My special Bunny with her Easter Bonnet wishes you the same and welcomes all new followers to my blog
Elly, Connie, Beatrice, Jan, Rosa, Miss Amelia, Olga, Ana, Morena
Thank you!

Taking her out the cupboard ready to put her in a box box which will accompany me to Cape Town, made me realize what my treasures actually are.

I am beginning to feel that my car won't be big enough!

I am so enjoying reading the blogs of miniaturists, you feel like friends somehow not just pictures on a website.
Great fun to see what you are up to and looking at blogs with similar tastes to ones own.

Days of Our Lives

2011-04-20T16:52:00.000+02:00

One of the most important eras in South African History

was the "Great Trek" from the Cape to the interior of South Africa.

I am now doing the whole process in reverse.

As much as I am looking forward to it all I know I will miss this little cottage and my two "landladies" with their 12 poodles.

Julie my Yorkie has become an honorary poodle.

She looks so cute amongst the river of poodles when I go and fetch her.

She always had a play date if I went out shopping for more than a few hours.

I can see me buying another little girl to keep Julie company, that will be so much fun and help celebrate new beginnings.

The boxes from the removal firm arrived today and packing starts tomorrow...three weeks today the huge truck will be in the road and packed to the rafters, and I will have my last sleep as an official resident of Durban.

I opted on packing myself as each and everything is going to be studied carefully and much stuff is going to be gone over with a very fine tooth comb, before it finds a home in Cape Town.

I have given notice to all my friends who were kind enough to look after things for me, that I will be collecting shortly, friends have been so kind.

Am I happy now that I did not sell anything.

Can't wait to get my dishwasher back....silly but I can't say I enjoy washing dishes.

I'll also have a studio again yeah! yeah! yeah!

All I want to do is play with fimo, I'm all knitted out at the moment.

I know my box of goodies for my fellow application has arrived in US of A

DHL tracking has told me so. This is a great relief.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think knitting for fellow could take so many hours and so many decisions.

A bottle of Boschendal Le Bouquet

which is a delicious white South African wine, which has a delightful fruitiness,

was shared with my friend in celebration of a job completed at last.

I look forward to sharing the photographs of the box, but need to wait until after judgment day.

Even if it turns out to be a no go, it is a wonderful feeling of satisfaction that you have tried and done a project to the best of your ability, one cannot expect more than that from oneself.

I had promised my husband Rein that I would do it and now I have, so I am off the hook. It would have been my 35th wedding anniversary tomorrow so that is a good day to start packing for a new future.

Days of Our Lives

2011-04-09T04:20:00.000+02:00

I have returned from Cape Town having found a home which I will rent for myself for the next 6 months, or until I come across the home I wish to live in until age issues take there toll.

The saddest of news is that while away my mother died, she passed in the early hours of Saturday morning the 2nd April ...One of the strongest and most capable woman I have ever known.

Mom was an inspiration in so many ways, she always seemed to have an answer for so many things.
Simple hone truths, she was a wise woman indeed, if I could only be half the mother she was, I reckon I would be doing just fine in the mothering department.

It was wonderful for me that we shared our passion for knitting and baby dolls. Mom appreciated what went into a design and always looked forward to what I would come up with next.

Showing Mom my work was so much part of what I do. Seeing her delight in the tiny garments always gave so much pleasure.

The hardest thing in life is to let go the people we love. Having had one stroke after the other.... had changed Mom in so many ways which are so difficult to explain. It is a blessing that Mom no longer has to live as she has for the last 18 months.

I'm calm but so very sad in my heart, loosing a parent, who one admired and respected as well as loved dearly does not settle easily....

In my minds ear I hear her voice...."Sha a still tongue makes a wise head....and I smile.
I know I will be smiling about a lot of memories in the months and years to come.

Days of Our Lives

2011-03-22T08:04:00.002+02:00

I'm off to Cape Town today to look for a new home in which to settle.

As it is my 60th today ......it seemed a good date to start the search.

I will be away for 2 weeks so won't be able to answer emails.....

The break is sorely needed as I have knitted myself almost to a standstill.
I am thrilled how the pieces for my fellow have turned out.

Still need to knit the booties and diapers ...I wish I had done those first...
Diane Smith always does and is so disciplined

I am sure I will be inspired to new heights after my holiday!

Thanks to all for your good wishes

Welcome Beatrice http://lesminiaturesdebeatrice.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for joining

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-03-15T17:40:00.003+02:00

When designing patterns for our miniature babies I look to fabric antique gowns for inspiration.

When working in my daughter in laws fashion studio I was instrumental in one design which later became a wedding gown.

I have a dream and that is

My interpretation of this Wedding Gown into a knitted version for one of our ladies is still just beyond my minds eye but each day it gets closer and closer.....

I find myself thinking about it just before I fall asleep or when in the shower.

SOPHIA for SEAN

I turned the design into a Christening Gown for starters...it is how to do the train of the gown that has got me thinking.

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-03-15T17:20:00.001+02:00

I think I am going to call this my KNIT, EAT, SLEEP, WEEK

Where the time has gone I do not know.

I have completed a new outfit for Belly Button Baby changing the Sean design somewhat.

The work towards my Fellow for IGMA is stressful and I am not going to deny it.

I don't usually drop stitches ....guess what it seems I am at the stage the [pattern should read

K1, drop 1 (D1)

I always say, one only know how to knit when one can fix up a mistake.....

Thank goodness for a very much smaller needle on my work bench.

With all that is happeneing in Japan does not make it easier either...so sad.

What a disaster for the people...all I can think of is the children

Monique is one of my first gowns I designed

My patterns always seem to have elaborate petticoats, with just a tweak here and there one can so easily turn the petticoat into another gown.

MONIQUE for SEAN

When displaying the gown on one of your babies gather the width of the fabric similar to the way one drapes fabric on your larger dolls

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-03-08T07:52:00.002+02:00

Katelyn for Sean

Making a Shawl to match the outfit really pleased my soul.....

I found it exciting that round shawls could be made,

Tthey seem to take up less room in 1:12th scale pram

and drape well in a box or crib.

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-03-08T07:44:00.003+02:00

When designing a new outfit I usually find myself picking up Sean and placing him on my desk, maybe it is his size

For the design Harry and Sally I used the simple lace pattern.
Mom used to call this
"The Sharon Lace Pattern" as I used it a lot as a child.

Once again only 6sts pattern repeat and 2 rows to the pattern,
the second row being a purl row

When knitting please remember to have a needle 1 size smaller handy, so much easier to repair a dropped stitch

HARRY AND SALLY

Teddies in My Life

2011-03-08T07:29:00.001+02:00

One make things, sells them or gives them away with a willing heart....then going through Photographs

Oh Yes! remember that little one!

I thought I would share this little one, I found once more!

I wonder where he is right now!

Does she sit in a box or is she displayed amongst other treasures

It would be so interesting to peep around the corner!

I remember using silk thread to crochet around the edge, silk has such a lovely sheen....

Followers and Favourite Blogs

2011-03-08T06:51:00.001+02:00

When checking my blog in the early morning

I am always pleasantly surprised when a new follower has come along to peep behind the

Wee Small Door

You are all most welcome!

I hope to share with you ideas, special blogs I have come across, as well as

My personal collection of the "Little Things" we all enjoy.

Followers and Favourite Blogs

2011-03-08T06:36:00.002+02:00

If you would like to see the most delightful clothing made by Monica Roberts pay a visit here

http://hithertitherandyon.blogspot.com

You won't be disappointed, promise!!!

I have not been sooooo inspired for a very long time.

The photography takes one into
"The Wonderland of Babies and Children" both big and small

Miniature Knitting Patterns 3" Sean

2011-03-06T10:05:00.004+02:00

This lace pattern is for the beginner it is so simple to work. The pattern repeat is 6sts and involves only two pattern rows, the second row being a purl row.

Clair for Sean