Cashmere Rag Doll

 

A little girl with a big personality should have a doll with personality too. That's what I think, anyway. In an effort to be a good aunt I have been trying to make a stuffed animal or doll for each new nephew and niece. The girls could not have been more enthusiastic about planning dolls for their new cousins, so we pulled out a felted cashmere sweater and the girls stuck it full of pins while I drew up a quick pattern.

You can check out the dolls and stuffies that inspired me here on Pinterest. I was especially thinking about Jess Brown rag dolls which are so loveably awkward and fashionable at the same time. They are like the doll versions of the Man Repeller. We went a little more traditionally girly and bright here, with different eyes and mouth and more clash. 

 
The cape is red broadcloth, the printed dress is vintage flour sack, the lace slip was a swimsuit coverup, and the shoes are felt.  My daughters have been carrying "Little Red" around to do everything. I asked what they liked about her, and they said she was squishy and nice to hug. So there you have it! A doll can't ask for a better endorsement than that!

How To: Sew a Child's Cape

 We will try anything that makes these long days indoors fun, but we never need an excuse for more costumes! Any occasion will do. Capes make you jump higher, run faster, and spin more beautifully according to our in-house research.

I love seeing the girls zooming around in their capes because one of them is made with a play silk I was fond of as a kid. The stories we pretended with it beggar imagination, so it's great to know that its best years are ahead of it!

 
This cape project is super easy and fast, (20-30 minutes) and it's a good excuse to work on fine hemming tricky fabrics like I showed you in the last tutorial!

Supplies: 
fancy floating, silky, sparkly, or otherwise fun fabric 28.5"x 22.5" Poly organza is pictured here.
40" of 1" ribbon
safety pin
matching thread

Note: If these measurements seem random, it's because I was making do with what I had, but the measurements turned out to be a nice size for both my 2 and almost 4 year old. Feel free to improvise.

Directions:

1. Hem all 4 sides of the cape at 1/4".
2. Make a casing for the ribbon by folding one of the short sides down 1 1/2" and stitching.
3. Attach the end of the ribbon on the safety pin, and use the pin to push the ribbon through the casing. 
4. Even up the center of the cape to the center of the ribbon. Pin in the middle. 
5. Scrunch up the cape on the ribbon to 7 1/2" to each side of center, while the ribbon stays flat. 
6. Distribute the gathers approximately evenly and stitch down.  

Found: Crocheted Lace Ruffled Sleeve Cap

Had this been 1986 a line would have been crossed. Too much fullness added here, and this sweater would have skipped right from “sweet” to “cute.” (Hint: Sweet is okay, but isn’t it hard enough to be taken seriously without someone wanting to pinch your cheeks?) For so many reasons, luckily this is not 1986 and this sleeve cap is inspiring. If the fit were as spot-on as the styling it would be a winner, but the sleeves are out of proportion to the body causing them to pull and tear at the armpits. 

Found at the Goodwill Outlet warehouse --where you pay by the pound! The tag says Absolutely Creative Worldwide. 

Repurposing ideas anyone? 

This gorgeous image has me thinking head wrap, or it could turn into a child’s dress that would go with this shoot. What else?

Do You Believe in Fairies?

 

My daughter, wearing a pair of sparkly wings disappeared into the garage squealing “Watch me, I’m going to fly!” and my brother-in-law breathed “What if she really took off flying?” I caught my breath and turned to see because in that instant I thought she would.
Saying I thought she would isn’t quite right.

I expected it. I knew it.  

I knew it.

My heart gave a wild throb because I just knew she would leave the pavement as it sloped away beneath her paddling feet. Nothing seems more evident than that she is meant to fly. I cannot convey the depth of my conviction she would. 

To Rest Like a Whale

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  
 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, 
My God, in whom I trust !"  
 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper 
And from the deadly pestilence.  
He will cover you with His pinions, 
And under His wings you may seek refuge ; 
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.  
You will not be afraid of the terror by night, 
Or of the arrow that flies by day ;  
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, 
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.  
A thousand may fall at your side 
And ten thousand at your right hand, 
But it shall not approach you.  
You will only look on with your eyes 
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the LORD, my refuge, 
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.  
For He will give His angels charge concerning you, 
To guard you in all your ways.  
They will bear you up in their hands, 
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.  
You will tread upon the lion and cobra, 
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.  
"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; 
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.  
"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; 
I will be with him in trouble ; 
I will rescue him and honor him.  
"With a long life I will satisfy him 
And let him see My salvation."
Psalm 91

Although this poem describes utter safety, for some reason my mental image is hectic. I see an animal of prey– a bunny, a fawn, a wounded bird maybe– trembling with danger and pain. My quivering conception of safety is a place to pass out when you can no longer stay awake worrying. Although I know the right things to say about security and rest, my real understanding of it is startlingly revealed in the picture I see in my head. I realized how impoverished my image is last night while reading.

In Moby Dick, the character Ishmael narrates an encounter with a gathering of pod upon pod of sperm whales banded together for protection. Though the outer ring of whales was chaotic, one boat of whalers chanced to be pulled into the center of the miles-wide ring of sea giants. Wedged between two enormous whales they looked about them. 

"...as if the cows and calves had been purposely locked up in this innermost fold; and as if the wide extent of the herd had hitherto prevented them from learning the precise cause of its stopping; or, possibly, being so young, unsophisticated, and every way innocent and inexperienced; however it may have been, these smaller whales- now and then visiting our becalmed boat from the margin of the lake- evinced a wondrous fearlessness and confidence, or else a still becharmed panic which it was impossible not to marvel at. Like household dogs they came snuffing round us, right up to our gunwales, and touching them; till it almost seemed that some spell had suddenly domesticated them. Queequeg patted their foreheads; Starbuck scratched their backs with his lance; but fearful of the consequences, for the time refrained from darting it.

But far beneath this wondrous world upon the surface, another and still stranger world met our eyes as we gazed over the side. For, suspended in those watery vaults, floated the forms of the nursing mothers of the whales, and those that by their enormous girth seemed shortly to become mothers. The lake, as I have hinted, was to a considerable depth exceedingly transparent; and as human infants while suckling will calmly and fixedly gaze away from the breast, as if leading two different lives at the time; and while yet drawing mortal nourishment, be still spiritually feasting upon some unearthly reminiscence;- even so did the young of these whales seem looking up towards us, but not at us, as if we were but a bit of Gulfweed in their new-born sight. Floating on their sides, the mothers also seemed quietly eyeing us. One of these little infants, that from certain queer tokens seemed hardly a day old, might have measured some fourteen feet in length, and some six feet in girth. He was a little frisky; though as yet his body seemed scarce yet recovered from that irksome position it had so lately occupied in the maternal reticule; where, tail to head, and all ready for the final spring, the unborn whale lies bent like a Tartar's bow. The delicate side-fins, and the palms of his flukes, still freshly retained the plaited crumpled appearance of a baby's ears newly arrived from foreign parts.

"Line! line!" cried Queequeg, looking over the gunwale; "him fast! him fast!- Who line him! Who struck?- Two whale; one big, one little!"

"What ails ye, man?" cried Starbuck.

"Look-e here," said Queequeg, pointing down.

As when the stricken whale, that from the tub has reeled out hundreds of fathoms of rope; as, after deep sounding, he floats up again, and shows the slackened curling line buoyantly rising and spiralling towards the air; so now, Starbuck saw long coils of the umbilical cord of Madame Leviathan, by which the young cub seemed still tethered to its dam. Not seldom in the rapid vicissitudes of the chase, this natural line, with the maternal end loose, becomes entangled with the hempen one, so that the cub is thereby trapped. Some of the subtlest secrets of the seas seemed divulged to us in this enchanted pond. We saw young Leviathan amours in the deep.

And thus, though surrounded by circle upon circle of consternations and affrights, did these inscrutable creatures at the centre freely and fearlessly indulge in all peaceful concernments; yes, serenely revelled in dalliance and delight. But even so, amid the tornadoed Atlantic of my being, do I myself still for ever centrally disport in mute calm; and while ponderous planets of unwaning woe revolve round me, deep down and deep inland there I still bathe me in eternal mildness of joy." –excerpt from Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Chapter 87  

Just think of that clear water-window down into the secret lives of whales nursing and making love, ringed by steadfast guardian bulls. How much safer am I encircled by the protection of God? The reason I am not free to rest like a suckling baby whale is not that I am not safe, it's that I panic and leave the safety I am offered through trust.

Found: Holey Rock

Ten Things You Can Make With a Rock With a Hole In It:

1. necklace pendant,
2. pony tail holder with elastic,
3. mobile with other natural or found objects,
4. keychain fob,
5. knob for something special (with a screw threading the hole),
6. bolo tie slide,
7. light pull,
8. fastener for bag or coat,
9. clapper for a coconut bell,
10. thread through a shoe lace to differentiate left from right

The challenge to myself was ten good things. I can think of more, but they kind of started wandering into the "What Would Martha Do?" catagory. Now what are the ten dumbest applications? 

I'll start us off:

1. cocktail ring... for a baby

Found: More Ideas Than You Can Shake a Stick At

Ideas are something I rarely run out of, but there is always the chance, which is why I write down random challenges for myself just in case. This is a way I can show up in dry moments. I sometimes also just try to grit it out and finish things I have started to try to get some momentum.
How about you? What do you do when you are out of inspiration?

1. Be inspired by a flower.
2. Make something “childish” for an adult.
3. Update an idea from an old magazine.
4. Focus on texture.
5. Reference a trend.
6. Make a vessel.
7. Let art or architecture inspire you.
8. Focus on a silhouette.
9. Use a blogger’s diy instructions and make it your own.
10. Learn to like a color you hate.
11. Reference music or literature.
12. Bead it.
13. Design album cover art for a band.
14. Hail a hero.
15. Try plaid.
16. Knit it.
17. Let an instrument inspire you.
18. Make something for someone famous.
19. Make something red.
20. Copy something from the runway your own way.
21. Embroider it.
22. Consult someone who inspires you.
23. Use applique.
24. Design something practical based on album cover art.
25. Give it too much of something!
26. What would (insert cartoon character’s name here) do?
27. Use a national flag (respectfully).
28. Embroider doodles or a pattern.
29. Use a photo as inspiration.
30. Use the reverse side.
31. Transform something ugly.
32. Mix and match your favorite (fill in the blank) from the past with your current favorite (fill in the blank).
33. Incorporate words.
34. Incorporate bones.
35. Incorporate origami.
36. Incorporate wire.
37. Make it mosaic-style.
38. Create something for the garden.
39. Transform a light fixture.
40. Make a self-portrait.
41. Consult an old scout manual.
42. Finish a quilt your own way.
43. Cut into something nice– make it count!
44. Make an exotic article of clothing your own.
45. Use couture techniques on a humble item.
46. Challenge yourself in time, materials, budget, or technique.
47. Draw on it.
48. Use a cut-out technique of some sort.
49. Make it for free.
50. Make something costumey/dramatic for every day.
51. Take something that isn’t your style and transform it.
52. Reference a sport.
53. Alter your fabric.
54. Illustrate a poem.
55. Make something to sit on.
56. Use pleats.
57. Give it a great pocket.
58. Use your favorite children’s book as a starting place.
59. Set a time limit.
60. Make something holiday inspired.
61. Use a special surprising detail.
62. Finish an old project: figure out why you lost interest and change it!
63. Choose a Harris Burdick illustration that inspires you.
64. Make a calendar for next year.
65. Make neon tasteful.
66. Try papier mache.
67. Scrunch and pin a piece of fabric to an interesting shape. Make a sketch and item based on it.
68. Capture the essence of a loved-one.
69. Make a Rorshacht ink blot and incorporate it into your next project.
70. Choose a geometric shape and make something with only that shape.
71. Make something in your pet’s style– but for a human.
72. Make something tiny.
73. Make something oversized.
74. Research another culture’s toys.
75. Mix things that don’t go together and make them irresistible!
76. Choose a secret destination and have a friend choose a profession. Make something your character will need to take with them.
77. Use the random Google or Wiki button to find an idea.
78. Start that involved project you’ve been mulling over.
79. Make something for a baby.
80. Make something for charity.
81. Use paper.
82. Make something that is essential to the next season.
83. Choose a major life-event to make something for (coming of age, golden anniversary, wedding, empty nest, etc.).
84. Create something for a Youtube star.
85. Refinish it.
86. Learn a new technique.
87. Use piecing.
88. Reference a hobby.
89. Decorate a rock.
90. Copy someone’s technique on your own favorite subject.
91. Use an interesting detail for your own unique application.
92. Make a mobile.
93. Do something that makes your heart sing!
94. Use geometrics.
95. Be inspired by a letter.
96. Make something for your favorite movie character.
97. Commemorate someone special who has passed away.
98. Dance today, work tomorrow.
99. Make neckwear.
100. Design a visual pattern and use it on something.
101. Crack a visual joke.
102. Try out someone else’s design philosophy.
103. Make a favorite childhood craft.
104. Try a new color combination.
105. Capture the essence of a favorite song.
106. Build a better mousetrap, or whatever it is that’s making you crazy!
107. Make a hat.
108. Add a zipper. Be clever.
109. Try reverse applique.
110. Make an unlikely time-capsule.
111. Use lace.
112. Pick something from Threads (or another) Magazine and try it.
113. Trade abandoned projects with a friend and finish with freedom!
114. Use a found object.
115. Get inspired by a kitchen implement.
116. Adapt something from another time period.
117. Throw out a project you hate. Yeah. Doesn’t that feel good?

Revenge is Mine

28,787 artists from 94 countries are touring their sketchbooks in 8 cities in the US in 2011 through The Sketchbook Project. The show starts in March, but you can already see many pages here and here.
The project allows you to choose from different themes or have one picked for you at random. My favorite themes: Capture the Flag, Things That Changed Other Things, and And Then There Was None.
I allowed them to pick for me, because I like the surprise. I just about had a heart attack when saw my topic was revenge, because I am morally opposed to revenge. It has been a fun and challenging topic.

The tour hits Austin during South by Southwest, so come check out my whole book!

Editing Life

In a college poetry class we wrote observations and shared in class weekly. Mine shared common situations from new angles, imagining dimensions, telling keenly observed stories of people I don't know, as if I knew them intimately.
My teacher commented that I often told stories the people I spoke of wouldn't feel flattered by, that they could sometimes be interpreted as harsh. (Bummer) "But," she said "you obviously love them, and your work has a warm human compassionate quality that says you have a high view of humanity."

Uh...Thank you? It doesn't sound like the surest way to become popular.

I'd forgotten that until I recently took photos at my church's annual women's retreat. I sent a message to a friend I had photographed in a really beautiful contemplative mood. I honestly thought she looked ravishing! Her spirit was right on the surface. Then this week I overheard her discomfort over the angle. She hated that photo. From some of the comments, the rawness of some of the pictures also took others by surprise. I didn't intend to shock, just document.

So here's the dilemma: Because people are unintentionally not flattered, is it wrong? I celebrate life; joy, pain, unguarded, sloppy, beautiful, luscious life. 

Is the good and the bad of it a difference of perspective or truth? 

How much value is there in presenting people's good sides, and things they like, and how much value is there in presenting life as it is? 

How much of life should we edit in art?

Found (Even Though It's Saturday): Small Stories

I got my new camera! This evening I tested it out. These are locals in downtown San Antonio. I love the opportunity that photography gives to be a fly on the wall and make up your own narratives and really notice what you might just normally see. 

The Light of Venus: Wonder in the Age of Recession

What does that title sound like to you? It seems like the title for an Agatha Christi novel to me. Perhaps Miss Marple solves this one.

The real source of the nomenclature is that the mid-winter star-scape took my breath away last night. I do believe you could have read by the light of Venus, so dazzling was she. Daniel and I grabbed a blanket and a pillow– one will serve for both! and we lay on our backs watching stars until we got chilly. The trees were seductive; bare, lithe, vulnerable, dripping diamonds from their upraised wrists!

Vogue Magazine's recent sick obsession with financial recession could easily be solved if all the fat-cats could be prescribed an enriching dose of starlight nightly. Who needs to own jewels when you may don them just by standing in the scintillating dark with your shoulders on the horizon?

Of course, they are not free... they cost you your wonder!

Interfacing for Sewing Curves

Part of my design technique for sewing curves calls for all of the pieces to be interfaced with fusible. This helps me keep good track of my registration marks. In honing this process I am trying to come up with less time-intensive ways to do this.* For now, this is four beautiful yards of intricate interlocking arabesques that look to me like Arabic script or stained glass. I am surprised by how beautiful it appears. I tried and tried to catch the essence of it in a photograph, but I can't.

*Edit: What I do now is I sew the pattern for the final garment in fusible interfacing, trace the curves on in pencil, finalize, number, and add registration marks in fine tip sharpie, and then cut it apart. I take lots of photos before I cut it apart to make reconstruction clear. 

Invisible Lace

Photo digitally retouched to add web

I have been watching a spider keep house, expertly cutting away the elm leaves that have blown into her trap, reinforcing the warp, repairing the weft. From where I sat I could only see her in nothingness. I could not see her work at all, only that she was busy at it. Today her web is gone. Perhaps she caught only leaves and moved to a busier location. Maybe she was self conscious under my gaze.

I realized how much that is like what I do- what we all do. The things I labor over with the most care, no one else can really understand or appreciate as I do. My lace is also invisible to most eyes, but does that make it less important?
What priceless, invisible things do you weave?

Icarus Inspiration

My inspiration board for the fall: My Icarus is Raquel Zimmerman in a one shoulder Martin Margiela dress. So how isn’t this dress “overtly sexy?” I think the sexiest shoes to wear with this would be painted on with henna.

I’ve always imagined that Icarus’ wax wings were yellow. Her bag of choice is, of course, Bottega Veneta because it is gorgeous, and the texture could be stylized feathers.

Can you smell the leather from where you are sitting?

Might This Be Their Day Job?

This morning I glanced out a store window as these two gentleman drove up in a lawn maintenance rig. The hats, the facial hair, the HUGE earrings were amazing! I think they are either pirates or nightclub personalities. What do you think?

The Orange Door of Ooray

This is a door in the middle of a mountain in Ooray, Colorado. Where does it go? Do gnomes live back there? I wish to have a house made of pretty stones like these.