Owl Softie Tutorial

I make these little plush owlies everytime I do a craft show. They are super simple to make, and I always sell bunches of them. They are hard to resist! These owlies can be filled with lavender or another dried flower/ herb and used as a sachet. They make great gifts for owl lovers, or without the buttons, for babies and toddlers. They make funky, fun pincushins.

Begin by cutting out 2 matching owlish shaped pieces. Mine is about 6" at the widest point, and 6" from the tip of the ear to the bottom. Cut several templates of paper until you are happy with the shape.

Choose a contrasting fabric, cut and iron a piece of fusible/iron-on web to it. Then cut the contrasting fabric into a shape similar to the one below. (I always skip this step, and sew directly)

Remove the paper backing and iron on to one of the main body pieces.

Stitch around the edge of the smaller front piece using a decorative embroidery stitch. I used the banket stitch for this one.

At this point I sew the main front and back pieces together (right sides facing each other) by hand or by machine, leaving the bottom open for stuffing. Clip the v point between the ears, and where the ears meet the body. Also make a few clips around the round part of the body. This will help the body lay right when you turn it. Be careful not to clip the seam. Turn inside out.

Once the owl is stuffed, turn in about 1/2 inch and sew closed.

This is where I add the beak and eyes. I like having the body done when I add details, though this step can be done befor the body is constructed.

I added these buttons, then removed them, they were too stark. I replaced them with the felt circles and buttons in the first picture. For other examples of my owls and thier eyes visit this earlier post .
The DIY Owl Plush kit for this very owl is available at my store.

sweater maddness! Felting!

Inspired by the book Sweater Chop Shop, by Crispina French, and buy all the wool recycling goings on on Etsy these days, I went out and bought 8 wool sweaters of varying thicknesses. Some were merino, others lambs wool, some blends, others 100% percent. I began by felting them, washing them in hot water, and then drying on medium. This is what they looked like felted and ready.

I spent hours imagining the possibilities, and finally dove in with a pair of scissors. I decided to begin with a wrap sweater, so far I am using three different sweaters, and will likely pull in another one or maybe two before its over.

It was kinda scary, cutting them up. The peacock blue one was a delicious Banana Republic merino. But it is an adventure! I will post the finished product when through.

Kitschy Cool

I had to share these wonderful OWL potholders with ya'll. I bought them at an estate sale this weekend. The woman who owned the house looked like she was about 80, she said they were made by her aunt. Old School for real!

~xoxi

Fabric Faves

True Up! is a sweet fabric blog and they are hosting a Favorite Fabrics of 09' contest. I am a fabric wh%re, wow that sounds so indelicate, but its true! So it was fun to go back and dig through my favorite fabrics of last year.

- Favorite Quilting Weight Cotton Collection- Heather Baily’s Pop Garden
- Favorite Home Decor Weight Fabric or Collection- Amy Butlers Nigella
- Favorite Trend (Motifs)- Jane Sassaman Teasel and Lace
- Favorite Trend (Colors)-Michael Miller Pod Posy Line
- Favorite Novelty Print – Alexander Henry’s New Earth
- Favorite Floral Print –Erin McMorris, Sophie’s Garden/ Wildwood Collection
- Favorite Print from [JAPAN]- Kokka Japan, Little Miss, Gray, 1 Yard
- Favorite Reproduction Print or Collection- Timeless Treasures
- Favorite Fabric Shop- Etsy
- Favorite New Fabric You Worked With in 2009- Patty Young Mezzanine Collection

To see these collections, or any others, dig around on etsy, or even ebay. The city of Denver doesn't have the finest fabric collections, so I usually shop online. Though many groovy designer fabrics can be found at the indie craft shop Fancy Tiger.

Check out True Up!

Serpent Warrior- art doll

I have always been in love with mythical creatures. A secret part of me believes I am descended from fairies, ancient magical ancestors. I often try to discern the magical linage of those around me by observing their physical forms as well as mannerisms, or speech patterns, etc... It makes sense then, that I would often draw and create creatures with strange features.

I remember the first doll I made,I was five or six years old. It was a Christmas gift for my younger sister. The doll was fashioned from crude tubes cranked out of a children's knitting machine. When she opened it she howled with laughter. My mom took a photo right at that very second, and that moment has been made immortal.

I have been making dolls ever since, I wish now that I had the forethought to document with pictures along the way. Alas, I have a have a blurred trail of doll memories on which to draw upon.

The Serpent Warrior Goddess draws upon my talent and love for doll making, and my connection to other dimensions/realities/lifetimes. Her face is polymer, a material I haven't touched for years, though have always had an affinity for. This was also my first attempt at ball joints, which I found, are quite simple. I used glass beads for the joints, I needed something decorative, I wanted the arms exposed. The body is machine and hand-sitched cotton fabric. She has a leather wrap top and a lace headress with ostrich and peacock feather bits. Her staff has a smooth rose quartz stone. She measures 10" tall.

I so enjoyed existing in her world during manifestation. She is one of my most curious creations.

~xoxi

There are more pictures at my store.

Someone I Heart...

I just love this groovy painted art doll from inkcat on etsy.
It comes with a blanket and pillow in its own personal box.

www.inkcat.etsy.com

~xoxi

Amazing Vegetable Pie: vegetarian/ vegan

This recipe is quite simple and always delicious!

Begin by dicing a and boiling a potato. While it is cooking saute onion, garlic, and celery.
Chose several FRESH vegetables, I usualy use 2-4 different veggies, whetever is in the fridge.

I recommend: carrots, kale, broccoli, asparagus, corn, spinich, cabage, green beans, red bell pepper, whatever! For this pie I used bok choy, zuchinni, and cilantro.

Chop your veggies and add to the onion. Season with Braggs, or soy sauce, seasame seed oil, and dried/fresh herbs. Cover and let this simmer on low/med for 10 min. Turn off the potatoes as soon as they are soft, drain and add to the veg mixture.

Gravy time. Make your favorite gravy! I melt a pat of Earth Balance Buttery Spread in a small pan. I then mix about 1 1/2 TBSP of flour in a cup of warm water till dissolved. Pour this on the butter in pan and add some boullion (Better than Boullion is super!). Let this cook on low till it thickens, add more water if needed, and stir often.

CRUST!!
I use 1 1/2 cup of white unbleached flour, and 1/2 cup of whole spelt flour. Use what you like, you just need 2 cups. Add 1 TSP of sea salt, and 1 TBSP of dried herbs (dill). Measure 3/4 cup of Earth Balance, or butter. Blend with your fingers until it is mealy looking. Add 2-6 TBSP of ICE cold water, one TBPS at a time, until your dough has formed, stop before it gets too sticky. Divide ball in half and roll on floured surface, then add to pie dish.


Add veggies and gravy to pie bottom...

Cover with the other half of pie crust. I like to make it pretty with leaves and berries made out of left over pie crust. Be sure to poke some fork holes into top crust.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 min or until crust is golden brown. I broil on low for about 2-5 minutes to get that golden color.

It is a hit everytime! Enjoy! ~xoxi

sweetness

My daughter Kaliya is constantly asking if she can model for me, so here she is...

This is the latest hat I made to keep her precious ears warm.

~xoxi