Lolita Punk

I have been making dolls since I was six or seven years old. There is something about making dolls that really feeds my soul. They have transformed in shape and style over the years, sometimes primative or ethnic, other times, pure baby doll.

Lately I have wanted to make a doll with a more edgy feel, still pretty, and "girly" but with funk. I have recently discovered a book called Gothic Lolita Punk by Rico Komanoya, and was inspired by the images.

I have spent the last coupla days on this doll, Lolita Punk. And I just love her. She is the first in a new series. I want to work on punk Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland, and Queen of hearts dolls...
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Owl pillows, plushies dolls...

I can't get enough of OWLS! They are everywhere these days:)

This one is Sleepy...

This one wise and a little more serious...

Shhh, do not disturb...

Go here to see my baby owl tutorial, use the basic example to make them as big as you want.

Fish-n-Shrooms

The CraftMobb fell off there for a few weeks! I been busy though... Check out the funky plush fish. The little mirror on each scale was attached with hand embroidery. This baby took some time and loving attention. It is 14" long, and about 12" wide...

I have also been obsessed with making these groovy little mushrooms out of fabric scraps. They are wieghted with poly-pellets, and so they have a crooked mushroomy stance.

peace and love!~xoxi

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.

Owlies

People are constantly combing through Etsy and other sites with a single search term, a one word tag: owl.

What is this fascination, this addiction so many of us have?
Owls have a certain mystery...

"Owls know when to move silently and when to be still, which makes them the keepers of secrets. These solitary birds don't feel the need to proclaim their presence to anyone until the timing is right. Owl comes to us when we need to open our eyes, and study the situation at hand. If we watch and listen with our inner selves we can figure out what is happening behind the scenes, and confront those who are trying to deceive us at the appropriate time." -from animaltotem.com.


















I make plush owls quite often. The larger ones are pillow sized and make funky couch and bed decor. The small ones are just irresistable, and they sell like hotcakes. I use bright prints, often designer fabrics, which I purchase on Etsy (Denver doesn't have the best fabric selection), felt, and funky buttons. I currently have several for sale at BridgeWater Arts, in Boston. And I just finished making a bunch for an upcoming craft show.



I will definitely post a
Baby Owlie tutorial, some day soon...

~xoxi craft

Bed Buddies?

I just looove creatures.

This photo was from an event called 'a Pile of Craft' put on by the Charm City Craft Mafia in Baltimore. Maybe the Craft Mobb should get down with the Craft Mafia?

(This pic is from Amber in Norfolk's flicker photostream)

~xoxi craft