From 8 yards into 1!

From 8 yards into 1!, originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

I decided to try making a muslin underskirt/petticoat thing as a test for a pattern by sugardale. It was fairly straightforward although I had never done any gathering before. I'm in the process of making my own halloween costume this year and working my courage up to make my own clothes out of the vintage patterns I've been scrounging from flea markets and ebay. We'll see how it goes!

WIP x2, originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

Here's a work in progress shot of the petticoat and cape. the gathering is disastrous and I did purchase a ruffler foot for my sewing machine because GOSH! hand gathering takes forever!!
I'm please with how the cape is coming along because I didn't use a pattern. Still to go, waistband and ruffles! Maybe a bow or two? We'll see!

Sheepie goodness!

Sheepie goodness! , originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

I love sheep. Always have. I raised a sheep for 4-H back in high school and I currently have a large stash of wool and wool yarn. Naturally when my friend Jill announced that she was going to have a little girl, I knew I had to incorporate sheep into a gift. The pattern is from a Japanese embroidery book (another obsession!) and the characters below the Ram spell out Ka, i, and ri...or Kairi which is my friend's new daughter! I plan to work this pattern into a few other things for myself because it is quick and cute!

reconstruction *before* pic

reconstruction *before* pic, originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

I bought this a while ago and I'm planning to turn it into part of a little red riding hood inspired outfit for faerie-con this year. It's a bit too long for me and I don't really like the border print so I'm planning to shorten it and add a small ruffle to the bottom. I also need a blouse and a cape. I'm thinking of adding red accents but I'm not 100% sure they will go so I've posted this in a lolita community for advice. The cape will be 100% made by me and to tell the truth I'm a little nervous! Still it's a cute Jessica Howard dress that I found at TJMaxx for $25~

Latest embroidered flower pin

Latest embroidered flower pin, originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

Kicking it up a notch! I added beads to this one and did a bit more to embellish the leaves. Not sure what I'm going to do with this one. They usually end up as random swaps or gifts. I tried out swap bot but like most swaps I've tried in the past, I always put in a lot of effort and only got back similar effort in a couple of cases. Anyway, my usual mix of wool and acrylic felt and glass seed beads. No vintage in this one sadly. Up next is finishing yet another baby blanket (People! stop having kids! I need to work on other stuff, lol!) and an embroidery project I've started. I have way to many WIPs as per usual. I should list them so I can have the satisfaction of checking them off one at a time.

I'd really like to make a costume for halloween this year too...

mmmmm pie

mmmmm pie, originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

I made a blueberry pie from scratch the other day. I have been enjoying blueberries at lunch for the past couple of weeks when I got it into my head to make a pie. Why I decided baking in my apt with no AC in the middle of a heat wave was a good idea, I'll never know but the pie turned out yummy so I guess it was worth it!

where is my mouth?

where is my mouth?, originally uploaded by Captain Schlumpy.

I decided a couple of weeks ago to sell all of my ball jointed dolls and concentrate more on my sewing and needlecraft. Although I still enjoy bjds I find that, with a few exceptions, I just don't really like the community much any more. The dolls are pretty but essentially they are just really expensive toys that I don't have the time for right now. I still love to have something pose-able and portable to take along with me on trips for silly photos so I bought an obitsu to customize. This little fella is 21cm tall. He doesn't have a name just yet and he isn't complete but I am already having tons of fun with him!

In crafty news, I'm still plugging away on another baby afghan and I've started piecing together my t-shirt quilt. I'm also working on a needlefelting project and perfecting a hat pattern for the little guy in this pic!

luv my blanket!!!

luv my blanket!!!, originally uploaded by crazyfish_666.

My poor neglected crafting blog. Another victim of my quest for a master's degree! Anyway, this little cutie is River. She's happily munching on the blanket I made for her. Another finished WIP and another happy customer!