lady - chromatics

stencil portrait series: #9

sometimes i'll create special requests. this was for a shannyn sossamon fancier.

black white and blue - ladyhawke

the eyes of laura mars...

i felt that: how to make an ugly felt monster

can't bare to pay $30 for an ugly doll? make your own, one of a kind monster, you creative cheapskate. here's what you'll need:

- pencil, paper, and a good grasp for ugly-cute

- sharp scissors

- felt for the body and maybe extra colors for any details

- sewing needle

- sewing thread

- thick embroidery thread (i like to use contrasting thread colors)

- poly stuffing

- hot glue gun

1. start with a doodle

2. make it actual size, then make sure to give a 1/4" seam allowance for sewing

3. cut out the paper template, then outline it on the felt

4. cut out the felt, pin, and sew up to the points marked in blue. this opening is where you'll a) turn the monster inside-out, then b) stuff it as much as you can, but remember, you're going to have to hand sew this part up so don't get carried away or you'll be sad the guts poop out and get in the way of stitching. (of course, i forgot to take a picture of this step. craps.)

5. i hand topstitched some of the details. it just gives it more personality. this guy is a pirate smoker with a heart of gold.

6. once you're happy with the placement of the details, hot glue them on. you could sew them on if you want, but i like to see them stuffed, then decide exactly where i want everything to be. it's a pain to undo sewing on felt...sometimes, the felt disintegrates and gets ruined. not worth all your hard work.

7. and here we are. this one is going to a birthday pal.

how to repurpose an old sweatshirt

i have a few blank children's sized, long sleeved sweatshirts in my closet that i more recently rediscovered. i also have a bunch of solid craft felt i use to make little stuffed creatures out of. put them both together, and one can repurpose a sweatshirt with a fun little design. here's how. you'll need:
- a sweatshirt (i don't recommend anything with stretch. the felt will bubble and become uneven as you sew.)
- quilting thread in whatever color you like
- sewing needle
- felt
- paper and pencil
- pins

1. start with a simple sketch. think of the shapes as cookie cut outs. the simpler, the better. 

2. cut the shapes out and place them where you'd like on the garment to get an idea for size and placement. 

3. i like to add some hand stitched detail on mine with contrast thread.

4. place it, then pin it in place.

5. hand sew accordingly and, ta da!

stencil portrait series: #8

i came home this evening and turned on the tv for the first time all day. i couldn't believe the news flash that whitney houston has passed away. one of my favorite songs of all time is "i wanna dance with somebody". here's to you, WH. RIP.

spellwork - austra

one of my favorites. forget that she blows 3 guys tho...

jake envy

i have an awkward time receiving compliments. i'm talking kristen stewart awkward. is there a term for adult bashfulness in such a situation? i'm always flattered that someone would want to say something nice to me, and i'm always quick to say, "thank you." but because my words escape me, it seems like my thank you is a sarcastic one. not at all! i want to deflect the conversation from me, ("hey, it that hummus over there? or your tights are indeed cute) and chat about plans for the weekend or how hot alexis krauss is. i don't mind telling you this. i mean, it's just us right now...my kryptonite: compliments from attractive girls. on a recent social outing, a very attractive girl said some lovely words to me that immediately made my hands start to shake as if i was out in the cold - nerves, as i knew my face was about to turn red. i promptly hid them under the table and ordered a drink. unfortunately for me, they didn't serve whiskey...
but the best compliment i've ever received was a night out with my dear friend J. i didn't know anyone at the party, so J introduced me to who she knew. "this is alice. she's my jake ryan." all i could do was smile. sigh, jake ryan. he who has it all: good looks, even greater head of hair, golden life, cherry car, sweater vests, and who gets the girl he's meant to be with in the end. i wish i was jake ryan. i mean, who doesn't want to be jake ryan? so this is my ode to him, and what is to me one of the best movie endings of all time. RIP, john hughes.

http://www.tunesbaby.com/watch/?x=1105152

comeback kid - sleigh bells

i heart you, alexis krauss.