With one mermaid complete I altered the pattern again and made another. This one went out in a swap. I had planned to have her hiding a gift behind her back under all that hair, then I decided the box would be in front filled with pearls, but with time running out her gift became a string of pearls.
The first mermaid was fuller of waist, hip, and tail. Which one looks most like she'd be found in Alaskan waters? Hard to say. I know my inclination is to put on padding for warmth. But this one reminds me of an arctic eel and a beluga whale and I have no doubt that she's lived lifetimes without being spotted, except for a flash of her tail as though she's any other beluga touring Turnagain Arm. Her sister however has probably been the cause of more than one accident on Seward highway, while sun bathing on a rock.
I also sewed up an apron for myself, the day after ruining one of my favorite shirts while cooking. I love aprons, especially unusual aprons, and yet I had never taken the time to just make myself one. This one is reversible but my husband complains that the green side is blinding. : )
My daughter received fat quarters for her birthday from several generous sewers and while I sewed up my apron, she made one for a Barbie - on her very own birthday sewing machine. I was a little worried as tiny curves are harder to sew than large, but she really wanted to do it and did a great job. The only part she didn't like was hand sewing the inner neckline. Here is the first thing sewn on her sewing machine. (It also gives you an idea of how fantastic I look in mine.)
While sewing like a mad thing for a local play, my thoughts went again and again to clothing I want to sew for my girls. I was especially looking forward to making a Redondo skirt for my 5 year old. However, she got her hands on Ottobre 03/06, the same one I found in a rubbermaid tub of her toys awhile back, and asked me to PLEASE make her #23. This was quite the surprise.
- She's a skirt girl and only wears pants when I insist on it because we've got grungy work to do outside, or because of the weather. (Currently 27 degrees F.)
- This pant style just doesn't get me interested in sewing. It's cute in the pic, just nothing I want to make.
- It's WINTER! Those pants are for summer sun.
I thought about making them out of warmer fabric, but that would rather ruin the look I think. And I thought about lining them with flannel, but IF she likes them, she's going to want to wear them to the contradance, and flannel lined pants would be too warm for that.
I've looked over my fabric to find something that will work, and more importantly, something that I won't mind giving away since I figure the odds of her actually deciding she likes these pants is at about 50%. Ha. It's not easy parting with fabric, especially as I love them all. Here's what I've decided on. The darker print is for the pants, and the striped one will be for a top of some sort.
They are both from Rebecca Carter's Florentine Roses line and came from www.fabricmatchmaker.com
I do wish I'd gotten better pictures of Whale before he went out the door to the baby shower. He, Mr. Moose, Starfish, and Seagull were decorations on a branch for a little baby-to-be. They are also toys-to-be for when the little one is older. Mr. Moose may have his antlers and curly legs going for him, but Whale has his tail. (Seagull has feathers and Starfish character, but sadly they didn't get their pictures taken.)
Everything, if you're like me. "A name? I have to pick a name? Will I have it forever or will I be able to change it later, and how much effort and time would that take and will I lose data? " If I'd had to choose my own name upon reaching a certain age - forget it. The stress alone would have done me in. Happens I love my name so that ended well. And as for my blog name, time will tell.
Here's a moose I made for a baby shower. I'm now preparing kits with hand dyed wool felt, patterns, and instructions for Mr. Moose, Whale, and a mermaid who I believe is behind the disappearance of the digital camera all because she doesn't have her hair on yet and doesn't want me taking pictures. How am I going to show the steps along the way if I can't take pictures of her until she's completely done? Ooooooh, that's like a major life lesson coming at me from a doll I created. Can't think about it too much, must stay sane.
