Llamas, Frogs and Forget-Me-Nots

What do they all have in common? Well, nothing much, really, except that they all have something to do with doll clothes I've made recently :P Sorry I haven't posted in a while, things have been kind of busy lately. In addition to making the clothes below, I have been working on a new book, taking a tapestry weaving class, knitting a new little dolly, studying Russian and Korean (well, the Russian is just brushing up, since it's not the first time I studied it, but still, it's time-consuming), and I am still working on the Snegurochka costume for Elena (look for an update on that in the next week, hopefully, I'm almost done sewing the dress). 

So the first outfit is the Llama outfit, modeled by Kateri. The llamas are handwoven out of organic colorgrown cotton. I used the same yarn to trim the top and skirt, as well as on the sandals and the handle for the purse. The rest of the outfit is made of organic cotton too :) I picture her going to an outdoor market, or some sort of art show or something in this outfit. Some place outdoors, in the summer, just relaxing and doing a little shopping, or something fun like that ^_^

Here are a few pics of the llama pieces, just off the loom:

The second outfit I call "Forget-Me-Not", just because the color of the fabric looks like certain kinds of forget-me-not flowers. Well, that, and I couldn't think of what else to call it! lol It is modeled by Bu-Yong, and is made of organic cotton with swarovski crystal accents. I made the shoes too. I was going for some kind of ballet flat. I can't say I succeeded entirely, but they are useable for now...

And now for the frogs. I am making Kisa a costume inspired by the Russian fairy tale "The Frog Tsarevna". This trim is based on a charted knitted pattern created by Huldamor on Ravelry. She was nice enough to allow me to weave it :) I will actually be weaving two of her patterns for this costume. I'm using very fine, organic cotton lace-weight yarn. Here are some pics of the trim I have finished so far (and of course, Kisa too!):

I'm really happy with the way this trim turned out! I haven't been able to start the second trim yet - I had to put this project on hold temporarily, because I need to use this loom for the tapestry weaving class that I'm currently taking. But as soon as that is done, I'll weave the other trim, and then get to sewing the costume!

Well, that is all for now. I hope you're all well, and enjoying Spring!

~Debi

P.S. Ringo says "hi"! He is doing really well :) The warmer weather is making him quite sassy.

Kateri

Kateri arrived on January 25, and I have been so slow about posting her pictures! I apologize, I've had a lot of work and a lot of projects going lately. Like my other girls, she is a porcelain BJD made by JRDolls, and is 35cm tall. I named her after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, who I admire very much. I think this doll is beautiful and sweet, very loving, just like the real Kateri :) Here is the first picture I took of her when she arrived:

Here are a couple of pics I just took of her today. She is holding pieces that I wove for her, I am still working on this project, but I want to make her a skirt out of them - they all have cute little llamas on them, and are made of 100% colorgrown cotton. I am pretending that she took a trip to Peru ^_^ The first photo shows her holding a piece with llamas at night under the stars. The second piece depicts llamas during the day, with a volcano in the background.

I will post more photos of this llama skirt as they are completed. Of course, Kateri will be modeling them all!

Waiting for lunch...

Ringo was quite sad while waiting for lunch today. It seemed to take ever so long! *sigh* Such a hungry little man... He kept making little groaning noises. So very sad.

But, you will be glad to know that this story has a happy ending! Ringo finally had his yummy lunch, and now he's in my lap sleeping - one of his favorite things to do (other than eating), is to be held while I work on the computer. So he's very happy right now :D

WIP: Snegurochka Costume, Part 2

I finished weaving the second trim for Elena's costume, both of the trims have been finished (i.e. washed), and are now drying. So I will start sewing the dress as soon as I get a chance!

This trim is made of the same yarn as the first, but it's a different snowflake pattern, and is a bit wider than the first. Here are a couple of pics:

WIP: Snegurochka Costume, Part 1

As promised, here is Part 1 in my series of posts about Elena's Snegurochka costume. ^-^

This costume is going to consist of a satin dress, a velvet coat, and some accessories. I am weaving two different types of trim for the dress, and I am almost done with the first one. So today I took a few pictures of Elena posing with it while it is still on the loom.

The trim is white with a silver snowflake design. I used Xie yarn, which is 100% bamboo. My loom is the Mirrix Little Guy (12-inch) loom.

I should be done weaving this piece tomorrow, and then I will start on the second style of trim that I need - I can't really start making the costume until the trim is all done.

So, that is all for now. I will post again when I have more done :D

I hope everyone is well, and had a nice Christmas, and I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

~Debi (and Ringo too *woof*)

Elena

It occurred to me that I never posted any pics of my new doll! So I will do it now. She arrived on November 21, and I have named her Elena. She is a 35cm porcelain ball-jointed doll made by JRDolls in Russia. She is different from my other dolls, of course, but the main difference is that she has white skin. Because of her pale coloring and sweet expression, I think of her as Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden, from Russian folklore). I found out that the artist was calling her that too! So, I am making her a special Snegurochka costume. ^_^ It will be a while before it's finished, but I plan on posting pictures of it as a work in progress, so keep an eye out for them - they will be titled something like "WIP: Snegurochka Costume", and of course, will include pics of Elena too. I will be writing the first post very soon. But now, I will just show you some pics of Elena, taken when she first arrived home:

Elena's Homecoming: Top Row: Ishtar, Kisa
Bottom Row: Bu Yong, Elena, Ciara Angelique

Christmas Party: Back Row: Ishtar, Elena, Kisa holding Maria
Bottom Row: Bu Yong, Ciara Angelique

Happy 8th Birthday, Ringo!!

It's hard to believe, but Ringo is 8 years old today! He's still as playful as when he was a puppy, though. 

Today is my birfday, you will do whatever I say!

What's that?

You have something? For me? Gimme, pwease!

It's a yellow lizard!

He makes a good pillow! (this, of course, took place after lizard was viciously attacked and Ringo was tired out :P)

Don't even think of messing with my new lizard! If you do, you will pay the ultimate price.

Happy Birthday, my sweet little man!