New/Old Idea, Fun or Cheesy?

I made these a few years ago and they have been found in the great shuffling of stuff *.  I wasn’t sure if they are fun and folksy or if they are just cheesy and a bit bright.  They are stuffed fabric forms that I have painted with acrylic paint.  It’s an interesting idea that I think I might need to explore more, the plaid is a bit loud for me now.  I think that making some Halloween characters would be more Me.  I guess the real question I’m asking is should I sell these or pack them back away into the crafts from years past box?

*Almost every time my parents come to visit they bring me a box of stuff, mostly things they have been storing for me and interesting yard sale finds and I am slowly sorting through all the boxes, bags, and totes and filing it all carefully away.

Call Me Dr. Frankendoll

I decided to make Little Miss a doll after seeing this pattern, dress and shoe pattern included. Plus it was a big girl doll, not a baby, she has tons of those. BTW, this is a Christmas present, yes, I’m actually planning ahead. I have been crocheting while I feed the baby so it only took me a few days. The hair took one whole day by itself, but it is nice and thick, so worth it.I stuffed her tight (perhaps too tight) and used plastic pellets to weight her body. I should also point out that I crocheted her in the round, unlike the pattern, I didn’t think the stripes jogging would bother me (it does bother me a tiny bit).Here she is all sewn together. Her feet/legs are definitely overstuffed, but that’s okay. She needs a hair cut and style and her face needs to be embroidered. I have her dress partially finished and I’ll need to do the shoes.

I’m thinking I might make another one and make a few changes. I didn’t make her thumbs from the pattern and so I think that her hands are a bit long and I think that I might like to follow the pattern and crochet her flat and stitch her up and maybe easy up on the stuffing a little bit.

I’m going to sleep on it and see what I think tomorrow. I could save the head and make her a new body, hmmm, anyone want to give me your opinion?

Costumed Kokeshi Dolls

I have been seeing cute Kokeshi dolls all over etsy and I had an idea, costumed Kokeshi dolls!!! This is super easy and quick.

You’ll need:

Wooden doll blanks, I found mine at Hobby Lobby Man sized(7/8” x 2 5/16”) and Boy sized (5/8” x 1 11/16”)

Acrylic craft paint, I used red, black, and white

Polymer clay for added embellishment (paper clay would work too)

Brushes

Glue

Acrylic Sealer (optional)

Start by painting your doll blanks the main color, for my dolls I made four solid black and two red. Skeleton Doll - Using white I just free handed a basic/simple skeleton shape. I did paint the skull solid white and when that was dry I went back and repainted the eyes, nose, and mouth black.Day of the Dead Doll – I painted the face solid white and the went back and add the eyes, nose, and mouth with black. Once the black dried I went back with red paint and added the face paint. I added a red triangular shawl with fringe to the upper portion of the body.Devil – I painted the face white and then added eyes and a mouth in black. I also painted the outline of a tail on the back side of the devil and a pitch fork on the front. Using polymer clay I made a set of horns (baked according to package directions) and glued them in place.

After the paint has thoroughly dried you can seal you Kokeshi dolls with acrylic sealer. You could also drill a hole in the top and insert an eye screw to make these into ornaments. These would also make great party favors or little gifts.

I think I’m going to make a whole set of these illustrating my families Halloween costumes this year, now I just need to figure out how to paint a Star Wars clone trooper Kokeshi!