Make a Reindeer!!

The reindeer itself is one of the Chazman's doodles....not one that I did for him but one he did for me. I just took that and made my pattern. If you don't have an upcoming artist in your household...no problems...just draw you a pattern for my "HOW TO" that I'm getting ready to do for you.

Supplies Needed:

Felt or Fur (in two different shades)

Black Seed Beads

Black Pompoms or red if you want to make Rudolph

Pin backings

Jingle Bell

Brown Embroidery floss

Black thread

Stuffing/Batting

Hot glue

Glitter or MICA flakes

Now keep in mind that these are simple, FUN pins to make..so you can design your head and antlers in any shape you want. Decide what size you want and then fold over the felt or fur....leaving the fold as the top of the head. (do not cut the fold) This what you should have once you cut out the head.

Next step is to sew on the eyes, nose and pin backing. I use regular black thread to sew these on with. I don't cut my thread after sewing the face but I do make sure I knot each one before I move on to attaching the next eye and then the nose. I add one line under the nose over to the side for a mouth. You can add one...or not. Remember..this is your reindeer. After face is complete then turn the head around so the back is facing you and sew the pin backing on. Here is what you should have after this step:

Next are the ears and antlers. Again...keep in mind what these look like on a real reindeer. Here is the design that Chaz did. The antlers should be a darker color than the reindeer and ears.

I sew the ears first. Just a few stitches...simply fold them in half and sew at the bottom...so they have what looks like a tiny ear hole in them. Open them up and then sew them to the bottom part of the antler. Then sew the two bottom corners of the antlers over the bottom of the ear. Here is what they should look like.

Now...let's attach those ears to the face. Take the face and fold over so the face is in front and the back is well....in the back ^_^.  Take the ear and place right at the fold in between the face and back. I use a simple whip stitch with 3-ply embroidery thread. Once you have the front whip stitched then turn it around to the back and stitch the same way. When starting on the front I start at the bottom of the ear so that I am working my way up and around to the back and then I'm lined up to whip around the face. Now...whip around the face. When you get to the other side about half way...STOP...it's time to stuff that face ^_^. It doesn't take much....you just want to fill the face out a bit so it doesn't just lay flat. Our reindeer needs a bit of personality!! Here is what it should like at this stage.

Once you have the face filled out, place the other antler in it's space and stitch the same way you did the other antler. Just remember to stitch it to the front and the back. Don't want any little hands pulling Chet's (that's what Chaz calls his reindeer...LOL..yes we watched the Santa Claus movies this weekend) ear to hard and pulling it off. Now add a jingle bell or two to the bottom and your finished. Here is what the finished piece should look like.

Of course....all of you that know ME...know that I can't have a plain reindeer. I took all of my little herd and using my glue gun and some MICA flakes...I made it look like they had played in the snow. The possibilities are endless here people...honest...just use those imaginations. OK...you need some ideas..well..here are a few. You could sew some of those miniature strings of lights to his antlers and top of his head like he got all tangled up in em. Or perhaps some of those tiny plastic snowflakes that come in a string like garland...sew those to the antlers. Or maybe if you want to make him look "cool" you could make him a tiny leather collar....and owwwww maybe a little leather hat to go ummmm....HEY...I know YOU and I know that you have just as vivid an imagination as I do...well..ok..maybe not everyone but I know you can do it...so do it!! Then let me see what your reindeer looks like...I love to see when someone else has used a shared idea.

I hope that you have enjoyed this repost...yep..it's one I did last year but thought I would share it again for my new friends I've made since then. OMGOSH....and I'm so not calling those that were here for last year's post old...nope...not doing that. Besides..I'm sure I'm older than most anyways...so that would be the pot calling the kettle black huh?  LOL

Until next time...............HUGS, Regi

I SEE PENGUINS!!!!

25 Penguins to sew all the day

25 Penguins to sew

Finish one up

Toss it aside

24 Penguins to sew all the day

That's going to be my song for the day..ALL..THE..DAY..LONG!!! LOL  I so don't mind though because these Li'l guys are going to the Chazman's Christmas party at school on Friday. They are so simple to make and only take a few supplies. 

Supply List (if you want to make some yourself)

Felt (Black-orange-white-off white-Burgandy)

Black and White Thread

Black seed beads (for eyes)

Faux snow or glitter

Pin backing/Bobby pin/Hair clip/Embroidery thread

Pattern (feel free to borrow mine)

Body Cut 2

Face Cut 1

Beak Cut 2

Flipper Cut 2

Feet Cut 4

Medium YoYo

(for hat)

Small YoYo

(for snowball)

Scarf Cut 1

I think you can look at my already made penguin and see how to make it. I would do a tut but I just don't have the time....YIKES...these have to be done by Friday morning...on top of the other projects I have going on. Someone, remind me to start making all these wonderful gifts right after New Year's day..ppplease!!!

I can give you some tips though. I hand sew all of the penguin....they are small and it would just take to much time on the machine. Well...for me anyways ^_^  I use a blanket stitch on all the sewing. I'm sure most know what type of stitch this is but just in case.......

Of course on the YoYo hat and snowball you will just do a straight stitch and then gather it up and tie the ends together to form each one. I put a tiny bit of batting in both. Put a tiny bit of batting in the body too.

The face I just sew on when I sew the sead beads on for the eyes. On the beak you will cut two and sew just the tops together. I put two small straight stitches where the nostril holes would be. Why cut two of the beak you ask? It makes it look like the penguin has a real beak...hehe!! I also sew these on before I sew the body and stuff it. Just makes it easier.

I cut two of the feet (that would be four actually....two pieces for each foot so that penguin has 2 feet. Got it?) I don't stuff these but having the two pieces blanket stitched together just looks better. Gives it more strength so they will last. I sew these on after the body is stuffed and sewed.

Once you have penguin put together then you simply sew a flipper on each side....put a snowball in one flipper...his hat on his head and his scarf around his neck. I made the scarf for the above penguin out of a strip of felt but with the ones I'm currently working on I'm going to use an old sweater. Use your imagination..there are so many possibilities. I add faux snow flakes to the flippers and the snowball. Glitter works good too. Embellish yours how ever you want. I KNOW they will turn out awesome!!

You can turn these Li'l guys into pins to wear.....attach a bobby pin or hair clip....slide it on a headband or ribbon or just attach a hanger from the hat. Again...use your imagination and have FUN!!! Now let's start singing......................

Until next time.....Hugs, Regi

Do you hear the Ocean ?

A tiny shell 

washed ashore

within a seaweed bed

Calls out to me

Shhhh...hear

the ocean's perfect harmony

Not only do I hear

the swell and crashing 

of the wave

I hear a tranquil lullaby

that to my heart does save

The knowledge that 

a mermaid's song

is trapped inside a shell

A tiny shell 

washed ashore  

within a seaweed bed. 

I love designing my ooaks and when I can add several different medians, then my muse is extremely happy. (not to mention myself ^_^)  As most of you know...I have been working on a mermaid. A mermaid that combined my love of needle felting, cloth doll making and beading. I finally completed her. Let me introduce, Harmony!!

Her head and torso were needle felted using a cream colored wool. Of course, I started with a white core batting. She needed that added strength....it's tough swimming all the time and racing with the dolphins. Her eyes and lips were painted using acrylic paints. Her hair is a great fringed wool yarn that was needle felted to her scalp. OUCHIE!!!! HEY....I promise that no mermaid was harmed in the designing and sculpting process.

Her beautiful mermaid tail was hand sewn using a cotton fabric and then beaded using tiny glass sead beads. Her tail fins and hip fins were made from sequin fabric and netting. Her waist trim was made from a vintage piece of fringe. (yes..it is a vintage piece...taken from a very old pillow sham) She stands at 8 inches. Part of her height comes from her beautiful but "poofy" hair. ^_^ 

Proof of "Poofy" hair

Front view

Side view (Vole Conch shell up to her ear)

Back view

Close up of bead work

Harmony has a fringe headband (made from the same vintage fringe around her waist) that has a small Capiz shell, Cockle shell and tiny crystal attached to the front. She has a tiny pearl bracelet and necklace. Her shell that was washed up in a seaweed bed and the one she is holding to her ear is a small Vole Conch shell.

Harmony loves standing against her Knobbed Whelk shell. She can also hide partially inside. Hmmmm, perhaps on some days she feels a bit "crabby" and needs to hide. We all have those days, ri iight??

Knobbed Whelk Shell

Feeling a bit crabby..hehe

Harmony will be available in my Etsy shoppe if anyone would be interested in having her come live with them. The Knobbed shell and another small fan shell (charcoal grey one in photo) will come with her. I can't very well send her off without a place for her to hide live in.

Until next time............HUGS!!!

Wednesday WIP on needle felted mermaid

My...How time flies!!!

To all my friends that come to visit me here often.....I want to humbly apologize for being away from the old Southern ooaks tree for so long. My...my...my...How times does fly on by. I hadn't realized that it has been almost a month since my last posting. I don't really have an excuse for it but perhaps a few reasons that I think most will understand. School is out...which means my Chazman is home with me everyday and I'm LOVING it. Summertime is here which means spending more time outside and I haven't found a way to drag this big old dinosaur along with us. My last reason being one I hate to admit but I know that I am among friends here so it's alright to tell...I have been having a few issues with my eye sight. No biggie and it seems to come and go and I'm getting a handle on it but...well...I have decided that it just plain old STINKS to get old....LOL!!!!

I had been working on a Man in the moon and mermaid sculpt which I did complete the Man in the moon and have him listed in my Etsy shoppe. Ok...ok..... I knew someone was going to ask the question.."Where is the mermaid?"  I feel like a complete ding-a-ling and only because I love everyone here and I know that surely I'm not the only artist that has done this or in my case didn't do....it seems that I forgot to place the wire to attach the mermaid to the moon. Talk about a V8 slap to the noggin!!! So I decided that instead of the clay and fabric mermaid I was going to do with the moon that I would do a needle felt and fabric mermaid sitting in a shell. For those of ya'll that really know me and before you ask....YES...I have the box of band aides sitting close by. ^_^

So far only one stuck finger and it.....wasn't.....to.....OUCH....bad!!! I really love the paisley fabric for the tail and I'm thinking of doing some bead work on it as well. That piece of fabric had my muse singing mermaid before I even thought of it. So happy I have my muse....even if she can be quite annoying at times but shhhh..don't tell her...ppplease. 

So what have YOU been up to while I have been letting time fly on by. I have missed you all and will be coming to visit with you more too....I promise!!!!

Until next time.......HUGS, Regi

The List-Item #3

Bohemian Bag with felt rose pin attached

Leather & Lace Wristlett with velvet Roses and a Yarn/Ribbon Scarf

Felt Purse with Mermaid Pin

Large Cuddler Monster

Bag full of Felt/fur Monsters

Bag full of felt/fur animal babies

Cloth sock monkey

Large Rabbit Cuddler

2 year old Keepsake

OMGOSH and YEAH!!! I finished with item #3 on my list. I can take a deep breath....ahhhhh haaaaa (that was me taking a deep breath ^_^) I still have the others to do but those won't be delivered until after the first of the year. I think that _______ will be very happy with her mermaid bag. Let's just hope that it makes it until next year....you know how a 5 year old can be...plus they have a new puppy in the house....YIKES...but she asked for one and I just had to make her one. 

I had sooo much fun needle felting this one. I only stuck my finger one time and didn't even need a band aide. YEAH ME!!! This mermaid just took on the roll of a DIVA and that was kinda funny because that's what my sister and I call Ms. Savannah. (I think it's alright to post her name...I don't think she will be pulling my blog up anytime soon..hehe...althooooough she might....nahhhhh...she can't...can she?)

She is a full needle felt with a hand painted face. Green eyes like the sea she comes from and the eyelashes...well...that's her DIVA sign..HA!! She has a small pink quartz on her top and a pearl in her belly button. Her hair is cashmere wool.

The bag I made from felt squares and then placed a crepe lining in it. WOW....I had forgotten how much crepe likes to creep when you sew with it. I definitely had to remember what time of year it was....didn't want to end up on Santa's naughty list for my mouth and I sure don't like the taste of soap...YUCK!!!  I managed to get it placed inside the bag. YEAH ME again!!  The handle is some of my macrame knots using fringe yarn. Not an easy thing to do...I think I gained more fingers than I had starting out...or at least it felt like it. ^_^

On the front panel of the bag I stitched up a seahorse out of a piece of suede.....attached some of the fringe yarn that I made the handle out of, some purple fluffy yarn and a shell we found on one of our beach walks this past summer.

On to the next item...the large cuddle monster. The monster won't be to big but big enough to hold and it's going to have long arms so it can give the "Bestest" of hugs. This gift is for Josh, he was born with severe congenital hydrocephalus, brain damage, muscular dystrophy and is on the level of a two year old. They told my sister in law that he would not live past the age of 5, if she was lucky. Josh turned 24 this year. He is bound to a wheelchair and doesn't talk much or walk but he is the sweetest lil man in the world. He always lets folks know that he is happy to see them and will even throw you a smoochie or two and pat the sofa wanting you to come and sit with him. I am one of the few in the family that he can say my name...it's Gina to Josh and that is just fine.

Until next time....Merry Christmas Hugs, "Gina"

Jack Frost

Someone sent me an email this morning of all the snow that Russia gets this time of year. OMGOSH...I will NEVER complain about our wee bit of cold again. Cars completely covered and I do mean completely and looking like a double Decker bus is actually underneath all the snow.

Now finding your car is something that most of us understand....like forgetting where you parked it when you went to the mall or Wal-Mart. Hopefully, these folks have one of those key chains that let's your car "BEEP" out at you and OH MY for those that forget to roll the windows up (I can't imagine riding with the windows down in this kind of weather but to each his own) this will make them remember to triple check next time for sure.The car upside down and sitting on top of the dumpster must be one of those that did drive with the windows down...so cold they couldn't see where they were going.

 

Imagine will you, in your minds, if snow can cover their cars like this then how bad can it be on their homes. Can't imagine that in your head....well no need to imagine...here is one homeowners snowbound home and BOY do I mean snowbound!!!

See why I will never, EVER complain about our weather again...well..OK, I probably will say a tiny brrrrr here and there but never really complain. I bet if they knew they could catch him that an all points bulletin would be put out on Jack Frost. To bad that no one was awake or around when he was tapping on this window!!

Brrrr!!! Not saying that for our weather but for the poor Russians that have to endure this every year and for a matter of fact for all of those that have to endure the cold, fluffy, white stuff. So as a gift to those of YOU that live in the snow parts of the world....I'm giving you a photo of our warm, soft, white stuff. Want to trade? 

Now..back to saying OUCHIE and working on the little felted mermaid...LOL  Until next time....Hugs, Regi

My Christmas Clock

My Christmas Clock...the one I'm keeping time by as I try and finish making all my gifts that we are giving to family this year. The perfect time piece. Do you see why? Look closely....what's missing? THE HANDS!! Like I said...the perfect time piece. No pressure because I can make it be whatever time I want or need it to be. ^_^

I sat down last night and came up with my list of just what to make for all the kiddos in the family. One good thing about kiddos is that they eventually grow up into adults and therefore get taken off the "to get for list" unless of course one of them calls and sweet talks me into making them something. It's so heart warming to know that someone loves what you get them especially when it's not a purchased item. However, the kiddos that are growing up into adulthood in our family are starting families or their own so now I have "gulp" great nieces and nephews to make for. I'm not complaining mind you...OH NOT AT ALL...I love making my gifts.
It's just that I always...ALWAYS...wait until the last minute to figure out just what I want to make for them.  Please tell me I'm not the only one that does that....PLEASE!!! After figuring out my list of names, I then started to work on the design of the gifts themselves. Here is my list.....so hope that none of them are reading this...nahhhh..they are to young or to busy or have totally forgotten that I have a blog....ummmm....I hope so for now anyway but just in case I won't list the names just the gifts and then they can just wonder which one will be theirs.....if they are reading this. AND if you are one of my kiddos then STOP reading right this minute..you hear me. STOP!!!  LOL

Bohemian Bag with felt rose pin attached

Leather & Lace Wristlett with velveteen roses & Earrings

Felt Purse with Mermaid Pin

Large Cuddler Monster

Bag full of Felt/fur Monsters

Bag full of felt/fur animal babies

Cloth sock monkey

Large Rabbit Cuddler

2 year old Keepsake

Whew....now that I see my list I have tons of work again of me for just 9 days remaining. OMGOSH...only 9 days left. Not only do I need my clock with no hands I need a calendar with no days. YIKES!!!!! I need to get busy, busy, busy. Already working on the felt rose pin so let me get back to it. Hope you have all your shopping and gift making complete. If you have then please come and help ME....you are more than welcome.

Here are the keys...just let yourself in and pick an item on the list and GET BUSY!!!!

Until next time.................HUGS, Regi

WATCH OUT..it's a reindeer stampede!!

Finally...after working on these lil guys since Sunday...I have rounded all 18 of them up. The Chazman wanted to give each classmate something FUN for Christmas and I think these little whimsical guys will be just what he ordered.

The reindeer itself is one of the Chazman's doodles....not one that I did for him but one he did for me. I just took that and made my pattern. If you don't have an upcoming artist in your household...no problems...just draw you a pattern for my "HOW TO" that I'm getting ready to do for you.

Supplies Needed:

Felt or Fur (in two different shades)

Black Seed Beads

Black Pompoms or red if you want to make Rudolph

Pin backings

Jingle Bell

Brown Embroidery floss

Black thread

Stuffing/Batting

Hot glue

Glitter or MICA flakes

Now keep in mind that these are simple, FUN pins to make..so you can design your head and antlers in any shape you want. Decide what size you want and then fold over the felt or fur....leaving the fold as the top of the head. (do not cut the fold) This what you should have once you cut out the head.

Next step is to sew on the eyes, nose and pin backing. I use regular black thread to sew these on with. I don't cut my thread after sewing the face but I do make sure I knot each one before I move on to attaching the next eye and then the nose. I add one line under the nose over to the side for a mouth. You can add one...or not. Remember..this is your reindeer. After face is complete then turn the head around so the back is facing you and sew the pin backing on. Here is what you should have after this step:

Next are the ears and antlers. Again...keep in mind what these look like on a real reindeer. Here is the design that Chaz did. The antlers should be a darker color than the reindeer and ears.

I sew the ears first. Just a few stitches...simply fold them in half and sew at the bottom...so they have what looks like a tiny ear hole in them. Open them up and then sew them to the bottom part of the antler. Then sew the two bottom corners of the antlers over the bottom of the ear. Here is what they should look like.

Now...let's attach those ears to the face. Take the face and fold over so the face is in front and the back is well....in the back ^_^.  Take the ear and place right at the fold in between the face and back. I use a simple whip stitch with 3-ply embroidery thread. Once you have the front whip stitched then turn it around to the back and stitch the same way. When starting on the front I start at the bottom of the ear so that I am working my way up and around to the back and then I'm lined up to whip around the face. Now...whip around the face. When you get to the other side about half way...STOP...it's time to stuff that face ^_^. It doesn't take much....you just want to fill the face out a bit so it doesn't just lay flat. Our reindeer needs a bit of personality!! Here is what it should like at this stage.

Once you have the face filled out, place the other antler in it's space and stitch the same way you did the other antler. Just remember to stitch it to the front and the back. Don't want any little hands pulling Chet's (that's what Chaz calls his reindeer...LOL..yes we watched the Santa Claus movies this weekend) ear to hard and pulling it off. Now add a jingle bell or two to the bottom and your finished. Here is what the finished piece should look like.

Of course....all of you that know ME...know that I can't have a plain reindeer. I took all of my little herd and using my glue gun and some MICA flakes...I made it look like they had played in the snow. The possibilities are endless here people...honest...just use those imaginations. OK...you need some ideas..well..here are a few. You could sew some of those miniature strings of lights to his antlers and top of his head like he got all tangled up in em. Or perhaps some of those tiny plastic snowflakes that come in a string like garland...sew those to the antlers. Or maybe if you want to make him look "cool" you could make him a tiny leather collar....and owwwww maybe a little leather hat to go ummmm....HEY...I know YOU and I know that you have just as vivid an imagination as I do...well..ok..maybe not everyone but I know you can do it...so do it!! Then let me see what your reindeer looks like...I love to see when someone else has used a shared idea.

So.....on to the next handmade Christmas gift. I think it's MONSTER time....LOL!!!!

Until next time....Hugs, Regi

Today is a very GOOD DAY!!!!

I soooo can not believe this. I was sitting here drinking my coffee and reading my email when one popped up from BHG. I figured it was one of those "Thank you for your participation in our latest photo contest...However, you were not selected as our winner this week". Not that this would bother me because I was so honored that two of my ooaks (one of a kind sculpts) photos were actually chosen TO participate in all of the 100's of photos that were submitted. Was I so wrong when I opened that email. Another one of my ooaks has been selected to participate in this week's "Thanksgiving Decorating Photo Contest".

Santa and the Mrs.

I designed this ooaks to show Santa in another Holiday setting. Yes, you guessed...Thanksgiving!!! No one makes better pumpkin pies than his Mrs. I had so much fun with this one.  I'm one of those that "Truly Believe" in Santa and love to show him in other settings. This one had some fun moments that I shared with you here as my muse sat whispering to me. Let me recap some of the process for those that are my "new friends and for those that might have missed or forgotten. Click on the title below each photo to go to the original post.

WIP photo of the beginning of Santa and the Mrs

Whispers of Santa's shoes

End of a good day

 

Ohhhh...Shut your eyes..hehe

The Mrs is complete

Santa is complete

Introducing Santa and the Mrs

Mrs. C cat's...Jingle

I hope you enjoyed the look back at how this ooaks came to be. I am so proud of this grouping. It has been to a Holiday exhibit last Christmas at the Harrison Brothers Musuem. It is in the Foley Trim-A-Tree Christmas event this year (and for sale by the way...so if coming through Foley, please stop by the Foley PAA Art gallery..so many wonderful artist..so many awesome gifts to be bought) Now, it's getting a chance for so many to them in the BHG photo contest this week. So, please go and vote. Vote each day until the 28th. Share with YOUR friends on Facebook. The more votes the better Santa's chances are of winning this week's contest. What would I win you ask? The winner of the weekly contest gets $100 and the chance to move to the Grand prize contest, which is $1000 and a chance for the photo to be published in an issue of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine. How AWESOME is that. Now, what are you waiting on...GO VOTE!

Vote here at BHG