Working on zero waste projects

Wanted to make babies for work for my charges to play with. Wanted something simple, one because needed to make a lot, two because needed to use up existing fabric, and three because wanted the children to use their imagination to decide about babies feelings might be (no features on the faces).

Snuggle Babies

So after having the babies in the centre for a while I decided maybe I would make some for sale (still have an abundance of waste fabric to use up). So Lovely Karin at Ainsworth said she would sell them along with my many other sundry items she stocks in her Grandville Island shop.

This little Dollie...

This is Dollie #61.5

...went to Ainsworth to meet up with some buddies. She has a couple more friends ready to make the trip down to Granville Island to hang out till they meet someone to love them and take them home.

Washing Instructions

Here is a little note on washing the stuff I make, be it a decor item or some article of clothing. Hand wash in cold water or wash on the delicate cycle. Lay out flat to dry.

As for the Dollies put them into a bag for dedicates. If they are dirty their clothes are probably dirty too so let them wear their clothes in the washer. Then let them air dry. 

Dollies

One is mine...one is to go to the east coast...and one to go hang with the gang at Ainsworth.

Dollies

The first of the children's Dollies

People would often ask me if they thought my Little Felted Guys would be suitable for a toddler. I always say "Um, no they are sturdy but not that sturdy, and perhaps a bit pricey for a doll that a toddler would destroy." Several years ago a friend had asked me to make a cloth doll for an adult friend of hers. A few years later I was nanny to a little guy and decided to rework the Dollie seeing that I had the perfect person to test out the durability and play potential. He dragged the Dollie around and chewed on her and cuddled her. She held up well so I decided to make a few more. I took them down to Ainsworth to see if they would sell. My intent had been these Dollies would be for children and the Little Felted Guys would be for adults. Many adults have bought the Dollies for themselves or other adults that collect art dolls but, when a Dollie is intended for a child, Karin at Ainsworth is always excited to tell me a little person got one. This makes me smile.

test run on his own

test run on production

Dollies under construction.

All ready to cut out. There are eight new dollies in the making.

Dollie in for repair.

This little Dollie needed a little love to repair the lot of love she had had. Now that she is all better she will be back with her boy soon.

Hockey Sweaters

NFB has a wonderful short animation that most of us here in Canada all know and love The Sweater -by Sheldon Cohen based on the story The Hockey Sweater -by Roch Carrier. Granted Clothing has it posted on their blog so I am sharing it along. I love putting bits of hockey sweater in much of my Sorcerer's Apprentice stuff it makes me smile. So have a look and see if you spot a bit of old school hockey sweater in some thing you have of mine from cushion to tea cozy to cape and don't forget the dollies clothes they got some in there too.

Dollie much loved

I am very proud of how well these dollies of mine have stood up to a good deal of play and love. This guy here resides up at UBC with three friend (dollie friends) at one of the child care centres. He and his friends have had much love. Thus he needed a little repair to his arm. All he needed was a few stitches and is as good as new. He is now all ready to be back with his buddies.

#50

The six new ones (that bring the total to 50 so far) are making Ainsworth their new home for now. They are all girls. They will have some brothers as soon as I get the more ingredients for the boys. Just in case you did not know all their little bums are marked with my monogram and their number in the production line.

Dollies heading for the East Coast

They are packing their bags and heading for New Brunswick so the WiZard of Felt can help them find good homes.