Kappa Kimono

I really love making these little kimonos, the pattern is from one my Japanese books ISBN 4834715809

This one is jade green, lined with a cotton print. I wanted to stamp the little kappa on the front with white fabric paint, but the white wouldn't show up dark enough so I made a little patch instead.



They cross over the chest and fasten with two ties


This one is white muslin lined with pink, with a little embroidered house. There is sashiko embroidery around the sleeves and neckline



Here is a close-up of the embroidery. The house and tree are wool felt, the rest is embroidered.


It took me forever to get good pictures of them. I have followed all sorts of advice, but I still don't really know what actually produces a good picture. I just have to take lots and hope at least one is okay.

Bluebells

Finished up the hat and shoes I was designing. The more I worked on it, the less and less I liked the colors. So I did a second in blue, which i like much more. There is a crocheted flower on each side to make ear flaps.

Striped set


Bluebell set


I am getting a little worried about copyright law, and reading around online is just confusing me more. I am inspired by a lot of different things and often I see something I like, then try and figure how I can change it to make it uniquely mine. And now I am not sure that is enough--but then what is? Look at how many basic hat and bootie patterns exist, some patterns are so similar, what makes them not in violation? It's just that I have to sign a contract and now I am anxious that somehow I have violated something. I did come up with the shoe pattern on my own, but I have seen ones with a similar shape. Ah, worry.

Paper Dolls

Envious of the vintage paper dolls that Heather at Making Time found, I decided to make my own. This isn't quite the finished project, I need to use different paper to get the right effect with the watercolor pencils. Still, I am quite pleased, especially considering I haven't drawn in a while





I remembered reading about Family Drawing Time at Whip Up but the few times I suggested it, no one was interested. I always forget that the best way to get my daughters involved in a craft is to just start doing something myself, inevitably they will wander over and want to join in. Sometimes a bit frustrating, but today it worked to my advantage. We all made paper dolls together. I drew the outlines (the Dingo wasn't my best effort), they colored and cut out.




Not a bad muggy, rainy afternoon after all!