Sewing machine

Well the new sewing machine sucked.  I couldn't get the bobbin to work.  The wife couldn't get it to work either.  I checked the net and there was absolutely no help for me there either.  So today I checked the net for help with my original sewing machine and found a youtube video on how to get it threaded.  I followed all the directions to the letter and it worked like a charm.  I'm soo happy that I was able to get the big sewing machine working.

I started in on the doll right away.  So far it is going well.  we'll see how it ends up.  The moral of the story, I guess, is if you have a problem with a machine or anything like that check youtube.  You never know what you might find.

Softies

In this cold weather I can't really get out to my workshop without freezing my butt off, so I decided to spend some time inside.  I have made two softies before so I figured why not try some more.  I went looking on the internet for some patterns and ideas.  The first softy I made was Texi.  I believe there is already a picture of him in the last post.  The second was a doll(link is in previous post).  I finished the doll the other day.  Put a face on him and everything.  So now it's off to another project.

I found a doll pattern on the net that I kinda liked and changed it to suit my style.  The end result was basically a mix of two different patterns that I saw.  Google image search will pull up some amazing things if you take the time to look through them.  I drew out what I wanted in my sketch book and then drew out the pieces onto some poster board.  Traced them onto some fabric and am ready to go.

So far I have done a lot of hand sewing on my last projects.  My sewing machine was apparently a piece of garbage and I lost the receipt so not sure what to do there.  I went out and bought an easy stitcher.  It's a sort of mini sewing machine.  I think it's made by singer.  It should be good enough to sew together the doll I'm working on, so we'll see how that goes tomorrow.  I might just draw up a small softy to try first so I don't screw up the doll.

All these ideas.  I love making things for my daughter.  She also loves when I make her things, so it's win win.  I'll let you know how the new sewing machine works out.  And of course I'll post a few pics to show off the new toys.

The things I make

Well christmas is over.  I didn't get done all the things that I had hoped to get done, but I can thank my appendix for that.  I ended up in the hospital on the 22nd and had to have my appendix removed.  That put a stop to any more projects being finished.  The way I figure it though I will take the time to work on them when I can and give out what would have been the christmas presents throughout the year.  It will be fun.

I did manage to finish the doll cradles, with help from my wife who painted them for me on christmas eve.  The girls were very happy with them.  I made them out of 3/4" spruce plywood.  The design was inspired by someone else, but I drew up my own version.  They are 9" wide by 18" long.  Next time I think I will make them wider though.  They tip over if the girls aren't careful playing with them.

I had to hand sew the pillows and the mattresses because the sewing machine broke on me, but with help from my wife we were able to do it.  The mattresses ended up a little poofy, but they will flatten out with use and eventually cover the bottom of the cradles.  It was a fun experience and I think they turned out great.  The girls loved them too.

Speaking of sewing.  I finally finished another craft project that I had been working on for quite some time.  Last winter I bought a sewing machine and decided to make some stuffed toys for my little girl.  She absolutely loves her stuffed animals.  I came up with my own design and bought a bunch of fabric.  I managed to get my first creation mostly completed but life got in the way and it was never finished.  After my appendix surgery I couldn't lift anything or really get up from my chair, so I decided sewing was the way to go.  I grabbed my sewing kit and finished off the project.  Finally.  My daughter has named him Texi and he is greatly loved.

I don't think he turned out too bad for my first try.  After he was finished I started looking around on the internet for more ideas.  I looked through many craft blogs and softies and plushies websites and found some really amazing stuff.  I decided to start with a doll.  I got the basics from a craft blog. http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2008/12/handcrafted-doll-tutorial.html

I made mine out of blue fleece and green nylon type material for the head and hands.  It's turning out really cool.  Just needs a face.  My daughter already found him and spent the day carrying him everywhere even without a face.  I have the plans for a girl doll already drawn up and can't wait to start it.  It's going to be a very crafty and creative year this year.  I can already feel the excitement.

Doll Cradles and more

The madness has started and of course that means I haven't had time to post anything here.  Not that anybody's reading it anyway, but this is a great way for me to sort out the ideas that I have running around in my head.

I like to have more than one project on the go at one time.  That way if I have to stop a project due to gluing or whatever I have something to do while I wait.  I have quite a few things running right now.  I decided, in my ultimate wisdom, to make doll cradles for my daughter and my friends daughter.  So that has taken precedent over everything else at the moment just so I can see if I can actually do it.

I kept things simple.  I'm using 3/4" plywood for the end pieces and 1/2" ply for the sides.  The idea and part of the design came from a post of the Scrollsaw woodworking and crafts forum where someone posted pictures of doll cradles he had made.  I liked the idea so much I decided to do one myself.  I took some measurements of my daughters cabbage patch kid, as it is the biggest doll she has, and went from there.  I kept the design fairly small so I could cut the circular parts and some of the more intricate things on the scroll saw.  So far the first one is turning out ok.  We'll have to wait and see what the end result will be like.  I like my design so it should be alright.

Of course I also have the dump trucks and the puzzles to do.  Not to mention the two projects I can't mention on here because my wife might read it and it will ruin the surprise.  One for her and one for her mom who is coming for Christmas.  Oh the fun.  At least I love doing this and of course all these things are being made for people that I love, so it makes it all worth while.  I hope everybody likes their presents when they finally get them.

Next step

Ok so I bought up some bins and some dowels.  Everything is set up to try out my first truck.  Can't wait to start, but of course I have to wait for monday.  We'll see if I can find a few minutes to start the cutting.  I have the idea of how I want to do it.  I just hope it works out the way I want it to.

Dump trucks

I love making toys.  I find it very fun and rewarding.  I'm always looking for new ideas.  Mainly I want to make them durable, easy, and cheap(for mass production reasons).  So I was poking around on the scroll saw woodworking and crafts message board when I came across this little dump truck.

Dumper by Sam Johnson

I love the look of this little guy.  The idea of using the yellow stacker bin was genius.  I'm pretty sure I can find those at Dollarama.  The truck itself is very plain and the bin doesn't even dump.  These are for sale for 29 euros for a small one and 49 euros for a big one.  Not sure what the is in our money but someone said 29 euros is about $45 usd.  I can't believe that.  It doesn't even dump.

I think I can improve on this.  I'm sure the kids will like it.  I've never had a complaint about my cars before, so I've got a good feeling about this one.  I have a drawing already mocked up of how I want to do it.  Now it's just getting the bins and some more dowel and I'll make up a prototype.  Can't wait to post it and show you.  I definitely won't charge that much for them either.

Christmas

It's coming up on Christmas.  Ok it's still a few months away, but when you try and make your own presents for people you have to plan in advance.  This year for the kiddies I'm thinking puzzles.  I have to go to the dollar store and see if I can find some old calendars to get some good sized pictures to laminate onto the wood.  Then it's just as easy as cutting them out.


I made some puzzles last year for Christmas, but due to limited painting time they never got finished.  So they will probably get added to the presents this year.  I also have some ornaments that never got done either, so those will most likely be added on this year too.


Still not sure what to make for my wife.  Don't really know what she would want.  I'm usually so clear on this that it's kinda bugging me that I can't come up with anything.  Oh well I'll keep brainstorming and maybe I can come up with something fun. 


The first year I made her something it was a wooden bracelet.  Then the second year was a locking money box with a heart shaped key.  Now I don't have anymore ideas.....yet!