Monday, August 18, 2008

A Little Hand Sewn Doll

Thank you all for your well wishes. The insomnia continues to plague me. The magic hour seems to be 5am. That is when I drift off to sleep, but that is also when DH starts to snore! So, I barely get 3 hours of sleep and then I have to wake up at 8am to feed the baby. Sometimes if I am lucky, she will sleep until 9am. Hopefully, this will end soon.

My recent project is from a Japanese Craft Book that uses socks and gloves to make dolls. I got this book a few years ago, but now they have published a English version. The Japanese version has enough pictures to show you how to make the dolls even if you can't read Japanese. The neat thing about the projects is that you don't need a sewing machine. Just a pair of scissors, needle, thread, and a pair of socks or gloves.
So, I started off with a pair of cheap gloves from Target. I chose to make the Pig. I cut apart the gloves and sewed them back together to form the pig. I made a boo boo on the head but sewed up the glaring hole afterwards. When I looked at the English version at the book store, I realized where I went wrong.This is my practice pig, so I left off the eyes and button for the snout. I did add the cute belly button. I am not crazy about how the limbs and ears are attached on. They instruct you to use a whipstitch which produces a very "home made" look (you can see the stitches). I am sure that is part of the charm, but I like my work to have a cleaner look. That's just how I am. I am working on another animal and I like how it's turning out so far by making the stitches as invisible as possible.Apparently, she likes to chew on pork.She looks like she is growing a Mohawk.Here she is stalking her prey.The poor Pig resting after getting chewed on, drooled on, and having it's arms and legs yanked on. I think one of the legs is longer because of all the yanking.

34 comments:

YayaOrchid said...

Oh, she is just adorable! She has such a cute little pug nose, I wish I could kiss her little cheeks! Lova ya, Melody!

Sorry to hear you're still having problems with insomnia. I cannot imagine how you can function when you have a baby to care for. Will be praying your sleep pattern improves. Take care!

YayaOrchid said...

Sorry, I forgot to comment about your glove stuffed toys! They look like they make perfect toys for little ones of Melody's age. Wish I'd made some for my Grandson when he was a little bit smaller.

I also have to add that I've been a bit of a nightowl myself for quite some time. My DH was working the night shift, and I just could not sleep until he got home. He's back to mornings again, but I still can't get MY sleep pattern back to normal. In my case, though, it's no big deal, cause we don't have babies at home anymore. But I do remember how it was when my two boys were little. So just hang in there, it will get better. What helps me to doze off is just tuning everything out, any thinking, etc. and just listening to the sound of my breathing. For some reason, the rhythmic sound lulls me to sleep.

opportunityknits said...

Ohh, she's sitting up and posing for the camera already. Such a sweetie, I love it the hair all spiked up, without any need for wax! Poor pig will survive :)

Cindy said...

Melody is such a perfect model to showcase your work! She is a darling little girl! The pig is very cute, can't wait to see the next animal!

Julie said...

What an adorable little piglet! Clearly he's going to be well loved. (When Jason snores I sleep on the couch lately and wow has that helped. This contributed to our recent purchase of a comfier couch) Still wishing you luck with the sleeping!

Nettie said...

I too have been having trouble sleeping. It's rare that I'm in bed before 2 am and asleep before 3. It is killing me, but nothing seems to help.

Melody is growing so fast! I love her hair.

Allegra said...

I'm sorry you're having insomnia problems. Is Melody crawling around yet? Once she's mobile, you'll be exhausted, and I'm sure your insomnia will go away! LOL! The pig is adorable. Melody of course is adorable as well!

Marisa said...

That little piggy is adorable! I was tempted to get that book in the Japanese flavor, how cool that they republished it in English. Thanks for the tip. That rocks.

priscilla joy said...

what cuties, but Melody is cuter. my brother would love that onesie you have her in, i'm sorry but i'm not a patriots fan!

Amanda Jean said...

both the Pig and Melody are super duper cute!

rohanknitter said...

I'd say Melody likes that little pig!
What cute pictures.

Danielle said...

Melody looks so adorable playing with your latest creation :) It's really cute btw, but I'm with you about whip stitching the arms on. I'd want a cleaner look too ;)

5 a.m. is just rotten!! I hope you get some much needed relief from your insomnia soon :)

schrodinger said...

That pig is ingenious and adorable!! Melody is looking so cute, even with the cute little mohawk.

So sorry to hear that the insomnia is still beating your door, I know it is horrible, I just hope that you find your sleep mojo really, really, really soon.

Agnes said...

It is certainly a success ... the little one seems to love it! :)

Jackie said...

Melody is sure a cutie, mine, that's her alright, she marked her chewing jus like my girl when she is a baby. We used to call her softies "zhou zhou" means smelly...

Anonymous said...

Hi,

How is it that your girl just keeps getting cuter! She is adorable!

Sorry to hear about your sleeping problems. I get like that too sometimes, and I find it is best to try not to worry about not sleeping. Your body will re-adjust soon.

Jennie said...

Loving the mohawk & the pig & of course the lovely Melody.

Anonymous said...

The pig is just too cute - as is Melody! I take Melantonin when I have trouble sleeping...

Knitterella said...

"Chew on pork" - too funny :)

Melody is looking cuter then ever! I love the pig - so cute and love the belly button detail you added!

Really hope your insomnia stops - sounds just awful :(

Anonymous said...

the little one is so cute. and she's a patriots fan!

Anonymous said...

The bear is so cute! Melody seems to be enjoying it :)
Tina

Anonymous said...

Aww, so cute... Both Melody and the stuffed animal!

Good luck with getting more sleep... I'm in pretty much the same boat, except I get to sleep a bit later these days. Thank goodness I only work part-time!

zakkalife said...

I know what craft book you're talking about. I see it when I'm in the Japanese Book store all the time. I'm always tempted to buy it but some how I resist.

Melody is adorable.

Anonymous said...

OH! How cute! My goodness, baby is growing so big!

CynCyn said...

hehe. Piggy and baby are so CUTE! Glad Melody likes pork. Good chinese girl.

ps. how about taking some tylenol PM or advil PM at night to help sleep? and take the edge off the headaches?

Rebekah said...

so adorable! I love the stretched out leg : )

My aunt told me about the Martha show when the author of this book was on and now I've got to find some gloves so that I can make my own :)

joyce said...

Ah, very cute! (both of them)...i have the japanese version of the book too but haven't attempted anything yet. it's good to know there is now an english version =)

Elaina said...

Hopefully you'll get some sleep soon! Melody looks great! Glad she is doing so well. Evie hasn't started moving yet, I actually have a feeling that she'll be one of those who go straight to walking. She's pretty content when shes sitting still! =) Love the glove doll!

Christy T said...

Miss Melody is just sooooo cute! I think she likes her pig... yummy :)

Corrie said...

love her hair!!!!!! she is getting so big and cute!

Unknown said...

I hope you manage to sleep better soon. One really feels miserable without it! I adore the pig you have made from gloves!!!

Anonymous said...

Looks fine to me, though I think she is charming without the eye buttons - and if you make toys for babies you shouldn't use buttons anyway since they can get them in the mouth and choke. Use security eyes if you make another one, or embroider the eyes! just a tip.

Unknown said...

She's so cute! I have the book in english if you ever need someone to look something up for you!

Unknown said...

They are so cute together. The first photo is just precious!