Monday, April 27, 2009

Sew happy!

I was in Sewing Heaven this weekend. The Plushie class at Frenzy Stamper on Saturday With Donne Goldstein was much anticipated in our household. The Chicklet has been drooling over the Plushies every time we visit the store. Once the class was offered, I had my orders. "Mommy, make me a pink Monkey."
If I had to make a pink monkey, a SHocKi Ng PiNk Monkey, it was going to be a cheeky Monkey. I made the cheeks flowery..... The green eyes are inspired by the Chicklet's Lovely green eyes and I added some "chompers," (as the Chicklet refers to her teeth at times, ha ha)!Meet our monkey. Her name is "Cheeky." Not bad for a first attempt although I messed up on the stuffing. I put the stuffing in both ears then in the head. Sewed some more, stuffed some more and so on. Once the head was fully stuffed, I finished up and closed her up. That's when I noticed that the stuffing had migrated out of one ear and it was completely flat. I left it that way and the Chicklet thought the mistake was completely hilarious. She loved her cheekey monkey. Our waitress at dinner last night thought it was over the top and she brought over some other waiters to take a look. All in all, it was a fun and successfull project.This is Olivia Thomas' example for her Fabric Collage class that she taught at Creative Quest in Glendale yesterday. As with the Plushie, I know all the techniques but sometimes it saves you a lot of trials and tribulations by learning from the experts. I was on the fence until the last minute about signing up for this class. Luckily, I helped someone out who wanted to cancel at the last minute but couldn't. So it worked out for both of us.First things first. Make our image transfers on fabric. I've taken classes and done this plenty of times. The results were often hit or miss. Olivia taught us a 3 step method and it was great. Everyone seemed to have successful transfers. Whoo hoo! I might try a bunch after school tomorrow. Tonight I'll gather images to photocopy or from magazines.

Above, the image of the Chicklet was a photocopy and the black half circle was a black/white color copy transferred on muslin.The quote was a color copy and the black circles were a photocopy of bubble wrap printed on paper and then enlarged on the copy machine.The almost finished result. I still need to stitch the white onto the black backing, trim the black and hang. It was a pink weekend... once I pulled the image of the Chicklet to work with, I knew I had to pick her favorite colors. I found a very retro 60's/70's pink green scrap from Olivia's pile and went with it. The lace seemed to dainty at first but Maija, set it next to me and it worked once I put the pieces together. The finished piece will hang in the Chicklet's "Pink Palace."

It looks like Sunday is destined to be sewing night. The Chicklet and I enjoy watching Amazing Race together. Then it's her bedtime and I'm already set on the couch with Sunday night shows and good light to sew by. There's a few UFO's to pull out and work on. I'll have to get my sewing basket together like Jeane did after taking the Plushie class.

Time to set up for Kinder painting tomorrow. I love this colorful project we're going to do.
Marissa

6 comments:

  1. AHHHHHHH I love the shocking pink monkey!! What a lucky Chicklet you have!!
    Looks like you had a fun ART FULL weekend!!!

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  2. It gives a whole new meaning to "Shock the Monkey." Grrreat! Now I'll have the song in my head all night.
    M

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  3. Once Again, you are full of new great adventures. I have just watched all of the videos of our on line class. Fun. Not really working on the project but have gathered a few supplies. Very different from my stenciling of old!

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  4. Well, CeCe, it's either stay busy or get bored and/or lonely and get myself into stupid situations. So I took the classes and hung out with some gal pals and had a great weekend.
    M

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  5. How magnificent!! Love the transfer from paper to fabric. And the Monkey was adorable!!

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  6. Yea Siri! You found me! Please visit often.

    Stor Klem,
    Marissa

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