Catch a Tiger by His Tail!

You can now look forward to another full sized costume appearing ... Tail first! I bought nice thick webbing and a strong clip. I prefer tails to be very securely attached to the body and never to the fur of the costume - people do tug them!

So here is a strong but also comfortable belt. A tube of Sherpa fleece provides the padding esp if you don't wear much under your fursuit. Fur is very warm!

The tail has been attached with extra strong thread and here I am wearing it. For more bounce, wear the tail upside down!

A Picture For Oscar ....

A friend shared this pic with me. Her friend had spotted it during a visit to Cornwall and they would have bought it to remember their son but the shop was closed.

My friend asked me if I could help get something like this in the Mum's hands and I said, buy some canvas! 

Measuring the canvas by drawing around it, i sketched out the elements of the composition ...

I used my sketch to cut pieces of fabric out ... 

When all the pieces were cut out it was time to iron them all flat and make them adhesive shapes using iron on interfacing. — at The Raggy Rat.

All the fabric got fixed in place with careful ironing and I threaded my machine with navy thread. I thought that it would be nicer than black. 

I used the thread to draw just inside each shape and draw in some of the details like posts and the lighthouse window. 

Mike helped me staple the back. Then I tucked inside some of my cards and added my label too

Here it is finished. I really enjoyed the sewing part, and also hunting for just the right fabrics too. My friend loves it and the mum who received it was over the moon! — at The Raggy Rat.

Facing Up To It - 11

So this is me. I've fitted my teeth together for you in this photo, and my neutral face looks pretty sad! 340 days ago when my braces were first fitted only sections of the back brackets would touch. We have come a long way! Prior to the braces being fitted, my lower teeth at the front had actually carved a dent for themselves in my palet. I spent most of the days of my life, since I was a teenager, holding my teeth apart to look less severe ...

On Thursday I had another adjustment, and my lower jaw was ready finally to receive an upgrade of wire, matching my upper arch wire at last! I chose navy blue bands, a new one for me, and here's my metal-filled smile. My bottom lip still falls back, unsupported by lower teeth. They might be a nice curve now, but they are still a long way back!

And this silly face is my attempt to show you all the gubbins! Seriously cannot wait for a decent set of gnashers and one day, taking the first proper bite out of an apple I will have ever taken in my life!

Edward Tulane One Day Later ...

Once jointed together, Edward is stuffed and then has eight seems closed with strong thread. 

After that his ears and tail are added by hand with ladder stitch. You can see he has his whiskers too!

I love it when an Edward Comes Together...

This is the part when all the stitched pieces of Edward get joined together with discs. 

Also he will need whiskers first, I can now stuff him which is a really enjoyable part as he takes shape!

Street rescue ... Backpack repair

One rainy day this week we parked the car to go visiting, and there in a soggy heap was a backpack. It was covered in leaves and berries and contained woodlice, soil and a fat worn!

But Mike and I both saw potential. Something that ought to escape the landfill, and we threw it on the mat in the footwell of the car when we left. 

At home I shook it out and fed the worm to the chickens. After two dunkings in water from the rain butts, I brought the backpack in for a hand wash, in a solution of floor cleaner and disinfectant. After that an Express wash, rinse and spin in the Meile. 

As the bag dried I could see it was in pretty good shape apart from the adjusters. One was missing and another was smashed. The zips were sticking but  a few sprays of Mr Sheen and they didn't need replacing after all. 

I have a stash of webbing and clips and I found two adjusters the right size. Mike unpicked the loops needed to hold them in place and you can see my re-stitching. 

I don't think it matters that the clips don't match. I have a new bag! 

A new kid on the block ...

Lately a lot of over-made-up dolls are getting a younger, fresher look. I decided to have a go myself. I can paint, I just wasn't sure about having a steady enough hand! But I found this Alice Moxie Girlz doll for 50p and she came home with me ...

With a few pieces of magic eraser, and a lot of nail varnish remover her make up and fat lips disappeared! Well ok, those lips still looked pumped. Some careful painting would take care of that. 

With white acrylic I shaped new eyes. And with a gentle pink and some 12-year-olds front teeth those lips have changed!

After that point I was on a roll. I do believe she needs some hint at eye lashes, but I'm really pleased with my first attempt to create a doll that looks like a real person!

Simple clothes next, but in the meantime, I found a hat for her to wear. 

What do you think her name should be?