Making a living playing with dolls!

If you would have asked me a few years back if I could possibly make a living writing books about doll clothes, I would have laughed. Yes; it is true that I was one of those children who created clothing for my one doll out of old socks, old clothes, even fashioning a costume made out of leaves and sticks one time but paying bills while playing with fabric and dolls. No way..... It just goes to show that if you can think to imagine it - you can make it happen. Of course designing clothes for dolls is not the only item I work on at a time but my new book brings the total to seven pattern packs and three books on doll clothes. You can imagine I have quite the collection of clothes at this point and with no grandchildren or small children in my life at this moment I am quite the hit with my friend's children. My last Christmas party involved bringing out a box of dolls and a wide variety of clothes and the three youngsters attending the party were totally involved in dressing and undressing the dolls. What a life!

Halloween Corseted Cupcakes

Have you ever thought about having your cupcakes wear a corset instead of yourself? Frankly I prefer my cupcake to wear a corset as I find them somewhat confining. Good thing Eileen Hull and the folks over at Sizzix came up with this great Scoreboard die so I could cut out my cupcake corsets in no time at all. We are busy these days but our party treats still need to reflect our personal style. I can't wait to get started on the lastest blog hop with Eileen and the whole crew of talented designers signed up for the Fresh Vintage Blog Hop starting very very soon. Stay tuned!!!!!!!!

Boutique Slippers by Lorine Mason

Here is my latest example of all things possible. As a little girl with a sister a couple of years younger living on a farm we had to improvise our craft supplies. Trust me there was no Michaels or AC Moore down the road and frankly there was no extra money for purchasing fun supplies anyway. This did not stop the creativity in our household. We used things from the yard, recycled items (before recycling was popular) and flour and water for glue. I like to think of myself as a child-like version of MacGyver of the crafting world. Anyway, the point is that we made shoes from cardboard and bailer twine. We carefully traced the outline of our feet onto the cardboard, cut them out and then strung up a version of a farmer flip flop. We decorated them and then proceeded to have a fashion show, laughing ourselves silly each time we had to stop to re-string our footwear. What a memory!

Duck Tape ? The new faux leather in the design world

I just finished my challenge project for CHA. I cannot believe I am sewing with duct tape or Duck Tape which is actually the brand name I am using in my latest project. Let's go back a few days and talk about the journey into my Duck Tape sewing project. I wanted to support a fellow designer and decided that I would participate as the design funds were going to be donated to a good cause and hey I like a challenge. Here are the materials I used in the latest project.

Duck Tape - 4 sheets & 1 roll

Velcro Sticky Back dots

Westcott Cutting Tools

T Shirt fabric strips

100% Cotton canvas

Shape 'n Create Bag & Tote Stabilizer

Sew far sew good for now.......

CHA Canadian Designer Challenge

Bird in the Wind by Lorine Mason

Be Inspired is a Canadian Designer Look & Learn event scheduled to be held at the CHA show in Chicago, July 18th, 2011. A total of eight Canadian designers were asked to create a mixed media piece using supplies provided by; DecoArt, Harmonie, Canvas Corp, and last but certainly not least Tsukineko. While each designer was supplied with the same wonderful mix of products the finished projects will showcase the individual designers look and style. Designers will be on hand to discuss their creations with Retailers from around the world at a Look and Learn event at the show. Looking to encourage retailers to recognise Canadian designers and manufacturers, each attendee at the event will not only receive instructions for each project on a CD but an inspiration kit filled with products valued at over $150. Let us inspire you .... to inspire sales.
Pre-registration to attend the CHA Summer Conference and Trade Show is necessary. For additional details go to http://www.chashow.org/
I hope to see you there.

Sew far Sew good,

Lorine

Canvas Hairband

I made this cute hairband the other day as I am in dire need of a haircut and wanted to look like I knew what I was doing with my hair until I could get into see Corey and let him do his magic. Here's how I made it:

Supplies:

Scraps of canvas duck cloth

Scraps of felt

12" length of black 1/8" elastic

Fusible web - I love Steam a Seam2

Puffy Velvet fabric marker by Marvy Uchida in black

Piece of scrap paper to make your pattern

Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies

Getting started:

Wrap a tape measure around your head and measure appx two inches behind your ears. I got 20 inches but I think I have a fairly large head.

Fold your paper in quarters and set it on the table with the center fold on your top right. Using the measurement you came up with previously and measuring out from the center fold of the paper, place a mark at the measurement 1/2 inch down from the top edge. I used 10 inches.

Measure down 1 inch from the top right corner and place a mark. Starting at the fold, draw a curved line to meet the mark on the paper.

Cut along the drawn lines and open up the paper for a full size pattern. Make any adjustments you desire to the pattern. Create your own fun pattern.....

Press fusible web to the back of a piece of canvas duck slightly larger than your pattern. Trace the pattern onto the canvas and cut out using decorative edge scissors.

Remove the paper backing from the fusible web and press the canvas cut out to a slightly larger piece of felt being sure the felt extends 1/2 inch beyond each end of the canvas. Cut out leaving a slight border of felt extending past the canvas except at each end where you should leave 1/2 inch.

Top stitch the two layers together using black thread. (optional)

Now the ART: Use stencils, stamps or your imagination and a pencil to sketch, draw or stamps an image on your hairband. Trace over the lines using the Puffy Velvet fabric marker. Follow the manufacturer's direction to heat the paint once it is dry and watch the magic.

Turn over each of the 1/2 inch ends of felt to the cover the raw edge of the canvas and top stitch close to the cut edge creating a channel for the elastic.

Thread the elastic through both channels on the hairband leaving the ends free. Try the hairband on for fit, pulling the elastic to a comfortable yet snug fit. Stitch elastic ends together and slide the stitched end in behind on channels.

Viola - you have a one of kind hairband....

Butterflies and Spring

I completed my final project from the classes I took at Quilt Market in Hampton Roads, Va this spring. This is quite the accomplishment for me as I have started a lot of projects that remain unfinished in my sewing room. The first class piece was the Daylily I created for my parents a couple of posts back. I am happy to report they have received the piece and it is hanging on their wall at home. When it first arrived in Winnipeg, my sister pinned it to the curtain in my Mother's hospital room and told her that it was not going home until she did. I am happy to report that she did take the quilt home. She is however back in the hospital again. Perhaps that is why I finished this piece come to think of it - maybe I wanted to hang it in my hallway to remind me of the healing power of a quilt. Mom - get well and I will see you soon. Love Lorine