Clue 2

From my sketch book.

    I will be making dolls based on two characters from the film Clueless. This 90s film was directed by Amy Heckerling, with costume design by Mona May. I'm looking forward to getting started on this project.

Clued In

© Melissa Gaggiano

Meet the Cookie Cutter Dolls

© Melissa Gaggiano
Meet Princess Michelle and Nimph,
the Cookie Cutter Dolls.

    My kids have finished making their cookie cutter dolls. High five! You can read all about this project here.

DIY Cookie Cutter Doll

© Melissa Gaggiano

    It's the winter break and I've got the kids making dolls. It's fun, and whiles away the time in a productive manner. I made a basic cookie cutter doll pattern, which was cut from felt fabric. The good thing about felt is that it doesn't fray, so you don't worry about seam frays.

    I have had minimal involvement in the doll making process. I help the kids when they ask for help, and I just make sure that the dolls have some kind of structural integrity [don't want the filling popping out].

1.     I get the girls started - show them a blanket stitch and let them stitch the body pieces together along the edge. Keeping an 8 cm opening at the top of the head. Since felt is being used there is no need to turn the doll body through.
2.  The dolls are then stuffed with doll filler. Using the same blanket stitch the top of the head is sewn shut. 
3. The faces of the dolls are painted on.*
4. Using additional felt [even scraps] drape the fabric over the doll bodies, cut out the clothing pieces and sew directly onto the doll bodies.*

* The important thing about this activity, particularly with the last two steps is to let the kids play with draping, cutting their own shapes and sewing the pieces onto the doll bodies. The rules are 'there are no rules'. Whatever your child creates will be perfect in their own mind.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

    If you wish to do this project I am providing a free pattern for the doll cookie cutter body. Let's see what you come up with.

© Melissa Gaggiano
Print on an A4 page; Cut out pattern;
Trace outline on 2 pieces of felt [front & back].

Stay In Art Day

© Melissa Gaggiano

Her Face

© Melissa Gaggiano

Doodle of the Day

© Melissa Gaggiano

Turbo Turtle Ready to Roar

© Melissa Gaggiano

     I am pleased to announce the completion of this commissioned felt art doll - Turbo Turtle is ready to begin his new life.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Commissioned Turbo Turtle

© Melissa Gaggiano

    This week I am working on a commission piece - Turbo Turtle. This is my third felt turtle, and yet totally unique in his own right. No two… or three turtles are exactly alike. The details on the shell do not follow a pattern and are cut, sewn in an organic way… much like how freckles form. In a world of super mass production I am proud to say that even if my dolls are cut from the same pattern, they will all have a different personality.

Cat Pocket Pillows

© Melissa Gaggiano

Conversation with myself...

-How about cats?

-It's been done.

-Pockets?

-Done.

-Pillows?

-Yawn.

-Cat pocket pillow?

-It's probably been done.

-Yes, but have they been done my way?

So… cat pocket pillows! What do you think?

Turbo Turtle

© Melissa Gaggiano

    And now I have finished making a OOAK handmade felt turbo powered turtle. This turtle has places to be and turtles to see so he likes to move a little faster than the average turtle. So he wears skates on his feet and rockets on his shell. Such a clever turtle!

    Turbo Turtle is now available in store. Get in quick!

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Turtle Project

A week of ups, a week of downs. Doing things that keeps the world spinning around. When things are quiet on the blog front, often that means things out in the ultra real world are far from quiet. At the moment I am in the middle of a turtle project. Think felt. Think turtle.  Think pizza. Think skates and rocket boosters.

You can follow my progress of the turtle on Instagram.

Pickle Lost

© Melissa Gaggiano

Some days are going to feel a bit like that. Need I say more.