Whoo-hoo, Internet-Land! My daughters & I are off for a fun day at Enchanted Forest!

http://www.enchantedforest.com/

To add to the fun, here is a new outfit for Maggie. I am also posting a new outfit on my facebook page:   www.facebook.com/missysimaginings

Hope your weekend is awesome!

Good afternoon, Internet-Land!

I’ve been mulling something over in my head, and today I’m going to put it out here in hopes that it may be helpful to someone. A lot of times, you will hear people say, “Go for it!”; “Just do it!”; “Make it happen!” But they never tell you “how” or what that might “look like” in reality. I want to give you an explanation of my process for “making it happen.” Having been a teacher for over twenty years, I’m really big on “visual aids,” so I have some corny little diagrams to help me out. Here we go!

It all starts will thoughts. Things and ideas that jumble around in your head. Sometimes it’s all your own ideas, and sometimes you are inspired by others or the world around you. You sift through these thoughts and form an idea. Sometimes it’s big and sometimes it’s small. But an idea is the seed that can then grow. My idea was to make a few bucks by doing something from home with my dolly creations. The first step in my process was to assess my skills. I wanted to highlight the skills that specifically dealt with this idea. For example ~ I love to creatively bake, but those skills aren’t needed for this concept.

Now that I had an idea of what I could do that would  apply to my idea, I thought of projects that I could complete. This included not just my skill set, but time and materials as well. Then I had to find places where I could show my projects. The first two venues were selling on eBay and showing at local craft fairs. This also included learning some new skills. I had to set up my eBay/PayPal accounts and obtain the dates, locations, & contracts for local sale venues. I needed to learn the costs for shipping. I needed to find table skirtings and lifts for table displays. I readied my venues first, so I wouldn’t have all this “stuff” and nothing  to do with it.

Once I had my venue opportunities established, I needed to go to work making my actual “stock.” I had to get busy sewing doll clothing, making several of my doll cases, and getting my paper doll collections ready for market (putting on CDs & getting print work done). With all that in place, I listed my first set of items on eBay. It was fun to see my first items get “views” and even more exciting to get “watches!” I was so excited to sell my first item. I also went to my first craft fair and sold a couple of my doll cases!

Through eBay and the craft sales, I was able to connect with people. From these new friends, I learned new things and gained new ideas. One of my eBay collectors introduced me to the world of Doll Shows. I hadn’t realized there was such a thing, apart from the highly expensive Doll Conventions. That prompted me to take a trip up to Portland, Oregon to visit one of these shows. There, I gained a contract for a type of show/sale that was specific to my own venue. From that show, I learned of other doll shows around the state. I now host tables at four different shows that operate six times a year, with a new one in the works. My new vendor and collector friends have given me lots of new ideas for products as well as opportunities at new shows.

Through all of this, I continually stay anchored to my original idea. Each new venture builds upon the last. I meet new people at each show and with each eBay sale. It’s then fun to have friends return to my table/site. I love visiting with you, and I try to have a couple new things at each show to keep it fresh! As I move forward, I try to incorporate new avenues of productivity. Last year I was excited to start my own website/blog and facebook page. Here I can connect with yet more people, finding new friends and ideas. I love having free stuff on my sites to inspire fun and creativity. Little by little, layer by layer, my experiences ~ always linking back to my core idea ~ build an ever growing shell of strength. I learn from successes as well as failures, and still reinforce my process!

So, there you have it. This is my “how to;” it’s my “what does that mean?” Every person will have a different idea, a different set of skills, a different set of experiences ~ but this idea of building and linking back to that first concept is something that will hopefully be helpful to anyone’s journey. Wishing you joy and wonder on your adventure! ~ missy

Good morning, Internet-Land! I hope you are well this morning. I really do. I hope today, as you go about your life working, paying bills, doing chores, completing assignments, and scrolling through websites, that you find a jewel of goodness to brighten your day. I know that we all have different faiths and belief systems. That is especially true in this venue of the “world wide web!” My personal belief is in a loving Creator who provides salvation through the gift of His precious Son, Jesus Christ. Though I can not expect all to agree with my faith, I can wish for all a joyful and positive experience when you visit my site. I would wish for you to have a better day and a reason to smile having spent some time here.

I hope you have a dream you are chasing. I hope you are willing to learn and grow in order to make your dream a reality. Sometimes that means we must objectively assess our situation and be willing to make some changes. Don’t let the fear of the unknown prevent you from moving forward. I’ve often heard our pastor say, “God doesn’t bless inactivity ~ He blesses the PROCESS.” That idea got me MOVING. Sometimes I make great strides, and sometimes I only move a little ~ but I keep going. Sometimes, if my “engine” seems to stall, I keep tinkering on the parts! I hope if you’re having a hard day, this will give you encouragement to make it a better day. I hope if you’re having a good day, that you will find a way to make it great. You have abilities; you have worth; you can find a dream; you can do it!

To help brighten your day, I have some new fun for Maggie! You can click on the “Free Stuff” tab in my HOME menu to find the Maggie Doll (as well as other fun free items). Just select photo of choice, then “save as” or “copy & paste” into your favorite folder or application to print. Maggie is formatted for 8.5×11 paper, and the Forest Walk Fairy Doll Collection pages are formatted for 8.5×14 paper. You will also find two more new outfits on my facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/missysimaginings

I wish for you a fantastic week,  where YOU begin to make your dreams come true!

Howdy, Howdy, Internet-Land! It’s been a good couple weeks as my hands have continued to get better. The left one has taken longer to close, and both get sore pretty fast, but all is well. It’s amazing how the body can mend itself! What a great God we have to design such a marvelous system! I see improvement every day. I’ve been working on a new project to try to get my hands back into shape and ready to sew upholstery again.

I was able to get my fella’s face painted. I’m not sure if I’m totally satisfied, but for now I’m happy with the results. He may get a couple new faces before I’m done. It’s taken quite a while, but I now have his complete outfit finished! He is 65cm (26 inches) tall, and I made all you see ~ the shirt, tie, vest, pants, jacket, shoes, socks, & wig (which is strongly anime style). I want to make some tweaks to my patterns, but overall am happy with the first attempt. Some of the patterns were made with just measurements before the fella actually arrived, so I was pleased that they fit as well as they did. The main changes will be to lower the waist on the pants, lengthen the jacket, and close up the collar on the shirt. The shoes will also have a few adjustments, but it was fun to make them.

Tomorrow is the Wagon Wheel Dollers’ Doll Show at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall, Oregon (USA). For those of you who are local ~ it would be great to see you there! I will add the link below as well as some updated pics of my hands. Enjoy & have a wonderful weekend!

http://www.co.polk.or.us/fair/doll-show-sale-5

Looking good!

Howdy, Howdy, Internet~Land! Here it is, another weekend! At the end of the last post, I attached a picture of my stitches. Hope I didn’t gross anyone out too badly. My hands continue to heal, but the left one has had a little glitch. The cut split open a bit. The doctor said that was normal when one has had both hands operated on at the same time. I don’t have a “good” hand available to use while the other one heals, so both get a little over-used. It’s common for the healing to take longer. But the process continues. I’ll post a photo without the stitches after Maggie’s dress, so if you don’t want to look, stop there!

I have been able to start a few easy projects, but no sewing yet. I wanted you, my internet friends, to know I was thinking of you, so I tried my hand at another Maggie gown. It is an evening compliment to the last outfit. I got it done, but was surprised at how tired my hands were when finished! I say “hands,” because while one draws, the other is holding the paper still or adjusting its angle. I will gladly continue to go slow & steady! I am also going to see how plausible it might be to paint a resin doll head this weekend. It’s just a “practice head,” so if I really mess it up, it’s not a catastrophe. We’ll see how it goes. I may throw in a couple pics next time, if it’s not a disaster. In the meantime, here’s a new dress for Maggie’s night out. Remember to “copy & paste” or “save as” into your favorite application for printing. More outfits can be found in my “Free Stuff” tab and at my facebook page. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/missysimaginings

OK ~ now for the pic of my hands. Ewwwwe!!! Gross!!! heeheehee!

Good morning, Internet-Land. Here I am ~ connecting to say, “Hello!” First ~ an update on my hands. They are continuing to mend. I still have stitches, so am keeping the surgery sites clean & covered. I also still use the wraps for a little support. The pain medication makes my hands feel better, so with that I tend to “over do.” If I slack off on the meds, I hurt more, but am more careful. I’m trying to find a middle ground. Given that, I haven’t been sewing, and have only finished the one Maggie outfit that I posted last time. I also take breaks during typing, as I rest my hands and also correct the unusual amount of typos! I will post a picture of my stitches at the end of the blog today. If you don’t want to see, click away from the site at the end! I wanted to warn you first, if you don’t like that kinda thing.

Today, since I don’t have any new creations ready, I thought I’d share some of my favorite things. I will readily admit that the world of dolly hobbies can very quickly become very expensive! When a friend first asked me to sew some custom orders for the Wilde Imagination Evangeline line, I needed a doll for fitting. I purchased my first doll of that body type, a Tonner Wicked Witch with lovely green skin and beautiful painted features, for $54.00. For me, that was the most economical way to go. My friend then contacted me with a proposal ~ she had won a “Black as Night Evangeline,” and was willing to send her directly to me in trade for some of my sewing. When she arrived, I was completely taken in by her inset glass eyes. I had fallen into the abyss. One at a time, I saved up to purchase all nine of my favorites! But now I was hooked. By selling at the doll shows, I was continually asked about clothing for all kinds of fashion dolls. I now have two 1/4 scale bjds, three 1/3 scale bjds, and a new 1/3 fella bjd on the way! All this to say that I do know how expensive things can get very, very quickly.

 

This brings me to the subject of today’s post. Since the dolls themselves can be so costly, I like to find bargains. I shop around. I buy some second hand. I look for good buys at the doll shows. I also like to find cool items I can use at unexpected places. That leaves more funds for the items I can’t make myself and want to be more fancy ~ like SHOES! I have, however, even found great buys for shoes, too. I watch a lot of eBay auctions. You will find lots of “buy it now” options, but by going through the auction process, you can often get better deals. You just might lose a few if you predetermine and stick by your highest bid amount. Most of my best deals have come by bidding on auctions that end in the middle of the night or very early morning hours. I’ve won some of my wonderful boots for around $7.00 by using this strategy. The “buy it now” price for the same item was about $19.00. Some shoes, however were not bargains, but “must haves,” so they were, of course, more. The great pair of tall, lace-up Ellowyne tennies were found at a show for $5.00!

Now, to share some of my super savings that you can find, too. I love to peruse the Dollar Tree store for items that can be used in my dolly ventures. Above are some of these items.  Check out the hair accessory aisle. I found these clear, tiny rubber bands that are perfect for styling dolly hair and wigs. I was also able to find the tiny clips. One package was a variety of colors, and the other was a combo of clear, black,and brown. These are really good for styling hair when you don’t want to use rubber bands on an expensive wig. Angelique is wearing a Monique Gold wig that is super nice and soft. I wanted an up-do, but didn’t want to have the hair bound up in any way. The clips were a great choice! These stores don’t always carry the same items, so take the time to check often for new inventory. It’s fun to find sweet tiny, decorative items that are geared for baby hair. These daisies have Velcro closures, but I closed them onto small Bobby-pins for easy insertion.

You can also find fun diorama items at good prices. I have noticed the last couple years that Wal-Mart has really fun items in the Christmas ornament aisle. I got this beaded lamp ornament for $1.94. My daughters chose the chandelier and top hat. The choices always change, so I look each year for new discoveries. I bought two of these jewelry dressers for $3.95 each. I also like to take my time looking through thrift stores. We found the cute little golf set for $2.00. It’s actually a set of ink pens. I purchased the wicker chair for $3.00 at St. Vincent de Paul. I’m still deciding whether or not to paint it. I was thinking of white or black, and then I would make red cushions. Hmmm ~ decisions, decisions…

So, that’s my fun for today. I suppose that would be my point ~ have fun! Yes, some specialty items are just that ~ and they will naturally carry the accompanying price tag. But you can also have a great time treasure hunting! Every experience will be unique and will bring its own particular rewards. (and as promised, I am posting a picture of my stitches, so if you have a queasy stomach, look no further) Wishing you a wonderful adventure!

Hello, hello, Internet-Land! Well ~ my hands have made it through surgery & are in the steps of recovery, so this post will be short. Just wanted to check in with a new Maggie outfit & update. All is well and continuing to heal, though I must admit, I’m already tired of this process! Wishing you well!

Hello Hello, Internet-Land! This morning I’m happy to post another sewing tutorial. I’ve been getting a couple tutorials ready, as my hand surgery is scheduled for TOMORROW! Very excited to get my hands fixed, but that means big bandages on BOTH hands for a few days. I thought I’d better get things ready & start posting them. Today we’ll be going through the steps to make a pants pattern. Here we go!

SUPPLIES

The first step is to gather the things you will need and the doll you want to fit. Since I already have pants patterns for Matt, I’m going to be using my Tonner Peter Pevensie. He’s been naked & needing clothes for quite a while now! He has the same body style as Wilde Imagination Mortimer. My supplies are: .25″ graph paper, pencil & eraser, tape measure, and a 12″ ruler.

MEASUREMENTS

First, I gather all my measurements. I measure the waist (I will use the lower waist for these men’s pants.), waist/leg length, waist-to-front crotch, waist-to-inseam, thigh diameter, calf diameter, and foot-heel diameter. Remember, our dolls are not soft like us, but usually hard plastic or resin. This means that really skinny pantlegs will need to be big enough around to clear the heels or have ankle slits (with zippers or snaps), so they can actually go onto the fella!

DRAFTING THE PATTERN

Time to start drawing! I begin with a straight line down the center of my paper. I used 8.5 x 11 inch graph paper. You just need paper that is long enough for your pantlegs. Now my measurements come into play. I measure down from the top of the paper on my straight line and mark the measurement of the waist-to-front-of-crotch (not to inseam). I also allow an extra quarter inch that I will need at the top for a seam allowance. The straight line will be my outer side seam, and the mark I made will be the point from which I measure out to indicate the crotch line and inseam. I like to use graph paper, because the horizontal lines are a huge help in making sure my lines are continually 90 degrees out from my side seam line. From my first mark, I measure out 3.25 inches. This is half the diameter of the thigh plus a half inch to allow for looseness and seam allowance. From the top, I measure out 2.25 inches. I rounded the waist up to an even 9 inches to have room for a good fit. If you only use the exact doll measurements, clothes will usually end up too small. Now I place in a dart to have a nice fit in the back. Without it, the pants would go straight up like a stovepipe, rather than curving in nicely over the bum. Because the darts will take the waistline in, I add a half inch to the outside of the pants side seam. Next, I make sure the waist-to-crotch line has the correct measurement. I like using the tape measure here, because it easily curves with the line.

At the bottom of the photo, I have indicated half of the ankle measurement (with a little looseness added) for the hem line. From the hem line, I measure straight up one half inch. To draw the inseam, I draw a straight diagonal line (from the half inch mark I just made) that goes up to my 4.75″ mark and out .5″ from my original hem mark. Then I continue this line, gently curving it to meet the crotch line. The way you configure this line will determine the “look” of your pants. The “straighter up” the line, the “skinnier” the leg. For this tutorial, we will have a looser fitting leg, so there is more slant to the line from the hem to the crotch. Now you just need to add seam allowance to both sides for a finished Pants Back Pattern Piece. (Going from the very top to bottom of the paper will give enough length.)

To draft the front, I put the back piece under a new sheet of paper and place onto my light table. I indicate a pocket line at the side. The longer line of the pocket will be the finished edge, and the shorter line is the seam allowance. To make the front crotch and fly, I go in from the crotch-inseam about one half inch and then curve up one half inch. The fly will come straight down from waist edge almost equal to the crotch marking. This provides room for the overlap of the fly and the needed seam allowances. It also gives enough room for a small front pleat. (You can see where I scribbled to extend the fly allowing more fabric because of adding the pleat.)

Next will be the waist and pocket pieces. I always make my waistband pieces longer than I need. It is simple to shorten it if needed, but you can’t lengthen it once it’s cut! I add about an inch to my waist just to be safe. The pocket piece will again use the light table. I trace the outer pocket edge and add my inside width and length. Then double the width to allow for the “fold back” or inside section of the pocket that actually shows on the outside of the pants when finished.

And now you’re ready to cut out your pieces! You will need two of the pants front, pants back, and pants pocket. Then just cut one of the waistband.

SEWING!

OK ~ Here’s your BONUS! We’re also going to put these pants together today! 🙂 Remember ~ all seam allowances are .25.”

First, I do all my “prep” work. Mark the darts and pleat lines onto the wrong side of the fabric pieces. Then finish the inside edges of the fly by serging or zig-zagging.

Second, I sew the darts and pleats. Fold the darts down the center and sew from tip to edge. For pleats, match lines and sew on lines. I actually only sewed .75″ rather than the full length of the lines on my pattern. Press them towards the center/crotch line.

Third, we’ll put in the pockets! With right sides together, stitch the curved edge of the pocket. Then trim the seam allowance to one eighth inch. Turn the pocket right-side-out and topstitch one eighth inch away from sewn edge. Remember ~ you’re only working with the curved edge of the pocket right now ~ not the side! When the topstitching is done, fold the other edge of the pocket fabric to the side seam of the pants. The pocket will have about a quarter inch fold (or pleat) at the top along the waistline. Press this down flat.

Now finish the bottom edge of the pocket by serging or zig-zag, as it will show in the finished garment. When the bottom is done, I stay-stitch the top edge of the waist at one eighth inch laying down the both pocket pleat the pants pleat fabric towards the center. Then I stay-stitch the side seam of the pocket to the side seam of the pants. Do the same process to both pieces of the pants front.

Fourth, we will put the fronts together. With right sides together, sew the crotch fronts together along the line. I then do a tiny zig-zag along the crotch line to reinforce it, trimming off the excess seam allowance. The next part of the front can be a little tricky. Since men’s pants overlap from the left, you will fold the left side of the fly in so that the folded edge is flush with the center front of the pants. The right side of the fly will only be folded in .25″ so it will fall behind the front of the fly when finished. Topstitch both the folded edges down almost to the crotchline. Next, lay the pants front flat and topstitch from the stitching you just did to the center/crotch front seam. This will secure the bottom of the fly as shown.

Fifth, sew and finish the back crotch line. Then pin fronts and backs together, sewing & finishing the sideseams. Then finish and sew the hems.

Step six is to add the waistband. With right sides together, pin the center of the waistband to the center back of the pants. Continue pinning each side until you get to the center. Here is where you can trim off excess length of the waistband if you need to do so.Then fold ends in and stitch waistband to pants. Now fold under unsewn edge of waistband and either hand sew or machine sew edge inside the pants. All that’s left is to pin and sew/finish the inseam!

Ready for a fitting test!

Looks good! Now you’re ready to give it a try! If you would like to have the finished version of this pattern, I will be posting it in my “Free Stuff” tab and on my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/missysimaginings

Enjoy & have a wonderful week! Catch’a later!

Greetings & Salutations, Internet-Land!

I had a college professor who used to say, “Learn to enjoy the ‘regular’ days.” That quote has become one of my “life staples.” So many times people live from “high” to “high,” and I don’t mean chemically. I mean emotionally ~ from event to event or holiday to holiday. OK, Christmas is over ~ what’s coming next? What do we do with all the days in between? Are they wasted away in anticipation of the next big thing? It seems a sad commentary to me. Instead, I have taken that old quote and made it my own. Just what can I squeeze out of TODAY? It’s not a holiday. There’s no big event. It’s just February 11, 2017.

So ~ I woke up at 6:15am. I usually get up at 3:45am, so for me it’s definitely “sleeping in!” I thought to myself, “What would I like to accomplish today?” My answer was to bring some fun and positivity to my world. Not many people regularly visit here, but for those who do, I want to bring a lift to your day. Find something you love today. Then share it with someone. It’s surprising what those small things can do to help others as much as ourselves. Just a note, phone call, or text to say, “I’m thinking of you today,” can mean so much. Today I will be working on Valentines for some of my old students.

So, to those of you who stop by my blog ~ Thank You! You are appreciated. I may not know you at all, but I would wish for you a smile and friendly greeting. I’m thinking of you today! And to add some fun, here is a new outfit for Maggie. As always, just “copy & paste” or “save as” to put into your favorite app for printing on 8.5×11 size paper. She also has a new outfit on my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/missysimaginings

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Happy wishes to you, Internet-Land! So ~ my last tutorial was about making a basic sheath style dress for Evangeline (January 8, 2017). As an alternative to the pattern we put together, I also added the variation of a V-style back on the gown. Well, any time I make a pattern, I want to put one together to make sure it works. It actually did, and I was happy with the “look,” but not quite satisfied with the mechanical aspects of the back facing pieces. I am all for making things better! Tonight I am posting the full pattern here with the REVISED V-style back facing piece. I will also add the revised images to my facebook page where the pattern was originally posted and in my “free stuff” tab here on the website. In the picture, you can see what needed tweaking. I made the length of the new pieces longer to run the full length of the open back for a more finished look without the bulky edge of the facing hem mid-way down the back opening. These pattern images are formatted to 8×11 size paper. Just “copy & paste” or “save as” to insert into your favorite app for printing. Wishing you all a super-duper week and happy sewing!