Gnome Doll Sewn & Stuffed

gnome_doll
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Not much to say today. My little guy loves this gnome. The size and shape are perfect for him to hold. The big bro likes to use the mushroom as a hammer, which made me think about doing a batik softie tool series: pick axe, jack hammer, drill, hatchet, etc. I also want to do a Skelvis — you know, a skeleton Elvis; a subject I've played with before. I think it would be a good match for the crackily dreariness of the batik.

Batik Doll Inspiration

batik_inspiration
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


soft_toys_book
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

These are the dolls that inspired my adventures in batik. As you can see, I borrowed heavily in the stripes and checks department. This idea was in one of the many books that I got at an estate sale awhile back. I swear, the woman had every craft book spanning the 60s, 70s, and 80s — I bought nearly all of them.

In the past few years I've been lucky enough to happen upon, or be passed down, several people's craft stashes: Peggy's mom's yarn, Bob's mom's sewing supplies, Kathy's mom's vintage fabric and patterns, to name a few. I feel very honored to be able to give these things a good crafty home. I enjoy thinking about these woman and the things they made with these same supplies. I hope that when I'm gone that my stash finds a welcoming next generation to inspire.

Kitchen Imp: Batik Doll

This was the prototype for the fabric swap. I only dyed one color (blue) and then drew on the black parts. I sewed across the top of each leg so that she can sit comfortably on the kitchen shelves.

Fabric Swap Contribution: Sew-Your-Own Dolls

red1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


beths
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


alice
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


gnome
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Finally, I'm back online — our network was down — feels like forever, but I think it was only a week. Isn't it amazing how much you can get done when that happens?

These are a few of the fat quarters that I hand-printed for Bethany's swap. They're supposed to be sew-your-own dolls. I was inspired by a batik doll that I saw in a 70s kid craft book. I'll try to find it and scan it, but you know how that goes.

First, I needed a crash course in batik. Thanks, Sara. I think I called her twenty times that first day, when she loaned me her supplies. Then, I needed my own supplies. Thanks, Dharma Trading Co. Their stuff only took one day to get to me UPS Ground.

Several 1 a.m. nights and a week later I had eight sew-your-own dolls. They definitely have a bit of a creepiness that I'm digging. Finally, I got my dreary element I've been searching for in my craft. Who knew I'd find it with batik. I used some fabric pens to draw details and felt like I was cheating.

The top photo is Little Red Riding Hood. The second one I made specifically for Beth because she's got a collection of show-your-guts dolls. The third is a Franken-alice of sorts. She was born with a black eye. And, lastly, a gnome. Could have seen that one coming. I'm keeping him and have already sewn him up. I'll try to get photos of that, too, as well as the prototype. More photos over at Flickr.

I forgot to mention that I was a bit creeped out by the warnings on all the dyes, chemicals, and soaps that I used for this project and will be soon following in the footsteps of two inspirational natural dyers, Simmy and Siri. In addition to plant matter I think I'll delve into the world of mushroom dyeing, which I've been itching to do ever since I found some dyers polypore. I love it when craft interests collide — mushrooms and dyeing, sigh.

So much to do, so little time.

P.S. Even though I always turn up as Snape when I do those online quiz things, I really want to be Mrs. Weasley when I grow up. Sorry, Frick.