Work in Progress: Phoenix (commission)

New commission in the works.

The (potential) buyer wanted a Phoenix that was akin to the one in Harry Potter.  She provided a pic of mass produced stuffed toy (to give me an idea what she wanted) and my first reaction was "It's a parrot in drag!".

So with that in mind, I sought out a parrot pattern.  That was trickier than I thought it would be.  But I did find THIS.  Someone took a song bird pattern and modified it to be a parrot.  Fabulous!

Based on that pattern/tutorial, here is my prototype.

Since this is just a prototype, I wan't overly concerned with matching threads.  So for the wings (where they attach) I'll probably use a matching yellow (not the orange I had already threaded!).  I'd also add more frillyness to the wings to get more of a feathery/fire look to them (I added the few snips currently on the wings at the last minute before taking the pictures).

Also, I didn't do much in the way of embroidery embellishment.  In fact, I'm not sure how much I would put on even for the larger finished product.  To be totally honest, this is for a baby/young child so I feel simple is better.  And if I'm being brutally honest, tons of embellishment seems wasted on a baby who's probably just going to destroy the toy by gnawing on it.  (also, stitches could come out and be eaten by said baby, so that's not cool either).

The final product will be MUCH larger, around 12-18 inches tall and will probably include legs/feet.  I'm toying with making simple velcro straps in place of legs so the bird could be attached to the side of the crib, so the Phoenix could be watching over the baby (I like that idea).  The potential buyer wasn't sure about legs or not (and even stunned me by flippantly saying, "well, they can cut the legs off if they don't like them"--what the hell?  but I digress).

Overall the pattern is super simple to make.  The real time suck will be in how much (or little) embroidery I add.  I'm thinking the larger item will look nice with a bit more than this small prototype has.

One more pic.

Perched on my apple.  This is what made me think a velcro strap to lash it to the crib would be a cute idea (though now that I'm thinking about it, a larger item might not lash so well--would it fall over due to the weight?  I'd have to look into that).

Now I need to share the pics with the potential buyer and see if this is what she had in mind.  I kind of hope she prefers this smaller one (with the idea of velcro legs).  A smaller one would sew up simple enough so I could have this commission done quicker (not that I hate this project but I'm really keen on my own projects right now so. . .this is kind of hanging over me like a dark cloud).

Here's hoping I get a positive response from the potential buyer.

Commission DONE: Meet Biggie Smalls!

YES, YES, YES!!!

I'm not even going to give a big lavish intro.  I'm just going to bomb you with some pics.

Meet Biggie Smalls, the giant squid commission I've been slowly working on for. . .well. . .ever.

It wasn't that he was that hard to make, it was more the buyer was paying in installments (fine with me) so I didn't feel that pressured to whip him out all in one go.  Though I could if need be.  This pattern is really simple, the size being the only real challenge.

I'm so excited about the eyes of all things.  Originally I was going to make fabric ones (perhaps with some embroidery) like I had with the other two (smaller) squid I had made.  Then the buyer mentioned wanting button eyes which (true confession) did have me scowling a bit.  "I don't have the right buttons for that," I griped.  BUT. . .hah, I DID have them.  All squirreled away in my stash was a pair of fabric covered shank buttons I scored from a thrift store.

OH freaking yeah!

They definitely give Biggie Smalls a very cute/sweet look versus the more realistic/freaky look of my other squid. 

The fabrics I selected turned out to be good choices.  I was worried about the yellow.  Would it be "too yellow"?  It wasn't.  It's just the right shade and the polka dots are nice and subtle.

And we all know I adore the fabric I used on the undersides of the tentacles (and belly area).

I've already cut up the scrappy scraps (those weird shaped scraps you get after you cut out a pattern piece) into some 2.5 inch squares (for my scrappy quilt) and a few 5 inch charms (not sure what for but it seemed a good way to use up the larger scraps).  It will be so fun to see those little patches in my finished scrappy quilt and remember when I made Biggie Smalls.

Since I had Biggie outside for his photoshoot, I had to bring out the other two squids for size comparison reasons (and to get some nicer pics of Clyde).

Looks like Violetta is smitten!

(she likes big guys!)

Don't worry, Clyde.  Violetta is loyal to you and only you.  (hey, a gal can flirt, can't she?!)

I'm SO happy to have this big project done and to have it come out so well.  Now here's hoping the buyer is as happy.  (and they don't swallow their tongue when I give them the shipping costs--yeah, it's going to be a big box which means expensive!).

Happy little squid family!

Edited to add:

You can get the pattern (it's measurements to make the pattern yourself) and a tutorial HERE. 

FINISHED: Sock monkey commision DONE!

Once again I underestimated how long something would take to do.

BUT. . .

I stuck with it and got it done (even though I was sewing until 11 p.m.--way later than I normally sew).

Jeepers creepers, where'd you get those peepers!

The eyes on this set of monkeys are so much better than the last.  I love them.

The bibs are some of my favorites, too.  This alligator one is super fabulous.  I think the buyer (who bought two of these for his yet to be born twins and the third as a gift) is from Louisana originally so I think he'll get a kick out of the alligators.

The bee and alligator fabrics are from the great haul of leftovers I won in a giveaway (and arrived only hours before I used them!).  The whale fabric is from my stash as was the felt for the eyes (the colored parts were from my scrap bag!).  The socks were bought new for this project but BEFORE my buying ban, so I'm going to consider this whole commission to be items made from my stash (for October Overhauling score keeping).

I'm so glad to have these DONE.  I think I'll reward myself by fussing with my USA scrap map a bit and cutting out some 2.5 inch charms from my scrap bin (in hopes of someday having 100 different charms so I can swap them).

For my own records:

Time start to finish:  12 hours
Total $:  $105 ($35 each)

(for future commissions I think I'm going to charge $40 each for x-large and $35 for large--these take more time than I like to admit.  I can price x-large at $35 only if buying two or more at a time)

Shared at (along with others):

Work in Progress: Sock Monkey Commission (round 2)

Yesterday I sewed ALL DAY.

No exaggeration.  I started at around 8:15 a.m. and stopped at 5 p.m.  I took a few small breaks along the way (to change over my laundry and at one point to eat and pee breaks) but mostly all I did was sew (and stuff--oh the stuffing!).

What did I get accomplished?

Great progress, yes, but nothing FINISHED.

So frustrating.  Mostly because I suck at estimating how long it takes to do things.  I stupidly thought "oh, I'll get all three completely done today".  Oh, how wrong I was.  They still need faces (ears, eyes, nostrils) and bibs.  I did get the bib fabric picked out (ooh, such a hard step!)  and I do have an ear template (which makes my life so much simpler) so hopefully tonight I can at least get all the faces done.  I'm going to really work to get them all completely done so I can hopefully get them out of my life by the end of the week.

That sounded harsh.  I don't hate these monkeys or anything but they are just reinforcing what I already know.

I could never make a living selling my crafty stuff.

NEVER.

I sewed steadily (as if it were my job) all day and didn't actually finish anything.  So for 8-ish hours of work I earned zero dollars.  Yes, I could have done each monkey start to finish (and not assembly line style) but even then I may have gotten only 1 completely done in 8-ish hours time.  I'm charging $35 each for these monkeys.  So for 8 hours of my time I would have made $35.  That's not even minimum wage!

I guess if I really did want to make something close to a "living" from these I'd be forced to up the price.  These extra-large sized (with one accessory--I'm giving them bibs since they are gifts for babies) I'd have to charge at least $50.  Fifty dollars for a sock monkey!  That's so laughable I might just pee myself.

No one in their right mind would ever pay that for a sock monkey.  Hell, I don't think they SHOULD pay that for a sock monkey.  Sock monkeys are simple dolls that folks should learn to make themselves, not pay for.

I priced these ones so low because I just felt like making them.  That's pretty much how I do all my commissioned stuff.  If it interests me I'll do it.  Then I charge based on my relationship to the buyer (in this case it's a co-worker who's really nice and doesn't try to take advantage after the fact, asking for extras and such--and he's a good customer--commissioned SIX monkeys total).  So $35 each sounded very fair to me.  A little more than a cheapo chinese made sock monkey from Wal-Mart but not laughably priced (considering how simple a craft they are).

To all my other co-workers who see stuff I make and say I should quit my job and make stuff for a living I say:

GET REAL!

So don't expect to see an etsy store from me any time soon.  I don't have the ambition to hustle all the time (which is what you need to do to make an etsy store profitable) and I don't have the heart to charge a fair price for my skills.  That's sad to say but it's true.

Work in Progress: Giant Squid

At long last, it has arrived.

These pictures don't do the yellow color justice.  At all.  The yellow is much brighter and lemony than is shows here.  And it matches the yellow pieces of sushi so well.  I'm very happy with the fabric. 

The fabrics are all washed and ironed (yes, I ironed SEVEN YARDS of fabric!) and now carefully draped over the bed in one of my spare rooms.  I need to wash/dust the floor well before I can start cutting.

I'm going to be a sweaty project, the cutting.  My third floor isn't very well ventilated so it's quite stuffy.  Maybe I'll fire up the fans for a bit and let it air out before I begin the cutting.

I'm so happy I washed and ironed it all right out of the shipping box.  And relieved that nothing funky happened.  I've never pre-washed fabrics before so I was envisioning some great drama in which all the yardage was ruined.  Hey, I'm a worrier, it's what I do.

The fabric wasn't super rough to start and washing definitely softened it even more.  And I'm hoping it also tightened the weave up a bit so when I go to stuff I won't get frizzies peeking through.

Man, I'm so excited about starting this project.

Oh, and I shared this post here:

Got Sew Much Done!

Excellent productive weekend.

First, I'll mention the one thing I didn't take a pic of but I did show off before.  Remember the Fail Bag (the reversible drawstring one) that I showed off a few posts back?  Well, I made a replacement for that bag and it turned out fabulous.  I just increased the width on the cording tube and it worked like a charm.  More fabric to work with (when sewing) and threading the cord was so smooth and it actually draws all the way closed and open.  I'm happy it worked out because I didn't have enough of the cat print fabric to have a third go at it.

NOW. . .on to the pics.

First up:

I got the tattoo boy DONE!  And I think his name is Sherman.  Yeah, he's a Sherman.

He's the companion for the girl (Heidi) I've had done for quite some time.  Both are from Spoonflower.

He has a tattoo on his chest, one on each arm, one on one leg, and. . .

This giant ship on his back.  It turned out very well and it looks great on him.

Heidi and Sherman.  They're just so happy to finally be together.

(oh and Sherman's legs aren't backwards!  my wife said I should tear out Heidi's and fix them but I told him Heidi is the Queen of the Misfit Toys and is proud of her "flaw").

Next up, a commission trio.

They aren't mine to name, but I did start referring to them as Huey, Doey, and Louie.

These are three of the five commission monkeys.  I'm not a big fan of gender assigned colors for babies, so I tried to go more neutral with the bibs.  Though the warmer colored one does read more "girl" if you'e doing the pink = girl, blue = boy b.s.  So if the buyer really wants to do the stereotypical color stuff, they kind of can.

I got to use up some of my fat quarter stash, too.  Lately I'm a bit concerned that I have so much fabric and haven't used enough, so this put my mind at ease.

The bibs were just a quick pattern I drew up on some paper.  At first I thought I was going to do felt on the back and fabric on the front but once I got working with it, a full fabric bib was nicer (and big shout out to the iron, giving me crisp edges!).  All bibs have snap fasteners (and I need to get some larger snaps--I only had small doll clothes sized ones and these bibs are large enough I could have saved my sanity and used larger snaps and it would have looked just fine).

And let me just pause to note how SIMPLE this style of bib (with full straps that go up behind the head) is to make versus the old style (with string style ties).  I was able to go from paper template to finished bib in just a few minutes with no top stitching or drama.  To make an "old school" type bib I'm sure I would have been going nuts.  This style bib also looks more practical (if I was making usable bibs, not just doll clothes).  These snap nice and snug to the neck, so protect from spills better and would stay on better than an "old school" bib (which a baby could probably get off pretty easy).  Though "old scool" bibs are cute, these bibs are simple and look great.

Since these are gifts for babies, they had to be be baby safe.  So no button eyes.  Personally, I prefer button eyes on my monkeys so the "baby safe" ones are kind of boring.  I love pawing through my buttons and finding just the right ones for a monkey.  Felt eyes don't have that same appeal.  Though I was able to give a bit of individuality to the trio, making two have circular pupils and one square.  I think I need to play around more with felt eyes so I can love them as much as I do buttons.

Jeepers creepers, look at those peepers!

And those EARS! 

These are some of the biggest and most professional looking ears I've ever made.  I'm not sure if I love the size but they are cute.  I am sure I love the top stitching.  It's a great look.

If you sit in that chair too long, guys and gals, I'm going to put you to work.

(and for the record, there is some crappy lighting at my office--holy crap, I work in that light!  it's amazing I'm not blind by now)

Speaking of work, I have a buttload to do.  My free time is UP.  Back to the grind.

Commissions: Back to my roots

Yesterday (as I was actually trying to work at work--gasp! no!) I was approached with a work related question that quickly morphed into a new commission.

A commission that takes me back to my roots.

SOCK MONKEYS!!

I love sock monkeys.  They're cute but oddly weird looking (which you can play up or down, so versatile!) but more importantly they are EASY!

The ease probably comes from having made so many over my crafting history.  And let me just say, those first ones (completely hand sewn) aren't exactly "good enough" to sell to anyone.

I was tasked with making FOUR monkeys.  The only instructions/requests were "classic" in look (meaning Rockford Red Heel socks) and "baby safe" (so no button eyes).  Two are needed as soon as I can make them and the other two can wait a bit (since they are for babies still in the womb).

I'm pretty excited about this because it will give me a chance to try out the ballpoint needles I bought to make my sister's easter sheep.  I've made monkeys on the machine using a regular needle and had no issues so it will be fun to see if the ballpoint needle makes any real difference (I think I'll use a zig zag stitch too--I think older monkeys had a straight stitch).

So, we'll see what MORE KNOWLEDGE does for the finished products.

Now, to go hunt down my sock stash and see what I have on hand. . .

(oh, and while I'm talking commissions, the giant squid might be moving to stage two shortly--I'm working with the buyer on money issues, so hopefully they'll have the supply fee scraped together so I can buy the fabric and start on it).

Oh, there will be pics once I get these monkeys stitched up.

Work in Progress: Giant Squid

I have a new commission in the works and I've been dragging my feet on one key element.

Drafting a rather large pattern.  (based on THIS free tutorial)

I was a bit worried a mix of things would happen.  Either I'd manage to do it but it would be such a hassle it would sour me on the whole project OR I would just plain out fail.

I'm happy to report I was wrong on both fronts.

And I'm also happy to report I got the whole thing drafted in about two hours and I'm really pleased with the result.

The pictures are rough, I know.  It's an awkward thing to photograph (but I'm happy to report I now have better lighting in my living room--amazing what having a good bulb in all three fixtures will do for you, huh?)

For reference, that line next to it (above the white sheet of paper) is a three foot long metal ruler.  So this bugger is BIG.

That's just the head portion.  It's three parts.  The head, a bottom ring (that attaches the legs to the main head portion), and a fin that attaches to the top of the head (the finished product will have a fin on each side of the head).

I'm very pleased with the overall shape of each element.  The only two parts I need to give a little more attention to are the easier elements.  The bottom ring (pictured) is a bit too small.  I measured it wrong.  But it's only a rectangle, so re making it won't be hard (and I could always just cut the fabric directly given the measurements I don't really "need" a pattern piece for a big rectangle).  I also need to re work the circle piece (that closes off the head/ring portion).  The one I cut is more oval than circle.  If I use a compass to make the next one it should turn out better.

I'm also pleased that I remembered to add a 1/4 inch seam allowance to the measurments given in the tutorial.  The tutorial doesn't give much instruction on the pattern drafting and has the dubious advice to "cut around the pattern leaving extra on the sides".  Uh, no, that's not a true seam allowance.  (but in defense of the tutorial, they used felt for their squid so you can get away with more fast and loose pattern cutting when working with felt, especially if you're going to sew and turn felt, not sew on top).

Now that I have the pattern ready, I'm super excited for the next step.  FABRIC SELECTION.  I'm going to give the buyer the choice to either buy what they want and ship it directly to me or I'll provide a set fabric/supplies quote and I'll buy the fabric I want.  I think they'll prefer I buy what I think is best which makes me very happy.  I'm toying with a brightish green batik for the main parts and a complimentary circle print for the undersides of the tentacles (to mimic suckers).  I've estimated the yardage at 5 total, so I think a fabric/supplies budget of $50 is resonable (that covers fabric with shipping and the five pound box of stuffing needed--I already bought the stuffing when I was able to get it half priced using a Joanne's coupon--even if the project falls through I'll eventually use it).

A question for anyone reading:

What would you charge for the construction of a item this large?  (not including the aforementioned supply budget and shipping).

I'm not looking to make a "living wage" off this but I do want to be fairly compensated (I have a number in my head but I'm curious what others think).

Going BIG!

I have another (potential) commission in the works.

It's for the same person who commissioned Kismet (the rainbow octopus).  They definitely want a squid (from the same pattern I used for Violetta) BUT. . .

. . .they want it made full size.

The pattern (HERE) is for an 8 foot squid.

HOLY SQUID, Batman!

It'll be far easier to sew than Violetta (who's narrow legs weren't hard to sew but rather tedious to work with) but now I have to draw out the giant pattern pieces.

That involves. . .wait for it. . .

MATH.

*shudders*

Ok, so not really complicated math (and more like measuring than math) but OH NO!!

For the record, I'm a total stereotypical girl when it comes to math.  Remember those skits on "In Living Color", "Super Bimbo"?  Her weakness was math.

Yeah, that's me.  "Oh no. . .not math!"

I have to overcome my weakness and figure out how much fabric will be required to make the giant squid.

Yes, I'm going to have my wife double check my work (as an architect, he's good with math, especially "measurey math").

I'm excited about this potential new commission.  So much so that I kind of want to make a giant squid for myself for next year's "Art All Night" (our neighborhood has a "no jury, everyone welcome" art display every year--a giant squid would be a hit there--and I could sell it, too).

Hmm, maybe I'll sell it and donate the funds to a charity.  That would be even better.

Oh, so much to think about.

Bow, wow, WOW!

The puppy work in progress is officially COMPLETE.  Well, sewing wise.  I have to toss them in the mail tomorrow (but I did text pics to my sister who is very pleased with the results).

Speaking of pics. . .

The original three, Rose, Twinkie, and Licorice (aka Liberace).

Meet. . .

Andy, Abe, and Louise.

*snerk*  When I see these two pics I can't help but think of "West Side Story".  Two rival puppy gangs meeting up to have a dance off.  Wait, if they're dogs they be more likely to have a butt sniff-off and or hump off.  Hey, it's what dogs do.

There was no drama.

These six get along famously.

But. . .what are they whispering about.

Good thing I bugged their meeting.

So, Bug, what did you hear?

"Well, it seems they're all excited about a seventh puppy?  Do you know anything about that?"

Why yes, yes I do.

They're talking about Kat.  She's not going to end up in the same home as the rest, so I'm sure that's what has them all excited.  Kat's slated for a long trip to Florida to live with my Aunt (who has a Dachsund named. . .wait for it. . .Kat!).

Ok, about the names.  Names are kind of a big deal to me and often times they have some kind of meaning.  These puppies are no exception.

Rose is named for her collar.  I needed something that went with the butterflies so a flora/flower theme worked.  I toyed with Flora, but once I called her Rose that was that.

Twinkie is named for one of the recipients actual dogs.  My sister texted me their names and Twinkie is just such a cute name AND I had that awesome yellow felt so I needed to make a Twinkie (and give her a cupcake collar).

Licorice/Liberace was named right on the heels of Twinkie, hence the food based (and not that original) name.  But once I put the shiney ric rac on him, I wanted to change his name to Liberace.  So now he has two names.  Licorice is his given name but, when he's on stage he transforms into LIBERACE (yeah, I fancy him a bit of a lounge singer).

Andy is named for the dearly departed Andy Griffith.  And I just like the name Andy.

Abe is named for Abraham Simpson, a huge fan of one of Andy Griffith's most well known characters. . . MAAAT-lock! 

Louise is named for the youngest child on my new favorite cartoon show, "Bob's Burgers".  Louise isn't my favorite on the show (that honor is reserved for the oldest child, Tina followed closely by Gene--I find Louise to be a bit "too") but Louise *is* my sister's favorite.  And I like the name Louise.  I was tempted to make Louise a bunny ear hat but I wasn't sure the recipient (a friend of my sister's) would get or appreciate the reference and I didn't feel like going to all the work if it wouldn't amuse anyone but me.  So Louise got a bandana (to be different from the others).  I didn't embroider it because I don't want to force the recipient to keep the names I've given everyone.

You might notice I tagged this post "orignail pattern" (yes, I noticed the spelling error but I'm keeping it because it makes me laugh).  Now that I've altered the existing pattern (found in the Wee Wonderfuls book) as much as I have (giving it a belly gusset so the doll will stand and changing up the tail) I feel this is an "orignail" pattern.

Now that the puppies are done it's time to get back to THE SQUID (I'm calling her Violetta!).

Bon Voyage, Kismet!

I always feel a tiny bit guilty when I seal a stuffie up in their sandwich bag.  Like I should whisper to them, "take a deep breath!".

Silly.

But I can't NOT put them in the Super Protective Zipper Top Sandwich Bag.  It doesn't matter if I'm sending them in a plastic coated bubble envelope, they need the extra layer of protection only a zipper top (no, I don't buy brand name so I'm not using a brand name) bag can provide.  And it has to be the normal "pinch closed" type zipper, not those new fangled ones that have that slidey zipper.  Pishaw to those!

Later today I'll troop over to the post office and send Kismet off to his new home.

Bon Voyage, Kismet.  It's been fun getting to know you!

Work in Progress: DONE! (time to show off!)

Another work in progress is officially DONE.

I took that rainbow of felt and whipped it up into:

I call him Kismet.

I'm not sure if that will remain his name since he's not staying.  He's a commissioned item, so very soon he'll be shipped of to Virginia.

But there's still time to do a little turn on the catwalk so. . .

WORK IT, Kismet!

Each leg is differnt color but each have the same shiney white sequins (and random seed beads--really, I just used whatever one would fit down over the needle).  Sequins I scored at one of the best thrift stores I've been in for quite a while.  It was LOADED with "vintage" craft stuff.  Bowels of buttons I could have picked through all day (I'm not exaggerating, the bowls had candy scoops in them so you could dig around).  Spool after spool of thread, floss, ribbon, trims and funky notions.  I scored the sequins, some narrow width elastics, fuzzy trim/thread/yarn (not a whole skeen, just a few yards around a little card), a few buttons (one looks like a gear!) and a few other small things for only $3.  I look forward to visiting Weezies (yeah, love the name) every time I visit my family.

(bonus, there was the cutest kitten in the shop.  She was sitting in an old potty chair.  I tried to get a picture of her but she was too busy jumping around trying to get the shop cat, Butterbean's, tail.  I won't be surprised if my sister doesn't go back there and adopts her, though I get the feeling the shop owner really wants to keep her despite the "we have to find her a home" laments)

The whites of his eyes are stitched on using this shiney embroidery floss I scored (at the craft store, not Weezies).  I'm not exactly sure how to use it properly but I separated out a few strands (it had a ton of strands) and just stitched with it.  It's not that easy to work with what with all the strands, so it'll definitely be just an embellishment thread.

Funky top view.  He's almost exactly 4 inches around the legs (I didn't measure exactly but I put a 4 inch embroidery hoop over him and he fit perfectly inside, legs just brushing all the way around).

I searched my stuff to find a ruler to get an exact measurement on his height but when I didn't find the ruler right away I got annoyed and gave up (I'm sure if I had looked just one second longer I would have found it but I didn't want to be bothered). 

So here he is next to an altoid tin to get an idea how tall he is.  I was going to use my hand but that's not really a good idea how big he is.  Who knows?  Maybe I have super gigantic man-paws (or tiny little petite paws).

Uh-oh.  I think Molly is smitten.  Maybe she and Kismet can carry on a long distance love affair via love notes written in their own ink.  (wow, that's all kinds of gross when you think about it--but funny).

I just need to give Kismet a wee hair cut to get any random fuzzies out of the way and he'll be ready to head off to his new home.  (he has far less fuzzies than Molly, guess she could use a trim while I'm at it).

What's up next?

PUPPIES!!!

(and then maybe a rainbow striped zebra or a unicorn?  or maybe a mermaid?  or a monkey? or. . .)