Hand-carved Dinosaur Rubber Stamp

I'm addicted to stamp carving!  I just find it so satisfying..... cutting away parts that you don't want, concentrating on the main picture, cleaning it up.  I know I'm still a newbie but I enjoy a challenge, so here's the most challenging one I've done so far: Hand-carved dinosaur stamp!!

Hand-carved dinosaur rubber stamp

Batik Skirt

I've been sitting on my load of batik fabric for ages..... Finally, I got off my bum and made a skirt using the pink-yellow-gray batik fabric.  In my younger days, my wardrobe was mainly blacks, blues, grays, and other dull colours.  While I'm starting to embrace colour, I was still a little wary of being "too bright".  Thus, I toned it down a little by adding a black band of fabric at the bottom edge.  This band also conveniently hid the raw edges of the batik cloth.  At the elastic band area, I added a line of sewing snugly against the top of the elastic.  I think this gives it a more finished look compared to not having this line.  I like to match this with a plain black top so that the focus is on the skirt :)

First cut into my batik fabric

Batik skirt completed!

Close-up of batik skirt

Kick Scooter Carrying Strap

As there is an overwhelming amount of information on sewing more girly stuff online, I would like to continue with more boy stuff.  This time, I moved on to a kick scooter!

Having had 2 bicycles stolen before (1 was stolen from right outside my main door!), I just can't bring myself to get another bicycle unless we have lots of space to keep it indoors.  As I also don't drive, I missed the convenience of being able to get to nearby places in minutes.  After some research online, I finally got myself a kick scooter so that I can scoot to the bus-stop or train station or the supermarket.

In order to bring it along with me on public transport, I needed a carry strap.  All it took was a few cheap supplies and sewing a few straight lines and ta-daaa, I had a carrying strap!  Total damage? Less than $4 for the strap and buckles, and less than 15 mins of sewing time.  What do you think?

Kick Scooter Carrying Strap

Top buckle

Bottom buckle

Blythe Dress with Sleeves

I spend quite a fair bit of time on Pinterest and of the Blythe doll dresses that I like, there was a common trait - puffy sleeves and cute collars!  My previous attempt with sleeves and collars wasn't a success.... the sleeves were too long, and the pointy collar was overlapping too much at the back.

Using a combination of a few patterns on hand, and finally using some lace, here's what my second attempt looks like:

Japanese fabric dress

Hmmm..... I think adding lace at the bottom of the skirt is cute and I quite like the bold fabric print.  Things I didn't quite like?  The ugly collar, the too tight cuffs and the slightly too baggy sleeves.....  Oh well, with each try I learn something new.  Hope to get better at this so that my Misha has prettier clothes to wear :)

Fall Fun Blythe Meet (SG)

Calling all Blythe lovers out there, there's going to be a Fall Fun Blythe Meet (SG) coming up real soon on 13 Sep 2014 in Singapore!  There will be a giveaway at this meet and Angelhearts Crafts will be contributing a handmade Blythe doll dress as one of the items!

Handmade Blythe dress by Angelhearts Crafts

Customised Hand-carved Owl Stamp

As you recall, I have an owl-loving friend, M.  She was one of the first few people who adopted my plush owls and she also requested that I make more owl pillow cases and cushion covers.  Since I'm into carving stamps now, I asked her if she would like an owl stamp of her own.  She sent me an old photograph which had cute plush owls that her aunt made for her and asked if I could do something like that.

After hunching over the rubber block for about an hour, my neck was aching and my eyes hurt.... boy, this is hard work!  Quite pleased with what I came out with:

Customised owl stamp from childhood toy

If anyone's interested in getting a customised hand-carved rubber stamp, feel free to drop me an email :)