Miss Witch's Ogrehide Witch BOO't available in time for Halloween

Miss Witch's Ogrehide Boots

Miss Witch met an ogre named Clyde,
who quite unexpectedly died.
He was useless in life.
Always caused others strife.
But, his hide made fine boots when dried.

Miss Witch then went for a ride
in her new boots of green ogrehide.
She blushed top to bottom
when asked where she got'em.
"Off an ogre named Clyde", she replied.

by mieljolie, ©2012



New Witch BOO't finished and available on Etsy!  This is a small sized one standing about 8" tall and 7.5" long and is painted to look like an ogre's hide all stitched up into a boot.  It has an eye peeking out on one side and a colorful spider on the other with a few flies landing everywhere on the sides and tongue. 


There are two more flies on the tongue in front.  I used a brown nylon cord for the lace. I had thought about using a color that would match the bright green stitches, but decided the brown would tie in the tree stump heel better.

Close up detail of the spider and a fly on the left side and of the eye on the right side. (Click images to see larger versions)  I think I've been inspired a lot by the many spiders we seem to be finding around our house these days.  We've seen orb weavers, wolf spiders, cob web or house spiders, and our family favorites the many colors of jumping spider, among others.  Jumping spiders are the only ones we allow to stay inside.  The are fairly harmless, secluded, and territorial.  So, they keep all the other creepy crawlies at bay. The rest get cupped up and sent back out to the "wild".

It was rather relaxing (and just a wee bit tedious) painting all the stitches.  I may revisit this theme again in the future.  But perhaps in a more deliberate symetrical fashion or just on portions of a boot. 

I'll be trying to finish up some larger BOO'ts next along with some costuming.  One boot may have a haunted house theme.  Hope to have at least one more completed by Halloween.  **Knocks on ogre-hide boot's faux wood heel**  ;)

Meet Verotica Lake, the Zombie Doll

...the newest member of the daughter's Monster doll collection.  She's decomposing a bit.  The fish must have been nibbling on her before they retrieved her from the water.  Bet you didn't know that your stuffies have stuffed bones in them, did ya?!    ;) 



Daughter and I just finished up the last joint project before she goes back to school next week.  Verotica's missing eye and a head injury are hidden behind her hair in a style sorta inspired by the actress/model from the 40's, Veronica Lake. The doll was made using Batsy's pattern like the other monster dolls, that we've been making using polar fleece remnants.

 

Daughter drew out the plan for her before we started.   She wrote what colors the pieces were to be.  And, even drew up her maggot pet way up in the top let corner.  She also helped sew the face with button eye.



After we were finished with Verotica, daughter then made her a dress with a scrap of glow-in-the-dark skull/crossbone fabric and the maggot pet out of yarn. 



Daughter has been really busy making other stuffies this summer.  I posted about some back when summer started.  Here are some more she came up with after reading her "Super Cute" book. From Top Left to Bottom Right:

1.  "Gothy", the Gothic Bat Fish inspired by Pet Soceity on Facebook
2.  "Flo", the pooka inspired by Totoro
3.  "Peppy", an egg warmer from her book, which is sewn shut on the bottom
4.  "Hoo Dude", the mini voodoo doll,
5.   UFO (Unidentified Fluffy Object), a long alien cushion inspired by book
6.  "Sally", the Septapuss inspired by book
7.  "Stinker" a skunk petling baby inspired by Pet Society
8.  "Peach", a mini mascot inspired by book

While I'm busy working on Halloween decorations and costumes, I just thought I'd share some of these sewing projects.  Hope you've enjoyed seeing them.  Next, I hope I'll be posting about another witch BOO't.  But, if not I'll most likely be posting about some of Mr Sam's projects and hopefully some further progress on more pixies.  (Yes, the whole family has been busy crafting! Isn't it great!?!)  Until then, keep up the crafting, too!

Free Felt Bat Pattern for Halloween

Sure wishing the weather would start cooling off here.  I'm so ready for fall and Halloween to get here.  Oh, but wait!  Then I'd have to have all these projects done!  Nevermind.  :) 

While the daughter was busy sewing her felt/polar fleece stuffies this summer, I sat down with her a few times to create this bat for her. 



He's about 10" wide and 3.5" tall and made with mostly felt scrap, a piece of chenille stem and some buttons. The chenille stem makes the wings slightly posable.  I have to say that, though I enjoyed myself, handsewing the entire thing has really made me appreciate my sewing machine.



If you'd like to make one of these, I've put together a free pattern with some brief instructions on Craftsy.com:



http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/felt-button-bat/160384 - I'd really love to hear if you give it a try!

BTW, while I was making my bat, the daughter tried her hand at a baby bat, too. :)  Isn't it adorable?! It's pretty small at only 4" in length.  She gave it to me and it is now sitting on my computer speaker until I find it a better spot.  She's still at the stuffy making frenzie.  I'll post some more of her work, soon.



Hope you're having a crafty time!