We finally got some dumping of snow (not much) I never did a photo of a doll in snow before. Taking advantage what Mother Nature is giving us. I took Mei out for a Christmas Eve stroll in the winter wonderland.
She couldn't resist building a snowman that is made out of pompoms??
Back in December of last year, I crochet Mei a new dress. The dress has
been completed in the beginning of this year, and it was time to give it more life to it. I quickly whipped up a nice choker to go with her dress. During March, I decided to dye the dressing using good old turmeric for a nice bright yellow.
Normally I would boil the vinegar in a small pot, I find it easier and less time consuming using a microwavable container for smaller items such as doll clothing. All I have to do is pop it in the microwave for 40 sec, and let the outfit it in the vinegar for 5 minutes for it to absorb.
So it went over the 5 min mark, can't work on an empty stomach. I add a pinch or two of turmeric into the vinegar. Those who are interested in natural dyes, turmeric produces a nice canary yellow color. Longer you let it sit in the dye, the brighter it gets. This outfit I wanted a mellow yellow instead of a bright yellow.
It's a bit bright right now. Once I give it a rinse with cold water (not hot!) it will mellow out. I want it to sit for a little bit for the dye to do its thing before rinsing it off. After a minute or to two of, I gently rinsed it with cool water. Warm water will fad the color. That being been said and done, pat dry between two junky towels, and let it air dry flat, or you can use iron to speed the process up and set the color all at once. I didn't this time around.
Normally I would boil the vinegar in a small pot, I find it easier and less time consuming using a microwavable container for smaller items such as doll clothing. All I have to do is pop it in the microwave for 40 sec, and let the outfit it in the vinegar for 5 minutes for it to absorb.
So it went over the 5 min mark, can't work on an empty stomach. I add a pinch or two of turmeric into the vinegar. Those who are interested in natural dyes, turmeric produces a nice canary yellow color. Longer you let it sit in the dye, the brighter it gets. This outfit I wanted a mellow yellow instead of a bright yellow.
It's a bit bright right now. Once I give it a rinse with cold water (not hot!) it will mellow out. I want it to sit for a little bit for the dye to do its thing before rinsing it off. After a minute or to two of, I gently rinsed it with cool water. Warm water will fad the color. That being been said and done, pat dry between two junky towels, and let it air dry flat, or you can use iron to speed the process up and set the color all at once. I didn't this time around.
Next day I set the color using the iron. Phew! The long part is
done. Fun part is embellishing it with pretty glass beads. I already
sewn a white glass pearl in the back for a button. Still debating if I should
add another one or not.
Mei's dress is done. I added pastel beads to her
choker, and did a beaded flower on the front part of her straps. Of course those aren't shown in the photo below. And yes that is the same necklace from her other outfit. Versatile don't you think?
I wanted to share this with everyone. I came up with something that
might help others for creating jewelry or accessories. Since Mori girls
love nature, I used the four basic metals used in jewelry making, and
added themes and bead colors to represent each season.
Spring
Metal: gold for sunshine.
Charms: flowers, birds, rabbits/bunnies, or trees.
Beads: spring colors, pastels.
Metal: gold for sunshine.
Charms: flowers, birds, rabbits/bunnies, or trees.
Beads: spring colors, pastels.
Summer
Metal: Brass or bronze for warmth.
Charms: bees, dragonflies, birds, trees, sun, or flowers.
Beads: warm colors or cool colors.
Metal: Brass or bronze for warmth.
Charms: bees, dragonflies, birds, trees, sun, or flowers.
Beads: warm colors or cool colors.
Autumn
Metal: Copper to match the changing of leaves.
Charms: Leaves, acorns, feathers, trees, animals.
Beads: Earth tone, and fall colors
Metal: Copper to match the changing of leaves.
Charms: Leaves, acorns, feathers, trees, animals.
Beads: Earth tone, and fall colors
Winter
Metal: Silver for cold, snow, and ice.
Charms: Snowflakes.
Beads: white, blues, grays
Metal: Silver for cold, snow, and ice.
Charms: Snowflakes.
Beads: white, blues, grays