Whether I'm painting, quilting, or spinning,  I'm always looking for inspiration... and here it is!
OK, so it's no secret that autumn is my favorite time of year... and mostly because the of the amazing show the garden puts on just as it nears the end.

This week was the first chance I had to catch it on camera. As I let the dogs out one morning, I noticed the sun coming through the red maple leaves which already have such a beautiful color palette of dark reds and purples. But when the sun comes through them you get a whole other experience of olives and golden tones.


Then there was the peppermint. It gets these cute purple flowers on the end of vine like stalks, which normally hold dark green leaves, but now are beginning to turn pink with touches of yellow!

  

The miniature pink roses are actually still in bloom, but have begun to show these pumpkin like "hips" that are perfectly suited for the season. This crazy ornamental grass just showed up in my garden this year(I think it blew in from the neighbors yard), but it's a great fit. And with it's purple plumes on blue-green stalks, it has a subtle cool palette that I can't resist!

 

Petra: the mummy

Adorable and undead, Petra was my surprise Halloween project last year... and now she's back, available as a pattern in my Halloween collection (etsy shop, ravelry shop, craftsy shop)! And by popular demand, she comes with instructions for both a knit version of her hair, and a crochet version! 
Are you making Petra?Join us on Ravelry: CALwithDawnToussaint

the creative process

Since I've been away for a while, I thought it was only fair to share what I've been up to... some of it anyway ;D
So as I work through my latest project, I'm going to bring you along. This project is a valentines bunny that I've envisioned in a classic, vintage, and even a little french inspired look. Rather than waiting until it's done, I thought I'd provide updates as I go... so let's get started!

1/22/2013: Sometimes I begin with a sketch, but this time I began with the wool. I had recently purchased a lot of random wool, and so I got in there to investigate. When I saw all the variation in color and texture I thought about a soft bunny, and the special nature of hand spun wool. What I always loved about hand spun is not when it's perfect, but when you can really tell that it's hand spun. The thicks and thin, and silky mixed with fluffy, what would make a better bunny. So I pull out the mix I think will embody those characteristics, weigh it up, and get carding. 

1/26/2013: Next step is spinning. I have a ladybug spinning wheel, and I have been known to lose myself spending a few hours spinning. But don't get me wrong, the repetitive motion can take it's toll and I've had to declare self imposed bans on spinning (and sometimes knitting and crocheting too) from time to time. In this case, I needed to spend a few hours to spin the single ply. And since I want to create a strong, quality item, I've decided to spin my singles thin and ply them together for a 2 ply wool. Once it's plied, I'll soak the yarn so it can bloom, and set the twist.

1/26/2013: While waiting for the yarn to dry, I can work on other things; like choosing fabrics and working out the dress pattern on paper. I usually work out as much as I can from existing or estimated measurements, and then make adjustments once the final doll is done. For this one I'm choosing some french prints in florals and toile, and rich rose and olive tones.

2/3/2013: With the yarn plied and set, it's time to get the hook out. I start by crocheting the ears and arms of my bunnies so that they're ready to attach when I need them. I'm really enjoying the way the variation in the yarn is working out, both in the color and the texture. 

2/7/2013: With the exception of the foot bottom, my bunny's all pieced together and ready for stuffing. I use a combination of bamboo and polyfil stuffing, and whatever yarn and fabric scraps I happen to have around. The polyfil gives the spongy quality, while the bamboo and scraps give the firmer texture you want in the bottom and feet. The stuffing tool is great for this type of work since I work the doll in one piece and stuff the entire body through the legs!

2/9/2013: And with my bunny stuffed, I'm ready to complete her feet. Usually I like to cap off the feet with a coordinated fabric to match the dress; but I'm loving the wool so much that I've decided to wet felt 2 small pieces and use them to create the soles of her feet. It's not too difficult, if you have some roving or carded fiber, just layer the fiber out in thin perpendicular layers. Use a spray bottle to wet it down with warm soapy water, then message it into a flat sheet of felt with a gloved hand or another smooth item (I sometimes use a smooth river rock). In the detail phase, I'll most likely embroider in some toes since her feet are a little bare.

2/14/2013: So from fluff to finished, here she is! I pieced the skirt together from 2 inch strips of that awesome moda fabric you saw in the beginning of the post, and then decided to make a dark burgundy ruffle trim to set it off. Serging and stitching all the edges as I went, I used the same burgundy for straps and the waist band that ties the back together in a bow. Then I picked out some gorgeous glass eyes in a rose tint, and set them over a camel colored felt. I embroidered her nose and freckles in a dark brown, and her knees and toes in the cream colored hand spun I used for the rest of her body.

You can check out some more pics in my etsy shop where she'll be listed for sale, so stop by and let me know what you think!

Thanks for following along ;D
Dawn.

the holidays are over!

Wow, the holidays were CRAZY busy... and I'm sure I'm not the only one. But They are finally past and now to look ahead to 2012!
So, as some of you know, I have become addicted to spinning! I got some amazing alpaca fiber for Christmas and I just haven't been able to put it down. So what that means for you? Well, new dolls and kits featuring my very own hand spun wool of course! Right now I'm working on a lovely kit that not only has the supplies to make a beautiful doll, but also includes a handmade project bag and lavender sachet to protect that ooak creation you'll be working on ;D

But in order to do all this I need to clear some space in my workshop... so for all of you who have been asking "when will I see more FO's in the shop?" The answer is today! If you follow me on twitter than you've probably already seen that Mia and Libby are up for sale in my shop! But what you don't know is that I will be listing a few more of my stock every day over the next few weeks. So if your interested in getting your hands on one of my own personal favorites (and at a discount I might add) just keep an eye on the etsy shop!
Thanks as always, and happy new year!
Dawn.

Petra: my halloween mystery project

If you've joined our ravelry group, then you may have seen the beginnings of my latest project... you may have even tried to guess what she was going to be.
Well, I've finished her just in time to keep my jack-o-lanterns company this Halloween! And here she is: Petra the mummy! She's not the conventional mummy, but that's OK... She'll happily take her place along side my wolfboy, pumpkin witch, scarecrow bear, and kitty noir in the Halloween collection (pattern to be available in the near future). Find more pics on her ravelry project page ;D

Ami of the month: May

Bonjour Cosette!
She's this month's FO... featuring the most lovely handspun yarn I picked up at YarnParty2011 from Mid Valley Fibers. As a matter of fact it was the yarn that inspired the doll. I love this colorway called "Sunset over water", and I had a great time matching the fabrics in her apron skirt! To me she looks like blue skies and sunshine ;D
You can see more in my etsy shop!

May CAL: it's Neila the koala

Well it's that time again! Time to CAL with us on ravelry, and this CAL brings us Neila the little koala... suggested by one of our CAL members, and I couldn't resist! I've never seen a koala in person, but that's never stopped me before ;D
For mine, I decided to paint the hands and feet, and even a little bit of the ears for some added interest... but I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Grab up your free pattern today and join us on ravelry, group name: CALwithDawnToussaint

Meet Amelie

Many of you out there asked for an all crochet version of my little Aubrey, and here she is! Amelie also wears an adorable little crochet sweater dress that's removable. She's just the latest in my "ready to wear" collection.

It took me a while to work out just the right combination of features, so thanks to all of you for your patience... She's a great pattern to start with if you're new to ami's, or if you just need something to work up as a quick gift!

Enjoy ;D

February CAL???

Well, now that the holiday hustle is over... I'm thinking about our next CAL ;D
Of course February means Valentines day (at least it does in my house) so I automatically started thinking of love birds, puppy love, and all that stuff. But maybe your not into Valentine's mushiness? So I want to hear from you! What do you want to see in our next CAL?

BTW: I've opened it up on the ravelry group too... join us over there for more about our next CAL!

Aubrey: the pattern

Well I first want to thank everyone for all their kind comments on Aubrey, my latest creation. It was because of all your compliments that I have decided to offer the pattern in my ravelry and etsy shops!

If you haven't seen her yet, you're in for a surprise... not only does she have removable clothes, she has hair that buttons on! That's right, dress up time is taken to another level. Right now she is the only one of the prete a porte collection to have removable hair, but I have a feeling it won't be long before there are some more. And before you ask, yes I am working on an all crochet version as well!

So thanks again for your comments and questions... I love to hear your thoughts, so let me know what you'd like to see next in my shop!

Ask and receive...

So "a pattern a week" is still on, and I am having a blast, but now is your chance to get involved... Here's the deal: suggest a pattern, if I make it you get a copy for FREE! You can suggest it here, or on Twitter (@dawntoussaint).

Rules and stuff:
Since multiple people may suggest the same thing, the first suggestor will get the pattern. And since there will only be one winner per pattern, make sure to take a look through the blogs and tweets to make an original suggestion (giving you the best chance of winning a pattern!) I'll announce all suggestions and winners here and on Twitter, and I'll contact you for email address or ravelry username to gift pattern.

Deal ends on July 31, so get thinkin' ;D
Thanks, Dawn.

UPDATES:
first pattern winner: Panda entered by Seelenfein (7/2)! Tilly the panda pattern now available on etsy

second pattern winner: Lamb entered by Mary Heather (7/9)! "Not enough good lamb patterns out there!" Thanks so much for your awesome suggestion ;D

third pattern winner: Basset hound pup entered by Simone (7/16)! I may have to take a few liberties with this one but I'm up for the challenge... thanks again for all the great suggestions ;D

fourth pattern winner: Lion entered by oOoCarinaoOo from twitter (7/23)! A few people submitted a lion suggestion, but oOoCarinaoOo was the first ;D

fifth (and final) pattern winner: Turtle entered by Brandi(and daughters)(7/31)! I hope all your girls will enjoy their very own turtle ;D

Well, that brings us to the end of this adventure! And I don't know about you all, but I had a great time hearing all your thoughts and suggestions... Be sure to come back and check out all the patterns when they're complete, and as always feel free to join the conversation!
Thanks again all ;D

Ami wants a new pair of shoes...

So it's been on my mind for a while, if my ami's can have removable sweaters, dresses, shorts, etc. then why not shoes? Well now they can! It took a little longer than I had hoped, but I've finally worked out the best shoe pattern for my ready to wear line. The first try you see here is for a custom order you can check out on my custom order blog... a casual sneaker for a recent grad. After some trimming and finishing touches I think it'll be a perfect match for her swim shorts and college t-shirt. I used a denim, backed with fusible interfacing and medium whale cord for the soles. The tongue and inside sole is lined with blue cotton, and hides all seams! This little pattern is so versatile, look forward to lots of variations. Pattern should be available in my etsy shop as early as next week!

New pattern: Lacy knit sweater seperate!

Looking for a new item in you ami wardrobe? Look no further, cause this week's pattern is a lovely knit cardigan fitting all the pretty amis in my ready to wear collection! This cute little number features a surprisingly simple lace pattern and one button closure. The body is knit on straight needles... and while I recommend the arms are knit onto the body using DPNs, they could be knit on straights, seamed and attached. You won't believe how quickly this knits up (I timed about 2 hours) so great for a last minute project, or a small distraction from a bigger project! Give it a try and let me know what you think ;D

New week, new pattern

Douglas the raccoon is ready for spring! The latest in my spring dumpling collection, this adorable scavenger would make a great addition to your fiber family. BTW: anyone out there interested in submitting a pattern idea? follow me on twitter (@dawntoussaint), tweet your suggestion, and if I make it I'll send you a copy for free!

Looking forward to hearing from you! ;D