Book Review- Steampunk Softies

Steampunk Softies is by the same authors as Zombie Felties, Sarah Skeate and Nicola Tedman.
Softies are a bit bigger than felties, but use a lot of the same techniques for construction, and can be hand sewn.
The book starts with an introduction to the materials that are used to construct the dolls, as well as some fantastic tutorials for aging and distressing the fabrics.
The dolls are just wonderful. Most stand about 6 inches high, and the props and construction methods are very clever. The materials are for the most part, very easy to find, and some of the supplies are things you might normally throw away. The diminutive scale of the dolls makes them perfect for small scraps of fabric and leather. Mini brads, scraps of leather, plastic from deli containers, beads, buttons and toy compasses are all used in the detail of these lovely little dolls.
The dolls themselves are fantastic. Fantastic in the literal sense that they are creative fantasies. A little undersea manikin  looks like he mutated or was genetically created to live in the water, Floyd Fastknight explores the world with a compass for an eye and a case of maps. Chasity Storm is dressed in a cloud of lace and has wings that are reminiscent of the very first airplanes.
All the patterns are in the back of the book and full size, you trace them from the book on to a sheet of paper to cut out the parts for the dolls. Some of the dolls are very simple, the biggest challenge is the scale. Some are a lot more complex. These are not playthings, they are lovely little works of art. The techniques and the accessories used in making them can inspire your own characters and creations very easily.
My son is a big steampunk fan, and he was absolutely charmed by this book. My daughter, who is the serious doll maker in the family loved the techniques and pattern ideas.
You can get this book directly from the publisher, Andrews McMeel Publishing You can get more information about my review policy here.

Ice Cream Mandala

It's National Ice Cream Month! Which means we are making ice cream this weekend. Another 300 dpi coloring page in transparent PNG format, so you can use it for digital scrapping. No commercial use please without permission. Otherwise, it can be used for any crafty purpose!

We are going to the Forest Fair in Girdwood. I'm bring my camera so I can get photos of the gorgeous drive out. Ice runs off the tops of the mountains to create tiny waterfalls, the inlet on one side and the mountains rising up on the other. It's incredible. There are usually people climbing rocks, and tourists stopping at every turn out because they just can't believe how gorgeous it is. Neither can I and when Michael and I were dating, he lived out there so we made the drive regularly.
There is a spot on the highway, where you can see the road passing through a valley, and when the sun hits it just right, it makes you think you are going into a wonderland. As a child who loved fantasy novels, I would imagine kingdoms and quests just the other side of those mountains. I love the drive almost as much as I love the fair.

Stars and Stripes Mandala Coloring Page

Usually I posted my coloring pages at 100 dpi even though I create them at 300 dpi. Here's one for you at 300 dpi in PNG format so you can use it for digital scrapbooking.  Click on the image for the full sized version. 

If you click the coloring page tag, you'll get the pages I've posted here. There are a few more at old home page here including a cute Statue of Liberty I drew for my daughter when she was about 7 and crazy about the statue.

Flower photos

Just a quick post to share some flower photos I took in June. All of these are size at 5x5 inches, 300 dpi, and you have my permission to use the photos in non-commercial projects. Click on the images to see them full sized. I'm really wild about how well the spiral in the button center of the daisy shows!