Q.D. Patooties

Nippy, Tippy and Zippy Headed to Gallery Hanahou for the Luv-able and Hug-able Show

2009-11-09T09:40:00.001-08:00

Pocket Protectors -- Nippy, Tippy and Zippy
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Here are three more that are headed to Gallery Hanahou's Luv-able and Hug-able show. The theme of the show is "Mediums and Minis" and these are my minis. I never thought I could sew this small. These little guys measure 3.5", are made of wool felt, and come inside a plastic Pocket Protector. Of course, they would probably only lick your enemy to death but hey, that's one form of protection!

Dandy Lion Headed to Luv-able and Hug-able

2009-11-08T13:40:00.001-08:00

Dandy Lion Headed to Luv-able and Hug-able
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Dinnah Belle Headed to Luv-able and Hug-able
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Dandy Lion, Dinnah Belle and friends will be headed to the Luv-able and Hug-able show at the Hanahou Gallery in NYC. The theme for this year's show is Medium and Mini.

Luv-able and Hug-able Show Coming to Gallery Hanahou!

2009-10-27T15:11:00.001-07:00

Luv-able and Hug-able Show Coming to Gallery Hanahou!
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Everyone in my family is sick right now. I was trying to stay healthy but then came down with Strep throat today.

Anyway, I'm quietly working on my softies for the Luv-able and Hug-able show. It's coming up sooner than you think! The Press Release just went out today!

Luv-able and Hug-able
New 2009 theme: medium and mini!

December 3 - January 9
Opening party: Dec 3, 6-9 pm RSVP info@galleryhanahou.com

gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC / galleryhanahou.com
extended holiday hours Mon-Sat: 12 - 6 pm

FREE Patterns for the Twofers!

2009-10-06T11:00:00.001-07:00

Meet the Twofers!
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

We got Yella Belly Twofer, the Chihuahua, and his 3rd cousin twice removed Blue Bunny Twofer, er, the rabbit. Wanna know how they're related? Same pattern with a twist. Or a flip for that matter. I was scrounging through my pattern box and I always draw faces on my patterns to "jog" my memory of what I had originally "envisioned" because truthfully, sometimes I draw a dozen or so at a time and just toss them in a box for later. Anyway, I saw this bunny and I thought, wow, that's weird. I didn't draw a face on this little guy. And when I flipped him over, there was my crazy little Chihuahua's face. So, that's how "Twofer" came about. 'Cause with one pattern, you get a twofer one...get it?

Now you can create your own set of Twofers by following the very FREE pattern that I've made up for you. The instructions are all printed on the pattern this time so just print it out and enjoy! And please remember, I'm sharing my own designs because I love Softies and the hobby so please no using my pattern for commercial purposes unless you get the "okay" from me first. I'd also appreciate a link back should you decide to make one or two for yourself!

Anyway, to make your own Twofers, click HERE!

Making Friends

2009-09-16T17:42:00.001-07:00

Making Friends
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

See? I have been working on stuff. Now finishing stuff? If that were only possible...

It seems my real girls have had a rocky start the first two weeks of school Last week, they just couldn't seem to decide on what bus they would ride on and seriously, the bus number changed three times the first week. On one occasion, I had the bus driver call me at home to ask if the twins were with me! I politely replied, "Well, they are supposed to be with you!" I was kind of upset by this considering they did lose my twins on the first day of school last year and the arrived home in tears two hours later than they were scheduled.

With that resolved, we moved on from transportation problems to teacher problems as I received notes home for two out of the three girls. Unfortunately, they were not "happy" notes but notes of concern. I always thought my girls were pretty good but it seems like the twins have a little bit of separation anxiety, i.e. bawling hysterically for mommy, and the first grader can't seem to follow directions or pay attention so I've kind of been pulling my hair out.

I swear that I WILL get around to doing SOMETHING softie related so please don't give up on me. And hopefully, just hopefully I will get to finish something or I'd settle for ANYTHING during the third week of school!

Send happy thoughts my way...

Work In Progress and YEAH, It's September!

2009-09-01T16:10:00.001-07:00

Work In Progress as of 09/01, originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS.

I can't believe how quickly this year has passed. Just one week from today I will be standing at the end of the driveway with my three little girls waiting for the big yellow school bus to come by and pick them up. *sigh* There's a bit of sadness there as I know I will soon be losing my cool factor as well as my sanity trying to keep up with field trips, and homework and who's lunchbox smells the most like a candidate for just tossing it out instead of trying to clean it for the umpteenth time.

The picture you see is stuff hanging around waiting to get, er, stuffed? Roquefort hates unfinished projects just as much as I do. He's been shoveling coffee down my throat to get me to finish off some of this stuff. GAH!

Roquefort Rollins, Mouse Trap Security Guard

2009-08-27T07:01:00.001-07:00

Roquefort Rollins, Mouse Trap Security Guard, originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS.

Roquefort Rollins has acted as a Mouse Trap Security Guard every since he can remember. Most monsters aspire to be good at scaring kids by hiding underneath their bed or in their closet. But Roquefort found a different calling and it all started with a growl in his stomach and a chunk of cheddar. Roquefort loves cheese or should I say LIVES for cheese. With a cup of strong java, he follows mice around from trap to trap and then sits there and talks them out of what their about to do by gruesomely describing the painful death they'll suffer if that trap should go off. Then, after they leave, he disables the trap and eats the cheese that was left out as a lure. The mice have never failed to lead him to the most delicious cheeses in town and he's never failed to talk them out of trying take it for themselves. Ah, it's a real chore of a job but somebody has to do it and that somebody is Roquefort Rollins, Mouse Trap Security Guard!

Look for the free pattern for Roquefort hopefully by this weekend!

WIP Monster

2009-08-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

WIP Monster, originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS.

Here's a little monster that I'm working on. When I crochet a new pattern, I usually have to do it twice. I just rough it out the first time and then the second time I crochet one, I go back and write down what I did! I don't like the yarn I used for this one as it SPLITS way too much when you're crocheting but the ease of the pattern is good so that's a plus. He's similar but not quite the same as "Rosefrom Dagrave" from last Halloween. When I get it all worked out, I will share the FREE crochet pattern with you so you can make some up. Now "Rosefrom" will have a buddy to hang out with and just in time for Halloween this year!

FREE Pattern for Igor Mousenstein

2009-08-25T07:38:00.001-07:00

Igor Mousenstein
Originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS

Igor Mousenstein's ancestors were once helpers in the infamous Dr. Quackenburg's laboratory (ah, you thought I was going to say Dr. Frankenstein, didn't you? tsk. tsk. shame on you for making assumptions). Coincidentally, Dr. Quackenburg also had an assistant named Igor who was not very imaginative so he ended up naming all the lab mice after him (Dr. Quackenburg was also broke -- he was so poor he couldn't afford lab rats so he had to scale it down a bit). So he could tell the lab mice apart during testing, Igor put rubberbands of different colors around their tails. Eventually, this led to their tails falling off and over time new mice were born without tails. But this mouse has a tale all his own that's for sure. Just ask him what was going on in that laboratory and he'll tell you. Make one for yourself and let him weave his own tale. You'll be glad you did!

To make an Igor Mousenstein of your very own, just click HERE! The pattern is free and all the instructions are written on the pattern. Have fun and enjoy!

P.S. I hate even having to add this part but please remember that all patterns provided on my blog are for personal use only. Please do not reprint them to sell or make creations from them to sell unless asking my permission first. Also, if you make something from the pattern and show it off to your friends, family, and people you meet on the street, please let them know where you found this pattern and many others. A little credit would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Ah, Now to Relax by the Fire

2009-08-24T07:26:00.001-07:00

Ah, Now to Relax by the Fire
Originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS

Well I thought last week was going to be SOoo easy and that with the girls at Vacation Bible School, I would get a lot of work done. Nope. Nada. Not so. I didn't even have time to blog. I eeked out this one little bunny, a head to another bunny and then a Softie I still have to put together which will hopefully be today. You really won't believe how much time is involved in taxing kids from here to there (or if you have kids, oh yeah, you will) and then trying to get your other work done in the meantime. I barely had time to get the bulletin done at church and it took me twice as long from typing it to printing it this week as it has the rest of the summer when they've just tagged along with me.

So the question remains, will I get anything done when they are actually in school? I hope so. I really hate to let you guys down and for me, making softies is a blast, so it would be a let down for me as well. Cross your fingers that I get everything ironed out the first week of school or two.

Thanks to all of you for sticking with me. Hopefully, I'll have more to show than a 2 1/2 inch bunny sometimes soon!

Simply Batty About Softies

2009-08-13T17:31:00.001-07:00

Simply Batty
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

All of my softies start with weird little drawings. Sometimes I just sit and literally draw on the computer or in a sketch book all day LONG. I love to draw and come up with kooky characters. But all of this requires peace and quiet and peace and quiet. Today I had none of that as the girls are getting bored, bored, BORED from staying home. I am looking forward to school for the peace and quiet but not looking forward to it as they'll bring home "germs" and "attitudes" from other kids. Seriously, some of the stuff they pick up from school is just downright scary.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to two doll shows coming up in September and October. Fall also brings in a flurry of flea markets and craft shows where I can find stuff to make softies or spread the joy of softies by telling everyone about the blog and the free patterns I offer.

Anyway, I guess I'll get back to being Batty or maybe just plain NUTS!

Inspiration Files - I Still Do It!

2009-08-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

I still have a thing where I "troll" vintage toys on E-bay and gain inspiration from them. I haven't made anything similar to this little guy yet but I just LOVE his kooky look! His little lopsided grin, his bug eyes, well, everything about him makes him just "perfect" in my book. I love mixing the Prim and the Anime and if I ever made anything like this little guy, it would be an equal combination of both styles.

So another busy day running to church, typing up the bulletins and then back to church to print out 75 or so for the weekend. My girls are all busy "helping" me when I'm there. My oldest has decided to sell her "artwork", the colorful pictures she draws, to help raise money for our Church's organ fund. Our organ is really on the fritz ( the electronics) and it needs to be fixed desperately. Years of trying to "fudge it" by using odds and ends have come to an end and we need to call in a professional. Sad but true is the fact that things don't last forever!

So back to doodling, crocheting and trying to think of some fun stuff for this fall. Thanks for sticking with me!

Stuffed, Vol. 1 SOLD OUT

2009-08-11T16:17:00.001-07:00

Stuffed, Vol. 1
Originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS

Yep, that's right folks. You read it here first. Okay, maybe you read it at the Stampington & Company website. The first issue of Stuffed: A Gathering of Softies is sold out meaning if you want your own copy you have to go to the secondary market to get one. So I guess E-bay.com or Etsy.com would deliver oh so page flippin' softie goodness your way.

I washed the vintage POLYESTER fabric I got at the thrift stores over the weekend. Vintage Polyester is really fabulous. Most of the pieces that I have owned rarely pill. Not like the new stuff that is some kind of blend that BURSTS into a great big ol' pill-y mess the first time you throw it in the dryer. YUCK.

Anyway, still hunting, gathering and thinking about softie goodness and everything I'm going to make once the kids get back in school. Hope you're keepin' cool too -- it was like 100 degrees here yesterday almost!

Gearing Up...

2009-08-10T16:24:00.001-07:00

Fabric Finds == Kitties, Owls, Flowers and Plaids
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

So I was out and about this weekend like a leetle squirrel (okay, a huge honkin' squirrel) gathering things to start making softies. I found new fabrics, vintage stuff, re-claimed vintage fabric and got a lot of ideas just staring at all my "finds."

The weekends are getting busier as we approach the new school year. I also did a LOT of school shopping as it was our TAX FREE weekend here in Virginia so we had to stock up on underwear and socks. Next weekend we have to go visit the kids Great Grandmother. Then, we have vacation Bible School (ooo - maybe I'll get a pattern or something done that weekend) and a Birthday after that and then it's SCHOOL! Now I always tease about my kids being the "twinadoes" and the "tritods" or whatever I call them but I'll really miss them when they go to school, especially the twins.

Anyway, so hopefully there will be something made out of these super cool fabrics sometime soon! Until then, I'm back to "gathering"...

Where I Work...

2009-08-07T14:25:00.001-07:00

Where I Work...
Originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS

This is a rare glimpse of my studio when it was clean like ugh, five years ago or so. Seriously, it hasn't been that neat since this picture was taken. Now, it's piled high with even MORE fabric, MORE books, MORE patterns, MORE supplies and a few Blythe dolls who hang out in there as well.

I was just cleaning it today and came across this picture and thought, wow, now that was CLEAN. The only things I've added since this picture was taken is a new Viking machine that I'm FINALLY going to force myself to use (I depend on my old one -- it's so great) and another OTT lamp that fits on the desk.

And that's about it in a nutshell. This is where this elf likes to work her elfin magic on all the fabric you see in the background. Most of it is too long for what I do now but that's okay. I might go back to making big bears one day you never know!

Rosefrom Dagrave

2009-08-06T15:58:00.001-07:00

Rosefrom Dagrave
Originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS

I guess I should add some more links to all this stuff. You know, I have a TON of FREE craft patterns on this Blog and I don't have links to all of them because a lot of them are seasonal. Someone asked earlier today if I still had the Felt Pressed Ornaments on here. Yep, I do. If you do a search for them, they will pop up. But I will see what I can do about making it easier for you guys to find things in the coming weeks. Especially with the holiday crafting season coming up and the fact that some of us need to start as early as possible.

Remember Rosefrom Dagrave form last fall? He was filed among the many posts here almost never to be seen again until I thought about him today and about turning him into a sewing project. A reader requested "creepy cute" and he automatically popped into my head. If you want to enjoy his FREE crochet pattern here it is: http://qdpatooties.blogspot.com/2008/10/goodbye-september-and-good-riddance.html. If you want that in a sewing pattern, it won't be too long. Maybe in the next two weeks when the girls go to Vacation Bible school and I have 2 1/2 whole hours to myself a day! Woohoo!

Screamin' Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi's

2009-08-05T15:25:00.001-07:00

Screamin' Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi's
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

I've been going through my digital doodles and looking at things I sketched out last year but never got around to making. I also had a few ideas pop into my head over the past couple of days that I quickly jotted down. I'm not sure where my ideas actually come from but most of them are weird and most of them are sparked from something I hear someone say that I think is funny. Then, I sketch it out to see if I'm still amused. And if I am, then it becomes a softie.

So yeah, pretty much still thinking about fall related stuff, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I guess I have to throw some general type softies in there too as well as some quick to make craft items. Of course, nothing will be difficult because I'm all about easy. I have the same approach to cooking. If the recipe calls for more than 5 ingredients, I'm not making it!

Big Woop, We're Back on Flickr!

2009-08-04T16:32:00.001-07:00

Big Woop!
Originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS

Well, I chose Big Woop here to tell you guys that we started a new account on Flickr just for my Softies. I'd been trying to manage with one account but the Blythe dolls took over! So I decided it would be best to split it apart and to keep this new account strictly full of my "creations."

Anyway, that took me a good part of the day. The other half of the day I wen to church to help. Yep, still doing that and I really enjoy it. It's a pretty cool old building and I learn something new about it every time I visit.

So our new address on Flickr is: http://www.flickr.com/q-d-patooties. You can mark it if you like and if you add me as a contact then I'll add you back! If you have a group there and invite me to join, well, I'd love that too!

Thanks to all of you for your support! Hope you're having a good one!

Fabric Purchases This Past Weekend

2009-08-03T15:14:00.001-07:00

Fabric Purchases This Past Weekend
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Loverly, loverly, loverly. Although what is not to love about fabric is my question. So I got some plaids and some funky prints. I just love the red fabric with the black and white flowers. I think it's my favorite out of everything I got this weekend. Ooo. And then there is the wool felt. Wool felt is to die for really. It's a joy to work with and is so much nicer than the old acrylic felt I used to buy (okay, I still buy because I can't resist a deal either so if I see it on sale for a good price it's MINE!).

And what am I going to do with this fabric you may ask? Don't know yet. But what I do know is my girls go to Vacation Bible School it two weeks so I have exactly that amount of time to DIG OUT my sewing machine so I have time to play while they are in school. Peace and quiet is what I need to work.

Did I tell you my husband brought home a job application. Pffftt. Raspberries to him. I told him today that the idea of me squeezing myself into dress clothes just so I can afford to go on vacation did not appeal to me in the least. Plus, missing out on all my girls field trips and school events would just about break my heart! I think I can forego a lifetime of vacations just to see them grow up, get on and off the school bus and take trips with them to every museum and pumpkin farm in a 50 mile radius!

Hot Diggity Dog!

2009-08-02T18:01:00.001-07:00

Hot Diggity Dog!
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

I finally got OUT of the house to do a little thrift-ing and a little fabric shopping. I found some great vintage polyester for perhaps some future softies and some gorgeous print fabric for a little project I am working on at the moment.

We also shopped for school supplies this weekend. Wow. School supply lists sure have changed since I was a kid. They have everything on there from two changes of clothes to hand sanitizer to boxes of Kleenex to Rolls of Paper towels to you name it. I swear I thought at one point we were going to have to supply the teacher as well but thankfully our school district at least took care of that for us. I can't wait to meet them as the twins will be in class together this year. So everyone think "happy thoughts" for that teacher especially. She's got a force to be reckoned with when dealing with the "twinadoes."

And we had our Church's Anniversary/Homecoming today which was nice but TONS of people. I'm really not a great "crowd" person so it will be nice to go back to the "norm" next week.

Hope all is well in your world and I'll show off my fabric finds tomorrow.

Seriously, What Happened to July?

2009-08-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

This year has flown by for me. I swear, the last thing I remember it seems like I was putting away my Christmas tree and here it is August and stores have Christmas stuff out already. Well, the craft stores at least. What happened to Halloween. Both sewing stores I visited recently had only a handful of fabric for Halloween but shelves and shelves of fabric for Christmas. Is it too late to craft for Halloween?

I really miss when I was a kid and I used to think how SLOWLY time passed. It seemed like FOREVER from the time school started until Thanksgiving and then it seemed like FOREVER from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

At this point, I guess I'll look forward to Valentine's Day and Easter because that stuff will be in the stores before you know it!

Can You Do a Rain Dance?

2009-07-31T17:02:00.001-07:00

Black-Eyed Susan
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Seriously, all of my flowers are just about gone now because of a drought in our area. It has been so DRY and hot and I know I've rambled on before how much I HATE hot weather. It really blocks my creative juices when every pour of my body is oozing sweat. I know I have air conditioning but I still usually have to go outside to take pictures and WOW that's like walking out into an oven.

I actually did get some work done today but I won't be able to show or talk about it for a while so I'll just button my lip before I let the cat out of the bag. So when I am finished with this little project, and through Vacation Bible School, and school shopping (whooopppieee!), maybe I can get back to what I really do which is making up weird patterns and funky crafts.

Did I tell you the hubby brought home a job application for me today? Should I go back to working for the Federal Government doing statistics again? Talk about killing my creativity! Sheesh!

Tsk. Tsk. I Should Make Some Clothes Too!

2009-07-30T17:11:00.001-07:00

Eloise, Raisin Hell?
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Isn't this just the saddest thing you've ever seen? Poor girl reduced to wearing a cast-off raisin box because of my inability to schedule in some sewing time for my dolls. Softies, dolls, clothes, bears...they are all so important that they all should get equal billing don't you think?

So today I spent the day cleaning because I haven't been at home much to do the things necessary to keep the house in order like ugh, laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc. I even had to bribe my kids to help. So tomorrow morning I guess we head out to McDonalds for a pancake Happy Meal.

Unfortunately, we can't hit the Walmart Fabric department on the way because they just closed ours down. I know I shouldn't be whining because we had ours a full 2 years after everyone else lost theirs but it is still a bummer.

Off to catch some zzzzz's....

And On the Side...

2009-07-29T17:26:00.001-07:00

St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Owens, VA Est. 1644
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

I've been working at my church as a "fill in secretary" three days every week. Our own secretary, who has been there over 40 years (yep, you read that right), was in a car accident and had to go to a nursing home for a while for physical therapy. Meanwhile, I've been answering phones, typing and printing the Church bulletins for Sunday Service and arguing with the Laserjet Printers over just who is in charge! So far, I'm winning but it's been touch and go...

This weekend is our biggest event of the year (besides Christmas and Easter). It's our homecoming day to celebrate the Anniversary of our Church. St. Pauls was established in 1644 and is built in the shape of a Greek Orthodox Cross. It's quite lovely in my humble opinion.

Anyway, if you're wondering why I started Blogging again but still not much crafting that's the reason. I will be getting started soon hopefully. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

And I Make Weird Things Too...

2009-07-28T17:47:00.001-07:00

And I Make Weird Things Too...
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

I would love to make some more of my weird pumpkin dolls and other vintage-y Holiday goodies. I'm not sure if they are going to be this detailed again. Seriously, this was a lot of work believe it or not. The one above, named Millie, is 5-way jointed, has wired arms so she can hold things, 4 coats of paint on her head including a crackle coat, well, you get the drift. Just a long, long process.

Anyway, I'm still trying to get a handle on what my schedule will be like this fall when the girls go back to school. I'm also going to try to make a list of what I want to make and if I want to make several things or just concentrate on one. I think that's one of my problems. I want to make TOO many things! So I end up with tons of UFO's laying around and nothing to show!

Well, except a weird pumpkin doll or two maybe!