#skill progression

I actually finished a Grand Prix! I survived, dammit! I didn't win but I survived it finally!

Good morning!

I hope everyone celebrating Christmas yesterday had a pleasant time! Happy Boxing Day to all celebrating today!

Thanks to everyone who listened to my many Christmas videos yesterday! It was fun sharing so many in one day! Here are the links for anyone who missed them. Any doubles you see on this list are different arrangements.*

What Child is This- November 2020

The Holly and the Ivy- December 2020

In The Bleak Midwinter- December 2020

Once In Royal David’s City- December 2020

Sleeper’s Awake- January 2021

Christmas at Kinloch- December 2021

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring- December 2021

O Holy Night- December 2021

The First Noel- December 2022

We Three Kings- December 2022

The Holly and the Ivy- December 2022

O Come O Come Emmanuel- December 2022

Greensleeves- December 2022

Between now and the 31st, I’ll be sharing all the pieces I recorded in 2021. Stay tuned for those!

I originally learned how to knit several years ago in middle school, but I only ever learned how to knit stitch, and by extension, garter stitch.

I decided that in 2023 I wanted to pick up knitting again as a hobby, and to actually try to learn the craft. It's been a few months and I think I've succeeded thus far.

I've mastered the purl stitch and knitting on straight needles, as well as making hats on circulars and DPNs.

I've been ad-libbing a lot of my patterns because I don't know enough of the abbreviations yet to read some patterns, and I also don't have all of my needle sizes yet to practice gauges.

Attached are some pictures of hats, scarves and a blanket I've made/am making.

My goal is to make a pair of socks and a pair of mittens by the end of this year. I do want to learn how to crochet at some point, but baby steps.

Knitting these past few months has given me such a new perspective and indescribable joy from turning something that would otherwise remain as yarn into something someone can use. It's the perfect hobby for me and after so many years of feeling like I can't do anything creative, I've finally found something I love.

If you stuck around, thanks for reading. I love scrolling through the fiber crafts tag on tumblr and wanted to contribute.

I'm happy to answer questions about my materials or my process if people have them.

In progress blanket. Lionbrand Cover Story (Art. #533) Jumbo weight yarn on US11/8mm, 40" circular needles.

Lionbrand Wool Ease Seaglass Super Bulky yarn on US 11/8mm 16" circular needles.

Lionbrand Wool Ease Raisin Super Bulky yarn on US 11/8mm 10" straight needles.

2 & 1/2 year difference redraw! Have some somft analogical cheek kisses💛💛💛

2017 vs 2016, i guess i kinda improved my skill, but my love for Frida is constant <3

A definite progression! First picture: My very first doll, with factory paint.  Second pic: My VERY FIRST (and super-awful, clumsy) attempt at a repaint of said doll. Ugh, it looks soooo bad to me, now. I tried using acrylic paints-- mistake! 

Third pic: Same doll, attempt number two. A much better try, this time with just watercolor pencils and chalk pastels, but still severely lacking.

Fourth and fifth pics: The same doll AGAIN. Much better this time. Still primitive, but obviously I leveled up or something between tries number two and three because she looks a lot better.

Sixth pic: My most recent repaint. I feel like I’ve come pretty far since that first attempt (and I’ve gotten a bit better at doll photography, too)!  So, if you’re new to repainting and don’t like how your dolls are coming out: NEVER FEAR. YOU CAN IMPROVE! A few helpful tips: -Don’t start with acrylic paint. It’s VERY difficult to use well, especially if you’re new to this. Start with watercolor pencils and chalk pastels-- they’re much easier to “control”, and if you think of it like putting on makeup (which is basically what blushing and putting on the eyeshadow is like) it seems much easier. -DON’T be afraid to start over. And over. And over! Get a cheap doll on sale (or buy used dolls on eBay) and wipe them down over and over again. It’s great practice (and if you’re using a less-than-perfect doll, you won’t feel so bad about “messing it up”. I have a drawer full of one-armed, gnarly-haired or otherwise fugly dolls just for practice). -Watch tutorials on YouTube. They really help a lot! Just seeing how other people work can be helpful even if you don’t follow their methods exactly. -Ask questions! Lots of repainters are happy to share their wisdom. 

-Remember that everyone has their own methods-- there’s no one “right” way to do it.  -Use good sealant. Mr. Superclear Flat UV Cut is usually available on eBay for a fair price. It’s the best one I’ve used. Testor’s Dullcote can also work, but I find it takes a bit longer to dry and doesn’t take color quite as smoothly.

-DON’T WORRY IF YOU THINK YOU SUCK AT DRAWING. I suck at drawing. I can’t draw a picture to save my life. So yes, the hardest part of a repaint for me is always drawing in the eyes and brows-- but the rest, like I said, is more like putting makeup on a very small person than like drawing or painting. Watching makeup tutorials can even be helpful, especially if they talk about contouring or highlighting or how/where to apply blush. MH dolls have very definite face shapes and features that a human being would have, like high cheekbones on one doll or deep-set eyes on another, and you can apply what you learn about human faces to them.