Search Box
Custom Search
This is Eglentyne

 

I am Dani Smith, sometimes known as Eglentyne.  This blog is one of my hobbies.  I also knit, sew, run, parent, cook, eat, read, and write fiction.  I have too many hobbies and don't sleep enough.

The title up there makes it sound like this is a knitting blog.  And it is.  Sometimes.  Mostly I talk about whatever is on my mind, and since I'm a knitter, knitting is sometimes on my mind.  When I can find my mind, scattered among three children, a spouse, some tropical fish, and a creepy frog.   

Books are frequently on my mind.  Almost all of the books I mention on this site come from my local library because 1) I love my local library and its smart librarians, and 2) I don't have enough money to feed my reading habit (or the insatiable reading habit of the three Sonars) with purchased books.  If the books come from another source, I'll let you know.  

I put together the images and the words on these pages with thoughtfulness and love.  If you would like to quote small passages, please feel free to do so as long as you attribute them to me and link back to this site.  If you would like to repost large sections or whole posts, please contact me for permission and verification.  I can be reached via Twitter (@eglentyne) or by email (eglentyne at gmail dot com).  Thank you for respecting my intellectual property and for promoting the free-flow of information and ideas.  If you're not respecting intellectual property, then you're stealing.  Don't be a stealer.  Steelers are ok sometimes, but I really don't like thieves.  

What Am I Doing?

 

Tweet tweet

Twitter Updates

    follow me on Twitter
    Currently Reading
    Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog
    Recently Read
    Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog
    Advertisment

    AbeBooks Generic Banner 180x150

    Entries in Sewing (2)

    Wednesday
    12Aug2009

    T-shirt pants

    I made a few pairs of these t-shirt pants a while back, following 24 Blackbird's very cool tutorial.  We didn't have the right size shirts to get some pants on Sonar X6 though.  This week, we have been gifted with some freshly handed down t-shirts in just the right size.  On the back (not pictured) there's a tennis camp logo.  

    These pants are so clever.

    Friday
    07Aug2009

    A Poppet for a Friend

    Hunting around for a birthday gift for a Sonar-friend, I found reference to something called a Poppet, on the Craftster forums.  I am a Craftster novice, and had never heard of such a thing as a Poppet.  Apparently I've been missing out because the Ghilie's Poppet pattern has been something of a Craftster phenomenon since 2007.  At any rate, it's a great pattern, for a doll with cat-ears and tail, as well as movable arms and legs.  The pattern reminded me of the book Cat Kid: I'm No Fraidy Cat by Brian James and illustrated by Ned Woodman and I decided I had to make one.  

    The Cat Kid of book fame is a bit more grey and pinkish, but Sonar X6 decided we should make a red one. The body is made from a fabric store remnant of nubby bathrobe fabric.  Her hair is wefted from bits of the yarn I used to make the Partner sweater last summer, with some white angora for highlights. Her eyes are chibi-style and made with layers of craft felt and bits of embroidery.  All of her clothing is made from scraps of other projects.  The patterns for the clothing were all inspired by Craftewoman's awesome Poppet clothing patterns, modified to fit this particular poppet. 

    I haven't made very many dolls, and this was by far the most complicated, but it was also a lot of fun.  I hope the birthday kid likes it. And many thanks to Ghilie and Craftewoman for sharing their patterns.