Polymer Clay Geisha

     I watched "Memoirs of a Geisha" the other day (one of my favorite movies) and was inspired with the colorful clothes and beautiful settings in the movie.  I instantly wanted to sculpt my own version of a geisha and after a clay doodle session, I came up with this:

     These were actually taken on a white piece of paper, but with the kids jumping around, I couldn't get the color settings just right.  This is close enough, though.  :)

     I named this geisha "Hatsumomo", not after the one in the movie (thank goodness, she wasn't the nicest person in the world), but because it means "first born" and "peach".  I found it fitting seeing as she was the first geisha I've ever made, and her head is most definitely round like a peach.  Hatsumomo is it!  She is 1.75" tall.

     She was made using Sculpey Studio polymer clay and Swarovski crystals.  After she was baked and cooled, I painted her face and obi and added just a touch of blush to her cheeks before signing the bottom (which I do with most of my polymer designs, though not all) and double-glazing her.

     Hatsumomo is going to be appearing in my Etsy shop.  That is, if the kids ever stop jumping on me!  :)

MaterniT21 Experience- Non-invasive Test for Trisomy 21, 18, and 13.

     As some of you may know, I'm pregnant with a baby due in August.  (If you didn't already know... surprise!)  This is baby number four for us and we've always been very lucky to never have any complications regarding pregnancy or birth.  This time around, though, my quad screen came up positive for a higher risk of Down Syndrome.  I didn't get the results until much later than I should have because there was a mixup at my doctor's office and numerous other little things that honestly just don't matter at this point.

     After explaining the meaning of the test results, we were referred to a genetic counselor.  I had done some research at home before going into the consultation.  I often call myself "Dr. Google", which is sometimes good... and sometimes not. :)   In this case, however, it was good to have a bit of information under my belt when I went in, so I was able to discuss things without being completely in the dark.

     As far as my situation, by the time I had the results of the quad screen, I was too far along for CVS, which is chorionic villus sampling.  For more information on CVS, click here.  I also did not want to do an amniocentesis. (Information on amniocentesis here.)  It was a personal decision, but I decided that I did not want to do any invasive procedures that might (even slightly) have the possibility of any kind of negative effect on the pregnancy.  Both of these tests are wonderful medical procedures, but to me, any risk (no matter how small) was too much for me to swallow... especially because it wouldn't have an effect on how I chose to proceed with the pregnancy.  I knew that it wouldn't change anything, and decided to look at the other options available.

    In my research, I had come across information regarding a new test that was non-invasive.  The new test was MaterniT21 and I wrote it down to ask the genetic counselor if it was available and how I would go about doing it.  I also decided to get a Level II ultrasound to look for soft markers.

    The new MaterniT21 test is a simple blood test.  They analyze your blood, which also has a small amount of the fetus's DNA as well.  They check the DNA for chromosomal abnormalities (in children affected by Down Syndrome, there will be an extra copy of chromosome 21), and the results from the test are supposed to be 99.1% accurate.  The really big benefit is that it is noninvasive, whereas an amniocentesis (requires taking a sample of amniotic fluid) or CVS (taking a sample of placental tissue) are invasive and carry a small risk of miscarriage or preterm labor.

     Going into the appointment, I was a little intimidated.  I didn't really know what to expect, but the counselor was extremely nice and understanding.  I told her the steps that I wanted to take and we agreed to work together on finding out whether or not this was something that I had to prepare for.  I had the Level II ultrasound that day.  It was about an hour-long ultrasound where they looked for soft markers, and I even got some pictures.  (My ultrasound tech was phenomenal.  Such a sweet lady.)  I received a box for the MaterniT21 test and was told to go in at my earliest convenience.  The hospital lab was already closed for the day, so I made plans to go in the following day. 

    Here is the box that I received.  I was told that opening it wasn't a big deal, but to leave the tubes and lab pouch intact.  I knew I wanted to do a blog post on the entire process, since I thought others might like to see it broken-down.  The pamphlet I was given is towards the end of this post as well.

MaterniT21 box

Inside flap.

Specimen pouch with vials and your patient slip.

Cold pack at bottom.



     When I went back to the hospital for the blood test, I brought the box with me and sat in the draw room.  Amazing how they all look exactly the same.

    

     The draw is a really quick one.  Thank goodness!

     And that was that.  The genetic counselor had told me that the results would be in in 8-10 business days, but there was a little bit of a delay getting them.  Not bad, though.  I had my results in 14 business days, but mine was the first MaterniT21 test that happened at this specific facility, so that might have something to do with the reason for the delay.  Still, I was given the results over the phone and I've got a follow-up ultrasound just to check growth progress.

    BTW, results were negative!  Growth so-far is great and it seems like this one is going to be as chunky as my other babies were.

    For more information on MaterniT21, you can check out the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine® website. 

     Here is the pamphlet I was given for the MaterniT21.  It may be able to help answer any questions you have.  My scanner couldn't get the whole thing, so I had to break each side into two photos.

And the other side:

     I hope this post helps you understand the test in a little more detail.  It was very exciting to me to find out about another non-invasive option (aside from an ultrasound).  This test was also completely covered by my insurance, and the company makes an effort to keep the cost of the test as low as possible if it is not completely covered by your insurance.

    I chose to take it to prepare ourselves if our baby ended up having Trisomy 21.  No matter your reasons for choosing or not choosing to take it, it is nice to know your options either way. 

Rainbow Sundress with Custom Polymer Buttons

     I love it when cute fabric goes on clearance!  I picked up this adorable rainbow fabric at Hancock Fabrics the last clearance event that they had and have been planning on making a sundress for Scarlett.  I had a specific sundress pattern in mind, but my idea for the dress changed at the last minute and I threw my plans out the window and just did my own thing. 

     Did some criss-cross straps in the back for added interest, as well as adding the rick-rack trim to the bottom hem of the dress.

     I think what changed my mind was that I really wanted to use my new clay cutters... and what better way than to make custom buttons?

           After sewing the dress together, I pulled out my Sculpey Premo clay, marble tile (GREAT for working with when you're using clay), and tools.  I wanted the entire button to be made of polymer, not an ounce of paint for coloring. 

     After being sculpted and before being baked:

"Rainbow" Button.

"Bird with Tree" Button.

     After they were sculpted and had their button holes, these were baked in the oven for 30 minutes.  Then quenched and cooled, sanded, and varnished.  After their second coat was dry, they were ready to be sewn on the dress. 

     Project complete!

    

Handmade Color-block Swarovski Crystal Phone Case

     My mom's birthday is coming up and she (much like me) is all about the "bling".  If it's shiny, we're all over it.  After some not-so-subtle questioning, I found that her favorite color was orange.  I had been wanting to try rhinestoning for awhile and decided to give it a shot... starting with her blinged-out birthday present.

     The end result is a color-block iPhone case (though the technique can be done on almost any kind of hard-plastic phone case).

     The inside of the phone case looks like this:

     Here's a quick tutorial on how it's done.  (It is super easy so it doesn't need a lot of explanation.) 

Supplies
Hard Plastic phone shell-  (I found mine on eBay)
E6000 glue
Rhinestone setting tool- (mine is a simple one with beeswax at the end to easily pick up and place the rhinestones)
Bead tray-  (not absolutely necessary, but a HUGE help.  I used 4 different ones to organize my different-sized rhinestones)
Flatback rhinestones- (for this case, I used ss5, ss9, ss12, and ss20)
Glue syringe for glue application
Paper, pen, and scissors for pattern


Supplies.  I also have a rhinestone color card in the upper-left, but that isn't necessary.



Step 1- Prep all of your materials.  I did one color at a time, so my bead trays had the different sizes of that color rhinestone all laid out to be easily accesssible.  If you want to do a color block pattern, trace your phone case on a piece of paper and cut it out.  Draw lines where you want your color separations to be.  Fill your glue syringe with E6000.  (If your E6000 is kind of old, it's easier to use a "fresher" tube.  The application is smoother that way.  The glue doesn't gunk up.)

Step 2- Start gluing!  There are several different ways to do this, and you just kind of have to experiment with your technique.  What I started off with was getting all of the "tight" areas done first with the tiny rhinestones.  That way, they were out of the way.  Then, I randomly placed the larger rhinestones. 

Here, you can see where I put down random glue spots and started placing the larger rhinestones.  The "tight area" rhinestones" are also in place.

After the large rhinestones were glued down, I worked in rows, just randomly placing rhinestones that seemed to "fit".  I would set down a section of glue (about half the size of a dime or so), and then pick random sizes of stones to apply to that section.  When the section was done, glue and place another section.  Do not set out a large area of glue or it may dry before you can get your rhinestones on!  Small steps.

Step 3-  After you've filled up your space for a certain color, just continue on with the next color.... using the pattern lines as a guide.

Easy!  And very sparkly.  :)

Summer Gnome Dress and Custom Clay Order

     The first time I saw the gnome fabric was when Hayley over at "Welcome to the Mouse House" posted pictures in our sewing group of her daugher's adorable gnome costume.  I loved the dress and wanted to make one for Scarlett.  Of course, being the procrastinator I am, it was months before I bought the fabric, and a few more months before I decided to buckle down and make one.

   I'm so glad I did, though!

     The pattern is the "Olivia Reverse Knot Dress" pattern from Pink Poodle Bows on Etsy.  The PDF file was extremely easy to follow.  I did change the bodice just a TEENY bit so there were no raw seams on the inside (which was totally minor and wouldn't have been bad at all without the change... I just wanted mine like that) and I made the skirt one solid piece instead of adding the border trim.  The pattern is super easy to customize if you'd like and she breaks down all of the steps.

     Keep an eye on my Etsy shop.  Gnome dresses are going to pop up in the future.  (Sizes 6m-3T to start, but custom orders might be possible up to size 11/12.)

    Another recent project was a custom order.  The customer requested a polymer clay figurine set that had Boba Fett shooting a zombie.  I don't watch Star Wars very often (although the boys in my house seem to love it), so I printed off some pictures for reference.  The zombie, however, was a total breeze.  Well, aside from the fact that my imagination ran away from me on several occasions with all of the possibilities.  ;) 

     In the end, they turned out pretty cool.  Although, my opinion may be biased. 

And the zombie.  (Be warned, I'm a huge "Walking Dead" fan so I went a little crazy with the zombie.) 

And the entire thing all together:

     Giving serious consideration to making a few Star Wars and zombie ornaments for Christmas.  *laughing*  :)

Grow Boxes are Working!

So those Grow Boxes that I bought this year are actually pulling their weight... and then some!

Today, after 2 days of not going in the garden (thanks, rain), I was able to harvest this:

And last week, one day I hauled in this:

     I was excited because it was my first white eggplants EVER.  Had to explain to my son, Kai, however... that while it was an EGGplant, that they were not eggs from the chickens.  Nope, still waiting for them to start laying.  The confusion about eggs and eggplants had me laughing, though!

     Will keep you posted on the Grow Boxes, and as I said... will give a final review at the end of the growing season.  Thusfar, I'm pretty impressed.  Dealing with a bit of powdery mildew on my cucumber plant (first time I've tried this kind of cucumber instead of my regular "burpless" kind), so I'm not sure if it's a result of the Grow Boxes or my inexperience with this type.  Might try giving it another whirl if the season lasts and I have to rip this other plant out.  We'll see!

Custom Chameleon and Garden Tomatoes

     I love working with clay.  It's almost therapeutic when your kids finally go down for a nap and you just get the time to be creative and feel as though you've actually accomplished something for the day.  (Same can be said for sewing, crocheting, or working on whatever craft floats your boat.)

     I was recently contacted by a customer interested in placing an order for a few ornaments.  One of the ornaments she requested was a custom piece that would be based on her child's art project.  When I saw the picture, I was super stoked and ready to tackle the project.  GREAT colors, I love chameleons, and it looked like it would be a fun challenge.  What a fun idea!

    The finished product turned out really neat.  I was nervous about getting the coloring right, but after a few coats of paint, it was finally as vibrant as I wanted it to turn out. 

       For this project, I used Sculpey Studio clay, acrylic paint, fine-point paint brushes, satin glaze, metal wire (for the ornament loop) and bonding agent (to secure the loop so it wouldn't come out).  If you want your paint to come out really bright, be sure to put more than one coat on there.  I also double-glaze my pieces for extra protection.

     On an unrelated note, the Grow Boxes are still doing their duty!  Our cherry tomatoes are starting to come in.  We picked these today and have about 40-50 more that are still green on the vine.  Pepper plants, zucchini, and cucumber have also been producing like crazy.  I love home-grown veggies.