Hand Beaded Appliques

Hi Creative People,

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I have projects that divert my attention from what I am supposed to be doing! I often refer to those projects, as 'attention diversion' projects. Well I have another one. In the midst of sewing projects for my pattern sew through challenge, I was bitten by the 'hand-beading bug'. I came across some inspiring hand beaded appliques on Pinterest and had to make some for myself.

Since I have been alive, I have adored Disney, especially Mickey and Minnie mouse, they are my favorite!!! I went on a Google image search for pictures of Minnie mouse and I drew her to transfer her face on the fabric I chose. I drew her on felt material, I wanted something that would hold the weight of the beads and sequins. I didn't take a picture of her at the start, but I did manage to get some pictures in progress.

I started with her bow, using red and white seed beads. The white beads are supposed to represent the white polka dots on her bow. I was having a difficult time trying to hide the black marker I used to draw the design. In an attempt to use what I had on hand, I did not have the same size seed beads to use for the ears, so I decided to use sequins instead. I liked using the sequins because I finished that section much faster! I then used the smallest black seed beads I had to complete the outline, her eye lashes, pupils, and her nose, as you can see here...

I managed to find an excuse to go shopping...I wanted to find small flesh colored seed beads for her skin. I knew that would be difficult, so I chose to use small pink seed beads...I think she looks good! I had the hardest time trying to find the smallest white seed beads for the whites of her eyes so I settled for the size I had on hand. I really don't like the look of it, but it's for my own personal use...I don't mind. I made her tongue a darker pink and outline her mouth and shirt with the small black seed beads. To give her face a little dimension from the rest of her body, I decided to make her shirt using small red sequins. 

After I completed her, all I had left to do was the background design. I chose to use small gold bugle beads and small gold seed beads to fill in any spaces. She is complete! What do you guys think?

Here is a photo of the picture I found online and the hand beaded Minnie mouse I just completed. I made notes around her picture as to what beads I will use for each section.

I enjoyed doing this project, I just don't like the way the white parts of her eyes turned out, but it will stay that way for now. If I decide to make another one, I will have to find smaller white beads.

I have no ideal where I want to put her or what to do with her at this point, so any suggestions as to what I could do with her, would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks for reading, happy sewing!