Daily Awesome - Sleep Mask

You may recall that I purchased a paper mache mask a few weeks back. Here's how it went. I used purple quilted fabric and black satin, plus flannel bias binding for the edge and satin ribbon for the ties. This took several days of spare time, but could be done in a day if someone were so inclined.

The mask as purchased.

As it's going to be a sleep mask, I needed to close the eye holes. This is just paper mache made from newspaper and flour/water paste. 

Here I glued some quilted fabric to the interior for padding. 

I stuffed some extra fill into the cheeks to close the light leaks.

Glued and clamped the cheeks to the form.

Same image from the front.

Glued the front fabric to the front of the form and pinned the excess to the back. 

Same view from the front.

Same view, with the fabric rolled down. I next ran glue down the eyes and on the cheeks to make the fabric tight on the face.

In order to smooth the fabric over the nose, I slit the fabric down the length of the nose, then added a triangular piece to cover the hole. 

First was to sew the nose fabric to the glued on front fabric...

...then roll the excess to the back.

Here I am stitching around the edge of the form to keep the fabric rolled away from the face. The nose has a seam where I closed the hole around the nostril edge. It will be hidden later.

The finished edge.

A prettier view on my counter top. The back is still raw. 

I trimmed and tacked the fabric at the back, but the edge won't conform to the interior as the front fabric is not stretchy. I used Fray Block to keep the raw edges from getting too stringy.

 I employed some flannel bias binding to cover the raw edges and decorate the front. Bias tape conforms to curves and flannel is very soft. It was first stitched to the front, then to the back. You can also see that I added in the ties under the bias tape. This is the finished interior.

And here is the finished front, complete with adorable sleepy eye lashes. 

 I slept in the mask last night. It's a bit stiff and there is still a bit of a light leak at the bottom. I think that I'll wear a gel mask under it and see how it feels.

Yesterday's Daily Awesome and a Preview of What's Coming

Yesterday's Awesome account was delayed due to my nearly taking off the end of my finger with a sushi knife. I'm fine, but word to the wise; if you are left-handed use a left-handed Japanese knife, not a right-handed one.

I used this opportunity to teach my husband how to make sushi rolls. I told him step by step what to do, and made some amazing California Rolls and miso soup!

So delicious! 

Here's a little update on some of the upcoming Awesome. 

1. I bought a mask to turn into a proper sleep mask. The store bought ones are either really flat or really spendy. I need one that warps around my nose to close off the light around my cheeks. 
2. I bought foam and chip brushes to finish off the nightstand paint and stain. 
3. The book is my guide to making a great background for the catalog. I've training in digital print making for fabrics, and forgot how to do some of the basics since the class. Glad I didn't sell this one back! 

Here's another picture of the cardboard blanks for the earring store. I've got all of the photos done like this. We want to take pictures of them in my ear with the hooks on as well. I've nearly completed the price sheet and the background for the catalog to send to stores. It's really beautiful, and will be today's awesome once I complete it.