The Magic Bean

Hot Little Hands

I'm working on a new doll that I'm very excited about, but ran out of the material I was planning on using.  I ordered some more, but when it arrived it was a completely different colour than the last batch I ordered.  So, first I got mad - at myself for ordering the wrong stuff, then the people who dyed it a different colour and then myself again.  Then I broke out an alternative project, so as not to go a whole weekend without my sewing machine. 

   

I already had a pair of Christmas oven mitts, but let's just say there was an unfortunate incident with an oven element.  Hem hem.

So I whipped up these oven mitts based (loosely, I might add) on this free pattern from Skip to my Lou.  I used thermal fleece to protect against any further oven element incidents.  Hem hem.  And those berries are just decorative for the photos sake, by the way.  I'm sure that the berries would not survive an element incident.  Hem hem.  I seem unable to speak of "the incident" without the hem hem bit.  Hem hem. 

Rosebuds Arrives in the US

My Gather Ye Rosebuds pattern and kit really get around!  Cloth Doll Patterns in the US is stocking the pattern and it's available now on the website.  Click here to check it out.

Freebie Friday - Rustic Christmas Patterns

When it comes to Christmas I like things a bit rustic and old fashioned.  I've never gotten on with mega-modern Christmases, so I've collected some great free rustic Christmas patterns for you to enjoy. 

I love these prim, rustic Victorian ornaments from Dirty Crow Inn.

Check out this Americana free rag doll pattern free from Bettes Tomorrow Treasures.

There are quite a few rustic Christmas ornaments and dolls at Prim Mart here.

For a quick and simple ornaments try sewing up this Folkbird ornament from Tender Arts.

This little country angel is so cute, I love the gloves used as wings.

This rustic wreath decorated with snowmen made out of batting is gorgeous.

How cool are these Christmas trees made from recylced sweaters?  I'm so in love with these.

These vintage inspired snowmen ornaments are simple to make out of papier-mache but are oozing with rustic charm.

And whose idea was it to make Christmas trees in colours like black and pink?  Purlease.  Just say no to that silly modern stuff.  For Christmas it's old fashioned all the way!

Freebie Friday - Great Gift Ideas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....I've been watching all my favourite old Christmas films on DVD.  It's a Wonderful Life is one of my favourites and reminds us of a very important point:  No man is a failure who has friends.

Treat your friends to a little part of yourself by making them a bit of handmade goodness.  Here's a round-up of some great links to free patterns that would make great Christmas gifts.  Some of these are doll pattens and some are just general sewing projects.

I adore the fabulous diva-ness of this pin cushion doll, free from Glitter Town Dolly's, the perfect gift for the sewer in your life.

I am hoping to have the time to make these oven mitts from Skip to My Lou, as a present for a keen cook.

U-handbag has got a slew of free handbag tutorials and patterns (look down the side bar) that you can go nuts with for mothers, sisters and friends.

Deanna Hogan has some gorgeous free patterns here, including a brand new snowman pattern that makes a great small gift.

Another small but perfectly formed gift is this cute mouse ornament with a bell for a nose from Pimp Stitch.

I have a bit of a thing for pomanders, they make great tree ornaments.  Check out this floral, felted pomander from Betz White.

 

If you want to make a fabulous smelling pomander that lasts just stud a Styrofoam ball with whole cloves and wrap ribbon around it.  Every year when we unpack them, our Christmas pomanders need some minor repairs, but they survive year to year really well.  And my hubby sees fit to point out each year that he is faster at making pomanders than I am.  Curse his evil genius at pomander-making!

If you plan on giving very practical gift cards you can still sneak in a bit of handmade, by making these gift card boxes, designed by Heather Bailey.

I plan on featuring alot more free ideas for Christmas, so keep popping back to see what other free patterns the internet provides and The Magic Bean manages to dig up!

Rosebuds Arrives in Australia

My Gather Ye Rosebuds pattern has just landed in Australia!  I really want to go to Australia, but for now I'll have to live vicariously through my pattern.  Check out Fabric Addictions here.  Doesn't Australia suit her?

Freebie Friday - Mailing Lists for Cloth Doll Artists

Mailing lists are a great way to stay in touch with what's new and exciting in the cloth doll world, plus many mailing list provide links to free patterns or tutorials on the net.  Here's a few that I think are really worth belonging to:

Cloth Doll Connection has lots of great links to cloth doll blogs and free patterns.  The monthly e-mail will let you know what's new on the site so you don't miss out.

Create an account at Joggles to get the weekly newsletter.  It's full of the news about the newest patterns and materials, plus links to free tutorials that you can find on Joggles.

Doll Makers Journey newsletter arrives monthly and is full of news on challenges, the latest patterns, answers to doll maker's questions plus links to free patterns and tutorials.

Adele Sciortino's newsletter reads more like a magazine.  It's full of inspiration and great articles.

Doll Street will keep you up to date on some great online classes, so is well worth subscribing to. 

And I've decided to jump on the mailing list bandwagon.  So, if you want to know when I have a new pattern coming out or when I'm teaching a class, scroll on down the side bar of my blog to subscribe to my mailing list. I bet you are feeling better informed already!

Up to My Eyeballs

I have been a busy girl.  I'm not quite sure which way is up at the minute.  Between my day job and my doll job I'm tuckered right out!  Every since my fabulous pattern testers came back to me with their feedback for my Gather Ye Rosebuds pattern it's been pedal to the metal and then some!  So my apologies to Romona and Ramona for not posting pictures of their versions of Gather Ye Rosebuds earlier.

Here's Romona's doll who reminds me of the duchess in the BBC version of Cranford.  I think she may be a wee bit haughty.  But all that haughtiness is probably covering up her soft centre.  Well, she is a cloth doll so she definitely has a soft centre.  Groan.  And look at those gold roses.  Aren't they to die for!

  

Check out Romona's blog here for more of her cloth doll action.

And here's Ramona's version:

 

Look at how well those luscious silks worked.  Ramona created a really rich look.  Very autumnal.

All of my pattern testers, including Karen whose doll I shared earlier, said that they learned a lot from this pattern.  It was music to my ears.  Personally, whether or not there is a new technique to learn is a big influence on my decision to buy a pattern.  So to me, there couldn't be any better compliment.

Thank you Karen, Romona and Ramona.  You were all a tremendous help!

And I finally managed to get an Etsy shop underway with a custom shop banner and everything. 

But if I don't get to play dolls this weekend and sew or draw or something.  I may explode.  Doll maker shrapnel probably wouldn't be nice, so best I give myself some me-time.

7% Off at Cassie Rafferty

Things just keep getting more exciting with my Gather Ye Rosebuds pattern release.  Cassie Rafferty is offering some great deals at her website in celebration of the release of my debut pattern.  Go to Cassie's site here to get 7% off the doll making goodies on the site just for purchasing my pattern or kit.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for other tempting offers on Cassie's site.  I hear rumours that they may be a special introductory offer if you buy the kit and pattern together.

And don't forget the pattern comes with exclusive access to a free online mini class in how to create this doll's face with colour step-by-step photos.   

The kit (which is purchased separately from the pattern) contains access to a free online pattern for Precious Time.

 Free stuff and discounts.  Oh yeah.

Jan Horrox has Gather Ye Rosebuds for Purchase

 

I am so excited to tell you that the first website stocking my pattern and kit for Gather Ye Rosebuds is listing my pattern and kit ready for ordering.  Go to Jan Horrox's website here to see.  Jan's website is based here in the UK and is a fabulous resource for cloth doll supplies.

Freebie Friday - Creating Your Own Banner

In between doing the countless other things I'm doing at the moment, I'd like to create my own banner, so I thought I'd share my research with you so you can create your own custom banner for you blog, for an ad or for your Etsy store.  Go on, indulge your inner geek:

Here is simple banner creator with a background colour and text with the option to add graphics.

Bannersketch allows you to upload your own images and create custom banners or you can add your own text to banner templates.  Click here.

This banner creator allows you to create flash based banners.  If you don't know what flash is, think, 'stuff moves on the screen'.

This banner creator allows you to upload your own images or use their standard images.

You can create your own cool graphics, here, at Cool Text.

Here is Etsy's guide to making your own banner.

Who knew it could be so easy?  Watch this space to see what I come up with.