The Magic Bean

Going Once, Going Twice - Oversized Thread Spools for Craft Fairs, Exhibitions or Shop Display For Sale

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you may have noticed that I like to do things that are a little weird and little unexpected, so when I exhibited at the Creativ Festival in Toronto this past October I wanted to do something a little more interesting than plonking dolls on a table.

So I made (along with the creative and practical genius that is my Dad) super-sized thread spools to use as display plinths.  Of course, I don't actually live in Canada anymore, so the giant thread spools are still in Ontario and getting all lonely in my parents' garage.

Now these orphaned spools are looking for a caring person who will love them in all their over-sized glory.

Make your craft, quilting or sewing display stand out by using these giant thread spool plinths. Or maybe you'd just like them to look pretty in your studio space.

Here are the nitty gritty details:

Plinths - 6 plinths with a natural wood top and bottom, super-size yarn for thread, with the spools painted to tonally match the yarns.

The spools measure:
2 - 32” tall - 131/2” wide – wrapped with teal coloured “thread”*
1 - 42” tall - 14” wide - wrapped with pink coloured “thread”
1 - 38 3/4” tall - 13 1/2” wide – wrapped with lime green coloured “thread”
1 - 27” tall - 13 1/2” wide – wrapped with purple coloured “thread”
1 - 34 1/2” tall - 13 1/2” wide – wrapped with aqua coloured “thread”
1 - 50” tall - 12” wide - – wrapped with purple coloured “thread”

*Table– The two 32” spools can be used either on their own as plinths or can be made into a table by attaching the table top.  Pre-drilled and counter-sunk holes in the table top and spools make it easy to attach the lime green painted wood table top.

1 table top 24” X 34 3/8 “ goes on top of the 2 - 32” spools – painted lime green to tonally match colour scheme

Peg Boards – Two peg boards are painted teal to tonally match the colour scheme and can be hung with chain and S-hooks to walls for items to be hung for display. 

2 peg boards 48” X 24” – painted teal

The spools are very stable but quite light to carry. 

If you live in the London (Ontario, Canada), Ingersoll, Woodstock or Tillsonburg area of Ontario, Canada we will deliver the spools to you free of charge.  By "we" I mean my sainted parents.

$399 or best offer for all 6 plinths, table top and peg boards

Email me if you have questions, or want to make an offer.

My Fairies Absconded to Houston

While I was busy doing the Knitting and Stitching Show in London, and then the Creativ Festival in Toronto with some teaching in between and then the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate, my Little Sneaks Shoe Deodoriser Dolls Sneaked off to the Houston Quilt Festival and hung out in the Fairfield booth.  See, I told you they were little sneaks!

They took up residence in a flashy pair of red sneakers and had a snooze - it was probably the jet lag and all that sneaking around that did them in.

While the Little Sneaks were in Houston they got to meet Jennifer Carson's Yuki Frostfoot (pictured above at centre, click the link to get the free pattern for Yuki) and the Babyville Boutique's simple baby doll (pictured just left of centre at bottom, click the link to get the free pattern).

The Little Sneaks were part of Fairfield's Featured Designer Program. Fairfield supports and promotes designers who use and love their products and in turn, we provide the Fairfield website and newsletter with some free projects.  It's all very mutally beneficial, you scratch my back, we'll scratch yours, yin and yang and all that stuff.  And the best part is that because the folks at Fairfield are so supportive of designers like me, you get free stuff!

Visit the Fairfield website by clicking the link to see all the free Fairfield projects available - there is a real range with quilting, crafts (including dolls) and home decor projects available.  So sneak off yourself to the Fairfield website and get inspired.

I Adore Yorkshire

I'll just say it - I love Yorkshire.  I'm smitten. 

I just came back from exhibiting at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and part of me would have been quite content to stay.  Don't get me wrong, I love London, but I was really surprised by how much I loved Yorkshire too.

The countryside was beautiful.  The towns were bustling.  There was so much to see and do.  And when I accidentally put a bag of frozen onions in someone else's shopping trolley at the supermarket he actually offered to pay for them for me, but said that I had probably had just gotten the wrong cart.  My husband and my shopping trolley were indeed further up the aisle.  Besides the fact that this little incident showed me exactly how tired 3 trade shows, 5 classes in 3 different countries inside of 2 months will actually make you - it also showed me exactly how lovely the people of Yorkshire really are. 

And the people coming to see the cloth doll display at the show at Harrogate were no different.  I'm sure if I had been desperately in need of frozen onions and found myself without the wherewithal to pay for them, someone would have indeed offered to be my Frozen Onion Fairy Godmother.  They were that lovely.

I am hoping that I will be able to do a class in the North of England sometime soon, so I can come and breathe the lovely Northern air and soak up some more Northern loveliness. 

If you are based in the North and just can't wait to have a class, you could think about getting a group of people together yourself and hosting a class.  Learn more about having me to come teach your Embroiders Guild, doll club, or group of friends by clicking the link to read about how my classes work or e-mail me at colleenbabcock@uwclub.net with your questions.   

 

Giant Spools of Thread or The Way to Get Noticed at an Exhibition

Back in the spring I was trying to figure out how to make my booth at the Creativ Festival in Toronto really stand out.  My dad and I had a discussion on the matter that went something like this:

Myself:  I really don't just want a table with stuff on it in my booth.  I really want to catch people's eye so they take a second look.

My Dad:  Well, you also want something that is easy to move and transport.  (Dad the Practical comes to the rescue with that suggestion).

Myself:  Right, well I was going to try and make my booth look like a living room.

Dad:  That won't fit in the truck.

Myself:  Oh yeah.  Let me think about it.

(Myself has a shower.  Myself always gets the best ideas in the shower)

Myself:  Dad, I just had an idea to create some giant spools of thread to use as plinths to display my dolls (drip, drip goes my hair).

Dad:  That would work.  We could build them out of sono-tubes (said without blinking and eye or raising an eyebrow - my dad and I think in the same sort of weird way).

So off we go to the building centre to buy sono-tubes.  We cut them up into artistically pleasing lengths.  I buy Dad a new router bit to make the wooden tops and bottoms.  Then I depart Canada to return to my my hubby and home in England.

The giant thread spool dialogue continues via overseas telecommunications.  The sono-tubes get painted and the wooden tops and bottoms get made, by my dad.

Then, I arrive back in Canada just prior to the exhibition to apply large scale yarn to the tubes and help Dad to attach the wooden tops and bottoms.  And dudes, those humble sono-tubes so looked like huge spools of thread.

My jumbo sized sewing display made people stop and comment even when we were carrying them in the hallways - they were pretty eye catching.  It also made me feel like I was a giant's assistant or something with one of those babies slung over my shoulder!

 

Luckily my super-sized spools did not detract from my tiny dolls.  All my dolls had so many compliments that they are all going to have egos the size of the spools they're sitting on, I tell ya, there is just no living with these wee cloth girls at the moment!

I even had a fun way for people to picture themselves as a doll maker.

Here's Ann Campbell, my mum's best friend and my adopted "Auntie Ann" showing how its done.

My friend Jen Edgar (Ann's daughter, actually) of Eucalan fame lent me her support (and her head).  If you missed my free Eucalan Bottle Doll Tutorial the first time, you can check it out by clicking the link.

I even met up with someone I haven't seen in a long time.  Stephanie Dixon, beader, teacher, blogger and bling-maker was teaching at the Creativ Festival.  I first met Stephanie when she was working at York University while I was taking my degeree in Theatre Design.  Now, Stephanie is one of only 35 people worldwide who represent Swarovski crystal as an "Ambassador".  I wonder if she gets diplomatic ammunity?  Ya think?  The right to bling at will, perhaps?

Stephanie posed with my mum Kitty Babcock and I in the booth. 

I had the good fortune to meet a whole lot of super cool people the weekend of the Creativ Festival.  Thank you to everyone who came, looked at dolls, bought patterns, took classes and made me feel so welcome.

But the biggest thanks must go to the two biggest rockstars I know - my mum and dad. 

Dad made giant thread spools, packed the truck, stood in the booth, sold patterns, fetched food and never complained.

Mum helped me look up prices, find flooring, made up kits, priced kits, drove the truck, stood in the booth, talked to endless people, sold patterns and never complained.

If we got to choose our parents, I'd definitely choose the ones I already have.  You couldn't ask for more support, humour and love. Thank you Mum and Dad.  I will forever be your groupie, cause I don't think there is anyone else with more star-quality than you!

PS.  If you live near Southwestern Ontario and want some giant thread spool plinths for use at an exhibition or for your shop window, I'm selling mine.  Just email me for more details.  We'll even deliver if you are in the Ingersoll, Woodstock, or London Ontario area. 

The Stuff I Learned at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace

There are many learning experiences to be taken away from doing a large craft and stitch exhibition like the Knitting & Stitching Show where I was exhibiting from October 6-9th along with Ray Slater, Cassie Rafferty, Jan Horrox and Jennie Camohon (I'm not sure I've spelled Jennie's surname correctly, so that's one thing I DIDN'T learn, sorry Jennie). Here's what I learned:

1. You can fit 8 of my dolls in one suitcase if you are really determined. Then your best friend will sweep in and say that she'll give you a ride to Alexandra Palace and save you lugging the suitcase on the tube. However, your efforts will not have been wasted as you can still feel smug about your packing skills when the queue at the loading bays is huge and you can just park and wheel your dolls into the exhibition space. Still feeling smug about that one.

2. Standing on your feet all day is not nearly so bad when you get to talk to some really fun people all day who instead of giving you the raised eyebrow look when you tell them what you do, actually think you're cool because you make little people out of cloth. The raised eyebrow thing actually amuses me, but sometimes it's nice for people to just think you're cool. That doesn't happen to me often.

3. Having someone in the booth who does the same thing as you (that is, make little people out of cloth) is pretty cool too. Plus, the extra help means you can actually go to the loo. Very important factor, that one. In between loo breaks you can chat about life, liberty and the pursuit of the perfect doll stuffing technique. Ray Slater and I posed for our close up during a quiet moment (not too many of those!).

If you don't already know Ray,  she is a cloth doll teacher and author of Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists

4. If you really want to take a photo of fantastic doll makers and their dolls in their publisher's booth (namely Patti Culea and Barbara Willis), you will always forget to take out the camera that you brought expressly for this purpose. Then you will go home and be mad at yourself for being so dopey. But you will feel so much better knowing that at least there is a photo of them on the Craftside blog.

5. You will meet fantastic people who are interested in making dolls, taking workshops and generally be creative so that your creative fires are fuelled once again.

So now I'm really excited about exhibiting at the Creativ Festival this coming weekend October 21-23rd, 2011. I'll be in booth 202 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building.

Come and say hi. Remind me to take pictures when you see me.

Apparently, I'm rubbish at that because all the photos of the Knitting and Stitch Show were taken by friend Rebecca Ward, best friend, photographer, booth helper-outer (just invented a new title there) and general all round fabulous person. You should check out her blog, Heart Shaped Pebbles, she's a good person to know and not just because she'll stand in a booth for hours on end.

Meet Ascending in the flesh, or should that be, in the cloth?

I just finished my latest version of my newest cloth doll design "Ascending" just in time to exhibit her at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in London. 

 
You can see Ascending up close and personal.

 
You can peer at her from every angle.

 
And take in all the tiny details.

 
 
You can ask me questions until you are blue in the face.

 
I promise, I'll rise to the occasion.

You can find me and my dolls, including this latest version of Ascending in the Cloth Dolls UK booth - marked TGD1.

If just looking at this doll is not enough for you, remember that I am teaching Ascending at Blue Haze Arts and Crafts in Chesham, Bucks on Friday November 11th and Saturday November 12th, 2011.  Click the link to find out more about this cloth doll course and to sign up online.  Or call and speak to Hazel at the shop on Tel: 01494 782030 or email: info@blue-haze.co.uk.

 
I'll also be teaching a one day course at Blue Haze in Chesham, to make this fairy bookmark called Dive Into a Book on Sunday November 13th, 2011.  This course is a great taster course for those who would like to dip their toes into cloth doll making, but aren't confident with their skills just yet or for more experienced doll makers who just need more practise needle-sculpting tiny toes.

Click the link to find out more about this one day cloth fairy bookmark course in the UK and to sign up online.  Or call and speak to Hazel at the shop on Tel: 01494 782030 or email: info@blue-haze.co.uk.

 
Before I close the book on this post, I want to remind those people on the other side of the pond that I'll also be teaching Dive Into a Book at the Creativ Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011.  Click the link to learn more about this course or for information on my other Creativ Festival course offering. To register for Creativ Festival classes. Simply click here for pricing info and call 1-800-291-2030 to register.

You can see me and my dolls in booth 202 at the Creativ Festival in Toronto. 

If I don't see you in the flesh at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, I hope to see you at the Creativ Festival in Toronto.   

Uncap Your Creativity with the All Bottled Up Doorstop Doll

Free demonstration from Cloth Doll Designer, Colleen Babcock

Suitable for All Levels, including beginner to advanced doll makers and even people without any sewing experience

Make this extremely easy “stump” doll using largely recycled items.  Colleen will be demonstrating how to create a simple but effective doll body based around an empty plastic water bottle.  The doll can be used simply as a decorative item or as a weighted and functional doorstop. 

The unembellished doll is constructed without the use of a sewing machine and employs very minimal hand sewing. 

The face will be provided pre-printed onto fabric so even a fear of drawing faces won’t stop you from creating this doll.  Some simple tips for colouring faces on fabric will help to bring the doll alive.

 
Once you have the basic doll complete, you can embellish the doll using any number of fibre arts techniques.  Colleen will show you a few ideas to get you started but, you are only limited by your imagination.

 
Have you had your creativity all bottled up?  Uncap your creativity.

Visit the Fibre Arts Bunch at:

Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre

125 Centennial Lane

Ingersoll, ON N5C 0A5

Canada

For directions and a map of the Creative Arts Centre click here.

Wednesday May 4^th 10am

Even if you are not a member of the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre you can attend this demonstration for free.  If after a couple of visits to the Fibre Arts Bunch, you decide that you just can't live without the inspiration and support of the Centre, you can become a member.  It's kind like a creativity test drive.

Don't forget that I am also teaching my exclusive in-person workshop doll, Stitch in Time in Ingersoll Ontario on May 6-7th, 2011.  I am able to offer the two day course for just $100 (CAD) per person, which includes a hot lunch on both days, prizes and goodie bags!

 
I have also been able to get an outstanding deal on hotel rooms in the Ingersoll Comfort Inn and Suites, (just $55 CAD plus 13% tax which would make the room - $62.15 CAD) but those rooms won't be reserved for much longer.  Book your hotel room before April 6th, or the block of reserved rooms will be released to other guests.  E-mail me at colleenbabock@uwclub.net for more information about this course and to find out how to get the special hotel room rate.  Or you can just write and say hi too.

If you don't live near Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada but your club or community group would be interested in learning to make the All Bottled Up Doorstop doll, I will consider offering it as a free demonstration to your group provided my expenses are covered. 

 
If you would prefer this doll as a full class rather than as a demonstration then my regular teaching fees will apply. 

To see where in the world I'll be teaching next, click the link to see my teaching schedule. 

Two Continents, Three Countries and Lots of New Dates Added for In-Person Classes

My schedule for 2011 has really filled up. 

There are new locations added - with classes in the UK, the US, and Canada (with locations on both the West coast and Ontario).  To try and make it easier for you to see if I will be teaching somewhere near you I've added little flags to indicate which country the class will be held in.

There are two new exclusive workshops  - designed especially for the Creativ Festival in Toronto in October.  

I will have booths at exhibitions in two countries in October -  I will be at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London, UK and the Creativ Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October.

The first class begins in only two weeks - this schedule gets under way with two classes being held at Blue Hazein Chesham, Bucks, UK. 

One of these classes I am hosting myself- I'm not sure what part of the class that I am hosting at my parents' home in my home town of Ingersoll, Ontario is most exciting.  The course will be held the Friday and Saturday (May 6-7th, 2011) before Mother's Day, so it would make a great Mother's Day present.  The Comfort Inn in Ingersoll has offered students of my class who book rooms a fantastic rate.  Students will get a hot lunch, goodie bag and the chance to win prizes.  Oh and if you ask nicely I bet my mum will show you embarrassing baby pictures of me.

Read on to find out more about these exciting events and classes!

February 2011

 
Where:  Blue Haze Arts and Crafts, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK

When:  Friday February 18 - Saturday February 19th, 2011

What Class:  I will be teaching my brand new exclusive in-person workshop doll Stitch in Time.  "Exclusive workshop" doll means that this design will only be available to be taken as a class with me live and in person.  You won't see her as a pattern, nor as an online class.

Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Blue Haze website here or call Hazel on 01494 782030 or e-mail: info@blue-haze.co.uk

 
Where:  Blue Haze Arts and Crafts, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK

When:  Sunday, February 20th, 2011

What Class:  The ladies at Blue Haze also decided that they wanted the About Face pin doll course.  But they didn't want the course in its usual 3 hour format, they wanted a full day, giving them the chance to not only focus on the face drawing, sculpting and colouring but also allow them time to embellish their doll face to their hearts content.

 
Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Blue Haze website here or call Hazel on 01494 782030 or e-mail: info@blue-haze.co.uk

April 2011

 

Where: San Jose, California with the Gals N' Dolls Club

When:  Saturday April 9th-10th, 2011

What class:  Gather Ye Rosebuds.  Although this class is available as a pattern, there is something to be said about making the doll along with the designer.

 
Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Gals N' Dolls website here

 
Where:  Eugene, Oregon with the Stitch in Time doll club at Value Plus Sewing in Eugene

When:  Friday April 15th and Saturday April 16th, 2011

What class:  Stitch in Time, one of my exclusive in-person workshops. 

 
Find out more:  Find more information by contacting Leilani Lyons at lyonspaw@mindspring.com

 

Where: Victoria, BC, Canada with the Cloth-a-dollics club

When:  April 20th, 2011

What class:  Drafting Doll Clothes.  A class in technique, this workshop is suitable for those wishing to draft and design their own doll clothes. 

Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Cloth-a-dollics website here or call or e-mail Romona at romona@shaw.ca

 
Where: Victoria, BC, Canada with the Cloth-a-dollics club

When:  April 21st- 22nd, 2011

What Class:  Finders Keepers, another exclusive in-person workshop doll.  Like Stitch in Time, she is not and will not be available as a pattern or online class.  This class is pretty jam packed with techniques and the wire armature technique is usually why most people get excited about this course.

 
Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Cloth-a-dollics website here or call or e-mail Romona at romona@shaw.ca

Where: Victoria, BC, Canada with the Cloth-a-dollics club

When:  April 23rd-24th, 2011

What Class:  Stitch in Time, as previously mentioned, she is one of my exclusive in-person workshops.

Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Cloth-a-dollics website here or call or e-mail Romona at romona@shaw.ca

May 2011

 
Where: Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada (Ingersoll is located just off Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario, 10 minutes East of London, Ontario)  at my parents home, in my mother's large training room

When:  Friday May 6th - Saturday May 7th, 2011

What class:  Stitch in Time.  As previously mentioned, she is an exclusive in-person class.

 
Find out more:  I am hosting this class myself and am very excited to tell you all about the exciting things that I am able to offer at this class

• a hot lunch will be included on both days
• prizes will be drawn throughout the class
• everyone will leave with a goodie bag
• The Comfort Inn & Suites in Ingersoll is offering a special room rate just for out of town students taking my class of $55(CAD) plus 13% tax which would make the room - $62.15(CAD).  This room rate is an absolutely outstanding value.  The type of room could be 1 or 2 beds and smoking and non smoking rooms are available. 
  This rate includes:  complimentary continental breakfast - with bread, bagels, muffins, hot & cold cereal, make your own waffles, hard boiled eggs, fruit, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate on offer, plus,  highspeed wireless internet, indoor pool, whirlpool and access to a small fitness room.  Not only that, the meeting room will be available, so if you want to gather together in the evening and sit, chat and sew after doing the workshop the room will be open for you.  If you want to take advantage of this very special room rate, please contact me at colleenbabcock@uwclub.net , but for more information about the hotel, including photos click here. 

I am able to offer this two day workshop for only $100 (CAD) per person.  To reserve your place a $25 (CAD) non-refundable deposit is required.  E-mail me at colleenbabcock@uwclub.net for more details or to reserve your place.
 
The day following the last day of the workshop is Mother's Day - wouldn't this workshop be a great Mother's day present?

October 2011

Exhibitions - come and say hello, see my dolls up close and personal, ask questions and buy my patterns.

 
Where:  The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, London

When:  October 6th-9th, 2011

What booth:  I'll be exhibiting along with Ray Slater and other British doll makers.  Come and see my dolls and ask any questions that you'd like.

Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Knitting and Stitching website here   I may also be teaching a 1 hour workshop at the show.  Check the blog for more information.

 
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

When:  October 21-23rd, 2011

What booth:  Booth Number 202, right near the entrance and the Information booth.  I'll be the short one with glasses who is smiling. 

Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Creativ Festival website here   I'll also be teaching two classes at the show.  See the information below.

 
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

When:  October 21-23rd, 2011, Exact days and times to be announced in June 2011

What class: The Green Man, a class designed exclusively for the Creativ Festival. 

This class is suitable for all levels, including beginners.  Make a male cloth doll face, learning all the tricks of drawing, needle-sculpting and colouring along the way.  Pre-sewn and stuffed doll heads will be provided and sculpting and colouring tools will be available for use in class, so students only need to bring their creativity and a willingness to learn. The face can be embellished with felt leaves to create the look of a “Green Man”, a male face decorated with leaves and symbolising re-birth.  The finished face could be used as a brooch, fridge magnet or ornament.  

This course is a perfect taster course for beginners wanting to try out doll making or for those who already enjoy doll making but want to brush up on few techniques.  As most doll courses tend to focus on female faces, even experienced doll makers will take away a new twist on drawing faces.

Students only need to bring a ruler and scissors to this class everything else is provided!

Fairfield are sponsoring this class and will be providing Fairfield Poly-fil stuffing for the students.

 

 
Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Creativ Festival website here or for more contact information click here.  Please note:  exact dates and times for this class will not be announced until June 2011.

 

Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

When:  October 21-23rd, 2011, Exact days and times to be announced in June 2011

What class: Dive into a Book, bookmark doll, a class designed exclusively for the Creativ Festival. 

All levels, including beginners

Learn to sculpt tiny cloth doll toes with the magic of needle-sculpting.  Pre-sewn doll legs will be provided and sculpting tools will be available for use in class, so students only need to bring their creativity and a willingness to learn.  After learning the tricks of the doll making trade, find out how to make those tiny doll legs into more than just an exercise in needle-sculpting— learn how to turn your sample legs into a mirth-making bookmark.   With the doll legs attached to the top of a bookmark the tiny toes will stick out  of the pages making it will look as though a fairy has taken a dive into a book. And haven't we all just wanted to sink into a good book once in a while?

This course is a perfect taster course for beginners wanting to try out doll making or for those who already enjoy doll making but want to create more realistic bare-feet for their dolls. 

Students only need to bring a ruler and scissors to this class everything else is provided!

Fairfield are sponsoring this class and will be providing Fairfield Poly-fil stuffing for the students.

 

 

Find out more:  Find more information by visiting the Creativ Festival website here or for more contact information click here.  Please note:  exact dates and times for this class will not be announced until June 2011.

 
Where:  Cleveland Ohio, USA with the High on Dolls doll club

When:  Oct 29-30th, 2011

What class:  I'll be teaching my exclusive workshop doll Stitch in Time.

 
Find out more:  Find more information by contacting Doressa at  doressa@windstream.net.

If you want to find out more details about what techniques you can expect to learn in each course, click here.

If you have any questions or would like to host a doll class in your area, contact me on colleenbabcock@uwclub.net

Flat Doll Class with Barbara Willis in the UK

October is always an exciting month for me because October is the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in London.  And the Knitting and Stitching Show means shopping and inspiration and, most of all, seeing friends.  Here's from right to left, Barbara Willis, Betts Vidal and Gloria McKinnon at last year's show.

 
In fact, the Knitting and Stitching Show is where I first laid eyes on cloth dolls and fell passionately in love with them.  Barbara Willis describes that first encounter as me pinging off the walls of their booth with excitement.  What can I say, I was pretty excited.

Besides the three workshops that Barbara will be teaching at the Learning Curve at the show itself, Barbara is teaching at Blue Hazein Chesham .  I believe that one of her classes is already full, but there is room in her flat doll course if you hurry and sign up now.  Click the link to learn more about Barbara Willis' flat doll course at Blue Haze.

Or call now on 01494 782030 to book your spot.

An Ode to the Knitting and Stitching Show

There were many people to meet at the Knitting and Stitching Show,

Some that were new and some in the know,

At the booth I shared with Cassie they flocked, 
 
Their enthusiasm and spark just rocked,

They bought patterns and kits and gave their names for my list,

 
So they won't find that I taught classes they missed,

I saw Patti, Gloria, Barbara and Betts,

 
Creators from abroad, the best that it gets,

 
There was Cassie, and Jan and Ray Slater too,

 
Brit doll makers that are starting a coup,

Crafters can see that doll making is great,

Let loose and give in to the urge to create!