Free pattern/tutorial: Felt Russian Doll softie

Sew your own Mini Russian Doll....

This is a great quick project that can make use of all your felt scraps and left over embroidery floss.

I usually make about 3 dolls at a time using similar colours that way I don't have to keep rethreading the needles all the time.

If you think you will use the pattern more than once I would recommend cutting the pattern pieces out in cardboard to make for easy tracing again and again.

You will need:

The pattern which you can download HERE
Scraps of felt
Embroidery floss - assorted colours
Needle
Sharp scissors
Fading fabric marker

Lets get started.....

Here I have chosen 4 colours of felt and cut out 3 dolls alternating colours for the various pieces. Then I have mixed and matched bodies and flowers etc until I am happy with the combinations - I am quite a fan of random.

For most stitching I have used 2 strands of thread.

Start by whip stitching the centre of the flower to the flower - use either the same colour of contrasting thread.

Next whip stitch the flower to the tummy circle...

Then stitch hair to the face...

Draw on a face with fading fabric marker...

Stitch face details using back stitch...

Next position and pin the face onto the head scarf and stitch the top of the hair on. Then stitch the bottom of tha face on...

 Then pin the scarf/face to the body and stitch the bottom of the scarf on...

Position the tummy flower into the middle of the body and use a running stitch around the edge...

Pin front of body to back of body and using 3 strands of contrasting floss blanket stitch around the edge (if blanket stitch is a bit tricky try using a whip stitch). Remember to leave about a 1" stuffing gap at the side.

Fill with stuffing of your choice like polyfill or cotton balls. Don't stuff too tightly...

Then continue sewing up with blanket stitch and she is done!

Here is my daughter when I gave her a doll....she doesn't look so impressed!

If you don't fancy making your own doll I have listed the three dolls shown in my Etsy store here

But wait there's more....

Last one I promise.....

Cute as a cupcake...find it here.

Another needlebook...

added to my store...

I totally forgot I ever made this one. I need to have a clearout more often!
You can find it listed here.

Mushroom felt needlebook

Just added to my Etsy store...

Mushroom felt needlebook...find it here.

Free Russian doll softie pattern coming soon

Finally the unpacking is finished and I can get back to crafting!

Here is a sneak peak at what I am working on.....

....a mini Russian Doll softie pattern. This is what I managed to get done this morning while Master 2 was at daycare (we love daycare!)

It is a cute wee doll that will be good for little hands or a really cute pincushion if you could bear to stab her with pins.

I will try and get stitching tomorrow and take photos as I go and then post the free pattern and step-by-step tutorial when I am done.

I hope to have it ready by the weekend but don't hold me to it as it depends how many tantrums there are between now and then!

Paper patterns!

In this day of instant downloads and emailed pdfs it is still possible to buy a printed pattern.

I have a stash of printed cross stitch/tapestry & softie patterns from my craft fair days so if you prefer to have patterns arrive in your mail rather than in box then these are just for you!

These are the ones I have available....

You can find them all here. I am happy to post internationally so please do not hesitate to ask for a shipping quote.

Trade Me bits and bobs

I am also having a sale of random items on Trade Me...

Definitely need to have a button clear out.....

You can find my Trade Me listings here

Hedgehog Needlebook

As I slowly unpack I am unearthing all sorts of goodies leftover from craft 2.0 fairs I had stalls at last year.

I obviously had a 'thing' for needlebooks as I found quite a few.

This is my favourite design.... "Mr Hedgehog Felt Needlebook".

I have listed him and his brothers in my Felt & Etsy stores.

New Russian Doll pdf cross stitch pattern

Short & Sweet.......

I have just listed this one as a pattern as well as a finished piece of stitching!

Embroidery Hoop Art

Hello to all my lovely new followers!

Apologies for the lack of posts lately but we haved moved house and with 2 kids under 2 unpacking has taken forever.

I have however squeezed in some time for stitching. I have had lots of enquiries lately asking if I sell any completed embroideries so I have begun a series of Embroidery Hoop Art.

Here is the first one....

A cute Russian Doll cross stitched on aida and framed in a 6" hoop. It is available here in my Etsy store.

And for something a bit different....

A trio of beautiful butterflies cross stitched on aida and in 4" hoops. Available here.

I am busy working on lots of different designs and hope to have more listed soon.

Thomas the Tank Engine Cake

Today I was going to bring you a post about the amazing Thomas the Tank Engine cake I made for my son's 2nd birthday. I was going to be beaming with pride about how fabulous it was and how fantastic I was with my time management to decorate it while looking after 2 kids and unpacking a house .........well alas the Thomas cake is in the bin waiting to be collected.

Let me set the scene....Master soon to be 2 is ensconced in front of the Wiggles (they are my saviour), Miss 4 months happy in her bouncer, I decide it is safe to start icing the cake.

The cake is on its serving plate with scraps of wax paper tucked around its side as per Martha's instructions so I don't make a mess of the plate and I have finished the base layer of icing.

Miss 4 months suddenly has an explosion in her nappy which requires instant attention and while I am flapping around Master nearly 2 makes a break for it, he lunges at the wax paper and pulls, I also lunge at the cake as it is sliding off the bench.  Needless to say I am not the winner, the cake is in two pieces on the floor.

I could of glued it together with icing and started again but it was all too much for me and I had to resort to plan B....

A hurried trip to the supermarket for supplies and an hour later we have cake. A store bought 2 layer sponge I have filled with Jam and icing. I used chocolate icing around the edge and stuck chocolate fingers and chocolate swirls, used a disposable icing set to make green grass type stuff (!) on top and added a few pebbles and a #2 candle.

Not quite the Thomas masterpiece I had in mind but I am quite happy with it and lets face it a bunch of 2 year olds are just going to destroy it anyway!

After finishing the cake, getting the kids to be and cleaning up I realised it is Friday the 13th - perfect day for complicated cake making - NOT!

How has your Friday the 13th been?