FREE PATTERN: Giant hama bead lollipop (perfect for a Katy Perry costume!)

So if you follow me on facebook or instagram you have probably seen my recent Katy Perry costume. Let me remind you...

Anyway I had so much fun making my giant hama bead lollipop I thought I would share the pattern with you in case you ever need a giant lollipop accessory in your life!

You will need one large round and one large square peg board and lots of different colour hama or perler beads.

As the round and square boards can't be joined I just placed very carefully together!

Here is a close up if you want to follow the pattern exactly...

Once I had ironed my lollipop my stick wasn't quite strong enough to hold up the lollipop head so I had to get my thinking cap on...

So I made two extra sticks and stuck one on the front and one on the back using a super glue...

....and lots of pegs to hold it while it dried.

Add a bow and you are set.

I waved my lollipop around all night at my costume party and it is still all in one piece even after letting the kids loose on it over the past few days.

The accessory you didn't know you needed!

Have fun!

Kim
xxx

#dolls house makeover: front door mat (free patterns)

Dolls House Makeover...

So I haven't painted the outside of the house and I don't even have a front door yet but now I do have a door mat....

...well I had to start somewhere!

The mat isn't particularly to any scale I just made it to fit the existing stairs!

Here is how I made it...

I dug into my supplies and found some 14 count plastic canvas, floss and felt than I whipped up a cross stitch design...

I cross stitched the mat using 3 threads of floss (DMC colours 743 and 318 to be exact) and then trimmed the plastic canvas around the design.

I cut a piece of felt the same size, placed the canvas on top and blanket stitched the pieces together around the entire edge...

Here is the back...

Feel free to stitch up the design for your own dolls house. You could easily substitute aida or tapestry canvas if you don't have plastic canvas and glue the felt (or other backing) on to hide the stitching.

Here are a few more cute designs to choose from.......

....they would look cute in any combination of colours.

I would love to see a photo of any mats you make with these designs, feel free to post them to my facebook page.

Hedgehog Brooch tutorial

You have obviously discovered the fabulous second issue of Toffee Magazine and found my Hedgehog brooch pattern in there. Toffee Mag is only available as a pdf download you won't find it in shops - fantastic for the environment. I am very excited to have one of my crafts in print (so to speak!).

If you have just stumbled upon this tutorial and want to make Mr Hedgehog you will need to grab your pattern from Toffee Mag - only $2.99 (AU). Filled with other fabulous free patterns, printables and great crafting stories you won't be disappointed.

Here we go........

Cut out all your pieces first.

Using a nice sharp pair of scisssors will help with the small bits.

Pin the tummy to one layer of the body and whip stitch

using 2 strands of cream embroidery floss.

.

Next lay all your pieces onto the body just to make sure they all fit.

Using 2 strands of dark brown embroidery floss use a single cross stitch to secure

the felt pad of the foot on (sorry a little hard to see the cross in this photo!)

Still using 2 strands make 3 French knots above the felt pad to finish of the foot.

Learn how to make French knots here.

Both feet are exactly the same.

Using 2 strands of dark brown embroidery floss make the

little claw details on his paws using single stitches - cute!!

Create his nose by doing a single French knot just as you did on his feet.

Postioning all the bits back on his body again before beginning to stitch them into place.

Stitch his nose on first using 2 strands of light brown embroidery thread and a whip stitch.

Then add 2 French knots for his eyes - you will be a whiz at these knots by now!

Next stitch his feet on as you did with his nose.

And then his paws in the same way.

Now all you need to do is add the back part of the body with a running

stitch using 2 strands or either light or dark floss.

And here he is nearly complete...

Just sew on a brooch back or a safety pin.

As you can see from my handywork you don't have to be too neat because no one will see it!!!!

Done!

And well if it is all a bit to hard you can always just buy

a completed Mr Hedgehog brooch here



Babushka Softie Doll Tutorial

I thought I would put together a little photo tutorial to go with my Babushka Softie Doll pattern . Sometimes it is easier to explain things visually. Here goes....

Cut out all the pieces remembering to include the notches. You of course will have ironed all your fabric first because you do things properly, as you can see I am a little slap dash (I am time poor due to a certain 10 month old!).

Machine stitch the hair onto the face following the hairline with a 3mm seam. As you can see here I have broken the rules and have actually hand stitched instead because  a) I like the to be difficult and b) I like chunky stitches!

Next add some personality with a face. I have used a fading fabric marker to draw on the details. Use 3 strands of brown embroidery floss and either back stitch or split stitch to outline the face.

Now I have the iron out (better late than never!). Give everything another little press and taking your dress piece flip it face down and iron up about 5mm of the hemline - hope you can see this clearly.

You could also zig zag or overlock before this step if you like.

Flip your dress right side up again and pin the lace or ribbon just above the fold of the hemline - making sure the piece you have just ironed is still tucked under and captured by the pins.

Stitch the lace/ribbon on.

With right sides facing up take the front piece of the body and lay the dress on top of it - aligning the notches.

Place the face on top, centred in the head and pin through the 3 layers.

Stitch around the face with a 3mm seam.

With right sides together pin the front and back of the body together.

Sew around the body with a 10mm seam leaving a 4cm gap at the side for stuffing.

I usually sew around again very close to the first seam just to give it a bit of extra strength.

Trim off excess fabric with pinking shears or cut little 'v's or slits to help create the rounded shape.

Turn your doll inside out and see how she looks!

I use a knitting needle and run it round the inside along the seam just to push all the edges out.

Stuff, stuff, stuff!! Be generous with the stuffing to help create shape but don't overstuff the head as it can start looking a little pointy!!

Sew up the gap with invisible thread or just the cotton used to sew with. I used a ladder stitch to close the gap.

Choose a piece of ribbon from your stash and tie a nice bow or knot around your dolls neck. You can leave it like this or tack it down if you prefer. I have tacked this bow down under the ribbons at the side seams and under the middle of the bow. I find spotted ribbon great as you can hide the stitches within the dots.

Now she is complete and all she needs is a name!!!

I am sure you will want to get started on another one straight away - they become addictive!!!

I would love to see your creations and  I have started a Photo Gallery page to showcase all the 'girls'.

If you would like to include a photo of your doll that would be fabulous - you can tell me her name and I am happy to include a link to your own website/blog. Email me if you are interested.

P.S Babushka Softie Doll Pattern

As promised about a year ago.....

Make your own Babushka Softie Doll Pattern

I am finally putting the finishing touches onto the pattern and it will be available very soon.

Big thanks to Anne my pattern guinea pig who tried it out over the weekend and gave fabulous suggestions on what needed tweaking! 

I will have a free photo tutorial available on my blog to use alongside the pattern.

I will also have a Babushka Softie Gallery so you can send photos of your dolls...

I can't wait to see the different designs you come up with!