Pitt Trading

I went to the craft expo in Sydney this year and found a wonderful little shop, Pitt Trading. I purchased some goodies off them and was amazed with the ease of using their supplies on my dolls. I have since purchased a few more things from them online and found them to be very efficient and a pleasure to deal with. I was recently asked to write up a small article for their site on my doll making and how I use their supplies in my creative process. It was published today, so I'm feeling a little giddy tonight and am celebrating with a glass of bubbles, chink, chink ~ cheers all.  ♥♥♥


http://pitttrading.com.au/blogs/news/10162261-shabby-annies-by-paula-wagner

Christmas Tree Tutorial

I recently went to the local markets and took along some little Xmas trees, I've received a lot of interest from them, and seeing as they are quite quick to make up thought I'd share a little tutorial for those who'd like to use up some fabric scraps and make their own little forest.

Supplies - cotton fabric of your choice, polyester toy stuffing, ribbons and flowers, wooden cotton reel, general sewing supplies

Here is the pattern...

Fold your chosen fabric with right sides together

Trace around the Xmas tree pattern with a pencil, marking the open section

 Sew on the line from a- b

Cut around the tree leaving a seam allowance

 Turn through and stuff

 Run a running stitch around the open section, insert the wooden cotton reel, and pull the threads to close around the reel.

Embellish your tree with ribbons, flowers, bells or whatever you choose.

Merry Xmas !

I hope the instructions are clear for you all, please don't hesitate to contact me in regards to any more information you may need or want. 

http://www.facebook.com/ShabbyAnnies

or by email - pupnwags1@live.com.au

A new little dolly design - Penni Annies

I've been having lots of fun making these wee little ladies (6 inches tall)

xoxo

My World...

I attempted to have a bit of a clean up in the craft room these holidays, it wasn't as successful as I'd hoped, but I think I now have wayyyy too much stuff!  But I still had fun finding lost things and making room for more creations.

My pride and joy ~ ellie from http://olivegroveprimitives.blogspot.com.au/

I painted my craft table white, it makes it so much easier to work on, I no longer am hunting for needles that blend into the timber, and the work lamp reflects so much light back up off the surface, only wish I'd done it sooner.

~xoxo~

Chaos

This is a peek at what my craft table looks like most days - I start and start and start different little projects all the time, sometime just flitting back to an old idea just for a few seconds and trials, then over to something else! It is a bit messy, but super fun anyway!!!

xoxo

Art Dolls

I love to take a few group shots when I have a few girls before they fly off to their new homes ♥

And a group shot of my Shabby Fillies and Colts, I'm quite over making these at the moment as I've made almost 20 this year, am thinking of writing the pattern up for them and selling the pattern. I've got at least 1-2 ladies who would test it for me, now just to motivate myself to sit down and work out how to word it.

xoxo

Pincushion Stack

I fell in love with this pincushion stack that I found at http://elfenpulver.blogspot.com.au/

And I am taking part in an upcoming pinchushion showcase at http://www.facebook.com/littlehoneypie, so I thought I'd make one.....

Short Stack

Although now I love my new pincushion, not sure if I can part with it for the showcase!!! Might have to make another.

Or I could attempt another mini world one, I love them too, but they are quite fiddly and time consuming.

xoxo

Art Dolls

I just wanted to share with you some of my dolls that I've made this year.....

This is Anastasia - still working on this one today

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend. xx

Mushrooms and Snails revisited...

I have bee bouncing back to some of my old favorite themes lately with an upcoming showcase that I am taking part in. It is a woodland themed one held by my dear friend at http://www.facebook.com/paula.wagner.184#!/PrettyTwistedKnotsCrochetCreations?fref=ts
it's not until June but I have been having a bit of fun with something different than my dolls.

I have been dreaming of a cute snail pattern for years and today I was so excited when my first trial came out so perfectly, he's only in a plain homespun at the moment he needs a little dressing up or some pretty fabrics, but I just had to share this little fella.

xoxo

Wooden Spools


A love of vintage wooden spools has driven me a tad bit batty over the last few years.... you see I can't ever seem able to justify the soaring prices that their labels express.
I have watched ebay auction after auction and scoured many antique shops etc. (which resulted in a few purchases of smaller wooden spools)  So I finally set about to make myself some....

At spotlight I purchased round coasters by Kaiserwood. Then over time I accumulated a stash of these cardboard rolls that are found at the end of the roll of bin liner bags. They are a lot stronger and a skinnier than toilet rolls, and I really didn't want to roll all my pretties up on a toilet roll anyways   :)

I have oodles of PVA glue left over from all the kids projects over the years, so I put it to good use and glued the rolls between 2 of the coasters and.....

voilà!!

I love my wooden spools, they cost me about $1 each to make, considering the rolls are usually rubbish and the glue is left over. They take about 5 mins to make, while the glue dries and then wind up all the pretties. And now all my trim is easy to see, stored safely and neatly and they look great in the craft room. I guess if I was a patient person I would've painted them up all nice and shabby chic-ley... maybe one day.

Now to make some order in the rest of the craft room!!  :)

Art Dolls

So I haven't posted since November, things have been so very busy around here!!!
Firstly the Christmas holidays and festivities went off well, we had a fantastic street xmas party that sort of just rolled right on through the week and a bit into the next as well! What a great place to live, we have such fantastic neighbors. Our actual xmas day was very quiet, just us and the kids, sadly to far to fly home to see everyone, but we skyped for a bit - thanks for the technology!!

I finished the year of with the last of my Shabby Annies on sale and they both sold promptly. Heading into the new year with a clean slate I embarked on a new style of dolls.

This was my introduction of my Shabby Annie Art Dolls on my facebook page  

I have been making dolls for many years, selling them locally at markets and to dear friends. Last year when I took the plunge and started selling online, I was overwhelmed at the response. And through the many social media networks that are available to us today, a door was opened to a wonderland of fellow doll makers and collectors. I am in awe of the many talented and artistic dolls being created around the world and the never ending source of inspiration, I find my knowledge widening at a great rate of knots, so with a few butterflies in my belly I introduce my first Shabby Annies Art Doll – ‘Sophie’.

I am still making my dolls out of 100% cotton homespun, I hand paint with acrylic paints the face and sometime little shoes. The dresses are mostly made out of 100% cotton patchwork fabrics from my huge stash, and occasionally the dresses are made out of upcycled clothing. I still like to have a little strand of pearls on them, but not every doll fits them. 

I have had quite a good response from my followers so far and no sooner do I release a new doll, she is gone within 24 hrs. I have also been getting a few orders each week, which is keeping me on my toes.

I'm not going to keep on going for too long, but will try to stop by here more often - I have missed blog-land!!

Shabbily yours ~ Paula xx