Making a Blythe Bed

Blythe furniture can be quite expensive and hard to come by. So I set about looking for something to turn into a bed for her, at the local dollar shop I found these wooden key cabinets... a few wooden knobs for legs form the hardware store and this is where we are so far...

Still planning on making a headboard, mattress etc. And am doing a craft swap with a lovely lady from the US for a patchwork quilt and matching pillows for some Shabby Annies Design Blythe clothing.  Also the little set of drawers is a jewellery box I found in an op shop for $2.

So all up this bed has cost less than $15 to make so far.

xx

A Day of Pink!

I'm currently working on a creation for a doll swap with a most amazing doll artist, and the Doll in question needs a specific type of yarn for her hair, which I only had in white but simply must be pink. So I purchased some more fabric dye and rounded up a few samples of fabric to test out, some ribbon, roses and various other yarns that I either can't use as they are or simply needed pinking up.

Of course I made a mess, which dear hubby was very concerned about (lucky he wasn't here the first time I dyed, it was horrendously messy)  but Ohhhhh so much fun!!!

And we had a gorgeous sunny and windy day today, which was perfect for drying in and I even had enough time to catch up on Downton Abbey while I wound up my balls of yarn with my old singer yarn winder.

I'll have to hold out for the weekend to get stuck into these pretty pink beauties, the kids have Cross Country on tomorrow, so mummy duties call  :)

xx

A little story about a doll.......

Once upon a time there was a doll maker, she lived in a world of lace and roses, dreams and flowers, tulle and ribbons, and well...    I could go on forever, but you get the idea.

One day a beautiful face emerged from the fabric, all dreamy blue eyes and the cutest button nose you've ever seen...

And after a few days she started to transform into a beautiful creation...

Using some of the doll makers finest supplies including Hand spun Mulberry Silk with gold twine and glass beads for her hair, and beautiful shimmery Glass house fabric and the softest of softest netting for a lovely wispy skirt ~ the doll maker thought it was her finest creation ever...

The doll maker was so excited by this beauty she took all sorts of photos, she had big plans for her...

The pretty dreamy blue eyed girl quickly found her way into the doll makers heart and the doll maker decided to keep her as her own and make her the new face of her business...

Then one day in the studio whilst the doll maker was working on some other creations, the pretty dreamy blue eyed girl unfortunately acquired some white paint to her neckline :(

So then the fate of her future was well and truly cemented, she would always live in the studio with the doll maker and be her muse, her model and companion to all creations that pass through the doors.

So you will see her popping up from time to time, and she amazingly fits some Blythe outfits that the doll maker also dabbles in...

So for any of you who were wondering who that girl is in the background, now you know who the  Dreamy Blue Eyed beauty with the cute button nose is.

xx

 Nappy for Nappy Choo Tutorial

I'm sharing a little how to today, on making your little baby BJD, Nappy Choo a little nappy.

Supplies:

fabric

lining

stabilizer

snap fasteners

general sewing supplies

Cut out your nappy pattern on the line...

Trace the pattern onto your lining fabric, make sure to mark where the opening is...

Cut a piece from the outer fabric and stabilizer (if needed), pin fabric together with right side pattern on the inside of the lining, (stabilizer on bottom)...

With small stitches sew on the line, starting and finishing at the open section...

Gently tear away your stabilizer if you've used it. Cut out the fabric leaving a seam as you go, and extra fabric at the opening for ease of turning through...

Turn through, and press if desired...

Sew a small stitch around the edge, this seals the open section as well, and stitch your snap fasteners in place...

All ready for Nappy Choo...

If you have any questions please don't  hesitate to ask.

I'd love to see any photos of your Nappy Choos in there nappies.

xx

A friendly meeting  ........

Our baby BJD doll, Baby Bella snuck in for a little photo during Sweet Pea Art Dolls photo shoot

xx

 Some Tres' Chic Shabby Annies 

xx

Nappy Choo

Introducing the newest member into our dolly collection - our very own baby Nappy Choo! This is little Bella, she is sooo adorable. My daughter and I are having so much fun finding toys and furniture for her, and will be attempting to make some little outfits for her too xx

Sweet Peas

One of my newest cloth doll designs are called Sweet Peas. These little cloth dolls can sit, unlike my other smaller Penny Annie dolls. Making it easier to display them. Each face is hand drawn and painted, making them all a little different in their own ways. I thoroughly enjoy making these little darlings and they are more affordable for my customers xx

A Blythe Story...

So along my journey of doll making and creating, I spend an undefined amount of time doing what I call "research"  ;)  online. Anywhere from flickr, instagram, pinterest, etsy, ebay, facebook and just good ol' google.  I kept seeing these Blythe dolls pop up over and over again and eventually fell in love with them and their adorably cute outfits and accessories. I always claimed to not be a doll collector, but I think now my status has changed. I spent a lot of time researching and stressing over how to buy my very first Blythe doll, and eventually found this lass......

Disco Boogie Blythe (Takara)

I thought it best to just go second hand for a first one until I learnt a bit more about them.  So timing it with my daughters 11th birthday, she was blown away when she unwrapped her very first Blythe doll (very well aware that she had to share her dolly with mum  ;)

So needless to say, my days are now spent obsessing more about fabrics and dress styles for our precious new family member, who is yet to be named anything other than Blythe. Hmmmm we must do something about that, will get back to you soon with a name for her.



 This crochet beanie is the very first thing I made for her, it took a lot longer than I thought, their heads are quite large.

We found these glasses in an op shop on one of our travels - a perfect fit!

I set about to make a pretty outfit for her to give to my daughter on the day she got her, it's not perfect, but I was happy with it for my first try at miniature dress making.

Her bodice and straps are a little wonky but I shall keep trying until I master it. And her petticoat ended up too long, she seems to look cuter in short dresses and skirts. 

xx

Shabby Annies Headquarters

One day on a visit to a local op shop, I stumbled across some books of piano sheet music. I know to some it may seem like sacrilege to cut them up, but there were so many books just sitting there and a lot of damaged ones as well. The bunting is quite fragile though, next time (if I make anymore :) I think I'll back the paper with some fabric or felt, to make them stronger. And this was a good excuse to dip into my button stash and finally put them to use xx

 I got the most awesome addition to my craft room ever! It was a combined present for my birthday, an apple TV adapter too - now I can even more crafting done, watching all my favourite shows and more!  (now I just need that little fridge out here and I'll never have to leave my little sanctuary again  ;)

This is my new chair for crafting to, this was a mothers day present, I LOVE it sooo much and it's sooo pretty too!

 Oops, how'd that photo sneak in there???   bit of a snack in between craft projects and cleaning up  :)

And voila........ probably the cleanest my craft room has been in ages and perhaps the neatest that I can ever make it......

Have a nice day xx

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

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 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