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

Crafty Days

I had a friend over all day today and another friend last week on friday, have had such a lovely time chatting, inspiring each other and creating some lovely things for the home.

M turned up today with some styrofoam wreaths and a bundle of hessian, this is my efforts for the day......

I added some lovely little pearls to the center of each flower

When A came last week full of xmas ideas and inspiration - I made a Christmas tree skirt, its calico with a ruffle on the edge

The photos are not the best, but it came up really pretty, I will post more pics when it is under the tree, might add a bow to the center when its all set up too.

Hope you are having a lovely crafty time....  xxoo

Meet Elizabeth Bennett

From Pride and Prejudice, a custom order that I loved making so much, I might have to do a few more of the Bennett girls.

And while my obsession with pumpkins and mushrooms has subsided, I have a new love for pears - this is an oversize pear - for decor or cushion.

Also have finally got started with some Xmas crafts, I have been busy working on my ruffled tree skirt today, will post some pictures soon!

I FINALLY found my password for my blog!!!! I just registered to have it sms'd to me next time that happens. Let's hope it never happens again anyway!

I've been quite busy since my last post, I have a whole heap of this I want to post but will pace them out for now.

I have done 'Marie Antoinette' earlier and have now created another one, I normally would never make the same doll twice but with all of the wigs and dresses that she wore, I could make heaps more......

This one is off to the ball! She is going into the doll show case in November that I mentioned in September, I'm still trying to work out how much to put on her, I was thinking $80? What do you think?


I had another doll that was to go into it as well, but she sold already - a lady saw her and just fell in love with her, and... well I'm not very good at saying no - so she has gone to a new home.

'Livvy'

I miss the girls when they are gone, might have to make one to keep soon!

Well that'll do for today, hope you are all well   -  XOXO

The lovely Kylie is holding a charm pack giveaway.

Hi all you crafty ladies out there, head on over to http://redraspberryquilts.blogspot.com.au/

The lovely Kylie is holding a charm pack giveaway.

 

 

Hi Everyone - Its time for another giveaway and this time we are having a charm pack giveaway.   All you have to do to enter this giveaway is to click on the birdie below and he will take you straight to the Red Raspberry Quilts website.   Check out the charm packs in store and then come back and leave a comment telling me which was your favourite.   Mention us on your blog to enter the giveaway twice (double your chances) but don't forget to tell me in your comment.

 

 

 

 

   I will be going away at the end of next week so I will make the closing date in two weeks time - Friday 28 September - and I will be drawing the winner at around 7.00 pm AEST.

 

Good luck everyone.

 

 

Kylie xxx

http://redraspberryquilts.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/charm-pack-giveaway.html?showComment=1347520945144#c350978284980672760

Meet Amelia

My latest Shabby Annie is Amelia. She has the cutest little hat.

Have a nice day  xx

Shabby Pumpkins

I have been so busy again, feels like that a lot these days! But I am loving that the days are warming up and I can open up the house again for fresh air. My face book page http://www.facebook.com/ShabbyAnnies is coming along quite well, I have 88 fans so far and have sold a few of my dolls. I have also gotten a few orders which I have been managing with more ease than before. I am taking part in a doll showcase in November and have to design and create 2 dolls to enter under the theme of Nostalgia Love. I have 5 dolls heading off to the local markets in 2 weeks with a friend. I don't have enough to hold my own stall. So I'm a bit excited about all things at the moment. I have 2 more orders to get done before Xmas and have been very busy designing new patterns, which I can'ts seem to find time to get around making yet.

My little girl, Hayley, has also been busy designing and sewing her own little chain of dolls and clothes for her teddies. It is lovely to see her taking such a keen interest in sewing and craft with me! I have cleared a space for her in my craft room, and she sits across from me. (although it is a bit hard to share some of my fave fabrics, trims and buttons!!!  but I'm learning  :)

I love these shabby pumpkins, no machine sewing required.

Some find from the 2nd hand shop last week....

Some of my goodies from the Craft and Sew Show I attended a few weeks ago...

Can't wait to try the stamp on some fabric or hessian!!

Hope you all have a lovely day  xx

Hannah!

A little out of my usual style - I was asked to create a debutante Shabby Annie for a dear friend. Her niece (Hannah) was turning sweet 16 on the same day as she was doing her debutante ball. I was sent a photo of her and her dress - I was quite happy with how she turned out, though I did have to put a stick inside her to support her neck. The hair is single stranded all over so very heavy. I had no tiara so shes has a pearl stranded hair piece with matching earrings. Her little gloves were the cutest part, I'll definitely have to make them on another doll in the future. She still is a little bohemian and barefoot under her gown.  :)

Some little letter blocks I made from paper clay and stamps.

Lately I've been a bit obsessed with making the perfect mushroom....

Here are some self cover buttons and wooden spools....

Hand stitched felt mushies....

Machine stitched felt mushies....

Still haven't nutted out the style I am happy with but will keep working on it!


And some hessian and lacy table runners - I might sell a couple of these, although I'm sure I could find places for them in my home - they are so pretty.

I did get to the Craft and Sew Show in Newcastle on the weekend and had a fab time with my lovely friend Megan. We are going to definitely make it our annual thing! Will post some pics soon of the goodies I got!!!

Have a nice weekend - happy creating   :)

Meet Marie!!

For a while I have been playing around with the idea of some 18th century inspired Shabby Annies - so after a 
considerable amount of research (watching some movies based around then) I have finally created 'Marie' ;) I hope you love her as much as I do!!

I have done a little bit extra work on her accessories and her dress and she has caused quite a commotion in our household, mostly everyone has contributed to some part of her - and so proud of my 12 yr old son for holding his first Shabby Annie!!!  His lack of interest had never really caught my eye, but with everyone else arguing over names and hair bits and earrings, beauty spots etc ... his curiosity got the better of him - but shhhhh..... can't tell anyone!  ;)

Not too sure yet if I want to sell her - she'd have to have a fair price on her for the amount of blood sweat and tears I have put into her!!  

Have a nice day!

Holly

Meet Holly - this lil' gal is for a very special little girl, Hayley, my daughter who was most upset with me for deciding to sell my Shabby Annies. I guess she thought we'd keep them all and fill the house with dolls. So upon request from Hayley I have created Holly, with her chosen hair and dress. And she has a beaut little corsage to go on her wrist.

A few Shabby makings

I have been having a finishing up kind of week and finally tackled some of my unfinished projects! What a good feeling, I might have to do it a bit more often!!!

Some of my shabby pumpkins

A hessian and lace table runner - I love this it looks so good on the table, photos isn't the best as kids homework and tax papers are all over the table (that's my job for the weekend - boring old filing)

Hope you all have a nice weekend....

Lookie at my new toy!!!!

I got this beauty for my birthday present this year from my darling husband. I spent most of the weekend reading the manual and playing around with all the new stitches. Yes..... I did read the manual for the first time ever - because to tell you the truth, I was a bit scared when I looked at the machine, most complex machine I've ever had, and much bigger than my other little dinky sewing machines.

Now to create something with this beauty!!!

Thought I might join in JaM this week with Jody at......
http://re-inventingfashion.blogspot.com.au/

JaM - taking Just a Moment to gather & share the things you have noticed, consumed, created &/or bought during your week....




So this week the kiddlywinks went back to school and I managed to get a few things done....


Shop for some lovely new fabrics for some more Shabby Annies dresses...

Hunt the thrift shops for some accessories for Shabby Annies...

A lady was admiring my Shabby Annies and asked me if I could make her some headbands like the ones on the dolls - so here is my first attempt...

My greatest find of the week!!!
A vintage Singer cantilever sewing box!!!

I couldn't believe my luck - when I got to the local markets a dear lady at a stall had this tucked under her table waiting for me. I had missed her at a few markets over the months as I have been away or too busy to get down to them. But apparently in May, I saw her at the markets and had been having a chat with her about how much I'd wanted one and had thus far been unable to find one within my price range or in good condition. So all my Christmas's came at once - I got this beauty for $20!!!

I have only been dreaming about one of these for 4-5 years so my patience has paid off in the end. My dear hubby is going to fix up the broken bit of veneer on the front and clean it up for me - it's moments like these that make all the stressful and emotional days disappear.  There are certainly some lovely and thoughtful people out there.

Hope you all have a lovely week this week too  xoxo

Finally!!!

Hi my name is Paula and it's been 2 months since my last post......

Hope everyone is well. It has been a fairly busy few weeks, but am glad now that things are settling down a bit. And it's my first full winter here, so the weather has helped to slow down things a bit.
But I still managed to find the time to make some new dolls. I took some photos of the girls today to get ready to sell,  I couldn't wait any longer to show them off!!!

Meet the newbies....

Lizzy

 Ruby

 Grace

I am so excited about the beret that I made for Grace, I am going to try out a few more of these in the future!

Betty

I have been having endless fun creating these girls, exploring all the different ways of adding vintage charm to them each with vintage jewelry, doilies, napkins and hankies. I hope you like them.

Meet The New Girls!

Finally got a couple of dolls finished, have been working on these poor lost souls for quite a while! Was so excited as I finished them both off in 1 night, still working on their names, but I just couldn't wait to share them with someone!!

Hayles made the girls a tea party to welcome them - too cute!