Guest Posting at Auntie Lolo Crafts

Hey all, want to know how to turn your kids artwork into adorable little Christmas ornaments like these?

Come on over to Auntie Lolo Crafts blog where I am sharing my tutorial today!
See you there :) Caren

What to give?

On December 12, Sew Mama Sew is having a "Giveaway Day" that links hundreds (really - HUNDREDS!) of giveaways that are going on consecutively.  So now that I've got my blog up and running I'm considering linking up and giving something away.  

The question is, what do I give?   A peacock?

A hedgehog, perhaps?

A sweet little dolly?

Custom hand embroidery?

A kangaroo?  

Or how about a sock friend?

Have any of you ever participated in the Giveaway Day before?  I'm just trying to get ideas here.  As I have mentioned before, I am thinking of opening an online shop (way in the future!).  So the "business" part of that is to gain more followers for my blog for wider exposure.  But more than that, I'd really just like to participate because I like creating, I like giving, and I like being part of the global community of creative people.  I like swapping ideas, finding cool tutorials, and sharing what I know.  I'll be honest, Giveaway Day is how I found many of my favorite blogs!

So don't be shy, let me know what you think.  Should I make something new for Giveaway Day?  Is there a soft toy that you would love to see me make?  I'm up for comments, and I know I don't say it enough, but yes, I really do appreciate all of you who follow my blog!!!  

Blessings, 

Caren

Running Stitches Sampler

Do you use embroidery to embellish your projects?  Lately, I have been looking for websites with basic pictures and explanations of the different stitches, as well as tutorials.  

The two I have found that I really like are Mary Corbet's Needle n Thread, which has great video tutorials, and Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials, which is very well organized and the tutorials are all very easy to follow.  Sarah's blog is all tutorials, and Mary Corbet's is a blog about her needlework (she does some amazing stuff - but WAYYYY out of my league!).

Anyway, when I am wanting to spice up a project with embroidery, I often think - what stitches should I use? I mean, its not like I've been doing this very long, so I don't really know what different stitches even look like. So I thought I'd make a sampler.  But this one is made with ALL running stitches.  

Sarah's got the stitch tutorials grouped in "families", that is, running stitches with all it's variations, chain stitches with all variations, etc.  Very well organized.

So I just went down the line in the Running Stitches group and used all of them!

Next I really want to do a chain stitch sampler.  There are so many really really cool looking stitches that are in that group!  

I have several other really cool projects in the works first, though.  

It's fun knowing that if I get stuck trying to figure out what stitches will look good on my projects that I can just look up my sampler and pick one!  My very own sampler.  Who'd've thunk it?!!!

Hedgie Pattern & Tutorial {Free}

Felted Wool Hedgie Tutorial
cadamsCREATIONS.blogspot.com

I took inspiration for this little hedgie from the book Countryside Softies by Amy Adams who shares both my love for creating softies and my last name (though I do not think we are related).  This pattern uses very small amounts of fabrics, and there are only a few places that call for machine sewing (the rest is hand-sewn) so this little hedgie is a great on-the-go project, and would be great for using up some of your scraps.  Oh, and if you are not an expert at hand sewing, don’t fret - the stitches are all random straight stitches with embroidery floss - wonky hand-stitching just adds to the charm!

This is my very first original pattern specifically for felted wool.  I like the texture of the wool; it gives a warm but rugged look to this little hedgie (and is a very forgiving fabric).  The wool, by the way, came from some mens sweaters found at the thrift store.  I love the look of the patching and the buttons.  All the little hand-sewn details just make each hedgie so unique.  Choose the colors that tickle your fancy.  Follow the simple pattern I’ve drafted for you, and embellish ‘til your heart is content! 

Materials:

Felted Wool [color A – light (cream), color B – dark (brown)]

Cotton Fabrics (itty bitty scraps are fine)

Two buttons* for eyes

One bigger button* for nose

Embroidery Floss 

*Note: Buttons are not safe for children under 3, nor are they safe for kids older than that who are chewers (I’ve got one of those!).  Buttons are (as we call them in our house) “chokeables”, so please use caution in that regard.  You can easily replace the buttons with some extra wool, craft felt, or embroidery. 

Instructions

1.    Print and cut out the pattern pieces (transfer the start/stop dots onto the fabric).  Cut out the pieces, using notes on the pattern as to which fabric to use for each piece.  With the exception of the underbody, cut the pieces so that there is a left and a right of each piece.  One of the things I love about creating is that each piece is unique - see how my pieces don't quite line up?  No problem!  Just go with it and see what emerges!

2.    Using a 1/8-inch seam allowance (included in the pattern pieces), machine stitch (right sides together) the body, “spines”, and face patch along the dotted lines as shown.  I suggest using a small stitch length, between 15-20 stitches per inch so the seams will stay when you stuff your hedgie (wool is fairly stretchy).  [If you prefer to use a different seam allowance, just add it to the pattern pieces before you cut them out.]

3.   Turn your pieces right sides out and stuff the body piece with wool or polyester fiberfil. 

4.      Flatten the bottom of your hedgie by placing the cardboard underbody inside the body opening.  On the outside of the body, hand-sew the wool underbody so that it covers the body opening.  Now you should have something that resembles a slug (ha!)

5.     Attach the “spines” to the top of the body (lining up the seams) with random straight stitches.  When you have a few inches left to sew, stuff the spines and then finish sewing.

6.       Attach the face patch.  Line up the seams and position the patch as shown in the picture.

7.       Sew on the buttons for the eyes and nose.  See - now your hedgie has some personality!

8.       With the fabric facing front and the wool on the back, sew the ear pieces together (I used straight stitches, but you can use blanket stitching if you prefer).  Attach them to the head.

9.       Embellish as desired, give it a name (everyone needs a name, right?!), and enjoy!

Snoot has a heart on his spines

(so does Stella)

Stella has French knots for eyes (12 strands of floss!)

(buttons with embroidery floss add texture and the suggestion of spines)

Snoot & Sniffles

...and Stella makes three!

As I said, the pattern (click here) and the tutorial (instruction sheet - click here) are absolutely free.  If you do happen to make a little hedgie or two or three, would you let me know?  I'd be tickled pink to see how you've made yours!
Happy Sewing!  :) Caren
ps - I have previously blogged about the hedgies I made - if you want to read that post, click here.

Meet My New Hedgies!

Last week I joined a link party over at Love Affair with My Brother and I received quite a few comments (and several new followers - thanks, Sunni!).  I have been making my own soft toy patterns for about a year now and have had many requests, but never for the patterns themselves.  So now, by special request, I have drafted up a hedgehog pattern, and made a few hedgies for today's show & tell.

Source

In my quest to draft a hedgie pattern I have been scouring the internet for photos.  I love this little one.

Source

Or how about this one with the cute flower?  Lookie! - you can actually see her legs!

This is more typical of what I have seen.  Just a big ball of spines with a nose (and ears and eyes, if you look closely).  So that was where I started.  And without further ado, let me introduce you to my newest creations!

(Oh, and per special request, I'll be sharing my pattern and tutorial with you all in an upcoming post!)

Before I post the tutorial, however, I'd like to introduce you to my little family of felted wool hedgies.  First up is Snoot, who may look like a traditionally colored hedgie, but his "spines" are really navy blue and deep maroon.  I didn't happen to have any brown wool today, so I used what I had in the house already.  

And here is Sniffles.  Her spines are made from a 70% wool, 30% polyester ribbed sweater.  I wasn't sure how the ribbing would work and then I made her using my tutorial and she looked like an armadillo! 

See what I mean?  Anyway, I figured I wouldn't have to actually MAKE spines, I'd just have to give the SUGGESTION of spines.  So here's how I did that:

Just a bit of embroidery floss makes for an interesting addition to both the look and texture of this girlie.

And last but not least is Stella.  She's a "sophisticated" hedgie, subdued in both color and personality.  But she's sweet none the less.  I decided to go with embroidery floss for the eyes - 12 strand French knots.  Let me say that I was more than a bit nervous about that, but I took courage and pressed on.

Are you still with me?  OK.  I told you I'd be sharing my pattern and tutorial, and I promise you won't have to wait long (my next post, in fact!).  And yes, my crafty followers, it is absolutely free!  But before I go, can I share just a few more fun photos?  Because I took a gazillion and no one around here really cares about seeing them.  So if you are interested, here's just a few more!

A heart.  'Cause I love my followers!  :) Caren

Uncomplicated

This blog post is a reminder to myself to keep things simple.  

At the moment I have a million (ish) fabulous ideas floating around in my head.  I start by drafting my patterns and adding elements, and by the time I'm sewing I realize that I have made things WAY TOO COMPLICATED.  Has that ever happened to you?

If you haven't noticed, I get pretty excited about uncommon animals.  You know, the ones that are totally unique.  Yep, teddy bears and stuffed kitties are nice, but they're fairly common.  A stuffed kangaroo?  Now that's not as easy to find!

See, it all started with a realization that I have a baby shower to go to this Saturday (eek!).  And yes, I do already have a gift to give, but it is not hand-made.  So I decided I'd make a small stuffie for the new baby.  Here's my sketch.  A bunny.  Not so difficult, right?

Ha!  Then I thought - oh, I bet that baby would like a crinkly toy!  So I added the crinkle factor (in this case, a sanitized pretzel bag).  Then I thought - oh, one is not enough!  I'll make a family!

  But even before I could finish one bunny, I had a "great idea" (anyone ever seen Wallace and Gromit?  "Don't worry, I have a GREAT idea!").  Yeah.  A kangaroo family.

Yes!  A pocket!  A little joey to snuggle in it's mommy's "pouch"!  Great idea!

But by then the crinkle bunny family was partially finished.  So now the kangaroo daddy has been finished.  So I'm kind of committed.  (Or maybe someone should consider committing me!)

I mean, really - look at those ears.  Gorgeous!  But ouch - they were fussy!!!  There's a bit of the "crinkly" in there, and then I gathered them, then the patch on the inside.... what was I thinking?!  And that's only the daddy kangaroo!

And since I was already committed, I decided not to leave this poor bunny family unfinished.  They deserve to be together, right?  So here's mommy:

Doesn't she look happy?

And if I ever get Mrs Kangaroo and little Joey finished, I'm sure they'll look every bit as happy to be a family...

...IF, of course, I can tear daddy kangaroo away from my little Sunshine!

Have a very blessed (and uncomplicated) week!  :) Caren