Free Tutorial - Sparkle Kitty

Hi!  Do you like teeny tiny cute things?  If so, I've created a wonderful little tutorial specially for you!  These super sweet Sparkle Kitties are fun and easy to make and can be worn as brooch pins or hair barrettes and can easily be made into ornaments, key chains or as tiny pets for your dolls.

 Sparkle Kitties measure just under 2 inches tall and are completely hand sewn.  

They make the dearest little pets!

What you'll need to make one:

::  2.5 x 4 inch felt for main body                            ::  1 x 1 inch glitter felt or coloured felt for bow

::  2 x 7.5mm safety eyes                                       ::  4 - 5 tiny flat backed Swarovski crystals

::  Embroidery thread/floss                                     ::  Metallic embroidery thread (optional)                          ::  Disappearing ink marker                                    ::  Ruler                                                                      

::  Clear drying craft glue                                        ::  Flat toothpick

::  Embroidery scissors                                           ::  Sewing needles and pins

::  Pink coloured pencil                                           ::  Tweezers

::  Polyfil                                                                ::  Orange stick or chopstick for stuffing

::  Optional:  awl, wire cutters, sticky-back googly eyes (1 each of 7.5mm and 10mm), brooch pin post, key chain, barrette with holes.   

Download the pattern here.

.: Print pattern onto regular printer paper - no need to re-size the pieces.

.: Cut out pattern pieces and pin each piece onto your chosen felts.  You can choose which way you'd like your kitty to face - tail on the left or right. 
.: Carefully cut around patterns - you'll need to cut one front and one back, and one bow.
.: To mark the grid onto the felt, keep the paper pattern piece pinned in place and gently lift its outer edges, using your disappearing ink marker to mark the beginning of the lines onto the felt. Then remove the pattern piece and use the ruler to connect the lines. The grid will help with the placement of facial features in later steps.  (It's only necessary to mark the grid lines onto the front piece of felt.)

 

.:  Using one strand of embroidery thread, embroider the little snout, whiskers, paws, and ear tufts.  I used metallic thread to add a bit of sparkle, but that's totally up to you.

.: Being very careful, use the tip of your embroidery scissors or an awl to make two tiny holes for the eyes at the center of the X, where the vertical and horizontal lines meet.

.: Insert safety eyes with connectors at the back, making sure you slide the connector firmly down onto each post as far as it will go.

 ✿ Optional, but highly recommended:  Once you've connected the eye parts, trim the back plastic posts of the safety eyes with your wire cutters, leaving about an 1/8 of an inch beyond the washers. 

.: Embroider eyelashes at the outer corners of the eyes.

.:  Whip stitch darts on front and back of head, making sure to sew them from the back of the felt.

.:  Place front onto back, wrong sides facing and pin.  Using one strand of embroidery thread and starting at the top of the head at one of the marked lines just off center, whip stitch all the way around to the other marked line on the opposite side of the head.  The tail area is a little finicky, but take your time and go around it carefully.  Keep your stitches small, neat and evenly spaced as this helps to prevent the stuffing from escaping from the seams and gives a lovely finish to your work.

.:  Stuff the kitty, gently pushing the stuffing down into the body area and then working your way up to fill the head and ears.  Don't bother stuffing the little tail - it's impossible!!

.:  As you get nearer to the opening at the top, start whip stitching the opening closed, adding a bit more stuffing as you go to round out the top of the head before you fully close the hole.

.:  Dip the tip of a flat toothpick into the glue and draw it along the front neck area, creating a thin line of glue from one side to the other.  Use your pair of tweezers to position the flat backed Swarovski crystals onto the glue.  Try and keep them nice and straight and close together so that it looks like a tiny jeweled collar.  Allow to dry.

.:  Position the bow just below the ear, above an eye and sew in place using tiny stitches in the center of the bow.  Add a bit of colour to the cheeks by using your pink coloured pencil.  

Alternatively, you can position and sew the bow on at the neck instead of making a collar.

 .:  If you'd like to make the googly-eyed kitty, simply omit the steps of making eye holes and inserting them with safety eyes and instead, glue the googly eyes on after you've finished stuffing your kitty.  Use the grid to help with placement of the eyes.

  ✿ Optional:  To make a key chain pendant, stitch the loop of the key chain directly onto the top of the head, keeping your stitches hidden within the dart stitches.

.:  For a brooch, pin the brooch post onto the back of the kitty and stitch in place.  You can do the same with a hair barrette if you'd like.

So that's it! I hope you'll feel inspired to make one or two of these for yourself or for someone you know :) You're also welcome to sell your little creations, I just ask that you offer GINGERMELON design credit in any written description please.  And I'd love to see how they turn out so please share your pics on my facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/gingermelondolls?ref=hl

Happy sewing everyone!! 

Chibi Angels and Mermaids

Hello there!  I'm very excited to share some photos of the little Chibi dolls I've been working on lately.  'Chibi' is an endearing Japanese term for extremely cute, baby-like characters with over-sized heads and tiny bodies.

 These tiny angels and mermaids measure just under 5 inches tall, which makes them the perfect size for little hands to hold or for turning into ornaments!

 The mermaids...

The angels.

I just love how dainty they are!! 

 I'm hoping to have the patterns for these little sweeties ready very soon!

 As most of you know, my new book - 'My Felt Doll' has recently been published and is now available for purchase on-line at Amazon, Kobo and Indigo.  I believe it is also due for release in stores at the end of October.  If you'd like to find out what people are saying about it, please pop over and visit Abby Glassenberg's blog to read her review on my book.  I just want to say a big Thank You to Abby for taking the time to share her thoughts about it! 

Here are a few photos I took of the dolls I made for the book..

The mermaids.

The princess.

And the Woodland Girl.  Take a boo inside her little basket and you'll see a teensy, weensy hedgehog peeking out!

These are just a few of the many themes that are included inside the book!

Have an awesome week!

Rainbow Pony

Hello lovelies!!  I've been elbow deep in felt and embroidery threads lately working on an exciting project for The Land Of Nod.  Though I cannot tell you anything about it at the moment, I will definitely post a sneak peek once I'm able!
Whilst working on the aforementioned project, I had an overwhelming urge to create a little pony that could easily be adapted into a unicorn or pegasus.  I must say, it just kills me when I get ideas for other things when I'm already busy working on something, especially something that has a deadline and requires all my attention!  Anyway, I finally got to try out my idea and here's she is!

   A little Rainbow Pony!

Next on the list, a unicorn with a mane and tail made out of wool roving and a pegasus with cute little wings.
I got a lovely surprise in the mail on Friday - a copy of my new book, My Felt Doll!!  It's now available for pre-order and due to be released this October.

 I'm just so happy with how it's turned out!  Here's a look inside:

  The little Schoolgirl is my favourite!  She wears a traditional uniform, very similar to the one I wore in High School, complete with frilly socks and satchel!

 This is the Woodland Maiden.  Her little bonnet and cloak were probably the hardest outfits to design!  Oh my goodness, I cannot tell you how many different versions of them I made till I was happy with the outcome!!  There's also a dear little hedgehog (you can spot her in the bottom left hand corner) that fits perfectly into her little basket!  The Bedtime Doll and Little Mermaid are shown below.

The book also includes an illustrated stitch guide and a list of supplies and where to get them.

 Last by not least, I've had a couple of amazing weekends with my hubby so far this summer!  We spent one weekend on our little wooden boat in False Creek and another camping at Bridal Falls.
~Shelly xo

Summer Sale!!

Happy Summer to all my Northern friends and happy Winter to all my Southern friends!  I'll be having a SALE this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in my Etsy shop - 20% off EVERYTHING!!  Please type in coupon code SUMMERSALE2015 at the check out to receive the discount.

See you there!
~Shelly  xo

My Felt Doll Book Available for Pre-Order!!

Hello dear friends!  I have some fabulous news to share with you all!  As most of you know, I've spent most of the last year working on my very first book of doll patterns.  Well guess what?  It's now available to pre-order for October 2015 from Stitch Craft Create - please click here for the link.  This has been such a wonderful experience and I'm so excited to finally share some sneak peeks with you!

These are just a few of the 12 different dolls that will be featured in the book - from left to right above:  Little Traveler, Schoolgirl, Ringmaster and the Bedtime doll and below, a sweet Prima Ballerina!

A wonderful opportunity came my way a few weeks ago when I was contacted by Margreta, a British film student who asked me to create 5 identical dolls for a mini film called 'Trash' based on child abandonment. 

 If you'd like to watch the 3 minute movie, please click here and if you like what you see, please show your support by voting for it.  Thanks!!

Have a happy week! :)

~Shelly xo

Pocket Prims Pattern Winners!

Hello dear friends!  I just want to say a very big' Thank You' for your lovely comments and all the entries in the Giveaway post!!  I'm so glad you like the new dolls and I'm excited to share the pattern with you all!

So, the winners of the Pocket Prims pattern are:

-  Ashely Franks
-  Giane
-  Sabrina Halliwell-Walsh
-  Jacquie Sprunger Hartman
-  Mokkie

I've sent each of you an email along with the pattern.  Have fun making them!  The patterns will be available in my shops later on today:)

Have a happy weekend,
~Shelly xo

Pocket Prims Pattern Giveaway!!

Hello lovelies, how are you all?  I hope you're ready for another pattern giveaway!!  I've been working on a new cloth doll design reminiscent of the old fashioned Prim or Raggedy style dolls with a delightfully sweet Anime twist.   

 Because I love the cute style of Japanese Kawaii, I wanted to design the doll to look as adorable as possible.  Though not very tall (doll measures 9 inches), the head is quite large in comparison and showcases big button eyes and charming facial features. 

 Included in the pattern are a number of different tops and bottoms which can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfit combinations, including a simple top which closes in the back, a sweet little tunic, a pretty dress, a pair of capri's and a pair of shorts.

If you'd like to enter to win one of the new patterns, please leave your name and email address in the comments section below, or on the Facebook posts that I'll have up.  To help reduce the risk of  spamming, please don't leave your email address in its proper format, but use this example instead:  md1911(at)shaw(dot)ca.

Five lucky winners will be drawn on Friday, May 29th, and I will send the patterns to them via email.  The pattern will be available in my Etsy shop directly after the draw :)

Best of luck to you all!
~Shelly xo

Free Tutorial - Snuggle Bunny and Kitty

Hello there!  I have a lovely surprise to share with you all today, it's a free tutorial to make a Snuggle Bunny and Kitty!  Not only are these little Snuglings quick and easy to make, they're bursting with cuteness, soft and cuddly and plump and squishy too!!   Perfect to make for baby showers, little ones or anyone who loves the cute loveable style of Japanese Kawaii! I've used a super soft woven wool felt for mine, but any type of felt should work nicely.  Finished bunny measures about 8 inches tall with ears pointed up and kitty measures about 5 inches tall. 

What you'll need:
:  6x8 inch felt for main body                                         :  4x4 inch felt for kitty's ears          
:  6x6 inch felt for bunny's outer ears                             :  6x6 pink felt for bunny's inner ears
:  3x4 inch felt for bow                                                  :  Scrap pink felt for kitty's heart patch
:  Pom-pom for bunny's tail (3/4 inch)                            :  Embroidery thread/floss
:  Polyfil                                                                        :  Pink coloured pencil
:  Disappearing ink marker and ruler                              :  Scissors, sewing needles and pins            
:  Clear drying craft glue                                                :  Q-Tip
:  2x 12 inch pipe cleaners for bunny's ears                    :  Wire cutters
Download the pattern here.
.: Print pattern onto regular printer paper - no need to re-size the pieces.
.: Cut out pattern pieces and pin each piece onto your chosen felts.
.: Carefully cut around patterns.
.: To mark the grid onto the felt, keep the paper pattern piece pinned in place and gently lift its outer edges, using your disappearing ink marker to mark the beginning of the lines onto the felt. Then remove the pattern piece and use the ruler to connect the lines. The grid will help with the facial features and arm placement in later steps.  (It's only necessary to mark the grid lines onto the front piece of felt.)
.: Transfer the dots onto bunny ears with your disappearing ink marker.
.: Use two strands of thread/floss to embroider the eyes and arms and one strand of embroidery thread/floss for the snout, whiskers and all seams.  Try to keep your stitches small, neat and evenly spaced as this gives a nice, clean finish and prevents the stuffing from escaping from the seams.
.: Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.
Ok, lets begin!

.:  Embroider details onto face using stem stitches to outline the eyes and snout.  The eyelashes are straight stitches at the outer corners of each eye.  Fill snout in with satin stitches.  Embroider whiskers with straight stitches.  Stitch the outline of the arms with evenly spaced running stitches.

.: Now fold the front piece in half, right sides facing, and whip stitch the darts at the top of the head. Repeat on the back piece.
**The darts are the cut out 'V's at the top and bottom of the head. Once the head is folded in half vertically the two sides of the 'V' should meet at the center. Whip stitch the edges of the 'V' together. This will help give the head a more rounded appearance.
.: Position heart patch onto the back piece of the kitty's body and applique in place.

 .: Position front onto back, wrong sides together and pin. Starting at the bottom, blanket stitch all the way around, leaving an opening for stuffing.
.: Stuff firmly and blanket stitch opening closed. As you close the hole, add more stuffing to the bottom area if needed. The snuggle bunny or kitty should be full and plump and quite firm, but not to the point of bursting at the seams.

To make the bunny ears, position an inner ear onto an outer ear, wrong sides facing.  Blanket stitch around sides of ears, leaving the bottom edge open.  Next, you'll be making a pipe cleaner frame for each ear.  This will allow the ears to bend.
1. Fold a pipe cleaner in half and lay it onto the ear as shown.  Trim ends of the pipe cleaner with your pair of wire cutters so that they're about an inch longer than the bottom edge of the felt ear.  
2. Fold the right side of the pipe cleaner so that it forms a right angle just above the bottom edge of the felt ear.  Please notice that I've allowed a bit of room at the very top and bottom of the felt ear so that once the pipe cleaner is inserted, the frame will fit nicely.  You don't want it to be too big or small for the area.
3. Twist the end of the piece you've just folded around the straight piece on the left, making sure that the tip is laying flat and not poking out at all. 

4. Twist the end of the left side of the pipe cleaner around the piece at the bottom, making sure to tuck the tip down so that there's no sharp, poky edge sticking out.  Your frame should be just wide enough at the base so that it fits between the two dots marked at the bottom edge of the felt ear.
5. Slide the pipe cleaner frame into the ear.  Blanket stitch bottom closed.
6. Fold the bottom right hand corner of the ear so that it aligns with the right hand dot.  Blanket stitch the bottom edge down.  Fold the bottom left hand corner of the ear so that it aligns with the dot on the left and blanket stitch the edge down.

.: Pin ears onto head seam and ladder stitch front and back of each ear in place.  If the ears seem to be a bit wobbly, do another row of ladder stitches to the front and backs to anchor them in place.

.: To make the kitty ears, position front ear onto back ear, wrong sides facing.  Blanket stitch around sides of ear, add a few pinches of stuffing to plump them up and blanket stitch opening closed.
.:  Pin ears onto head seam and ladder stitch front and back of each ear in place.

 .: To attach the bunny's tail, turn the bunny over so that the back of the body is facing you.  Determine where you'd like to place the pom-pom and mark a dot in that spot with your disappearing ink marker.

.: Squeeze a blob of glue (or, use a Q-Tip to apply it) onto the marked spot and position the pom-pom on top.  Gently press the pom-pom down into the glue for a minute or two to set.

.: To make the little bow, fold bow in half lengthwise, right sides facing. Make a few tight stitches at the center on the wrong side of the bow to create a permanent pinch.
.: Fold bow in half width-wise, wrong sides facing. Blanket stitch the two short ends together.
.: Fold bow so that the blanket stitches run down the center.
.: Position short edge of Bow Center onto the center of the blanket stitches. Whip stitch short edge onto center of blanket stitches.
.: Wrap the bow center around over the front of the Bow, and overlap the opposite short edge onto the stitched edge. Stitch in place and keep your thread attached for securing onto the bunny or kitty's head.

.: Pin bow to bunny/kitty’s head and sew in place with a few stitches.

.: Gently rub your pink coloured pencil into the cheek area adding layers of colour. Use your finger or a Q-Tip to gently smudge it in for a softer look.

Aren't they just the cutest??   So, what you waiting for?  Go grab your supplies and get started!  ｡◕‿◕｡

You're welcome to sell these little darlings, I just ask that you offer GINGERMELON design credit in any written description please.  And I'd love to see how they turn out so please share your pics on my facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/gingermelondolls?ref=hl

Happy sewing everyone!!
~Shelly xo