New Rabbit Pattern at Etsy Store

This is Chester and in this photo he's sitting on a pincushion puff. In the next both are attached to a round gift box.

You get full pattern pieces and step-by-step directions with drawings and photos I've even added how I decorated the box.

Chester wears a top hat, vest, and spats. He's sewn from felt and is holding a cluster of felt carrots.

My version would be great as a bridegroom or New Year decoration or make in light colors for Easter. Use a larger box and fill with grass and candy or other gifts.

I'm not sure when I'll post any free designs. I'm busy knitting things for a friend and we'll be moving back to our house full time. I'll miss spending time in the woods but things have changed so we must move back to BF. That means a LOT of packing and getting rid of extra things. I'll have to sell all the dolls and things I've been storing and they will go at a low price. Now to decide on FB marketplace, ebay, or etsy. I'll also donate to the local library and the humane society store. After about 8 /2 years living in 2 places we have a lot of duplicate stuff.

I'll try to post updates when I can.

Another New Pattern up at Etsy!

 

This is an updated version of an old pattern I designed in 1997. This new version has a easier dress and pantaloons for the large sheep. I also named them. The 6" is Daisy and the 14" is Poppy. Oh, and Poppy looks cute with a wide ribbon tied in a bow around her waist, too.

Pop over to my Etsy store to read more about this pattern. I'm running a sale over there for 20% off select patterns. I plan on keeping the sale going until Oct.31.

BTW, I'm working on directions for 2 more patterns. One for tatting and ine for crochet. 

Two New Patterns Up at Etsy Store and on SALE!!!!!

 

This is Emily Jane, a tiny 8" shabby chic rabbit. The pattern also includes the tine cone basket she holds and the felt carrots that go in it. Perfect for sitting in a basket, perched on a shelf, or even sitting among flowers on a wreath.

Fall is coming and that means thinking about "Halloween"! Hazel and Maddy are cute little witch cats sitting (sewn) in felt pumpkins. Use them for pincushions or holiday decor. Hazel, the gray cat, is sewn into a white felt pumpkin that is then sewn to a dotted fabric pumpkin. That pumpkin is then attached to a metal candle stand. The stand is actually upside down so the pumpkin could be sewn to the legs. Any type of holder would work but one for a pillar candle looks best. If you don't want to use a candle stand then look at Maddy, the black cat. She is sewn into an orange felt pumpkin that is attached to the lid of a plastic jar. I filled it with tinsel, tiny pumpkin, and table scatter.

Like the idea of having a kitty pincushion  but not decked out for Halloween? Just change the Halloween items for your choice of fabrics and decoration. Leave off the hat and attach pretty bows to the heads.

They are both at my Etsy store and will be 20% off thru October 31!

Here's the link to the store: 1creativestitches

More drawing supplies! I admit it, I'm addicted

 I just bought another of Johanna Basford's books. This time it's 'World of Flowers'. Inky Wonderlands is under it in the photo.

I decided I needed a new sketch book for all the Angela Kennedy classes I'm going to do. They're not so much classes as examples to try. I did buy one of her classes on etsy which I want to find time for. I'm going to do some decoupage with her name and one of the drawings for the sketch book cover. I have some nice scrapbook paper for the background.

 Since I've learned so much from Tam's Kaleidoscope classes I dug out the case I keep my paints in to find my gesso and medium. Sad to say both had gone bad so I had to buy new. The medium is in the photo. I still need to get some gesso. I also found I had water color pencils, surprise to me :), so I bought a pack of water color brushes. Christa Forest used them in her class. This women is freakin' amazing!!!!!! I love watching her work. I don't have the patience to learn to draw and paint like her but it is such a pleasure to watch her.

I found a YouTube video on using color pencil on fabric and a tip was to use Loc-Tite mounting putty to erase. Well, I  never knew you could erase these pencils from fabric so I bought a package to try. Results: after smooshing a piece up I tried erasing some purple pencil from fabric. It did remove most of the pencil. Maybe if I kept at it, it all would be gone. Not so good on paper, though. It didn't work at all. I got out my Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser and it took it right off the paper. BTW, it didn't work on the fabric which was just white cotton

 The 2 spiral bound books in the background I found in my paint box. Forgot I had bought them ages ago. Just packed them away since I really wasn't doing much drawing then. They're pretty old (copyright1988). I'm always on the look out at used book sales for any craft books so I guess that's why I bought them.

I did forget to add the new 0.5 pencils, the Pentel clicky erasers and Fiskars pencil sharpener I bought. I like to use the smaller lead pencils when drawing Johanna's inky creations but I still like my old Berol Turquoise with 4H lead for Angela's girls. I bought the pencil, 2 lead refills, the sharpener needed for them, and my big set of Prisma pencils when an old stationary store went out of business. Jack and I went overboard buying up various pens, pencils, rulers, paper, and other things at 50% to 75% off. I got a 60 pencil set for under $25.

 I'm also finishing up the August free embroidery and 'The Fall Stall' pattern. I spent a few hours this afternoon sorting thru doll patterns I started then put away so I have 2 of those I really want to work on. Finally finishing the new seahorse pattern made me want to make dolls again. As always I'm juggling way too many projects but I find it keeps me from getting bored. It also helps to put something away for a while then go back to it. It gives you a fresh eye to see what you really should change. 

Don't forget to come back for the free August embroidery!

Finally after 4, no 5 years the new seahorse rider is done!

 Here they are, Kailani and her seahorse Seafoam! The pattern is not for the beginner doll maker, but by leaving out the wiring on Seafoam and doing as easier hairstyle on Kailani, the beginner who has made some dolls will be able to make a simpler version.

 I had soooo many ideas for this pattern that I kept setting her aside. I decided that this past winter was going to be the time I finally finished her. She is an updated version of my old seahorse riders pattern.

I have Seafoam tucked in some seashells and that's how I plan to display them but just like the original pattern you can add thread or fishing line to the top of the seahorse and hang them.

Here's another pic so you can see the fin Kailani is sitting on and the ruffled bustle over her pants. Her hair is Tibetan lamb wool. I bought the skin at Ebay and cut the wool from it to attach to Kailani's head.

Seafoam's fins are wired with fun wire and pearls. I decorated both Kailani and Seafoam with seashells, beads, pearls, sequins, and glitter.

Now about Kailani's name. It is a girls' name and is pronounced kye-LAH-nee. It is of Hawaiian origin, and the meaning of Kailani is "sea and sky". As a sea nymph she can breath under water and in the air.

 Look for them to be put up at my Etsy store later this week.

May's Free Embroidery and a bit of a chat

 

The last few weeks have been insanely busy. Between working on new patterns, writing directions, walking dogs, cutting grass, getting both covid shots, and then dealing with a cold I'm worn down mentally and physically. The shots made me tired and I had a SORE arm but that was it for any complaints. It's this cold that's stressing me.

May is my birthday month so I wanted to do a fantasy version of a May flower I love, bleeding hearts :) You'll see the finished version doesn't have the tiny flowers that are on the pattern. I decided to wrap the border so left them off.

I designed the tea set because of all the mother-daughter teas/lunches that are held this month for Mother's Day. I used fabric for the tablecloth but you could embroider tiny lazy daisy flowers and leaves instead.

Here are the patterns:

Right click the pattern to save it to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing.

 
©Billie Jo Heisler 2021
All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:
I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.
Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.
The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

Oh, and May the 4th be with you :)

The last 2 free VOTE embroidery patterns

  

This is the last of the free vote patterns I've stitched. Lower in the post you will find a pattern I designed but don't have time to stitch. I hope you've enjoyed all these free patterns. I'll be getting back to my #bewell #stitchon free embroideries. I'm also planning on some holiday designs.

This freebie is a mostly patchwork design. All the pieces came from the same striped fabric. The applique is done with blanket stitch. In between the appliqued sections I did chain stitch. The heart outline is stem stitch as is the section with text. The text is back stitched. Lastly I did a running stitch outside the heart.

Have fun and make the sections smaller if you like!

Here's another design I'm sharing but not stitching. There's a lot of small back stitching to do all the text.

 

 

Right click the patterns to save them to your hard drive. You'll need to print a pattern for tracing then you'll need to cut it out for the fabric pattern to make the patchwork design. You may want 2 patterns printed.

 
©Billie Jo Heisler 2020
All rights reserved

 Disclaimer:
I drew this design by hand then used a software program to edit it.
Please consider the drawing copyrighted. You have my permission to print copies of the drawing in any size for your own use but not to share or sell. If you want to share the pattern please link to the blog pages.

The embroidery design is my own. I have not knowingly copied anyone else's work.

 

 

Here are some photos of the tote I've been stitching all the VOTE embroideries to. I've added pins to the multi colored side and I still have to add them to the side with all the red, white, & blue designs.

Starting at the top left that vote has a silver star charm, the purple/green below has a dragonfly pin, and the pink rose vote has a ribbon rose with an Avon breast cancer pin. The brown/turquoise vote in the bottom row has a dragon that was an ear cuff. I bought it for about 50 cents at walmart last year. I removed the cuff and added the pin finding. The tea cup vote has a very old butterfly pin from Avon. I'm a collector of old jewelry and lucked out when I found I had a pin that matched the butterfly on the fabric. The rainbow vote has a butterfly stick pin that I stitched to the inside of the tote to keep it in place.

Hope you are going to vote, wear your mask, and please be kind to others.

New Pincushion Pattern up at Etsy

 

I hate to be early with this pattern but it is more of a winter design than Christmas and I know we sewers need time to make things. 

These snowmen are my latest pincushion pattern. The blue one is attached to a puff then to a cardboard spool. It's an empty one that held decorative ribbon. It's covered with fabric and ribbon, then decorated. The aqua snowman is attached to a plastic snow globe I bought at a dollar store. I filled it with small wood spools, buttons and other sewing notions. This would be a fun gift for fellow sewers. Need a grab bag gift for your sewing circle or quilt guild? Snowflake would be perfect.

 

Look for another free VOTE embroidery pattern soon!

Clothespin dolls patterns now up at Etsy

I finally listed all 7 mini clothespin doll patterns at my etsy shop. They run $5.00 for a PDF but right now they are included in the 25% off sale I'm running.

Above is the angel pattern. The tall angel in the back is a tree topper.

Below is the topsy turvey pattern. One side has long braids and has more of country look while the second side has short curly hair and lace on her clothes.

There are also patterns for mermaids & fairy, Ann & Andy, Amish, pincushion girls, and little girls. These are some of the very first patterns I wrote so they don't have all the drawings and photos my new patterns have. Most aren't written book style either like I do all my patterns now. If I make time to update these patterns I will send the new version for free to buyers.

* * * * * *

BTW, I'm removing all of last year's free stitch-a-long pattern today. Look for updated versions for sale at Etsy when I get the chance to do them. My time is being taken up with so many other things.

Like this:

I'm trying to take at least one of Johanna Basford's classes, either at her web site or the daily ones at facebook every day. I bought a sketchbook and some new erasers, dug out my old cheapy compass and fav pencils, then decided to use this box (a Marjoin Bastin, who I love!) as my supply box. This is what I'm doing to "keep calm and carry on". Her doodle-like drawings are also helping with my pattern designing. No, really they are :)

Will be late with next stitch-a-long but there's news!

Above is a pic of my new pincushion pattern. He's Frederick the frog and he sits on an old crochet cotton ball I decorated. He's being sold at Dollmaker's Journey and Patternmart right now. I'll be putting him up at my Etsy store this week. That also means I'll finally be getting the store open again. 

The reason I'm behind in posting the directions for the next stitch-a-long is that my husband's BD was Aug 29, our anniversary was the next day, and now it's the holiday weekend. I'm stealing a little time to post this but have to get back to cooking.

BTW, I'm dividing the embroidery into 2 months. It's a project that keeps getting bigger so I decided it would be best to do that, especially at this time of year.

New Elephant pincushion pattern up at Etsy

This is my new pincushion pattern. I still have to get it up here at blogger, at my tripod site, Patternmart, and at Dollmaker's Journey. It should be at these places by next week.

Pansy is made from felt and is cute enough to make without the pincushions. I used large mouth canning jars this time and I decorated them with stickers. I tell how to keep them stuck on the jars, too!

Listing decorated tatting shuttles at Etsy and other news-

Here's a pic of the first of the decorated shuttles and bags I'll be listing at my Etsy store. Six will be Aerlit shuttles and 6 will be Moonlit shuttles. I'll get another 1or2 up tomorrow and the rest next week. Today is my wedding anniversary and my husband's birthday was yesterday so we're celebrating on the weekend. At least that's the plan. I think we'll be cutting grass.😏

I had a BAD surprise today when I pulled out the box that holds the pics I use for pattern covers. Most of them were stuck together!!!!! Guess when I watered the plants on the shelf above them (when????) I must have spilled water on the box. Every pic of the new mermaid is 'glued' together. That's about 30 pictures 😢 What a huge waste. I tried heat and water but nothing is working so now I have to order new ones. I think I'll take some new pictures for some of the patterns. I never was happy with the dragonfly riders pic.

I have the new legs done for the bird riders and yes they do stand! Now for a new cover pic and wouldn't you know it, the old ones where hardly damaged.

Another New Pattern Up for Sale!

This new pattern was done as an update to my old mermaids and shells pattern. This doll is slightly bigger. Audrina is 16" from the top of her hair to the tips of her tail. The really big change is her hair. It's mohair that's been cut from the skin. I bought mine at Ebay but Etsy as well as other online places sell it. There are a lot of tips and color photos, along with step-by-step instructions and drawings to help you make her. I like her made in the orange batik for a goldfish look.

This is what the clamshell looks like. Fun wire is hand sewn along the edge so it can be shaped. Fun wire is also sewn to the tail for the same reason.

Look for Audrina and her seashell at my Etsy store and at Patternmart as Pdfs and printed patterns. At Ebay I'm only selling printed patterns but would put up a listing for a PDF if asked. At Patternspot only PDFs are available. If you have any questions please contact me thru Etsy or Ebay.

At Etsy Get a Discount When Buying 3 Patterns

I've never done this and to be honest I can't believe I haven't since I see other pattern designers do it. If you go to my Etsy store you can now buy 3 patterns and get a discount.

This photo shows the patterns for $7 & $8 but there is also one for $9 & $10. I also have them for my tatting patterns!

Speaking of tatting patterns the last Season of Mini Quilts - Summer is being edited. Once it's deemed ok I'll get the e-pattern up.

Preview of new mermaid pattern and tat shuttles

I'm beginning to work on the new version of my Mermaid and seashell pattern. Here's a look at all the fabric and other supplies I've gathered. It took me a while to decide on which fabric to use. I knew I wanted to do a "goldfish" mermaid but I had a lot of orange fabric to choose from. Since I took this pic I have sewed up the new body and tail, stuffed everything, and painted the face. I'm moving slow (just like always) because I'm working on so many projects at one time. Here's one of the other projects.

I'm also working on decorating new starlit shuttles! Here's a look at some of the fabrics and papers I'll be using. I'm doing 6 now and after they are done I'll start on the next 6.

I'm also still tatting the last pattern for the spring tatting pattern. Don't forget you can get the other 3 months at my etsy and Patternmart stores. I'm also trying to keep them up for sale at ebay now, too. If you don't see them there check back a few days later. The listing may have expired and I haven't relisted it yet.

SALE on 2 Cloth Doll Patterns!

I've decided that I need to update these 2 patterns so I've put them on sale until I either run out of cover photos or until the new versions are done. You can get the printed versions at my Etsy and Patternmart stores. Since Patternspot doesn't offer printed versions I decided it would be the only place to get them as a PDF.

I'm planning quite a few changes. One will be that there will be only one doll and one shell or seahorse. Faces will be slightly different as will clothing (tail) and hair.

The price will now be $4.00 instead of $7.00.

Nor sure when the new ones will be ready so take advantage of the sale price now!

Winter Christmas Fairies Cloth Doll Pattern up for sale

Please meet Candy Cane & Pepper Mint, the Winter Christmas Fairies. They are 18” long and about 8” when sitting.

The PDF and printed versions are up for sale at me Etsy and Patternmart Stores. The links are to the right.

Here's a little about the dolls:
Pepper’s wings are meant to be printed on transparency plastic. Full directions on how to make the wings is included. I also suggest using scrapbook paper instead. The transparencies are fun to use for wings. You can have a lot of fun embellishing them.

Candy’s wings are purchased butterfly wings. I tell where I bought them and give suggestions for substitutes if the doll maker can’t find them.

Both dolls have painted faces and sculpted noses. The curls are made from yarn and knitting needles. Full directions are included on how to make the yarn curls.

Pepper has a felt hat that can be worn or held. Candy has a mini top hat made from paper and glitter. Patterns and directions are included. With mini top hats being so popular right now you may be able to find one for sale in craft stores, and at Etsy. Also check Christmas ornaments. I saw some for sale at Walmart, Christmas 2013.

The ornaments they hold were purchased and I have the places I bought them listed in the directions.

The dolls have different hair styles, hats, sleeves, bodices, boot cuffs, and Pepper has mittens and knee pads. Candy’s mittens and boots are red  fabric with fur cuffs while Pepper’s boots are painted with felt cuffs.  Pepper’s hands have stitched fingers and the arms are wired. Her braids are wrapped with wire.

Hope you'll want to make your own fairies!

Finishing up the Winter Fairy Pattern

Here's what my sewing room looks like when I'm working on too many projects at once :) This photo was taken at Christmas but I never posted it. As you can see there's one of the winter fairies, some snowladies, tatting shuttles I was covering, and a dragon in parts, along with tons of supplies. I'm always thinking I should sell some of my excess crafting supplies but every time I set things aside, I find a use for it. My shelves that hold books, fabric, and other craft items are full to the point of where I lose track of what I have. Guess I need to put some of the organizing tips I write for Creative Times online magazine to use.

An update on the winter fairy pattern: I ordered cover photos and I'm waiting to get them. Hopefully they came out ok. I still have to finish editing the patterns now that the directions are done. Planning on having everything done by the end of the month, fingers crossed ;)

New Cloth Doll Pattern Coming Soon!

This is my newest pattern for Christmas/winter fairies. As soon as I finish the directions it will be up for sale. I bought a new wand scanner in December so it's making it easier to scan in my drawn patterns. My old scanner was so old it wouldn't even work with my xp computer. Bought back when I got my first computer, a win3.1 :) I had to scan everything into an old computer running win98, burn them to disks and then open them in the xp computer.

One thing that's really different with this pattern is the wing that's printed on a transparency. The doll that's sitting has them. The other doll has purchased wings. Look for it by the end of the month!

Another New Pattern! Primrose and Flip

I can't believe I finished another pattern! The pattern for Primrose Meadowsweet and her frog Flip is already up at my Etsy store and at Pattermart (see the link to the right).

This cute little fairy is only 5" tall in a sitting position and her frog pal is a bit over 3". The patterns for the waterlily and pad they sit on are also included.

I'm working on my next pattern for winter Fairies and hope to have it done soon!