Darjeeling hasn't quite decided whether she wants to take a bath or not! I did tell her she would have to take her clothes off before she could, but she convinced me it wasn't proper to be seen naked on the internet. :)
A personal blog sharing my love of all dolls, 1:6 scale dioramas, doll fashion, sewing and knitting.
Everyone Needs Playtime
In our hectic, modern lives, many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing.
When we carve out some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.
There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. By giving yourself permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, you can reap oodles of health benefits throughout life.
When we carve out some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.
There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. By giving yourself permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, you can reap oodles of health benefits throughout life.
Featured post
Challenge Meme
Seven years ago I issued a challenge to celebrate 20 years of the modern BJD, that I had also done three years previously. As things have be...
Friday
Thursday
Tutorial: Christmas Gingerbread Man
It's been quite a while since I posted a tutorial on here and Alasse's recent posts reminded me of this one, so with Christmas looming here it is ~
Required Materials & Tools
Template plastic
Sharpie Extra Fine Point permanent marker
Tan coloured 100% wool felt (which is available from Mad About Felt)
4mm wide (6mm total width from top to bottom of zig zag.) white ric rac braid (hard to find, but is available from Lace and Beyond or Alacraft)
Perle cotton to co-ordinate with felt
Perle cotton - red for mouth
Tiny black buttons for eyes
Tiny red buttons for nose and front
Threads for sewing buttons on
Sewing needles & scissors
Polyester fibre filling
Instructions:
Firstly draw a freehand gingerbread man shape onto paper. Once you are happy with the shape, trace onto quilter's template plastic or if you wish, trace around a cookie cutter directly onto the plastic. I always use plastic for making pattern templates as the size doesn't change with repeated use and you will probably want to make quite a few of these for Christmas.
Cut out your template, lay it on a good quality wool felt (it keeps it shape and doesn't stretch like acrylic felt) and trace as many as you need, allowing two for each finished man. (Make sure the side with pen marks showing goes to the inside.)

Once you have them all cut out, cut lengths of ric rac slightly wider than the limbs, allowing enough to fold under the edge, do not have any raw edges showing. Pin and stitch each length by hand onto half of the gingerbread men, in the positions shown below.
Now you can add three tiny heart buttons to trim the front as I have done below, and one for the nose. Then add a couple of round buttons for eyes and embroider the mouth with perle cotton.
Place a trimmed man on top of a plain man, pin to hold in position and blanket stitch around the outside, leaving a small opening where shown for stuffing. Do not cut your thread.
Using small pieces of polyfibre fill your gingerbread man, beginning with the limbs, then body and work back to the opening. When you are satisfied your gingerbread man is stuffed neatly, close your opening with blanket stitch.
You can stitch a little ribbon loop to hang them on your Christmas tree, or a brooch back so you can wear them, let your dolls play with them, string them together to make a garland to decorate your home, use them as stocking fillers or add them to the top of your presents . . . I'm sure you will come up with other ideas yourself.
Most of all just have fun!
Required Materials & Tools
Template plastic
Sharpie Extra Fine Point permanent marker
Tan coloured 100% wool felt (which is available from Mad About Felt)
4mm wide (6mm total width from top to bottom of zig zag.) white ric rac braid (hard to find, but is available from Lace and Beyond or Alacraft)
Perle cotton to co-ordinate with felt
Perle cotton - red for mouth
Tiny black buttons for eyes
Tiny red buttons for nose and front
Threads for sewing buttons on
Sewing needles & scissors
Polyester fibre filling
Instructions:
Firstly draw a freehand gingerbread man shape onto paper. Once you are happy with the shape, trace onto quilter's template plastic or if you wish, trace around a cookie cutter directly onto the plastic. I always use plastic for making pattern templates as the size doesn't change with repeated use and you will probably want to make quite a few of these for Christmas.
Cut out your template, lay it on a good quality wool felt (it keeps it shape and doesn't stretch like acrylic felt) and trace as many as you need, allowing two for each finished man. (Make sure the side with pen marks showing goes to the inside.)
Once you have them all cut out, cut lengths of ric rac slightly wider than the limbs, allowing enough to fold under the edge, do not have any raw edges showing. Pin and stitch each length by hand onto half of the gingerbread men, in the positions shown below.
Now you can add three tiny heart buttons to trim the front as I have done below, and one for the nose. Then add a couple of round buttons for eyes and embroider the mouth with perle cotton.
Place a trimmed man on top of a plain man, pin to hold in position and blanket stitch around the outside, leaving a small opening where shown for stuffing. Do not cut your thread.
Using small pieces of polyfibre fill your gingerbread man, beginning with the limbs, then body and work back to the opening. When you are satisfied your gingerbread man is stuffed neatly, close your opening with blanket stitch.
You can stitch a little ribbon loop to hang them on your Christmas tree, or a brooch back so you can wear them, let your dolls play with them, string them together to make a garland to decorate your home, use them as stocking fillers or add them to the top of your presents . . . I'm sure you will come up with other ideas yourself.Most of all just have fun!
Tuesday
Oh No!
Look who slipped into my basket last night ~ yes, another PF Bonnie with modded ears and a face that looks like she's lost her mummy.
How could I not bring her home she is simply adorable with a face-up by my favourite Aussie Artist ~ Petitemarine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


