Jennifer Carson's Blog, page 22

A Great Kickstart!

Wow! only 24 hours in and my project on Kickstarter is 1/3 funded! I'm amazed and grateful for the fantastic people I have in my life.  Perhaps you'd like to help me reach my goal of publishing my second book, Hapenny Magick too? Just $10.00 will get you a copy of the book and some fun gifts ! Watch the video below, and if you find that you'd like to support me, please follow this link. And please share with your friends and family!

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A Birthday Gift for you!

Yesterday was my birthday. I was overwhelmed by how many of you sent me happy greetings. My way of thanking you is this little, just under 3″, piggy pattern!

I made him from short, dense mohair and hand dyed felt with two small glass beads for eyes. He is thread jointed with waxed linen for a longer lasting joint. Have fun with him!

 

Direcctions:

1. Drag and print the pattern below. Trace onto heavy paper and cut the pieces out.

2 On the back of your mohair fabric trace one body, flip and trace a second. Trace two arms, flip and trace two more. Trace 1 ear, flip and trace a second. Trace 1 leg, flip and trace another. (When you flip the pattern piece you are making a mirror image!)

2. Out of felt, cut two little piggy ears (one flipped) and one little piggy nose.

3. Pin and stitch (1/8″ seam allowance) the body pieces together–do not stitch the sides with the dotted lines! This is the nose opening and the turning opening on the belly for this piece.

4. Pin two arms together, stitch. Stitch remaining arms together.

5. Pin one fur ear to one felt ear. Stitch together, leaving dotted opening open.

6. Fold leg in half, stitch from dotted line at top to dart-like shape under his hoof. Repeat for second leg. Clip all curves!

7. Turn pieces right side out. I highly suggest a set of brass turning tubes from Dollmakersjourney.com. You can find them here. (Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page to find the turning tubes!)

8. Stuff! Close turning openings with a ladder stitch. Close nose opening with a few stitches–it doesn't need to be tight, just hold the stuffing in.

9. With matching upholstery thread, stitch ears on. With waxed linen thread, sew legs and arms onto the body.

10. With black embroidery floss, sew eyes on. Exit your needel out of the nose opening. Poke needle through felt nose piece where the nostril will go. NOw take a stitch in the nose and exit your needle out of the felt nose piece for the other nostril. This step effectively attaches he felt nose piece to the body nose piece and makes nostrils at the same time!

Finish as you like!

Thanks for sharing my birthday!

Mini Piggy patern

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The Hapenny Lullaby

Sometimes projects take on a life of their own. Like my newest book, Hapenny Magick (coming out around Thanksgiving this year–2011). Being involved in an artistic community really has its perks. For example, my friend, singer/songwriter Jenna Greene of Greene Lady Music bartered a song for a stuffed pegasus a while back, and I recently got her end of the barter in the form of a beautiful recording of the Hapenny Lullaby, which plays an important role in  the life of my main character, Maewyn.

I can't upload the song on my blog , but you can hear it on my website by following this link!

I hope you enjoy the song! I've typed the lyrics below. And please visit Jenna's website, she is amazing!

Hapenny Lullaby

co-written by Jenna Greene & Jennifer Carson

Harp and Vocals by Jenna Greene

Soft sleep my little hapenny

Outside, "Goodnight", the owls call

I'll tuck you safely in your bed

Protector of the Wedge watches over all

His magick watches over all.

 

The wind will sing a lullaby

Nod, oh nod, your head

While stars are slowly drifting by

Dream sweetly in your bed

Dream sweetly in your bed.

 

 Soft sleep my little hapenny

Outside, "Goodnight", the owls call

I'll tuck you safely in your bed

Protector of the Wedge watches over all

His magick watches over all

His magick watches over all.

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Hapenny Magick, magic in the making…

Many of you know that my first children's book, To Find a Wonder, was published in September of 2009. I'm really excited to tell you that my second book, Hapenny Magick will be released from Pugalicious Press late this fall. The same fabulous illustrator that worked on To Find A Wonder, Pat Ann Lewis-MacDougall is also illustrating Hapenny Magick, and she's given me permission to share her process!

To read an excerpt of Hapenny Magick you can go here. To see the publishers website, visit here. To see more of Pat Ann's work, visit her here.

Below are preliminary sketches of Maewyn, the main character, and her best friend, Leif. The Protector of their village, called the Wedge, is Callum. He is a wizard with a very strange talent. Of course, I will be designing sewing patterns for the main characters– I knew some of you would be asking!

Maewyn

Leif

Callum-preliminary drawings

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The Final Softie of the Week, Butterfly

 It's here! The final Softie of the Week sewing pattern. I hope you like this cute little butterfly. I made her from black wool and a tea dyed cotton, but I'd love to see her made in bright colors! If you have enjoyed these free softie patterns, I hope you will consider joining my mailing list, here. You will receive a quarterly newsletter with new pattern information, newsletter only specials, discounts, and information about exciting events and free projects!

Happy creating!

So, a few directions:

1. Click on the pattern below and drag to your desktop. Print it  and cut the pattern pieces out.

2. Cut two bodies from your choice of body fabric. From the body fabric make two antennae, approx. 4″ long by 1/2″ wide. Sew the antennae and turn right side out. Tie a knot in the end.

3. Cut 1 face. Center the face in the middle of one body piece at head. Zig zag stitch around face. Embroider nose and give her a pair of eyes. You can embroider, felt or use buttons for the eyes. Pin antennae to top of head.

4.Baste antennae. Pin body pieces together with right sides together and sew around body from turning flap to turning flap. Turn right side out. Stuff and close opening with a ladder stitch.

5. Cut two wings on the fold.  Sew with a 1/4″ seam. There is no turning opening.  Make a slit in the center of one wing and turn wings right side out.

6. Top stitch on the wing a decorative curvy pattern–the topstitching should be done on the side of the wing with the slit. Pinch wing together and put a couple of stay stitches in. Sew to back of butterfly body.

7. If you want you can use some upholstery thread to segment the body.

8. Love her!

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Softie of the Week, Rufflewing the owl…

Hi everyone! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the softie patterns. I've gotten lots of good responses and a few photos. I would love to see more of your creations, so keep sending those pics in!

There are only 2 softies left for Softie of the Week! But don't fret– if you want more free patterns, just sign up for my quarterly newsletter at www.thedragoncharmer.com. You'll receive news about shows, exhibits and other fun stuff, pattern and hand dyed material discounts & specials, sneak peeks at new patterns and critters, and yes! a free softie pattern twice a year.  Oh, and if you join soon, you'll be the first to find out what kind of critter I'm designing for Fairfield Poly-fil Company! It will debut in October on their website.

You can also follow me on Twitter @JenniferCarson or find me on Facebook, Jennifer Carson, the Dragon Charmer.

Now  on to the fun stuff!

I made Rufflewing out of wool scraps. She's very easy and would make a great ornament or fall decoration on your mantelpiece or table, heck, she's even small enough to grace a fall wreath for your door–hmmm, that gives me an idea! First a few directions!

1. Click on the pattern below and drag to your desktop. Print it out.

2. Cut the pattern pieces out. For the body, cut two out of main fabric adding a 1/4″ seam. For the face cut one out of coordinating fabric, same with beak. Cut one belly from contrasting fabric and cut six wings from same fabric. I used wool so that I could pull the strings on the edge of the wings to simulate feathers, but homespun fabrics will do that nicely too.

2.Pin and sew face to one body. Stitch close to edge or hand-stitch for an even more primitive look. Stitch beak to face. Stitch belly to body. Match body pieces with right sides together. Stitch  around body, leaving the turning opening (between the two notches) unsewn.Turn right side out. Stuff. I put poly pellets in the bottom to help her stand upright.

3. Layer 3 wing parts together and stitch about 1/4″ away from the edge. Repeat for other wing. Pull threads on edge to give the wing a feathery look.

. Stitch wings to body, before tying off, take a couple of gathering stitches down one wing and back up, pull gently. This will make the wing bend. Repeat for other wing. I added buttons at the top of the wing, but you certainly don't have to. = )

5. Embellish as you desire. I embroidered eyes and toes, but kept him rustic looking. follow your own muse! You may enlarge the pattern if you so desire.

6. Love her!

 

 

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How to dye cotton fleece!

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You can get the Polliwog pattern Free in the September issue of Soft Dolls and Animals!

So, I just had a new pattern come out in the September issue of Soft Dolls and Animals Magazine and I had promised to get the directions up on my blog to dye the cotton sweatshirt fleece that I used for the Polliwog pattern for those who don't know how to do it. I apologize, time got away from me!

Here are the directions, it's very simple really!

1. Wash your cotton sweatshirt fleece in a mild detergent to get the sizing out, but don't let it spin. Hand squeeze the excess water out– but you do want it to be pretty wet.

2. Fill a pot (make sure it is a pot you will NOT cook in EVER again! Find one at a garage sale or the Family Dollar Store, and relegate it to dyeing!) with luke warm water about 3/4 of the way full. For a yard of fleece I use a 3 gallon pot.

3. For a nice peachy color I use "Sunshine Orange" Rit Dye and a bit of "Petal Rose" Rit Dye, in the liquid dye form (not the powdered). Using the cap as a measuring tool, pour the orange dye into the cap, until about the ridge that sticks out inside the cap. Pour into pot and stir (again, using a spoon you will NEVER use with food!). Now add the rose, about 1/3 of what you added for the orange. Stir.

4.Place your wet fabric into the pot and stir, make sure you have gloves on. The color will take hold quickly. Pull the fabric out and make sure there are no folds in it that the dye couldn't get to. If you like the shade it is, let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. If you'd like the color to be a little darker, let it sit longer, or add more dye.

5.When you are happy with the color, rinse the fabric in cool water. I then rewash the fabric and dry it. You can choose to use the fuzzy, comfy side out or the smoother side if you are going to paint features onto your doll.

 

 

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Softie of the week, Jack-o-Lantern

I know, summer has just begun in the far north east, and I'm already thinking about fall! Groan at me all you like, but fall is my favorite time of the year so naturally I have to give you guys a fall-ish design. Plus, these guys turn out so cute. I'd love to make a whole pumpkin patch of them.

To get started on your pumpkin patch, a few directions:

1. Drag the pattern below to your desktop and print .

2. Cut four heads out. I used hand-dyed wool, but follow your own muse!

3.Sew two head piece together, on one side only. Sew another two pieces together, this time leaving the spot between the two notches on the side open for turning.

3. Match the two pieces together and stitch all around, leaving the space between the notches at the top of the head open for the stem. Turn right side out.

4. Cut one stem from fabric with arrow side on a fold. Sew top and other side of stem. Turn right side out and stuff.

5.Insert stem into pumkin head at top and hand stitch in place.

6. Stuff your pumpkin as you desire.

7. Embroider face as you desire.

8. Ladder stitch opening closed.

9. Add any other details you like. I added some bakers twine and a cool glass leaf bead with some copper wire. These pumpkins are safe for children if you don't add anything extra (like the leaf).

10. Love them!

If you have an idea for a free softie pattern let me know! Also, don 't forget to sign up for my quarterly email newsletter with special offers and discounts, sneak peeks and exciting news about new patterns, shows , books and events coming up! Sign up at my website, www.thedragoncharmer.com.

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Softie of the week…Ogre Softie!

As I was strolling on our woodsy path this weekend, I spotted a discarded item. I just happened to have my camera with me and snapped a picture of a doll that was curiously forgotten on the path. I left it there for the poor ogre tot that will surely be missing it, and feel a bit of compassion for the sleepless night the tot's mama is sure to have without  the ogre-made lovey!

A poor ogre tot dropped her doll on our woodsy path.

Of course, being intrigued by the hand made ogre doll, I decided to replicate it for you. I used a scrap of hand dyed wool, but follow your own muse.  I also used hand-dyed wool embroidery floss. You can find it in my Etsy store. Happy Creating!

A few instructions:

1.Drag the pattern to your desktop and print it out.

2. Cut out the pattern pieces and pin to your fabric. Cut out of your fabric with a 1/4″ seam allowance on all pieces.

3. Sew ears by folding lengthwise and stitching outer seam. I made one in a different color so you could see the stitching. Clip the curve.  The next part is a little tricky– turn ear right side out, then push half the ear into the other half, so you wind up with no seams showing. See pics below!

folded and stitched

4.Baste ears to head. I wanted to keep the look of an ogre momma having made the doll for her tot, so I

didn't make it perfect.

5. Pin and stitch head pieces together with right side together. Clip seams and cut a slit in the back of the head. Turn right side out.

6.Pin and stitch arms and legs. Turn right side out. Stuff  lightly.

7.Pin and stitch body pieces together. Cut a vertical slit in the body back and turn right side out. Stuff lightly.

turned right side out

8.Stuff head as desired. Attach eyes and sew mouth. Insert the neck into the slit in the back of the head. Ladder stitch n place.

9. Roll the opening edges of arms and legs to inside just a bit. Ladder stitch to the body.

10. For the ogre's shirt I used a scrap of knit. Cut one on folded edge. Cut head hole out. Stitch under arms. Turn right side out and slip over ogre's head.

Love him!

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finished ear

use your turning tubes to reinsert one half of the ear into the other

 

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Contest winner and a new softie of the week…Starfish Softie!

[image error]Ever have one of those weekends where you can't seem to get what you need to accomplished? That was my weekend! Between baseball games, end of school year parties,Father's Day and building a fish pond, getting a new softie out was delayed. But here he is, a really easy one that could be embellished in lots of different ways. I'd love to do some beading  on one. How will you embellish your starfish?

Now, for the winner of the spread the word contest…(drum roll, please)…. SANDRA STRAIT, who spread the word by re-tweeting my post. Her twitter name is molossus1. Thanks for helping me spread the word! For being the contest winner you will receive a free sewing pattern of your choice and an extra special "Got Creativity?" mouse pad. Sandra, please email me with your mailing address and your choice of pattern through my website, www.thedragoncharmer.com.

our new fish pond!

Now for those directions:

1. Trace pattern pieces onto a piece of freezer paper and cut them out. With a warm iron, press the body piece onto the wrong side of your doubled fabric. Cut out.

2. Press the starfish face piece onto a different fabric. I used wool felt, but follow your own muse! Cut the face out and pin to the right side of one body piece. Top-stitch close to edge and toward points.

4.Embroider the face.

5. With right sides together, pin and stitch body pieces together, leaving the turning flap unstitched.

6.Clip curves and points, turn right side out.

7. Stuff as desired. Ladder stitch the opening closed.

8.Love him!

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