Minions...who can resist?

Who wouldn't like to have one of these little fellas on your sewing table minding your pins and needles?

You can get the FREE pattern on Lady Joyceley. Patterns and instructions are available for two sizes...mini and big! Have fun!

It's not too early...

to start crafting for Christmas.

Amelia Aaron highlighted seven (7) FREE patterns including some sewing, crocheting, and paper crafting that you can download from Craftsy and get a head start on crafting your holiday decorations and gifts!

To get your FREE patterns, be sure to read Amelia's blog on Craftsy!

Proportion...

As any dollmaker will tell you, drawing and painting a doll's face in correct proportions can make all the difference in the look of your completed doll.

Paul Heaston has written a Craftsy blog, Drawing a Realistic Head: Bringing Faces to Life which will give some neat "tricks" to help you in your dollmaking.

According to Paul, "...heads and faces are some of the trickiest things to draw". "While lots of repetition and direct observation are the most important things you can do to sharpen your skills, here are some useful tips to keep in mind as you practice drawing a head."

Paul's blog is available for free on Craftsy.

Improve your product photography and your sales...

...with images that give you an edge in the marketplace and attract the customers you want. Professional photographer and small-business owner Jessica Marquez demonstrates how to create simple tabletop setups that bring any product to life.

Product Photography at Home
One of the many class offerings at Craftsy!

"Owl" You Need...

is available as a FREE pattern download on Craftsy. This pattern from ShanniLoves is absolutely adorable and will hold all your sewing tools and keep clutter off your sewing table.

The 'Owl You Need' Sewing Buddy
This pattern is available as a FREE download by clicking on my affiliate link!

Annie's e-Patterns Central Spring Cleaning Sale...

Still time to get $1 patterns at Annie's e-Pattern Central; sale ends on Monday, April 27, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Here is one of the patterns being offered for $1:

To review a listing of all $1 patterns, go to Annie's website.

Mid Week Mania at Annie's Craft Store.

30% off all pdf downloads only!

Here are just a few of the patterns that are available:


Prices shown do not include the 30% discount; you MUST use Keycode APRDNLD in your shopping cart to get the 30% discount.

*Keycode APRDNLD is valid through April 24, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. ET, only at AnniesCraftStore.com. The 30% discount is only valid on downloads.

FREE Fabric Photo Frame...

This is a fun project to show off your favorite photos. The pattern is one piece and it can be easily adjusted by reducing or enlarging the pattern to make it fit any size photo.

A great way to use those fabric scraps that all sewers seem to accumulate. You're only limited by your own imagination.

To download a pdf copy of my FREE photo frame pattern, use my Craftsy Affiliate Link: Click here!

Complex Complexion...

Jessie Oleson Moore just posted another blog on Craftsy to talk about painting with acrylics, Complex Complexion: Tips for Painting Skin Tones in Acrylic.

According to Jessie, her post "details a basic way to make a base mix using the primary colors plus white".

Acrylic portrait via Craftsy member Chrissie

View Jessie's post, Complex Complexion: Tips for Painting Skin Tones in Acrylic!

Painting Lips...

Sara Barnes, the lady behind Brown Paper Bag, a daily art blog that catalogs the visually delightful work that she finds, just posted another blog on Craftsy that dollmakers may find helpful.

Learn How to Paint Lips With These Helpful Tips is a FREE tutorial that includes tips on how to paint lips using acrylic paint.

Read Sara's blog by CLICKING HERE!

More on painting skin tones...

Jessie Oleson Moore recently posted another tutorial on the Craftsy blog titled, How to Paint Skin Tones Step by Step.

According to Jessie:

This tutorial simplifies what can be a tricky process, even for seasoned artists: how to attain perfect skin tones.

...This tutorial utilizes acrylic paint. While the basic technique can be used with different types of paint such as oil, gouache, or watercolor, many of the individual tips are most appropriate for acrylic paint.

To read Jessie's tutorial, click here!

Skin Tones...

Do you mix your acrylic paints to get just the right skin tone for your dolls? As many dollmakers know, when mixing your paints, it is not always easy to attain colors that are life-like.

However, Jessie Oleson Moore has written a blog on Craftsy called An Easy Method for Mixing Acrylic Paint for Skin Tones that might just help.

According to Jesse:

"By using the simple method detailed in this tutorial, you’ll learn how to mix skin tones using different ratios of the primary colors. This easy method requires a little work to refine, but is a fantastic and accessible method for artists of any level. With a little practice, you’ll be creating skin tones like a pro."

Jesse's blog is certainly worth a read and I will be experimenting with Jesse's method for mixing colors on the next doll I create.

To view Jesse's blog... An Easy Method for Mixing Acrylic Paint for Skin Tones

Many doll artists have difficulty painting realistic-looking eyes on their dolls. Even with painting lessons, it takes practice to achieve the look you are trying to get.

Sara Barnes, the lady behind Brown Paper Bag, a daily art blog that catalogs the visually delightful work that she finds, has written a post on Craftsy titled, "Paint Realistic-Looking Eyes Using Acrylic Paint".

Her directions take you step-by-step through the painting process to add realism to your art.

Read Paint Realistic-Looking Eyes Using Acrylic Paint on Craftsy

Dolls more than just a toy...

Read how one library in Central NY is using the American Girl dolls to promote reading and history.

Kirkland library promotes reading, history with dolls

Magnetic snaps...

Have you ever wanted to sew a purse or other type bag, but you were unsure how to sew in magnetic closures?

Craftsy is making available a free pdf instructional guide that takes you set by step through the process including pictures to help even the most inexperienced sewer.

Get your free copy today!

How to Sew Magnetic Snaps and Invisible Magnetic Snaps

If you are looking for a quick pattern to try using snaps, The Sewing Loft offers a free mini-wallet pattern on Craftsy.

OR...

Check Craftsy's huge inventory of patterns...some are free while others are reasonably priced!

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

If you love to crochet, here is an adorable wreath to adorn your door for St. Patrick's Day.

The pattern, which is a digital download - pdf, is by Lisa Kingsley Designs and is currently available on Craftsy for $5.00 (price at time of this posting).

While you are there, check out some of Lisa's other designs!

Fabric yardage conversion chart...

Ever needed to know how many inches or yards of fabric are required if your pattern instructions call for centimeters or millimeters?

Craftsy is offering a FREE conversion chart that will not only convert for inches and yards, but also convert the standard seam allowances from millimeters to inches.

You can download your FREE full-size copy of this chart from Craftsy now. Be sure to print at actual size or 100%. I recommend putting the copied chart in a sheet protector and keep it handy in your sewing room!

Mitered Corners Defined...

Many times dollmakers want to create a cloth doll or animal that will sit without assistance, or as a shelf-sitter. Usually, the best way to do this is to use mitered corners to form the derriere. I use this technique quite frequently in my patterns.

Mitered corners are also used to create pillows or cushions.

If you are not familiar with how to design or sew a mitered corner, Beth Gavin has created a Craftsy blog post that explains how mitered corners can be used to give your outdoor cushions a new look.

However, Beth's information is just as useful when creating your dolls. Once you learn the basics, you will find it a useful technique for many of your home decor and accessory sewing projects.

Here is Beth's blog, Box It Up: 3 Steps to Making a Square Pillow Cover.

Eye-Popping Embroidery: How to Hand-Stitch Doll Eyes

Many dollmakers prefer to embroider the faces on their cloth dolls. The result is a child-friendly doll with more of a vintage look.

Just posted on the Craftsy blog by Marna Lunt Eye-Popping Embroidery: How to Hand-Stitch Doll Eyes. Marna gives the reader a mini-tutorial on different techniques for creating interesting embroidered eyes on your cloth dolls.

Also included in the blog is a link to a FREE pdf tutorial Adding Dimension to Your Hand Embroidery that also might be of interest to those who prefer to embroider for their dolls.

Shop Craftsy's Winter Wonders Sale - Up to 65% Off!

(sponsored post) Need a new project to keep you busy during these winter months?

Craftsy's Winter Wonders Sale happening right now and you can get up to 65% off all yarn, fabric and kits. You'll find everything you need to start your new designs today!

Hurry, offer expires Monday, February 2nd, 2015 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop Craftsy's Winter Wonders Sale now to save!



Craftsy's Winter Wonders Sale – Fabric up to 65% off

Craftsy's Winter Wonders Sale – Yarn up to 65% off

Craftsy's Winter Wonders Sale – Kits up to 60% off

FREE Bunny Pencil Topper or Lapel Pin!

Looking for a unique gift for the bunny lover or perhaps something special to include with an Easter gift?

Cloth Dolls by Stitch 'N Stuff has just uploaded a new FREE Bunny Pencil Topper or Lapel pin pattern on Craftsy at http://shrsl.com/?~7m0u.

This is a pdf pattern with complete instructions that you can download for FREE!

Knit N Play has posted FREE directions to make a doll-sized coat hanger for the 18 inch doll. What little girl (...or big girl) wouldn't want a way to keep her dolly dresses nice and neat?

Click here for the downloadable pdf pattern sheets.

The Sewing Loft offers a cute FREE pattern ‬that would make a welcome Valentines Day gift‬ for the seamstress in your life or a time-saver for your own personal use. Click here for FREE pattern!

You can sew a basket full of these sewing helpers in no time!