Victoria Baby

Hey there.

I've been having a bit of a Victoria week.  Here is the finished Victoria Baby.  I love making this doll - she has the most beautiful lace.  I've used 4 different trims - 3 are beautiful Guipere lace, and one is ricrac.

Victoria baby

Close-up of lace used

Victoria Baby close-up

She is so sweet!

Hugs
Raewyn

MERMAID MONTH

Hi there

I also can't believe that it's been 10 years since I first published a pattern - Mermaid Magic - and it's still one of my most popular patterns, and one of my favourite dolls to make (and one of my best sellers at shows.)

Mermaid Magic - my first ever pattern

 
In recognition of this, I have declared February to be "MERMAID MONTH" - 30 % off all mermaid patterns!!! Don't forget that Rainbow Mermaids is available as a FREE download pattern and check out my I Love Mermaids quilt pattern - Come and join me and make mermaids this month too!!!

Check out my Specials page on my website:  http://www.redhendesigns.co.nz/specials-xidc99980.html

Hugs
Raewyn

Adriana - a new mermaid

Hey there

Introducing Adriana, a new mermaid.

She is about 26 inches in length and is sitting.  I used the same size as my teenage dolls, Bex & Astrid, lengthening out the body and adding a tail.  The tail is quilted - I lightly stuffed the tail before quilting, gives a nice puffy look.  Over the stitching lines, I have glued the most gorgeous pearl and ribbon braid - just perfect!!!

The head is the same size as the Bex doll, I really like the shape.  I found the Bex arms a bit big, so have made them smaller, so is more in scale.

I am really pleased with the way she has turned out - definitely will make some more to take to shows and will write up a pattern.

Watch this space!

Hugs
Raewyn

BUBBLES a mermaid doll

Hi all

I have been making mermaids - Bubbles is a lovely small-ish mermaid which is designed to hang on the wall, or as a mobile.  They are quite quick and easy to make, very similar to Rainbow Dancers.

For painting the face, use the tutorial for Lavinia.  I used a mixture of fibes for the hair, and put a string of beads and some fringe around the waist.  The little boobs are suffolk puffs (yo-yoes).  A little piece of ribbon for hanging them.

Like to have a go at making one of these?  As a featured blog doll, the pattern is discounted on my website.

While you are there, check out the companion quilt!  I Love Mermaids is a fantastic qult I made several years ago, featuring these little mermaids and undersea creatures.

I Love Mermaids Quilt

 

I have also put the pattern for this quilt at a discount price.

Hugs
Raewyn

RUPERT - a little dragon

Pebble fabric

Spotty fabric

Spotty fabric

Pink hearts fabric

Rupert is a lovely, very simple dragon.  The body is in one piece with spines down the back.  There are little arms and legs which can be thread jointed onto the body or glued.  The wings are small enough to not need any wiring - just a piece of batting holds the shape nicely.

I originally made Rupert as a holiday class for school aged children (ages 8 - 13 years).  I did the machine work and they did all the turning, stuffing and hand sewing.  Well, they loved it so much they asked for another (Crispin of Cornwall), then another (Sir Richard) and another (Wesley & Junior) ,and finally one  more (Rainbow Dragons).  We did them over successive holidays.  By the end of 5 lots of school holidays they had a wonderful collection.

As a blog-featured animal, Rupert is available as a print pattern and as an e-pattern for 30% off the regular retail price for December only.

Hugs
Raewyn

Ballet Class

Another design I just love making.  Ballet dancers are in fixed positions (the legs will not move), and are designed to be hanging dolls.  They look gorgeous as a set as you can see in the photos - just imagine how lovely they would look on the wall of a little girl's bedroom.

Lavender

Pink

White

Black

 

 

 

So, the dolls are about 15 inches tall.  The body is all in one piece, the head is separate. I paint the leotard and ballet slippers onto the body using fabric paint, and then when completely dry, put on a topcoat of varnish.  The braid around the top and bottom of the leotard and round the slippers very effectively covers any 'scraggy and scrappy' paint lines.

The face is painted using the technique for Lavinia.  I use a variety of yarns for the hair, often blending several together to get the right shade.

The pattern is Ballet Class, and it is available to buy on my website as a e-pattern (pdf download) or as a print pattern (free posted out to you!)...as a blog-featured pattern it is on special now for December at 30% discount!!!

Hugs

Raewyn

Rainbow dancers

I love making these little dancing dolls.  They are so sweet and look simply gorgeous as a set.  They take very little fabric - you will get at least 2 out of a fat quarter, and just a small piece of flesh fabric is needed for the heads.

I have been having fun with a variety of different yarns for the hair.  There is a HUGE range of textures, colours, blends to choose from - something to match every piece of fabric you have chosen.

The heads are the same size as  the little Lavinia heads, so you can use the tutorial below to paint the heads.

As you can see I tend to use only the more traditional poses.  I guess as I'm making these for sale, I have to make the most popular ones - and I know that anything in pink will sell quickly!  Lol gotta love little girls!!!

Pattern is Rainbow Dancers and is available on website.  As a blog-featured design it is on special for December at 30% discount!

Hugs
Raewyn