I have been busy for a few days. I didnt make any of the wood parts. I just purchased those at my local craft store. I did paint. I had so much fun creating this little room. I don't feel its done yet tho. I need a tree skirt for the tree. And something needs to go on the walls and a few other items. But your never fully furnished when you first move in. I will add a few more details. I am going to be selling this on Etsy. I have another one I am working on that is going to be more on the primitive style.

I have made the upstairs the kitchen. There is a hutch filled with bowls, plates and some milk and juice jars/containers. The table is red with white polk a dots. I used a vintage wood spool for the base of the table. There is a red bowl with mix color balls on the table. I made curtains and hung them on the wall with Velcro. You can swap curtains if you please. I am going to make a 3rd pair for options. Down stairs has polk a dot fabric curtains. I also put the Christmas tree with little beads for lights that I made. Also that is a round sofa/bed/coffee table (hey its a small house, you get creative). I really adore the little people I made to go in there. Everything look so cute. I just need to get a few more things in there and it shall be ready for sale. After I get a complete playtime.....of course.

Do you like to try new crafts? I do. I like to step outside my comfort zone and try new things. I am always dabbling in something. Why not try new things. You never know where they can take you. I use to make children's Halloween costumes and adult costumes before I made dolls. Yep sure did. I can't even think of going back to just making that day after day. If you are up for new crafts there are lots of ways about you being able to find out how. In today's world there are so many crafting resources. You can purchase books and magazines. You can visit your public library. Research on the Internet. I love to find vintage patterns,books and crafts and make them into today's crafts. Just do a little bit of digging. Get all the research you can and then gather your supplies needed and play. Who cares if the creation your making comes out looking like your 2nd grade craft project. Be proud of it. You made it. Just know the next time you go to make your item it will come out better and better with each new creation. After a while you will get to know where your mistakes were. Practice makes perfect. (Oh you should have seen my first doll, giggle)

My mother sewed on the sewing machine when we were kids. When she was single. It seemed to occupy her time and she was way nicer to us when sewing was taking place. KIND even. I was able to learn from watching her. She did let me actually use her vintage Singer when I was taking sewing classes at school in the 7th grade in Home Ec. class. Just straight stitches and I think I made a small pillow case for my pet rabbit? My mother had always sewed since I can remember. When we moved back into my Mothers house at the age of me 5 and older sis age 6. (we lived with gramma before)I remember her sewing us Barbie clothing for our dolls. However I can't remember playing with Barbi's. For some reason tho I can remember her sewing up the clothing and the clothing was very very nice. (I was more of a baby doll girl, still am)She would make handmade quilts and sell them to the lady down the street who owned a vintage store with handmade crafts. The store was so little. The size of a bedroom. I remember that and the old vintage coke machine that was outside her shoppe. My mother can sew. And her stitches are perfect.

I learned to sew at my local high school. After school, I took a sewing class for 6 weeks and learned basic sewing. Best $25.00 bucks ever spent. My older sister bought my first sewing machine. She actually drive me to and from the school and took the class with me. My first sewer was a Brother, just a basic model. Little by little with practice and lots of ewww and giggles I started to sew and started getting better at it. I started to learn. I say if your interested in learning to sew you will need to purchase the most basic machine you can find. Read the manual. Study your needles so you know what it can sew thru and can't sew thru. Practice sewing on a zipper. Practice the button hole making. Sure it won't be all perfect the first time. Maybe it will. You might surprise yourself. When I was in my 20's (not being or even knowing that I was a crafter) I worked at my local Target Store. We were opening a new location at the time and the store was empty and we were setting things out and working but no customers out and about the store was still under construction. So my bosses put a few contests on to make things a little more exciting. You must enter a poster size drawing/painting/wording (something on a poster board) and it being about Us the employees and of course Target the company. Well I wanted to win something and take part. However I cant draw, paint whatever. I bought a poster board took him home and sketched out the looney tunes characters in pencil. Then raided my sons backpack and used his colored pencils and colored everyone. I made them all hanging around the target emblem. (which is just a circle and a dot) I gave them all names on their name tags (using employees names of course) and wrote something spiffy on the poster board about being TEAM PLAYERS! I was impressed with what I did. It actually looked nice. I am not saying it was PERFECT. Far from it. I then was like no I am not gonna turn this in. The next day I brought it and it was sitting in my car in the back seat. Everyone was turning theirs in. I saw LOTS of GOOD stuff. I was like NO WAY am I turning in my 2nd grade looking poster. after lunch, I went out to the car after one of my friends (who I drove to work every day and saw it begged me to go get it and turn it in) so, I did.

I won the contest.


I DID!! I was so freaking out. There was WAY better work than mine. TRUST me when I tell you. But for some reason. Mine was NUMBER ONE!

So you never know what you may learn. Don't be afraid to try it. I am always afraid and sometimes I don't even get it. But I won't give up. I will have to come back to it. Like knitting. Oh lord. I can never remember what to do and how to do it. Yet I keep going back to it.

I am able to research how to do crafts by a few other resources. Like youtube. There are lots of people taking the time and showing you how to make things on camera. if your like me and need a visual, this is the best way to get it. The next best visual is online tutorials. You can find these any where online. I would try using google search engine. I would also try flickr.com. They have some over there too. Lots of people will have tutorials on their web sites and blogs. So that is why google is a helpful search engine. You can purchase patterns and depending on the pattern maker you might just learn something from them. Some will even go that extra mile to help you out. So don't be afraid to ask if you need help. I know I offer help anytime with my patterns.

So explore new crafts. Check out the local crafting magazine that are for sale on your crafting racks. Try new things. Keep playing. It may not be what you pictured at first. But you never know what someone elses likes are. You could be making something someone wants and you don't know it. You could be getting it right the NEXT time. Don't give up. Try, experiment and play. This is "studying for your crafts"!

Deena Davis!

THANK You everyone for playing in my One year Prize Giveaway Contest!

Please email me for shipment Deena!

More contests on the way everyone. No sad faces! XOXO


Oh ps. blame my Hubby for it taking me so long to post. He is lazy today. haha.

I was lucky to find this tablecloth on Ebay. I paid 12.99 for it. I have been seeing the vintage Christmas linens going for some pretty penny over there on Ebay. I am so happy for my happy score/find/deal. Its really big too. 64" x 52". It does have a tiny hole the size of a pea on it. Which is no big deal. You are lucky to find them 100% flawless. They are used and vintage and loved. Sometimes you will even have some stains on them. Which just adds to their love and charm. I have not found any stains on this one. (WOW!) I love vintage linens. I am starting up a nice collection already.

I have moved the white and aqua tree to my bedroom. It shall stay there on the nightstand. I need Christmas in my room this holiday season. Usually I dont do anything in the bedroom cause we like to keep things simple and plain and comfy in there. But just one little tree and a yummy tree skirt will just make it homey. I am going Retro Vintage this year for my Holiday Decorations. Some handmade some vintage store bought. I am still hearing Holiday music.

Oh my this came in the mail today. I purchased this early birthday present for myself on Ebay. I paid $6.00 for it. (i know oh my gosh like 6 whole bucks!) Not much information was given about this toy machine when I found the auction. It was cute, had that corelle vintage dish pattern sort of appeal to it. And gush red vintage thread. So after I got it in the mail today, I had given it a quick bath. Just carefully wiping it down and checking it out. I found out this machine totally works. There is no name on the machine that I can find YET! It was made is Japan. It's battery operated. There is a hand crank inside the secret compartment. Also hidden in there was foot pedal, needle thread, 2 vintage spools with thread and directions on what to do if your machine gets stuck. I just adore the machine has its own case. This machine was very loved, used and cared for. The decals on the front are not stickers. Its actually imbedded and painted. There is a matching pattern on the machine itself. I wish I knew what year it was from. I love the shape and design of it. Its a bit smaller than the metal lunch box I had as a kid. Its going to be perfect in my sewing area. Yipee! PREZZY to myself!

I was lucky to find this small white pre-lit tree at Walmart for 8.88. I also grabbed the yummy aqua tree skirt too. I know I could have made one. But it was $2.00. I will be happy to take it use it and display it proudly. I know its early. I know. But I am making creations already. And those creations take time to make. So I am trying to get ahead. For once?

Looks like someone else is in the Christmas mood. I wonder if she was someones Christmas present in the past?

Free Mini Doll House Primitive Raggedy Ann Pattern.

Click here for the printable pdf pattern. Feel free to use this pattern in your craft shows, websites and online shoppes. Just please let them know you got the pattern from me over here at anniescupboards.com.

Enjoy! XOXO

This reproduction horse pattern is my gift to you! Enjoy!

Click here for PDF printable pattern and directions. Use them for gift giving, craft shows and websites and online stores. Just please let them know its an anniescupboards.com pattern.

OXXO

I need space. I have none. This idea came to mind after I was at a loss on what to do with my patterns. I created this pattern wall cozy. I am offering this pattern to you for free. Just follow the tutorial I have made here and you too can have one. You can fit any size patterns in this cozy.

You can use this wall organizer for anything really. You can use this for the baby's room, bathroom or even the kitchen.


First you will need to gather these supplies:
3 packages of rick rack (2 red, 1 white)
2 and 1/2 yards of canvas or thick fabric.
Misc. fabric scraps for birds
1 yard contrast fabric for pockets.
(you will need interfacing if you can't find any thick fabric you like)
beads (eyes, optional)
1 piece of Felt
1 wood hanger (can be found at Joann fabric's for $1.00)
2 vintage buttons
tape measure
Pinking Shears
Gloss Spray paint

This pattern is really easy and simple to make. First you will need to cut out all your pieces from fabric. You will need to use pinking shears to cut out these pieces: wall hanging panels, pockets, and straps. Your wall hanging panels need to be 19" wide by 40" long. (cut two panels) I have made mine wider and the corners on the top flap over a bit. So I am giving you smaller dimensions so this won't happen to you. So make sure you are aware mine is wider but yours WONT FLAP over when hanging on the wall.


Your pockets need to be cut 7 1/2" width x 11" length. Your straps need to cut 4" in width and 12" long.


Now we are going to do placement and NO SEWING. Lay out one wall hanging panel and place your pockets where you would like them. I like to pin them in place. Then take the smaller bird pattern and cut out some birds in contrast fabric. Place them where you like. Pin those in place. Now you are ready for the first of your sewing.


If you have placed any birds on your pockets you will need to sew those in place first. Make sure you are not sewing the wall panel and the bird and the pocket all at once. You need to just sew the bird to the pocket.

I have used little beads for their eyes. You must sew on the eyes now if you want them to have eyes. You can just use thread and make a French knot or a small vintage button.

You can sew on your rick rack trim to the pockets now.

Then put the pockets back in its place. Once you have all the pockets in place again you can now begin sewing your pockets to the wall panel.



The next step is to sew the front wall panel and the back wall panel together. At the same time you are to sew in the rick rack trim. Just layer them and sew. DONT SEW THE TOP PART of the wall panel. Leave this open.

You will need to insert the straps before sewing shut. After you have completed sewing the wall panels together (WITH THE TOP LEFT OPEN) take your panel and lay it out and then take your hanger and your hanger straps and line them up in place. You want to make sure the straps are even. Pin in place and then sew everything shut together. You can sew your buttons on the straps. They are for show and not for use.

Next step you will need to sand your wood hanger then spray paint. I chose a gloss spray paint. You can paint it anyway you please with any paints you please. I just don't know how to paint and spray paint dries in 10 minutes. (you can make this your FIRST step if you like, that way when you are done sewing your hanger is already to go)



Next step is to cut two pieces of felt from the larger bird pattern. Make a small cut in the back of the bird.

Make a french knot for the bird's eye. Blanket stitch both pieces together.



Slide the hanger thru the blanket stitched felt bird and pull the hanger out from the small hole you cut. YOUR DONE. You made a wall cozy.


Printable PDF Bird Pattern is here.

Enjoy, and have fun. SHARE this pattern. Tell everyone about it. Let them know you got it from anniescupboards.com. Make them for your craft shows or your websites and auction/Etsy shoppes.
XOXO

I have been taking oodles of photos of my left over stock from my craft show. I have too much. Its work. haha. I have listed a bunch of dolls on Etsy. I have listed $12 mini dollhouse dolls on my website. I also listed $5.00 headbands and $5.00/6 felt clips on my website. I have them under my totes and bags section. I still have more things to list. The bags. I am getting them done tomorrow. I will work on some tonight. So bare with me. I am trying to get it all up there for you.

I have free patterns coming tomorrow! XOXO

Cheers! This is to you all.

So its a blog-a-versary? Yummy a new word I made up. Happy Day to me! One year ago today I started rambling on and I haven't stopped. I have been a happy blogger for one year now. To celebrate this day I am going to offer YOU a prize goodie package from me.


I have put this little goodie bundle just for you. You will get a digital camera cozy, large fabric bag, small fabric bag, felt hair clips, soap apron, mini repro dolly and a fabric headband.

Just send me an email saying something like, Hey enter me into this yummy contest! email me at primdollmaker @ comcast(dot)net. Please make this all one word and dont spell out the word (dot).

If you are not on my mailing list and would like to be on it just say "Add me to your mailing list". I will do so. If at anytime you wish to not be on my mailing list you can just type "remove" in the newsletter I have emailed to you. Easy Peazy. No worries.

Anyone can enter. If you are in the USA or not. I am shipping this item to you. I only have one prize giveaway. You only need to enter once, I will collect names till Saturday Evening 8pm Est. Sunday Morning Oct 26th you will need to come here and find out who has won the prize. I am not going to email you if you won you need to come here and peek and contact me. (oh torture I know, and I sleep in on Sundays)

I have so many goodies I am working on and have been working on for you. I was hoping to get everything finished and have it ready for you today. Of course I am not ready and today is HERE! Oh my! So why not stretch out this blog-a-versary party all week long. I shall be FULL of Blog Surprises every day.

So remember enter my contest. Come back this week for more surprises. Come back later today for even more surprises. I am just starting!

Happy blog-a-versary! Happy blog-a-versary! Happy blog-a-versary!

My craft show season for 2008 is finished! My last show was very short. I ended up having to leave 2 hours into the show. I started to suffer from heat stroke. I knew it was going to get even hotter outside. So I ended up packing it in. Hubby was there to help me. THANK GOD! I am just not going to be able to do outdoor shows. Its way to hot in South Florida for me. You think I kid when I tell you how hot Sunny South Florida is. Well its HOT! haha. So only indoor shows for me. Hubby set all the dolls up in the booth. Didn't he do a great job of presentation?