The Magic Bean

Freebie Friday - Valentine's Gifts for Guys

2012-01-27T07:00:00+00:00

Let's face it - sometimes guys are hard to craft for. We love them, but men are from Mars and women are from Venus and all that, so sometimes finding an inexpensive, handmade project to make as a symbol of your undying love can be difficult. Here are some free tutorials and patterns of a manly variety.

If you are new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more heartwarming free projects by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Make some cuff links with the magic of Mod Podge using a tutorial on the Plaid site.

Cathe at Just Something I Made customised wooden nickels to make custom poker chips in her tutorial complete with downloadable and customisable images.

Lindsay, author of the blog Cottage Mama shared a tutorial to sew a men's shaving bag which she calls the Boxy Dopp Kit, click the link to see how to make it.

Stephanie from the blog Stephanie@Home shared a tutorial for how to make this fab homemade laptop desk complete with chalkboard for little notes. Genius.

Whip up a treadmill IPod holder for the man who loves to get fit with a tutorial on Call Me Crafty Momma. Just swap out the girlie fabric for something on the manly side.

For the wine lover, make a wine cork monogram with a tutorial from Green is Universal.

Make a mustache mug with a tutorial from the Tortoise and the Hare.

Keep your guy sweet by making this mustache festooned jar with a tutorial on the Plaid site and then fill it with his favourite candy or snack.

Make a set of his and hers pyjama shorts with a tutorial from Sew4Home.

Clock up some brownie points by making a custom clock for your man using my very own tutorial, I call it the Babclock. Click the link to get the how-to. I can testify that the man in my life loves his clock and you can personalise it by using different sections of the newspaper, maps or photos to suit your man's disposition.

Get more man-friendly gift ideas with this post featuring Father's Day gifts that would also double as great Valentine's gifts.

Go forth and get romantic!

Wordless Wednesday - Inside My Sketchbook

2012-01-25T07:00:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock

All Bottled Up Doorstop Doll Class with the Doll Maker's Circle

2012-01-24T17:00:17+00:00

This past Saturday I journeyed to the other side of London to teach the Doll Maker's Circle my All Bottled Up Doorstop Doll class.

I came bearing kits of luscious repurposed knitwear and empty water water bottles, ready to be transformed into a cloaked doll complete with a pre-printed fabric face.

Part of the joy and creative challenge of working with re-purposed materials is that you will end up having to deal with slightly different issues, depending on the material you have to work with. I find it always throws up the most creative solutions. The All Bottled Up doll is based on a jumper sleeve (sweater sleeve to North Americans). And due to the differences in sleeve cuts, lengths and fibre content you can get some pretty different results. However, the Doll Maker's Circle were up for the challenge and some very beautiful solutions were found.

Jo immediately saw that her sleeve was a bit more voluminous in the cuff area that forms the hood and immediately arranged it so that it looked just perfect.

Diane's sleeve was a bit shorter and wider and Diane cleverly arranged the hood of her doll into a point which suited her doll perfectly. I wish I'd gotten a shot of Diane's doll's face which was exquisitely coloured.

In fact, there were many gorgeous faces created in that class and I got pictures of none of them. I hate it when I do that. I get so into teaching and talking to other doll makers that I forget to record their genius for posterity.

There were some other moments of genius with ruffles being deployed with flair.

I always encourage my students to add their own creative ideas to a design. I am always thrilled when they take me at my word and go for it. Here my silk laced ribbon closure was fabuously replaced with closures made up of French knots in hand dyed silk ribbon - to die for.

There were new people like Diane at the class, and students like Doris who I've been privileged to spend time with in my classes before. Doris pictured to my right (I'm the one in the middle) showed me some photos made from my Give Us a Kiss pattern and from two of my free patterns, Little Sneaks and Pinelope the Pin Cushion Doll. They were stunning. I've made Doris promise to send me photos so you can see just how beautiful they are.

There were 15 people taking this class and I wish I had pictures of them all, but unfortunately my camera paralysis set in once again. I didn't even get a photo of June, the instigator of this class and a founder member of the club. This always seems to happen once I get into a class. For some reason cameras seem to interfere with my doll mojo.

You'll just have to take my word for it - The Doll Maker's Circle is one talented bunch.

Freebie Friday - Free Valentines Day Tutorial and Patterns

2012-01-20T06:41:00+00:00

The New Year is slightly less new now and so now we need another holiday to look forward to. Next on the calendar of course is Valentine's Day. Here are some romantic tutorials and patterns to get your heart thumping.

If you are new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more heartfelt free projects by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Make Valentine's teain three different ways using some DIY tips from Kate Pruitt on Design Sponge.

Make this gorgeous felt heart decoration with a tutorial from the Rachel Berry Blog. Click the link to get the how-to.

Make these adorable fabric treat pouches for Valentine's Day with a tutorial from Dana at dana-made-it.com.

Set the scene for a romantic dinner with these easy to make love letter votive sleeves. Get the instructions on how to make these Valentines candle sleeves from bhg.com.

Using a free template, from Disneyfamily.com create this paper valentine tree.

Create a tiny little fabric macaroon coin purse to store little love messages or to use as a Valentine's locket, with a tutorial from Craft Passion.

A great tutorial for kids, make a paper valentine locket with a tutorial from Disneyfamily.com. I think I'd like Johnny Depp in a locket myself.

Check out this idea for Valentine's Day cards from Gabrielle Blair at Design Mom. Quite possibly the coolest Valentine's cards ever. Not kidding, they are super cool.

Download some free Valentine's paper dolls designed by Kellie and shared on the Rice Babies blog

Watch the below video to see how Barbara from joggles.com stamps a boudoir pillow to spread a little bit of love:

See more about how Barbara completed this stamped pillow project here.

Now don't those free tutorials just warm your heart?

What's Inspiring Me Right Now

2012-01-19T18:06:11+00:00

Inspiration can sometimes be elusive when you are creative person. But luckily they are lots of ways to get the creative juices flowing. Here are a few things that have gotten my 2012 off to a creative start, maybe they'll inspire you too.

The book that has me disproportionately excited:

A Field Guide to Fabric Design: Design, Print & Sell Your Own Fabric; Traditional & Digital Techniques; For Quilting, Home Dec & Apparel

Why this books is stoking my creative fire:

I had a vague thought I'd like to design fabric. I figured fabric design and cloth doll design could be happy bedfellows. I hadn't realised how much this book would open my eyes to the possibilities offered by surface design. Suddenly in my mind, I am Amy Butler. In my mind, I have an assistant and an empire chock full of aesthetic appeal. I am now enrolled in an Introduction to Illustrator course at the Fashion and Textile Museum and it's all this book's fault. I read about other designers and how fabric design slots into their creative lives in the pages of this book and I thought "I can do that" and the book even told me how. Move over Amy, make room for me!

The blogs that are currently floating my boat:

True Up

Why this blog is keeping me interested:

Kim Kight, author of my new favourite book (see above gushing) writes a blog all about fabric, all the time. There's fabric and more fabric, plus interviews with fabric designers and even a forum that you can join to discuss, guess what, fabric.

Art Licensing Blog

Why I "heart" this blog:

A blog I found, through Kim Kight's book A Field Guide to Fabric Design: Design, Print & Sell Your Own Fabric; Traditional & Digital Techniques; For Quilting, Home Dec & Apparel, Tara Reed talks all about art licensing, a world I never really contemplated (or understood) before. I particularly loved this post about not staying in a place that is not working for you that Tara just posted. If that doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.

The movie that makes me feel positive:

The War Bride

You know when you start thinking that your day is utterly hopeless because your waistband on your trousers didn't quite dry before you put them on, and you had to spend an hour on public transport sniffing someones armpit that was sitting exactly at your eye-level and you didn't have time to get a coffee and you just finished your book and have nothing good to read, and the list goes on. If you are having a "bad day", this is the movie you watch. Anna Friel being cheerful in the face of the Blitz, unfriendly in-laws and an unfortunate lack of indoor plumbing will make you feel shame for ever having complained about stinky armpits. Plus, she sews. And looks glamorous doing it.

What's inspiring you right now?

Wordless Wednesday - Cloisters

2012-01-18T07:13:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock

Freebie Friday - Tutorials and Ideas to Reorganise Your Studio or Craft Room by Recycling

2012-01-13T07:00:00+00:00

Want to sort your stash without blowing a lot of cash? Here are some organising ideas that re-purpose or recycle household items to get your craft or sewing room organised and they won't cost the Earth.

If you are new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse old posts for your New Year by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Lots of leftover boxes from Christmas? Make a tool organiser with some old cardboard in this tutorial shared by Brenna at Design Sponge.

Ashley Campbell shared a tutorial on Design Sponge to convert an old suitcase into a wall mounted vanity and towel holder. Personally, I can see this in a studio.

Cathe Holden shared a tutorial on the blog Craft to reuse the back of old canvases to create wall pockets.

JCHandmade, shared a tutorial to make fabric covered magnets - a great idea for use on a magnetic board or on a filing cabinet. Hint: To see the next steps in the magnet tutorial, click "Next" in the top left.

Serena, author of the blog, The Farm Chicks, has another idea for making recycled fabric magnets from plastic bottle caps. Click the link to get the tutorial.

If you own a mobile phone (cell phone to those in North America), you don't want to trip over the cord. This tutorial created by Ashely from Make It Love It, tells you how to create a holder for charging your phone out of an old lotion bottle. It's practical, pretty, and it's eco friendly. What's not to like?

BHG.com has a clever idea for reusing an old garage door panel to display your artwork. Click the link to find out how to do it.

Melissa, author of the blog Shabby Love, shared how she organised and decorated her craft room. My favourite idea was using an old crib mattress spring as an inspiration board. Click the link to see more of Melissa's craft room ideas.

Brooke at Spruce Your Nest shared a tutorial that turned humble spoons and a plank of wood into an awesome tealight holder. However, I think that those spoons would make great hooks for brightly coloured ribbons.

If you really need some furniture to store your stuff, take yourself off to a secondhand shop, procure a buffet table and make it over using yardsticks and this tutorial from Laura at the blog, the Corner House. Wouldn't that make a great place to stash your stash?

If you want to sort out all your coloured pencils, use this idea from Tonya Staab - wall mounted pencil holders.

Jennifer Ackermann-Haywood, author of the blog Craft Sanity shared some simple ideas for crafty diy organising, like covering a can in yarn.

Diana Henkler made a no-sew ribbon memo board on the inside of a cupboard and shared a tutorialon the blog, Momtastic.

Check out this giant post of ideas for organising your craft room from Shannon of Madigan Made. Mostly it looks like Shannon re-used the storage she already had but labelled it and made it pretty using a paint chip look.

Don't you just love it when you can make something old new again and not break the bank doing it?

Wordless Wednesday - Rock Out

2012-01-11T07:26:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock

Freebie Friday - Free Cloth Doll and Softie Making Tutorials

2012-01-06T07:25:00+00:00

The thing that goes best with a fresh new year, is a fresh set of free patterns and tutorials for lovers of stuffed cloth, whether dolls or softies are your favourite. Here are some great new patterns that will get your New Year started right.

If you are new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts. Or browse old posts for your New Year by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Sam Cotteril, author of Fanciful Felties from MummySam: Sew People to Meet, Places to Go & Things to Do (Stash Books) has a free pattern for you to make the cover star of her book, Marge. The patterns is compliments of the Pattern Spot.

If you are a big steampunk fan then you'll love this free pattern for Marveleta the Steampunk Lady as excerpted from the book Steampunk Softies: Scientifically-Minded Dolls from a Past That Never Was and featured on the Craft blog.

Here's a cool idea from Creative Pilgrimage: An Exploration of Artful Gatherings and Discovery of Innovative Art Techniques by Jenny Doh, use a tea cup as a doll dress. Click the link to see the idea.

Get 3 free patterns from the fabulously quirky imagination of cloth doll artist Jill Maas. Click the link and scroll down the page until you find the Brazen Birds, Morrison Mouse and Noeline the pin doll. You need to e-mail to get the patterns sent to you, but they are free.

Sue Daniel has created this adorable free Kitty Kat pin cushion pattern that is available on Doll Makers Journey.

On the blog Matsutake learn how to make a softie into a working lamp with a tutorial. You can even download the free fox softie pattern while you are there.

Sharon Mitchell has a lovely free pattern for a wee mouse called Little Bit. Click here to the get the free mouse pattern and click here to see a photo of the finished mouse.

If you use Tibetan lambskin for hair on your dolls, you might be interested to know exactly how to dye your own. Watch the following video, that I found via Edwina Sutherland's blog to find out how to do it:

Patti Culea has a brand new 5 hour long doll making DVD out called Patti Medaris Culea Patterns - Cloth Doll Making with Patti Medaris Culea Two-Disc DVD Set (Worldwide Play). Watch these excerpts, featured on You Tube to learn a few techniques and to get an idea of what a wealth of knowledge the full DVD offers:

I've got my fingers crossed that I'll be getting this DVD for my birthday. And my toes crossed. And my legs, my eyes and anything else that can be crossed.

I hope that your 2012 has started off with a creative bang. If not, what are you waiting for? Dive into one of these free patterns.

Wordless Wednesday - Under the Sword Arm

2012-01-04T07:33:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock