toy

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    Betty Boo Bat—Halloween Sock Doll

    ByHeather Bailey

    FREE Pattern and Sewing Kit! Betty Boo Bat—Halloween Sock Doll—FOUR Designs to Choose From


    CasparBatSockDoll_BettyBoo

    Hello, friends! It’s time for some fall-time fun. I have four ADORABLE Betty Boo Sock Doll Kits in the store this fall: Ziggy, Pumpkin, Trixie, and Caspar. Each bat-doll kit includes a sock, fabric, felt, multiple buttons, embroidery floss, ribbon—AND the FULL SEWING PATTERN! Each complete kit is priced at ONLY $12.95, a great fall project and gift. Collect all four!

    Find all of our popular bat-doll, purse, and pincushion kits in the Other Fun Stuff section of the store.

    PumpkinBatSockDoll_BettyBooWith a purchase of $35 or more, enjoy one FREE bat doll kit which includes all materials (except stuffing) AND the pattern ($12.95 value). Once your purchase adds up to $35 or more, add your choice of bat doll to your cart as well. Enter promo code FREEBATKIT at checkout. The price of one kit will be removed from your total — a $12.95 value.*

    ZiggyBatSockDoll_BettyBooPsst…the promotion info and promo code is also posted on the home page of the store. Please share a link with your friends and family.

    TrixieBatSockDoll_BettyBoo*One FREE kit per customer. This offer expires 10-31-19, at midnight MST, or while supplies last. If making a bat doll for a small child, please make sure all parts are securely sewn together, and that no embellishments present a choking hazard.

    Here’s a link to The Heather Bailey Store. 🙂

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    Giveaway Day 30

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day30_HELLOgiveawayBanner

    Author2_final

    StationWagon_300ShortToday, I had the privilege of flipping through an early copy of Kerry Goulder's new book, Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love. The release is set for mid- October, but I got my hands on one of the only two copies Kerry has seen herself.

    That's right, Kerry (aka Kid Giddy) sent me one of her only two copies so I could share the book with you as part of my August HELLO Giveaways celebration. So exciting! Thank you, Kerry.

    My first peek at this charming project book was earlier this year
    when Kerry asked me to write the book's foreword. Over the course of
    several emails back and forth and a couple of phonecalls, I got to know
    Kerry and her concept. Each project in the book is tied to a story and
    centered on four themes, taking us "from a fairy woodland, to the
    coastal waters, to the arctic, and back."

    Pinchy_300ShortKerry
    lives in Maine with the ocean as her neighbor. One of my favorite
    projects in the book is her Pinchy the Lobster character. Coming from
    the land of paisley turtles and floral elephants, there's something about a calico lobster that certainly works for me.

    I also love her station wagon and hipster-camping-trailer pattern
    above. Not only does it wax nostalgic, but here's one car toy that won't
    split your eyebrow open when your toddler attacks. That's a true bonus.
    I've had more than one request from my family to design some soft
    boy-toys suitable for snuggling. Our Evan likes a big reaction. This often translates into experimental hammering on his siblings and parents—especially at bedtime.

    Beyond these great projects, Kerry has also included a dolphin
    pattern, an orca whale, a row boat, a hot air balloon, a teddy bear, and
    an igloo—to name just a few. A wide variety of projects for one book.

    SewingTalestoStitchLove2

    Join me in congratulating Kerry and KP Craft on their lovely new book. Watch for Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love: 18 Toy Patterns for the Storytelling Sewist to reach your local bookstore or fabric shop this fall and go get yourself a copy. Also, keep up with Kerry on her Kid Giddy blog (she's just beginning to post reveals of her gorgeous new sewing studio), and on facebook, twitter, pinterest, and flickr while you're at it.

    Foreword2

    Today's giveaway winner will receive this early copy of the book—signed by the author and me. Invaluable 🙂 Comment to
    enter. One entry per household. Be sure to include your email
    address
    in the comment form so we can contact you if you win.

    Giveaway closes at 11:59pm PST on Sunday 9/1/13. It's
    a holiday weekend and the final stretch of my giveaway marathon. As
    such, I'm giving you through the weekend to enter so everyone can have a
    decent shot—even those who have found time away from the computer with
    their families! Watch for the winner to
    be announced within the week at the bottom
    of the post.

    For more info on my August giveaway party, click here. Please
    share the word. See you again tomorrow. And Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone.

    Good luck!

    xo—Heather

    Read More “Giveaway Day 30”

  • Giveaway Day 25

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day25_HELLOgiveawayBanner

    Day25_EvanBailey_CatDoll1T2

    In honor of Evan's birthday on the 25th, our Day 25 HELLO Giveaway is one of our favorite children's toys, Theo the cat, an 18" knit doll. A $56 value. Theo is chartreuse for heaven's sake. It doesn't get better than chartreuse.

    A brand-new Theo made his way to our studio from LaylaGrayce.com, an incredibly diverse and inspirational online store, carrying everything from chandeliers and designer sofas to apparel, gifts and toys.
    I urge you to go take a look. Their taste is impeccable. Whether you're
    redecorating or just picking out a few gifts here and there, you will
    find so many great options on their site.

    Day25_EvanBailey_CatDoll2gT

    Thank you, LaylaGrayce.com for generously donating today's prize and for offering such a wide variety of these adorable Blabla Kids knit dolls,
    including raccoons, foxes, bunnies, bears, wolves, mermaids, monkeys
    and elephants, to name a few. They are soft and squishy and alltogether
    cool.

    Look at how many of these dolls work for boys as well as girls. I love that.

    Day25_BlaBlaKidsDolls4

    For decorating inspiration and first news on new products, follow Layla Grayce on twitter, facebook, instagram, pinterest, and on their inspirational blog.

    Read More “Giveaway Day 25”

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    Giveaway Day 9

    ByHeather Bailey

    Day09_ElephantPattern

    Wow, thank you for your baby-naming stories and input.
    What great comments! I promise that there aren't too many more big
    stories I've kept to myself. Just designs. Designs that aren't out on
    products yet. But, I have lots of that coming soon. Mostly fabric,
    fabric, fabric.

    It's Friday, and for today our giveaway prize is a copy of my Most-Crazy-Popular-Ever sewing pattern Effie & Ollie Elephant, along with the winner's choice of elephant kit which includes all of the fabric, interfacing and trim for one elephant. A $19 value.

    Comment to enter today's contest. Be sure to include your email address
    so we can contact you if you win. Today's giveaway closes at 11:59pm PST on Friday 8/9/13. Watch for the winner to be announced within a day or
    two at the bottom
    of the post.

    For more info on my August giveaway madness, click here.
    Please
    share the word. Check back every day. And stay tuned for some big
    whoppers next week, with several prizes ranging in value from $100 to
    $300. Good luck!

    xo—Heather


    Read More “Giveaway Day 9”

  • Wee, Wee, Wee!

    ByHeather Bailey

    Vintage velveteen pig doll sewing pattern by Heather Bailey. Including instructions to sew a boy and a girl piggy.
    I love this pattern! Can
    I just say that first?

    Perhaps it’s because my own little
    Charlotte has loved piggy toys since
    she was a toddler, or maybe it’s the doll’s bulbous pot belly and
    apple-bum. Or that dart under her snout that looks just like a smile —
    gah!

    BoyPiggyAll of the above.

    I designed
    the original doll for my daughter in conjunction with a cover-story
    for Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine. (Read more about the
    article here.) I hadn’t planned on producing a sewing
    pattern for the design, but the response to this little piggy has been
    remarkable.

    So, here it is!  The Claira & Clancy Pig Dolls pattern comes back
    from the printer today and will be shipped out to distributors and shops
    this week.

    Clothing for a boy piggy is included in the pattern as
    well.  (Our boys need fun, hand-made toys just as much as our girls
    do.)  I love his little-old-man shirt & worker-man pants.  And, can I
    add that I’m super proud of the fit on that shirt?  He has such a funny
    little body.

    Detail image of boy pig doll shirt pattern.

    Claira and Clancy are the
    first of four new sewing patterns I’m introducing.  Four – New – Patterns! 

    I’m
    excited to share my other new designs this week as well.  If you must
    sneak a peek, you can see all four patterns here, including new pincushions, a fabulous bag,
    totes that fold into wallets, and more.

    SP006_ClairaNClancyPigDollsSo, big news today!  Ask your
    local quilt shop for these new HB patterns — they may not know yet that
    the new patterns are ready to ship.

    –
    – – – –

    Beyond the hubbubery of pattern-development, I’m also working on my
    first several housewares collections, including aprons, dishtowels,
    place mats, napkins, tablecloths, etc. — all finished goods, not
    patterns.  At the studio, we’re putting together more pincushion kits too.  And there’s
    new stationery to share!

    There’s just a lot going on.

    So,
    here’s what I’m thinking — but it makes
    me a little nervous.  I’m debating doing my own personal version of
    NaBloPoMo
    in May. (I’m yet to be free enough in
    November to participate in the group-NaBloPoMo event.)  Every Day for
    the Month of May     could be too much, so how about Lotsa Days in
    the Month of May    ?  What could I call it, LottaDayMoMay?  We
    have so much catching up to do, you and I : )  Once I get these new
    collections into production, I just may be able to pull it off.  Anyone
    ever done this?

  • Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

    ByHeather Bailey

    Today is office-chair day. We've hopped from one store to the next,
    gathering up enough chairs to outfit my new studio.  It's amazing how
    much time it takes to finish each little step.  Stacking chairs and
    folding tables are next.  I would have waited a month or two — till we
    were closer to our first class or craft-night — but Isaac's good
    friend is hosting a workshop for photographers at my office next
    weekend, so I've got to hunt down those things a bit sooner. That's
    what's goin' on.

    Oh, and my dishwasher is hogging up the kitchen floor and its
    dish-racks are spread around the counters.  The dishwasher is having
    some draining issues, so it's been wrenched from it's nesting place for
    a deep cleanse. The kitchen is no-man's-land till we get it fixed.

    It's such a Saturday.

    -o-o-o-o-o-

    With no clever segue whatsoever, it's time to announce some giveaway-winners!  A $50 gift certificate to TheVintagePearl.com goes to each of the following: (Lucky ladies, please email emily@heatherbailey.com with your contact info.)

    "Oh my gosh…I would LOVE one of these necklaces! They are gorgeous. I have been wanting one for a long time."  Posted by: Jessica Bills | January 26, 2010 at 10:03 PM

    "I LOVE Vintage Pearl; after some loud hinting my girls
    gave me one for Mother's Day last year. I have been wanting to order
    one for a friend whose 2-year-old daughter recently passed away. Thanks
    so much for the opportunity to win!"  Posted by: Stef | January 26,
    2010 at 02:50 PM

  • Have you Herd?

    ByHeather Bailey

    Make a new friend in Henrietta turtle (or skip the flower corsage and
    make a Henry turtle). Henrietta will gladly house your pins &
    needles or entertain your baby or pet — but not at the same time. She's funny that way.

    HenriettaCvr

    You may have glimpsed my pokey new sewing buddy in my recent interview
    on NBC. This sewing pattern is hot off the press and ready to ship. I'm
    in love. Sitting by my sewing machine, Henrietta reminds me to take my
    time and enjoy the process.

    Fresh from Bingo night, come Edna, Matilda, Eloise, Harriet, Penelope and Gladys. "Shush, dearie. Did that nice young man call B-15?" Six different materials kits available here — pattern sold separately.

    A herd of turtles. Or as my dad likes to say, "A terd of hurtles."

    TurtleKits

  • Jackson’s Five

    ByHeather Bailey

    Speaking of matryoshka.  Check out these Michael Jackson nesting dolls from a 2006 Music Art Form exhibit.  Pop music meets folk art.
    MichaelJackson2

    Update:  It turns out that not everyone interprets this series the way I do.  Two commenters think it's mean-spirited of the artist.

    I think it's beautiful.  To
    me, this piece is poignant. It shows how as MJ's life (and
    accomplishments) progressed, the world zeroed in on his flaws. To many,
    this beaming talent became a tabloid plastic surgery story.  It's a sad truth that the world puts talent on a pedestal, only to tear it down over time.

    Art seeks
    an emotional response. True, the first read might make many of us smile.  However, I don't think the artist means to ridicule
    Jackson.  Instead, I think he means to highlight how ridiculous it is that we all are fixated
    on his nose.

    Furthermore, the style of the artwork is beautiful and quiet, not jeering or jokey. I don't
    believe it is meant to poke fun at the subject.  If anyone, I think it's mocking us as a people for not seeing past this man's appearance.  This piece has meaning for me. 

    I'm sad he's gone. 

  • Stuff for Stuffing Stuff

    ByHeather Bailey

    March of the Tools 

    I'm
    in the home-stretch of a many-months' design project.  With a name
    chosen, a logo and some final print-outs, my next fabric collection
    will head off to the mill and my brain will be my own again.  I've been
    twittering as a welcome distraction.  Next I'll need a new phone plan
    so I can twitter from anywhere.  Then I can get input on whether to buy
    the yellow shirt or the blue one, have help choosing a dessert at the
    grocery store, or discuss any number of random ponderings while on the
    go.

    For instance, I've been thinking about Magic Shell
    a lot lately — well, more than usual, which is never — probably
    because ice cream consumption increases in direct proportion to an
    increase in workload.  Magic Shell can't be natural.  But, it sure
    tastes like chocolate and not as much like plastic as I'd expect.  I
    twitter-tweeted my love of Magic Shell and WhipUp twittered me right back a link to a make-your-own-Magic-Shell recipe here.

    Stuffing Forks!

    For my last 2009 MOT post, I'm singing praises for the Stuffing Fork by Barbara Willis — my favorite tool for stuffing stuff with stuffing : )

    — like pincushions, dolls, toys, etc.

    This
    simple tool is awesome.  You can use it to push stuffing into just the
    right spot.  And for teensy stuffed things, like doll fingers and
    noses, the small Stuffing Fork
    is great.  If you poke the fork into a small tuft of stuffing and give
    it a twist, you can maneuver your stuffing bit in place.  They really
    are great.

    We just stocked a handful of each size, large and small, in our store (10% discount here
    till April 5th).  I have an old-school, wooden-handled Stuffing Fork
    that's been well-used and well-loved for the last decade or more.  Now
    I've upgraded to these new ones which have a molded plastic handle and
    are even better — a necessary tool for your sewing arsenal.

    And
    because April is upon us, I'm going to bullet-list out a few more tools
    I love, then call it done for the year.  Totally random though.  No
    rules.

    • Color Munki.  New tool for us.  But you should hear Isaac's shouts of
      'whoa!' from the other room.  When you're in the design business, color
      calibration is big.
    • Great Lash Mascara.  Tackiest packaging, but good mascara.
    • Beeswax for thread. 
      For quilting or applique, if you run your thread through beeswax &
      press it before sewing, your thread will be stronger and will suffer
      less wear when pulled through the fabric stitch after stitch.  I'll
      blog about this one in more detail sometime.
    • ArtgumWater-soluble markers. 
      For marking match points or drawing tailoring adjustments in sewing. 
      Or for drawing out an embroidery design onto fabric.  Where were these
      when I learned to sew with chalky, messy, white tailoring pencils?
    • Art Gum erasers. 
      I have these erasers all over my studio.  When I only had one or two,
      I'd lose them, or the dogs would chew them up.  Isaac bought me 10 at
      once and now I'm all set.  Having an abundance of good erasers is a
      luxury anyone can attain.
    • Pentel Twist-Erase mechanical pencils. 
      My new favorite pencil, because the eraser actually lasts for a while
      and can be re-filled.  Of course, as a result, my art gum eraser
      collection hasn't been as important lately.  Dave says this pencil has it's own following.Twisterase3
    • Typepad.  I've used Typepad from the beginning and have always
      been impressed with their interface, customer service, customizability,
      upgrades, etc.  And I've never had a post go missing. This is the second or third time they've featured my blog on their sign-in page and I'm completely honored. 
    • Twitter.  I've always described blogging as a form of conversation, and micro-blogging is even more conversational (see tweets in my sidebar).  It's been less than a week since I started twitter-chatting, but what fun.

    Okay, so I'm off to polish up a logo for the fabric collection, then
    it's back to a more normal pace — and a movie & a milkshake.  Any
    movie recommendations?

    Featured on Typepad's Home page!