Loved Crafting As A Kid and My Crafting With Kids Pinterest Board

I absolutely love to craft and especially love creating free tutorials, e-patterns, free e-printables, free e-books and how-to's for my customers and blog readers and have created a lot of "freebies" over the years.  To say the variety of crafts I like to try is an eclectic mix would be an understatement.  I don't think I've even found a craft I haven't liked.

All of my "freebies" are available on the "My Free E-Patterns, E-Printables, E-Tutorials, and E-Books" page of my Linda's Blog and on my "My Free E-Patterns, E-Printables, E-Tutorials, and E-Books" Pinterest board.

My love of crafts developed as a young child.  You see, my family is a family of crafters and have been for many generations. From my great aunt, grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren we're sewing enthusiasts, painters, woodworkers, knitters, crafters, designers, etc. and we all learned as small children from each other. 

And, as a crafter, there is nothing more enjoyable than teaching a young child how to make something and watching the sheer delight on their face as they learn how to make something and how proud they are when their creation is complete.  The sense of accomplishment is immeasurable.

So, of course, I had to set-up a "Crafting With Kids" Pinterest Board with some of the amazing tutorials, e-patterns, video's and how-to's I've found out there. 

Crafting With Kids Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, and How-To's 

If you love to craft with your kids I hope you find these tutorials, patterns, video's, and how-to's helpful.

If you love my Crafting With Kids Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, and How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun with the kids.

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Design An E-Pattern & Where To Sell Them Online Free E-Book

Back in 2009 I decided to share my secrets of pattern designing.  Some thought it was a little foolish back then as it would be foolish as a pattern designer to give away trade secrets to the competition.

Actually, I was happy to do this. It was kind of a "pay it forward" for all the help I had received years ago when I was just starting out.

I was happy to do this and thrilled to know there were so many individuals out there  who wanted to design their own patterns which meant the interest in sewing, creating, and selling of e-products (i.e. digital goods) on the Internet was growing. More growth meant more business for all of us. Plus, if it meant more growth for e-patterns which, in my opinion were still in their infancy on the Internet at the time, then it was a really good thing..

Over the years I revised and updated my original e-book.  Well, I'm happy to report that it was time to revise it again and to revise my "I'm An Independent Pattern Designer - Where Can I Sell My E-Patterns?" Linda's Blog post as well.

I'm happy to report my free "Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Design An E-Pattern and Where To Sell Them E-Book" is finished and is now available as a free download in Google Drive.

So, am I still giving away trade secrets? Guilty as charged.

Is more competition bad news? Absolutely not! I couldn't be happier, especially if it translates into more business for e-patterns on the Internet.

You know my crafting community motto - what helps one of us helps all of us.

I hope you enjoy the revised version of my "Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Design A Print Pattern and E-Pattern and Where To Sell Them E-Book" and hope it motivates you to create your own e-patterns.

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Design A Print Pattern and E-Pattern and Where To Sell Them Online Free E-Book - 24 Pages

To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. You'll be brought to Google Drive where you can view our free e-book. Then just download our free .pdf e-book by clicking on the down arrow in the top center.

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

It's Never Too Early For Bunnies!

As far as I'm concerned it's never too early  for making bunnies - especially when they're all easy to do and totally adorable.  We've got 9 adorable free bunny decoration e-patterns and/or tutorial e-books that are easy to make for the Easter, Spring and Summer season that you're going to love. Enjoy!

Just click on the link below:

9 Adorable Free E-Patterns and Tutorial E-Books Bunny Decorations To Make For Easter, Spring and Summer

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

For The Love of Wreath Crafts Free E-Patterns, Tutorials, and How-To's

As far as home decorations are concerned you can never have enough wreaths. They're just so much fun to work with and so versatile.

Holiday wreaths, seasonal wreaths, wreaths for special occasions, wreaths of every media - glass, real floral, silk floral, natural greens, wood, painted, paper, metal, ceramic, clay, needle felted, yarn, wool, fabric - even popsicle sticks or Lego's. The list is endless.

Wreaths can be shabby chic, romantic, Victorian, primitive, rustic, recycled, contemporary, country, folksy - the list is endless.

Now I know what you're thinking, "You've never met a wreath you haven't loved. Yeah, right Linda.... you love everything crafty. In fact, there isn't any craft you've met that you haven't loved!" Well, that may be true but wreaths certainly are one of my favorites. I love making them and love decorating with them.

Did I mention I love wreaths......   I also love looking at pictures of wreaths that other artists and crafters have created and I'm always amazed at the beautiful designs. I keep thinking that I've seen just about every kind of wreath there is when I'll see a picture of a wreath made out of something I would never have thought of or a new design.

Over the years I've created many, many wreaths of my own and written about some of them on my Linda's Blog.


Back in 2010 I wrote a post which was about making puffy fabric wreaths, like the ones shown in the pictures above, using an E-Z wreathmaker, which is a tool that allows you to clamp single or double rail clamp-style wreath rings. You know the metal rings with prongs that you see hanging up in the floral section of the craft supply stores. There's no way you can fold the metal prongs down without a large clamp. Think of the E-Z wreathmaker as a giant stapler and you'll get the idea. I ended up making 5 or 6 of these type of wreaths.

All of the fabric wreaths are 12" fabric decoration wreaths with embellishments, depending on the season or holiday.  All can be hung on the wall.

I've also dabbled with pressed flowers and ended up making several nature themed pictures using pressed flowers and, of course, one of those was the wreath picture shown above.

My Favorite Pinecone Wreath - I Just had To Make One 

One of my earliest memories of a wreath being made was the pinecone wreath my mother had made when I was a child and which was a torturous wreath to make. Working with pinecones and wire is not for the faint at heart and certainly not for someone who faints at the sight of blood.  My mother's hands were bloody for days on end from the wire cuts. Her wreath ended up being absolutely beautiful and proudly resided above the fireplace mantle in my parents home for many, many years.

Right now it resides in a box in my basement waiting to be repaired. I promised my mother I would repair it.  Sadly, some of the pinecones have deteriorated over the years. However, it was also the inspiration for the pinecone wreath shown above that I made several years ago and blogged about in a post entitled "My Favorite Pinecone Wreath - I Just had To Make One."  I created a free how-to for making this wreath here so you could make one of your own.

I just LOVE handmade wreaths of every size and type. Cloth, wood, silk floral, natural greens - it doesn't matter. Country ones, folk-art, Victorian, primitive - it doesn't matter. I LOVE them all. If you do, too, and would like to learn how to make wreaths perhaps some of my free tutorials and how-to's for the wreaths shown in the picture at the beginning of this post will be helpful to you.

What To Do With All Those Beautiful Christmas Pins?

My How To Make A Fall Silk Floral and Straw Front Door Wreath Tutorial and Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make A Quick & Easy Fall Indoor Wall Hanging Floral Wreath

How To Make A Pine-cone Wreath - Free How-To

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make My "Hop On In" Spring Bunny Grapevine Wreath Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make My Bunny My Heart - Easter Bunny Heart Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make Our Tiny Bunny Heart Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make My Tiny Bunny Wreath Decoration Free E-Book

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

Who Doesn't Love Purses? I Know I Do! How About You?

My recent project got me to thinking about purses and totes. Now I wonder why that is?

I love making totes and have designed and made many of them for It's Raining Baby Showers collection, my Alpacas Rock collection, and my Custom Fabrics Designs collection.  They can be big, small, lined, unlined - it doesn't matter. They are just so versatile. You can never have enough of them and you can never run out of uses for them. 

I loved making them so much I decided to create a free e-pattern for the Halloween tote above here and a free e-book for the large flower tote above here.

As I mentioned in a previous post back in 2012 I decided to take my first online class with Pat Winter on Artful Gathering. The class was called Crazy Quilting 101 and I  LOVED every minute of the class. Pat was such a fantastic teacher. I only wish I had taken one of her classes years before. I made the crazy quilted purse shown in the picture above which I posted about this here.  

After taking this class I had visions of making several semi-formal and formal clutches - some for me and some as gifts.  I never had time until.......  Does this give you an idea of what my latest creations were? Come on? Really? You must have some idea?

In any event, my latest projects got me to thinking about purses, clutches, wallets, totes, etc. and all the wonderful tutorials I've found for my  Purse, Bag,Tote Tutorials, Pouch, Clutch, Wallet, Pocketbook Patterns, Video's & How-To's Pinterest board.  

I have close to 1,000 pins on this board.  All wonderful "freebies" for creating beautiful purses and totes.

I've been collecting these pins for several years now and have visions of making all of them.  For sure that is not going to happen.  Even for me that is a bit much.  Close to a 1,000 purses... really?  For sure I'd be in divorce court... lol. 

While I won't be making all of them I do have my eye on a few tutorials I'd like to try.  There's the craft organizer sewing bag tutorial by Torie Jayne here,  the boho bag tutorial by Gerry Krueger here,  the quilted suitcase tutorial by Ashley of "Mommy By Day Crafter By Night" tutorial here, the crocheted granny square purse by Lily of  "Sugar'n Cream" which I would need to learn how to crochet first here (it's on my list of to do's),  and the fold over bag tutorial by Anna Graham here.  

There's so many I want to try and make.  So, many little purse organizers, wallets, storage baskets, etc.  You get the idea.  More than I could possible make in a lifetime.  I'll just have to settle for a few.  Maybe a little more than a few..... lol.

Purse, Bag & Tote Tutorials, Pouch, Clutch, Wallet, Case & Pocketbook Patterns, Video's & How-To's

There are so many wonderful tutorials out there for making all sorts of purses, totes, bags, pouches, clutches, wallets, pocketbooks, bags, etc.  I, of course, love them all and have collected close to 1,000 tutorials, patterns, and how-to's on my Purse, Bag,Tote Tutorials, Pouch, Clutch, Wallet, Pocketbook Patterns, Video's & How-To's Pinterest board.

If you love making purses, totes, clutches, wallets, pocketbooks, etc. then you're going to love my Purse, Bag & Tote Tutorials, Pouch, Clutch, Wallet, Case & Pocketbook Patterns, Video's & How-To's Pinterest board.

Have fun!

St. Patrick's Day Craft Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's Pinterest Board

St. Patrick's Day Craft Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's

St. Patrick's Day is always a fun holiday. I hope you enjoy some of the St. Patrick's Day crafts tutorials, video's and how-to's I have found.  Have fun decorating.

If you love our St. Patrick's Day Craft Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's board please follow our board by clicking on the link above.

9 Adorable Free E-Patterns and Tutorial E-Books Bunny Decorations To Make For Easter, Spring and Summer

We've got 9 adorable free bunny decoration e-patterns and/or tutorial e-books that are easy to make for the Easter, Spring and Summer season that you're going to love.  Enjoy!

Just click on the links below:

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make My "Hop On In" Spring Bunny Grapevine Wreath Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make My Bunny My Heart - Easter Bunny Heart Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make Our "Bunnies In the Flower Patch" Woodcraft Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make Our Delightful Fancy Bunnies Woodcraft Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make Our Tiny Bunny Heart Decoration Free E-Book

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make My Tiny Bunny Wreath Decoration Free E-Book

It's Me, Ginny! E-Pattern - Free Easter Bunny E-Pattern

Hang-10 Bunny - Free Bunny Ornament E-Pattern

Hop Along Harry & Sally - Free E-Pattern

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

A Special Request and My Doll Clothes Tutorials & Accessories Tutorials Pinterest Board

Back in 2008 I received a request from a customer asking if I would consider making a special order item for them. Now, I don't normally do special orders, but my customer wanted a graduation doll and both of my were sold out.

I told my customer that they could make either my "Anna" or my "James" graduation doll as both patterns and e-patterns were available. Well, for my customer, that was not an option as they did not sew and they already had a 20" doll. What they really wanted was a graduation cap & gown to fit their 20" doll.

So, what to do? My customer pleaded with me to "please" consider a special order request and make them a graduation cap and gown for a 20" doll. After much discussion I finally agreed and made them the black graduation cap & gown you see in the picture above.

Since I had already created the pattern pieces in order to make the graduation cap and gown I figured I might as well create the pattern to go along with the pattern pieces. My customer was happy with their gown and I ended up with a new pattern.

My new graduation cap and gown for 20" doll e-pattern is for making a gown with a two-snap front closure with fold down lapels, gathered front, and mid length full sleeves. The lined cap has a cardboard top, tassel, and elastic strap for affixing the cap to the doll's head.

As it turns out, it is one of my best selling patterns and because it is easily adjusted is used to make all sorts of graduation caps and gown for various size dolls, bears, centerpieces at graduation parties, etc.

I have full intentions of creating a handmade doll clothing line for various size and styles of dolls, but just haven't done so as of yet.  It's on my list.

I have, however, designed hundreds of my own dolls all with different styles of clothing which I can use as inspiration for my handmade doll clothes line. While, I'm sure, you'll love my doll clothing line you can't wait for me so I set up a "Doll Clothes Tutorials & Accessories Tutorials , Video's, Patterns and How-To's" Pinterest board to help you.

Doll Clothes Tutorials & Accessories Tutorials , Video's, Patterns and How-To's

I just LOVE making doll clothes and accessories for my dolls. If you do, too I hope you find these tutorials, video's, patterns and how-to's helpful.

If you love my Doll Clothes Tutorials & Accessories Tutorials , Video's, Patterns and How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun making your doll clothes.

The "Dollies" Are Stirring and My Doll Furniture & Tutorials Pinterest Board

My "dollies" have always thought they were human and entitled to human niceties. As a result we have had many confrontations over the years as to something they wanted and which I was not prepared to give them.

One of the things I did give some of them was chairs.  I love taking pictures of my dolls in various types of chairs as they always look so beautiful sitting in them. And, I love displaying some of them as decorations in my home sitting in their chairs.

Several days ago I heard  rumbling coming from "The Dollie Storage Room." I thought all the muttering and sputtering that I was hearing was due to my using the little red wagon for my Fall decorations seasonal scene which I had posted about HERE.

However, that was days ago and I thought the boy "dollies" had already gotten over that. So, if it wasn't that what was all the clamor about? I didn't have to wait long to find out.

The "dollies" were annoyed that not only had I given chairs from the group of chairs my sister had gotten for me to Baptist and Jael but they now were prominently displayed on top of the book shelves in the upstairs hall.

"Just Look At Them," one of the "dollies" said. "Just Who Do They Think They Are?"

Oh, boy! The "dollies" weren't happy about this.

Of course, the "dollies" aren't happy unless they're all included. Well, with 2,000+ dolls of my own creation there was no way I was going to give each of them their own chair.

So, I explained to the "dollies" who had gathered in the upstairs hall that the chairs didn't belong to Baptist and Jael. I was going to use the two wonderful chairs Baptist and Jael were sitting in to display some of the other dolls from time to time.

The "dollies" that had gathered in the upstairs hall seemed pleased with this idea.

That is, until they returned to "The Dollie Storage Room" and told the others. I should have know what was going to happen. It had happened before with the boy dolls." The "dollies" wanted to know how I was going to decide who should be featured and when.

They were all yelling and stammering and jumping about so as to get noticed. When this happens the only thing to do is to shut the door and walk away. The "dollies" would have to figure this out on their own.

So, I shut the door and started to walk downstairs. As I passed Baptist and Jael in the upstairs hall I couldn't help but think how adorable they looked in the chairs. Perhaps I'd teach the "dollies" a lesson and give the chairs to Baptist and Jael after all. If all the clamoring in "The Dollie Storage Room" didn't stop soon that was exactly what I would do.

When I got to the bottom of the stairs I looked up and could see Baptist and Jael smiling from ear to ear. They were thrilled with their chairs and the possibility of their chairs becoming their permanent seats.

Given the "dollies" generally get their way I knew I was going to need other doll chairs and other type of furnishing for "The Dollies Storage Room."  Luckily my brother is a woodworker and capable of making just about anything I would need if I decided to make more furniture for the "dollies."

The problem would be deciding what to make.  So, of course, I set up a "Doll Furniture & Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's For Making Doll Furniture" Pinterest board for when and if I need to make some more furniture.

Doll Furniture & Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's For Making Doll Furniture

Dolls need doll furniture, too... don't they? I hope you like some of my doll furniture favorites and tutorials, video's, patterns and how-to's for making doll furniture.

If you love my Doll Furniture & Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's For Making Doll Furniture board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun making your doll furniture.

Rug Making Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's Pinterest Board

When I was a teenager I used to accompany my mother up to the wool mills in Lowell where she could get wool for the braided rugs she liked to make. This was when original wool and thick, waxed thread was used to create handmade rugs.

I can remember her cutting the wool into strips and them feeding them through a red and green colored clamp that she attached to a table. With the help of 3 braid aids she was able to create a tight braid for the rug she was making.

I was surprised that her first braided rug was such a large rug. It was a 11' by 12' oval rug for our family room. Once she had her braided pieces she would spend hours on the floor stitching her rug together with the thick, wax thread. It was difficult to do and she inevitably wound up with backaches and cuts in her hands and fingers from the wax thread.

However, the end results were just beautiful and her rugs lasted the family for several decades.

I loved watching her do this and have thought from time to time that I might like to make a handmade wool rug on my own. Unfortunately it would take a lot of time which is a commodity for me these days. Perhaps when I finally do get a chance to make a rug the tutorials, video's and how-to's on my "Rug Making Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's" Pinterest board will come in handy.

Rug Making Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's

If you love my Rug Making Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the "Follow On Pinterest" link above.

Have fun making your rugs.

A Memorable Shopping Trip and My Penny Rug Tutorials Pinterest Board

If you've been following my Linda's Blog for awhile and my The Book Review Corner Blog then you know that among a million other things I LOVE crafting with wool felt and wool felt kits.

In fact, I've written several posts about my wool felt adventures, which are as follows: "I Just Love This "Pumpkin Patch" Penny Rug", "More Handmade Presents for Christmas 2009 - Wool Felt Santa Ornaments," and "More Of My Projects From This Year - My Needle Felting Projects."

Whether it's making wool felt penny rugs, or needle felted penny rug pictures, or ornaments I just LOVE wool felt.

And, it doesn't have to be limited to penny rugs  or ornaments. Over the years I have made hundreds of cloth dolls using wool felt, brushed felt, shaggy felt, etc. I have found that it is especially useful for making animals, but the uses are practically limitless.

I was introduced to penny rugs during a shopping trip with my Mom to Sturbridge many, many years ago. There were several wonderful primitives shops out there that we liked to visit that carried primitive doll kits, wool felt kits, punchneedle kits, and penny rug kits.

One store in particular specialized in wool fabric. And, boy, did they have wool fabric. Some of the most beautiful wool fabric you'd ever want to see. And, boy, was it EXPENSIVE.

This store, in particular, would put together wool fabric bundles, maybe 10-15 wool pieces per bundle. I just loved looking at the color combination's and would imagine what I could make out of them. Then, my Mother would snap me back to reality by turning the price tag over. YIKES! Beautiful wool is expensive. Alas, all I could do was dream and save my pennies.

During the last couple of years there was a store out there that we liked to visit that put together penny rug kits. It, too, is no longer there. However, during our last visit I bought several penny rug wool kits and have been trying to find the time to make them during the last few years.

As usual I had many, many kits that I wanted to buy.  So many, in fact, I asked my Mother if she would carry a few to the counter.  Well, when she saw how many I had she said, "LINDA, one or two would do!  Look at how many you have!" I, of course, just laughed at the numbers I was carrying and decided to put a few (just a few) back.

That year I had decided that I wanted to try needle felting and wool felting as it seemed like everyone was having so much fun with it this year. I started with three wool felt kits where one was a penny rug type decoration that needed to have some sheep and tree decorations needle felted. The other two kits were more like wool felt embroidery kits to create primitive wool decorations which could be hung on a wall or placed on a table top.

It took several years before I had the opportunity to create some more of the penny rug kits I had bought. I had already created 3 of the kits back in 2009 and had posted about them in a Linda's Blog post entitled "More Of My Projects From This Year - My Needle Felting Projects." During this window of opportunity I was able to finish two more of the penny rug kits I had bought. One of those was a pumpkin patch penny rug picture that I wrote about in a Linda's Blog post entitled "I Just Love This "Pumpkin Patch" Penny Rug."

I still have a couple of penny rug wool kits left from that shopping trip with my Mother.  Maybe in 2017 I'll have another small window of opportunity that I can use to finish the rest of the kits.

And, if I do that, well - I'll just have to go on another shopping trip.  However, as the shop is no longer in Sturbridge this time I'll let my fingers do the walking all over my keyboard and all over the internet. You never know what I'll find but, I'm sure I'll find something I like.

And, I'm sure if I go overboard in the amount I'm buying a little bird will be whispering in my ear, "LINDA, don't you think you have enough of those!"

And, I'll answer, "Just one more Mom. One more!"

Penny Rug Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's

In the meantime I decided to create a "Penny Rug Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's" Pinterest Board.  I hope you like my selection.

If you love my Penny Rug Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun making your penny rug creations.

My Dollhouse & Miniature Creations Pinterest Board Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, How-To's Pinterest Board

Laura Diana's Victorian Dollhouse Part 1 (of 2)

Laura Diana's Victorian Dollhouse Part 2 (of 2)

I have always wanted to build a dollhouse and had high hopes that I'd be able to do that when I had my own house.  I didn't want a plastic toy type house.  I wanted a Victorian wood house with wood floors, wallpaper, working lights, miniature Victorian furniture, miniature rugs, etc.

I did have high hopes for this earlier on.  In fact, when I was in my twenties I used to but little miniature Victorian furniture kits for making furniture like a miniature Queen Anne dresser, Miniature Queen Anne sofa, etc.  I never made them and haven't seen the kits in years.  I'm not even sure if I still have them.

Unfortunately, 50 years go by rather quickly, and I haven't built my dollhouse.  I still want to.  The problem is one of time.  If you want to build a dollhouse, like the one I want, you need to reserve a whole block of time for it.

Since I won't be making my dollhouse any time soon that doesn't stop me from looking at all the beautiful dollhouse eye candy on my "Dollhouse and Miniature Creations" Pinterest board.

Dollhouse and Miniature Creations

I just LOVE dollhouses and have always wanted to create one of my own. Someday I will and will look to these beautiful works of art for my inspiration.

Follow Dollhouse and Miniature Creations

If you love my Dollhouse  and Miniature Creations board please follow my board by clicking on the "Follow On Pinterest" link above.

Aren't they all beautiful?  It would be hard to choose which one is your favorite - don't you think?

When Id do finally make my dollhouse I'm hoping that all the tutorials, patterns, how-to's and videos I've been collecting on my "Dollhouse Tutorials & Miniature Dolls & Crafts Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, How-To's" board will be helpful.

 Dollhouse Tutorials & Miniature Dolls & Crafts Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, How-To's

I just LOVE dollhouses, miniature dolls and miniature crafts. Someday I will make a dollhouse of my own. When I do perhaps some of these tutorials, video's and how-to's will be helpful.

If you love my Dollhouse Tutorials & Miniature Dolls & Crafts Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun making your dollhouses and miniatures.

Gotta Love Punch Needle and My Punch Needle Tutorials Pinterest Board

I just love trying all sorts of different crafts and was introduced to punch needle several years ago while shopping at a colonial store in Sturbridge with my mom. We were in one of our favorite stores in Sturbridge which sold all sorts of colonial fabrics, patterns, and craft kits.

When we went up to the register to pay for our patterns there was a woman who was seated behind the counter working at something with a tool we hadn't seen before. So, of course, we asked her what it was.

Well, it turns out it was a punch needle pen that she was using to make a tiny punch needle picture. She asked us if we wanted to learn how to use the pen and we, of course, nodded our heads,  We loved it and, of course, I ended up buying some punch needle patterns, a punch needle pen, and embroidery floss.

I finished my first few punch-needle kit rather quickly and decided to buy more kits for some of the handmade Christmas presents I was giving to my Mother, Sister, and Sister-In-Law that year.

As I was working on my punch-needle kits I kept thinking about how I wanted to finish my pictures.

You see, punch-needle is basically the weaving of DMC embroidery floss onto a preprinted even  weave type fabric to create a specific picture. So, I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to finish my pictures.

Did I want to use picture frames and a mat, cloth, or wood? Did I want them hung on a wall like a picture or create a stand alone box?

I decided to create wood frames for my punch-needle pictures that were capable of standing alone on a bookshelf. So, I enlisted the help of my younger brother and his amazing workshop to build my wood borders and to finish my punch-needle pictures.

The first frame took us a little longer than all the rest to work out all the kinks, but we got it down and completing the rest was relatively easy as we decided to wrap the punch needle to size around a 1/4" wood square and then create a border around that. We also decided to use a box inset to create a framed affect. The borders were painted and then I added heavy fabric wallpaper to finish the backs.

I ended up giving quite a few punch needle gifts over the years.

Punch Needle Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's

I just love punch needle and, as you can see, have made punch needle creations over the years. I love watching punch needle video's and reading punch needle tutorials and how-to's. So, of course, I set-up a "Punch Needle Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's" Pinterest board.  I hope you enjoy my board.

If you love my Punch Needle Tutorials, Video's, Patterns and How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun making your punch needle creations.

Primitive Tutorials, Rustic, Woodland and Folk-art Crafts & Home Decor Tutorials Pinterest Board

I was first introduced to primitives with something I saw many years ago during a shopping trip to Sturbridge with my mother.  In one of the crafts stores we liked to visit I was looking at a box filled with patterns and just started laughing my head off. Of course, my mother asked, "what's so funny?" So, I showed her the pattern I was looking at and she burst out laughing, too. It was for a primitive cloth doll which was so ugly it was actually beautiful. So there we were - two grown women standing in the middle of a store laughing our heads off.

As I scanned through the box I found other patterns for primitive dolls that were just as ugly and just as beautiful. So, of course, I bought a few and could hardly wait to get them home so I could make them.   And, make them I did.

The popularity of primitive dolls - especially "raggedies" continued to grow and grow.  Primitive decor seemed to take over with all sorts of primitive things that could be made for one's home -  dolls, raggedies, make-do's, shelf sitters, holiday and seasonal primitive decorations, primitive animals, primitive graphics, primitive woodcrafts, curtains, rugs, furniture and so on and on.

Over the years I decided that I wanted to design my own primitive dolls and crafts of various shapes and sizes and create patterns for them so you could make some of your own. So, that I did.

Around this same time primitive decor was all the rage and gaining in popularity online which created a ton of primitive websites, blogs, and groups. It seemed there were primitives everywhere and no shortage of freebies for creating all sorts of primitive dolls, crafts for home decor, etc. So, of course, I printed off all the free tutorials, patterns, and how-to's I found and wanted to make. Over time the primitive crafts pile kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger to the point of being ridiculous.

So, when Pinterest came along I was thrilled. I could store all the free tutorials, patterns, and how-to's I found for primitive dolls, crafts, home decor and more on my Pinterest board and get rid of all my piles. Yippee!

Primitive Tutorials, Rustic, Woodland and Folk-art Crafts & Home Decor Video's, Patterns & How-To's

If you love primitives, too and would like to learn how to make them I hope you find the tutorials, patterns, articles, projects, and how-to's helpful.

If you love my Primitive Tutorials, Rustic, Woodland and Folk-art Crafts & Home Decor Video's, Patterns & How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun adding your primitive creations to your primitive decor.

Animal Art Doll Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, and How-To's Pinterest Board

Several years ago I decided to design some animal art dolls of my own and designed my Victorian Animals Society which included bears, dogs, cats, mice and even Victorian moose dolls.

Unlike my Victorian animal art dolls which were made of felt animal art dolls can be made in so many different mediums.  Styles can  range from simple styles to very complicated art doll designs.

Animal art dolls are a favorite amongst artists and crafters alike with the bear art dolls being the dominate style.  I've seen some absolutely beautiful bears but have also seen some amazing rabbits, dogs, and other crazy creatures.  If you'd like to see some amazing and beautiful creations from some animal artists please visit my Animal Art Dolls & Teddy Bear Artists Pinterest board HERE.

Like everything else I do I love collecting all sorts of free tutorials, patterns, and how-to's for helping me learn how to make beautiful animal art dolls.  So, of course, I set up a Pinterest board for all those I've found.

Animal Art Doll Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, and How-To's 

I just love animal art dolls and teddy bear art dolls. If you do, too and would love to learn how to make them perhaps these tutorials, video's, patterns, and how-to's will be helpful.

If you love my Animal Art Doll Tutorials, Video's, Patterns, and How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Have fun making your animal art doll.