The Accidental Handmade Business

I can not believe it's been over a year since my last post, craziness! I guess 2 kiddos running around hasn't given me much time,or maybe I'm just not as great at time management as I thought. Either way, I have been crafting.  In fact last Christmas I unknowingly started a small side business called The GracieLynn Shop.  How do you start a business and not know it? I made my daughter, 9 months old at the time, a Bit of Whimsy Doll.  The Baby pattern, which is absolutely adorable by the way, is the one I purchased and it's smaller than the other ones I've made making it the perfect doll for my little one.

So of course I was so proud of the cuteness I created I posted a picture on Facebook and the orders started coming.  Friends of friends and family members were all wanting homemade dolls for their sons/daughters, grandson/daughter, niece/nephew, and baby shower gifts.

It was truely a blessing because we were unsure how we were going to afford Christmas & going to see my husband's family. I had been praying about it a lot and then this kinda fell in my lap.

I made 4 different girl dolls

And some boy dolls,

Cute little babies

Christmas rolled around and I was asked to make elves (more on that in another post).

And then Easter rolled around and I started making bunnies.

  I used the Sleepy Bunny pattern from Mmmcrafts.

I've had so much fun making them!

Bit of Whimsy MerMae Doll

I was super excited when Bit of Whimsy had a 40% off sale over black Friday weekend.  My husband decided he wanted to gift to the nieces and nephews this year so I had to come up with a gift for Sophie. 

She loves The Little Mermaid and I thought this doll would be perfect for her.  Not to mention I always love an excuse to buy a new doll pattern.  I've gotten so much use out of the Jean and Beth patterns I bought I consider it an investment.  I can almost always raid my fabric stash without purchasing a single new piece when I make a doll, which I love because I get rid of some fabric that's taking up space in my closets.

When I saw the pattern I immediately thought of a blue paisley fabric I used for pj pants last Christmas and a onesie dress last year.  For whatever reason the paisley made me think of a mermaid.

 

I am so in love with this doll!  Is she too cute or what?  I love her pink and blue hair.  I wouldn't normally use non-hair colors on a doll but considering this one's a mermaid I thought it was perfect.

 

I have to say I was a little intimidated when I read this doll pattern wasn't for beginners like the other patterns on the website.  Not that I'm a beginner but I just wondered how much more difficult it would be to put together.  I have to say I was happily surprised it wasn't that bad.  I think there are just more steps to this doll than to the other 2 I've made.  I've used my other patterns so much, it was nice to start on something new and a little different.  Kinda makes me want to buy another different pattern and make another one haha.  I'll have to refrain though, I think my husband would flip if I added another "project" to my to-do list.

 

I'm happy she is done and can't wait to give her to Sophie.

 

Bit of Whimsy Doll for Skylynn

I love Bit of Whimsy dolls! I really can't say that enough.  The 2 patterns I've bought have been used numerous times and I love having them on hand for last minute little girl birthdays and Christmas gifts.  We were invited to a family friend's 2nd birthday over the weekend.  Well you don't know this but October is a very busy and very expensive month for us.  Not only is it Grant's birthday, but our county fair, my husband and I's anniversary, our trip to the pumpkin patch, the pumpkin hike at our park, Boo at the Zoo & trick or treat (which means me making 2 costumes, one for Grant and one for my niece).  So to fit much else in with time and a small budget is next to impossible.  So naturally I decided to whip up a Bit of Whimsy doll for little Skylynn.

Usually I have all the fabric and notions I need in my stash to make a doll on the fly, however moving has put a wrench in finding any of my craft stuff, especially fabric.  I currently have my fabric and craft stash located in 4 copy paper boxes, 2 diaper boxes, 1 laundry basket and an armoire.  And I searched for flesh colored fabric for about an hour before I decided it wasn't worth it anymore and made a trip to Hobby Lobby.  I spent a total of $2.35 on flesh colored cotton fabric and the cute pink paisley print I found on clearance and decided I had to have it for the dolls dress.

This doll was made using the Jean doll pattern.  I've made more of the Jean dolls than the Beth (the other pattern I purchased a couple years ago) only because I never can find my yarn and I always have felt.

I will say this, if my little one turns out to be a girl I will be investing in quite a few more doll patterns.

Craft Hope Project 19!

I LOVE CraftHope.  I made a couple aprons to send off months ago and it felt really good knowing something so small from me could help someone else.  I've been wanting to participate in their projects ever since but hadn't found the time.  When I happened to check out their Facebook page (their website is being worked on) I saw they are collecting dolls and monkeys for the victims of hurricane Sandy, I knew immediately I had to get in on this one.  I have made many dolls using Bit Of Whimsy patterns ( I love them, they are easy to follow and come together quick, even for a simple, not so great sewer like me)  and knew I wanted to make at least one to send.  Grant doesn't really like me sewing cuz you know that means my full attention is not on him, so sewing anything becomes quite a job.

 

I actually used 2 different Bit of Whimsy patterns to create this doll.  I used the Jean doll for the body and the Beth doll pattern for the front and back of her hair.  The pig tails I cut out free handed.

 

I wanted the doll to have clothes that were removable and reversable, and I really wanted an excuse to use a new pattern I bought awhile back.  The Criss Cross and Ruffles pattern was so quick and simple and I love that it's reversable.  I only did the dress because I ran out of time and needed to get this little one in the mail but the pants look really simple as well and probably wouldn't take much time.

My intent was to make a few different stuffed toys but needless to say time got away from me.  I am glad I at least got to send this 1 doll and hopefully there is a little girl out there to love her.

Relay for Life Basket Raffle

My mom and I are walking in the Relay for Life here in our town and I'm really excited.  My mom is the team captain and I guess being her daughter and helping coordinate everything I could call myself the co-captain.

Either way, at the Relay they do a basket raffle, where each team puts together a basket of a certain theme of their choosing and people at the Relay bid on them with their tickets.  We decided to do a baby basket and make most of the items.  Ok technically I made the items but my mom did lend me her fabric stash to raid :)

Here is what we put together:

2 fabric balls (1 boy and 1 girl) with jingle bells inside the pattern can be found here.

4 bibs (2 boy and 2 girl) made of flannel with terry cloth backing.  I simply used one of Grant's bibs as a pattern.

4 burb cloths (2 boy and 2 girl).  I used the tutorial here except I used quilt batting you can get at any craft store or walmart in between the layers.

1 unisex changing pad (I had great intentions to make 2 but after 3 days of sewing I gave up that idea).

2 binky clips (1 boy and 1 girl).

1 Bit of Whimsy Jean doll (can you see Grant's little fingers on the right going for the doll?).  I made a boy doll as well like the one made for Grant for Christmas but after ripping seams out 3 times and the fabric finally giving in, leaving a huge hole by the arm, I gave up on the boy doll.

We also put 2 bottles, 2 binkies, a rattle, baby wash and baby lotion inside.  I'm really glad we did this basket but also so so so glad I'm finished with all the items to fill it.

Sophie's Doll

I had a few Christmas gifts I didn't get to post before the holiday one being Sophie's first doll.

I'm so excited with how she turned out.  I had originally cut out a plaid fabric for her dress and blond hair but just wasn't feeling it.  So glad now I changed my mind.  I used the Jean pattern from Bit of Whimsy.  I have to say I've gotten so much use out of my patterns they were well worth my money.

More Christmas Gifts

Since I was up until 2 am Christmas Eve morning trying to finish some of Grant's Christmas gifts I didn't have a chance to post them before the big day.  Didn't I say last year I wouldn't procrastinate at Christmas? Oh well.
I'm very proud of myself this year, with everything I made for my little man I didn't buy any new fabric.  With us about to move I didn't figure I needed any extra fabric to pack.

On the eve of Christmas Eve I finished his doll.

I used my Bit of Whimsy pattern to make his doll.  I was very suprised my husband did not object to the doll since most men consider it "girly".  I must say he came out really cute!

I kicked myself over and over again after making the fleece hat.

Derrick wasn't crazy about the poof on top, but I think it's just too cute!

I used this tutorial over at Made By Rae, it was so super easy and only took about 10 minutes to finish.  I have had it on my to-do list for a good month and could have finished it a dozen or more times.

I made Grant's Christmas ornament this year too.  However it did not turn out the way I wanted at all.  I have seen dozens of cute ornaments all over the internet made from these little wood blocks.  Of course when I was thinking of what I wanted Grant's to look like I had lots of ideas.  At 2 am Christmas Eve morning I was exhausted and was trying to finish it quick and this is what it turned out like.

Needless to say I plan on painting over the writing and making it look a better but I just didn't have the energy.

Another Doll

I made this doll with intentions of giving her as a Christmas gift to my 7 month old niece, however after finishing it, I was not at all pleased with the turn out.  I didn't have the blue thread I wanted for the dolls eyes so I had to use one that was brighter than I had intended.  I also wasn't crazy about the light green fabric I chose for her dress mixed with her dark brown hair.  In an attempt to like her better I made her a little Christmas nightgown.

However this didn't satisfy me either.  Needless to say I have put this doll aside and have cut all the pieces for another.  Lucky for me we aren't celebrating Christmas with my family until we get to Ohio at the end of this week, so I have a few extra days to finish her.

A Little Doll For a Little Girl

My son's daycare class had their Christmas party on monday.  Each of the kids picked a  name for a $5 gift exchange, and Grant (ok so it was me) picked a little 18 month old little girl name Ava.

Before I picked a name I immediately thought I wanted a girl so I could make her a doll. 1 reason being so I can make something for a girl for a change, the other being because I knew it would be an easy, inexpensive, and quick project. 

I usually don't do holiday themed dolls but as I was going through my fabric stash I came across this fabric I used last year for Grant's stocking and thought it would be perfect for a little dress on Ava's doll.  I'm so excited with how she turned out and I know Ava will love her.

To make this doll I used  the Bit of Whimsy Beth pattern.  If you have read my blog I have made a few of these dolls and absolutely love them.  The directions are super simple to follow and the results are always fabulous!

To see the other dolls I have made using Bit of Whimsy click here.

Jean Doll- Bit of Whimsy

I love Bit of Whimsy patterns.  They are so super cute and for those of you who don't already know, if you sign up for their e-newsletter you get notified of any new patterns and sales.  Most of the time when new patterns are released they have them on sale for $6 instead of the usual $9 and they are so worth the money. Bonus, right now if you go to their website they are having a Christmas in July sale and all patterns are 30% off.   Even beginner sewers can follow the instructions, and no Bit of Whimsy is not sponsoring this post, I just really love their creations.  I made my first doll ever using her Beth doll pattern which I posted about here.  There is something about a homemade doll that I just love and I think every little girl should have one.

Here is my Jean doll I was up until 2 am finishing.

I am so thrilled with her and I think she is adorable.  I did vary a little from the pattern as I normally do.  This pattern called for buttons on the front of the dress which would have been really cute however I made this doll for a 1 year old so buttons were a no no.  If anyone else out there has ever used a Bit of Whimsy pattern you know it always says to do the face embroidery in the last few steps.  I find this to be more difficult so I do the embroidery before I sew the front and back body pieces together,  of course that's just my own personal preference.

Another One

Yes, I bought another Bit of Whimsy pattern.  They are so addicting and bonus, this pattern is on sale for $6.00.  So I didn't have a choice, I had to buy it and I'm so excited to start on her.  This time I don't have anyone in mind to give her to but I'm sure I'll think of someone, haha.

This is the Jean Doll, isn't she cute!

Bit of Whimsy Doll-FINISHED!

Yes I finally finished my Bit of Whimsy doll and she turned out so stinkin cute I didn't want to give her away.  I did ended up finishing her friday night, so much for no procrastinating, but it was completely worth it.  As soon as the gift was opened Layla said "oohh" and immediately started chewing on her arm, haha, it was so cute.  My friend said it was her favorite gift Layla received, and said she liked it better than the American Girl doll she bought for her, that made me feel good.  Being a crafter I always see the "flaws" in things I make, so anytime I give someone a homemade gift I get a little nervous and wonder if anyone else will notice the little imperfections I see.

So here she is....

I love her little glasses and braids.  She was the perfect size for Layla, who turned 1 year old.  I didn't follow the instructions exactly.  In the pattern instructions it doesn't say to embroider the fact until the doll is all put together and stuffed,  I thought that would be more difficult since I've been embroidering for years, so I did this step right after I cut out the fabric for the face.  I also appliqued the hair on the front and back, just because I thought it would work better but you could easily use your sewing machine.  One of the best parts about this was all I had to pay for was the pattern.  Everything else required for the doll I already had in my stash, how many other toys can you buy for $10 that are this cute?

Happy Sewing!