Fantastic book find : The Blackberry Hollow Cuddly Toy Book

A while back my husband brought me home a book he found in our local library's discard shelf waiting to be taken home. The Blackberry Hollow Cuddly Toy Book by Valarie Janich (circa 1989) became an instant favorite.

Not only is the book chock full of full size patterns and step by step instructions guiding you through creating all the characters in the stories that appear throughout but the author has given permission for you to recreate her whimsical toys to sell, in small handmade quantities of course. The storybook style and full page color photographs are amusing and helpful to the process. The stories have names like "Harriet Hemlock's Book of Spells" and "The Harvest Mice go on Holiday".

Each adorable creature is represented in a smaller baby size and they have costumes that accompany the stories. I have made hedgehogs and mice so far and plan on doing owls and moles next. There are also squirrels, rabbits and the tiny pixies...they remind me of fairies without wings. I found the patterns incredibly easy to follow and even easier to customize. I used an old wool coat that had fallen victim to a stain for these little mice I also made a couple sets from craft felt and cotton for my nieces, these patterns are suited for all types of fabric.

I made Mama mouse a circle skirt and added a bit of bead trim. Baby mouse is wearing a tutu and both have blush tinted cheeks and ears and tiny roses behind each ear. I have given my previous creations away too quickly to even snap a photo but once I have enough to stage a blackberry hollow costume party I will post photos.

Currently there are 20 available on amazon.com, starting for under 1 dollar. I highly recommend adding this treasure to your library.

I am addicted to these easy to make toys and plan on creating a couple a dropping them toy society style... Maybe around the library.







Currently there are 20 for sale on amazon - used copies starting at .82 cents

Heavy duty kitchen magnet from fabric scraps

These versatile magnets are a perfect way to use small scraps of fabric and create a strong and handy magnet. For this tutorial I am using the tiny sleeve from the shirt my youngest wore to his first day of kindergarten. Fabric magnets are a perfect way to use collars and cuffs - parts that normally don't even make it to my rag bin.

For this project you will need craft magnets. I used the very smallest (but very strong) ones. 8 for 2.99 at my local Hobby Lobby. They are about the size of the tip of a pencil eraser. They are the smaller ones pictured below.

      For this project you will need:
                   
                A strip of fabric 2in x 9in
                3 magnets
                coordinating threads
                optional buttons or other decorative bits
                pins and needle

Fold the fabric strip in half horizontally with right sides together. Sew along the raw edge.

Turn right side out.

Finish on end by folding the raw edge in and stitching closed.

Insert the 1st magnet and stitch a line to keep it in place.

Determine where the center of your magnet will be and stich a line.

Insert 2nd magnet and stitch a line to secure the magnet.

Stitch a line to hold the third magnet in place. Insert 3rd magnet and stitch raw edge closed.

Decorate as desired and you have a strong magnet that can be configured in many different ways. I use mine to hold keys, thick stacks of papers and heavy items other magnets can not.