The Big Brother Elf!

Introducing the first Big Brother Doll.... Felix!

The Big Brother Doll pattern is the first doll pattern to feature no-sew, attach as you go limbs! All of the dolls will eventually be adapted to be no-sew as well but Felix is the first!

The Big Brother Doll has a built in shirt & undies like his Little Brother. The pattern also includes shorts to match Little Brother's & instructions for making suspenders.

For the rest of December get the Big Brother Elf Outfit pattern FREE with purchase of the Big Brother Doll pattern! No code needed, just add both patterns to your Ravelry cart.

Big Brother Doll Pattern

Big Brother Elf Outfit Pattern

Also available:

Big Sister Doll & Elf Dress

Little Sister Doll & Elf Dress

Little Brother Doll & Elf Outfit

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Christmas Craft Time: Wrapping Paper Tree!

Wrapping Paper Christmas Tree

I found a couple of neat Christmas Tree ideas on Pinterest: this ornament and the third tree here.

The ornament was too small, and I didn't have twigs for the second one. So I used the rolled up paper idea from the ornament and the size the twig tree and came up with this!

Materials: 

• At least 4 different styles of wrapping paper (primarily green)
• String
• 3 pushpins
• 2 large needles
• Glue
• Clear tape
• Binder clip
• Scissors
• Two toilet paper tubes or 1 paper towel tube
• Star

Method:

Step 1: Cut out progressively shorter strips of wrapping paper. Each strip should be about 2 inches shorter than the previous strip. Alternate patterns as you go.

Step 2: Roll each strip into a tube and secure with clear tape.

Step 3: Hang two pieces of string (about 2-3 inches apart) from 2 of the pushpins

Step 4: Thread one needle onto each piece of string

Step 5: One at a time, poke each piece of string through the smallest tube of wrapping paper. Make sure to keep the two pieces of string straight, but also centered on the tube. Add a dab of glue on top of the tube at each string.

Step 6: Continue adding tubes in order of length. As the tubes get bigger they also get heavier. The little ones will pretty much stay where you put them but the big ones will start sliding down the string. Until the glue dries secure the tube using a binder clip on the strings. Yes, you have to wait for it to dry before you can add the next one. I used a fairly fast drying glue and only waited about 3-5 minutes between tubes.

Step 7: When all tubes have been added, cut your toilet paper tubes to an appropriate trunk size and add 2 more rows.

Step 8: Hang a star at the top from the 3rd pushpin. I used a Christmas decoration I made a few years ago from a simple wooden cut-out (25 cents at Michael's) and my favorite gold paint. 

Christmas Craft Time: Popsicle Stick Snowflakes!

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

I found this fun idea on Pinterest (originally from CraftyNest). I was somewhat over-eager to get started and did not read the tutorial first. I think I read it sometime after my 2nd or 3rd snowflake. So, I ended up making a little extra work for myself, but I think they still look pretty good!

Materials:

• Large piece of cardboard (or newspaper)
• Lots of popsicle/craft sticks
• Hot glue gun
• Paint (I used gold)
• Paintbrush
• Ruler/protractor (optional)

Method:

Step 1:

Protect your working surface with cardboard/newspaper

Step 2:

There are really a few options for Step 2. In order from least-work-highest-risk to most-work-lowest-risk here are three suggestions of how to proceed:

Option 1: Start gluing sticks together in your chosen design and hope it turns out okay. Pull sticks apart before glue fully sets to make changes. Repeat.

Option 2: Assemble a snowflake (without gluing) by laying out sticks. Once you are happy with the design, glue them together.

Option 3: Draw a snowflake design on your cardboard using your ruler and protractor. Lay sticks over the design then glue together.

As you many have guessed, I chose Option 1. There were a couple of times my angles were so far off I had to re-glue sections, but overall I'm happy with the outcome. Like I said, Option 1 has the highest risk of failure, and although I said it would be the lowest work it has the potential of becoming the most if you have to redo too much.

Step 3:

Paint! I chose gold because my walls are white. If your walls are painted a relatively dark color I would definitely recommend painting your snowflakes white.

Step 4:

Hang them up! I used clear pushpins and hung them in a cascade down the wall of my stairwell.

For much better instructions see here.

Christmas Craft Time: Ho Ho Ho!

Christmas Craft: Ho Ho Ho!

Materials:

6 canvas boards (mine are 5"x 7")
Paint - green, red and gold acrylic
Brushes
Heavy paper for stencils
Pencil
Scissors
Masking Tape

Step 1: Paint 3 of the canvas boards with red paint, and 3 with green paint.
Step 2: While that is drying make stencils for the letters "H" and "O." I used Word to find a font I liked then copied it by hand. Make sure to measure carefully so your letters are sized correctly for your boards.
Step 3: If needed apply a second coat of red/green paint.
Step 4: When paint is dry, trace the stencils onto each board using pencil. Use the masking tape to hold the stencil in place.
Step 5: Paint letters using a small brush and gold paint.