Jane Bull Canadian Tour 2014

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I recently had the opportunity to explore Jane Bull’s new book Crafty Dolls and the knitted version of Jane – hand knit by Jane herself – came to Wellesley for a short visit!

Darla and Drew welcomed her in style as their own wee versions of the Lottie and Lottie’s brother rag dolls!

Can you believe I tried to sew? My first time too! I had a wee bit of trouble with Drew’s doll (I tried to use my sewing machine) – but did much better when I stitched up Darla’s by hand (at least I think I did!).

Here are Darla, Drew and Jane enjoying some sunshine

We had lovely weather for her visit and we decided to take her on a road-trip around the Wellesley area.

Wellesley is a very small community in South Western Ontario – we are known for our ABC Festival – (Apple Butter and Cheese Festival)  – which takes place the last Saturday of September, every year.

 

We stopped at Schmidtsville Restaurant – our favourite local eatery – you must stop here if you ever visit Wellesley – they have great food, great prices and amazing (AMAZING!) desserts!

Our community and many of the surrounding areas have a large Mennonite population – it is very common to see horses and buggies travelling the roads and ‘parked’ in the parking lots 🙂

We also took a road trip out toward St. Jacobs – on our way we stopped at Martin’s Family Fruit Farm to pick up some apples –

 

 

and Picard’s Peanuts – because we can never go to St. Jacobs without stopping there! We tried lots of free samples and even picked up some chipnuts for the drive to the Kissing Bridge – the only remaining covered bridge in Ontario.

 

 

The West Montrose Bridge ( also popularly known as the Kissing Bridge ) is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. It was designed by John Bear in 1880.

We decided to take Jane to Elora next – where Glen’s Grandma used to live. We wanted to show her the Tooth of Time but the Elora Mill is currently under construction and we were unable to get to the viewing area. We did get a few shots from across the way – and you can just see the tooth of time beside the Elora Mill.

We also made a short short stop to view the Elora Gorge – it is beautiful and the park is an amazing place to visit – lots of walking trails and camping spots are available.

We had a very busy time – but there is always so much to see and do in and around Kitchener-Waterloo!

Darla wanted one final photo with Jane and her miniature Darla & Drew Dolls 🙂

 

They had such a fun time touring with the Jane Bull Doll 🙂

Title: Crafty Dolls
Author: Jane Bull
ISBN:  9781465419576
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Release Date: 24 Jun 2014

Excerpted from Crafty Dolls – copyright 2014 Jane Bull / Dorling Kindersley Ltd.

Jane’s new book is fantastic – filled with beautiful projects to make for your children – and yes – even a beginner can handle these!

 

I have never hand-sewn anything – but Darla’s doll was completely done by hand.

There are so many great accessories and outfits to make for the rag dolls – ballerina outfits, fairy wings, a mermaid rag doll – there really is so much you can do with this book!

Other dolls included  in the Rag Doll section are: Cinders and Cinderella and Wake-up and Rise and Shine (super cool – you flip the doll upside down and you get a second doll for the other ‘character’).

There is an entire section for knitted dolls – where you will find Pirate Pete, Superhero, Self-portrait (like the Jane Bull doll); The Good, The Bad and the Cuddly and Yarn Dolls.

 

I really like the Dolly Mixtures section – here you find patterns and instructions to make Lavender Dolls, Doodle Dolls, Little Lotties (SO CUTE!), Pillow Dolls and Handy Dolls.

 

This book inspired me to try something new!

Here is an excerpt for you to try something new too!

Excerpted from Crafty Dolls – copyright 2014 Jane Bull / Dorling Kindersley Ltd.

Lavender girls

Here’s a fresh take on lavender sachets.

 

Hang these dolls filled with aromatic herbs in your closet and give your clothes a sweet scent.

You will need

• Sewing kit (see pages 112–113)
• BODY PARTS •Scraps of felt fabric DRESS • Cotton fabric 5in x 5in (13cm x 13cm)
• 2 tbsp dried lavender
• Paper for funnel
• Ribbon 9in (23cm)
• Button
• Pinking shears

1. Prepare the doll pieces. Using tracing paper, trace over the shapes on the following page (see template below!). Cut out the paper pieces, pin to the fabric, and cut out the fabric. Use pinking shears to keep the edges from fraying.

2.  Sew the two dress pieces together using running stitch, leaving an opening at the top.

3. Make a funnel out of paper and place it in the opening. Pour the lavender into the dress.

4. Place the top of the dress between the head pieces and pin in place. Sew all the layers together.

 

5. Sew two arm pieces together. Attach the arms to the back of the dress. Bring the hands to the front. Fold both leg pieces in half and sew together.

6. Place the edge of each leg in the center of a shoe shape. Fold the shoe over and sew the two sides together. Attach the legs to the back of the dress.

Template

template_Lavender_girl

The shapes on this page are all you need to make your lavender doll. Place a piece of tracing paper over the page and trace around the shapes. Cut them out and lay the shapes on the fabric.

HAIR FRONT Cut 1

HAIR BACK Cut 1

HEAD Cut 2

LEGS Cut 2

ARMS Cut 4

SHOES Cut 2

Remember to place the paper pattern along the fold of the fabric.

Ribbon

Place the ends of the ribbon at the back of the head and sew them in place with the button on the front.

 

If you would like to follow along on the Jane Bull Canadian Tour you can follow on Twitter 

 

Get your own copy of Crafty Dolls from DK Canada.

For more information about DK Canada Books – visit their website, Facebook or Twitter!

 

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