#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF DOLLS

People have been crafting dolls for thousands and thousands of years. In ancient times they were made of any available materials, including clay, stone, bone, ivory, rags, leather, wax, and wood. Dolls have even been made from paper. Dolls were used as playthings for children and in various mystical and religious rituals and ceremonies.

The handcrafted doll featured above was a gift from a relative who brought it back from a trip to Hawaii. It’s crafted from many natural materials such as straw, shells, nuts, and spices.

In Death By Killer Mop Doll Anastasia creates dolls from string mop heads.

Death By Killer Mop Doll

An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 2

Overdue bills and constant mother vs. mother-in-law battles at home are bad enough. But crafts editor Anastasia Pollack's stress level is maxed out when she and her fellow American Woman editors get roped into unpaid gigs for a revamped morning TV show. Before the glue is dry on Anastasia's mop dolls, morning TV turns crime drama when the studio is trashed and the producer is murdered. Former co-hosts Vince and Monica—sleazy D-list celebrities—stand out among a lengthy lineup of suspects, all furious over the show's new format. And Anastasia has no clue her snooping has landed her directly in the killer's unforgiving spotlight.

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#CRAFTING WITH ANASTASIA--ON THE LAM WITH A CRIMINAL CRAFTER

This doll is a double-offender--sewn and knitted!

Good grief! Don’t tell anyone, but I just learned I’m a crafting scofflaw! There are actually laws on the books in New Jersey that I unknowingly violated for years. Me! Goody Two Shoes! Right now I’m quaking in those shoes, terrified the law is going to catch up with me.

My crimes? Sewing dolls and their clothing and knitting without record keeping. Stop laughing! This is serious!

N.J.S. 34:6-131 states, “The manufacturing, altering, repairing or finishing in whole or in part of any dolls, dolls’ clothing in any tenement house is hereby prohibited.” 

I lived in an apartment in Newark for several years. I’m thinking that qualifies as a tenement of sorts. But even if it doesn’t and I’m off the hook for the dolls and doll clothing I made back then, I still have to contend with N.J.S. 34:6-130.1 According to that law, since 1940, anyone who knits at home in New Jersey “shall keep a daily record of work done, and all employers in said industry shall likewise keep and maintain a record of the daily work done…for a period of two years.”

I never kept any records of my knitting. Didn’t know I had to. I wonder what the statute of limitations is for these two crimes. I’d do a bit of research, but I’m afraid to call attention to myself. Maybe I need to go into hiding.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--NO SEW FLOSS DOLLS

(This project is an encore presentation from June 2010.)

These no-sew, easy-to-make dolls can be crafted into jewelry as pins, necklaces, or hair ornaments by gluing the dolls to jewelry findings, combs, headbands, etc.  Attached them to sweatshirts, sneakers, or pocketbooks.  Use them as Christmas ornaments or on plant pokes.  Use them to decorate gift boxes or as zipper pulls.  The possibilities are endless!  They also make great crafts projects for the female tweens and teens in your family.
Materials:
12” lt. pink chenille stem
18mm painted wooden bead head
flesh and assorted colors 6-strand embroidery floss
tacky glue
wooden skewer or wire (optional for making curly hair)
jewelry glue (optional for gluing dolls to jewelry findings, combs, or headbands)

Directions:
1.  Cut chenille stem into a 4” length and 8” length.  Bend 8” length in half for body.

2.  Glue bead onto folded end of chenille stem.

3.  Wrap 4” length around folded piece 1/8” below bead for arms.  Bend ends of arms and legs under ¼” for hands and feet.

4.  When wrapping floss around chenille stems, secure the floss at the beginning and end with a small amount of glue at the back of the doll.  Beginning directly under bead and following arrows on diagram, wrap floss around chenille stems, wrapping around neck first, then down one arm, back up arm and down next arm.  Wrap up second arm.  Crisscross floss several times at junction of arms and body to cover chenille stem completely.  Wrap down body for ¾”, then separately down one leg, back up the leg, down the second leg, back up the leg, then back up the body and neck.

5.  Using various colors of floss, create clothing for doll, wrapping in the same manner over the flesh colored floss.  Make long or short sleeves.  To form a skirt, wrap floss over both legs for desired length of skirt.  For pants, wrap each leg individually.  Make socks and shoes by wrapping feet.  Create patterns and accessories by gluing on individual lengths of floss to form stripes and plaids, a belt, etc.

6.  Glue floss around bead to create hair.  To make curly hair, wrap floss around a wooden skewer or wire.  Wet floss.  Allow to dry thoroughly before unwrapping.  Cut curled floss into lengths.  Fold each length in half and glue folded center to bead.  Repeat to cover bead.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- VICTORIAN YARN DOLL

Yesterday was the official release date of Death By Killer Mop Doll, the second book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries about yours truly. Last week I featured directions for making a basic yarn doll. Today I'm featuring a way to turn that basic yarn doll into a lovely Victorian lass. 

If you'd like directions for making a mop doll, you'll find them in Death By Killer Mop Doll, and if you'd like a chance to win one of 5 signed copies of Death By Killer Mop Doll, post a comment to this blog or any of the blogs on author Lois Winston's January blog tour. You'll find the complete schedule on the sidebar to the right. -- AP

Refer to the materials list and directions from last Monday to make the basic yarn doll using a mohair type rose colored yarn. Decorate the doll as follows: 

Materials:
sandy blond curly doll hair
4” doll hat
3” ecru lace fan
five 1/4” mauve ribbon roses
1/2 yd. 1/8” wide mauve satin ribbon
6” length 1” wide ecru lace
1/2 yd. 3/4" wide ecru lace
needle and thread
small amount baby’s breath
pink colored pencil or blush
scissors
tacky glue

1. Make doll according to Basic Yarn Doll directions (5/23/11.)

2. Cut 3-4 strands at a time of curly doll hair twice the desired length of hair. Glue midpoint of the hair to head, applying along the edge of muslin first. Then work in neat, evenly spaced horizontal rows from back of the neck up to top of the head. Untangle and trim to even out the length.

3. Cut 1” lace into three 2” pieces. Fold two pieces in half lengthwise. Using needle and thread, gather at folded edge. Tie one around each wrist.

4. Using needle and thread, gather remaining piece of 2” lace along one long edge. Glue under neck for jabot.

5. Glue a ribbon rose to top of jabot and at each cuff.

6. Glue hat to head. Glue 1/8” ribbon around hat, tying ends at center back. Glue baby’s breath and two ribbon roses to front of hat slightly off-center.

7. Glue fan to front of doll. Glue arms over fan.

8. Cut 3/4” lace into three 6” pieces. Tie each into a bow. Glue to bottom of “skirt.”

9. Color cheeks with pink pencil or blush.

Remember, post a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Death By Killer Mop Doll. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- YARN DOLLS

In celebration of the release of Death By Killer Mop Doll (the second book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, otherwise known as the series about moi,) today I'm featuring the directions for a basic yarn doll. These directions first appeared on May 23, 2011. If you'd like directions for making a mop doll, you'll find them in Death By Killer Mop Doll. 

Want to win a copy of Death By Killer Mop Doll? Author Lois Winston is giving away 5 signed copies at the end of her January blog tour. You can find the schedule on the sidebar to the right. To enter the drawing, post a comment to this blog or any of the guest blogs on the tour. -- AP

BASIC 12” YARN DOLL DIRECTIONS

Yarn dolls can be used as ornaments, tree toppers, garlands, wreath decorations, package decorations, centerpieces, shower gifts, wall and door hangings, and much more. 

Today we have the directions for the basic yarn doll. Next week and in weeks to come you'll find directions for taking the basic yarn doll and adding hair, clothing, and accessories for a variety of different looks.

Materials:
2” Dylite (smooth) craft foam ball
52 strands 18” lengths of 4-ply yarn
13 strands 10” lengths of 4-ply yarn
2-3/4” x 2-3/4” piece of muslin
8” chenille stem that matches yarn color
2 blue or black glass head straight pins
circle template or compass
yardstick
scissors
tacky glue

1. Place 50 of the 18” lengths of yarn on a flat surface with ends even. Using one additional 18” piece, tie the yarn into a bundle at the mid-point for the body.

2. Using the circle template or compass, draw a 2-3/4” circle on the muslin. Cut out. Make 1/4” deep cuts around the perimeter of the circle.

3. Glue the muslin to the craft foam ball.

4. Poke a hole in the bottom of the craft foam ball for neck. Place some glue on the end of the chenille stem and insert it into the hole.

5. Wrap the chenille stem once around the tied center of the body so that the body touches the craft foam ball head. Hold in place with a small amount of glue. Allow the remainder of the chenille stem to hang in the center of the yarn body.

6. Braid 12 pieces of the 10” long yarn for arms. Tie at each end with half the remaining piece of 10” yarn.

7. Place the braid centered inside the yarn body. Tie the body under the arms with the remaining 18” length of yarn.

8. Dip the straight pins in a small amount of glue. Insert into the head for eyes.

Check back next Monday for directions on personalizing your yarn doll. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- VICTORIAN LADY YARN DOLL

Refer to the materials list and directions from May 23, 2011 to make the basic yarn doll using a mohair type rose colored yarn. Decorate the doll as follows:

Materials:
sandy blond curly doll hair
4” doll hat
3” ecru lace fan
five 1/4” mauve ribbon roses
1/2 yd. 1/8” wide mauve satin ribbon
6” length 1” wide ecru lace
1/2 yd. 3/4" wide ecru lace
needle and thread
small amount baby’s breath
pink colored pencil or blush
scissors
tacky glue

1. Make doll according to Basic Yarn Doll directions (5/23/11.)

2. Cut 3-4 strands at a time of curly doll hair twice the desired length of hair. Glue midpoint of the hair to head, applying along the edge of muslin first. Then work in neat, evenly spaced horizontal rows from back of the neck up to top of the head. Untangle and trim to even out the length.

3. Cut 1” lace into three 2” pieces. Fold two pieces in half lengthwise. Using needle and thread, gather at folded edge. Tie one around each wrist.

4. Using needle and thread, gather remaining piece of 2” lace along one long edge. Glue under neck for jabot.

5. Glue a ribbon rose to top of jabot and at each cuff.

6. Glue hat to head. Glue 1/8” ribbon around hat, tying ends at center back. Glue baby’s breath and two ribbon roses to front of hat slightly off-center.

7. Glue fan to front of doll. Glue arms over fan.

8. Cut 3/4” lace into three 6” pieces. Tie each into a bow. Glue to bottom of “skirt.”

9. Color cheeks with pink pencil or blush.

Check back for more yarn doll variations in future weeks.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--BASIC YARN DOLL

BASIC 12” YARN DOLL DIRECTIONS

Yarn dolls can be used as ornaments, tree toppers, garlands, wreath decorations, package decorations, centerpieces, shower gifts, wall and door hangings, and much more. 

Today we have the directions for the basic yarn doll. Next week and in weeks to come you'll find directions for taking the basic yarn doll and adding hair, clothing, and accessories for a variety of different looks.

Materials:
2” Dylite (smooth) craft foam ball
52 strands 18” lengths of 4-ply yarn
13 strands 10” lengths of 4-ply yarn
2-3/4” x 2-3/4” piece of muslin
8” chenille stem that matches yarn color
2 blue or black glass head straight pins
circle template or compass
yardstick
scissors
tacky glue

1. Place 50 of the 18” lengths of yarn on a flat surface with ends even. Using one additional 18” piece, tie the yarn into a bundle at the mid-point for the body.

2. Using the circle template or compass, draw a 2-3/4” circle on the muslin. Cut out. Make 1/4” deep cuts around the perimeter of the circle.

3. Glue the muslin to the craft foam ball.

4. Poke a hole in the bottom of the craft foam ball for neck. Place some glue on the end of the chenille stem and insert it into the hole.

5. Wrap the chenille stem once around the tied center of the body so that the body touches the craft foam ball head. Hold in place with a small amount of glue. Allow the remainder of the chenille stem to hang in the center of the yarn body.

6. Braid 12 pieces of the 10” long yarn for arms. Tie at each end with half the remaining piece of 10” yarn.

7. Place the braid centered inside the yarn body. Tie the body under the arms with the remaining 18” length of yarn.

8. Dip the straight pins in a small amount of glue. Insert into the head for eyes.

Check back next Monday for directions on personalizing your yarn doll.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- HANDKERCHIEF ANGEL DOLL

As we head into our second year at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers, I want to thank all of our readers who follow us and those who drop by from time to time. For those of you just discovering us, I hope you’ll enjoy what you read and stop back often.

We’re going to be adding some new features to the blog in the coming months. Starting today, I’m kicking off Christmas All Year Round. Every few weeks I’ll feature Christmas projects on Crafts Monday, no matter the month, because I know that many of you craft year round in preparation for the holidays. Today’s craft is a no-sew handkerchief angel doll that can be used as an ornament. -- AP

HANDKERCHIEF ANGEL DOLL ORNAMENT

Materials:

One men's white cottonhankie; 1/2-yd. 1-1/4" wide flat silver lace trim; white string; small amount of fiberfill; 2-yds. jute cord; 4-yds. 1/8" wide white satin ribbon; three 1/4" silver ribbon roses; 3/8-yd. 2" wide silver wire-edged ribbon; 1/2 yd. silver star garland; fabric glue; glue gun; ornament hanger

Directions:
(Note: Use glue gun for all gluing except where noted.)

1. Using fabric glue, glue lace to one edge of hankie to form bottom edge of angel's dress. 

2. Wad fiber-fill into a 1-1/2" diameter ball. Using string, tie top center of hankie (opposite edge from lace) around fiber-fill ball to form angel head.

3. Tie corners of hankie at either side of head into knots close to head to form arms. Bring arms around to front of doll and knot together.

4. Form wire-edged ribbon into a circle, overlapping cut ends. Pinch together at center and tie in place with string to form angel wings. Glue center of wings to back of doll under head.

5. Cut jute into eight 8" lengths. Tie lengths together at center with string. Unravel ends of jute to form hair strands. Glue knotted center of hair to top center of doll head.

6. Cut three 1-yd. lengths of satin ribbon. Knot ends. Knot all three lengths together in middle. Glue knotted center under arms so lengths form streamers down front of angel's dress. Cut remaining yard of ribbon in half. Working both pieces together as one, tie into a bow. Glue bow to front of knotted arms. Glue ribbon roses above bow.

7. Leaving a 1-1/2” tail, wrap star garland into a 1-1/2” diameter overlapping circles to form halo. Bend tail up 1/2” to form loop. Glue loop to back of head. Bend halo 90 degrees to float above head.

8. Hook ornament hanger through string at center of angel wings.

Can you think of other uses for the handkerchief angel doll? Let’s hear from you. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- MINI SPOOL DOLL

Spool dolls were traditionally made for babies. Their jiggling and rattling kept many an infant amused for hours. Today spool dolls can be used as a home dec element or as a wearable. Use them as necklaces, pins, plant pokes, kitchen magnets, shade pulls, or package decorations. They also make a great party activity for little girls.

Materials3/4” wood spool for body
ten 1/2” wood spools for arms and legs (3 each for legs, 2 each for arms)
16mm wood bead for head
four 10mm wood beads for hands and feet
heavy duty jute cord
7” of 2” wide ruffled trim
7” of 1-1/2” wide gathered Cluny lace
small amount of Spanish moss
mini ribbon rose
miniature straw hat to fit head
blue and pink paint
small paint brush
needle and thread
tacky glue or glue gun

Cut two 12” pieces of jute. Knot one end of each. Thread feet and legs onto each individual piece, then thread body onto both pieces. Thread arms and hands onto individual pieces of jute. Knot ends at hands. Trim.

Glue head to body over jute. Allow to dry.

Using the wooden point of the paint brush, dip point into paint and dot onto head, using blue for eyes and a slightly larger dot of pink for the mouth.

With gathered edges together and right sides facing up, baste lace to ruffled trim. Gather and tie to back of doll.

Glue Spanish moss to top of head for hair. Glue straw hat over head. Glue ribbon rose to front of dress under head.

Cute, right? And so easy to make. What would you use a spool doll for? Let’s hear from you. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- EVEN MORE SEWING TIPS

Today I’m back with even more sewing tips.

*Apply fusible batting to the wrong side of fabric for stuffed animals or dolls before sewing the pieces together. This will give a smoother finish to your project when you stuff it.

*To avoid skipped stitches when machine sewing fake fur that has a shiny finish on the wrong side, trace over the seam line with chalk or a bar of white, unscented soap.

*When sewing Velcro to fabric, place wax paper on top of the Velcro and under the fabric to prevent skipped stitches. When you’re finished stitching, simply tear away the wax paper.

*Use a Post-It Note to hold your place when following complicate sewing directions from a pattern or book so you won’t accidentally skip an important step.

*Ballpoint pen ink can be removed from fabric by spraying the area with hair spray before hand or machine washing it.

*To get a smoother, cleaner edge when using pinking shears, place a piece of paper underneath the fabric and cut through the paper and fabric at the same time.

*To puff quilt batting and remove the wrinkles, unroll it and let it lie flat for a week before using it.

*Stuffed animals and pillows can be dusted by placing them in the dryer on the air only cycle for about fifteen minutes.

*For a quick way to finish the edges of appliqué pieces, sew each piece, right sides together, to a piece of interfacing. Make a slash in the center of the interfacing, turn the piece right-side out, and press.

*When attaching safety eyes to stuffed animals and dolls, apply clear nail polish to the placement spot and allow to dry before poking a hole through the fabric. This will strengthen the fabric, keeping it from tearing or stretching when poked.

Have a tip I haven’t mentioned? We’d love to have you post it. Remember to post a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book from this week's Book Club Friday guest author.

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--SPOON DOLL PUPPETS

What kid doesn’t love puppets? These spoon dolls are easy to make and make great puppets for impromptu puppet shows. -- AP

Materials
12” wooden spoon; 6-1/2” x 16” piece of fabric; 3” x 4” flesh-colored felt; 3/4-yd. 1-3/4” wide gathered lace; 4” length of 1” wide gathered lace; 1/2-yd. 1/8” wide satin ribbon; acrylic paint: flesh, dk. flesh, pink and black; acrylic satin varnish; paint brushes; curly doll hair; 4” straw hat; 1” miniature butterfly; paint brushes; tacky glue; low-temp glue gun; graphite paper; pencil; basic sewing supplies

1. Paint spoon bowl, sides of bowl, and approximately 1” of the handle below the bowl with 2 coats flesh paint, allowing paint to dry between coats.

2. Print out face and hand patterns, enlarging face pattern box to 1-3/4” wide and hand pattern box to 2-1/4” wide.

3. Using graphite paper and pencil, ransfer face pattern to the bowl of the spoon.

4. Paint the mouth pink. To make eyes and freckles, dip the brush handle end into paint and dot eyes in black and freckles in dk. flesh. Allow to dry.

5. Apply 2 coats of satin varnish over painted areas.

6. Sew a length of wide lace to the bottom long edge of the print fabric. Using a 1/4” seam, sew the short ends of the fabric right sides together. Press under remaining long edge 1/4”.

7. To make the dress, run a gathering stitch along the pressed edge of the fabric. Gather tightly around the spoon directly under the bowl. Apply a small amount of tacky glue to hold the fabric to the spoon at the neck.

8. Gather a 6” length of remaining wide lace. Tie tightly around the neck over the gathered fabric for a collar.

9. Gut two hands from the flesh felt. Glue a hand to either side of the dress as shown in photo. Cut the 1” lace in half. Glue each half over a hand to form cuff.

9. Using tacky glue, glue lengths of doll hair to back and edges of spoon.

10. Using the glue gun, glue hat to the back of the head and butterfly to hat brim.

11. Make a bow from the ribbon. Glue to center front of collar.

Great rainy day activity, right? What else do you do with your kids on rainy days? Let's hear from you. Post a comment to the blog this week to be entered in the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--FLOSS DOLLS

These no-sew, easy-to-make dolls can be made into jewelry as pins, necklaces, or hair ornaments by gluing the dolls to jewelry findings, combs, headbands, etc.  Attached them to sweatshirts, sneakers, or pocketbooks.  Use them as Christmas ornaments or on plant pokes.  Use them to decorate gift boxes.  The possibilities are endless!  They also make great crafts projects for the female tweens and teens in your family.


Materials:
12” lt. pink chenille stem
18mm painted wooden bead head
flesh and assorted colors 6-strand embroidery floss
tacky glue
wooden skewer or wire (optional for making curly hair)
jewelry glue (optional for gluing dolls to jewelry findings, combs, or headbands)

Directions:
1.  Cut chenille stem into a 4” length and 8” length.  Bend 8” length in half for body.

2.  Glue bead onto folded end of chenille stem.

3.  Wrap 4” length around folded piece 1/8” below bead for arms.  Bend ends of arms and legs under ¼” for hands and feet.

4.  When wrapping floss around chenille stems, secure the floss at the beginning and end with a small amount of glue at the back of the doll.  Beginning directly under bead and following arrows on diagram, wrap floss around chenille stems, wrapping around neck first, then down one arm, back up arm and down next arm.  Wrap up second arm.  Crisscross floss several times at junction of arms and body to cover chenille stem completely.  Wrap down body for ¾”, then separately down one leg, back up the leg, down the second leg, back up the leg, then back up the body and neck.

5.  Using various colors of floss, create clothing for doll, wrapping in the same manner over the flesh colored floss.  Make long or short sleeves.  To form a skirt, wrap floss over both legs for desired length of skirt.  For pants, wrap each leg individually.  Make socks and shoes by wrapping feet.  Create patterns and accessories by gluing on individual lengths of floss to form stripes and plaids, a belt, etc.

6.  Glue floss around bead to create hair.  To make curly hair, wrap floss around a wooden skewer or wire.  Wet floss.  Allow to dry thoroughly before unwrapping.  Cut curled floss into lengths.  Fold each length in half and glue folded center to bead.  Repeat to cover bead.


Our guest author on Book Club Friday is giving away a free book this week. To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is post a comment during the week. So let's hear from you! --AP