ann wood handmade

dioramas, dolls, inspiration, other creatures

bundling up the tiny doll folk and imagining their world

When faced with a stressful situation small sewing is good medicine. This weekend we made some big tech improvements to ann wood handmade that were sort of terrifying. I’m thrilled… Read More

patterns and kits

try the star folk pdf pattern for free

Try a PDF pattern for free! Make a sweet crew of moody stars and a peaceful moon. They are super easy and great for ornaments little gifts or a mobile.… Read More

on my work table, other creatures, patterns and kits

it’s time to make the squirrels, stitching expressive creature eyes and wool stuffing in the shop

It is time to make all the little things, the little gift and ornament things. It is officially time. For those of you less procrastinatey than me it is way… Read More

Uncategorized

the magical possibilities of cardboard and behind the scenes in the mouse diorama

Cardboard is all over the place, for free! It has lots of interesting qualities and I’m always curious about the possibilities of things. I’m very interested in transformation, particularly of modest… Read More

on my work table

a brief history of owls

Owls and I go way back and they have always been mythic and magical creatures to me. One of the great legends of my childhood was my mother’s encounter with… Read More

inspiration

30 minute figures : experimenting and generating ideas

Play generates ideas. And constraints make things interesting, they send you in new directions and bypass inhibitions. Find 30 minutes to play. Make a space, gather materials, scraps, paper, cardboard… Read More

dolls, how to

doll making tips and tricks

One of the challenges in tiny rag doll sewing is getting a smooth neck. It is challenging when sewing any doll that has a torso and head as one piece, the stuffing… Read More

workshops

two mini workshops

Come sew with me in LA in October! I’ve added two mini evening workshops to my visit with French General, fun nights of stitching, all materials supplied: Stitched amulets Tuesday, October… Read More

patterns and kits

the songbird pattern booklet

There is nothing like a credible threat to get you moving. The unmovable, fixed date of the Squam Art Fair last Saturday was the perfect motivation to push the songbird… Read More

on my work table

amulets and toadstools on my work table

Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial start of the holiday season. Just kidding. Mostly. It does have a shifting feel to it though, everything starting back up again. It’s going to… Read More

on my work table

dastardly owl laboratory and the silly bug club

The bodies are piling up as the owl shape is getting fine tuned. I’m preparing for owl workshops (PS – 2 spots have opened up in the 10/20-21 class) and ultimately a… Read More

on my work table

an argument for silly and a creative exercise for you

A great way to get past the musts and shoulds and assumptions that can limit you creatively is to shift your approach. Even temporarily adopt a perspective that helps you… Read More

on my work table

road sewing, feedback loops and accidental amulets

Life rewards action, give it a chance and it will show up with happy accidents. The minute you do something, take some action, a feedback loop begins. You get information.… Read More

on my work table

pick up a thread and follow it, small stitch experiments

Part of the day today was devoted to waking up the experimenter in me. It needs some encouragement so I gave it an assignment, an easy assignment. I’ve been filled… Read More

on my work table

what’s on my work table and humidity

The ridiculous humidity and a summer cold have left me with a stunning lack of ambition. I aggressively indulged the lack of ambition and it transformed into restlessness. I needed… Read More

birds, how to, patterns and kits

the songbird sewing pattern is in the shop and a free tutorial : how to make a realistic bird foot

The songbird PDF pattern is in the shop today! It has more than 100 color photos and detailed instructions. You need basic sewing skills and some patience if you are… Read More

ann wood handmade

a coat for tiny rag doll and a free tiny hat tutorial

woebegone pines : a free sewing pattern

french hens

very nice mice : pattern and instructions (and it’s free!)

gather ye scraps – the forest folk pattern is here

hand stitched mushrooms : a new sewing pattern