You’ve heard the saying, “Back to the drawing board” when things don’t work out and you have to go back and start planning from the top. Well, this page is a ‘sneak peak’ at my drawing board (which is really my ironing board, as it’s just the right height to work at and my sewing table is always too crowded to draw on!) to see what patterns will soon be available from Tag Along Teddies!
Any of you who have checked out The Drawing Board previously will know I designed a patchwork strip drawstring bag, featuring a stitchery panel, for “Homespun” – my all-time favourite craft mag!! The project, called ‘Bookworm Bear and the Hunney Hive’ was designed as a book bag and can now be seen in “Homespun’s” June issue (Vol 8 No. 6) AND it is now available as a stand alone pattern from the "What's New" page!
The third of the Tea Party Trio country cloth dolls is almost ready! The prototype is finished and Berry Basket Bonnie will soon join Cupcake Katie and Tea Cup Tilly so check back regularly!! This trio is a series of three separate patterns, but the dolls also make a great set, as they are three friends getting ready for a tea-party. While a little more complicated and fiddly than the teddies I have previously designed, these country cloth dolls are still projects that can be tackled over a weekend.
A pair of pyjama-clad bears. These two patterns will be donated to Fresh Hope – the only drug and alcohol rehab program in QLD that allows children to stay with their mothers while they go through the rehab program. Check out the Fresh Hope website listed on my links page – an exciting and worthwhile program. ( www.freshhope.org or www.freshhopepatterns.com.au) These bears will be sold under the ‘Fresh Hope Patterns' label. The first of these jammy bears, "Taylah" is available now! She wll be joined in coming months by "Tyson". Watch this space!
Buccaneer Bears. Fans of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies (or those who like to drool over the gorgeous Johnny Depp!) will be excited to know I have been working on a design for a Pirate bear pattern. This buccaneer bear will have a choice of two costumes in the one pattern, so you can choose your favourite or make two seafaring teddy bears! One will be a lowly (but cute!) pirate crew member complete with head scarf, sash, eye patch and coin dangles, while the other will sport more 'gentlemanly' garb with an overcoat and frilled shirt. The prototype for the crew member is finished! And the 'gentleman' of the sea will soon join him - or I'll be forced to walk the plank! Aha, me hearties!!
Card Kits - This is a concept that I love! Each kit will be for a stitchery project and will include a blank gift card that features a photo of the finished project, an envelope, piece of homespun to trace the stitchery onto, a paper copy of the design and full instructions. They make great gifts or are a treat for yourself if you're heading off on holidays and want a portable project to keep you entertained. They're also great to stitch to give the finished project as a gift with the card all ready to be written in. Two Card Kits are already available and three more are already on the drawing board or in various states of completion. Several also feature gorgeous laser-cut timber buttons from Button Bliss, so are really eyecatching! Try one or collect them all!!
I’m always interested in feedback from fellow crafters and teddy bear lovers, so email feedback or comments to me any time. I’d also be interested to hear if people are looking for patterns for particular teddies, stitcheries and dolls. Let’s face it – I just LOVE getting email like bears LOVE hunney!!!
