Break from the fibers: Custom Cosette

It's easy for me to get lost in dying and spinning these days, so it's always a treat when someone comes to me with a really special request for one of my handmade dolls.  In this case it's Cosette!

Thank you Easter bunny

I've been gone for a while, but I'm back for one of my favorite holidays... Bunnies, chocolate, what's not to love? And so it's time for a new pattern! We're going back to basics with my latest WIP: meet William.

William is a classic standing bunny pattern, and like the others he stands about 12-14 inches tall. However he features a few charming differences; He's got accented hands, feet, and ears that allow for an unlimited number of custom variations. He also features a slightly chunkier build than my other dolls. And although William is a solid boy, switch out his shorts for the apron style dress pattern Mia wears and you've got yourself a whole new bunny ;D

I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek...
Keep an eye out for William, and other new patterns, in my shops this year!
etsy.com
ravelry.com
craftsy.com

Petra: the mummy

Adorable and undead, Petra was my surprise Halloween project last year... and now she's back, available as a pattern in my Halloween collection (etsy shop, ravelry shop, craftsy shop)! And by popular demand, she comes with instructions for both a knit version of her hair, and a crochet version! 
Are you making Petra?Join us on Ravelry: CALwithDawnToussaint

Ami of the month

Some of you might remember that I started off making custom ooak amigurumi and offering them in my etsy shop. Well, I'm going back to my roots... sort of ;D
I've decided to offer 1 finished object in my etsy shop every month! That means every month you will have the opportunity to pick up a custom designed, handmade cutie that I made just for the love of ami's (and those are the best kind if you ask me!) I'll be making something new every month, which may or may not be based on one of my existing patterns, and will definitely include all my favorite materials. Look for custom hand spun yarns, hand made buttons, and gorgeous fabrics... and keep an eye on this blog right here for a sneak peak at each month's offering!

Speaking of, have you seen this month's offering? Meet Mia ;D
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72509208/mia

Meet Amelie

Many of you out there asked for an all crochet version of my little Aubrey, and here she is! Amelie also wears an adorable little crochet sweater dress that's removable. She's just the latest in my "ready to wear" collection.

It took me a while to work out just the right combination of features, so thanks to all of you for your patience... She's a great pattern to start with if you're new to ami's, or if you just need something to work up as a quick gift!

Enjoy ;D

Aubrey: the pattern

Well I first want to thank everyone for all their kind comments on Aubrey, my latest creation. It was because of all your compliments that I have decided to offer the pattern in my ravelry and etsy shops!

If you haven't seen her yet, you're in for a surprise... not only does she have removable clothes, she has hair that buttons on! That's right, dress up time is taken to another level. Right now she is the only one of the prete a porte collection to have removable hair, but I have a feeling it won't be long before there are some more. And before you ask, yes I am working on an all crochet version as well!

So thanks again for your comments and questions... I love to hear your thoughts, so let me know what you'd like to see next in my shop!

Spooky cute Halloween projects

So I love Halloween! It's my favorite holiday to decorate for, and this year is no exception...
I have a few Halloween themed patterns available, but this one was made just for me. This little wolf boy has been on my mind for a while (I think I first sketched him out last year) and I'm so glad I finally took the time to create him! I did some experimenting to get his hair just the way I pictured it, using a latch hook technique to attach wool yarn in 5 different colors to the head. Then brushing the hair with a wire pet brush, and finally working the hair rubbing and twisting in my fingers until it was the shape I wanted. As an accent I also added quilting thread, felt, and fabric strips to the hair in strategic spots to get a slightly "wild" look. I used the same process on the tail... and yes it took a really long time, but he is just what I wanted!

What are you working on for Halloween? What are you thinking about making...
Are you like me, do you have one of those projects that just doesn't make the cut year after year? Let's hear about it!

Rebecca

So for the past few months I've been focusing on patterns... and some of you out there have been asking "when are you going to be offering dolls again?" So here's Rebecca! She's in all hand dyed wool, combo of knit and crochet, and her hair and dress are crocheted on. Check her out on ETSY. I can't say how often I will be able to offer finished dolls, but I do hope to offer at least a few more for the holiday season, so if you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them!
Thanks!