10.3.15

felt wee folk :: blog tour



Today I am excited and honored to be participating in the blog tour for Salley Mavor's new book Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures... And please read to the end of this post because there is a *give-away.*


So, let's talk about Salley's new book. I was expecting an update of the first edition of Felt Wee Folk, but the variety of doll designs in Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures goes far beyond the first book; in the new edition there are doll house families, wedding cake toppers, a nativity scene, nursery rhyme & storybook characters, plus a wide assortment of elfin folk and fairies. The array is enchanting.


And now I have an embarrassing confession to make.  I've owned a copy of the first edition of Wee Felt Folk for nearly four years. I regularly pulled it from the shelf to admire Salley's use of color, the intricacy of her embroidery, and the fanciful scenarios in which her dolls were posed.  I loved the book to bits, but had never made anything from it!  When Salley invited me to participate in her blog tour for the new edition, I knew it was time to get down to brass tacks and actually make a doll (or two) in the style of Salley Mavor!


After my embarrassing confession, I will say right up front that Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures is not just a book to look at -- it is a craft book to be used and loved. These little figures would, indeed, be perfect for a dollhouse family, a pocket friend for a child, or for anyone who would like to add a bit of charm and magic to their surroundings.  


Truly, the most difficult thing about this book was deciding which character(s) to create!  I was drawn to the fairies and elfin folk, but even then, there were so many choices.  I finally settled on creating a pair of elfin brothers, modeled after my own two boys, and narrowed my color choices down to tones of green with some brown embroidery.  Once these decisions were made, all I had to do was follow the clear, step-by-step directions from the book. (And an important note to anyone who might feel intimidated by delicate embroidery; these dolls could be made without any embroidered decorations to their clothing at all, and they would be just as sweet!!)

According to the directions, I used embroidery floss to wrap the wire bodies, and I am pleased to tell you that wrapping the little arms & legs was a much easier process than I had anticipated.  The bodies are quite tiny, so not only did wrapping the limbs require only a small amount of embroidery floss, the process of wrapping took almost no time at all.


Then I moved on to my favorite parts -- painting the faces and embroidering the clothing.


And here is the result -- two tiny elfin brothers!


Posing their wire bodies was a lot of fun, and their mischievous faces makes it appear that they will be up to some naughty pranks at any moment...


Now for details about the *give-away*: please leave a comment below for an opportunity to win a copy of Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures. And just for fun, in your comment, you can state which doll/ character you would choose to make first from this delightful book.  If the winner is a USA resident, they will receive a hard-copy, and if outside the USA, the winner will be sent an e-book version.  The winner will be chosen by random number generator after one week.  Good luck to all!

COMMENTS FOR THE GIVE-AWAY ARE NOW CLOSED.  Congratulations to Ginny who wrote, "Love how your little elfin guys came out.  I would make flower fairies to start. Have a request for fairies from the grands!"  Ginny, please email me your address so C&T can send you a book!


If you are too eager to wait for the results of the give-aways, you can purchase a signed copy of Salley's book here through her etsy shop (and with book purchases through her etsy shop, Salley will also include a poster, notecard and faux-flowers for fairy-making).  Additionally, books and all supplies for making dolls can be purchased at A Child's Dream (this craft basket includes a copy of the book and has everything you would need to make dozens of dolls). And, of course, Salley's book may also be purchased from Amazon.


Below is a list of blogs participating in the tour.  There will be a book give-away at each blog plus new insights and perspectives on Felt Wee Folk: New Adventures during the journey, so you might want to follow along. C&T publishing is generously supplying books for every stop during the blog tour -- hard copies for winners in USA and e-books for international winners!

March 3 :: Mary Corbet - Needle n’ Thread
March 6 :: Mimi Kirchner - Doll 
March 10 :: Margaret Bloom – we bloom here 
March 12 :: C&T Publishing Blog 
March 13 :: Kimara – Wee Folk Art 
March 15 :: Phoebe Wahl

70 comments:

  1. I love Felt Wee Folk! I want to make a 'grandma' flower fairy with a baby and child to give to a dear friend, who is a grandma. I think she would enjoy these.

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  2. I think I'd like to try a fairy.
    Thanks!

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  3. A fairy! Always choose a fairy:). Thanks for the giveaway!

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  4. OH my gosh, your little elvin brothers are the CUTEST!!! I want this book so bad lol! With over 120 new dolls, I don't even know what I would choose to make first--I'd probably spend a good amount of time reading the book first and deciding as I go what I want to make first...with Easter right around the corner, perhaps a little Spring scene? Oh the possibilities!!! And my mind is spinning with delight over this new-to-me art!! I can't wait to try my hand at it too! You are a marvelous inspiration to me!! Thank you for being a part of this fun blog tour and sharing your darling creations!!! :)

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    1. LInsey -- You are so very welcome! Thank you for your kind words...

      Best wishes,
      mb

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  5. Love how your little elfin guys came out. I would make flower fairies to start. Have request for fairies from the grands!

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  6. Those little boys are darling! I'm completely new to ANY crafty type of things, but Salley's dolls and scenes are so enchanting, I want to try my hand at it. Maybe a leprechaun to celebrate my grandsons' Irish heritage.

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  7. Absolutely love her books--and I don't need the giveaway--already bought it. :) LOL. like you--I had first one & never got around to making mine. I did stock up on the stuff though--so when I get back from my vacation I plan to get to making some. I am also hoping to make a treehouse for little people and critters there is a great tree we plan to make a stump in front of my hillbilly hilton. I will blog about taht sometime after we come home.

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  8. I have no idea which one I would choose but I do so love the overalls!
    Like you I have pulled the old edition from my shelf countless times but I think the closest I cam to following directions was when I made a pirate. He wore the same coat, pants and hat except mine had a real wooden peg leg, lol. I still have it even though I made it about ten years ago. Mostly I have used the book for inspiration :)

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  9. Hello Margaret,
    your elfes are wonderful. I really love them. I'd choose the wood elfes to make them first - an oak-elf family as my favorite trees are oaks. They are so mystical to me.
    Your peg doll books are beautiful as well. I am thinking about buying one but I cannot decide whether I should by your first one or better the second.
    The ebook is a really wonderful giveaway.
    Best regards from Bavaria
    Susi

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    1. Wood elves and oak elves are my favorites, too...

      I wish I could advise on which of my books to buy first. They are quite different from each other. It's intersting to learn when some people prefer one book over the other (even my husband and I disagree over which of the books we prefer!)

      mb

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    2. I guess your second book will be my first because my Kindergarten children might love the dragon. :-)
      Susi

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  10. I have been looking at this book and Sally's little dolls for some time. I love them all. I would make little angels instead of fairies and little Irish dolls. I also would make little African American dolls for my grand daughter. I would try to add glasses to some of them since I have worn glasses since I was one year old. These would be wonderful for some friends of mine who are blind. I would give them a cane or a leader dog.

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    1. I love your idea of adding glasses, and making a doll with a guide-dog!
      mb

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  11. The shell children are my favorite so far I think. But I would maybe have to make a little woodland child of my son like you did of yours! I like how accessible the instructions seem too.

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  12. Oh my goodness, I would really love to win a copy of the new book. I am addicted to making these wee folk. My children love them, their friends love them, I love them. We make a family of wee folk for each equinox and solstice, and are getting quite a collection. This new book would add so much fun to our traditions. Thanks for the opportunity. And I love your peg dolls too!

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  13. I would LOVE to win a copy of Salley's book. I especially like the story book characters. I love that they are poseable.

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  14. I like the little one on her toboggan and also the girl up the ladder and would love to make these - I particularly like the wrapping info and how to make multiple heads on the video. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  15. I'd love to win a copy as I don't know who'd love these more. Me in making them or the grandkids playing with them.

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  16. I would have to make a fairy, too! I'm a long-time fan, since my children checked out a book she illustrated many years ago.

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  17. I think I would make a dollhouse doll, since I have need of one or two for my doll house. I love her pieces, and it is great to know that they work up quickly.

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  18. I think I would like to try and make a fairy. Embroidering the clothes looks like it would be lots of fun. :) Would love to win the book.

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  19. Oh, this looks so wonderful! I love that little forest family all in green. I have her first book and love it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. I have brought both of your books to my job. Several of my crafty co-workers and I have spent time after hours making some wonderful wee ones. Just looking through your books brings a smile to my face. Have a happy Tuesday.

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  21. I would make a fairy, which may lead to a whole family. Would love to pore over the book!

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  22. Your brothers are adorable and if I had to pick where to start, I'd probably start with elves too.
    Thank you for the chance to win.

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  23. I believe I would just have to make a child on a snow disc... fond memories of my boys sliding down snowy hills that way! I love the whimsy and artistry of Salley Mavor!
    Caroline in San Carlos

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  24. I am lucky to live in the same state as Salley and have had a few times to met her at book signings and gallery talks. I have both books and I have made a few fairies and people already--I think I would like to make the queen and king next.

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  25. these little guys are too cute. I am sure some of them should like to live at my house. They would be safe and warm. Fed well and loved.

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  26. as I am a mother , and sadly needing to frequently stand as mother to many , I would select a mother figure to make. Thank you for a chance see other visions. Happily your sons appear to be inspiration.

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  27. My favorite characters are the fairies ... at least for today. Each day it changes :)

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  28. I think I would make a skier first, although the gnomes are very very cute.

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  29. Your boys are adorable. I expect they'll be into things soon, they look so mischievous.

    I've made two boys from the first book and now I need to make two little girls. I'll know more about them when I see the book!

    Thanks for participating in the blog hop. It's been so fun.

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  30. I love the dolls you made!
    I would like to make fairies for my daughter.
    Thank you so much for the giveaway.

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  31. The elfin brothers are so cute! I think I'd make one brother andone sister ;-)

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  32. Thank you for this opportunity. How can I choose a favorite character without first visiting with them in my working area? They are all so wonderful! I got to see a display of her birds in Phoenix in January. It was breathtaking!

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  33. Hurray for you making two sweet little elves! I have the same confession to make. I've had the first book for years and periodically get it down and soak in its loveliness, but so far I haven't made a doll. I even love to embroider and work with felt. I'm sure this new book will get me off my duff and on to making!

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  34. Ohhhh I love Salley! I have her first book and now I want this new one!! I would make the Nativity Scene first!

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  35. Your little elfin brothers are just lovely, I think I'd have to have a go at a flower fairy first of all just because they are so pretty.

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  36. My crafting adventure would begin with the Elf brothers!! SOOOOOO cute!!!!!!

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  37. I think I'd start with the Royals because I want to make tiny crowns.

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  38. Start with the elfins and work my way to the story book characters!! Oh would love to add this one to the craft library!
    xoxoxoxoxoxox maureen

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  39. Love how expressive your faces are - were they difficult to paint on the beads? I'd love to make a bride doll as I have lots of old lace and I'd give it to my daughter on her anniversary.

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  40. These are all so adorable! I think I would make the girl with the hat and the vest in the first photo.

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  41. I would make two elf boys like you, because that is what I have too!
    Your faces are perfection, I can only dream of being that precise with paint and brush. Love your peg dolls too.

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    1. Hi Deborah -- I have found that precision painting requires the right brush. You can see my tiny my brush in one of the photos above, in this post. The size on the brush is labeled 18/0. Maybe that will help?!

      Best wishes,
      mb

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  42. In the snow scene pictured, I'd make the little girl with brunette hair in the lower right-hand corner of the photo.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  43. I would make some kind of fairy with heavily embroidered clothes. Such good ideas for decorating their outfits!

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  44. Her first Wee Felt Book has sat around my house for years. I would love to have the new one! I don't know what characters she has in this book to choose from, but I have always wanted to make a flower fairy and just never got it done. Your elfin boys turned out wonderfully!

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  45. I have enjoyed Salley's blog for over a year. Her dolls are wonderful. I would make my daughter and son into wee dolls.
    Carol b(cc)

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  46. Hi Margaret, Trying again. I love Salley's dolls and would like to make some dolls house dolls.

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  47. I would love to make her Nativity set, and the dollhouse dolls.

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  48. I am smitten with the elves. I have a woodlands garden and would love to hid some elves in knotholes in the trees. Fairies would be enchanting playing underneath the wild flowers.

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  49. I too love elves and fairy dolls so these would be my first makes.
    Your elven boys are adorable.

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  50. would love to win this doll making book. The grandkids will love it whether I win or buy. Thanks for being part of the giveaway. Discovered your blog a few weeks ago and am enjoying.

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  51. I collect nativities and would love to make one using Sally's ideas. Thank you for this offer. Love your blog.

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  52. I would make the Nativity, starting with the family and making a driftwood stable. There would have to be an angel, somI would adapt a fairy for it. Then I'd add the other people later with a shepherd and a lamb before the kings. I noticed none of the dolls pictured have the "fingers" Salley has been doing of late. They are such tiny fingers! Thanks for a chance to win her book!

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  53. I just discovered this blog and the book (and all other related things), and I'm hooked!

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  54. I have her first book and I LOVE it! Doll house dolls, I want to make doll house dolls. Generations of them!

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  55. The woodland family is adorable. I would love to make a whole scene.

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  56. Id love to win a copy of this book!! I'd love to learn how to make fairies for my daughter!!

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  57. You chose for me. I would have loved to have grown up next door to yourself and Sally as neighbours, naturally with a woods behind, a brook and a rundown old house hidden in the forest (for the friendly witches of course). Can you imagine the games we would have played, the fairy houses built and the games that would continue for days on end. Margaret, you and Sally are still playing and enjoying all the fun. What's more you are still sharing all those good things of childhood. Please, never grow up. Can I come and play in your backyard.

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  58. Have enjoyed making many peg dolls with your first book, and your second is on my wish list along with Salley's. I think I'd start with a dollhouse or woodland family. Love the little sheep, too! Thanks for chance to win!

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  59. I love her books and yours, you gals make an awesome team of inspiration. thanks much-

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  60. This is Nancy K. I am not trying to be anonymous; it's just that I am not sure how to use the other options.

    First of all, may I compliment you on your charming, precious elfin brothers? (In fact, that is what I would love to make, because I have two sons myself, and your little dolls remind me of them.) I love how you placed the grape hyacinth in their arms to show scale. Your eye for detail is amazing.

    I discovered your blog via Salley's, and I am so grateful to both of you for the inspiration and delight that you bring to my days.

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  61. Commenting on behalf of Dianne K.

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  62. I am inspired by Salley's self portrait to try and make a piece to depict our family history- our wedding, the arrival of our kids, major adventures, arrival of animal family members, to the place we live now. Thanks for the opportunity! Your wee boys are wonderful.

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  63. I am interested in making the dolls in the nativity scene. Or the farmer in his overalls-so cute! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  64. Ooh, I am excited for this book! They all look so fun!

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  65. Flower fairies! Spring is coming...

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