I've been a big fan of Wendi Gratz's blog Shiny Happy World for a long while now. I admire Wendi's goal of showing everyone that they can, indeed, learn to sew. No matter how new or intimidated you may be, no matter how many bad Home Ec. memories you may be harboring, you can get out a needle and thread right now, today, and create something awesome. Now that is a sentiment I can get behind!
Among the things I've found most useful on Shiny Happy World are the short, informative videos Wendi has made that demystify all the ins and outs of sewing. Everyone can learn something from these instructional videos, beginners and experienced sewers alike.
This video that teaches you how to tie a knot once you thread a needle totally blew my mind. I had never seen this technique before (Wendi's mother-in-law taught it to her!), but it is quick and so full-proof that it has changed how I tie knots for good. I highly recommend taking a bit of time to watch as many of Wendi's videos as you can. You'll learn all kinds of things that will make you a better sewist. I promise!
I was thrilled when Wendi asked me if I'd like to do a giveaway of one of her adorably spooky Halloween softies on my blog.
Wendi would like one of you to have "Frank" (pictured above) as your very own. My kids would go nuts for this guy. I can just see him sitting at their little table as one of the "students" when they play school. I'll bet he misbehaves.
Wendi originall made Frank to show how to take a basic toy pattern, in this case a pattern for a boy doll, and make it up in different fabrics and with different embroidered details to turn it into something entirely new, in this case a monster!
She also did him as Vlad the vampire. Isn't that cool? 
I love the idea of taking something you already know how to make and using different fabrics and embroidered details to create something entirely new. Check out how Wendi used her basic rag doll pattern to make a witch, too.
If you would like to win Frank and have him at your house this Halloween simply leave a comment on this post. I'll draw a winner on Thursday morning at 9 am Eastern time. And Wendi will ship Frank anywhere in the world so everyone is eligible. Good luck and thank you, Wendi!
*And if you don't win, or if you'd just like to make your own version of Frank or Vlad (or someone entirely new!), the pattern for Frank is right here in Wendi's Etsy shop.
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And the winner is…..#15 Elaine!
Congratulations, Elaine! I hope that Frank is a good Halloween friend for you!
Thank you, everyone, for playing. This was fun!
Simply adorable! WANT!
This is soooooo weird! I just found Wendi on YouTube while trying to figure out what needle-turn applique is, and her video was so helpful that just a minute ago I subscribed to her blog. Then I opened Google Reader, and here you are talking about her! So weird. Anyway, this is the coolest Frank I’ve ever seen! My son (and daughter, too!) would go nuts over him 🙂
ooo, that looks fun! My son would freak over it!
thanks for sharing.
oh I love Frank! If I don’t win him I’m definitely buying the pattern.
Sew cute! My kids would love him. Halloween is our favorite holiday!
My son would love one of these to sit on his bed, and it would save me from having to make one when I am flat out already.
Very Cool! Would make a great addition to our house.
Frank is cool – he’d fit right in in our house with all the other weird & wonderful softies!
Thank you for recommending Wendi’s blog, it looks wonderfully exciting! I would love Frank!
So cute! Please come live with me frank! 🙂
he’s adorable! thanks for including all those links i love checking out different techniques and patterns!
So cute! Thanks for the chance 🙂
I love Frank – he is charming and sweet! Thanks for the chance!
Love this guy!! I’d also really like to learn how to make dolls and will check out Wendi’s video. Thanks so much!
Wow! Wendi’s blog is fantastic; thanks for the link. I shall be spending a lot of time looking round.
I’d also love to win Frank. He’s very cute 🙂
Thanks for sharing Wendi’s blog! I’d never seen it before and it’s great! Halloween is my favorite holiday and the Frank doll is super cute. I love to crochet toys and between your blog and hers I’m dying to learn how to sew them, too.
Oh! An introduction to a fabulous new sew-ery blog AND a chance to have Frank come live here on top of my Hilltop Town. Yes please.
Frank would be so happy at our house. Love Shiny Happy World and glad she introduced us to you as well. Looking forward to exploring your blog. Now if only I could win Frank…
Love your blog – inspiration in every post! Frank would be perfect for my own beloved “monsters”!
Love the Frank! And thanks for the tip about the videos. I don’t sew…yet…so these should be perfect for me.
I love Wendi’s patterns and blog and I would love to have Frank come live with me!
I love Wendy’s tutorials–she is teaching me to embroider! Frank can come live at my house!
Frank really needs to come live at my house. Thank you for the giveaway.
It has been so much fun to watch your work as it evolves and I love this sort of out of character for you. I love the stocking too.
I love the idea of the same pattern different fabrics and embroidery!
Oh! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
Wendi is da bomb!
WOOOO… a doll for my boy. Hope to win!
I love it! I’ve been obsessed over soft toys lately and these are great! Thanks for sharing!
I love his button-down shirt!
My girls would flip!
beckymac1 at hotmail dot com
This Frank doll is TOO cute! I love him!
So cute!! Sign me up please! 🙂
Oh my, what a cool guy!
I love that his shirt looks like it was made using an old oxford work shirt! How sweet! At my house we’re still into the friendly/spooky celebration of Halloween so he would fit in perfectly!