Nashville Friends! Next Sunday, December 16th my friends at Little Art House are having a paper doll class featuring my Girl Friends characters. I illustrated a paper doll set just for this class! Each set includes 8 Girl Friends characters and over 16 outfits + accessories. This paper doll set is a color + cut out activity. To register for the class head here.
Happy News! We’re releasing new Girl Friend dolls. Four new girls will be joining the Girl Friends crew. The new doll panels ship to stores this month. Just in time for the Holidays! Since creating the Girl Friends, I’ve found that character development is something that I really enjoy. It was a treat drawing and developing their personalities. So, pull up a chair and let me introduce you to the new girls.
Books, books, and more books. Bailey is the official Girl Friends bookworm. Super smart and wise. That’s our Bailey! When she is not buried deep in the pages of a book, Bailey uses her knowledge to explore and voice her passions.
Shy and quiet, yet creatively bold, Kensie is a budding artist. She uses her love of art and design to sew her own clothes. Her most treasured accessory is her doodle sketchbook found in her backpack.
Meet Piper. Piper is tenderhearted and dedicated to helping others. The youngest of the Girl Friends, Piper can be found volunteering at a shelter or conducting a neighborhood cleanup wearing her big heart.
Jules is our wide eyed wonder. She enjoys exploring the world around her. Jules has an curious spirit about how things work. This curiosity usually leads to tinkering, creating and experimenting. Future goals? To be a scientist and invent something grand.
Let’s discuss the panels. We kept the overall layout of the doll panels the same as the first set of set. There’s four characters per panel. One of the BEST things about the dolls is dressing them in different clothes. So, we also included a second panel with accessories for your dolls. There’s a little something for everyone – super hero capes, mermaid tails, a football, skirts and even pizza. Be sure to read about her sewing faqs and tips here.
(All photos by Mary Craven Photography, except for photos 6, 11, 14, 20, 25, 27-31 & all animated photos).
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The Girl Friends were very excited about their costumes this year. Some (ahem, Kat) decided to keep their costume from last year. But, I can’t blame her? That pumpkin costume is the cutest. They’re all cute as buttons and ready for some candy!
Pet lover, Elle is a bumble bee!
Lulu is a super hero. And baker entrepreneur, Lucy Claire, is a scientist.
Our playful Ginger is a whimsical unicorn. Fits her personality perfectly! And crafty girl, Molly, is a fairy. Her costume was made using things she already had . . . she’s pretty nifty.
Who’s that hiding behind flower petals? It’s Zoe’s cousin, XO. Her costume is a gem.
(photos by Kelle)
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I am so excited to introduce you to the brand new Ann Kelle online shop. (Yay! Cue the confetti!) My new online shop is full of colorful art prints, novelty buttons and more. Many of you have requested art prints and I’m so happy you’ll be able to add these to your space.
This is a new venture for me and I’m a bit nervous. I wanted to thank you for taking the Ann Kelle journey with me – whether you ordered my personalized stationery from Tiny Prints, sewed with my fabric or shopped for my stationery in Target way back when. It is sincerely appreciated and I’m so thankful for each of you..
I’ll be updating the shop with new prints and products often. Some items will forever go into retirement, so get them while they’re available! And because I’m a small business (and super nervous about this new path!), there are limited quantities, so shop NOW! I’d LOVE to hear your feedback and what else you’d like to see.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! xoxo, Kelle + The Girl Friends
Thank you so much for all your kind comments about the Girl Friends doll sewing panels. I thought I’d do a follow-up post with more specific information regarding the doll panels. Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Here’s a few sewing tips for the panels from some of my sewing friends:
(all photos by Kelle)
I’ve received a lot of inquiries on where to purchase the Girl Friends doll sewing panels. A great starting place is to check the Robert Kaufman’s ‘Where To Buy’ section to locate stores nearby that you can contact to see if they are carrying the fabric panels. There are also online fabric stores that are carrying them. I’ve listed a few stores below. I’m sure there are stores that I’ve missed. If your store is not on the list, please leave a comment or email me. I’m happy to add your store to the list. Some stores have already sold out.
Gotham Quilts
Crosscut Sewing Co. (and here)
E-Quilter (and here)
Fabric.com (and here)
Fabric Shack Stores (and here)
Fashionable Fabrics
Firecracker Fabrics
Over The Rainbow
Sew Creative Petersfield (UK)
Strawberry Quiltcake
Studio Jespen
Stitch Stash Diva (and here)
Bless My Stitches Quilt Shop
Fabrications
Tiny Stitches Quilt Shop
Quilt N Things
I Love Kutchi
(photo by Kelle)
Say “hello” to the Girl Friends’ Doll Sewing Panels. Man, do I love these girls! The Girl Friends are an adventurous group of friends. Their very first fabric release was in 2012 as mermaids. Since then, they traveled the world as princesses, ballerinas, fairies, superheroes, school kids, athletes, career girls and astronauts. Many of you have joined the Girl Friends’ fabric journey making some of the most amazing goodies. You’ve even reached out to me personally to express appreciation for the girls and share how much they mean to you. Despite following along with their adventures in the world of fabric, a mystery still remains. Who are the Girl Friends? What are their names? Who’s the red head? Do they have any hobbies? Well, the time has come for you to TRULY meet them. So, grab a glass of lemonade, pull up a seat, and allow me to introduce you to the Girl Friends.
Say “hi” to Zoe. Zoe is my lifelong pal. As a nine year old, drawing her never got old. Always sporting a pink tutu with a top bun, Zoe is unapologetically spunky and quirky. Favorite accessory? Her superhero cape, of course.
This is Molly. Molly has a gentle boldness about her. She is a girl about action. A few of Molly’s favorite things include the color yellow, crafting and sewing.
Meet Elle. Elle is a perfectionist and a true pet lover. Just ask her pet bird, Charlie! Elle has a huge heart for helping her human and animal friends. When Elle grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian.
Next up we have our girl, Lucy Claire. The culinary genius of the Girl Friends, Lucy Claire believes that life’s menu includes loud laughs with friends, skateboard adventures and a basket of baked goods. You can always count on Lucy Claire to come up with the coolest cookie flavors. This girl’s favorite accessories include her pink and yellow mixing bowls, polka dot apron and her super special skateboard.
XO (pronounced like the letter “X” and “O”) is the new girl on the block in the world of the Girl Friends. XO is wise beyond her years and has a heart of gratitude. XO has a sense of awe and wonder about the world. She looks forward to having more adventures with her cousin, Zoe, and the other Girl Friends.
Lulu is our quiet adventurer. A songwriter, Lulu is often chosen to be team captain and is never short on sport analogies that she uses to motivate her friends including her best friend, Zoe.
Full of fun and moxie, Ginger is our resident red head. Ginger is the playful prankster and loves making her friends laugh. She feels like life’s greatest gifts are the moments and memories we share with friends and family. Recently, she and Lulu started a band, however her role in the band is yet to be determined because with Ginger . . . you never know what you’re going to get.
Artist, writer, poet, that’s our girl, Kat. While XO exudes wisdom beyond her years, Kat is the nostalgic old soul in the group. She enjoys handwritten letters, thank you notes and colorful stationery with matching stickers. Kat loves color and words and is ready to use the world as her canvas.
A special thanks to all the adorable models + Moms. You guys were great to work with and did an awesome job!
(all photos by Mary Craven Photography, except for animated gifs and photos 5, 13, 17, 22, 27, 30, 35, 40-41)
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane! My Girl Friends fabric collection is one that is near and dear to my heart. Although, their very first fabric collection debuted in August 2012, I had been drawing one of the girl since I was eight or nine. I would draw her over and over again. She was a ballerina, wore her hair in a top bun and always had on pink. It’s honestly crazy cool to see her on fabric.
The other girls in the fabric collection came a bit later in life. Through the years, I’ve been fortunate to have some really great friends. The type of friends that have your back no matter what. We’ve been there for each other through those gut-wrenching, devastating times and those truly awesome “I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening times.” We each have our own personality. Some have short hair, some long. Others rock fros and then some of us have super straight hair. We’re all different, but the same. Those types of friends are a God-send. And my Girl Friends collection is based on those friendships. We live in different cities, but each time we’re together, new memories are formed and adventures are shared, as shown in the Girl Friends line.
The Girl Friends first adventure was being mermaids.
Next up, they put on their tutus and gathered their hair in top knots as ballerinas.
Then, they were elegantly dressed in gowns while jeweled crowns adorned their heads, as princesses. (April 2013)
The put on their wings and flew around as fairies in January 2014.
Showing a bit more of their personality, they explored careers in April 2015.
They’ve also made appearances in other fabric collections. They were super heros in Super Kids (June 2013), school girls in Back to school (April 2016), dressed in costumes in Pumpkin Fun (March 2016), played all types of sports in Sports Kids (March 2016) and became astronauts in Space Explorers (November 2016). They’re a busy bunch of girls.
There are seven main girls in the group. Each of them has them has a name and their own personalities. And very soon, I’m SO excited to share, that you’ll learn a bit more about them.
(photos by Kelle)
Looking for some cute tutorials for the newest Girl Friends “Career” fabric? Well, look no further. Here are some great tutorials that will add lots of colors and happiness to your home. The Star Quilt and Pom Pom Pillows are also a kit over at Craftsy. You can find the Rainbow Building Blocks free right here.
(January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August/ September / October / November)
For the past year, I have shared monthly illustrations of The Girl Friends. Today marks the 12th illustration! There were months that I wasn’t sure I would be able to do an illustration, but I thankfully, I was able to contribute to the monthly series (even if it was very last minute). I hope you’ve enjoyed them! You might see some of them in the future! To review all the post, I’ve included links above.
(January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August/ September / October )
copyright 2015 Ann Kelle
(This year I’m sharing monthly illustrations of The Girl Friends. See all of them here: January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August/September)
Umm, how is it already the last day of October? For this month’s illustration, the girl’s gathered together to pick pumpkins, while dressed in costumes.
(copyright 2015 Ann Kelle)
(This year I’m sharing monthly illustrations of The Girl Friends. See all of them here: January / February / March / April / May / June / July / August)
For this month’s illustration, the girl’s gathered together to take a ballet class.
(copyright 2015 Ann Kelle)
(This year I’m sharing monthly illustrations of The Girl Friends. See all of them here: January / February / March / April / May / June)
The girls headed to the beach for my July illustration of the “Girl Friends”! Swim, surf, build sandcastles, play in the sand, repeat.
(illustration by Ann Kelle’s / 2015 Copyright)
(This year I’m sharing monthly illustrations of The Girl Friends. See all of them here: January / February / March / April / May)
Happy National Donut Day! Donuts are one of my favorite sweets. I’ve eaten them, thought about them, drawn them, and even floated in them. So, with today being “donut day”, I thought it would be fun for the girls to get decked out in their donut attire complete with hair clips and sunnies. I hope your day is full of lots of sprinkles and maybe even a donut. Have a great day!
(illustration by Ann Kelle)
It’s been fun sharing monthly illustrations of my Girl Friends. (See all of them here: January / February / March). For this month, I thought I would also share the inspiration behind the drawing with you.
Several years ago, my friends and I (whom the Girl Friends collection is based on) were together in New York City. It was our last evening and we decided to do some “touristy” type of things and walk through Broadway Street. All of a sudden, without warning, it started pouring down rain. (Like “cats any dog” kind of rain). If you know New York, you know that Broadway Street is a super busy area. We tried rush to the nearest shelter, but with the crowds, it was nearly impossible. So, there we were. Drenched. From top to bottom. We couldn’t get out of the rain and there were crowds of people everywhere! With the sound of taxis honking their horns, lights from the buildings glaring into our eyes, and loads of people on the sidewalks, I was about to panic. We looped our arms into each other so we wouldn’t be separated from the enormous crowds. Somewhere, in the midst of this stormy, chaotic situation, one of us made a joke. Instead of being annoyed at the situation or mad that our hair and clothes were soaked, we laughed. I remember laughing so hard, I could barely walk. I forgot about the downpour. I looked up at the sky and let the rain pour down on my face. And instead of running from the rain, I embraced this moment with my friends. There’s going to be storms in life, but God always seems to make it better. Maybe it’s through good friends and laughter or perhaps a stranger provides an umbrella. Whatever it is, He’s always there. And instead of hiding from the rain, you’ll want to dance!
(artwork by Ann Kelle / copyright 2015)
I’m so happy to introduce you to my new Girl Friends fabric prints. Can you believe we’re on the 5th release? (Sixth if you count Super Kids.) The theme of this fabric collection is careers. It was so, so hard narrowing down the careers. (Maybe there should be a part 2?) My hope for this fabric line is that when little girls see this fabric, they know anything is possible. When it comes to selecting a career, there’s so much you can do . . . from a veterinarian to an artist to a contractor! And sometimes, you might do several things in a lifetime. Included in this fabric group are panels, as well as the regular all over design. It comes in two color ways. This fabric collection ships to stores July 20th.
Here’s run down of the careers: chef/baker, photographer, doctor, astronaut, artist, musician, teacher, sewer, scientist, veterinarian and contractor.
We’re also releasing bundles of the entire Girl Friends collections (mermaid, ballerinas, fairies, princess and careers)!
(photos by Lulu)
Birthdays are the best. But, birthdays with friends are even better! So all the Girl Friends, including their turtle and birdie friend, are here to celebrate.
(artwork by Ann Kelle / Copyright 2015)
Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s not just a gushy-kinda-romantc love day. It’s a day to throw heart-shaped confetti in the air. Share a cupcake with your best friend. Wear the color pink from head to toe (actually, you should do that everyday). It’s the perfect day to make a handmade card for someone you care about. We hope you have a very happy Valentine’s Day – from your friends, The Girl Friends.
(artwork by Ann Kelle)
Starting this month, I’m going to share with you illustrations of the Girl Friends along with a little story. So, before January is over and done with, here is my story/illustration for this month . . .
Snow days are the best! You get to sleep in, cozy up to a warm cup of hot coco and of course, play in the snow. Once bundled up and outside, you can make snow angels, build a friendly snowman or have a snow ball fight. You can even lace up your ice skates and take a twirl on the ice. Snow days are random, special days. But, the best thing about them is when you get to share them with friends.
(story and artwork by Ann Kelle / Copyright 2015)
I couldn’t be more happier to share with you my newest fabric collection, Super Kids. And my collection wouldn’t complete without my girls. Girls are super heros, too. Stores will be able to order Super Kids on July 3 and shipment to stores begins August 20th. So, be sure to tell your local quilt shop to be on the lookout.
(photos by Kelle)
I’m so happy to share with you my next adventure for my girls. The friends are gathering together for the royal treatment . . . princesses. I can’t believe we’ve released three prints for the Girl Friends collection. This fabric will be released this month. What will you make with it?
See other Girl Friends prints here:
Girl Friends “Mermaids”
Girl Friends “Ballerinas”
(photos by Kelle)
