Been a long time!

 I haven’t been making many dolls in 2022.  I have done sketches but have been creating books both cloth and paper.  I also have crocheted about 7 shawls-some for myself and some for gifts.  But back to dolls.  I did make one for the 2022 Senior Art Show.  She is a pirate with a pet fox Vixen who guards treasure.  I was inspired by a silk chiffon skirt and other clothes for recycle.  I also created a fox mask for her but only gave her an eyepatch to wear for the show.  She took second in her category. 

Vixen guarding Treasure

Here she is with her fox mask too.

I also planned on creating a. “Mate” for her.  Sketched him a few years ago but they would go together perfectly!

I have also been making Snippet rolls around wooden birdhouses.  A trinket roll is a strip of fabric pieced from small scraps then embroidered.  I have finished Spring, Summer and Autumn.  Just Winter to do.

Autumn and Spring rolled on birdhouses.  Leaves on roof are Gelli Plate printed recycled coffee filters.

Closeup of Autumn roof.

Backside of the snippet roll.  Created a stamp from diecut fun foam.  PLeased with the result.

At the end of rack roll I have a hidden message/quote.  One of my favorites by Rachel Carlson.

Final picture is the front of the Autumn roll completed.  The buttons that hold the rolls closed are Pearl buttons with a floral decal.

Waiting For the Train gets a new hat and goggles

 I entered this doll into the 2020 Monmouth County Senior Art Show.  There is a size limitation and her current hat put her over the limit so I made her a new one-a boater and added a pair of goggles.  The goggles are made from wire and die cut mini gears all covered with Metal tape then colored with alcohol inks and embellished with tiny metal wings.  I also placed her on a larger base because I want to add a gate sign and a low chain and barrier around 3 sides of the base.  Think the sign will say Gate 9 1/2!  Stay tuned!  

She won first place in the Professional Sculpture category and got an Honorable Mention in the State Show.  

This year I entered "The Game's Afoot" in the County show and she won 1st place.  Judging for the State show is next Month.  I will try to post a page with the goggle directions for anyone interested!

It has been too long....

 I can't believe it has been over a year since my last post!  I have been busy despite the pandemic and have created a few dolls in celebration of a few holidays.  The first one is the Keeper of Kind Hearts inspired by Valentines day.  I originally sketched the design a few years ago, 2015 for the Hoffman Challenge but went in a totally different direction.  Her face is a cloth on cloth reuse of a reject head.  I wanted her to look old but sweet and kindly.  Gave her a gold front tooth too!.

Her apron is filled with hearts left in her keeping.  She is holding flower comprised of hearts and she has a heart on the bib of her apron.  I had made so many hearts I needed to create something for her to carry them in so she has a sheer heart shaped bag.

Here is a pic of her completed.  Her beautiful hair is handspin and dyed yarn I purchased from a vendor on Etsy.  the colors match so well with her outfit.  I added a strip of lace hearts to control her bun and a few Heart pins.  She is swathed in lots of lace and sheer fabrics over petit prints to soften her look further.

Her shoes are ultra suede trimmed with lace and buttons.

She if fully armatured, stands about 18" and is permanently mounted on a wooden base.  The base if painted and then a design was stenciled on using tinted Modeling paste.  

A close up of her face showing her "age" and her gold

tooth.  Lastly is a pic of her flower with heart shaped petals.

Thanks for looking!  More - St Patty's day, Halloween, and of course Christmas!  Just have to relearn posting!

Latest Doll - The Game Is Afoot!

I have a client who was very interested in Waiting for the Train but I am not ready to sell her yet and I don't duplicate dolls, so I came up with another Steampunk design influenced by Sherlock Holmse.  To my surprise, she loves all things Sherlock!

Preliminary Sketch and fabric pull.


Pics of her completed.
The red trim is crocheted from rayon thread salvaged from a Leather dress and Jacket I purchased at a Thrift Shop.  Her Magnifying glass is layers of paper cut out on my Cricut that I laminated together then added a lens cut from a piece of packing plastic.  Her Parasol does not open, but her books do! The hat, cape, and belt are removable.  I made the hatbox below to ship the hat so it didn't get crushed.  Her necklace is a cameo from an earring.  Her face is cloth over clay over cloth.  The arm bands are satin ribbon with tiny brass buckles.  Her Belt is silk as is her purse.  Keys other charms hang from her belt.  The tag on her carpet bag-made from upholstery samples-has her address.  Surprisingly she lives in the same building as Sherlock but a different apartment.  All the stripes on her overskirt match.  The pleated ruffle is the same fabric.  Her Corset is a paisley brocade with tiny brass button trim.

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The hat box with the hat and her personalized tag inside.  It is made from cardstock with a chipboard top and bottom.  Satin ribbon trims the top and is used for the handle.  The top and bottom inside is lined with satin.

I wanted to give her a skeptical look as she peered through her Magnifying Glass with her one eyebrow raised.  He is wearing a Deerstalker cap made from the same homespun as her cape.  It is completely lined and the flaps can also tie under the chin.  Her hair is a piece of Lambskin that I curled then pulled the hair back and contained it in a bun.  The bun is enclosed in a crocheted snood from the red rayon thread. Above is a closeup of her carpet Bag.  The large book, a Forensics Handbook can be removed and attached to her belt if desired.  The small composition note book is also removable though its pages are empty.  The parasol is the same silk as her belt and edged in red lace.  Her shoes are the same fabric as her ruffled underskirt with buff faux suede spats.  They have beads on the side in lieu of buttons and are trimmed in the same crocheted rayon thread.

Inside of the Forensics Handbook.  Her petticoat is constructed from a vintage doily with tulle ruffles underneath. It barely peeks out from her skirt and keeps it flared

My client was very please and I am now onto the next doll.  I am designing a new body style a bit more zaftig!  She is inspired by the sun so she will be all yellows and oranges.

Thanks for looking!

Another new doll

I taught this weekend at AFICC and had a wonderful time with some great Dollmaker's!  There was an anthropomorphic challenge and the teachers are encourages to enter so I created The Fairies New Shoes.  Lots of freemotion and machine embroidery.  She was chosen People's Choice!  I am thrilled! Here are some pics.

A New Doll

I recently completed this Steampunk doll.  I loved that stripe on her skirt-it has metallic goldin it- and really wanted to miter them.

Rag Bag Gals Summer Swap

Covers. 

I finally created a book to hold all the RBG Summer Swap pages.  The pages measure 4" x 6" and are both landscape and portrait.  I thought I would make it a gate fold cover and make the book 7" x 7".   Here are pics of the finished book.

Book open to first pages.  They overlap a bit in the center since they are 4" wide and the book is 7".

Pages open showing the two page orientations.  I attached pieces of lace to the spine side of the pages then attached the lace to the spine.

Spine with buttons as decoration.  They are sewed along the same lines as the lace was attached.

View looking down into the book.

Book Back.