2-day Santa

I just finished this Sleepytime Santa after two days of sewing and stuffing. Tomorrow he'll get his official photo. It's been unbearably warm in the studio, though today was better than yesterday. Now I must attend to the neglected dishes and vacuuming.

I may have time for another doll before leaving for Orlando at the end of the week, though I should probably do a bit of studying for my PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) recertification on Friday.

Updated: official photoshoot

Viola Ruth Update

I might still be in my pajamas, but I'm on a painting roll. I've finished painting the faces on these "Viola Ruth" dolls, and have started on the hair. I promise to get dressed while waiting for the paint to dry.

 

After the hair is done, I'll start adding the shading and highlights to the face. Then I'll decide if I want to apply an antiquing wash. The clothing is done. I WILL finish these dolls today!

 

Afternoon Update:

 

Got 'em done!

Well Shoot!

Looks like I'm going to have to find another source for a slideshow on my home page. Photobucket is no longer working here, but at least it was functional on my website the last time I looked. No time to search BlogSpot for a widget for the time being. Bummer.

Counting Down to ODACA Day

Just a little over a month 'til ODACA Day and the UFDC Conference in Orlando, and I'm trying to take advantage of any free time to make some dolls to take with me.

Currently, I'm working on two Viola Ruth dolls. I haven't made this particular doll since 2012 when I used this pattern for my Hoffman Challenge entry, and 2008 before that.

I'm still refining their heads while I begin sewing their clothing. Their faces (and the back of their heads) are made of polymer clay. These pieces sandwich the stuffed cloth head, and paperclay fills the gaps. The head on the left is a little over-baked, but better than undercooked. Polymer clay that isn't completely cured can disintegrate over time. When I'm satisfied the smoothness of the paperclay, the heads will be covered with knit fabric, then painted.

Afternoon Update:

I spent several hours sewing the pinafores. Dresses and bloomers remain, but I think I'm done for the day.

Columbia River

Just sharing a view from one of our local hang-outs in Astoria. This was taken off Pier 11.

Number 3, Finished

I had a chance to sew her shoes while my grandson was napping, and photographed her after he was picked up. Like the other two, she's about 19 1/2 inches tall. 

Now I get to decide which doll(s) to make next. I've got less than two months before leaving for Orlando, and that time will go quickly.

Number 3 in the works

Here's the last and third in a series of "Under the Harvest Moon" dolls I've been working on. All three have been reduced to 90% of the original. I'm using dupioni silk again, which is a bear to work with but so pretty. Her clothing will be fall colors. She'll probably have brown eyes and auburn hair.

Like the other two, I'm using one of my favorite fabrics for the doll - Complexion Collection by Timeless Treasures.

 

I'm also printing a few art prints to fulfill an order. Since each one takes about 15 minutes to print, I'm making a few extra while I work on this doll.

Another One Finished!

I just finished sewing shoes for this second of three Harvest Moon dolls. This one is also reduced to 90% of the original doll. She has jointed shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees. Her hair is Tibetan lamb on the hide. Clothing is removable.

On the work table...

Today is a good day to work in the studio. The laundry is done; house is reasonable clean. Here is the second of three "Harvest Moon" dolls. I had quite a time picking out fabrics for the clothing on this one (always a challenge when I have vowed to buy no more fabric). I've chosen a floral for her skirt (yellow, green, purple). I found some coordinating dupioni silk for her lower legs.

I have now idea what type of hair this one will have; I've got a lot of options.

 

Afternoon Update:

 

With the exception of her shoes, the clothing is finished. I've chosen dark brown Tibetan lamb for her hair and will start sewing her wig.

 

Here I've ironed the freezer paper template to the hide side of the Tibetan lamb and drawn along the paper edge with pen. I'll use a #11 scalpel blade to cut the hide.

 

Using a scalpel blade instead of scissors preserves the hair which is frequently inadvertently cut when using scissors.  

Finally, a Doll

This recently finished doll was just waiting for her official photo. She's made from my "Under the Harvest Moon" pattern, reduced to 90% of the original, so she's about 20 inches tall. I have two other bodies sewn, so I'll try to get one of them stuffed today - I just need to pick fabrics for the clothing so I can coordinate the color of the lower legs.