Life Book 2016 April Lessons

http://willowing.ning.com/

 

http://www.robenmarie.com/


http://bybun.com/


http://effybird.com/

See my Life Book 2013 pages HERE
or Life Book 2014 HERE
or Life Book 2015 HERE

Life Book 2016 May Lessons

http://www.wyanne.com/


http://www.paulineagnew.com/

https://renataloree.com/


http://www.kristindudish.com/


http://www.flowbyjenny.com/en

 

See my Life Book 2013 pages HERE

or Life Book 2014 HERE
or Life Book 2015 HERE

Ongoing progress

Today I started painting the layers of Messy Mix onto my Verity/Alice doll. Her head/bust will eventually have at least five layers of this concoction. The arms will not need as many layers.

In between coats, I searched for (and found) a pattern from an old book I used back in 2009 to make a Pumpkinhead doll (because the shape of the stuffed head was so odd). I've wanted to make another of these dolls for several years and if I don't start it now while the season is upon us, I'll put it off for another year. In the photo below, Pumpkinhead has a coat of while glue on the head and bust. When this dries, I'll begin layering and sculpting in paperclay.

 

Blog posts about my original Pumpkinhead:

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/09/raining-again.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/10/dont-judge-me-by-my-filthy-oven.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/10/pumpkin-head-painting-done.html

 

And finished doll:

http://www.blueherondolls.com/Pumpkinhead.htm

On the Worktable

It's been a very busy summer. I've finally been able to get some sewing done. I don't usually agree to commissions because free time is pretty scarce, but I made an exception for a collector I met at ODACA Day in Washington DC. She wanted an Alice doll like the one I made for that show/sale.

 

I'm using my "Verity" doll pattern with some modifications to the lower legs and costuming. I hope I can find another vintage hankie suitable for her apron.

 

My goal today is to stuff the arms, sculpt the face, and apply the layers of Messy Mix.

Successful ODACA Day

This year's ODACA Day at the UFDC Convention in Washington, D.C was a great success. I don't think I've seen so many Artists in the sales room, and we welcomed six new Artist Members!

 

The ODACA website will feature these new members at its next update.

 

My husband and I had three days to enjoy the city and get in as many museums as we could during our short stay, but there was still much to see.

 

Next year's convention will be in Orlando, Florida.

So few dolls

This is it.

The only dolls I'll be taking to Washington DC for ODACA Day.

This small group represents many hours of work.

I'm going to have to spread them around like peas on a kid's plate.

Cecelia, finished

I've finally finished my ODACA Helper doll, Cecelia. It's my second day of vacation, and there's still so much to do.

Cecelia is made from the "old" and beloved Doesuede (no longer available) that I've hoarded for years. Her hair is "Fuzzy Mohair" by Dizzy Frizzy. I like it, and it was easy to work with.

I had some issues with the colors of her dress bleeding a little, so I had to fix the dye with vinegar and salt. It seems to have worked.

Cecelia, stuffed

I got Cecelia stuffed a couple days ago, and will try to get a start on her dress tonight. Now I'm wishing I'd gone with a different jointing method, but I don't have the time to re-do it. Here, I'm using the Dritz metal shank buttons for invisible jointing. Next time I'll joint with buttons on the outside, covered with skin fabric to make her hips a little narrower.

 

Her skin color is not quite true in this photo, but will make corrections with the official photos when she'd done.

Helper Doll for ODACA

Only six more shifts until vacation, and I realize I haven't made a Helper Doll for the ODACA Luncheon raffle in Washington DC - so this morning I got started on a "Cecelia" doll.

I've had this retro print fabric for a while now, and I'm in love with it. It'll make a cute little dress. This is a favorite pattern of mine, because all you need for the dress is a fat quarter. I might even have some red rick rack somewhere in my stash.

Happy Independence Day!