Blast from the Past

After a whirlwind trip to Orlando for ODACA Day, my husband and I was talking about dolls. He told me he had a couple favorites. Bilbo is one of them. I'd forgotten all about him. He's been in storage since 2003.

I used to belong to an active doll club in St. Helens, Oregon, called the Reigning Dolls & Bears club. We would have challenges regularly, which I loved, as they really pushed our skills. We decided to have a Storybook Challenge, the dolls to be displayed at the Hillsboro Public Library. Bilbo is the result of this challenge. I pulled him out of storage and photograph him again (digital cameras have come a long way since 2003!)

After a number of years, our club lost its meeting place. And that was the end of it. I miss my fellow doll club members, but do get to see what they're up to on Facebook. You can see some club photos HERE and HERE.

Dolls for Sale

Now that I'm home from ODACA in Orlando, I've decided to list some of my finished dolls on Etsy. You can click HERE to get to my store. There are five available:

The cost of the dolls includes shipping and insurance to US addresses. All dolls are signed and dated, and all are from a non-smoking home.

Life Book 2017 August Lessons

http://andrea-gomoll.de/

 

http://www.jodiohl.com/

 

https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/

 

 

See my Life Book 2013 pages HERE

or Life Book 2014 HERE

or Life Book 2015 HERE

or Life Book 2016 HERE

Final Touches

Yesterday was spent on some finishing touches of various dolls, and the start of another - hopefully to be finished tonight.

This "Alice" doll was made using a combination of my Verity and Harvest Moon patterns. She was essentially finished last fall but just needed her apron, which made from a vintage hankie. Her clothing is removable. She'll be going with me to Orlando.

 

Evening update:

I was able to finish this Cecelia doll, just in time!

Dolls for ODACA Day

This may be a pitifully small group of dolls for ODACA Day, but they represent many hours of labor.

 

Wish me luck!

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.