On the Drawing Table

It's been awhile since I designed a new doll. I also haven't used air-dry clay in a while, either. So I thought I'd combine both. My plan is to make a basic doll shape, then cover the head with Paperclay to sculpt a simple face. The head and upper chest will be painted.

My first body prototype is too tall and thin. This was accentuated by the direction of the fabric stretch, so I tweaked the pattern a bit for #2.

I wanted a slightly higher waist, so modified the body a bit to accomplish that, plus slight more accentuated hips (#3).

I won't draft patterns for the arms and legs until I'm ready to start detailing these dolls.
I'm thinking I'll turn at least one of these prototypes into a fae-like character.

First (Annual?) Nurse Doll Challenge

In August 2018, my friend and coworker Danielle Patterson proposed a challenge: use the same doll pattern to create dolls dressed in historic nursing uniforms from eras of our choosing. Danielle suggested using my "Verity" pattern. This doll is made completely of cloth, and stands about 22 inches tall.

After doing some research, I started my doll in February. I was drawn to the Red Cross uniforms worn during World War 1. Turns out Danielle chose that era as well.

After finally finishing my doll this week, we revealed them at work.

We've already decided to challenge ourselves again, though we haven't discussed the details. 

Here's Danielle's doll:

Here's mine:

Happy Halloween!

Autumn is my favorite time of year. Crisp and cool, and just before the real rains begin here on the Oregon Coast. As I look out my studio window, the setting sun is sparkling across Young's Bay. Not a bad view!

I haven't carved a pumpkin this year - since when did they get so expensive? I'm nostalgic of the smell of a fresh pumpkin being hollowed out. Maybe next year. 

Raffle Doll

I've got about a day and a half to do at least a week's worth of task, before I head to Nashville. At the top of the to-do list was to make a doll for the ODACA Day Luncheon.

This is from my Cecelia doll pattern. She's made from doesuede fabric.

 

 

It's time to start packing!

Life Book 2018 October Lessons

https://www.jane-spakowsky.com/

 

https://mariellestolp.wordpress.com/

 

https://www.mystele.com/

 

https://www.juliegibbons.com/

 

http://www.laurahornart.com/

 

Life Book 2013 pages HERE

or Life Book 2014 HERE

or Life Book 2015 HERE

or Life Book 2016 HERE

or Life Book 2017 HERE
or Life Book 2018 HERE
or Life Book 2019 HERE

A Fourth Amity

I've just finished another Amity doll to take to Nashville. I hope to get maybe two more dolls made before we leave. That may not be very realistic, though.

Running Out of Time ~ Another Amity

As July draws near, there's only a few more weeks before the Nashville UFCD Convention and ODACA Day.

Today I finished a third Amity doll, at 78% from the original size. This time I used Tibetan lamb for the hair, which always creates a bit of a mess. I picked this fiber for her hair, based only on the color. Nothing else I had really fit the doll and the colors I chose for her clothing.

Easter Greetings!

Easter blessings to those who observe the holiday. Found this cute postcard this morning. 

I seem to have missed last year's card (must have been working?).

Life Book 2018 September Lessons

https://florabowley.com/

www.willowing.org

https://katrinakoltes.com/

http://loveartandbeyond.com/

https://www.junabiagioni.com/

https://louisegale.com/

https://lucybrydonart.com/

 Life Book 2013 pages HERE

or Life Book 2014 HERE

or Life Book 2015 HERE

or Life Book 2016 HERE

or Life Book 2017 HERE
or Life Book 2018 HERE
or Life Book 2019 HERE

New Challenge Doll

I'm starting a new doll :)  This one is a challenge doll, proposed by a friend/coworker. We are making dolls from my Verity pattern, dressed in historic nursing uniforms from eras of our choosing. I blew a couple hours on the Internet this morning, doing research, and I think I've picked my era.

I decided to add breasts. One breast is easy to sew to the body, but second is much harder - trying to get them even!

Here's my progress so far:

March 1 update:

March 3 update:

Coating the head/upper torso and arms with "Messy Mix."

March 10 update:

March 15 update:

March 18 update:

March 23 update: