This year I'm one of seven ODACA Artists creating our luncheon centerpieces. Here are a few sneak peeks. The final reveal will be after ODACA Day this summer.
Showing posts with label progress photos (dolls). Show all posts
Showing posts with label progress photos (dolls). Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2026
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Making Progress: Viola Ruth
Making progress on my Viola Ruth doll. It's always risky to apply a crackling/antiquing product. Not sure if I'm happy with the look this time, but it's too late now!
Next I'll be attaching her legs and getting started on her clothing. Her dress will be the brown print, and her pinafore from the tiny gingham. Her simple pantaloons are already completed.
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Newsletter #22: Prioritizing Projects
https://blue-heron-dolls.ck.page/posts/prioritizing-projects
I've decided on my next doll: Amelia Earhart
Memorial Day Update: boots are done!
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Enigma Doll, Yarn Hair
I've been adding yarn hair to my latest Enigma doll, working back and forth, stitching each pass of yarn in place. I love the look, but it takes hours. Sewing the yarn in place requires several threaded needles (simultaneously).
This is one of my favorite wool yarns: Manos del Uruguay, handspun pure wool kettle dyed. The color is called granite, and has lovely variegations in color.
The first step was creating a more uniform surface on the back of the head. Needle sculpting the face creates indentations on the back of the head:
I cut some small pieces of fabric, stitched them to the head over the most prominent indentations and added a little stuffing to even things out:
I used an air-soluble pen to mark the head along the hairline, the part, and where the braids would exit the head:
Here's the first section of yarn. To prevent the braids from being overly thick, there will be only six strands of yarn for each braid. The rest of the yarn just goes back and forth.
The back view, first section on the left side. To keep everything symmetrical, I repeated the process on the right before continuing with the next section on the left:
First section (right and left) completed:
Back view, first sections done:
Second section:
Back view, second sections done:
All three sections completed on the right and left. 
Back view:
I considered three braid styles, but chose this. The buns are pinned for now, but will be needle felted and possibly glued in place.
Back view:
Here is a more recent doll, Enigma 514 (March 2024):
Friday, January 6, 2023
New Doll: Lisette
Tentatively name Lisette, this is my most recent doll from my new design. She is made from Windsor Ponte fabric, which I believe is no longer made. There were pros and cons with this fabric. Her hair is Tibetan lamb on the hide. I still need to decide on a final hair-do, and possibly a hat - but otherwise she's done!
Yesterday I painted her wood base. I was trying for a cobblestone sort of effect.
Update: Lisette finally had her "photo shoot" today. Now to update my website...
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Enigma: who will she be?
Today I'm working on one of my eight prototypes. This one is made of Windsor Ponte fabric. She has a trapunto-style face. This is the first time I've added ears to a head/face like this. They're a little on the big side, so I'll trim the pattern down a little next time.
Update, November 5:
Update, November 12:
Fabric boots with polymer clay heels
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Trapunto face
I'm excited to be teaching a doll class in the Spring. In addition to a regular face, the students have requested a trapunto-style face. So I'm modifying my new body design to accommodate this new face. Here's my first draft. I inadvertently had the stretch direction of this cotton fabric positioned horizontally, so had to do the same with the face. I'm interested to see how it turns out with the correct vertical stretch direction, or with a knit fabric like craft velour.
Update:
Here are five dolls of varying fabrics and stretch direction. The center three have trapunto faces. After sewing and stuffing the round-faced cotton doll (left of the center doll), I modified the trapunto face shape to be more egg-like. The darkest doll in the center is made from Windsor Ponte. I haven't used this fabric before, and there were pros and cons. this fabric is quite thick and a little difficult to paint, but I like how she turned out. the greatest stretch direction of the fabric is horizontal. The one to the right of the center doll is made from doll velour, which is much thinner. Stretch direction is vertical. The dolls on the far right and left have regular sculpted faces.
Monday, July 4, 2022
Anne of Green Gables
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