Long Time Gone

May. Gone like it was never here, and I don't really have that much to show for it. Only a few weeks left before we leave for Chicago and the annual UFDC Convention/ODACA Day - and I don't have very much "product" for the big sale.

This week, in between work, babysitting, and painting the living room, I've been working on a "Primitive Americana Patriotic Challenge" doll, hosted by Cloth Doll Artistry's Prim group. Participants are using the same pattern, designed by Sherrie Nordgren. No alterations can be made to the pattern, but paperclay, etc., can be added, which is what I've been doing. http://clothdolls.ning.com/

I plan is to make a little boy doll, with some sort of patriotic or red/white/blue clothing. I used paperclay to sculpt his face, then covered it in knit fabric to make it more durable. I'm so used to making girl dolls, it will be a bit of a challenge to make a face that's all boy. One coat of gesso has been applied, and I'll apply a second before painting the skin tone.

While waiting for it the gesso to dry, I glanced out my window and saw a deer in the yard across the street. He'd been hiding in the tall grass (the house is empty and the yard is over-due for a mowing). I was able to get quite close.

Tombstone Angel e-pattern DONE

It took a bit longer than I thought it would, but I've finally finished my "Tombstone Angels" e-pattern. This pattern is for a fabric wall hanging and two styles of 6-inch angel which can be made into pin dolls or ornies. The e-pattern is in the form of a pdf file, and is 16 pages long in total. I've included lots of photos and illustrations.

As soon as I have cover photos printed, Tombstone Angels will also be available in the form of a traditional paper pattern - I've just got to take a decent photo, which is easier said than done. The e-pattern will be $8, and the paper pattern will be $10.

I've put a PayPal button on my website HERE. Sometimes PayPal buttons don't always work when I put them on the blog, but I'll give it a try.

Tombstone Angel E-PATTERN, $8

Working on a new pattern ~ Tombstone Angels

I've spent the last couple days working on publishing a new pattern - one that I started back in October. I think I'm almost there. This angel is nearly done, and will probably be an ornie. She still needs some shading with colored pencil, and possible some detail lines on the wing feathers. I'm not as happy with her overall shape. I think she looks rather bat-like.

This angel is prototype #1. She was designed to fit onto a quilted fabric tombstone. Last night I wrote most of the instructions for the wall hanging. Of course, I had to make a second wall hanging, so I could photograph various steps. Now I need to find a meaninful quote to insert into the frame. HERE'S the frame prototype. 

What in the World!?

The Ross Sisters, 1944: My dad sent me this, and I became totally mesmerized as I sat there watching it.

Another doll done (Yay!)

This poor girl has been nekkid since September. Last night I finally sewed her clothing (which is removable), and this morning gave her hair. I made her using my "Under the Harvest Moon" pattern. About 21 inches tall, she does NOT stand alone - I just hate the distracting look of the stand supporting her, so took the liberty of Photoshopping it out.


I love using fringed trim for hair - so fast, easy, and colorful. I had a really hard time getting a decent photo, and I'm still not satisfied.

The last of the old Averill dolls

One doll down...how many more to go? I'm whittling away at that Big Basket-O-Dolls that need finishing. This doll is from my Averill pattern - and is the last face using that particular mold. I'd recently resculpted the face (hopefully with facial features that are in better proportion) and had new molds made.

I'm naturally drawn to autumn colors, so when I saw this print at the fabric store, I felt compelled to buy it (as well as some accent fabrics). I've had the fringe trim for quite awhile, and I thought the colors went well with the fabric.

Fiona's finally home!

After nearly 2-1/2 weeks, baby Fiona is finally home. We were pleasantly surprised last night when the new family stopped by for a visit a day early. She still looks so tiny, at 6 lbs, 6 oz. Guess I'm just used to lugging 33 lb Ivan around.
I wonder how their first night home went? It seems so long ago that I was perpetually sleep-deprived. I'm too old to do that anymore.

Cloth & Clay doll

During my participation in Dixie's Izannah Workshop, I'd also been lurking on another artist's site. Jane DesRosier (Gritty Jane) has a Ning group with tutorials on her method of creating Cloth and Clay dolls. I'd been working on my doll a little bit at a time, and today finally finished her. I decided to use some challenge fabric given to me in October by a fellow doll club member for her skirt.

This doll is a work of folk art, and more primitive or simplistic than my usual style. It's good to work outside the box once in awhile. I think the hardest part for me was grunging the finish. I have to admit I did it with a light hand.

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter. I've driven my husband crazy, singing "Here Comes Peter Cottontail." Now he can't get it out of his head. Such a catchy tune ~ how many brains can I infect?

Another Izannah workshop doll finished!

It's about time I dressed this girl. This is the first doll I made in Dixie's workshop. Her dress is made from homespun fabric in a deep green color, sewn by both machine and by hand. I may add something like an apron, collar, shawl, or similar to add some interest. I didn't stay true to the era with her dress, using snap closures (I know that's cheating).

I lightly antiqued her head and arms with diluted burnt umber paint, wiping away most of it. The nose on this doll is broader than doll #2, but I still like her. She's also got cloth ears, sewn, stuffed and glued in place. They're about the same size as the clay ears on doll #2, which are clay.

I decided to give her an apron in a print close to the color of her shoes. I found a tiny pattern in the book "The Collector's Book of Dolls' Clothes" by Evelyn Coleman, enlarging it about 410% and making up my own instructions. It's lined, and has interfacing sandwiched in between for some stiffness.