Hoffman...Progress

Worked all day yesterday, and finished my Hoffman doll. Now I'm ready to start her clothing, which is what the Hoffman Challenge is all about.I'm just under the upper size limit, so hopefully I can get her on a base without exceeding it.

I've not yet decided on hair yet, but want to use a fiber that will travel well.

Hoffman Doll...started

After pouring through inspiration books, photos, and drawings, I've finally started my Hoffman doll. I'm using my "Under the Harvest Moon" pattern, reduced to 90% and further shortened at the waist (in order to meet the size requirement of less than 20 inches in height). I have a vague idea of costuming, but I know it will evolve as I go.

Remember, I'm collecting photos of any Hoffman dolls out there for this year's challenge (dolls are due in mid July). Just send them my way - I've received six dolls so far! Go to my website to see them:

http://www.blueherondolls.com/

Click on Hoffman dolls, and on 2011 dolls.

Fiona's Dolly

I've finally finished Fiona's birthday doll, made from a vintage pattern. Took long enough! Here she is in her diaper. I decided to paint (instead of embroider) her face.

The pattern had several outfits from which to choose, so I made the romper, bonnet, and shoes - all of which are removable. I don't like how her arms stick out (they were pinned down in the top photo), but maybe they'll loosen up as time goes by and she's played with.

Suffragette Sally ~ prototype done... well, mostly

Finally finished Suffragette Sally's outer costuming today, completing her hat and sign. This is the second hat of the day and it's still a wee bit tight, but I managed to fit it on her head. I've made the necessary adjustments to the pattern for the next doll.





Now to move on to her undergarments and some pattern variations - individual wired fingers, for example.

No, wait. I've gotta finish  granddaughter Fiona's baby doll first. What was I thinking?

Suffragette Sally

Next May, I'll be teaching a class in Ohio: http://clothdollconnection.com/dollgatherers/flyer.html
The "Party" I'm representing is "Glory." Before beginning my new doll/design, I went to the Merriam Webster dictionary to look up the word glory for inspiration. What I found was "very great praise, honor, distinction. something that is a source of honor, fame or admiration. A distinguished ornament or source of pride."

Now keeping in mind that this is a patriotic-themed doll conference, and I have a particular fondness for dolls with a vintage look, I immediately though of the Women's Suffrage movement in this country.

I really enjoyed researching the clothing and hairstyles of the early 1900s. Here's my prototype for the class. Her clothing is removable. I'm still making her hat, and her shoes will be painted. She still needs some underthings, too. Oh, and she'll hold a sign saying something like "Votes for Women."

Call for Hoffman Entries!

Time for my annual call for any Hoffman doll entries. For those who are unaware, I host pages on my main website dedicated to Hoffman dolls each year. I've got this year's pages all set up, just need photos of the dolls! The link below will tell you a little bit about the Challenge if you're not familiar with it. I think this year's deadline is July 15, but better check the Hoffman site to be sure. Here's this year's Challenge fabric:

My Hoffman pages:
http://www.blueherondolls.com/Hoffman%20Challenge.htm
I started hosting photos on my site in 2002, the first year I heard of the Challenge. It doesn't matter if you made the doll but never sent it in because you missed the deadline. I still want photos! For the best photos of your doll, keep in mind the lighting and background. I put some photo hints here on my blog some time ago - just click on "Tutorials" at the top of this blog page - it's the first tutorial listed.

I've not started my doll yet but received the challenge fabric last week, with a couple accent fabrics. No ideas yet, but right now I'm focused on finishing a new doll/design for a class I'll be teaching next May in Ohio (almost done, too!)

Send me photos here: blueheron61@charter.net

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a lovely Easter. For the first time in I don't know how long, we don't have to work this holiday. So we're headed to the valley to spend the day with family. I got up early this morning to finish the salad I'm taking (Greek Pasta Salad - one of my faves). Yesterday was beautiful - perfect weather for the Easter egg hunts (it usually rains cats and dogs for the poor kids). Today is more like usual - overcast and wet. A good day to travel.

New Book ~ Steampunk Bible ~ a Great Source of Inspiration!

It's been a pretty crummy week, but a little ray of sunshine arrived in the form of a new book that I'd pre-ordered several months ago, The Steampunk Bible. I just browsed through it quickly, and wow(!) is it chock full of photos and history and inspiration!

I've not yet made a doll in the style of Steampunk, but I've been collecting a few gears and other doo-dads. Now all I need is the time to do it!

I also wanted to add how appreciated all your comments have been, regarding the recent loss of our beloved dog Misty. Thank you.

The Tough Decisions...

Sometimes we have to make the really tough decision to let something (someone) go. So we said our goodbyes to our beloved Misty just a short time ago.

The last few months have been increasingly difficult for her to get up on her own ~ we've had to pick up her hindquarters because her hips were so bad. She did ok once up, for the most part. But as she appeared to be having more and more discomfort recently (despite the pain medications), the decision became more urgent. And more humane.

Which doesn't mean I'm not sitting here crying my eyes out over one of the best dogs we've ever had. We were blessed to have her in our family for as long as we did.

Making Progress ~ doll from 1933 pattern

It's been a challenge to find the time to work on little Fiona's doll (made from a 1933 pattern). Yesterday I was able to stuff and attach the arms, but it was a mystery to me how to stuff the arms (and legs) enough to fill them out, but allow for some movement. So there's not much movement. I pinned the arms down for the photo.

I also tacked down the goofy little ears. I'll work on the face next. The pattern has a face overlay, onto which the features are embroidered prior to sewing the face to the head. I think I may paint the features directly onto the head instead. I'm still not sure. And after that is the wig. I'm hoping I have some long faux fur that I can use.