Alice nearly done

Alice is nearly done. I'm not sure I like the placement of the buttons on her bodice. I may space them more closely together. All she needs now is an apron, which I'll make from a vintage hankie. I've got three to choose from.

 

In this photos, you can see that her skirt is a little damp. That's because I've misted it lightly with water to help with the fabric drape.

Alice Progress

Technically, I've got today off - though I've got an afternoon meeting at work. So I'm taking advantage of a couple free hours this morning. I've finished Alice's legs and shoes, and have attached them to her body. I've also dampened and combed out her hair (Tibetan lamb), and am waiting for it to dry.

10:30 a.m.

It can be tricky getting the stripes to match. I use a glue stick to help keep the fabric from shifting while sewing, but didn't get it perfectly aligned.

 

11:15 a.m.

Bloomers on, hair starting to dry. 

Rainy Day Progress

Heavy rains are forecasted today, and I have no intention of stepping outside unless absolutely necessary. So, I'm going to continue working on two dolls.

Progress so far:

8:30 a.m.

Verity/Alice has 6 coats of Messy Mix on the head/bust, and 2 on the arms. Two coats of gesso. Two coats of flesh-colored acrylic paint (specifically, Jo Sonja's Artists' Colours in Unbleached Titanium).

 

10:30 a.m.

Face is done.

11:20 a.m.

Tibetan lamb wig (sewn earlier in the week) has been glued and pinned to the head. After glue has been dried, hair will be combed and styled. I always glue lace to the edge of the painted bust.

Life Book 2016 September Lessons

http://pennystamper.blogspot.com/


http://bravegirlsclub.com/


http://ivynewport.com/


http://bybun.com/


http://www.shilohsophiastudios.com/

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

Ongoing progress

Today I started painting the layers of Messy Mix onto my Verity/Alice doll. Her head/bust will eventually have at least five layers of this concoction. The arms will not need as many layers.

In between coats, I searched for (and found) a pattern from an old book I used back in 2009 to make a Pumpkinhead doll (because the shape of the stuffed head was so odd). I've wanted to make another of these dolls for several years and if I don't start it now while the season is upon us, I'll put it off for another year. In the photo below, Pumpkinhead has a coat of while glue on the head and bust. When this dries, I'll begin layering and sculpting in paperclay.

 

Blog posts about my original Pumpkinhead:

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/09/raining-again.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/10/dont-judge-me-by-my-filthy-oven.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2009/10/pumpkin-head-painting-done.html

 

And finished doll:

http://www.blueherondolls.com/Pumpkinhead.htm

On the Worktable

It's been a very busy summer. I've finally been able to get some sewing done. I don't usually agree to commissions because free time is pretty scarce, but I made an exception for a collector I met at ODACA Day in Washington DC. She wanted an Alice doll like the one I made for that show/sale.

 

I'm using my "Verity" doll pattern with some modifications to the lower legs and costuming. I hope I can find another vintage hankie suitable for her apron.

 

My goal today is to stuff the arms, sculpt the face, and apply the layers of Messy Mix.

Life Book 2016 August Lessons

http://www.willowing.org/


http://www.wyanne.com/


http://www.robenmarie.com/


http://janedavenport.com/


http://www.anniehamman.com/

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

Successful ODACA Day

This year's ODACA Day at the UFDC Convention in Washington, D.C was a great success. I don't think I've seen so many Artists in the sales room, and we welcomed six new Artist Members!

 

The ODACA website will feature these new members at its next update.

 

My husband and I had three days to enjoy the city and get in as many museums as we could during our short stay, but there was still much to see.

 

Next year's convention will be in Orlando, Florida.

Life Book 2016 July Lessons

http://www.mbshaw.com/


http://janedavenport.com/


http://www.gillianleesmithartist.com/
 

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

So few dolls

This is it.

The only dolls I'll be taking to Washington DC for ODACA Day.

This small group represents many hours of work.

I'm going to have to spread them around like peas on a kid's plate.