Louise had a great time making her very first cloth doll at a new workshop this weekend.  It's called Old friends keep you sane!  Louise is a great sewer and applied her considerable skills to create this graceful Old Friend to stand with my two Old Friends.  We had a lot of interested spectators from quite a few different countries and languages.  Dolls speak all languages though and handled them with panache!  Louise did very well in such an environment and I was delighted that she took to dollmaking like a duck to water!

The Patroness of TOTE!

This is the Patroness of TOTE!  She is the manniquin I made a head for  and dressed to use as street advertising for The Oamaru Textile Exchange, where I sell my dolls and take workshops.

 She needed a makeover after a harrowing summer in the heat. She sits on a pedestal and someone lifted her - and she fell off!

 She still needs a bigger something at her throat, but that's coming soon. You can see by the door how tall she is.  I come up to her shoulder - if I'm lucky - and had an interesting time getting her in and out of my car!  Tourists love having their photo taken with her. 

OCDC Group Pictures

Ralene has been busy constructing these lovely bright and cheerful giraffe's from her sales stash!  She is a regular member of our group, with our fabulous OCDC support person and friend Jean!

These lovlies are Adirann's creation from her Jill Maas workshop recently!  This is Lola and her dog.  The couch is a separate pattern  on Jills website.  This doll is so striking in reality.  A real work of art and Adriann'es skills are getting up there!  She has a real flair for colour.  I loved seeing these!

 

Old Friends keep you sane!

I've just finished writing up my new workshop pattern, 'Old friends keep you sane!'  I will initially be taking this workshop locally, but eventually, it may become an online workshop.  It has come together quite nicely and it's like two patterns in one and was twice the work , but so worth it!

Of course, with a name like old friends, you have to have at least two and there will be many possibilities with this pattern, so I am dying to see what people come up with when they try it out!

Would you believe, their heads are both the same shape?  The difference is in the needle sculpting.  This is one of the things  I hope to teach in the workshop.

He has more parts to him then she does.  Actually, she can't keep her hands off him!  They've been together such a long time of course..........a whole week!

I did make a few ladies but in the end decided to go with these two.

What do you think?

 

Old Friends Help Keep You Sane!

I know I have been quiet for a while, but I have been very busy lately making all sorts of patterns and dolls. It sure keeps me tied to the drawing board and the sewing room, but I am enjoying myself!

This is a pattern I am developing for a workshop called "Old friends help keep you sane!"  The workshop will be held in The Oamaru Textile Exchange, so it's in keeping with the place as TOTE, as it's called, is in the old part of town. 

I am making an old gentleman friend to go with this old friend, so will post a pic when he's done.  What do you think?

During the holidays............

This is a Frankenweenie look-a-like I designed.  It's about four inches tall and made from quilters muslin, black calico and one real bolt through his neck!  I gave him away for Xmas.

 Two more Xmas presents for my granddaughter Claudia - Black Beauty and the Unicorn!

This is my own design from an idea I saw.  I call it "Odd Bird!"

 I got hung up on Coleen Babcocks mystery pattern,  I couldn;t get past the long legs after seeing stitl walkers at the local Victorian Fete, so thought I'd have a go and see if I could make it stand.

 Shoes made in a previous shoe making class with Diane Keeler!  Just the right size!

I made a mask - because you have to have one of course!

She needed a bit more boob, so .....

And then I made a Bat!  A balancing Bat.  Thought I might put a ball with it and call it "Balancing Bats & Balls',  for fun!

After Frankenweenie, I thought I'd make a chihuahua as a pet for dolls, so here is "Chi'!

So this is what I have been busy doing over the holidays.  Making these little things and making patterns from  some of them.

Happy New Year! New Year - new things to do!

I am delighted to say I have been invited to help Karen Mallory coordinate the Cloth Doll Studio on Clothy Doll Artistry this year!  I'm really looking forward to connecting with people who make love making dolls like I do and being inspired by them! It will be a busy year for me, so I am hoping I will keep up with everything ok.  I have been busy these holidays making small doll animals which has been a lot of fun.

Where are the Clowns?

I was one of the first people to sign up for Colleen Babcocks delightful Mystery Doll Pattern.  I knew it would be good and it was well worth the wait for all the pieces to arrive!  Because of my heavy work load, I was late starting and then other things got in the way so my poor doll was left standing on her her long armature legs waiting for me to get back to her.
 Meanwhile all the other people were posting pictures of their completed dolls and I just couldn't get going with mine.  I think it was also that I hadn't planned what I would dress it in or what colour hair - and I hate shopping, so never had the fabrics etc that would make it something I would really like.

 So she stood on her long legs and stared at me.  Then we had our yearly Victorian Fete and who should be there, but the Twisty Twins - young twin women on stilts, who said nothing, but struck poses and made graceful gestures. Suddenly inspitation sturck, I saw the connection and hurried home to my long legged doll and got to work.

Luckily, last year I had completed a shoemaking class with  Diane Keeler and had these cute shoes on the last I had made for them sitting doing nothing and they were just the right size!  So I painted them black, Modpodged them to look like patent leather and attached the lasts to the wire armature legs. 

I added some extra wire and moved it up through the legs for strength and wrapped the wires together with masking tape and painted it all with gesso, then with white acrylic.  Now I had a long legged doll with shoes on that stood alone!  I went on to change the arms, then the mouth, because it didn't match the look I was going for in the end.

I designed the outfit, with the curvy little body Colleen has designed in mind - a great shape!  I wanted to have black and white stripes, but the best I could do was this.

To finish it off, I found a velvet scrunchie already decorated that I've had for years and I made her the mask holder. 

To make the mask I drew the same face on both sides.  Because she is smiling I thought it safe to have the sad face on the mask.  I dangled some tiny bells on silver cord and wrapped a long bamboo kebab stick with fine ribbon. I placed it between the glued faces and modpodged over it.

So there you are! Colleen's wonderful doll pattern re mystified!  Sorry I didn;t make your pattern up fully Colleen, - but I do love your dolls body!  It makes this figure look really good.  Thank you for the inspiration!

A little challenge for me!

I entered a challenge on Cloth Doll Artistry in the Animal Studio.......... a Puppy Challenge - a pattern with no instructions!  It is just a shape, a blank canvas to make something from your own imagination.

 I was needing something uncomplicated to do, so thought I'd have a go. 

Well, I only undid several bits of it a few times...... before I got it assembled. LOL!  Nothing is that simple! 

I had several thoughts of what it could be but in the end this is what I made and am very happy with it, which just goes to show that you can make something out of the simplest ideas!  It surprised me that I would even finish it, but not only that - I am the first to post a pic! 

The secret is.....always keep a little pair of knitted red boots waiting to be used for something!  Ha!  LOL!

Krista Pattern

The talented Sandra Eggett sent me a picture of the doll she has just finished making and I am very proud to show her off on my blog!  This is what Sandra had to say;

Hi Sharon

Just had to send you a picture of "Firefly" . I created her from your Krista pattern that I downloaded a couple of weeks ago . I love her and have thoroughly enjoyed using your pattern . I am new to cloth doll making and need more practise but I am thrilled with my first interpretation of Krista. From all of us here in the UK a big thank you for allowing us to use your pattern.

Sandra obviously has a natural talent if she is new to dollmaking! This is delightful!  Well done Sandra!

SFM Cloth Dolls With Attitude!: Online Classes!#links

http://www.fabricaddictions.com/p/8464129/needle-sculpting-online-class.html

Online Classes!

I am very excited to tell you that I have two online classes starting today on Fabric Addictions!  Here is the link http://www.fabricaddictions.com/c/145978/1/online-classes.html  and here is one of the classes: The Innkeeper!  This class runs for 8 weeks, so be quick to grab it!

 

The other online class is "How to make an expressive face" Though Di has called it "Needlesculpting Online Class"  This will be an ongoing class on FA and a great tool to have to upskill your needlesculpting techniques and facial expressions!

I also have a few other patterns on fabric Addictions, so click on the link and go and see!

 

I am developing a pattern of these little babys. Ideal for quick sellers at a country Fair.  No joins or movable parts, just straight sewing.  Minimal needlesculpting and a little colour. What do you think?

Well - here she is - still not completely finished, but enough to give you an idea of what whe looks like!  She sure stands out on the street!  This is not a good photo, but you can get a good idea of her height here beside my granddaughter Frankie and her partner Tony.  I'll get some better pics soon and by then she should be finished properly with a much wider belt, etc.

The Patroness of TOTE - The Oamaru Textile exchange in the Victorian Precinct!

Remember this Mannequin?

The neck was too stiff and unsatisfactory, so............off with her head!  Abit of paint to the base - it's already looking more like it!

I decided to see if I could just make a cloth one that didn't have anything hard in it, so I tried this out - Just like any ordinary doll head, and needlesculped it with a BIG needle. She's a big gawky, but hey - she's eyecatching! 

 

 I changed her wig and made a false dress front that looks like a shirt dress with a high collar.  She's wearing the toile I've made for her coat, which I hope to get together shortly.  It's not the finished length, but you get the drift?

She's looking quite excited at having a makeover don't you think?  The coat will be interesting..............I hope.  Certainly a different colour - or two!  Had to work some magic with the neck to hold it all up, but Colleen Babcock gave me a great idea with her new mystery pattern that has worked a treat!

I bought a big picture hat and have tried to make it kind of victorian.  Eventually it will have colour on it to 'doll' it up a bit!

All I hope is that it will weather well enough this summer!  It will be outside most of the time as advertising.  I can just see tourists standing beside her for a photo opportunity!  LOL!  She's over six feet tall!  I'll keep you posted about the next step!

Check out these little treasures that Adrianne's been busy making fior her grandchildren's family heirlooms!  Aren't they just amazing!  She's not able to come each week and does night shift, so hand sewing works for her.  They are lined with good fabric too! I love the 3D effect!

Steam Punk Exhibition 2012

I've been working on my entry for this years Steam Punk Exhibition.  I'm putting in three pieces this year, because for various reason's my students are unable to and I wanted a representative from the textile group to have a part to play in this genre of artistry where it's mostly metal.

I will enter my Steam Punk Magpie which I made from
made from Susan Barmore - aka Frowning Frances, fantastic Steam Punk Crow pattern, and made from bits of my friend's old handbag!

Each piece has to have a story of it's history, so here's what I've put together.

“Quardle-oodle-ardle ”

An Alarmist, attached to the Hedgerows Emergency Team in the Magpie Territorial’s, Quardle-oodle-ardle is always on the alert for intruders!  He takes his job very seriously, ever ready to ward off low-flying, marurdering hawks or unsuspecting passersby, who hear his warning Quardle-oodle-ardle battle cry as they make a hasty retreat!

I think people will be amazed and delighted to see that Steam Punk has hit the doll world and what can be made.


Next I will have my version of a Steam Punk Vehicle - driven by MORTIMER CROSS-ETHERINGTON, Inventor of the NZR Aeronautalis     

The Aeronautilis was the prototype for the first Steam powered jet hover craft. Built by genius inventor, Mortimer Cross-Etherington, in whatever year was required.  This fine machine was fitted with the latest technology and therefore able to be used for purposes where stealth and deliverance was necessary, because no-one could guess where it would appear next!

 Last but not least is:

Veritas Seeker – In the second half of life, VERITAS seeks to discover what truth she can about gender, race, creed, sexuality, intelligence and all the restrictions of the time she is stepping away from. She walks through this long dark time with the dim lamp of the past and the Staff of Enlightenment that helps her stand firm in her quest for Accountability, Truth and Justice in an ever-changing world!

I had trouble getting this doll to come together for some reason that doesn;t happen very often. I used dark fabric for a change.  I've had it undone so many times, added and subtracted and I didn't know if I liked the face enough. Still not sure if it works.  I liked the idea of the coloured dreads and a helpful granddaughter who is into the Playstation3 game of The Final Fantasy, so got some ideas from that.  She's got a slightly Gurnge look and is definitely alternative!  Not as Steam Punk as last years I think.  Still, it's done and it's going in!

My last years efforts of three pieces have been invited back to the Art Gallery for the summer, so that's good - I don't have to store them at my place!  LOL!

These pieces will go in the Custom House Gallery here in Oamaru, where this years Exhibition is being held.

So what do you think? 

I've signed up for Colleen Babcocks Mystery Doll Pattern - which seems to have taken off into the worlds biggest cloth doll class!  I think she'll hardly have tiome to do anything for weeks while she answers all her emails!  And here's me thinking I might hold a mystery doll Online class...........I'll have to think about that one.  It's a pretty massive undertaking.

Anyway, here's my effort at making the delicious little head. Lovely skull shape and the neck looks promising, but not on yet. I think I'm way behind the others.

The fabric is Hoffman Watercolour Batik and lovely to work with and gives the skin an iteresting tone.

 I've never done the eyelids like this before either and what I found most interesting was following someone else's process after doing my own thing for so long!  Always something new to learn as a dollmaker and Colleen knows her craft so well!

Good Dog! Mutilated the head for I doll I'm making for an Auction!  Luckily (for her) I didn't really like that head and was in two minds about redoing it, so it was easy enough to rescue the ears off it (untouched) and make another head!  She ripped the eyelashes off too - pest! 

Here's the windswept culprit - talk about Hairy McClary! This is Pip the Pillager! It's the paint she's after - loves the smells! She can't resist anything that smells like glue, so sellotape, masking tape - you name it - she'll grab it if she can!

 

 

And here's the dear lady herself - restored and thankfully finished - looking for all the world like Barry Humphries dressed up as Dame Edna............ Darlings! 

What do you think Possums?  Where are those gorgous spectacles?  She's actually being auctioned as a fundraiser on Melbourne Cup day, so she's dressed for the races!  I modified a Jill Maas pattern to make her.