Ritualizing change in our life.

 I am proud to show you two dolls made by Jean Bousfield, originally from South Africa, now living in NZ and a devoted member of our Oamaru Cloth Doll Crafters, (OCDC) group.

Jean was feeling homesick and grieving.  Making these dolls helped her to acknowledge her country of origin and the people she recognized and admired from the region she lived in.  The experience, the time she took and the thought that went into presenting the dolls, Jean found to be a therapeutic process in helping her to settle in to a new country and to find a place to belong.

Jean used Michelle Munzone's Afri Coco pattern as a base for her mother figure.  The child figure came from Jill Maas 'Annie' pattern - a wonderful fit!  I think they are delightful!

Making a doll is a very creative way to ritualise change and we have talked a lot about it as a means of getting a sense of our place in the world.  I think it is age old!

More from the Timaru Workshop

 Here I am all businesslike with tools in hand - that's Joy and Barbara in the background diligently working away!

Teaching  the finer points about stuffing with Joyce!

Getting  intently involved now........

At last - a bevy of smiling beauties - most are hairless - not you Joyce - and some can even stand, considering I forgot to bring wire for their armatures!  Still, this was always more about learning how to needle-sculpt and I think that was very successful!  

You'll notice the bodies are all different?  That's due to different fabrics used and stuffing methods.

I think I have caused a lot of people to become addicted to cloth doll-making and I'm not even sorry! 

 I had such a great time sharing my passion and cloth doll artistry with people who certainly seemed to appreciate learning how to do it.  Can't wait to go back to Timaru!

Timaru Workshop March 2013

I've just had a wonderful time in Timaru this weekend, teaching how to make my doll "Krista" to a lovely group of women who had hardly ever made dolls before!  A lot had done quilting and other sewing and crafts, so it was a bit of a challenge for them.  They were willing and intent - a bit frustrated and sometimes daunted by the vagaries of this  new challenge - and they all came through with flying colours which made me so proud of them and their efforts!

 We had some fun with bits and pieces!

 Some intense work going on down there with Joy and Barbara

 There's Krista overseeing all the odd shaped heads in production - body parts waiting to be  coloured and assembled!

 A platter of heads - all shapes, sizes and personalities coming through.  Great variety of eye colour.  some heads made form quilters muslin, and homespun cotton. I think everyone was amazed at how well they all turned out and how each doll shows it's character.

 Trying on hair and hats and being comfortable in her skin is Krista - having a rest!

I hope to have more pics to show soon!  Id' love to see these dolls dressed.  Everyone went away with plans about how they would make them and what hair colour they would use.  Lyn was keen to make another one right away!  Hope she does!

Dolls made from my patterns

I am proud to present Laurel - made from my "Krista" pattern, by Allison Ward! Isn't she wonderful?

This next one was made from my Jessie & Jack pattern - so cute!  They were made by Beth Duncan and called - Facing the inevitable!  Just amazingly talented dollmakers!  It gives me a real kick to see what people make!

Doll makeover

Once again, this poor old fella has had to have a make over.  Some dolls are just like that.  You can't get the 'look' right first off so from time to time, you play around with it to see what will work.  I think I'm getting there, but at the end of the day, not many people like buying men dolls, unless they look like Santa!  This might be Santa in the 'off season'!  LOL! 

This doll has so much potential!  Not sure who's pattern it is, but Judy did it in a class and tonight we hav started giving it a makeover because she didn't like the face she had done.  She likes this one and has other plans for it too!  Let's see how it looks next week!

This si a Pattie Culea doll Judy had done in a class, which has recieved a makeover too.  With this one, we discussed the temperature of colour that doesn't work on this delightful little doll.  Even though it now looks good, the colours don't do it justice.  Judy's going to do it again.

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?