New Doll

Just finished this doll with rotating joints for the arms and a removable cape.

beaded Cat Girl

while working on this doll yesterday I looked out my window and saw a ginger cat strolling in my garden. How appropriate.
I used seed beads for the facial features, faux fur for the front top, feet and tail tip, the rest is 100% cotton.
oh and as you can see the daffodils have bloomed, yeah for Spring.

A Good Friend

my sewing machine jammed yesterday I cannot fix the problem so I need to take it to someone for repairs and it feels like I am losing a good friend hopefully only for a short while. however before it died I did make some thing like this cushion and doll. I was in the middle of making the dolls dress when the said incident occurred.

The Blue Dress

Have been working on a new doll this week. The dress pattern I used is the Sundress from this book.

it has begun...

 The radio stations are  playing Christmas songs and its cold outside. Its time to start thinking about gifts, will you be making or buying for the peopleyou love?  my shop has handmade dolls for little ones. just something to think about.
Have a good week

Book Review

 

I love books especially books with pretty covers and "My Rag Doll' by Corinne Crasbercu is one of those books. It retails for $22.99.
The book is divided into two sections with patterns following each section. The first sections focus is on making the doll and hair. The outfits and accessories follow in section two and this makes up most of the book. There is only one doll pattern with seven variations on facial features and hair styles. You need to enlarge the patterns by 140%. I had a go at making the doll but did not enlarge the pattern nor did I add a seam allowance. My finished doll is just under 10inch still a good size doll.
The instructions are straight forward and often brief. There are no step by step pictures to follow. The doll and dress did come together easily enough however I would have liked some illustrations  just for confirmation that I was on the right track. The dress I made is on page 68 and the shoes minus the strap on page 30.
The book has no glossary or techniques section and I did have to refer to another craft book for some guidance on a embroidery stitch.
I feel this book assumes the reader has prior knowledge and experience with crafts, knitting and crochet knowledge is also needed for some of the hairstyles. I could not recommend this book to someone who is new to doll making, If you like making clothes for your dolls this is a good book.
I am glad I purchased the book. There are many things within its pages to inspire and challenge me for a while.

the fairy and the goblin

my daughter is a big fan of the Rainbow Magic Fairy books, it inspired me to make for her a fairy and goblin. the goblins face was a challenge with many failed attempts before I had an ah moment just before I fell asleep one night. 

Cat girl

just in time for Halloween.

Little Miss.

A rainy day perfect for staying indoors and finishing this Little Miss.

under the sea

Marina Mermaid and her pet seahorse.

Exciting News

My dolls Beatrix and Jane are featured in the latest issue of Stuffed (Autumn 2013). Check it out on page 131.  The girls look amazing. Thank you everyone at Stuffed.

Introducing...

Kylie, the fun loving party girl.

A flower for you

This weeks sewing effort made entirely from scraps left over from other projects. Her name is Rose.

the christmas fairy

The Christmas Fairy front and back, she was made some weeks ago but its been crazy busy around here, there are birthdays to celebrate this month (3 in total) and of course Christmas.
Loving today's date 12-12-12 no matter how i read it i am right. Growing up in Australia and now living in the USA i often read the date wrong but not today.
Saw our resident fox this morning drinking from a  puddle in our driveway.

its cold outside

My favourite doll so far. Dressed for cold weather, wearing matching mittens and stockings.

market day

Holding her tote tightly this young lady is waiting for the bus which will take her to the market.
i tried  a few different things with this doll. Firstly her arms are attached with hemp cord running through the body with a button on each arm. This method known as a rotating joint allows the arms to move freely up and down. Also for the hair i used  eco-felt at the front and fake fur for the back giving  her a short chic hairstyle. The doll is approximately 45cm tall.

one more

i finished this doll yesterday. i am thinking the dolls need names any suggestions?

Doll making

i have a new hobby doll making in the last five days i have made five dolls. dolls 3 and 5 are pictured above. it all began with a gift from my father, he recently gave me a sewing machine or maybe the gift was he taught me to sew 30 years ago. it was also serendipitous that at the same time i acquired the sewing machine Jo-ann opened a store nearby.