Southern Belles AGM

It was lovely to go to the Southern Belles monthly Doll Club today, as usual there was way too much chatter but then we do have a lot to catch up on and we had to agree the programme for this year.

And, that programme is looking very exciting.........

A Papier Mache doll, lead by Carole who made this lovely little doll which now sits proudly in my collection, decoupage boxes, pattern drafting and cutting, machine embroidery and we have proposed a boost to all those unfinished projects.

I have a few challenges in mind and my contribution to workshops is a reproduction of the Steiff Roly Poly dolls.

 I have partly managed to sort out the head pattern for this, now for the body and arms.........so watch this space!

Better get on with some work then!!

It's been a while..........Sorry!

I have been very remiss in keeping up to date, but I have had some bad news to deal with too. In February I was diagnosed with the disease chronic lymphocytic leaukaemia, so as you can imagine I have been bouncing off the walls for a bit trying to get my head around it all. Glad to say I am feeling a lot calmer and beginning to come to terms with having something for which there is no cure and has to get a whole lot worse before there is any treatment to put it into remission. So........ focus on creating, sewing and enjoying my favourite things.......

And my latest thing is trying to recreate the Lenci type pressed felt dolls, this is my first attempt, the next one is looking better, I'll post pictures when I'm done.

a few more finishes........

I've set myself the task of finishing some of the unfinished projects that have been hanging around for a while and decided that If I'm not really interested in it anymore then it has to go. I have so many projects I want to work on and I have an exhibition coming up in October that some serious sorting needs doing!

Another Journal cover, I started this for my Mum two Birthdays ago, It's her Birthday next week so she might finally get it this year!

This little Raggedy has been hanging around with no wig for some time, but i am delighted with her now that she is finished. just running up a little cloth bag to put her in as a gift.

I've had a good clear up!

Holiday over, back to work and school tomorrow (ugh!) but the house is clean and tidy and I've managed to get some time in my workroom.

I bought this book probably two years ago now mainly because Alice spotted that there was a kit to make the bag in it....well I finally got round to making it this weekend, I'm not so sure that Cath Kidson is all the rage now but Alice will be pleased I'm sure.

 

And another sort out in my renovation box, I acquired these lovely composition vintage dolls some time ago but they all need a bit of work to tidy them up and give them a bit of a refresh, I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time on them.

Nearly finished!

I know I've been a bit behind in keeping news up to date but I have been productive...honest! My workroom is in real need of a good sort out and all the unfinished projects need a priority order but I have nearly finished the costume for the little Jumeau 'Intrepide'.

Just need to to finish off all the trims and style her wig.

What a lovely day............

Birthday flowers.

It's my Birthday, not that I'm counting any more but I have just had a simply lovely day. The weather has been beautiful and sunny despite forecasts for rain. I've been for a lovely long walk with my two favourite boys, I've been rummaging in my fabrics and laces to find the right colour for this 16"Jumeau I made last year, A naughty treat (A custard tart) for lunch and the day isn't over yet, my daughter informs me we have to go to my friends up the road at 5.30 but she won't say why......I've got a pretty good idea though!

I'm so lucky to live right in the English countryside

Alfie did try to bring half a tree home, he was a little upset with me when I made him leave it at the gate!

Barnaby at the watering hole.

16" Jumeau 'Intrepide' ready to dress

This 2 way Thai silk looks lovely on her, matching her eyes just right!

And some antique lace to finish off, looking forward to getting started on designing and making her dress.

New projects.....

Oh My! whare have the last two weeks gone? I don't seem to have stopped and still struggling to see my achievements!! Actually I have pretty well manged to sort my workroom out. The sad fact is that I simply have TOO MUCH STUFF! but I do have a list of projects to work through and all the necessaries ready to go.

Greenware poured and soft fired

The first one is something that has been on the back burner since the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. I bought this mould many moons ago and she is a lovely doll to make in the beginners classes, so she will be my next project class but first I do have to make a better sample than the one I made so long ago as she is on the wrong body which does alter the feel of the doll.So watch this space to see my newly created Schoenau & Hoffmeister Princess Elizabeth character doll based on the Queen when she was supposedly about 3 1/2 years old

The Antique doll

Based on this picture of the Princess Elizabeth as she was then



My reproduction version made many years ago.

And as I was cleaning the car today...yes, I did clean the car!! I noticed the very first sign of Spring here in the South even though the temperature today has hardly risen above freezing in a very bitter North Easterly wind. At least it is dry and the sun has been out.

Keep well everyone and keep making.

Precious presents.......

  I got presents!! I was thrilled to get the pattern I won in Sandy's giveaway, can't wait to find some time and more importantly some space in my workroom to get on and make this little lovely up.

 And then my elderly neighbour gave me this beautiful doll that was hers when she was a little girl. She said I was the only person she knew who would appreciate her (and I surely do) and that her daughter wasn't at all interested in dolls. I know she is a German doll of about 1920, will do some research and let you know more soon.

And the school photo arrived of my little girl, growing up so fast now and that's scary

Tilda Angels

I know I'm supposed to be starting on the antique reproduction costumes for the Bru and the Jumeau, but I got distracted again!! My friend Shirley's birthday is coming up soon and like me she is a bit of an insomniac. Ages ago I decided to make her a Tilda sleep angel, well she has the choice of two!

Both stuffed with lavender which should help a little. Now to clear up my sewing room and get on with those costumes.

New wigs and costumes......

This weekend I spent most of my time trying (trying being the word!) to get on top of the housework and sort out my workspace and that was around being 'Mum's taxi service' too!

I have set myself 3 tasks...these dolls need wigs and costumes with patterns, Before I start anything else (says I!)

They are a 24" Bru, Its taken me this long to finish writing up all the instructions to make the Chevrot leather body and the other is a 16" Jumeau. I have an idea for their costumes but now need to check out my fabric supply and check I have enough of something suitable.


This little raggedy has been asking to be finished for so long now, she's already becoming suitably 'distressed' !

My, it has been a very long week! Last weekend I ran (yes ran!) the 5k Race for Life. I was very pleased with myself as running is definately not my thing. But, it was very important for me to do this this year in memory of my dear friend who was the same age as I am now when she passed away. I'm still collecting sponsorship money for cancer research and that is better than I had hoped for too. My legs are still a little stiff a week later though!

I have been taking advantage of the lighter evenings and getting on with some sewing at long last. I finished the old battered up baby pram and it looks all fresh and new now,

Whilst the camera was out Barnaby decided he wanted a serious picture taken, his handsome self!

And why give up when you are on a roll....I've wanted to stitch this design for ages, finally did it and now I have all sorts of ideas of incorporating it into a wall hanging for my studio............

And a quick little project......

A friend asked me to redress this little doll for her which I believe is going to be used as a prop in a film next year. The brief was to replicate her existing costume but in a specific material that I was given. It was fun to do......just hope she is what is wanted!

In her new underwear

And redressed!

Hats, Hats and more Hats!

My task this weekend at our monthly doll club is to demonstrate how to make an ordinary commercially bought straw hat into something else. our project doll is the Kestners little Googly, so I have come up with 3 different straw hats for her.