Another Belles Meeting.......

Another lovely day spent with the Southern Belles, a lot of work going on making a little leather writing case for a fashion doll, sadly I didn't manage to get a picture  of the finished item but there was lots to 'show and tell'

 Two beautiful Victorian music boxes (Manivelles)

 Christmas box, definitely a workshop waiting to happen

 Finished projects.....finally!

 Everyone working.....and chatting!

And I was able to introduce the workshop later in the year, this is my Steiff inspired Roly Poly doll prototype no.2, still some refinements to go but getting there

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

How hopeless am I..........

Wishing everyone a very merry yuletide. Life here has been a bit like being on a rollercoaster, lurching from one thing to another. There has been no let up in the day job and family requirements have kept me busy in the home so that I have had so little time in my workroom. Of course Christmas is apon us so soon and I am frantically trying to get organised a week ahead as we head off to Malta next week to visit my sister for Christmas. I have to admit that I am so looking forward to going, it's just all the cramming of stuff beforehand!

I gave this little lady to a friend of mine many years ago, unfortunately her legs drifted apart so she returned to me for fixing...here she is all fixed and ready to go back home this afternoon.

She is a modern reproduction of a Connie Walser Derek doll all dressed up in Mummy's hat and shoes, she was made in 1993, I think!

And finally...........

I have been very negligent in keeping up with this blog but I do finally have something to show you...still not entirely finished but we're getting there!!

This is my little antique K*R 126 newly dressed as a little boy in Summer wear. he is travelling to the States with me in 10 days time to strut his stuff in the competition........


This is the little bear I designed for the competition - 'Critter with a Las Vegas theme' I'm just happy to call him my souvenir bear.....Elvis, dolls what more could I want?


Here showing some of the detail on the fabric designed and printed just for this event.

Bank Holiday, weather and time out!

It has been a lovely weekend. I've managed to get in the garden and begin the great tidy up, the grass is cut and some of the bushes have had a bit of a trim...anyway, it is looking tidier. I've also been managing to get round the house and have a bit of a tidy and now I'm more focused on my list.......

Arrangements for our holiday are sorted!! plans for my competition entries are coming together and I'm beginning to get on top of the rest of the list.......

I've found some lovely white mouseline and fine lace for the top of my boys outfit and some silk wool for his little trousers and hat. I drafted the pattern yesterday and now I'm ready to sew.

It's booked and we're going!! Hooray!

Well I finally managed to book our flights, I'm registered to attend the UFDC convention in Las Vegas this summer, finishing off with the Doll Expo in Washington DC on our way home.
This is going to be the holiday of a lifetime for me and Alice. I get to play dolls at one of the biggest doll conventions in the world and Alice gets to go on some of the biggest rollercoaster rides too. We intend to have some time in los Angeles at the Universal studios and a few days at the Grand Canyon, somewhere I have been before but a place I can't see too much of.

Now I need to seriously work on some competition stuff and get my profile updated......
I'm so excited!!

Good Morning!

It's Sunday morning and not a lot to show you on the WIP front. My daughter returned from her few days in Disneyland having had a wonderful time. but it meant I was unable to go to the monthly Southern Belles meeting, so looking forward to next month now.

The work room is still dreadfully untidy and there are too many things on the go.

I plan on visiting my friend in Bournemouth today and I will look in on hobbycrafts on the way, haven't been there in a long while so just to look around.......

Back to the lists......

1. the Bru's need some more painting and the bodies constructed although all the parts are sorted and ready to go.

2. The heubach heads are part painted, i do need to sort out bodies. i have the 10" ones but need an 11" and a 13" which i may or may not have in my stash in the loft.

3. A grand tidy of the workroom is probably highest on the agenda, then I might actually be able to get on with the above.

Oh! and did I mention.....we're definately going to Las Vegas in the Summer!

Dollmakers make Friends

Many moons ago when I was teaching more regularly, one of my students, Lyn a very talented craftsperson designed a little cross stitch and made up a little kit for everyone. it was delightful and I thought how appropriate it was. I have made so many wonderful friends through the world of dolls. This is not Lyns design but it is very close and the sentiment is the same.

This was another little project I found lurking in the corner of my workroom. Modern dolls are not my favourite reproductions to make but I do admire the work of Dianne Effner and this little baby was really sweet. the cot is trimmed with vintage laces and that was fun to make too.

Doll club meeting

I do so love going to our doll club meetings. there is so much enthusiasm for all the different types of doll out there. I always come away feeling enthused and ready to get on with my dolls.

I did a painting demonstration and relieved that I do still have control of the brush. The Heubach children are such a delight to paint and relatively easy if you can master those single stroke brows!

I put the knitted bear that I made on the show and tell, at least i did have something to put there this time!

Susie's Sewing Circle

Had another request today to restart the sewing circle. I still have several project outlines although the samples are a little tired and very well handled!

Another thing to put on the list and organise! its nice to know I'm still in demand at least. Found a lovely set of Kewpie patterns today for embroidering. Thats another thing on 'the things I want to do now' list!

Here's another reproduction of an antique bonnet I made.

It was lovely to get out today for the Southern Belles meeting. I couldn't stay that long but it was great to see everyone there and everyone so enthused about this years project. I know now that I need to do some more work on Gebruder Heubach dolls.
I have a plan to check out the moulds I have and perhaps I need to make the 'Family' it would fit in with the Summer project of 'Die Schwester' and 'Elspeth'

And she is finished!

I've now got her finished, just have to pack her up safely and send her on her way back to the US for final judging. just hope it gets there on time. One thing i have discovered is that sizing on these dolls does have to be so accurate to get the look i was after. Anyway no time to worry about it now she has to return ASAP.