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!!

Moving on...

I'm beginning to feel a little more in control, I have made commitments but so far am keeping to them. I began my workbook today on pressed felt dolls, a bit of work to do but I feel quite good about this project.

I hope I will be able to show you how you can make these lovely felt dolls soon.

And another month went by...........

Still struggling to figure out where all the time has gone, BUT....I have been very busy. We just pulled off a great little mini doll convention in Bournemouth thanks to Lesley and Mike of Ellies Doll Workshop, I am so proud of my club The Southern Belles, we did it!

Carole Ably demonstrating wefting mohair to make wigs for antique reproduction dolls

Elaine teaching a little sewing workshop to make a little sewing caddy. I didn't get a picture of the finished article unfortunately.

Sylvia and Eddie minding the club stand and my stand whilst I was helping with the registration and competition entries.

Some of the competition dolls

This was my own exhibition stand, I couldn't be with it a lot of the time but I hope people enjoyed some of my stuff!

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............

Exhausted!

Well the building is finished and I have spent the last two days painting walls and ceilings and still walls to do! After that it's floor to be laid, skirting boards to be painted and fixed and then there is the daunting task of moving furniture and moving the contents of my current workroom...oh joy!



On top of all that I've had the joy of saying a very firm NO to my pre teen who thinks she's old enough to do anything! I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to survive the next 5 years or so, is this normal?

Desperately wanting to sit and relax and sew something! Our doll club have decided to do the little Kestner googly for this years project she is a little sweety and a great little doll for beginners to do. I think I'm going to enjoy this one!


My reproduction Kestner 221 googly in her petticoat and wanting a new dress!

Back to Basics.....

It appears that there is simply no time....where does it go. I have so many ideas swimming around my head and so much I want to do BUT...getting it all in some sort of achievable order just seams impossible.



And, having taken another look at my website i realise how woefully out of date it all is and I need to spend at least a few days on the computer getting it all sorted. I'm complaining about time again aren't I!


This little Googly is in the totally beginners range of projects that I'm currently putting together. I'm hoping that I might encourage dollmakers to look at Antique reproductions in a new light or encourage those who have never made a doll before to have a go.

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!

I made these dolls many moons ago, infact the doll in red won me my first gold rosette at the GDS regional event in London in 1990....and the one in white won me a silver at Santa Fe in 1994!

It has been a lovely day today and I've had all day on my own to really get on with things........BUT don't seam to have managed that much. My sitting room is all 'sparkly' cos i cleaned (just the rest of the house to go!!) I did do a bit of painting but somehow that wasn't doing much, actually I might be able to fire tomorrow so not too bad I suppose.

I have been thinking about Peter much of the day. The funeral was lovely and Peter would have approved but life goes on.........

Hope fully I might get something to show tomorrow.

Nearly there.......

It's been a bit of a day again, with visits to the doctor and juggling things at work. But..nothing serious and I am getting on with the class worksheets. Baby dolls are back on the agenda and strangely a lot of people want to make the Kaiser baby. I love him to bits but he is also one of those dolls that some people can't bear to look at!

First firing is underway for the small Bru and some other bits and pieces. Still a lot of painting to do and with interupted days its going to be a long job.

Sewing classes nearly ready to go, still need to make up more samples but i can sort of do that as I go along, just a few weeks ahead of the students.