Storybook Dolls!

Well it's out.  Prims 2012 Autumn issue is OUT  and our MAIDA Storybook Challenge Dolls are IN.  :~)  Watching the challenge develop on the MAIDA site over several months was a treat--seeing each doll in pictures as the artists finished.  Since the challenge ended quite a while back, it was an even better treat to see them all in a group shot in this issue! 

I made an Izannah Walker version of Cinderella (upper right).  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

They really didn't figure out how to put her head rag on, despite the fact that I sewed it "tied" and sent a photo of her wearing it...nor did they have room for her broom with its birdie perched on top. Now that they've taken their pictures, she'll be on her way home.  I hope her wee mousie friends behaved themselves.

Wee Mousie #1

Wee Mousie #2

With broom and Birdie.

Poor Cinderella has no tailor.

The next MAIDA challenge is Topsy Turvy Dolls, which I will enjoy watching but don't have time to play in right now.  Hope your Thor's Day is a luvelly one!

Lookie what I got!!!

When Sheri Farley, at Little Cabin Creations, posted this doll, I had to have her.  As common as that is to hear, I don't say it often, because my practical side keeps my mouth shut on that kind of thing in general.  Being a "starving artist" (meaning my biz pays for itself, but doesn't come close to paying the mortgage) I can't justify buying every doll I want.

But there was just something about this one that had me ready to break my own budget to have her.  Sheri and I hit upon an idea: a doll swap.  How perfect is that?  So I sent her Lucy, whom Sheri will dress with her spectacular hand work and costuming skills.  To be honest, I'm a little jealous of Lucy, not only because of the dress, but also because she seriously gets to live in the woods in a beautiful cabin in Missouri!

Taney Butternut, w/ brooms and tiny wax cabin.

Yes, that's cartridge pleating on her dress skirt. 

Sheri sent me Taney.  Photos cannot convey how satisfying it is to hold this doll.  For one, she's stuffed with cedar sawdust (which turns out to be more like a super fine shred, not dust like on a woodshop floor) so she smells incredible.  But she's heavy in a way I didn't expect, with an antique-doll's lovely combination of floppiness and firmness of limbs.  She and her clothing are all stitched by hand--Sheri doesn't use patterns, so every doll is truly one of a kind, with clothes that fit...well, as if they were made for her.

If you were to research antique rag dolls, you'd see just how wonderful a reproduction Sheri has in this little doll.  If I were to have a collection of antique dolls, you can bet there would be a gorgeous "granny made" example or two in the mix, because they speak to me of that American Folkart tradition, of making do, but making art, too.  Taney is my constant reminder that tradition, and I am so pleased to have her live with us. 

When the big box came, I was shocked to see it, because Taney's only 14" tall.  But Sheri'd also sent a couple of little straw brooms (tomorrow you can see who was overjoyed with THAT little gift) and this tiny log cabin made of beeswax.  The wax is to treat hand-sewing thread, keeping out tangles--I have already used it and it works really well, but it's hard to make thread cuts on that cute little house.  Last, but definitely not least, Sheri sent two big bags of cedar stuffing!  My house smells incredible.

Just about the last thing I need right now is incentive to start a new doll, but just as soon as the August doll show comes and goes, you just hide and watch me.  I'll make a cedar-stuffed cloth doll (or dog? or bear?) to keep Taney company.

I hope your weekend was lovely and the coming week brings you pleasant surprises.

Goals: finish what I've started!

Two doll shows coming up...one at the end of August and one in October.  I have lots of dolls finished, but lots in the works still raising their wee brows when I begin yet ANOTHER project instead of finishing them. 

So the To Do list over the next month:

Dress the Izzies awaiting dresses.
Finish at least three of the boudoir dolls (might be pushing myself there...)
Draw up the instructions for at least two of the pattern designs.
Stop starting new projects until I finish these things!!!

I have at least gotten the Izzies in unders, and finished the clothing for a couple of the Izzy-tpe dolls.  I set up the "photo shoot" this morning, and got lots of new listing photos, but there still remains lots of dolls I forgot to include.  Wondering if our insurance covers a psyche eval for this Start a New Project Every Day syndrome.  Hmph.

Sculpted Clown-on-a-box, and wee elephant toy pattern.

She's got a dress finally,

and a pale gray linen cape.

These girls have unders, but no dresses or bonnets yet.

This one has unders and a bonnet but no dress.  She's the loudest of the lot, reminds me of Charlie Brown's Lucy.

One of the "Velveteen Rabbit" rabbits from a pattern I'm working up.

A long legged frog pattern...

A pink nursery version of the elephant toy...this one has a gusset unlike the primitive one...

Pumpkin Jack and Friend.  He's a gourd art doll...looks a lot like my Papa.

A pattern for a duck pin-keep sewing pocket thingy. 

Renee (my daughter) has already claimed this rabbit...she doesn't sew.  :~)

More of the pin-keep ducks.  Can you tell I went a little gonzo designing patterns?  I have a lot more to sew up and get pictures of, and then to write up instructions for.  But there will be lots of patterns on my shop in the future!

Now I've got to tend to the house work I've put off.  

First step is to put away all the photo props, backdrops, tripod, etc. etc. etc.!  

And then, well, maybe a cup of tea to recharge.  

Have a lovely week everyone.

Summer Hibernation.

I don't hibernate in the winter--that's when it's nice here, with the daytime temperatures seldom less than 50, and sometimes a nice sunny 65 or 70 degrees.  Cold nights make for good sleeping, but the days are perfect for just about anything.

No, I hibernate in the summer, (as in late May until September) when the temperatures hover around the three digit mark.  Today it has cooled down to 98 with 63% humidity...but I've got indoor work to do regardless of this "cold front".  The garden is dead, the drought has me out watering 6 to 8 hrs a week (have to water by hand because of water restrictions down here) just in order to keep the perennials and fruit trees alive.

I bring up the hibernation to excuse my absenteeism from the blog-o-sphere...just have too much going on!  Not much of a hibernation, if you ask me.  :~)

Lately I have been working my tail off--if not on dolls, then on real estate stuff, housework, etc.  Had the grand-twins for a week, and I've almost recuperated from that.  (Note to self: next time stock up on vitamins.)

I haven't gotten listings put up on Etsy like I've wanted to, nor have I started any Ebay auctions, although I may do that this weekend.  I have, however, thanks to Pamela and Natalie, sold out of ink crystals, and have sold almost half the shipment due tomorrow!  Holy Cow.  That's a lot of walnut ink.  I'm seriously thinking of starting an Etsy store for supplies, since my sales record on the doll store has begun to look like an ink store instead.  Not complaining, however.  I've had nothing but good comments on this ink, and I'm happy to be able to provide an alternative to tea and coffee for aging fabrics and paper crafts.

I did find a quilter today who makes doll quilts (or has, and will again) so if any of you are looking for doll quilts made of civil war repro fabrics, try Treasured Primitives.  The picture below is of a table topper, but I think it'd make a great doll quilt for a small doll.

I've got a doll show coming up in August, and have started so many dolls it will be all I can do to finish them by then.  I'll get pictures up as I do get them finished!  And at some point (shame on Granny Jan) I will get the kid-week pictures up as well--those boys are little heart-breakers.

Cheers!