Blast from the Past

Hello again! So far I have several projects "in progress", but no new items to share with you right now.  Therefore, I am going to start posting some of my older pieces just to keep in the habit of blogging.

The Nursery Tree has an AAMCO push mold face.  The body has a wire armature covered by plaster bandages (like the ones used to repair broken bones)!  She is about 12 inches tall and was made in response to a "Spiderwick Inspired Character" challenge issued by my doll guild several years ago.

The Treasure Keeper - Pattern and Class by Christine Shively.

Christine is a wonderful teacher.  I was lucky to take this class in Northern Kentucky with a group of quilters.  The pattern suggested a solid fabric for the dress.  However, one of my classmates brought in a scrap of patchwork from an old quilt to use as a dress.  I "borrowed" this idea from her and hand-pieced silk and cotton fabrics which I then embellished with beads and ribbon embroidery.  I loved this class and my doll remains a special treasure in my personal collection.  Christine was the first person to teach face painting techniques to me that really "stuck" in my brain.  Every face I have made since then has been improved because of Christine.  I highly recommend her as a teacher and a pattern designer.



"Bird on a Stick" - pattern and class by Cody Goodin.

 I am fortunate to belong to the RiverCity Figurative Artists' Guild.  Several years ago we had a doll camp in which fellow-member, Cody Goodin, shared several different fabric painting techniques with the group while we created some very interesting "heads" on sticks.  Cody is an amazing teacher who increases the knowledge-base of his students with his willingness to share his life-long passion for art.  He seems to know how to "trick" his students into trying new products and techniques with his interesting classes.  If you ever have a chance to take a class from him, I highly recommend that you do so!

My bird lives at work with me.  When someone asks if I'm in the office, I grab the stick and pop the head over the wall of my cubicle.  (This is known as "prairie-dogging in case you didn't know.)  Anyway, I get many chuckles and much interest in all the karacters that live in my office space as well as in my head - okay, it sounds better than saying "I hear voices"!



Face mask from Anne Hesse.  Wire armature wrapped with fabric.  Embroidered yarns make up "wig".

The last time I saw Anne she was selling some wonderful doll masks.  I cannot manage a good shot of the mask (I am NOT a great photographer!).  The mask is a gold metallic finish over a porcelain base.  This was a very relaxing and fun project to do!  I have taken a face beading class from Anne in the past.  If you haven't had the opportunity, Anne is another of our great teachers and I highly recommend her as well!



Olivia Masquerades as an Ostrich - class and pattern by Judy Skeel.

Judy Skeel designed this amazing pattern and a long story to explain Olivia's plight.  It is hard to tell from my photos but her body is shaped like an ostrich.  Judy is an amazing designer, great person, and an wonderful teacher.  The doll designing mechanics I learned in this class have greatly improved my ability to engineer my own projects.  If you have problems with cloth doll hands, Judy teaches a wonderful class on this subject too!

Well, that's all I have for this blog.  Thank you for visiting my blog!