Old Facebook Posts.......

October 05, 2021

I opened a Facebook page in February 2014 called Cloth Doll Maker's Diary.  Mostly it was duplicated posts from my blog of the same name which I stupidly closed in 2018. Ah well. It was a dumb thing to do. 

I also posted links to doll making how to's, free patterns and the like. Looking back I really didn't post all that much about my doll making. I have about 2.4K followers but I don't get much feedback from them.

Right now I am really disliking the whole Facebook thing big time so I've decided to unpublish my page for awhile and just post on this newish blog. I took some of the FB posts I did on doll making and posted them on this page for safe keeping.  

14 Apr 2014

Well week one of The Traveller has passed and I was very good and did my lessons. I made the doll's torso and her over and under skirt. This week we are doing the head, arms and more costuming.

 

15 Apr 2014

The skirt is starting to hang much better in folds. I was a bit worried that the batik would be too stiff and I'd have to wash the skirt.

 

28 Apr 2014

Slowly but surely. I have given her a bosom and the hint of a blouse. The vest is done with some simple embroidery. 

 

 

The coat is starting to come together too. I have done some embroidery around the bottom hem, put in the lining and tried it on the doll. The collar will be tacked down once the baby carrier is on her back. 

 

 

Next I'll do a little bit of beading and attach cuffs to the coat sleeves.

 

Then it's on to the hard part...the head and the face. Always a challenge for me.

03 May 2014

WIP - The Traveller: Anya and Baba

 

The head was very difficult to make. After several attempts I finally got one that I liked. Then I put on the second skin. I used Kona cotton for this doll and it was a bit too heavy to apply to the face but I persevered and I used my handy dandy Clover iron. Definitely a must for this type of face. 

 

I used Derwent Watercolour pencils instead of Prismacolour for her features and I have to say that they are now my preferred choice. They went on beautifully.

 

Here is a picture of Anya with her head pinned on temporarily. I wrapped a bit of fabric around her head to see what she would look like with hair. 

 

Next her hat and hair. I thought I had something I could use for her hair but not. I'll have to get some mohair or lamb's wool in dark brown.

 

 

13 May 2014

The Traveller is finished. I decided not to make the baby this time and turned the baby carrier into a knapsack. I hope you like her :)

 

17 May 2014

Weather With Challenge.

WEATHER + WITCH = STEAMPUNK

The doll I'm making isn't free standing so I've made her something to stand on:)

23 May 2014

Getting there....:)

 

Weather Witch is now firmly on her base and has knickers with lace and ribbon. I can't keep calling her Weather Witch though. I'll have to think of a catchy name.

 

 

I was thinking of giving her a familiar. All witches have them. Here are some ideas from my blog followers:

- a one eyed crow with a cane

- a weather bug

- a flying monkey

- a tin cat with rivets and wheels

- a mechanical owl

 

All good ...does anyone want to offer an idea?

 

22 Jun 2014

Cloth Doll Artistry Weather Witch Challenge....DONE!!!

 

We were to use a pattern so I used Lilian by Cindee Moyer. We also had to make some changes so I gave her a bosom. The costuming ideas are entirely my own. 

 

I finally finished my doll and posted her on the CDA site. Now I can show you what I made. I started out with an idea that drastically changed as I went along. I still did Steampunk and she is a witch....LOL 

 

 

I call her Raynee Weathermaker and she is a rain witch. 

 

On her back she carries a Steampunk rain machine that she can wear while she is astride her broomstick. It has a nozzle that is flower shaped and is made of a vintage wooden button. She has a metal "bustier" that supports the machine on her back. It also has a ring to hang her wand. Her blouse and skirt are edged with one half of an old black zipper. She has wild crazy red hair that has a life of it's own.

 

 

I really enjoyed making her and I hope you like her

11 Jul 2014

Cloth Doll Artistry "The Color Block Challenge".

 

 

First of all I missed the deadline...but luckily I can still get credit for my entry....woo hooo!!!!!

 

I'll remind you of the colour block I used...pic below.

 

The story I chose was written by Charles Perrault in 1697 called Le Petit Chaperon Rouge.

I think the version we are most familiar with though is that of the Grimm's Fairy Tale called Rotkäppchen or Little Red Cap that was published about 1812.

 

The story later evolved into Little Red Riding Hood.

 

This doll caused me so much grief. Nothing went right. To be very honest I'm so glad she's finished.

 

19 Jul 2014

 

Making fairies in Paula McGee's online class. 

 

I have one almost finished....next lesson...wings. You know what? Making these little fairies is addictive. I don't think I can stop at just one

 

 

 01 Aug 2014

I finally finished one of my fairies from Paula McGee's online class at Dollstreet Dreamers.

I didn't have all the supplies that she used on her sample fairy. I used what I had in my stash because I'm trying really really hard not to buy anything new. 

 

I also didn't make the style of wing that Paula taught in the class...maybe next time. I don't think she'll mind...hopefully:)

I designed my own little wing. Next time though I think I'll use a different type of wire for the frame. These are things you find out as you go along:) 

 

After all that I think she turned out pretty cute...I like her anyway. She looks like an Irish fairy so I called her Shamrock.

 

 05 Mar 2015

I'm taking a couple of non doll related online classes and the subject of "fussy" cutting lace came up. Fussy cutting is a term used to describe when you cut a detail from a piece of fabric or lace and use it to embellish. That's just a pretty basic definition.

I have used fussy cut lace in the costuming of two of my mermaid dolls. I usually use leftover bits...nothing is wasted in my sewing room. 

 

I have attached a picture of a piece of white curtaining and a piece of green dress lace and pictures of what I did with them. Sometimes when you are really stuck you have to be creative and use what you have in your stash. 

 

The white curtaining was coloured/painted with Jacquard Dye-na-flow fabric paint. I bought an exciter pack of 8 colours. They are tiny bottles but there is a lot of colour in them to last for many projects. The colour is pretty intense so you only need a wee bit. 

 

I bought my exciter pack online but you can get them at art supply or craft stores too. 

 

Take care

 

 

23 Aug 2015

After all the medical drama I've been going through these last months it's no wonder that my Creative Muse took a hike out the door.....LOL

 

I'm glad to say she has come back. Hopefully for good.

 

I started this doll in May for a challenge at the Cloth Doll Artistry Facebook group called "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend". 

 

I used a pattern by Teresa Pietras called "Lilly: A Fantasy Rabbit".

 

She turned out better than I expected. I'm a bit out of practice. I just realized that this is the first complete doll I've made since August 1st last year. Sheesh! I have a lot of half made dolls in progress and I really should get my act together and finish them.

 

I used a leftover scrap from a fat quarter for her torso and legs but I didn't have enough to make her skirt. The pattern calls for white tulle which I had but it didn't look right. I was sort of stuck and thought that I might have to go buy something. Since I'm trying to use up what I have that wasn't really an option I wanted to go for.

 

Then I found this small piece of sheer fabric which was the perfect colour. I couldn't believe my luck.

 

Her blingy bracelet is made from a mesh trim that came in a roll. I bought it at Michael's. I think it was called Diamonds By The Yard. It's really neat stuff and can be cut to whatever size you need. I also used some on the top of her bodice and around her sleeves.

 

 

 

By the way. If you ever use feathered boa for hair DO NOT glue it on. OMG what a mess. I had to take it off and redo it. I had just enough left and I sewed it on with "invisible" thread which is a real pain to use too.

 

Take care:)

 

(The gap in my doll making from Aug 2015 to Feb 2017 was due to dealing with cancer. Also my doll making muse went on holiday for awhile to a desert island I think LOL )

28 Feb 2017

I just finished the second mini challenge for Cloth Doll Artistry in 2017. The idea was to put a doll in a frame and then blog about it. Here is the link to my blog. Come on over and visit. (Link to old blog no longer exists but I still have the pics)

30 Aug 2017

I thought I'd share a make over I did. 

 

The first picture is from 2013 and the second picture from last week.

 

The doll was originally made from a pattern from Patti Medaris Cullea's book called "Creative Cloth Doll Faces". At the time I didn't have anything for hair so I used some furry knitting yarn. I was looking at my doll and I thought maybe she'd like a new hairdo.

 

I do believe she is quite pleased with her new look 

 

 

05 May 2018

Working on a new doll. This one is called "Song of Hope" from an online class by Angela Jareki.

As you can see she has no head. I'm a little out of practice. I've already made three attempts that have been tossed in the garbage.

 

11 May 2018

I took the "Song of Hope" class with Art Dolls by Angela Jarecki in May/Jun 2017. I made the body and costumed it and then stalled. There she sat. Headless. I figured I better just get on with it. 

 

Doing the skin over face technique is difficult. I actually removed her first face and redid it. I still could not get rid of the chin seam showing through. Annoying but it happens:) 

 

Now this doll is finally done. Talk about pain and suffering. Sheesh. However all is good. I've got the doll making bug again.

 

 

28 Jun 2018

 

I've been re-reading the whole "Realm of the Elderlings" series of books by Robin Hobb. 

 

I just finished her "Rain Wild Chronicle" books....The Dragon Keeper, Dragon Haven, City of Dragons and Blood of Dragons.

 

I've also just finished watching the seventh season of Game of Thrones on blue ray. OMG eeeeek!!! The ending!!!! 

 

Anyway....so of course now I really really have to make a dragon 

 

I found some batik fabric at my local quilt shop with a print that looks very dragonish. I think so anyway. I'm using a pattern by Melinda Small Patterson. I've noticed that some doll makers add arms but I'm leaning towards making it as Melinda designed it. Her dragon is more like Smaug from the Hobbits or the dragons from Game of Thrones. 

 

At this point I haven't decided if I want to make it with the mouth opened or closed. It's still early days as I'm just cutting out the pattern.

 

 

21 July 2018

Worked on my dragon today. I have the main bits sewed except for the head. That's for tomorrow. At the moment I'm dragoned out.

 

The pattern supplies templates for drawing the veins in the wings. I decided to use freezer paper instead because my fabric is dark. It seemed easier than using a fabric marker that my old eyes wouldn't be able to see:) . 

 

I also forgot to sew the tail end bit before I turned the body...ooops. It was difficult enough turning it because of that narrow tail but I just added more difficulty by quilting the chest area. I used a thin batting that I think is called "Warm & Natural". It's almost like a thick pellon or felt. I guess felt would work too. 

 

My mistake with the tail was serendipitous actually. I intend to stuff the tail rather than use sand as the pattern suggests. I also want to use an armature so the open tail will work out better. See how I rationalize my mistakes....LOL If I read all the directions first I wouldn't have as many ooops moments. 

 

I'm a bit concerned about the size of the wings. They seem massive when you compare them to the body. Oh well. Once everything is stuffed it will probably make sense.

 

 24 Jul 2018

The dragon is getting there slowly but surely. There has been a wee bit of swearing:) I have decided to remake the head as I have no idea why my head looks so weird. True I haven't done any soft sculpture on it yet. I'm going to have a go at making the open mouth version. Then choose the one I think is better. 

 

At the moment it looks a bit like Nessy or a fat snake.....LOL

 

 27 Jul 2018

The ongoing dragon saga.............

 

I decided to use some small commercial cat eyes I had in my stash. I took the existing paint off the back using nail polish remover. I then repainted them with Lumiere by Jacquard. I tried a few colours but decided that the Sunset Gold was best with my fabric.

 

Instead of struggling with making the eyes on the actual head I decided I would make them in another way. I glued the cat eyes (after removing the shanks) onto a scrap of my fabric and then I hand sewed the strips made from the pattern pieces supplied. I carefully cut out my eye from the backing.

This is what I ended up with. A bit rough but once glued to the head it looked very good....to be continued......

 

 02 Aug 2018

The dragon is finally done!!!!!

 

This was a really fun pattern to make. The head was a challenge but the pattern is so well drafted that it all came together perfectly. 

 

I had some issues with the wings though. I think I may have overstuffed them and made them a bit too heavy. I had to unpick the buttons a few times trying to get them tighter so that I could pose them.They keep on flopping down. I finally gave up. He is what he is. 

 

He looks like he's about to fly off into the wide blue yonder.

 

 29 Aug 2018

 

Working on a mermaid doll for a Doll Street Club challenge. I'm using a pattern from a book by Patti Medaris Culea called Creative Cloth Doll Beading. I used much simpler beading on the tail than Patti did. I also used only beads in my stash which was a bit limiting. I'm not sure at this point if this is the one I will use for the challenge. Still early days and quite a bit of fiddling around to do. I still have until September 15th to finish her. 

 

This doll has not wanted to be made!!!!!!

 

 

16 Sep 2018

 

This is a doll I have just finished for a mermaid challenge at the Dollstreet Dreamers club. The doll body is from a book by Patti Medaris Culea called "Creative Cloth Doll Beading". Her head pattern is from another book by Patti called "Creative Cloth Doll Faces".

 

I had a hard time finding a good place to take pictures as it was a bit overcast. I probably could have gone outside but it was sweltering and no breeze. Opening the back door was like opening an oven.

I made a big oops with her mouth and covered it up with white gel pen and a very pale skin coloured pencil crayon. Then to hide that I gave her extra pink cheeks. In person it looks okay but in the pics it looks a bit extreme.

 

She has a very rubenesque figure so making a bra for her was a bit of a challenge. I'm quite pleased with what I came up with. Wired shell like shapes.

 

Lots of beading and sequins. I'm so glad she is finally finished!!!!!!!

 

Take care:)

 

16 Jan 2019

 

I didn't make the deadline for the Queen challenge at the Jan Horrox Doll Maker's group. However I did finish a queen doll eventually. Her name is Queen Beetrix:)

 

08 Aug 2019

Lucky me!!!!

 

I was recently given a pattern book for some very unique rag dolls. These rag dolls have lots of personality.

 

 

Along with the pattern book I was also given two screen printed faces. One is called the Boudoir Doll and the other is called the Story Book Doll. They are super high quality and beautifully done.

 

Inside the pattern book there are also 10 face templates that you can trace onto fabric yourself to make other types of dolls.There are also actual size patterns for the doll bodies and clothes as well. Lots of possibilities.

 

The designer is Gabriel Cardy.

Her link....https://www.facebook.com/G-Cardy-Designs-2015290835433671/

 

I'm making the Boudoir doll because I love her sexy face. 

 

I'm using the leg option with the boots. I painted the boot part black with some black paint that I bought totally by accident. I was in a rush one day and picked up what I thought was black acrylic paint. Ha! It was gloss enamel. Serendipity I guess. I've since used it a few times to make "leather" looking shoes/boots. 

 

 

I'll post a pic of my finished doll soon. Stay tuned.

23 Aug 2019 

My boudoir rag doll is done. 

 

I wanted to dress her all in black but of course I really didn't have enough of the right weight of fabric All I had was much too heavy for a doll. I made a resolution not to buy any fabric this year as I have lots. So I really looked hard at my stash and I did manage to find a couple of small bits.

 

For her blouse I ended up using a piece of silk skirt lining that I had. Her skirt is a small bit of fine man made linen.

 

I made her bodice by using a strip of my lining fabric, hemming the edge and then gathering it. Worked great and showed her cleavage which to me is an intrinsic part of this boudoir doll. 

 

I used the sleeve pattern from the book and one of the two skirt patterns offered. It was supposed to be four panels but I only had enough fabric to make it two. Oh well. Typical.

 

Next she needed a big hat. I used the pattern in the book and embellished it with lace and ribbon. I also added a wee bit of black marabou. Voila!

 

I was going to call her the Winsome Widow of Whiskey Wells. But I think she would rather be called Rose Marie. She has a whole background story in my imagination. She definitely is "The Widow" with a mysterious past looking for a new husband no doubt.

 

 

Take care:)

 

p.s.  the face is a screen print by Gabriele Cardy.