Linda June 10th, 2010
Scott has been home from quilt market for about 2 weeks and the dust (or rather fabric) has had time to settle. He made lots of good contacts (Amy Butler for one) and the new Editor of Quilter’s Home for another. I had sent him with a couple of my beaded pins to give away. Amy loved hers and so did the Editor (oops-forgot her name here, senior moment! Is it Jake?). Anyway, it was so well received that this Editor wants to highlight them in her “bling” section of the magazine sometime in the Fall. I am told there will be a “small” phone interview with me (just the idea makes me all squirmy!). So with that said I have been making new pins to put on my Etsy shop like a mad women…this along with the state messing with the funding for my kids’ alternative school, Noel taking the Sat, signing kids up for Fall classes, one dental crown for me, wisdom teeth removal for Noel, gypsy doll to finish, AND a requested custom made 2 headed cat.
This is what my desk looks like at the moment. You can see the fabric color card from Quilt Market (very cool stuff, it is a 50/50 silk cotton blend–look for it, very fun stuff!). The 2 headed teddy that started the request, beads to the left and a great pile of button in front (this is only PART of my button stash–oh I do love finding jars of buttons at garage sales nothing is better except the smell of old fabric!) The body parts for the 2 headed cat are in purple-the middle–my desk do not normally look this way (LOL but Scott’s does !!!!). I will post pics of the cat when I am done.
Oh and if you have time–check out a place on line called GraphJam.com!!!!
Linda July 7th, 2008
Here is the finished dress. I decided to keep it long-ish. I had a dickens of a time getting the lining right and how the sleeves/bias tapes covering works, is kinda weird. But I did do it AND managed to install a zipper (the second one I’ve done in my lifetime–my dolls’ clothing does not require zippers LOL). I put the yo-yos on at the neck because the neckline was cut so wide that it showed my bra (and I am of the generation that thinks that your underware SHOULD NOT be showing). I wore it to a mother/daughter tea party that Mimi and I had at the house (on the back porch to be precise.) A lot of people asked if it was home made–I asked Scott if it was because it was doppy or just different?!
Linda June 16th, 2008
This is my latest project (I was getting too tense from sculpting these heads–I needed something “fun”.) I found a pattern at the craft store I clean–I am on the look out for the “perfect” little shift dress…I will post pictures when is it done. So far it looks easy, I figure if I can sew clothing for 18 inch dolls I can sew for me!!!
This head is one of two that I am working on for the “Treasure of the Gypsy” challenge. I have changed my method of sculpting and will see if it is any different or turns out any better. I used a Styrofoam egg for the inside versus a aluminum foil ball. The clay instead of Das paper clay is Dawrii air dry clay (both are easy to use and to sand–see my page on various clays). The eyes are porcelain doll eyes. I think around the nose and eyes are better but I am still frustrated by the lips–mine always come out too “poochy”, like someone punched my dolls recently. It will be a large doll–close to 24 inches. Scott and I are working on the challenge together, it is due Oct.
This is the second head..I work on 2 at a time. Scott and I will pick the one we like the best (and the other head may end up in another project.) The eyes protrude but I think of think it looks interesting. Also you can see that I penciled in the ear placement. This is also new for me, I drew roughly where certain features went and them added them. I am struggling with my artistic voice/style. Do I want to do realistic or fantasy/extreme dolls. I long to do scultps that are life like but don’t feel I have the knowledge yet. Ahhh, the pitfalls of teaching one’s self.
