Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Finally something to show

This is the 4 inch doll I made for the 3D group Momiji doll swap.



The tradition Japanese Momiji doll has a compartment in it's base for a secret message. For our swap, the secret compartment could be located anywhere on the doll. For the doll body, I made a paper mache pocket and then wrapped it in fabric and embellished it with fibers, beads, findings, and little gourd seed feet. Next I made an embossed and painted polymer clay head and attached it to a piece of cardboard that slips into the body pocket and has the message written on it.

This little guy went to Lora in NY. I haven't received my swap doll, yet, but you'll see it when I do.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Art Doll Cool-Aberration

Not a lot to show here lately, but go check out the new posts on The Art Doll Cool-Aberration blog here. The project is going really well; our members are doing outstanding work on the dolls and journals. As you'll see when you go look!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Camille - Art Doll Cool-Aberration

According to her story started by Yvonne, Camille is an artist, a painter, who wants to travel the world. Well, as Camille's mother Robyn noted, her feet look like she's a dancer en pointe. And then the skirt I made looks a bit like a tutu. I took a pic of her reading an art book and without meaning to, I posed her admiring a painting depicting Russian ballet. I gave in to fate at that point and worked a dancer theme into her story...

We all know it takes money to travel, so Camille has been trying to formulate a plan for funding her journey. As it turns out, she trained in ballet throughout her childhood and early adult years. While admiring the Russian ballet painting, it hit her - she'll join a traveling ballet troupe and dance her way around the world! During her off time, she'll sketch and paint what she sees along the way.

So here're my pages in Camille's journal.




I made the tiny paint brushes from chicken feathers, toothpicks, and paper mache. Decided to put them in her journal.

Camille will be off to Barb in NY shortly. I get Persia the Pirate Queen to work on next!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I got nothing to show

Everything I'm working on is for swaps or gifts and can't be shown yet. So, shall we just talk? Nah.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Camille - Art Doll Cool-Aberration

I've been working on Robyn's doll, Camille, and I think I'm finished adding to her. Sometimes it's hard to stop. :)

Here's where she is now.




I made her a flouncy, short skirt out of a map stiffened with a glue & water mixture. Camille's an artist and wants to travel around the world painting what she sees. So her map skirt kindof represents that. Plus the map colors match her hair so nicely. :) I'm hoping someone else will further embellish her waistband.


I also filled in with french knots and beading around her face where Susan had embroidered. I continued downward, filling in her neck down to her shoulders.


Yvonne had added the buttons to her leg. I filled in around them with variegated, ribbon-like fiber.


I wanted to put some of the tiny roses I painted in her hair, but I was afraid they wouldn't survive the handling thru five more artists. So I'm sending some along with her that Robyn can put in her hair when she gets home.


Camille is definitely a girly girl. What I really love about a round robin is getting to work on such a variety of dolls. I haven't finished Camille's journal yet, but that'll come soon.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Got my Halloween swap doll!

I just got my doll from the Decidedly Different Dolls (3D) Halloween swap. Is he not adorable?! He's only 4 inches tall, 5 inches with his stand. Crystal did a wonderful job making him. I just love these tiny art dolls! I hope to significantly increase my collection of them through swaps hosted by the 3D group.

Thanks, Crystal!


Monday, October 12, 2009

My lonely quilt

I started this quilt 5 or 6 years ago. Got about 1/4 of the hand quilting done and pooped out on it. It's been stored in a closet untouched for 3 years now. I really would like to complete it someday (since it's my one and only quilt). Did a bit of quilting on it last nite.



Of course Miss Paisleyanne had to get in on the pics. She's such a ham.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

My kinda rag doll

When I'm making my tiny dolls, I enjoy making knots and loops and stitches that show. The problem is, the dolls are so tiny that there's not a lot of room to play.

So I decided to make myself a somewhat larger doll in a similar style. I made a lightly stuffed 8 inch doll form and then used the sewing machine to cover the body in a hodge podge of fabrics. Then I started in with the handstitching and tiny fabric patch additions.

She's a flat doll kindof like my pin dolls.

Here I've added some buttons and more stitching.

I did some stitching with embroidery thread on the upper left shoulder area and didn't like it. As I was cutting it out, I fell in love with the scraggly, feathery look, so I left it like that.


Her body is far from finished and her head hasn't even been started. And I still have her whole back side to play on! I think she'll be a two-faced doll. If I ever decide on even one face...

This is my idea of great fun; I'm a real party animal.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Not just shark's teeth

I collect shark teeth, and I have some that are over an 1 1/2 inches long and almost as wide. But that's nothing compared to these teeth that were given to my brother and me while we were at the beach. These aren't shark's teeth, they're SHARK'S teeth!


The one below is a little over 5 inches long. Yikes!

The girl that gave them to us collects them when she's scuba diving. Pretty amazing.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

3D Doll Swap

Been to the beach and back since my last post. Good to be home with all my four-legged babies.

Jeanne received the Halloween swap doll I made for the 3D group swap, so I can post a pic now.



It's kindof cutsie, but I like it. The witch stands less than 3 inches. The figures are standing on a tiny doormat so they look like trick or treaters. I made tiny polymer clay masks/faces and did some beading on the tiny stuffed bodies. Here's a shot of the witch alone.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Another pinless pin

Here's another pin-to-be, this one with a polymer clay head. Still waiting for the pinbacks I ordered.