2017 AFICC ( Artistic Figures in Cloth and Clay)

Sorry it has taken so long to post to my blog.  We sold our home and moved to a smaller place in January so some things just didn't get done as soon as I would have liked.   However, things are returning to some state of normalcy so I should be able to post more now.  

The first activity after our move was to get a doll ready for the 2017 AFICC Convention which was held at the end of April in Columbus, Ohio.  The challenge this year was based on the poem "Monday's Child".   We were to choose a day of the week and make a doll that represented that day.   I chose "Thursday's Child Has Far to Go".    As a child and teen, I rode my bicycle everywhere and since I have many memories surrounding that activity, I chose to put my doll on a bicycle.   I found a bicycle that was painted all gold and repainted it to look less like a home décor piece and more like a real bicycle.   I chose bright happy colors because I wanted the doll to reflect my happy memories.   Of course, I never had flowers in my basket or gift boxes on the back but it sure makes me happy to look at it. 

She is an original cloth doll with a needle sculpted face that has been hand painted.  This is the first time I have tried to needle sculpt and paint an open mouth smile on a doll, but I'm happy with the result.  I made the hat from 1/4 inch narrow straw braid and then added flowers for interest.  

I was honored to win 2nd place from the judges in the Original Category and People's Choice over all.  I named her "Joy's Journey".    I hope you all enjoy her too. 

   

Threads of Time Australian Fabric Challenge

On July 24 the Threads of Time Fabric Shop and Sewing Retreat in Danville, Illinois sponsored a Doll Show and challenge for the Indy Cloth Dollmakers.    The challenge was to make a cloth figure using Australian themed fabric.   Here is a picture of the 13 entries.   The people who viewed the exhibit voted on their favorite which was then awarded the "People's Choice Award.   

Camira- People's Choice Winner

My entry was Camira which is an aboriginal name that means "Of the Wind".   I wanted to create a doll that showed the pride and free spirit of the Aboriginal people.   She is a totally cloth doll, even her head.   Her head is needle sculpted cloth which was then painted.  Her hair is made from novelty fringe.   The bodice of the dress is beaded with tiny seed beads and her wrists and ankles are adorned with beads.  
   

Often I begin the doll making process with a sketch.  This way I can see how the pose and costume fit together before I begin.   Below are sketches of Camira.   

For those that are curious about the face sculpting process, I am including a couple of pictures that show the face before it is painted.  It's strange but often pictures will show features more clearly than if you are looking at them in person.  If I see something out of balance I can change it before it is painted.  

Amanda--A Victorian Doll

Amanda

I have three sisters and I have now completed a doll for each of them.   My sister, Sharon, who lives in Maine, requested a Victorian doll.   She was a fan of the PBS show, Paradise, (they have since discontinued the series) so I took one of the fashions from the show as my inspiration for Amanda.   

Amanda is an original all cloth doll that is about 20 inches tall.  She is clothed from the inside out complete with corset, bloomers, bustle and petticoat.   Of course, you can't see all of them after she is clothed, but after all, she is a LADY.   However, I took some in process photos to share with you.  

        

I also took pictures of her shoes which I also made.  They have leather soles and I used polymer clay to make the heels which I then covered with fabric.  

  

I needle sculpted her face and then painted it with acrylic paint.   Here are some before and after photos of that process.  

And here she is with face paint and no hair.   I used Tibetan Lamb for her hair but I curled it on straws to help with the styling.  

So now you have it...all the under the covers stuff and the before and after.  I hope you enjoyed the process.   

Coming Soon.....pictures of Camira....Aborigine fabric Challenge doll.  

12th Annual Show and Sale a Big Success!

In spite of a few rain showers, the Indy Cloth Dollmakers 12th Annual Show and Sale was a big success with record numbers in attendance.   I would like to thank all who came and supported our efforts.    There were eight fascinating and  creative entries in the Fairy and Habitat Challenge.   We had a record number of ballots cast for the People's Choice.   My entry, Petal and La Belle Faerie Boutique,   was the winner of the People's Choice and will be featured on next year's publicity post card and brochures.   

It was really a great experience making the habitat as well as the doll.   The boutique started life as a vintage doll wardrobe.   It is metal and had been painted fire engine red.   The transformation started with a can of gray texture paint.   I created three dimensional windows with small strips of wood, a thin sheet of vinyl, fabric curtains and a picture to create a view into the shop.    I covered the interior with fabric to resemble wallpaper and then added shelves, lights, and a chandelier.   I hinged a piece of wood to one side to act as another wall and then added pictures, signs and mirrors.   I handmade everything except the metal sewing machine, the sewing chair base, and the little bookshelf unit.  Everything was painted white and then distressed for the "shabby chic" look.    The boutique also has a dress form and a dressing screen.  

Boutique all stored inside case

Exterior Window

Close up view of hats, shoes, garlands and necklaces

Interior view of Boutique all ready for business

Petal custom makes clothes for all her fairy friends so her shop is complete with rolls and bolts of fabric and boxes of trims and petals.   I made shoes, hats, garlands and necklaces so that her customers have all the proper accessories to complete their haute couture look.  

Petal, is a garden fairy, so her skin tone is green and she is clothed to look like a flower. Her face was hand painted to blend in with her body tone.   Her hair is curly mohair that was needle felted onto a piece of felt and then shaped and styled to fit her head.  I added a garland and earrings to complete her look.    I had cut petal shapes from pink organza and sewed them together to make the skirt.  I then sprinkled beads and tiny flowers among the petals.   Tiny flowers and beads also adorn her bodice.   

Petal

Petal working in her Boutique

The Hoffman Challenge Results are in!!

Avant Garde Indigo won Best Incorporation of Challenge Fabric.  

You can go to http://hoffmanchallenge.com/2014challenge/winners14/dolls2014.html  to see all the other doll  winners.   

I assume that she will be part of the traveling exhibit but that list is not available at this time.  

Hoffman Fabric Doll Challenge--Avant Garde Indigo

Avant Garde Indigo

As promised here are pictures of my doll for the Hoffman Fabric Doll Challenge 2014.   I was inspired for this original doll by the fabric.   I wanted to create a design the used the features of the fabric as part of the costume design.   I also loved the colors and since I love fashion, I decided that I wanted to do an avant garde runway design....thus Avant Garde Indigo was born.  She is ready for the runway.  

I hope you enjoy her as much as I do.  

Her platform wedge shoes were molded from polymer clay and then covered with fabric.  The shoe straps were created by braiding 1/8 inch ribbon in colors that matched the fabric.  

Her hat was created by beading the fabric and then using a covered button form.  I left the "petals" sticking out from the form to make the hat look like a flower.   I used memory wire for the beaded "feathers" on her hat. 

Her hair is hand dyed Tibetan lamb died to match the fabric.  That was quite a process....mixing dyes to come up with a match that I was happy with took over 12 hours.....but I was determined!    

Her head is a needle sculpted cloth overlay  that I gessoed and then painted with acrylic paint.  The flowers on her face are hand painted to resemble the flowers in the fabric.  

I hand beaded the circles and then added tulle under them to make mini crinolines so they would stand out from the skirt.   They are slightly curved to add more dimension.   

The flowers on the bodice are fussy-cut from the fabric and then hand beaded.  I then hand sewed them to the bodice.  

  

Hoffman Fabric Challenge

Hoffman Fabric Doll Challenge
This is the first time that I have participated in the Hoffman Fabric Challenge.  I looked at the fabric in previous years but just couldn't find the time to participate.   I have shipped her off to be judged . If she is selected she will be traveling for a year so I took lots of pictures.   It was really hard to put her in a box and ship her off.   The deadline for the dolls is July 18th so I'll post pictures of my completed doll  very soon.   I really like her and as with each doll I was surprised at the final result.   Here is a photo of the challenge fabric.   It really presented many opportunities for creativity.   Enjoy.....more to come soon!!!

Lady Mary goes to Threads of Time Retreat

 Lady Mary

I've just returned from a wonderful 3 day retreat at Threads of Time in Danville, Illinois.   I met my sisters, Molly and Barb there on Thursday and then spent Friday and Saturday with my doll maker friends.  We had a doll show at the retreat and a special showing of "Downton Abbey" inspired dolls.  

Lady Mary made her debut complete with  her signature tiara, gloves and purse.   Her gown is made from iridescent blue silk overlaid with  vintage black lace that I hand beaded.  She is all cloth but her head and arms have been painted with acrylic paint to give them a porcelain look.  Her hair is styled from wool roving.  

Lady Mary's hand beaded Tiara

Lady Mary's hand crafted shoes 

Hand beaded purse in the style of the period

Here are some in process pictures.  

Lady Mary wears underwear even if you can't see it!!

Lady Mary's stockings 

This is what she looked like after needle
 sculpting but before painting

Now she has her face painted and ears added

New Dolls: Pioneer Women and Child

The winter has been brutal but it has given me time to complete a project for my sister.   She loves the pioneer era, so she asked me to make a pioneer woman sitting in a rocker with a child at her feet and she wanted a bonnet hanging on her chair.   Since I make dolls, I decided that this doll would be making dolls!  The child has her own doll too.  I made the stuffing tool from a broken needle and molded a paperclay handle for it.  If you look closely you will see a finished doll (no clothes) in her sewing box along with bundles of fabric ready for her to make clothes for her dolls.  She also has a bag of stuffing by her side.   Of course, she needed a rag rug to complete the setting so I crocheted one for her.   Both dolls are all cloth construction but I painted the faces with acrylic paint so that they look like porcelain or clay heads. I  needle sculpted the faces, painted them with gesso and then added an acrylic base.  I took photos of the process so you can see all the details.   Enjoy. 

It looks great on my bookshelf at home

Close up view of dollmaker and child with doll

Notice the doll has a period costume too!!

Heads that are ready for faces

Child's shoes, complete with soles and laces

Mother's, stockings, shoes, and pantaloons

Close up of hair and bonnet

Close up of doll and stuffing tool