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

Meet Ma Petit Cheri

I spent  last weekend at Threads and Beds Retreat Center with some dolly friends.   We were delighted to have Barbara Schoenoff there to teach us her new doll pattern: January Girl.   She is a cloth doll that has painted and varnished arms, legs and head so that she resembles a miniature vintage resin boudoir doll.   Everyone chose different fabrics so every new painted lady has a different personality.   I chose a bright happy pink and fuchsia print that has some yellow accents.  I couldn't find any lace to match so I dyed some when I got back home.   I used yellow and pink tulle layered together to use as additional trim.   She is complete with lacy petticoat and pantaloons.  I used braided jute for her hair and hat.  Both are painted and varnished.  Her sleeve caps are adorned with a piece of the skirt fabric that has been "fussy cut" then trimmed with beads.   Her bodice is also trimmed with beads.  She is such a little darling and looks oh so French that  I named her Ma Petit Cheri  (translated: My Little Darling)  
Enjoy!!

Ma Petit Cheri Full View

Ma Petit Cheri Mid Range View

Pantaloons

Petticoat Detail

Delicate Shoes

Indy Cloth Dollmakers Show and Sale

I've been so busy making wonderful items for the show and sale that I forgot to post any pictures and the show is TOMORROW!!.   Well better late than never.   I've made four new one-of -a kind jackets.   I've also make some great knit cowls to wear instead of a scarf.  I've also used some vintage fur to make purses and neck warmers.  Back by popular demand are the Chloe Pin Dolls.  Check out  indyclothdollmakers.blogspot.com and vote for the doll you like.