Artsy Girl

Here is a new doll just finished.  She kind of came together at the end when I decided she needed a tote bag full of art supplies.  Thanks to Caroline from Cinderella Moments for the tutorial on painting roses.  She has a little painting in her bag that I am pleased with how it came out!









Her "hair" is actually a very old silk glove that I embellished with little Czech glass beads.

I have been wanting to make this doll for a long time.  I sculpted the head as part of an instructional demo during my last doll making workshop.  I just need to make a hat out of old materials.  The little carpet bag is trimmed with bits of leather saved from an old wallet.  I think she will find her way to Prince Edward Island.  She belongs there.

April Doll Making Workshop- Russian Style Nesting Dolls

Yesterday I taught another doll making workshop in my home studio with a wonderful group of women.  We made three Russian style nesting dolls from vintage textiles and hand sculpted face plates.  My philosophy for teaching my classes is to teach techniques and provide lots of materials and options and let the students make their own unique creations.  The most rewarding part for me is to see how each student interprets the lesson.  The biggest challenge is we never can have enough time but the diversity in the end product is wonderful!

Maggi's Christmas trio

Pat and her dolls

Meghan and her dolls

Karen and her dolls

Maggi and her dolls

Lunch was provided we had Chinese Chicken Salad and Chocolate Chip Carrot Cake to keep us going.

Lots of fun.  Next workshop will be in the Fall.

Snowy Day Sewing

It's spring but we have had snow all day. It's been a good day to get some slipcover sewing done.  I made an ottoman cover to go with this chair I made last year.  They will both be heading up to Prince Edward Island soon!

New Doll Making Workshop!

I am having a new one day workshop where I will be teaching you how to make Russian style nesting dolls.  There will be minimal sewing and sculpting required.  The fun is in the embellishing!  We will be using lots of vintage textiles, buttons, old jewelry and medals, ribbons etc. to create our own unique set of dolls.

The workshop will be held in my studio here in historic Walpole, NH and a delicious lunch is included.  Seating is limited so please contact me if you are interested.

Farewell Downton

In honor of Downton Abbey's final episode (tears), I have added to my collection of Downton Abbey handmade dolls.  Here is Mr. Carson.  He was a little finicky to make but I would expect nothing less from Mr. Carson.  I will keep making them till I have the manor filled.  Matthew is in the works...


Here he is with his lady love Mrs. Hughes



The others I made last year.

A Bevy of Bezels and Beautiful Bracelet

I have been going bezel crazy!  I find these so much fun to make, especially creating the little scenes to fill the bezels.  I actually like making the bezels better than making a finished project from them but they will all get used eventually.  The bracelet was made after taking Terri Brush's milagro class.  I have learned a lot from her classes.

This will make a pretty brooch attached to a velvet ribbon.



This one was made with vintage millinery flower encased in resin.



This came out a little wonky but I still like it.



Here is one of my favorites that I will keep for myself.  Love my mounties!



Here is the bracelet made with milagro type hearts.



Another pendant charm made by dapping and soldering.



The collection!

What I Made Today

Working with metal and soldering hearts.







And a vintage fabric heart with a chandelier crystal to brighten up a sick friend's room.

New Toy!

I have been sewing on a machine since I was 12 and have had just three machines.  The last one (a Sears Kenmore) was purchased around 26 years ago.  My very first one (also a Sears Kenmore) was purchased when I was in high school.  Those machines have seen me through a lot of sewing and they are still going!  But I have been having trouble with my main machine and saw this deal on Craig's List for a Pfaff Ambition 1.5 that I could not resist.  It was practically new in the box and I got it for a fraction of it's original price.  I can't wait to test it out!



And here is my Wolf Dress Form also known as "Lucille" all dressed for February and Valentines Day.  I have fun dressing her in vintage finds.  Silly?  I know but it makes me happy.