Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Mythical Being Challenge Dolls

Introducing our 2013 Challenge Dolls!
Y Ddraig Goch: A Welsh Dragon
Erin created her dragon using the intricate Kells Dragon pattern from Smallworks.
Mer: A Princess of the Bountiful Sea
Ann C. used a Leslie Molen pattern to create her pregnant mermaid.
Francine: A Centauress
Julie W. used a Pam Grose pattern to create her lady centaur.
MacMillan of the West Wind: A Banshee
Julie G. created her Banshee from a Susan Barmore pattern.
Willow: A Hamadryad
Katie's Willow doll is entirely original.
Merseea: A Princess Mermaid
Nita used a pattern by Arley Berryhill to create her mermaid.
Violet: A Jewelry Fairy
Jude created her tiny fairy using an Allison Marano pattern.
Brigid: A Sun Goddess
Vicki created an original design for her very first doll.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Dame Maggie

Introducing Dame Maggie Smith, as created by Katie Jones, in Lillian Alberti's "Heiress" workshop at Artistic Figures in Cloth and Clay 2013, and finished for September doll club show and tell.
Please see Katie's own post about creating this marvelous doll.


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A collection of embellishment ideas

Our September program idea was a great success, as several club members brought in embellishment ideas to share:
Jude brought her Perfect Pleater (seen below), which she is using to make a skirt for the robes of her Goddess doll, in progress (seen above).
Katie shared a highly textured scrap of fabric, shirred in lines sewn with steam-sensitive Chizimi Shrink-It Thread.
Julie W. brought some of her machine embroidery, stitched on layers of sheer fabrics and tulle.  This piece is part of an angel wing from her White-on-White challenge doll
Julie G. also layered fabric and machine embroidery, but used just a little more color.  Circles of satin and velvet are stitched to an organza base, and yarn is couched around them.  Julie first learned this technique from Pearl Red Moon at an MM&M class.
Martha continued the circular theme with her hand-sewn bead-embellished fabric on Isadora, a doll she made years ago, when we first realized her beading addiction :).
Andrea put together a resource picture page on soutache braid work, showing some of the stunning jewelry designs being made now.

There's one very special show-and-tell doll left, but she will get her own post.  Next meeting: our Mythological Being Challenge Dolls are due!