January meeting cancelled, due to snow and ice and awfulness

Hi, everybody!
The forecast for this Saturday just looks too bad to think about getting us all out there on the road, especially those that live south of town and would have to brave ice as well as snow and wind.
Stay home, be safe and warm, and maybe use the morning to sew something pretty.
Officially,
Madame President.

January 2019 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

January 19 - Planning a Doll

February 16 - Sewing Body Parts and Turning

March 16 - AFICC kit assembly

April 20 - Assembling a Doll Body

May 18 - Joint Meeting with River City Group, cage doll challenge due 

June 15 - Drawing and Sculpting a Doll Face

July 20 - Simple Doll Costuming

August 17 - Doll Hair

September 14 - Doll embellishments, wings, etc.

October 19 - 2019 Challenge Doll Judging of Ethnic/International Doll

November 16 - Reveal of Patti Culea Doll

December 14 - Annual Christmas Party

Please note:  This agenda is tentative and subject to change

Member Birthdays

Happy January birthday to Joan!

December Meeting Minutes

Seventeen members were present for our December meeting:  Elena, Maggie, Martha, Katie, Ann R., Nita, Ron, Julie G., Jude, Kathryn, Leslie, Julie W., Cindy, Ann C., Andrea, Mary and Vicki.

For Show and Tell, Elena brought two adorable little pig originals.

Elena's Piggies

Julie G. brought a fairy doll made with chalk paint and rice paper wings. She also made a Krampus doll which is a doll from European folklore.

Julie G.'s fairy

Julie G.'s Krampus

 Kathryn shared a beautiful quilt she has put together over the last two years made from wool felt and designs from Sue Spargo.  Beautifully done, Kathryn!

Kathryn's wool felt quilt

2019 officers were voted for.  They remain the same as for 2018:
President:  Andrea
Vice-Presidents:  Virginia, Sue, Julie G., and Denise
Secretary/Blog:  Julie W.
Treasurer:  Jude
Publicity:  Katie
Show and Sale:  Maggie

The programs for 2019 were discussed and we will be creating a Patti Culea doll.  This will be a year of learning and reviewing all kinds of doll making techniques and an opportunity for dollmakers of little experience to very experienced to learn and share.  Julie G has contacted Patti about our plans.  Patti thanked us for contacting her and was very glad to know about our dollmaking.  Patti has several well written books on dollmaking as well as  many patterns that we can choose from.  Patti's instructions are very detailed and make it easy for any dollmaker to complete a wonderful doll.  Members may choose any of her dolls to create and we will work together thru out the year and have a completed doll to share with everyone at our November meeting.
The meeting continued alternating feasting on the fabulous foods members brought, with voting on next year's challenge doll.  The winning vote was for creating an ethnic/international doll.  Our Christmas gift needle cases were exchanged.  The needle cases were wonderfully made, each unique and sew useful!

Needle book gift exchange

Party time!

Party time!

Needle Books

Voting

 In December our charity dolls were donated to the Children's Bureau's Hope for the Holidays campaign which supports children and families who otherwise might not receive any holiday assistance.  Their mission is to preserve families and protect the future of Indiana's children.

Charity Dolls

Children's Bureau

Next Meeting

Dues are due in January! You may write a check to Doll Creators for $25 and give it to Jude at the meeting or mail it to her.  Sue and Julie G. will be leading our January program which will be starting the doll creating process.  Things that will be discussed include choosing the pattern, fabric choices, tracing and sewing a pattern, types of stuffing, and tools for turning. Members are encouraged to join in the discussion with their knowledge of these things as well as questions about any of the topics.

Upcoming Challenges and Events

Thru end of January 2019 Doll Display at Bona Thompson Historical Society in Irvington

January 26, 2019 Andrea's flower fairy class at Bona Thompson 1-4

April 25-28, 2019 - AFICC in Columbus, Ohio

May 18, 2019 - River City Challenge "Cage Doll"

October 19 - 2019 Challenge Doll Judging of Ethnic/International Doll

November 23, 2019 - 17th Annual Show and Sale

January Checklist

• Nametag
• Dues
• Patti Culea books, patterns, or dolls you may have

December 2018 Newsletter

December 2018 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

December 15, 2018 - Annual Christmas Party and needlebook exchange
January 19, 2019 - TBD
February 16, 2019 - TBD

Member Birthdays

Birthday wishes to Sue, Leslie, Ann C., and Jude.  What a wonderful time of year to have a birthday!  Hope you all have or had a great one!

November Meeting Minutes

There was no official meeting in November due to having our fantastic Show and Sale.  There was a huge display of one of a kind artistic dolls.  Displays included our challenges that were created this year and dolls from the workshops we have had.  Sales tables included a variety of items with something for everyone.  We thank the Irvington United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their beautiful room for our Show and Sale.  And a big thank you to all who helped make it happen.  Maggie did an excellent job of organizing everything and making sure it all went smoothly.  Thank You, Maggie!!!

We were honored to have two instructors with Show and Sale items.  Kathryn Walmsley had a very nice display of her work and patterns.  She will be teaching the making of an adorable Paperclay doll at the John C. Campbell Folk School February 3-9, 2019.  Click here to go to that site.  Kathryn is a great instructor and very personable.  If you have an opportunity to take one of her classes, you should do so!

Kathryn Walmsley

Kathryn's Doll for John C. Campbell Folk School

Barbara Schoenoff is another excellent instructor who had a table with her fiber art village of "Wood Wives" in their habitat.  You should hear her story about the inhabitants! You can find many of Barbara's patterns on the following websites:  DOLLMAKERS JOURNEY, Doll Street Dreamers, and A for Artistic. 

Barbara Schoenoff with her Wood Wives

This year's challenge theme was Advanced Style: Aging Outrageously.  There were ten entries that visitors voted on for the People's Choice award.  Martha's "On the Road to Sturgis with Frank and Dolly was the winner of the People's Choice.   Martha's "On the Road to Sturgis with Frank and Dolly" tied with Katie's "Sophie" for first place in the judging!  Judge's second went to Nita for her "Meet Lillian Page" and third went to Virginia for her "Her Majesty goes for a walk".  Martha's "On the Road to Sturgis with Frank and Dolly also won the Judge's Choice!  Great job Martha!!!  Congratulations to all of you.  Well done!  All of the entries were exceptional this year as can be seen in the photos.  Many of these dolls are currently on display at the Irvington Historical Society building, for the Bona Thompson Center's Holiday Fair until January 30, 2019.  The theme for the display is "Dolls Make the Best Story Tellers" so if you didn't get to come to our show and sale, you still have an opportunity to see these fabulous art dolls.

Martha's On the Road to Sturgis with Frank and Dolly

Katie's Sophie

Nita's Meet Lillian Page

Virginia's Her Majesty Goes for a Walk

Jude's Hazel

Maggie's Carrie

Ann C.'s

Mrs. Isabelle Bugatti

attends the opening night

Gala at the Met

Elena's Queen of Pop

Andrea's When I Grow Up

Sue's Agnes

Next Meeting

December 15 is our next meeting at which time we will have our annual Christmas Party!  There will be a pitch in brunch and an optional gift exchange.  We will also be voting for next year's officers.  All of the current officers are willing to continue in their current roles if the membership wants.  Certainly if anyone desires one of the positions they may contact one of the current officers so they may be put on the ballot!  We will be discussing programs for next year's meetings.  One suggestion has been a sew along based on one of  Patty Culea's books. Many of us own some of her books and they are also available in the library.  Patty's books have lots of inspiration and several different skill levels. Let us know of any other suggestions for programs you might have.  Bring your ideas for next year's Show and Sale Challenge and we will also vote on that.
If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, bring a needle book you have made wrapped up with your name on the inside of the gift bag/box.  Our exchange is optional, don't feel obligated!  It will be a fun day.  Hope you all can make it!

Upcoming Challenges and Events

Dec. 15 - Christmas party and needlebook exchange

April 25-28, 2019 - AFICC in Columbus, Ohio

May 18, 2019 - River City Challenge "Cage Doll"

December Checklist

• Nametag
• Show and Tell
• Covered brunch dish
• Ideas for 2019 Challenge
• Ideas for 2019 meeting programs
• Nominees for officers
• Needlebook gift (Optional)

If anyone has questions about our doll club or would like to contact us, please email our club at Indyclothdollmakers@yahoo.com.

November 2018 Newsletter

November 2018 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

November 17 - Annual Show and Sale 9-4

December 15 - Annual Christmas Party and needlebook exchange

Member Birthdays
Birthday wishes go out to Maggie and Edie this month!

October Meeting Minutes
Present this month were nineteen members and one guest:  Martha and guest, Ann C., Julie G., Ron, Kathryn, Nita, Sue, Andrea, Denise, Vicki, Janet, Maggie, Julie W., Leslie, Ann R., Jude, Katie, Mary and Elena.

Show and Tell
Julie G., Virginia, and Sue all took a one day class with Beth Anne  Darr.  Amazing ladies!  Check out Beth Anne on facebook Wymplewary.

Julie G.'s Darr Doll

Virginia's Darr Doll

Sue's Darr Doll

Julie G., Nita, and Kathryn all made Wee Folk Flower Fairies at a recent retreat at Threads of Time.  These Dolls are based on  Felt Wee Folk  dolls designed  by Salley  Mavor.

Julie G.'s, Nita's, and Kathryn's Wee Folk Flower Fairies

Kathryn recently has designed three new cloth doll patterns:  Leaf, Violet, and Cornflower. They are adorable!  Kathryn's website is full of useful information.  Be sure and check it out!

Virginia was unable to attend (darn that work thing!) but her wonderful mom brought Virginia's Beth Anne Darr doll AND her Completed Sleeping Mermaid from Marla Niederer's recent class.  Thanks for sending them, Virginia!  We really enjoyed seeing them and missed you.

Virginia's Sleeping Mermaid

Sue brought one of her Ohio State Fair dolls and of course the Beth Anne Darr doll shown above.

Sue's Ohio State Fair Doll

Janet has been busy knitting and also made a very nice carry-on bag.

Janet's Carry-on bag

Elena was proud to announce that she is now officially a U.S. Citizen!!  Congratulations, Elena!  We are so happy for you!  She brought her scary creatures to show.  How appropriate for the month of October!  Elena sells many of her dolls on Etsy.

Elena's Beastie, Bogeyman Doll

Elena's Corpse Dead Bride Emily Doll

Business
Andrea is working on displays for our dolls.  There will be a library display October 29-November 16 and the Historical Society display at the Bona Thompson Center November 21-January 30.  The Bona Thompson display is entitled "Dolls are the Best Story Tellers".   You may leave your dolls at the Irvington Library and Andrea will put them in these displays for you.  Each doll needs to have a small tag or sign or label including the doll's name,  whose pattern, and your name and any other information you want to include.

Maggie and Katie shared an article in the Carmel Monthly about our doll club highlighting two of our members from that area, Maggie and Denise.  Very nice article.  Thank you Carmel Monthly!

Our annual Show and Sale is November 17 from 9-4 at the Irvington United Methodist Church. Set up will be on Friday November 16 from 3-5. The church is holding a fundraiser auction for their preschool on Wednesday, November 14.  There is a dinner at the church starting at 5:00 pm. Our club is donating items for the auction.  

Our Advanced Style:  Aging Outrageously Challenge Dolls were due this month for judging.  Cyndy Sieving was our guest judge.  There were nine entries this year and how delightful they all were.  These dolls will be on display at our Show and Sale.  Be sure and come and vote for your favorite who will be given the People's Choice Award.

Cyndy brought samples of AFICC class projects.  AFICC will be held April 25-28, 2019.  These classes will be fantastic. Thank you Cyndy for bringing them and telling us about the classes. Registration can be done online on the AFICC website.  Some of the classes are already full, so sign up right away so you don't miss out!  There will be ten teachers and 22 classes to choose from.  There are scholarships available for club members.  Let one of the officers know if you are interested in a scholarship to help offset the cost.

Cyndy and her AFICC display

We finally had our reveal for our Round Robin/Brown Bag Dolls.  Dolls were returned to their original makers who were amazed at the transformations.  These dolls will be on display  at the Show and Sale. Another must see at the Show.

2018 Round Robin/Brown Bag dolls

Next Meeting

There is no official meeting in November because of the Show and Sale.  The next official meeting will be December 15.

Upcoming Challenges and Events
Nov. 17 - Show and Sale
Dec. 15 - Christmas party and needlebook exchange
April 25-28, 2019 - AFICC in Columbus, Ohio
May 18, 2019 - River City Challenge "Cage Doll"

If anyone has questions about our doll club or would like to contact us, please email our club at Indyclothdollmakers@yahoo.com.