Beaded Faces from Annie Hesse's class

Well, it has been a long time since the last post, due to the icky flu and other life complications, like trying to do homework for upcoming doll classes, and there are probably other things I should post first, but... we have fabulous pictures from our Annie Hesse workshop this weekend!


faces by Julie G., Bonnie, and Lynn

We just had Annie here for a 2-day workshop, and everybody finished the beaded face in class (although there may have been some midnight oil burning too!).  Most of us also got most if not all of the doll finished as well.


faces by Leslie, Martha, and Andrea

Annie taught a seated variation of her Spirit Walker doll; the doll is named Garden Party and has wonderfully extravagant ribbon skirts!  She had nice patterns printed up for us, but they are not up on her website yet.

faces by Nita and Liz

Many of the dolls were still armless at picture time, but Ann R. got her doll's arms attached in time to hold Barbara's beautiful-but-bodiless face for the group portrait!

faces by Mary Jane, Ann R., and Barbara

Annie was a great teacher, and we all had a really wonderful time with her!  She had traveled directly from teaching her Raggedy doll in Detroit (we should have asked her the name of the group there) to teaching in Indianapolis.  Even doing two different dolls in two cities in 5 days, she was totally organized.  AND, she remembered every person who had been in a class with her before, and asked about family members and projects and was just super to hang out with.

Project for the March 2011 meeting

You asked for it, you got it!  After seeing one of these cute etuis (by Willow Hill Quilts), there were several requests, so the meeting in March will feature this very useful little sewing kit.  Below are pictures of the ones that Andrea and her mother Dale made, so you can see what we will be doing.  The finished size is about 5 inches tall, and 8 inches wide when open. The supply list was sent out by email, and will also be in the newsletter.

Andrea's is the blue one with embroidered felt flowers, and Dale added tatted lace medallions and a vintage button to her elegant red and black one.

Everything is very secure inside, so you can just toss it into a bag anytime you need to have the basic sewing tools with you.

Andrea added embroidery stitches, vintage buttons, and a touch of beading to hers.  The scissors are held in place by a snap sewn to a ribbon loop.   The thimble pocket flap is decorated with a band of fancy flowered ribbon.

Dale finished hers much earlier than Andrea did by using purchased trim for embellishment!  Her scissors are held in place by ribbon looped over a large bead.  The red ribbon on the left holds a bobbin, so she can easily cut off just the thread she needs -- great for hand-piecing on the go.

We originally found the pattern in an issue of Quilter's magazine, but the designer Becca LoGiudice of Willow Hill Quilts also sells the pattern for her 'Wool Etui' on her website.  Becca has been very nice to work with in setting up a way for us to make her pattern as a group.  Thank you!

Pin Doll Sneak Peek

As you may know, we have been talking (for a couple of years?) about putting together a book of original pin doll designs.  It has taken a long time, but it looks like the club will finally, really have our very own pin doll pattern book!  The show-and-tell at February's meeting included some of the entries.

Want a sneak peek of some of the lovely designs that will be inside?  First up is Nita's very useful doll, Ima Pinkeeper, standing by with scissors at the ready.

Ima Pinkeeper, by Nita Butler

You will also find two sweet designs by Leslie.  Rosie has a definite Kate Greenaway air about her, and Punkin is a very tiny Waldorf-style baby doll.

Rosie and Punkin, by Leslie Wright

We can't share any more details than that, because they'll all be in the book!

Our hope and plan is to have some books ready to sell at the Saturday night swap meet at AFIC. So, cross your fingers and think good thoughts for Katie, who has volunteered for the formidable task of organizing our creative ramblings into something book-shaped. (Thank you, Katie!)