March 2018 Newsletter

March 2018 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

March 17 - Name tags and swap meet

April 21 - tour of the Mad Hatter exhibit at the art museum with Janet Brandt

May 19 - Beasties Challenge and Joint meeting with River City Group

June 16 - Charity Dolls/Advanced Style Video

July 21 - Joan - Make a portable cutting mat

August 18 - Denise - How to make an awesome journal

September 15 - Virginia - Faces

October 20 - 2018 Challenge Doll Judging

November 17 - Annual Show and Sale

December 15 - Annual Christmas Party

Member Birthdays
Spring birthday wishes to Julie W. and Colleen!

February Meeting Minutes
Members present were Julie G., Ann C., Ann R., Leslie, Katie, Andrea, Denise, Sue, Virginia, Jude, Kathryn, and Ron.

Show and Tell
Three members completed  their country girl dolls made from Nita’s country girl original pattern at the recent retreat at Threads of Time in Danville, IL   How adorable!

Andrea's Saffron

Katie's country girl

Julie G.'s Latte

Kathryn created an original" Pinocchio".  Great job Kathryn!

Kathryn's Pinocchio

Andrea has updated the Critique Form for the 2018 "Advanced Style:  Aging Outrageously" Doll Challenge.  This will be a fun challenge with the doll personifying an older person with fabulous or highly individual style.  Andrea is making arrangements for the judging of these dolls which are due at the October meeting. 
There is one opening for the Marla Niederer class in September.  Contact Julie G. if you are interested.  This class is for the advanced doll maker and members will make a sleeping mermaid.
We have six participants in the Round Robin/Brown Bag Doll exchange.  Those participating will put faces on their doll and attach it to the body for the March exchange.
For our April workshop on the 7th and 8th members will meet at the Irvington library to work on UFO's half days, then Denise will present a program on making wings and Kathryn on making shoes.
Our April Meeting will be a tour of the Bes-Ben:  The Mad Hatter of Chicago exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art now called Newfields.  Janet Brandt will be conducting our tour.

Andrea led our program for this month.  Paper dice were made with different tasks to accomplish written on each side of the die.  The dice are rolled and whatever comes up is your next task.  Thanks for encouraging us to complete all those tasks we have on our lists, Andrea!

Next Meeting
March 17 is our next meeting.  We will be working on nametags, so if you don't have one or want to make a new one or perhaps repair your old one, bring your sewing kit and supplies.
Those participating in the Round Robin/Brown Bag Doll exchange bring your doll with its completed face attached to the body to exchange for the next round.
We are also having a swap meet that day, so clean out your stashes and bring stuff to swap!

Upcoming Challenges and Events

April 7-8 - Irvington weekend sew-in

May 19 -"Beasties" Challenge with River City

Sept. 29-30 - Marla Niederer class

Oct. 20 -  Challenge Judging - "Growing Old Outrageously"

Nov. 17 - Show and Sale

March Check List

• Nametag
• Show and Tell
• Round Robin/Brown Bag Doll for exchange
• Sewing kit and supplies to work on your nametag
• Swapping stuff

February 2018 Newsletter

February 2018 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

February 17 - Andrea - UFO Dice

March 17 - Name tags and swap meet

April 21 - tour of the Mad Hatter exhibit at the art museum with Janet Brandt

May 19 - Beasties Challenge and Joint meeting with River City Group

June 16 - Leslie - Using Inktense pencils

July 21 - Joan - Make a portable cutting mat

August 18 - Denise - How to make an awesome journal

September 15 - Virginia - Faces

October 20 - 2018 Challenge Doll Judging

November 17 - Annual Show and Sale

December 15 - Annual Christmas Party

Member Birthdays

Although they don't look it, Julie G. and Liz are another year older this month!  Happy Birthday, ladies!!

January Meeting Minutes

Members present for the January meeting were Leslie, Maggie, Katie, Jude, Julie W., Ann C., Denise, Andrea, Janet, Vicki, Nita, Joan, Kathryn, Julie G., Ron, Virginia, and Sue.

Show and Tell

Virginia made a fabulous articulated doll from a pattern by Gayle Wray.  Gayle has published a complete and very detailed book titled "Making Angelina".  There are many techniques used in making this doll and Virginia did a wonderful job creating her!

Virginia's Gayle Wray Doll

Virginia also brought in a hand made puppet named Gizmo she purchased at a winter fair.  We all had fun playing with it.  It reminded us of a puppet Erin created a few year ago.

Virginia's "Gizmo"

Vicki has made some cute soft sculpture animals she named so appropriately.

Vicki's Checkers, Aloysius, Zippy and Dolly

Janet brought in two newly created baby birds.

Janet's Baby Birds

Joan has been busy creating some interesting journals and a portable cutting mat.  She has agreed to share with us how to make the mat at one of our meetings later this year. 

Joan's journals and cutting mat

Julie G. shared with us a doll made by Nita she had purchased and decided she was in need of a bigger chest which Julie created!

Julie G.'s doll made by Nita

The official meeting included a report from Julie G. on the September class with Marla Niederer.  This class will be for the intermediate to advanced doll maker and members will make a sleeping mermaid.  The class has a waiting list.  Julie G. can be contacted for more information on the class.

We discussed the Sew-In planned for April 7&8.  Short classes will be done each morning, then in the afternoons we can work on UFO's.  This Sew-In will be in our regular meeting room at the Irvington Library.

So many enjoyed doing the Round Robin/Brown Bag Doll last year, we have decided to do it again for 2018.  So if you want to participate we are starting at the February meeting. If you would like to participate, you will submit a blank doll body you have made placed in a brown paper grocery sack or similar sack.  Also in the sack include a journal that you have started for your doll's journey. You will include photos to also document this amazing journey your doll will make.  Please leave the head unattached as it is easier for the person doing her face to not have it attached. Do not sculpt the face as that will be the step the next person will do.  We will have the first exchange at our February meeting.  If you cannot make it to the meeting, give it to another member who will be attending that day and they will exchange for you. At the following intervals the bags will be exchanged with another participating member and by the end you will get your completed doll back with stories of his or her adventures along the way.  You will not see your doll after the first exchange until the end of the exchanges.  The tentative exchanges are as follows:

• February-naked body with head unattached and no sculpting
• March-face with needle sculpting
• April-hair
• June-clothing
• August-shoes
• October-embellishment/accessories

You never know what you will end up with.  Your fellow dollmakers will add their own personal touches and you will be amazed!

In October you will get your doll back along with stories of his/her adventures along the way in the homes of you dollmaking friends.

2017 Round Robin/Brown Bag Dolls

It was suggested members might contribute items for the name tag drawing basket.  Currently we have fat quarters of fabrics and some trims.  If you have a small doll related item you would like to contribute for the name tag drawing winner to select please bring it to any of the meetings.

Sue presented a demonstration on how to drape a paper towel to make a doll pattern.  She gave us excellent tips on doing this as well as how to use plastic wrap and masking tape to develop a pattern.  Sue is an excellent teacher and we always look forward to learning from her!  Thanks, Sue!

Sue drafting a pattern

Sue with reference book

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is February 17.  Andrea will have a fun project on how to make UFO dice.  Sounds interesting, right?  Be thinking of UFO projects you have.  You will need them to put on the dice.  Andrea will provide everything else needed.

Reminder:  If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2018 bring to the February meeting or mail to Jude.

Bring your naked doll body and head for Brown Bag exchange.

Upcoming Challenges and Events

February 9-11 - Danville, Illinois retreat

April 7-8 - Irvington weekend sew-in

May 19 -"Beasties" Challenge with River City

Sept. 29-30 - Marla Neiderer class

Oct. 20 -  Challenge Judging - "Growing Old Outrageously"

Nov. 17 - Show and Sale

February Check List

• Nametag
• Show and Tell
• Dues if not already paid
• Round Robin/Brown Bag Doll for exchange

January 2018 Newsletter

January 2018 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

January 20 - Sue will be showing how to drape a pattern using paper towels. 

February 17 - TBD

March 17 - TBD

April 21 - TBD

May 19 - Beasties Challenge and Joint meeting with River City Group

June 16 - TBD

July 21 - TBD

August 18 - TBD

September 15 TBD

October 20 - 2018 Challenge Doll Judging

November 17 - Annual Show and Sale

December 15 - Annual Christmas Party

Please note:  This agenda is tentative and subject to change

Member Birthdays
Joan celebrates her birthday this month.  Hope it was a great one!

Meeting Minutes
In attendance at our December Christmas Party were Mary, Janet, Kathryn, Nita, Jude, Andrea, Ann C., Julie W., Sue, Virginia, Ron, Julie G., Ann R., Elena, Katie, Martha, Maggie, and Vicki.
We started off with Show and Tell.  Janet was smiling with the fact she had purchased a new sewing machine. Congrats, Janet.  We know you will have hours and hours of fun with it!

Jude brought in some soft sculpture dolls that she had made with her embroidery machine.  The designs are from  Urban Threads and are adorable.  They will work great for our charity work!

Judes's Urban Threads soft sculpture

Martha brought a little stuffed Mouse she had made.  Very cute!

Martha's Mouse

Maggie made a fabric Christmas tree appropriate for the season!

Maggie's Christmas Tree

Vicki made a stuffed critter she calls a "Whalasaurus", part whale and part dinosaur.  The picture doesn't do it justice!

Vicki's Whalasaurus

Business

Most of our officers are returning  to their same positions for 2018.  Andrea is again our president.
It was decided that the vice-president position will be shared as a committee this year.  Virginia, Sue, Julie G., and Denise will co-chair for 2018 and will be in charge of arranging for workshops among other things.  They are planning a "Sew-In" April 7 & 8.  More details will come as the time nears.
Katie graciously accepted to be publicity chairman for 2018 with Maggie being in charge of the November Show and Sale.  Maggie has reserved our same room at the Irvington United Methodist Church for the 2018 Show and Sale.  Sales at the show in November were very good.  Advertising more on social media was discussed. 
Julie W. remains as Secretary and Jude will again be our treasurer.
Sue had made some American Girl Doll clothes for the auction at the Irvington United Methodist Church.  Thanks, Sue, for your generosity and any others who may have donated to the auction.

After the election of officers was finalized we dove into the delicious food everyone brought including some Russian delicacies brought by Elena.  While we ate we started narrowing down the subject for the 2018 Challenge Doll.  There were some fun suggestions and it was difficult to decide.  Finally it was a tie which was decided by a flip of Ron's quarter.  "Growing Old Outrageously" will be the subject matter with Sue's Fabric and Squishy Bag Challenge as the runner up.

One of Katie's inspirations for Growing Old Outrageously

Then we proceeded with our pincushion gift exchange which resulted in all the participants receiving a very useful and unique pincushion.

Pincushions that were exchanged

  Sue and Virginia brought in numerous surprise gift bags from which we each chose one, then had the option of keeping or stealing someone else's.  It was great fun!  Thanks Sue and Virginia!!!

Surprise bag exchange

Surprise bag exchange

Next Meeting
It's January and dues are due!  You may write a check to Doll Creators for $25 and give it to Jude at the meeting or mail it to her.
The executive committee is meeting on January 21.  The programs for the rest of 2018 will be discussed, so if there is a technique or project you would like to learn about let us know at the January meeting on the 20th.
Sue will present our program for January and will be showing us how to drape paper towels to create a doll pattern.  If you would like to follow along you may bring the following:

A naked doll (or just the torso)

An air erasable marker

A handful of pins

Paper scissors

Upcoming Challenges and Events
February 9-11 - Danville, Illinois retreat
April 7-8 - Irvington weekend sew-in
May 19 -"Beasties" Challenge with River City
Sept. 29-30 - Marla Neiderer class

January Checklist

• Nametag
• Dues
• naked doll or torso
• air erasable marker
• handful of pins
• paper scissors

December 2017 Newsletter

December 2017 Newsletter

Upcoming Meetings

December 16 - Annual Christmas Party

January 20, 2018 - TBD

February 17, 2018 - TBD

Member Birthdays

Sue, Leslie, Ann C., and Jude are celebrating their birthdays this magical month of December. Enjoy your special day, ladies!

November Meeting Minutes

The annual Show and Sale took place of our normal meeting this month.   The pictures tell the story of the day.  There were so many wonderful dolls on display from all the challenges and workshops we had. It was a successful day as there were many people who came to see what our doll artists have done this past year and visit the tables of members who had handmade items for sale.  A great big THANK YOU to the Irvington United Methodist Church for letting us use such a nice room to have our show and sale again!  And THANK YOU to everyone who participated in making it happen!

Set up for the show was on the day before.  Maggie did a fantastic job of getting all the tables placed and helping organize all the categories on the tables.

Ron and JulieG.'s table

Maggie and Nita with the Faery Revue

Martha's table

Andrea setting up display

Round Robin/Sack Dolls

Faery Revue

Tarot Challenge Dolls

Virginia and Sue gathering their dolls

Ann C.'s table

We had six entries in this year's Picture Book Challenge for voting at the show.

Peoples Choice went to Andrea with her Ticky Tacky Doll.  First place went to Elena with her Sleeping Woman and Second Place went to Sue with her Cinnamon.  What a wonderful variety and style in the entries.  Exceptional work everyone!

Andrea's Ticky Tacky People's Choice Doll

Elena's First Place Sleeping Woman

Sue's Second Place Cinnamon

The Judge's Choice was a tie with Sue's Cinnamon and Elena's Sleeping Woman.

The other entries were Virginia's Cinderella, Leslie's Fly Away Katie, and Nita's Puss in Boots.

Virginia's Cinderella

Leslie's Fly Away Katie

Nita's Puss in Boots

Next Meeting

On December 16 we will have our annual Christmas Party!  We will have our usual pitch in brunch and (optional) gift exchange.  On the agenda will be voting for next year's officers.  Most of the officers are willing to continue next year.  We do need a vice president (co-vice presidents?), publicity chairperson and Show and Sale chairperson.  We will be taking suggestions for programs for next years meetings and suggestions for the 2018 Challenge.  If you can't make it to the December meeting, but have suggestions for meetings or the challenge, please email one of the officers and we will gladly pass it on at the meeting for you.

  If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, bring a pincushion you have made wrapped up with your name on the inside of the gift bag/box. Our exchange is optional, don't feel obligated!  Our December meetings are always great fun, you won't want to miss it!

Upcoming Challenges

May 19, 2018 - "Beasties" Challenge with River City Dollmakers

December Checklist

• Nametag
• Covered brunch dish
• Ideas for 2018 Challenge
• Ideas for 2018 meeting programs
• Nominees for officers
• Pincushion Gift (Optional)