It's been a couple busy days but I finally had a little time last night and this morning to work on my doll pattern.
Here are the parts for the doll, sewn, stuffed and wired (so the arms can bend for fun poses). So far so good, although I think I will make the legs a little beefier when I cut the next pattern.
Next is to sew the parts together and start the head. I am going to try a more 3D head, so I may have to make a couple versions to get the proportions correct. I am eager to see what it will turn out like!
Thanks for following this doll's progress. Please stay tuned for more!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Cloth Art Doll In Parts
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Pencil Flower Dolls
I am a Junior Girl Scout troop leader and what I have planned are these fun pencils for this week's craft.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Handmade Cloth Art Doll Pattern
I really love making these cloth art dolls. Go figure!
There are so many wonderful doll patterns out there, but they all seem to be thinner than your average doll. This requires custom made clothes patterns. I decided that since I have a TON of doll clothes patterns, I should make a doll that could wear the same size clothes. So, here's the pattern.
For most of yesterday there was not much else I could do, so I worked on making this... (we lost power in the wee hours of the morning and was without until mid-day.) I measured my daughter's 18" dolls and marked a piece of paper at the top of the head, the inseam and the feet. I also drew a line the length of the doll's arm. Then I began to construct the outline of a chubby arm and leg, body and head.
Today I am sewing it up and seeing how proportionally off I am with all the pieces! LOL! Wish me luck!!!
Handmade Cloth Art Doll Pattern, originally uploaded by CraftyPease.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
ZELMA, THE WIND GODDESS Cloth Doll
Hello again!
The day ZELMA, THE WIND GODDESS was created, was a Thursday and started off like many other school vacation days; sort of lazy. Raining outside, we cozied down inside and pulled out the fabric box and decided to make an art doll. The doll body developed quickly and so did the weather... heavy rain and very strong winds began to wreak havoc on our poor little home.
After several hours, we realized we were suffering a TERRIBLE storm. Pine trees around our home were bending unnaturally and the rain was pelting against the windows like tiny little pebbles and from what seemed all directions.
9:00p we put our daughters to bed and within the hour, the winds and rain became so strong the girls were forced downstairs with fear, two times. Feeling the same uneasiness, my husband and I decided to let them sleep downstairs on the two couches, in the living room. 11:00, the basement door, back door and windows were rattling so badly, it was like someone was trying to break in, without concern of being heard. Upstairs, a painting fell off the wall. Finally, at 11:40-ish, we (whom live next to our town's safety complex and never lose our electricity) finally lost power for almost 5 hours. Any last touches being applied to Zelma was definitely put on hold. But, I was too afraid to sleep! So Zelma and I stayed up until the wind finally died down to a normal strong blow (approximately 1:45). Finally, I fell asleep downstairs, in the family room, with my husband.
4:30a, the power was restored to our home. Half an hour later, we were awoken by the ringing phone. The caller ID displayed "CIDE RED". Code Red? Who or what is that? Bleary-eyed, my husband answered the phone and we quickly learned it was the town's new emergency phone system notifying us that our town suffered wide spread damage, blocked roads and power outages. Power may not be restored to some homes, for a couple days. WOW!
At sunrise, we surveyed our damage and although we had a few minor limbs fall, we escaped the storm pretty much unscathed. We were definitely protected by someone or something!
Must have been ZELMA, THE WIND GODDESS!
Zelma is an Art Doll with light face sculpting. Colored pencil features give a soft pastel look to the face. Hair is fabric, floss and yarn. I hand dyed fabric a few months ago (another creative project I tried with my daughters) and made some beautiful pieces, which I saved. I used some of the hand dyed fabrics for Zelma's body and for her clothes. Pieces for the legs were not long enough, so I had to cut the pattern at the ankles and make and attach the feet separately. Where the seam shows, I tied a tulle ribbon.
Love sewing and can design my own patterns, so it was easy making Zelma's clothing. BUT for someone who can design and sew clothes easily, I am fashionably-challenged (jeans and a sweater)! However, my daughters are very fashionably creative and think dressing cloth dolls is right up their alley.
Thank you for stopping by. Please come again.
The day ZELMA, THE WIND GODDESS was created, was a Thursday and started off like many other school vacation days; sort of lazy. Raining outside, we cozied down inside and pulled out the fabric box and decided to make an art doll. The doll body developed quickly and so did the weather... heavy rain and very strong winds began to wreak havoc on our poor little home.
After several hours, we realized we were suffering a TERRIBLE storm. Pine trees around our home were bending unnaturally and the rain was pelting against the windows like tiny little pebbles and from what seemed all directions.
9:00p we put our daughters to bed and within the hour, the winds and rain became so strong the girls were forced downstairs with fear, two times. Feeling the same uneasiness, my husband and I decided to let them sleep downstairs on the two couches, in the living room. 11:00, the basement door, back door and windows were rattling so badly, it was like someone was trying to break in, without concern of being heard. Upstairs, a painting fell off the wall. Finally, at 11:40-ish, we (whom live next to our town's safety complex and never lose our electricity) finally lost power for almost 5 hours. Any last touches being applied to Zelma was definitely put on hold. But, I was too afraid to sleep! So Zelma and I stayed up until the wind finally died down to a normal strong blow (approximately 1:45). Finally, I fell asleep downstairs, in the family room, with my husband.
4:30a, the power was restored to our home. Half an hour later, we were awoken by the ringing phone. The caller ID displayed "CIDE RED". Code Red? Who or what is that? Bleary-eyed, my husband answered the phone and we quickly learned it was the town's new emergency phone system notifying us that our town suffered wide spread damage, blocked roads and power outages. Power may not be restored to some homes, for a couple days. WOW!
At sunrise, we surveyed our damage and although we had a few minor limbs fall, we escaped the storm pretty much unscathed. We were definitely protected by someone or something!
Must have been ZELMA, THE WIND GODDESS!
Zelma is an Art Doll with light face sculpting. Colored pencil features give a soft pastel look to the face. Hair is fabric, floss and yarn. I hand dyed fabric a few months ago (another creative project I tried with my daughters) and made some beautiful pieces, which I saved. I used some of the hand dyed fabrics for Zelma's body and for her clothes. Pieces for the legs were not long enough, so I had to cut the pattern at the ankles and make and attach the feet separately. Where the seam shows, I tied a tulle ribbon.
Love sewing and can design my own patterns, so it was easy making Zelma's clothing. BUT for someone who can design and sew clothes easily, I am fashionably-challenged (jeans and a sweater)! However, my daughters are very fashionably creative and think dressing cloth dolls is right up their alley.
Thank you for stopping by. Please come again.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Polymer Portrait Head Cracked, #2
Aaarg... AGAIN!
Come on Kato, what is the deal? I confirm the oven's temperature. I slowly heat the oven with the piece inside, also pre-heating. In this case, after the head completed baking, I left my head in the oven to cool for over 2 hours. I am so frustrated!
I kneaded the clay for a while. Blending translucent and flesh together, I wanted them well mixed. But, I worked on this for approximately 10 hours (last night and all day) and the layers prior were not going to be as recently kneaded as the subsequent layers... I am not that fast. Would that REALLY make THAT much of a difference?
I really am resisting going back to Fimo clay. The clay becomes too sticky and difficult to model when worked too long. So, I am at a loss. I guess I need to rethink my methods and my approach a bit. Any thought?
Thanks for your continued interest!
-Les
Come on Kato, what is the deal? I confirm the oven's temperature. I slowly heat the oven with the piece inside, also pre-heating. In this case, after the head completed baking, I left my head in the oven to cool for over 2 hours. I am so frustrated!
I kneaded the clay for a while. Blending translucent and flesh together, I wanted them well mixed. But, I worked on this for approximately 10 hours (last night and all day) and the layers prior were not going to be as recently kneaded as the subsequent layers... I am not that fast. Would that REALLY make THAT much of a difference?
I really am resisting going back to Fimo clay. The clay becomes too sticky and difficult to model when worked too long. So, I am at a loss. I guess I need to rethink my methods and my approach a bit. Any thought?
Thanks for your continued interest!
-Les
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