Monday, July 20, 2009

Hoffman Challenge Doll

I wasn't going to post pics of my doll until after the judging, but I am going to overcome my superstition and share pics. I mailed her on July 8th because if she was here any longer, I may not have. I call her Morning Serenade. She is an earthly elf on her morning walk enjoying a bird's song. She has lots of embellishments made with Sulky Solvy and threads since they are also sponsoring the challenge this year. I have also written a tutorial on how I used the Solvy. Her staff is topped with a dragonfly caught in "Amber" (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel). The staff is very stiff wire covered with a gathered tube of challenge fabric then wrapped with Apoxy Sculpt and Sulky threads that were crocheted into a chain. I also used this chain to embellish her bodice and skirt. The base she is standing on was covered with a piece of scrim embellished withfibers attached with my embellisher. I glued that to the base, added more texture and painted it with acryllics and lummier. The tiny flowers and leaves around the edge are made from clay using cutters from my friend Colleen (they are GREAT!!! check out her ebay store link on the left). I made a band of fringe ending with flowers in beads for her waist but didn't like it so I used it on her cape. I was a bit confused while making her. This is the second head. I created the first one for a 20" doll and for some reason, I made a body for an 18" doll thinking that was the new requirement. Well needless to say, the head was too big and it was easier to make a new head than a new doll! It seemed no matter what I did, it had to redo it. I originally made her head-dress using the clay leaves and flowers but because they were so thin, they were very brittle and kept breaking. That's how all those flowers and leaves found their way on the base though there are still some on her shoes.


To see more of the 2009 Challenge entries on Deanna Hogan's site. Aren't they wonderful???




13 comments:

Mary Louisa said...

Best of luck,I hope that you win, she is wonderful!!!

Clothmatters said...

Stephanie- The doll is beautiful. You always make the most spectacular dolls. She looks like a first place winner to me.
Connie

Anonymous said...

She's lovely. Good for you.

Shashi Nayagam said...

She is just too gorgeous. Best of luck in the challenge. The link to your tutorial appears to be broken I would love to read up on that tutorial.

Carla said...

My, how beautiful! Winner for sure.

Cheryl said...

Wow Stephanie. Her costume is beyond words and love her face. Good luck. Just fabulous.

Unknown said...

Stephanie,
Your doll is stunning! So beautiful...I threw my in the corner....just kidding; All of the dolls are just monster awesome and actually I feel really intimidated by all the beauty; however, I will keep on trying and maybe by next challenge I will have an original pattern and doll to offer....lol...Good luck to you! I think your use of the sulky is going to make her first place ... best of show!
Pam

yarnahoy said...

I'm speechless! That is one gorgeous doll & the detail is stunning.

Heth said...

Oh! she is a winner for sure!! beautiful doll, great detail in the costuming..... thanks for the tutorial, very informative.

Anonymous said...

Wow, i like her costume and her face.
The doll is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You must have spent a lot of time on that costume. And you're a great drawer too. :)

Catherine said...

I love your dolls! Their faces are beautiful as well as the costuming, which looks like it took forever! So much work and wonderful imagination I love both earth and water!! You So talented! Hugs

FairiesNest said...

She is beyond fabulous! Amazing details!