Doll Club Library Display

Our club has been working on a display for the library where we meet as a thank you for allowing us to use one of their rooms for our meetings. All the dolls were delivered and the window set up at the October meeting (which I missed due to my surgery). They did a wonderful job setting up the display with the library. Here are some pics. Here are Maria, Margaret, Jane and Mary infront of the window.

Margaret did two dolls - Amelia Bedelia and The QuiltMaker's Gift. The next doll is by Diane and illustrates the book Alice Grace (I think. ) These dolls are right on depicting the characters. Just amazing!

Mary's The Dragon Rider. A must see! She created her own dragon! My doll illustrating The Secret Garden is partially behind the dragon and the last is Maria's Little Mermaid. These dolls are complete sculpts in clay and are of the little mermaid and her grandmother. Just stunning! What a wonderful display. Can't wait to see it again. My husband and I stopped in for a few minutes after one of my Dr appointments but couldn't stay. Friday is doll club and I intend to take LOTS of pics!

Working With Paper

Before my surgery, I started a project using a technique from the June/July 2009 issue of Quilting Arts. Jill Kennedy described her process for creating an embellished and embroidered patchwork paper collage from construction paper, crayons, inks, iron on interfacing and Wonder-Under. she also created embellishments using a sewing machine. I just loved her finished pieces so had to try a few myself. I created the background, started embroidering and planning and sort of hit a wall. Then my friend Colleen gave me Stitch with the Embroiders' Guild June/July 2009 (this is the magazine from the UK) and on the cover was a lovely piece that used collage fabric for the background and had lots of dyed lace and freemotion embroidery. I have sooooo much dyed lace, I thought the paper fabric would make a great background for a purse. I don't know how sturdy it is, but I really love the way it turned out. Embellishments include dyed lace, sequins, machine made lace and flowers, beads, charms, and a dragonfly pin. the top edge and handle were made from pony beads threaded with tulle with thread scraps stuffing. I also added ribbon to the strap to give it strength. I just love it. Infact, I loved it so much, I made some more background "fabric" in green and constructed a "Casket". It is embellished with lace, sequins and beads. It is lined with hand painted and dyed fabric that I treated with Paverpol to stiffen it and give it body. The "handle" on top is also stiffened with Paverpol. All the lace was hand-dyed and guilded. Much of it was vintage - like the pink tatting on the front. The background fabric was machine embellished with lots of bobbin work. the hinge holding the top on is made with beads.



I loved making the background so much, I have started some that will look like metal - hopefully! - when it is completed. I think I will be using it for a mosaic type collage quilt.

Life intervenes

I haven't been making dolls lately - or doing much of anything for that matter. I went for outpatient surgery on October 15th. The surgery was pretty routine and should have taken a little over an hour but I am anything but "routine" and it turned out to take over 4! I certainly disrupted the operating schedule that day! I did go home and after a few setbacks - like an infection - I am on the road to recovery. My surgeon told me it would take months for all to heal but I can drive and have started doing some needlework so all is well.

Some Doll Club members came to visit and brought lunch. They also brought a beautiful Journal that they made. The task was organized by Maria who also did all the planning and distribution of materials. I am still in awe of the beautiful artwork each one of these ladies did. I will treasure this gift always. Here is a pic of all of us with the journal, Dance of the Dolls. LtR: Maria, Mary, Me, Jane and Margaret. Maria did a page as well as the covers. Such talent! And I know how busy she is with her family so it makes it even more special. Here are the pages: First are the front and back covers, then Maria's page, Margaret's Page, Jane's Page, and Mary's page.

ArtBra Calendar Event

October 2, 2009 was the opening of the ArtBra and Quilts exhibit at Byer's Choice. It was wonderful to see all the bras and quilts in one place displayed in such a lovely venue. Here is a pic of the designers signing calendars. Left to right, Laurel Mazziotti, Julie Yonge, me, Barbara Blackenship, Leonie Hartley-Hoover, Brenda Wilson, and our leader and organizer, Little Miss Dynomite herself, Victoria Adams Brown. It was a joy to be with such wonderful caring, giving and talented women. I am sorry it was such a short time! To see more pics, please visit Julie's blog, Barbara's blog and the ArtBra site. And while you are on the ArtBra site, please order a calendar or two - they are currently on sale and would make great Christmas Gifts for all the ladies you know. If you would like to submit an ArtBra for next year's (2011) Calendar, access the 2011 Calendar Submissions page.