Another Flora

I got an urge to make another versin of Flora - this time Goth.  I think this happened because when I was looking for fabric for the purse, I came across the fabric I used for her upper skirt with the skulls.  Had lots of fun with this!  The underskirts - and there are 8 layers of them! - are from the petal pattern but not cut out all the way.  Her slip is black lace. 

I added boots cut from the leg pattern just a tiny bit wider and the platform soles are 8 layers of stiff felt glued together then covered with velvet ribbon.  I added chains and brass skulls.  Her hair is a tibetan lamb skin.

Fun at the machine today

Today was a day for stitching.  First I had to design the stitching pattern.  I wanted the water portion to look like waves but done in flourishes so I drew out a pattern when I was having my cereal this morning. 

Next I had to map out the actual purse on the fabric

then transfer the stitching design.  I got out my trusty transfer pen new in the package and it was dried out!!!  So I drew it freehand on the batting.

 Then stitched.   It always amazed me the difference after it is stitched.  I used a green metallic thread in the bobbin and I like how it shimmers on the bluegreen.

Here is a pic of the back where you can see the stitching.

Hope my client likes it too.  I did a little stitching on the flap portion, but don't like the line of dark pink.  It will be coming out.  Think I may stick to gold, pastel metallic lavendar and pinks.  Now I have to stitch out more fish but tomorrow is the Quinlan doll show and I am going!  After the fish are stitched, I'll be adding some colorful fibers to define the "waves" a bit. 

And the fun begins...

I was recently commissioned to make a purse similar to my Paisley Purse.  After a discussion with the purchaser, we came up with an under the sea at sunrise theme - or at least I did!  And she sent me the following pics for inspiration regarding her colors.

We also talked about a beaded fish for the purse clasp.  I stitched out some fish and layed out the base fabric.  My friends Tery, Judy and I were going to work on purses together today, but life intervened, so I am home alone working on it. First step was to add the solid collage fabric elements and the sheers,

next the angelina fibers (7 colors total).   Too bad the pic doesn't show all the glitter.

 I have the fish layed on the first layer of tulle

 then decided to add a second so moved them up a layer.  So there is a layer of turquise topped with a glitter aqua tulle.  Before I start the fun - the stitching and embellishing, I think I am going to change a few of the fish.  Here is quick folded view.  The flap which will be the sunrise will be curved.  The bottom will be shaped in a moorish type arch and point.

First is planting the fish so I can do some freemotion to hold the layers together.  Then add "waves" with fibers to bring in some more greens in the sea and purples/pinks in the sky.  But first is to stitch out more fish.  I'm thinking though a Mermaid may be interesting.;-)  I'm also not sold on the beaded fish.  He needs a black outline or to become a beaded sun.

Purse Donation

I am donating this purse to the 2012 Power of the Pursh Auction.  For more info and to see more purses (worth a look at the awesome donations!) visit http://www.unitedwayduluth.org  Auction starts Thursday, May 3, 2012 and it for a very worthy cause - Books for youth.  It was originally made for a challenge sponsored by Bernina and Lazy Girl Patterns and won second place people's choice.  The quilting was done using decorative stitches.  The flowers are vintage and Hannah silk ribbon with vintage buttons and findings centers.  The embroidered lace leaves are hand dyed. The butterfly is hand beaded.  the edging is hand crocheted and beaded.  The handles are adjustable and hand beaded.  Hope my small contribution helps.

Another doll Added to Etsy Shop

Remember her from the Friends of Cloth Dolls challenge in 2009?  She won 2nd place advanced and was pictured that year in Soft dolls and Animals.  She is now for sale in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/listing/96982416/penny-bowles-art-doll-ooak

Final Crown

I wasn't too happy with the crowns I made for the Sun Queen - they both were a little too heavy I think.  I tried to modify the sun but once I cut out the corona, it started to fall apart because it was too brittle.  I added a few crystals and a charm to the crystal crown but not really pleased.  When this happens, I go back to the drawing board and start from scratch.  I went through my lace drawer and found this piece of lace I thought would make an interesting crown.  It wasn't quite long enough, so I spliced a piece of another lace as a border.  It is light and open and regal looking IMHO.  It started life as off white so I painted it with some gold metallic dimensional paint.  It made the lace very stiff which was good but some of the white showed through so I added some gold metalic Alcohol ink.  Ok but didn't cover as well as I hoped so I got out the new Ranger Vintaj Patinas-cinnabar, agate and ochre.  Added some Perfect Pearls Sunshine while they were drying and WOW!  Looks like tarnished gold.  Added some flatback heat set crystals and a small sun charm and she likes it!  And so do I.  Now I guess I have to make dolls for the other two crowns.

Old Doll is new Again

I have decided to sell some of my favorite dolls I have made.  One of them is Petal.  I made her in early 2004 - at the beginning of my doll making journey.  Her body parts were done in off white Southern Belle fabric as tests versions for another doll and were adapted from patterns by Patti Medaris Culea and Bunny Goode.  I was never happy with her original face or hands but was pleased with the way her body turned out - really enjoyed painting her, adding the trims and all the beading which took me an entire week!  We won't go into how long it took to roll all those ribbon roses (over 100! and the 4mm were a true test of patience!) Monday I decided to make her a new face.  I figured I needed the practice before I start my Hoffman Challenge doll so decided to do a cloth over cloth and recycle one of Bella's reject heads.   I had a face class last week in the studio with three lovely ladies and one was doing a cloth over plus she dug out two more from my Bucket O Heads so I thought it was time to renew my acquaintence with this technique.  So now Petal has a new head and new hands.  I also restrung the beading to make sure it lasts (though it has almost 9 years so far!) and now she is in my ETSY shop http://www.etsy.com/listing/96774147/petal-and-friends-ooak-art-doll-hand waiting to find a new home to grace.