Cloth Dolls by Vada

'Comments' working again

2012-01-24T12:17:00.000-05:00

They seem to have fixed the problem with Comments. Thank you, Blogspot.... Vada

Problem with Comments. Email to enter drawing.

2012-01-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

A problem with this blog....it will not show the comments and hangs up on a blank screen. To enter the doll drawing, please email: clothdollsbyvada@gmail.com
Sorry for the trouble.. Vada

Happy New Year! Enter to win....

2011-12-31T15:21:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to all! And to help make the year 2012 a little happier each month, and also to help clear my overcrowded craft room shelves, I have decided to give away a doll a month---Twelve in 'Twelve.

Visit here each month, leave a comment, and your name will be entered for that month's drawing!!

In the cold winter, a good cup of tea (or coffee) warms the tummy and a bit of whimsy warms the spirit. So January's Doll of the Month is the 6-inch tall "Tea-Pot" which I named Perque, adapted from Jill Maas' pattern Happy Harry Have-a-heart.

If you have trouble leaving a comment below, email me: clothdollsbyvada@gmail.com

OR...As an added incentive to enter, (January 'bonus') the winner gets to choose between Perque and his brother, Pierre.

Quilter's Retreat at the Beach

2011-11-30T17:37:00.000-05:00

Well, here she is at the beach!! He name is Thelma, and she has brought along her newly finished quilt, to sit on, as well as her tote bag full of quilting books and a well-furnished sewing box. Looks like she is already getting a bit of sunburn, but oh, it feels so good to relax here in the warm sun.

Quilter's retreat

2011-11-24T20:11:00.001-05:00

Work in progress. I will make her a quilt to sprawl out on, on the beach, as soon as she chooses the fabrics for it. And decorate her sewing box.

(The doll is made from the pattern ,The Beach Babe, by Jane Coughlan.)

Time for a cookie break!

2011-11-14T11:21:00.000-05:00

Zesty Orange Sugar Cookies.
1 cup margarine, very soft, almost melted
1 cup sugarWhisk together well. Add
Zest of 1 large orange, prepped in blender with ¼ cup sugar
1 egg.
1 teaspoon vanilla. Whisk well. Add
2 2/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder.Mix well. Form into one-inch balls. Bake on ungreased sheet at 375* 12-15 minutes.

Tip for zest: Any time you have an orange: Just peel it with a sharp carrot peeler. Put the zest peeling in a food chopper or blender, with ¼ cup sugar, chop to desire bit sizes. It will begin to liquify the sugar. This can be stored in a zip-lock baggie in fridge or freezer for later use. Also works for lemon peel. One large orange or two small ones, makes enough for a batch of citrus-y cookies or pumpkin bread, etc.

Another new member of the quilting club

2011-11-12T10:02:00.001-05:00

Ellen is made the same as Evelyn, being sisters, cut out at the same time but of different fabrics. Ellen is made of dollskin. Her hair is alpaca roving.
Here is the text from her tag (She's already gone 'shopping'!):

An avid quilter, Ellen heads off to her quilting club meeting, where she will put the finishing touches to her small quilt. Dressed in stylish skirt and tee shirt, her alpaca hair freshly ‘done’, handmade earrings and bracelet, necklace of threads, custom-made shoes of polymer clay, and secure on her removable stand, Ellen is well equipped, from wrist pin cushion, scissors, rotary cutter, and hoop, to a basket full of fabrics, batting, books, needles, thimble, and more, even her some-times needed ‘reading glasses’!

Ellen, like all the rest of us, is a one-of-a-kind, unique personality.

I finished her!!

2011-10-24T10:03:00.001-04:00

Evelyn, the quilter, is 21 inches tall. She has her basket all packed with fat quarters, batting, and all the accessories she'll need for her afternoon with the quilting club. She needs to put a few finishing touches on her latest small-quilt project. Her hair is wool roving, her dress made from a scarf, and she wears comfy sneakers. (Her ankles are a bit swollen from all those hours she stands at her work table, but ohh, she does enjoy it!)

Time for a snack

2011-10-04T10:39:00.000-04:00

Time for a break from Dolls and Patterns. It's your turn to do that. Scroll down, order the pattern, and make a nativity set to decorate your home or someone else's.
Meanwhile, I'm going to bake something. I'll even share the recipe. This is my favorite.... I call it My Yummie Yam Bread. It is equally scrumptious made with sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or pumpkin. And be generous with the orange peel.
1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup oil or melted butter, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 tablespoons orange zest, 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes. Beat well with mixer.
Add: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon soda, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Beat well.
Add 1/2 cup each: nuts and raisins. Bake in greased pan at 350* about an hour.
Easy way to do the orange peel: Peel a whole large orange with a carrot peeler. Chop the peeling up a little, run it in a food processer, chopper or blender, with 1/4 cup of the sugar, until finely chopped. Works like a charm!. Enjoy!

Pattern on Etsy

2011-09-29T22:47:00.000-04:00

You can now order the nativity set pattern from my new shop on Etsy:
Vada's Doll Patterns
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82852394/nativity-cloth-doll-patterns
The CD is priced at $25.00. Includes all nine figures.

Pattern Finished!

2011-09-28T08:56:00.001-04:00

Today I will put the finishing touches on the pattern for the Nativity set (below)!
It will be available on CD. With all nine figures included, it would be a very large packet. By grouping it into several pdf files, the needed parts can be printed accurately. It will included pattern piece for the dolls (four pages of those), and for all the costumes (14 pages of those). Plus another 12 pages of instructions, illustrated with color pictures.
This pattern is an intermediate level, requires some experience in dollmaking: faces, hair, etc.
Email me to order a copy. Make a set for your mantle! Or a great gift!
vadawesley@hotmail.com or vada428@windstream.net

Wow, Late July, Already!

2011-07-25T09:36:00.007-04:00

I can't believe I have neglected this blog for so long! There are a few newer posts on my other one: www.clothdollsbyvada.com but, I've been doing very little sewing so far this summer. Other 'fish to fry', and it has been a sizzling summer. Thundershowers last night and this morning, 75* at 7 am.

My current project, among others, is the attempt to create an acceptable pattern for the nativity set I designed and made up last fall for the nativity challenge on Cloth Doll Artistry. Having mentioned that plan, and putting it off this long, I'd better hustle to have it completed by early fall so it can be available in time for everyone to make at least some of the characters by Christmas. There are nine figures: Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, an angel, two shepherds (man and boy), and the three wise men. These are unique, in that they are bottle toppers, or they can sit over a tall candlestick.

I am trying to use the many pictures I took when making the original set, and hopefully I won't have to make up a whole new set at this time, but probably will, in order to better illustrate details of the costumes, etc. I'd like to include all nine figures in one pattern packet, to avoid duplication of the basics. The alternative would be to split it into three groups: holy family, shepherds and angel, and the wisemen. Comments on this would be appreciated. What would be your preference, if you were purchasing this pattern?

Eventually, I will need someone to 'test the pattern' for me. If anyone is interested in doing that, please contact me at vadawesley@hotmail.com (you get the pattern free).

Meanwhile, I have spent too many hours creating a picture book of my dolls online at Mixbook.com. I like the result, but with nearly 50 pages, hardbound, it is too expensive to buy extra copies and offer them for sale. Anyone can view the whole book online at Little People, Big Personalities . You may order a copy if you wish, soft or hard cover, but just looking is free. ;-)

Enjoy!

Introducing Jeanne

2011-05-05T11:43:00.002-04:00

Almost finished with this doll made of recycled items, before finishing her hair, I painted her lips. Then proceeded to touch and smear the paint. I thought of giving her the lipstick and claim that she had done it all by herself!! But then I just painted over the entire face and re-did her features, and gave her a whole new hairstyle. And a handbag. She is 24 inches tall.

Her dress is a jeans leg, her arms and head cut from a ladies lingeree, her blouse and purse are an old handkerchief. Her skirt is stuffed with plastic grocery bags. Her hair is wool roving. Her name is Jeanne. I think Carole Jeanne would have been good, too.

Spring Housecleaning

2011-04-25T09:13:00.001-04:00

I've been sprucing up the blogs (this one, and Photos) today, giving them fresh templates....new drapery, so-to-speak. Please leave a comment. Do you find them easier to view? Any comments are always appreciated. To do that, click on the post heading (Spring housecleaning) or the word 'comment'. Write your comment, sign it if you wish, then under 'profile' you can select 'anonymous' if you don't have a 'profile'.

Spot and Company

2011-04-17T14:12:00.000-04:00

Spot now has his very own blog.
http://spotandcompany.blogspot.com/

April in color

2011-04-13T08:42:00.001-04:00

Not much doll-making happening this month. Time out for visiting with guests. See another photo on http://photosbyvmw.blogspot.com/ .

One of The joys of Spring!

Spring is here!

2011-03-12T12:28:00.002-05:00

A beautiful spring day in Central Kentucky, and here I am fooling around on the computer, instead of playing in the sunshine! I've finished a doll this month and created a pattern for her, which is rather time-consuming. Amazing how many corrections and little additions one has to make. After a dozen revisions, in the midst of printing a few copies, I find a letter missing or detail left out. Urg! But it's done, and I have contacted a couple of pattern market site. http://www.clothdollpatterns.com/ has placed a small initial order, and will carry it on their website, among the hundred or so other artists' patterns. That's an honor to be among such talented company!! They should have it online soon.

Also, I have listed the pattern for Candice on http://www.etsy.com/ under Clothdollsbyvada2, and my own http://www.clothdollsbyvada.com/ . (See pictures of her at these last two places.)

Also, this winter I have been playing with a new graphics program, http://www.inkscape.com/ which was a free download. I love free things, don't you? I created this little graphic with it.

Out of Hibernation

2011-02-09T12:59:00.001-05:00

Hello to everyone. Is it Spring YET?
I have done very little dollmaking this winter, and all of my latest activity is posted on my other blog....http://clothdollsbyvada.com/ where I have posted a few pictures now and then, and today added a pair of patterns. (Betty Anne and Bitsy) These were online 'freebies', but I can no longer find them there.
So I will share them, Sweet Raggedy Ann style dolls, easy to make. Enjoy. (as seen in a much earlier post, betty-anne-and-bitsy)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

2010-12-21T13:53:00.000-05:00

I now also have another blog titled: Cloth Dolls By Vada with it's own domain: Check out http://www.clothdollsbyvada.com/
I have set that one up with pages for my dolls, dolls for sale directly from me, free patterns (pdf files), my photography, stories, etc., and other miscellaneous nonsense. The pages there will support the pdf files, as well as many other types, so you can easily download any patterns I post there. I hope to have some ready in the near future.
Be sure to visit all the pages listed in the menu.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

All dressed up and ready to go....

2010-12-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

Ready to be delivered.
Final touches included a new hairdo for one, and handbags for both.

Just in time for Christmas...gifts, that is.

2010-12-08T21:13:00.002-05:00

At last, I've completed the two dolls I've been doing on comission. These have been a challenge, as my creativity was making a great effort to take a vacation. I started with the pattern, Contessa, by Michelle Munzone, from the November issue of Soft Dolls and Animals. I made several tops for the one in pink, before settling on this one, but knew I wanted to use the pink dotted for her skirt. The black and white fabric and dotted ribbon were an easy choice. I made the shoes out of polymer clay, glued on the ribbons, adding an insole to cover them. They were fun to make.
These two lovely ladies, Donna and Maria, have a gift shop here in Versailles, full of colorful, unique and fun things: Pretty In Pink.

All dolled up and somewhere to go !!

2010-11-07T08:47:00.001-05:00

Wow, Those red and green 'silks' provided a real thrill yesterday! (Saturday) Pluck won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (for two-year-old colts). Watch it here:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dco5DvqQ89yY&h=54846

And, they're off!.....

2010-11-04T15:14:00.010-04:00

Well, perhaps a 'horse of a different color'!

PLUCK,

Team Valor's entry in the Juvenile Turf is very dark bay-nearly black. His race will be run at 1:50 pm Eastern time, Saturday, Nov. 6th.
The Breeders' Cup World Championships 2010 takes place at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, KY. Nov 5 and 6.
You can watch them on ABC and/or ESPN. Pick your favorites, and enjoy a day at the races, from your living room, because it's going to be a very cold weekend !! We're expecting our first frost on Friday night.

The derby display (below) featured the horse and some of my dolls, in spring, 2006. All the jockeys (fifty of them!) were a special order and became corporate Christmas gifts for select clients! They were a real challenge, and never again will I commit to more than one of anything. Ha! But they were fun, too, and each had his own personality.

One Hundred and Two !!

2010-11-03T11:47:00.000-04:00

I made this doll a few years ago, and he reminded me so much of (step-?) uncle Ard, that I named him "Old Mr. Ardmore".

Seemed a logical subject for a Birthday Card on the occasion of Ard's ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARD STEPHENS!!!

Nativity Group

2010-10-28T15:35:00.002-04:00

Magi, finished

2010-10-22T21:10:00.000-04:00

Gifts of the Magi

2010-10-20T18:49:00.001-04:00

A couple of links to share regarding the Magi and their gifts.

Gold is pretty well understood: the universal 'money', always a useful gift.
But we are less familiar with Frankinsence and Myrrh. To learn more about these ancient herbs, click here: http://www.itmonline.org/arts/myrrh.htm

The 'wise men from the east', often referred to as the Magi: Who might they have been? Try this link: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm

magi, work in process

2010-10-20T09:44:00.002-04:00

The Magi are almost finished. Headresses yet to be completed, the robe for the tall dark one needs some trim, or at least, a hem. Also, their gifts are unfinished.

New and improved shepherds??

2010-10-04T11:38:00.000-04:00

I made the shepherd taller by putting him on a taller bottle, so then he'd outgrown his gown, so now he has a new one! I think his proportions are better, now. Thanks to Kat Lees for suggesting that solution to the impression of the head being too large. Better now.

Tidings of Joy

2010-10-02T22:01:00.000-04:00

Shepherd and son. These need some improvements, probably smaller heads.

An angel...

2010-09-30T20:10:00.001-04:00

The Angel, Gloria, for the nativity set.
All the human figures for this set will be bottle-covers.
Height will depend on the chosen bottle.
Gloria is about15 inches.

Holy Family finished

2010-09-22T20:00:00.002-04:00

Well, I have changed their hair and worked on Joseph's features. Picture at left: beard lightened to brown as I 'tweaked' the image, to see the details in the shadows. It's really black, as in the other photo. And Mary's is brown, not auburn.

Nativity figure no. 2

2010-09-13T22:14:00.001-04:00

Joseph, like Mary, is still a work in process, and will probably have several changes before I declare him 'finished'. I'm not sure how Mary will be presented but I think I prefer her seated. Or perhaps reclining, but definitely holding her baby. And I like Joseph being close.

Work in progress....

2010-09-09T21:47:00.002-04:00

Here, at last, is a peek at my first figure for the Cloth Doll Artistry Nativity challenge. Mary is definitely a work in progress, at this point, and I've not made the infant, yet, but I am getting a good start on the set. My goal is to develope patterns as I go, and eventually offer the entire set as a printed pattern. Well, of course the first goal is to get at least the major players finished by Christmas. Hehehe. The set will have 11 or 12 figures, including 2 or 3 animals. The 'people' will be 15-17 inches tall, and will have a surprise feature, which I will reveal a little later. Curious? I will post more pictures at least weekly.

I love butterflies!

2010-08-25T08:20:00.002-04:00

Leslie was a little bored, sitting on the shelf, so she went out to the meadow to pick some flowers. A butterfly came by to visit and check out her little bouquet. Leslie loves sunshine, butterflies and flowers!

Daisy's new friend

2010-08-11T12:13:00.002-04:00

And here is Daisy with her new friend, Leslie. Daisy seems a little wistful, very thoughtful, perhaps a little sad, which is unusual for a fairy. Leslie, on the other hand, is a rather flirty little ballerina, thinking of all the mischief she can get into, even without wings.

Many of the dolls pictured on this blog have been commissioned, or have been sold, but many others are still adoptable. It is hard to part with them, as each becomes 'a part of the family' as they are being created, but the house would burst at the seams if I kept them all. In fact, that is part of the reason I named my very first website, Cramalot Inn. So, if anyone is interested in any of them, please contact me at vada428@windstream.net,

or Wendy or Joyce at Truly Bluegrass Gifts and Collectibles in Versailles, KY. trulybluegrass@yahoo.com

Fairy with a daisy

2010-08-06T20:40:00.000-04:00

This is Faye, another of the group. 5 more of these to finish up, but I may set the rest aside and work on the Nativity Challenge dolls. If I don't start soon, I'll not get many (or any) of them done before Christmas. This summer has been slipping away quickly, and I'm sure the fall will come and go at the same speed. ;)

Ballerina dreams........

2010-07-27T08:54:00.000-04:00

This is Chloe. She is another of the unfinished group of fairies waiting in line on the craft table. Her head is one of my pin-doll heads. I made her as a little ballerina, as she reminded me of a young lady I know, so she does not have wings. Her costume of polyester knit sheer is cut in petals with 'burned' edges. Wool roving hair. Painted shoes and leotard.

A little 'something different'.

2010-07-25T20:55:00.002-04:00

A little 'sewing cottage'.
Heavy double-sided interfacing bonded to fabrics and satin stitched on all edges, shaped as a fold-out bird house with removeable roof which forms the lid. I have made these as photo albums, but this one was furnished as a sewing kit, complete with pincushion, needles, and threads. The base is about 3-1/2 inches square. Cotton and silk fabrics, with lace trims.

Sienna, updated

2010-07-11T14:02:00.004-04:00

.Oops! The eyebrows were missing!! What was I thinking, to send her out without her make-up?? Sienna (at left) has a 'flatty' or 'pancake' face, with only a couple of sculpting stiches at the corners of her mouth. I have also made these little seated fairies with fully needle sculpted features, and various wing styles, such as Nikki.

Summer and Sienna

2010-07-06T18:21:00.002-04:00

After taking time off in June for vacation and gardening, etc., I've begun to get back to work in the craft-room. While I consider the style, size, patterns, fabrics, etc., to be used for my CDA Nativity challenge project, I have begun to finish up a group of 'Merryhill Faeries', started ages ago. Their 'parts' have been sewn and mostly stuffed, just hanging out in the shoe-bag pockets.

This is Sienna. She is the gatherer and protector of seeds. She has collected some wisteria seeds in her milkweed pod 'bowl'. Sienna sits 6-1/2 inches tall. She has feather wings and feather trim on her turban. Her ears are made of wisteria seeds, and her earrings are exotic seeds.

Art has a new home

2010-05-23T13:19:00.002-04:00

I'm happy to report that the doll, "Art in the Park", was a hit, received lots of flattering comments and attention, and was 'won' at a final bid of $230. He will have a prominent position with a local artist group. I'll be more specific when I get the details, and perhaps a picture of Art in his new home.

Meanwhile, back at the park......After 2 inches of rain Friday night, the weather was mostly sunny and warm, for the art-fest on Saturday, with some cloudy moments, as in this picture.
More photos at http://photosbyvmw.blogspot.com/

As seen on TV....!!

2010-05-19T21:21:00.001-04:00

Click here to see Art in the Park, Versailles Video.
One of the Lexington tv channels May 19 noon news, did a segment promoting the Art fair this weekend. My item for the auction(Art) got front and center stage, in the sampling they showed in this interview.

(I don't know how long this video will be available for view.)

An Old Doll on a New Moon

2010-05-18T18:26:00.002-04:00

This moon was just hanging there on the wall, and when the old cow saw it, she leapt right up there onto it. I think she tried to jump over the moon, and couldn't quite make it, so she decided to just act 'real cool', and hang out for a while. Shiny knit moon, 15 inches.Removable satin cow, Shar-moose, dressed in cotton print, is about 21 inches tall. My original design, except head is from an old pattern, 'Udder Bliss', designer unknown.

Art In The Park!

2010-05-08T17:45:00.006-04:00

Introducing: Art In the Park

I created Art especially for the Art-In-The-Park festival here in Versailles, on May 22nd. Part of the proceeds go to the festival committee, to help defray expenses. He will be offered in the silent auction, at the preview dinner, on May 21st.

Art was created using Chanelle Reid's pattern 'Barry goes to the Beach'. I made his legs a bit longer, and designed trousers and a 'hawaiian' shirt for him. His sandals were made of long leather fringe strips and the souls were cut from a mouse pad, so he can stand firmly on his feet all day. Wool roving hair, mustache, brows and chest hair. His easel is made from dowels and balsa wood, his pallet is paper mache, the paintbox is faux-leather covered, inside and out, and contains several tubes of paints and an extra brush. He has just finished and signed the painting of the little bridge in Big Spring Park, where the festival will be held. The 'grass' under his feet is a piece of fun fur. He's all decked out with his name tag, so everyone will know who he is. Which of course, he really doesn't need, because he is a 'regular' there, and at other scenic spots around town, and is already known by everyone in this small town.

Shrink Art Composition

2010-04-30T08:50:00.002-04:00

A little comic relief for today.

I call this little composition,
"Credit Management".

Or "Fold, Spindle, and Mutilate!"

Decoupage, on a sheet of plexiglass, painted on the reverse side.

Betty Anne and Bitsy

2010-04-13T13:13:00.010-04:00

Here is Betty Anne and her little friend, Bitsy. They are 8 and 16 inches tall. Made from free patterns, Betty Anne is an all-on-one-page no-instructions-no-picture design by MBH titled PegO'Myhart, complete with buttoned mary-janes. Bitsy's pattern is Itsy Bitsy by Bowls-n-Annies. These two were fairly quick and fun to make. I've enjoyed making some of this style of doll for a change of pace.

........Feb. 9, 2011...

I have posted the patterns for these two little girls, on my other blog http://clothdollsbyvada.com/patterns They are pdf files and should print out correctly for you. I can no longer find them online anywhere.

Putting in their "two cents' worth"...

2010-04-08T09:26:00.001-04:00

Introducing the Penny Loafers. Each has a penny in toe of each shoe, and love to sit around on your shelf, offering their bit of advice or whimsical wisdom. They are "bean bag" dolls, filled with rice and a bit of bay leaf. If they look somewhat familiar, it's because I used my pindoll faces for them.

I am indebted to Deborah Milstead of North Carolina who graciously shared her pattern for her charming 'Ladies of Ella Moon', which, of course, I promptly mutilated, changing the leg design, and the name. (I always have to tamper with things, you know.)
You can see Deborah's dolls on Cloth Doll Artistry at http://clothdolls.ning.com/profile/DeborahMilstead?xg_source=profiles_memberList

A bunny thing happened on the way to the farm...

2010-03-29T08:14:00.001-04:00

This is my entry in the Cloth Doll Artistry Easter Bunny challenge. Using the free pattern provided, we were free to be as creative as we wished, as long as we used all five pattern parts. I enlarged the parts, variously, and changed the pose. I used buttons for eyes and nose, pompoms for muzzle, added a tail cut as a small egg. She has wired ears, and a bow, fishline whiskers. She is 8 inches tall, to the top of her head, not counting her 8-inch long ears. Her fabric is an embroidered cotton broadcloth. This is the original pattern (at right).

I also made these two variations. The little pink one is the original size. She is made of fleece with gingham inner ears and foot pads. She sits 5 inches tall, not counting her ears. The grey hare (Jack Rabbit?) is enlarged about 50%, but only sits 4 inches to the top of his head, because of his pose. All the pieces were cut by the pattern, the fabric and amount of stuffing making the difference in shape, and assembly offered lots of options.

Sweeter by the half dozen

2010-03-19T21:26:00.006-04:00

Here are some dolls I made from the pattern Sweet Annie, by Mamaw's Creations. I tried to keep these 'kid friendly'. The features are all embroidered, the hair is sewn on, they have a bit of sand in their bottoms to help them sit up, their hair ribbons are anchored to the head. Their bloomers have elastic waists, dresses are sewn at the back, so they have no buttons that might come off.

They were such good little girls, I took them to Painter's Shoes and got them each a pair of nice new 'MaryJanes'. They put on their nametags and hurried out the door to go 'shopping'. They're sure to be adopted soon, and I'll miss them!!

Annie Sue, Annie May, Annie Lea, Annie Lisa, Annie Jo, and Annie Maria are 12 inches tall.

Another batch of bunnies, free pattern

2010-03-05T16:01:00.001-05:00

Just in time for Easter: Here's another of my patterns from the past.

This is Hopp, Skipp, Jumpp, and Ronn.

Unfortunately, the instructions are missing, and I have not had time to re-write them, but the pattern is quite simple and self-explanatory, so I'm sure one does not really need instructions for it. It could be made up in fleece, just as well, and cotton fabrics would be cute, too. Easy way to do the ears: bond the lining to the felt, stitch around edges, and trim close to seam.

I've saved it in pdf, at about 250 kb and at 950 kb. The smaller file is still adequate, larger is sharper. It includes a picture and materials list.

As with Belinda, below, just drop me an email, I'll happily send a copy to anyone who wants it.

A free pattern for all...

2010-03-04T18:06:00.001-05:00

Here's Belinda Jane Whitebunny.

This is a pattern I created in 1998. I have copied it to pdf document form, and will be happy to email pattern and instructions to anyone who wants it. Just email me at

vada428@windstream,

or post a comment here.

I have a few other old patterns that I plan to convert to pdf and offer free, when I can get to it.

Introducing Vanessa

2010-03-03T18:17:00.001-05:00

This is Vanessa. I used Patti Culea's pattern, Janet Anne, for her. She turned out 24 inches tall, a bit more than the pattern, because my small piece of fabric could only be cut 'crossways'. So she is very long legged, but I like this pattern. Patti's designs are a joy to work with. Vanessa's gown is made out of a 'thrifted' scarf, her shoes from a curtain fabric sample. Her hair is part of a scrungie from the dollar store! I tried several hair colors and materials, and like this best.

Below, here's an alternative 'look' she and I considered. But I had wanted to make up the pleated scarf.....it looks so spring-like. Better lighting on this picture, the flash above is a little harsh.

Rochelle

2010-02-22T14:30:00.007-05:00

Had a request for my mermaid on a moon, Cecelia, (scroll to bottom, click 'older posts', repeat for page three), made in an black version. So here is Rochelle.

She is made from a woven fabric, micro-fiber suiting, with a little bit of stretch, but it just does not make up as well as the knit dollskin! I must order some of that in dark tones, if I can find it. I tried several different hair materials on her, finally just used black eyelash yarn, which seemed a little too harsh, so I added some 'highlights' of rainbow eyelash yarn, and that gave her a more balanced, lighter look. I'm going to pronounce her finished.

Rochelle is made from the Arley Berryhill pattern, Minerva, and the moon-swing is my own addition.

Tic, Tac, Toe

2010-02-15T21:00:00.002-05:00

Finished this little frogscape today. It is from the Dollscapes Design, Sheila and Harold Take Tea, but since they'd already had their tea, they wanted to play a little tic-tac-toe. The gamepieces are ladybugs and green beetles, made of pompoms and beads.
The frogs are about 6-1/2 inches tall, seated. The mushroom table is made over a cd.

This is my redition of a more traditional Raggedy Ann pattern by Mamaw's Creations, titled Sweet Annie. She has pink painted shoes, pink drawers, embroidered features, and dark wooly yarn hair. I didn't have any 'raggedy ann' red yarn on hand.

Valentines Day Swap Doll

2010-02-12T20:25:00.004-05:00

This is the doll I received from my ClothDollArtistry Valentine PinDoll Swap partner, Rose Vollmer, of Gilbert, Arizona.

She's very special, made by a very talented doll artist, especially for me, and will be treasured. Many thanks to Rose for this lovely gift.

I have taken these past two weeks 'off' to catch up on everyday things like housework, and other mundane necessities, to refresh my stock at the Truly Bluegrass Gift shop, and to relax a bit.

I made a cute little prim doll yesterday.

Will post pictures of her, soon.

Check out Rose's dolls: I put a link to her website, theDollieMama, at right with the other links.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone.

Valentines Day coming soon

2010-01-25T09:18:00.003-05:00

This is the pin doll I made for a valentine swap, on Cloth Doll Artistry. She's about 3-1/2 inches wide and tall. I think I'll make some more similar to this.

So far, I'm keeping pace in the doll-a-day challenge. Have completed 24, as of the 24th. Well, this would be # 25. Check them all out, click the link at right....challenge photos.

Crunch time!

2010-01-18T13:49:00.004-05:00

Today is Martin Luther King Day. I attended the breakfast/commemoration event at the Castle Post, and had a wonderful time. I donated an african-american mother-and-infant doll for their raffle, as the proceeds benefited in part, the local schools family resources center. The winner of the doll was very happy with it, and it generated several requests for 'an inventory' of afro-american and other ethnic dolls. I have only two available at the shop at present, a jockey and Felecia, pictured in the Sept 15 posting. So that will be a priority in the months to come. With four commisions already on the books, I'm going to continue to be busy for a while. Wish me luck!

Challenge doll pictures

2010-01-04T11:23:00.003-05:00

Go here: http://doll-a-daychallenge.blogspot.com for all challenge doll pictures. Or click on link at right.

Here's an update (Jan. 7) on what I've been doing. A picture is worth a thousand words....?

Challenge Doll Number One

2010-01-01T16:04:00.011-05:00

Yay! The first one is done! I feel that is getting off to a good start. (I needed that!)

I named her Eliza, as in My Fair Lady, because she started out with a not-very pretty face, and a cider bottle covered with a drab fabric, and gradually became a lovely, charming, and talented individual. Her head, bust, and arms are built onto a screw-on bottle cap. She can top a larger bottle, too, or the cap will slip over the cork of a wine bottle. She has several skirt overlays, and a sparkly print crinkled poly georgette slip-on cover for the two-liter bottle. Like any fine wine, she's welcome at any party. See how composed she is, even as she returns home from the New Year's celebration.

Happy New Year to all!

My final Doll for 2009

2009-12-29T20:02:00.004-05:00

Ok, this is Rita. She is the 'work in progress' with the green vest, in the previous post. The blue vest tied in better with the colors of her skirt. Her blouse is made of two curtain fabric samples. She is an interior decorator, she and came prepared for her next project, with a textured curtain fabric sample and an 'art' piece for the wall. She measures 17-1/2 inches tall. Her hair is a shaggy 'fun fur'.

Two finished, and work in progress

2009-12-28T18:00:00.010-05:00

In anticipation of the January Challenge project, I have been accumulating some new patterns, and did a 'trial run' on a couple, that I will make another of, in January. I'm posting these today, so everyone will know that these were made in December, not as part of the 30 for January. At left, the tall colorful one is my version of Celeste, an online freeby offered by My Sister Kate. Thanks to her for that pattern. I LOVE her. What fun to make her. Designed with clay feet and hands, but I made them in fabric.

The second one is Jill Maas' newest pattern, City Girls, and well, she has done it again!! Wonderful pattern, makes up easily. These two are definitely one-day projects.

The tall darkhaired one is simply a skirt I bought at Good Will for the beautiful fabric. It's just tied to a makeshift stand, a head from my 'spare parts' pinned on, and a handfull of yarn. I'm thinking I will make her in January, and she may or may not look anything like this. ;^)

The fourth one is a work in progress, which I will finish in a day or so. Her entire costume is made from decorator sample-book pieces. She also has hands and an unfinished head from the 'parts' stash. (Click picture for larger view.)

At right is HorseFeathers!. I made up this design and sold both finished dolls and the printed pattern a few years ago. This and a few other of my 'old' patterns are still available. I also made this up with cow and bunny heads. She is all dressed up in her jumpsuit, anticipating the World Equestrian Games to be held here (in Lexington, that is) fall 2010.

I will probably do one of these next month, too.

This 14-inch Naval Cadet is a special order of a proud mother, a surprise gift for her daughter.

I started with a body I had made up earlier, and just 'winged it'. She is properly dressed in respectable undies, a button-front shirt, and trousers, which cannot be removed. But her lined, fitted blazer, with real button-holes can be taken off. Unable to find small enough buttons, I bought a card of brass buttons with anchor design, scanned and printed them and glued them onto smaller ones. A dab of clear acrylic gave them an nice sheen. The insignia were done in similar fashion, from online images. The shoes are boydoll dress shoes. The cap and the uniform are made of a lightweight, dark blue denim. Then I learned the Navy Dress Blues are actually black. Oh, well. The customer was happy with it.

And last, but not least, today, is this picture of my "assistant". Or rather, INsistant helper. She's helping with the armature for the fingers. She just loves chenile strips and little stuffed parts, like hands. Occasionally I have to make a second pair, because she helped a little too much.

Reponses to Challenge

2009-12-22T09:25:00.002-05:00

To read the responses to the January Doll-A-Day Challenge, scroll to the bottom of the Challenge Anyone posting and click on 'Comments'.

Thanks to all who have commented on this, and joined in the fun!

Have a very Merry Christmas, and a great New Year!

Happy Holly-days!

2009-12-02T07:46:00.004-05:00

This is Holly. She started out to be a Santa, but turned out to be his grand-daughter !! Tried several heads, and liked this cheerful little young lady, so 'took it from there....'

And so it is, you never know who will show up. :-)

* * * * *

I'd better make more heads, instead of using them up, so I will have plenty to work with in January, huh? Quicky projects can somehow take longer than anticipated, and need all the help they can get. Especially if one gets sidetracked re-arranging the craft room and building a new sewing machine table. I needed a better, bigger, flat sewing surface, with easy conversion to the 'open arm', so finally got around to making it. (Only way to get what you want, is to make it yourself, huh?) It needs a little sanding, and maybe some paint, but it's use-able, and I'm looking forward to making use of it.

Challenge, anyone?

2009-11-22T09:41:00.003-05:00

I'm thinking of tossing out a challenge project for anyone who'd like to join in.

We often hear about the days when people worked hard for a dollar a day. And most crafters/doll-makers know they still don't really make much more than that. (It's a labor of love, after all!) Hmmm, dollar a day....doll a day..... I am constantly amazed by not only the quality, but the sheer volume of work turned out by many doll-makers.

So here it is: A January Winter-Blahs After-the-Holidays Doll-A-Day Challenge.
Make 30 dolls is 30 days. (Ok, so January has 31 days, so you get a 'day of grace'. Hmm, remember that term, it may be useful or inspiring.)

Any style of doll: Artisan, sculpted, prim, ormament, wall doll, pin doll, etc.
Any medium: Cloth, Clay, mixed media, etc.
Any size: large, small, mini, etc.

Bearing in mind that you might want to spend several days on just one doll, and few of us could actually work on them every single day, working up a batch of some 'quickies' could compensate the time. Pin-dolls and ornies are my favorites in that catagory. Paper dolls can be very interesting and unique, too.

Any complete, individual doll would count. Re-dressing an existing doll would count, as long as you have a doll for each outfit.

If anyone is interested, post a comment here, or email me at vada428@windstream.net.
I will keep a list, and post here, photos or links to all entries submitted, in early Feb.

Didn't complete 30? How many did you do? Remember, this is meant to be more of a challenge to oneself than a competition as there are no prizes, other than the satisfaction of meeting the challenge, and sharing the fun. Something to get the creative juices flowing again after the holidays are over.

P.S. Re: 'day of grace, above': Any doll created on January 31 is elligible to be named Grace.

Something different, for a change of pace

2009-11-22T09:21:00.003-05:00

Not a very good picture, but .....

I bought one of these little fabric origami kimono onaments recently from a friend, to get the pattern dimensions, and thought I'd try a batch of them. Just raided my stash for likely fabrics, and made these up according to the size of the fabric pieces. They are easy to scale to any size. I hung them each on a fishline from the skewer hanger. A chop stick works great for the larger size. These run from 3-1/2 to 7 inches tall. Ellen had made some up much larger, for a nice wall hanging.

Aura DeLaVina

2009-11-16T11:52:00.009-05:00

Well, with spare parts .....you can't just let them lie around......
Another white-tissue-decoupaged wine bottle, a spare head, and a little piece of shimmery fabric, and it's time to try a little artsy drapery. ;-)

These of course, are not finished dolls, but they do get the creative juices flowing.
Comments are appreciated.

Trim-a-tree time

2009-11-16T11:45:00.003-05:00

This is Sweet Treesa. I saw this idea online somewhere, and have wanted to play around with it. It was my Sunday-afternoon project. Her tree-shaped gown and sleeves are inserted into a wine bottle, as is her neck. There is a hoop to flare her skirt, gold beads for ornaments, a string of lights. I love her sweet face.

2009-11-16T08:23:00.005-05:00

Only 37 more days till Christmas! Even the jockeys are starting to prepare for the 'big day'.

I made a few cards, featuring last year's santa dolls. All of these dolls have been sold.

And here's a bahh-humbug card with two different santas.

And here's Mrs. Browne, who is working on her crazy quilt, hoping to have it finished in time for Christmas. It is meant to be a special gift for her very best friend.

And when that's finished, she'll be all set to start a new project, with all those fat quarters she has in her sewing basket. She's going to be working on those, down there at the Bluegrass Gifts and Collectibles Shop. She'll be happy to greet everyone, and show them all how to do those fancy stitches.

Cassie's own book

2009-10-20T15:43:00.004-04:00

Cassie, the MerryHill Faeire now has her very own story, done up in a 12 page handmade book. It has 11 pictures, too. I've had this story in mind for a while, but it took the making of Cassie, a special order, to inspire me to put it on paper. The book features this particular faerie, but includes all of them, so though the very first copy was done to accompany this doll, the book is a good companion piece for any of the faerie dolls, or will stand alone. It is on sale at Truly Bluegrass shop, or directly from me.

I have also made up an assortment of greeting cards, now at the shop. A couple of Christmas cards, a Halloween card, and a few 'everyday' greetings. Also a bunch of the whimsical Kentucky Yard-stick cards, that I had a few years ago.

What, another quilter?

2009-09-26T10:36:00.004-04:00

(Vicky is Sold)
This is Vicky. She is 24 inches tall, and her long hair could be styled in an updo with a big 'clip'. Her enormous sewing basket contains all the usual quilter's stuff: magazines, bolts of muslin, 18 mini 'fat quarters', threads, needles, pins, tape measure. She also has a quilting hoop, scissors, wrist pin cushion, her current project that she's ready to hand-quilt, and she has not forgotten her rotary cutter or her glasses! She's definitely a happy camper.

I have another started; she will be different, but will have a skirt of this brown pieced 'fabric'.
But, first, some Santa ornaments for the shop. And a little fairy for a special order. All these and more, sandwiched in between the normal errands and some yard work, etc. Busy, busy!

Ok, Let's party!

2009-09-15T10:36:00.007-04:00

In response to a special request, I have created these two charming ladies.
Ella was made using the Arley Berryhill pattern that I also used for Claudia and Lana. She is 21 inches tall. Felicia is my original, one-of-a-kind design, 19 inches tall. I love her mischievious, rather flirty expression. I never know how they will turn out when I "put the pen to the blank face". Sometimes I get a nice surprise. I'm very happy with these two. Both have wired arms and hands, and heads that turn, and their pose can be changed to suit your mood, or theirs.
Ella is already sold. Felicia will be available at the Truly Bluegrass shop .

The two dolls were made from the same fabric, a polyester faux suede, Ella using the reverse side of the fabric, which is darker than the right side, and darkened slightly more with the spray used to smooth the skin and control the slight nap. Ella's hair is lightweight wool fabric, fringed and stitched on in a continuous strip, controlled with hair spray. Felicia's hair is rabbit fir, glued on. Faux suede is difficult to hand sew, but has the right amount of 'give' to stuff and sculpt well. Features are hand drawn , painted, and needle sculpted.

More little ladies

2009-09-07T14:11:00.004-04:00

Drew a dozen little faces, scanned and printed them on fabric. (You can print on fabric in your inkjet printer by ironing the fabric onto freezer paper, and cutting it to page size.) Painted the faces, sewed them to backing, inserted cardboard and stuffing. Then the hair and hat, etc, is sewed and/or glued on, and a pinback and label on the back. These tedious little ladies take more time than they should, but are fun to make. So this dozen was taken to the shop on Friday.

As usual, Sabrina got tired of being shoved out of the way, and took a nap close by. Here are some of the little heads I've worked on, too. Kind of eerie, them all watching me like that. Ha! They are supposed to be designing their own bodies for me.

The Sage

2009-08-25T10:08:00.013-04:00

This fellow just looks like a rather wize old man. He could be an 'Old-World Santa', or a wizard, or one of the Wise Men. I did not want to take the time to make two more, for the three wise men, a set. He is about 14 inches tall. He is on display at the Truly Bluegrass shop. He will be joined soon by a 'Jolly Old St. Nick' style Santa, and small santa ornaments, as soon as I can get them made up.

I am also adding a little line of greeting cards made up with my own pictures. For a trial run, I have created a series of 8 different cards, featuring the 'old ladies' dolls, all with name beginning with 'M'.

Summer's Creations

2009-08-16T15:45:00.007-04:00

This is Stella. Stella Werken, that is. And there she is a few years ago! My how time takes it's toll.

Shoes found at a yard sale seemed to spark my imagination. I'm working on several ideas. Shoes really make a statement, you know, and they 'make the outfit'. Stepping Out is one idea, not yet finished, or decided on.

I started working on a Santa, using a pattern for a rather pudgy fellow whose supposed to be headed to the beach for the basic body. He was not turning out to look any too 'jolly', and not necessarily old, the fabric I had for his coat looked more like a smoking jacket. Hence, the wording on the puzzling note he's found. He looks like he's just gotten up from a nap and needs that coffee.

For some smaller items for the shop, I made a whole litter of these little kitties and their mouse buddies. We take what we get for relatives, but we choose our friends. Allowing customers to exchange or choose the 'friend' has been a big hit. The Horsing Around pins are popular, too. I will have to be making more of them, soon.

Both quilting ladies have sold, now, as well as the Senior Couple-Juana Charleston and Shy Guy, and Tyece, the tall, dark lady, among others. Thanks to all my customers.

The Jockey in Team Valor's green and red 'silks' is enjoying some travel. He was part of a display at the Versailles Chamber of Commerce office for the month of July. Those folks requested his presence in the Woodford County display at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, later this month, along with some other items from the Truly Bluegrass shop.

I was invited to display four dolls in a special Woodford County Artists gallery at the Francisco's Farm Art Festival in Midway (KY) in late June. All these events are great free exposure, and have brought more sales to me, and the shop. Many thanks to all for those opportunities.

re: comments

2009-06-20T11:55:00.001-04:00

I have changed the settings, so it should be possible for anyone to post comments, now. Your feedback is appreciated.

Double take....

2009-06-14T22:33:00.000-04:00

Well, it seems everyone thought the doll in blue (Nina) looked very much like my customer, and she liked it, too, but really wanted the body of the other one, Bea. So I did a head transplant or swap. And actually, I like them both better new. I'm happy with both of them. This is not the kind of thing I would normally do, as one might have turned out ok, and the other not be right at all. Fortunately, these two were cut from the same pattern and material.

Quilting Bea

2009-06-04T12:37:00.001-04:00

I have finished the two quilting ladies. Here's a snapshot I took of them as they were leaving for their quilting bee. I named them Nina Blox and Quilting Bea. The upper body and heads are cut from the same pattern, Bea's long quilted skirt covers her stump body. I like her best. Nina has a stand. I put tubes in her legs, a grommet at the foot, a hole in her removeable shoes, and brass rods in the base board. She slips over the rods for an invisible, rigid support. (I should patent that!) Nina stands 26 inches tall, including her base, and Bea is a full 30 inches. Their accessories include sewing basket, scissors, thread, pins and needles, tape measure, ruler, quilting hoop, a 'jelly roll' of fabric strips, quilting 'books', and a stash of a dozen 6x9" assorted fabrics. Plus a little quilt they are working on. Bea's is 14" sq., pieced and backed with muslin without batting to reduce bulk, pinned, and ready to start quilting. Nina's is a printed quilt-look fabric, basted together with batting and muslin backing.

These two are my adaptations of a free pattern I got online several years ago. I have enlarged and changed it many times, and it is my favorite basic body design.

If you'll pardon the nudity (and you thought this was a 'safe' site'!!), here's Bea in the dressing room.

School Days, report card

2009-04-24T22:19:00.000-04:00

I received a packet of letters from the kids at the elementary school where I did the Arts Day thing in late February. (see posting: School Days, below). These are really priceless. You'll have to click each one for a large enough view to read them. My visitors were Kindergarten to 5th grade classes.

Finished

2009-04-23T18:05:00.000-04:00

She's sewn, signed, and delivered today (to the BG shop). The lady I made her for will pick her up there, probably quite soon, as her response to the picture I sent her was enthusiastic. The doll is 24 inches tall, from the tip of her hat to her heels. She has button-jointed hips so she can be posed sitting, or running as she is in the original image. (Logo for customer's hair-bows and clips shop in Winchester, KY.-- http://www.fairybowmother.com/) She plans to have a contest, letting her customers choose a name for the doll, which will be the store 'mascot', and so will get lots of exposure, good advertisement for me, and also the Bluegrass shop.

Current project

2009-04-15T11:27:00.001-04:00

Here is a 'head start' on one I'm working on. The challenge is to create a larger doll from a tiny cartoon image. More pictures of her, if she 'develops properly'. I might try again, making the nose larger and the hair blonde, as in the original drawing. But I do like this face, anyway. This is totally a no-pattern project.

Developemental issues

2009-03-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

Here are the four 'boys' I worked up for the school arts day. I wanted to show how a patterned could be modified. This is the pattern for the 'old ladies'. They are purposely unfinished. (After all, aren't all kids 'unfinished' ?) They will be 'fully developed', eventually, I may present them as a group. (Fifth Grade Boys Club? Neighborhood Kids?) click picture for large view.

A Bird House

2009-03-27T18:25:00.001-04:00

For a change of pace, I made a fabric birdhouse, awhile back. As you can see, it is an album of 64 bird pictures that I gleaned form various sites on the internet. Mostly wunderground.com. This was a fun project, and I may try the idea again with variations. It is on display at the shop, and getting some nice comments. It is about 3 inches square and 5 inches tall. It is fabric inside and outside, bonded to heavy interfacing and satin stitched all around. The pages are made of cardstock, all handcut. Photos I printed and hand trimmed.

Back to School Day

2009-03-27T11:18:00.000-04:00

The Arts Day presentation at Southside Elementary School here in Versailles went very well. There were 28 artists or groups each set up in a separate classroom, presenting all different kinds of 'the arts', from basket weaving to music, drama, woodworking, painting, and fabric arts. And more. Random classes were selected to visit each presentation. I had 6 groups come to mine, from kindergarteners to 5th graders. They listened well and had lots of good questions. I had scrambled for a couple days to make up the parts for several variations of each of two different patterns, so they could have a little hands on, experimenting with color combinations, etc. Each group only had a few minutes for my presentation, and questions and answers. My assigned helper for the day was Ashley, and she was a very good hostess. She is in the 5th grade. Everyone was friendly and appreciative, I enjoyed the day, and would do it again next year.
Now, to return the dolls to the store, that I took from there (I took a lot to show a variety of styles) and then to tidy up my neglected house. Yardwork was the first priority earlier in the week. (Check out the photos blog, link at bottom of page).

Faeries

2009-03-13T12:03:00.001-04:00

These little fairies (more rightly spelled Faeries) were fun to make. They are about 6-1/2 inches tall, seated. Fairies= ferries= Maryhill Ferry. Hence, Merryhill fairies were given names slightly reminiscent of family names of the Maryhill area. (Washington State).

The fellows

2009-03-13T11:29:00.001-04:00

Wilson is a gambler, I think. Or maybe he is an owner of one of the entries in today's races. Wilson is about 12 inches tall, and is all dressed up in his pin-stripe suit and tie. His lined jacket and pants, and handmade shoes and sox! re removeable. The jockeys are are about 17 inches, and dressed in the 'silks' of the owners of the horse they are riding in the next race.

Robbie is a fine tall young man, who has acquired a white felt stetson since the picture was taken. He is 18inches tall, ready to go to work for you.

Re: Older posts

2009-03-11T18:27:00.000-04:00

Since the newest additions to a blog like this are always shown at the top, the initial introduction is at the bottom of the list, which now is on another 'page'. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page, and click on 'Older Posts', to see the 'good stuff'. Or, at left, click 'Cloth Dolls and Me..'

Claudette

2009-03-11T14:53:00.001-04:00

SAVE SOME GREEN--20% OFF ALL MY DOLLS, TO END OF MARCH.

This is Claudette, one classy lady. Arley Berryhill, designer of this doll ('Madame') describes her as "A 21-inch asymmetrical shaped stump doll with body and dress sewn as one". Her gown is of charmeus satin, with rhinestone jeweled trim . She has 'wired' arms and hands, and her head turns, making her very pose-able. Her elegant fur-trimmed leopard print sheer coat is removable, and has snaps at the front for wearing it closed. Matching turban trimmed with jeweled broach. Dangling earrings match the trim on her gown, and she has a ring and a fine manicure. Her natural toned skin is knit 'dollskin', her features are needle-sculpted and hand painted. I named her Claudette in honor of Claudette Colbert, art-deco era actress..

I made one other doll from this pattern. Her name is Lana, and she has been sold, but here she is, anyway. I thought you'd like to see her.

Shopping with Aunt Connie

2009-03-11T14:38:00.001-04:00

Constance and her niece, Courtney, love to go shopping at the mall.
This pair, with their elegantly simple style, are about 14-15 inches tall, have sand in the bottom to help them stay on their feet all day. Their stature was 'suggested' by the size and shape of the fabric of their dresses. Needless to say, they are one-of-a-kind. They have wired fingers to hold their matching handbags. Needle-sculpted, hand painted features. Constant companions.

A whole lot of fun with these old ladies

2009-03-11T14:00:00.001-04:00

I have probably had more fun with this pattern than any other I ever worked with. Of course this is by my favorite doll artist, Jill Maas. (Mildred and Flossie, aging angels) I first purchased this pattern about 5 years ago, and have made many variations on it. Several were members of the Red Hat Society, one group reminded me of my mother and her 5 sisters, one had a boyfriend (Dapper Dan), and all really made me and everyone who saw them, smile. Of this group, only Hilda, Gladys, Madison, and Musa are available.

Dolls to hang around with

2009-03-11T13:26:00.001-04:00

All of this group are wall-hanging dolls. Shirley, Suzanne, and Sandra are a Judy Skeel design (Wally Mamas). They are 16 in. tall. I thought of them as the three muses. Shirley has been sold. They have a loop on the back, for hanging.

Judy and Jackie also have loops for hanging, though they are shown here with a stand (not included). They are 16 inches, design (I-Love-NY) by Karen Cunagin. Judi is made of knit dollskin fabric with satin tights, and Jackie is muslin. Both have painted shoes. Slightly needle-sculpted faces with painted features. Novelty yarn hair, sequin costume trims.

The six-inch ornament dolls which I called 'Sisters', are Nancy Palomino's "Personality Pins", but I made them up with loops for hanging instead of pinbacks. Only a couple of these left, but I will eventually make some more. Be careful what you leave hanging around, I might make something out of it.
Tyla and Tyona, and Tiffany are re-cycled men's ties, lightly stuffed, with wired arms and hands. Tiffany has glass bead fringe at bottom and shoulders. Lightly needlesculpted, painted features on cotton muslin heads. Tyla and her mama Tyona are a set, and have chenile yarn hair, and Tiffany's is burgundy-dyed angora wool. They are about 17 inches tall, have loops for hanging.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-11T11:38:00.001-04:00

These three divas are really putting their whole heart into this performance. Created from a design by Jill Maas (High Octave Hester), they stand about 11 inches tall.

Syrhanna is oh, so dramatic, Georgianna so plaintive, and Odessa seems quite serene.

They make a perfect trio, or soloists.

Faewyck is also made from a pattern, (Elfshot, by Allison Marano). He is 15 inches, head to toe, sits and dreams of things he might hunt with his brand new sling shot. He is made of doesuede fabric, has a weighted 'bottom' so he sits securely on a log or shelf, wears a wooly fun-fur tunic. Needlesculpted and painted face.

Ah, the wonder and joy of motherhood! Think ahead to Mothers Day. One of these happy young ladies with her newborn infant would make a great gift for any Mom. The are my own design, each unique in dress and family background. 15 inches tall.

Juana Charleston and Shy Guy

2009-03-06T07:51:00.001-05:00

This senior couple seem to be dreaming of the days when they could really cut a rug. Juana's fringed flapper outfit is a bit tight these days, and so are Guy's knickers, but they are still young at heart. They would love to share their 50th wedding anniversary with you! I modified the pattern 'Floppy Floozy' from Dollmaker's Journey, to create this pair, using my own head design for Guy. They are twelve inches tall, seated, or about 22 inches, head to bare toes. All cloth, polyester filled, weighted with sand in their 'bottoms'. A great anniversary or wedding shower gift, they are offered as a pair. SOLD

Cecelia

2009-03-04T12:25:00.001-05:00

Cecelia is one of my all-time favorites. I made her of knit 'dollskin' in a very smooth, lovely skin tone. Her delicate features are needle sculpted and hand painted. Her hair is a novelty 'yarn' in shades of teal. Her tail has a woven net-like design and quilted fin. She has wired arms and hands. Bead trimmings and jewelery. She is 20 inches tall, my redition of a design by Arley Berryhill (Minerva, the Princess Mermaid). The shimmery stuffed moon is my addition. I love her dreamy quality.

Cloth dolls and me...

2009-03-03T14:01:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of my more recent creations. Each one is handmade, many of them are my own original designs, one of a kind. Some are made from other doll artist's readily-available patterns. But no two ever turn out exactly alike, each artist lending her own touch and interpretation of the idea. I hope you enjoy meeting my 'little people'. They are currently sold exclusively at
Truly Bluegrass
Kentucky Crafted Gifts & Collectibles
173 N. Main St., Versailles, KY 40383
phone: 859-873-2583

trulybluegrass@yahoo.com vada428@windstream.net
Please email either of us regarding current availability and shipping options.

This is my Gypsy Girl, selling her chains of gold. She stands about 12 inches tall. Made of doe suede, tightly stuffed with polyester fiberfill, she has wired arms and fingers, bare feet, rooted wool hair, and handmade jewelry. Needlesculpted and painted features. One of a kind, a Vada Dolph original.

Callie is definitely a California Girl, off to the beach or shopping for the day. She is a simple onepiece body, with wire armateur for pose-ablilty. Her knit dress and big cotton hat set off her lovely painted face and blonde mohair waves. She has ribbon-tied sandals and a handbag to match her dress, and I think she's had a successful shopping day because her bag is filled with fabrics. Do you suppose she's a dollmaker, too?
One of a kind, a Vada Dolph original. SOLD

Tyece is very tall (26inches) and very elegant. Her gown and turban are made from a man's silk tie in front and a plain black silk back. Her stump body is cotton, weighted with sand at the bottom and firmly stuffed with polyester fiberfill. She has wired arms and fingers for flexible expressive posing. Her features are painted and lightly needle sculpted on a 'flat' silk face. One of a kind, SOLD

Not all of my 'dolls' have only two legs. These 5-inch Horse pin-dolls (or button dolls, if you perfer) are the quintessential emblem of the Bluegrass Country region of central Kentucky, thoroughbred capital of the world. Fabric covered head and bodies, bead or chain legs, jute or hemp mane and tail. Lively eyes, lots of fun, they're just 'Horsing Around!'. Various colors and beaded legs available.