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

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

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

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...

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

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

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.

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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.

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

Tic, Tac, Toe

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

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

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!

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

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

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!