Pattern on Etsy

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

April in color

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!

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

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

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....

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

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

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.