Wasn't I just doing midterms?

Well midterms have passed and now it's time for finals. Summer quarter is SOOOO short and between work, life and school I am exhausted. I have been doing very little creating but, so far I am getting straight A's. Once finals are over I have about three weeks to bust my butt on dolls before fall classes begin. I can't wait!
Some days I really wish I could just make dolls all day. Other days I wish I could just run away to a beach somewhere and play in the sun and drink margarita's but alas, neither of those options are viable at the moment. So, finals it is.

It's Time for Midterms

Summer quarter goes by so fast. It is already time for midterms. I am jealous of the kids I see in college who take summers off. I guess that as you get older you realize how quickly time goes by.

I have decided that the next two dolls I will make will be for the "Gypsy Challenge" and for ADO's Grimm's Fairytale Challenge. I have until the end of September for both of them so,I won't feel rushed. The Gypsy theme this year is "Magical Gypsy Carnival", and the fabric I recieved for it is beautiful. The fabrics and trims are ones that I probably wouldn't have picked myself and that makes it even more interesting. I have the head sculpted and a picture in my mind so, we will see if it all works out.

The Grimm's Fairytale doll will be a little harder since I have so many favorites. I have always wanted to make a "Hans My Hedgehog" doll but, I don't think I have enough time to bring that one to life. I will make a decision as soon as I finish reading 10 chapters and taking my tests.

And now she is 17!

Today was my daughter's 17th birthday (or yesterday that is). She modeled a friends line at eKlecticon on saturday, and then we spent the day out and about today. We had "a damn fine cup of coffee", breakfast, and cherry pie at Twin Peaks famous Double R Diner (Twede's Cafe, North Bend, WA) and then had a fun day at the zoo. Tomorrow it's crunch time for school, and then time to finish a few more dolls I have in the works.

A Great Big "Thank You" !

I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by and visited my site for the ADO doll event. This was quite an experience. I have to spend the next few days catching up on my schoolwork and snuggling with my dogs and dearies and then I will be right back at it. Taylor will be in another fashion show this saturday and then celebrates her 17th birthday on Sunday. It should be a fun week.

Come on over and have a cup of tea!

This fellow is my interpretation of the Mad Hatter. He was based on the drawings in Lewis Carrol's books. His head is sculpted from paperclay and he has striking blue/green acrylic eyes. He has a button jointed cloth body with painted hands and clay over cloth shoes.

As with most of my creations, he came from a vision in my head. I do not make drawings of my characters, I just start sculpting and sewing and hope for the best. He still needs some work in the accessories department but, I am quite delighted with how he turned out.

After a mad rush to get him finished, we spent the early morning sitting on a bench amongts the roses, having tea and cookies of course, and considered why he is so very difficult to photograph. He said that "his aura over powered the lines". I believe it's that the replacement camera I am using just isn't that good. I hope you enjoy him none the less.

Wonderland Premiere

Due to a little timing issue my creation for ADO Wonderland Blog event won't have his picture posted for a few more hours. Here are some teaser pictures of who he was modeled after though. He will be here to visit VERY soon!

Slow And Steady

The hat I made for my Hoffman doll didn't do it for me. I am now considering a net. I will finish her shoes today and give myself some time to think it over. The layered skirt with beaded flounces and puff sleeves turned out lovely. She went and spent a little time outside today. Good weather has finally reached Washington. I don't want to jinx us by saying it but...I think summer might finally be here.

Hoffman Doll is Almost Done

My Hoffman Challenge doll is taking shape quite nicely. Her arms are attached and she is no longer bald. All she needs now is a hat, some shoes, and bloomers (she's modest). I am also still deciding on her stand. I will post pictures of her in the next day or two.

It has been a busy week! There hasn't been much work doll wise because of finals. I did attend the Seattle Cryticon with my daughter. Any kind of "con" is a great place to people watch and get ideas. I have two weeks to bust my butt finishing my deadline projects. Here are some pictures from Crypticon. My lovely daughter modeled for HOT TOPIC at the show.

Bad Hair Day Remedied

Wandering through Michael's with my husband and daughter cackling maniacally while wearing silly hats and having a foam sword fight, I stumbled across the perfect hair for my "Hatter" and, it was on clearance!!! Yippee for me!

Today I finally got around to taking pictures of my "Little Red Riding Hood" doll. I will most likely list her on Etsy this weekend. She is a mixed media doll of paperclay and cloth. Her eyes a grey acrylic, she has synthetic chestnut colored hair, and a light smattering of freckles across her face. Her clothes are made fro vintage kimono fabric and her "riding hood" is made from an upcycled velveteen Levi's jacket. She even is carrying a basket I made from crocheted hemp twine. She is quite a lovely little girl.

This weekend I hope to get more work done on the two dolls I am working on, finish my Spanish assignments and study for my final, and also do a project for work. My fingers are crossed that I can get it all done.

Bad Hair Day

The hair I ordered for the two dolls I am currently working on arrived today. Since I choose not to use animal products, my choices are a bit more limited than most doll artists. I usually opt for human hair. The lovely dark auburn tresses for my "Hoffman" doll are exactly as I envisioned but, the platinum hair for the hatter is actually light blonde. This will not do! I know it will find a home on the head of a future doll but, what to do with this pesky hatter?

An Accident in Wonderland

There has been an accident all be it a minor one (I hope). After getting some color added to his face "the Hatter" decided to leap from my work table while my back was turned and hide under a recliner. Unfortunately the recliner was occupied by a hyper-active weiner dog and ended up resulting in some nose damage. After some reconstructive surgery with sand paper and molding paste, I think that all is well.


My little "Hoffman" doll told me that her skirt was not full enough so.....I added another flounce using some hand-dyed cotton and accent fabric. I am hoping to have her arms attached and accents added within the next few days.

The Sun is Shining!

Finally the sun has decided to make an appearance. My little "Hoffman" doll begged to go outside and see the flowers since she now has legs and is at least partially dressed. She looked quite lovely sitting amongst the roses.

I have also almost finished sculpting the head for the "ADO Wonderland Blog Challenge". Dana says that right now he looks like Nosferatu but, I know he won't look that way for long. I think he should be ready to start painting by Wednesday.

Doll Juggling Underway

My "Hoffman Challenge" doll is coming together nicely. She is painted and sealed and almost ready to be pieced together. I have begun constructing her clothing which is always a very interesting procedure no matter what the doll is I am making. The fabric background is the required fabric.

I have also signed up for the "ADO Wonderland Blog Event", the link is posted below. I have begun sculpting a head already and will post pictures very soon.

New Blog!

I have decided that since everyone always ask me what I am working on and if I have any pictures it's time to start a blog (plus there is a doll challenge I really want to do that requires one).

I am currently working on a doll for the "Hoffman challenge". Every year Hoffman fabrics chooses a specific fabric and holds a challenge that includes quilts, garments and dolls. I am very excited about the progress I am making I will post some pictures in the next few days.

This picture

is the very

plain base

to the doll

I am

making.