Charlie Patricolo Workshop

Twice a year our doll club has a doll making retreat at Heritage Acres in Saanich, BC.  This year we hosted a wonderful cloth doll maker, Charlie Patricolo.  Her dolls are all cloth, some with wire armature, most without.  This class was meant to be especially useful for beginning doll makers.

Charlie brought a number of her dolls for us to inspect.  What fun we had.

Everyone enjoyed the workshop and learned many tips on making all cloth dolls with soft sculpted faces.  Here are a few photos of the dolls in progress:

I made one doll in class and finished the costuming at home and them promptly made a second doll!

Francesca and her kitty

A closeup of her wild hair

My second doll, I named her Lidia and she makes teddy bears

As many of you know, I love taking workshops.  It is so much fun to learn new techniques and create with like minded peers in a warm and giving environment.  I look forward to my next doll making adventure in mid-May so stay tuned!

Waldorf Doll Workshop

I have always wanted to make natural material soft dolls in the style of Waldorf dolls and this year I was lucky enough to have just this opportunity!

In February the first Dollfolk Handwork Festival was held in Portland Oregon and I signed up for a workshop with Fabs from Fig and Me

I met many like minded ladies and I had a great time despite the cold wintry February weather.  The next festival will be held in the month of April or May, the organizers assured us so.

Here are pictures of what I made and of the workshop:

This is the model doll. She is 12.5" tall and so sweet.

A fellow doll maker's progress

Pinning the hair cap in place

My dolly all skinned and waiting for limbs

Here is my finished dolly, Francesca with a jumper and sweater made by Fabs

Her knitted beret made by me

Francesca's friend, Phoebe, made by a fellow Canadian from Kelowna

A wee one wearing a cape made by Fabs

All ready for a wintry day (see still needs her boots)

 The following are the process photos of constructing the head:

As soon as I returned to Victoria, I completed my second doll:

Meet Pippi, a sweet, fun loving girl who loves her monkey

Hand knitted cap and vest

Here she is showing off her outfit

Bye for now, time for a cup of java

I am now sure that I want to make more of these little darlings this year!

Happy Thanksgiving

Well it is Thanksgiving weekend and I have so much to be thankful for:

a loving husband and loving family
a great place to live and friends that share my passion for dolls
wonderful teachers who share their knowledge

Last weekend I spend a fantastic three days taking a Lavender and Lark workshop on picturesque Salt Spring Island with three good doll friends:

The scene was set and now for the workshop atmosphere, a house on a farm with horses, dogs and cats. Phoebe and her mom hosted eight of us and we created while having tea, coffee and yummy, yummy snacks from a local Salt Spring Island bakery. 

Phoebe provided all of the supplies including the vintage laces and hankies that we needed to complete our wee autumn fairies.  I was thrilled with the results.  In fact, all eight fairies were divine.  I foretell a lot more hand made finer fairies in my future.  Thanks to Phoebe from Lavender and Lark  for a fun and creative three days!

My completed fairy, I called her Ellette (means elf like)

the back showing the vintage hanky

She sits on her felted toadstool (we made them in class)

Here are the rest of the fairies:

Titania in Fairyland

As I mentioned in my last post, the cloth-a-dollics hosted Angela Jarecki, a talented doll artist, to teach Titania in a three day, hands-on workshop.  

I loved Angela's gentle and knowledgeable style and I loved her dolls!  After the workshop, I spent the following week completely the doll by designing some pixie shoes out of ultra suede and giving her an environment.  I also finished her wings and gave her my personal "over the top" style.  Here she is:

Titania says goodbye for now: