Black and White Challenge

Our doll club (the Cloth-a-Dollics) had a black and white challenge for the June meeting.  We were to make an all cloth doll using only black and white.  I chose to use the on-line class by Angela Jarecki (the Traveller) but I turned her into a mother cat travelling on the road with her two black and white kittens.

The on-line class by Angela Jarecki (DollStreet Dreamers site) was great.  The instructions were well written and I would recommend the class.  I was happy with the result.  I hope you enjoy her.

One of her kittens travels on her back in a special pouch

The doll is a stump doll (no legs)

A close up of the other  kitten she carries.

A side view.

A close up of her face.

I Love Pink

A good friend of mine asked if I would make her a doll for her good friend's birthday.  I was a bit reluctant as I never want to disappoint anyone but as Leslie is my dear friend, I agreed.

Now began the task of asking appropriate questions to try and learn more about what type of doll she might picture for her friend.

Well Leslie said that her friend has shortish hair (that she colours shades of brown),  blue eyes, loves the colour pink, loves to garden (flowers mainly) and loves cats.

I had my list and decided that with this description I  would make a doll that represented her friend as she was ready to garden on a cool day after having gone for a run earlier.

The doll is only 14" tall. I found the perfect pink runners (they were keychains).  I had a small wicker basket that I filled with flowers and added a butterfly to the handle.  I made lycra black running pants and made her wee pink and white socks and gave her a light weight pink sweater.  I used socks for all of her clothing!  I knew I would have good use for my stash of socks!

I then decided that a gardener could use a canvas gardening apron with a big pocket for her seed packages and clippers.  I made the apron she wears and embroidered some flowers on the front.  I then used my photocopier to reduce actual flower seed packages to fit the apron.  The clippers are mini jewellery pliers.  I also gave her a wee kitten necklace.

A close-up of her flower basket with butterfly on the top handle.

I made her gardening gloves as well.

Her cat is hanging on to her arm.

Next I used epb pattern to make her kitten that is riding along on her arm.  I also gave her a spade and added a watering can.  Her straw hat will keep her hair in check and protect her from the sun.

She was great fun to make and I hope that use is well received.

A close-up of the gardener with the beautiful blue eyes.

The Toronto Blue Jays

Well, since I have been making "bird" art dolls for the last little while, I thought I would finish with the beautiful Blue Jay.  The Blue Jay is very common in Ontario and as I spent many happy years in Toronto I am fond of the Blue Jay.  I am fond of this bird not only because I love its bright blue plumage but also because it is the official emblem of the Toronto baseball team the "Blue Jays".

The Blue Jay is not seen in BC although the Stellar Jay is seen on Vancouver Island where I live (larger and not as bright at the Blue Jay seen in southern Ontario)

While I was looking through my stash of possible fabrics for this doll I came across a beautiful blouse that I bought on impulse but hardly ever wore (I am well endowed and this blouse accentuates this)! The blouse is shades of blue with made from a technique seen in Japanese tie dye.  I thought why not, and so I had my fabric.  I decided that this doll could have a longer skirt so that she would look great on a mantle but also hanging on a wall.

This doll sits about 10" tall and if hanging on the wall is about 18" tall

Her mask can be removed to reveal her wee face and her nest necklace

Back showing her bright feathers

I made her a wee mask to mimic the Blue Jay and then I added her feathered back feathers to pay homage to the beautiful tail feathers.  I even used the front button section of the blouse as part of her head dress to resemble the distinctive crown of the Blue Jay.  Overall, I was very pleased with the result.

The Blue Jay that this doll holds is made from felt.  This doll was fun to make and I hope you enjoy her.

Purple Finch

I am on a bird kick and so I decided to make another art doll featuring a bird I love but have never seen except in pictures, the Purple Finch.

The Purple Finch is a pretty, little songbird that is the official state bird of New Hampshire.  It has a cranberry/purple hooded head with brown wings, a light underbelly and pinkish chest:

I decided to use Cindee Moyer's on-line class, Raven and adapt it to made a representation of this lovely wee finch.:

A close-up of the fascinator with brown feathers cascading down

I was very happy with the result.  I just had to make her very own wee finch in felt that is perched on her hand.

Raven

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…suddenly there came a tapping at my chamber door". -Edgar Allan Poe.

This poem inspired the talented Cindee Moyer to create an on-line class depicting the mysterious Raven.  I signed up for the class a number of years ago and I finally completed my doll.

My Raven is pondering the word, "Nevermore":

Face mask is made with paper and glitter glue.

She holds her own copy of "the Raven" by Poe

Crow Mother

Continuing on the bird theme, I decided to make the ever mysterious crow.  A number of years ago, I was very fortunate to take the "Crow Mother" workshop with the wonderfully talented and fun Ute Vasina.  I have loved my Crow Mother and decided I would never part with her for she brings back memories of the fun times that I had in the workshop.

However, I have been asked so many times if I would sell my art doll, that I decided to make another Crow Mother.  Crows are highly intelligent creatures that live among us.  In mythology they have been symbols of the Supreme Being, and guides and messengers of the God(s).

I was very pleased with the result and it goes to show that Ute's designs are wonderfully written.  Here is my second Crow Mother that will be for sale in the fall.  She stands on her own at 13" tall and cradles her wee baby troll in her arms:

The baby troll she holds is all hand sculpted and brushed with artist chalks for colouring.  These babes are so much fun to make all on their own!

Tweedy the Owl

I love, love art books, especially those that have designs to make and inspire.  About a year ago, I purchased a wonderful book called "the artful bird" by Abigail Patner Glassenberg.  The book contains instructions and patterns to make your own feathered friends.

As you may have guessed, I choose to start with the Owl shown on the back of the book.  I have kept my husband's older tweed jackets for just this purpose!  I used the good parts of the jacket for the owls feathers and was very pleased with the outcome:

The owl has been regarded with fascination and awe in many cultures and throughout time. Owls have been both feared and venerated and have been considered either wise and/or foolish.  They are often associated with wisdom, medicine and prophecy.

My owl has his very own companion called Oliver.  Oliver is needle felted by hand.  The feet are wired, wrapped with floral tape and then wrapped with strips of torn cotton fabric to suggest feathers.