Puyallup Sewing Expo

This past week my friends and I (four ladies in a van) visited the Sewing and Stichery Expo in Puyallup, Washington (just south of Seattle).  It was my first visit to this iconic sewing show and it did not disappoint.  Since all of us that went are doll makers we were most excited to hit the booths that sold trims, embellishments, and doll patterns!  My favourite booths were Treasures of the Gypsy for the sheer volume of doll inspiration, doll patterns and colourful materials, and Barbara Willis and Betts Vidal's booth for pure romantic, european, old world charm!  Other notables were money was well spent include Reets' Rags to Stitches, Mary Jo Hiney Designs, Wooden Spool Designs, and i-Bead to name but a few.

Needless to say too much money was spent, too much fun was had, and yes, we would do it again in a heartbeat!

Flat Dolls by Barbara Willis for Sale

One of three new patterns by Barbara Willis,  "Prilly"

"Monique"

Final new pattern called "Prudence"

Betts Vidal new paper doll, so enchanting and fun.

Betts new doll, called "Twig" a back to nature girl

Mermaids

For some reason (who knows why) I have been fascinated by mermaids.  Over the years I have made many mermaids from patterns and from my own design.  I decided to decorate my first floor bathroom with the "mermaid" theme and I thought you might like to see how it looks.

The walls as stippled with orange paint and the prints are by local artist Gloria Marco.  I love her simple drawings and bright colours.

This mermaid sits in the corner and is 36".  I made her from an inspiring picture of a mermaid that I saw years ago.  I believe the original mermaid was made by Ruth Landis.

She holds her fish and her starfish protect her.  She is all cloth with a wired tail.

This mermaid chair I made in a workshop with Cyndi Mahlstadt.   Notice the wee merbear and the mermaid pin doll on the chair!

I love this mermaid made in a workshop with Arley Berryhill.  The blowfish is paper mache and floats in front of her.  She sits in front of the window but is intent on seeing her reflection in the mirror she holds in her hand.  The stand is hand made as well using an old candlestick holder.

This wee cardboard and cloth mermaid hold her merbabe and hangs in a corner of the room next to the mirror.

This mermaid was given to me by a friend, she is cardboard and painted (5").

Hanging from a knob on the cabinet, made from card stock and embellished using  art stamps.

I purchased this mirror from a local artist (fused glass).  The pendant is bone and comes from Hawaii (given to me by a friend)

Finally, this is my soap dish (clay) purchased at a local craft show.

I think I cannot fit many more mermaids in this wee bathroom!

I have recently made a couple more mermaids which I will now share

Meet Asha (hope) an oriental mermaid

"Asha" is made using a combination of Arley Berryhill's "La Femme" and my own design, inspired by a picture of a Van Craig mermaid.  She has a shell and bead encrusted head dress with coral growing from the top of her head.

A close up of her hand-painted face with eyelashes.

Here she listens to the sea.

 The next recent mermaid is made using the "Siren" pattern from Karen Shifton.  I used hand dyed rayon velvet for her body and then went to town on the hand embellishments using beads, embroidery and appliqués.

A close-up of her sweet face.  her hair is assorted fibers and she hold a wee cloth mermaid.

The last mermaid for the season of Aquarius is from a pattern by Patti La Valley (a wee mermaid pincushion that stands 9.5" tall)

A close-up showing her beaded bodice and hand crouched algae!

I hope you enjoyed my mermaids.  I am sure that there will be more mermaids later in the year so stay tuned!

Ice Maiden

I have always admired Arley Berryhill's dolls and was fortunate to take a workshop with him a couple of years ago making the Candlestick Diva.  

On Arley's blog site he has a picture of his "Ice Queen" which I love.  I decided to make my own Ice Queen using the Candlestick Diva workshop as my base doll.  I found a great candlestick at a local thrift shop and I cleaned it up, painted it silver and gave it a coat of gloss.  The doll came together well as I have been gathering beaded trim for a while in anticipation of making a winter style doll. Once the Ice Queen was completed,  she demanded to be called the Ice Maiden and I complied (always easier not to argue with one's doll)!

The Ice Maiden herself. She is all cloth.

A close-up of her face (glass eyes and fake eyelashes)

I applied many beaded appliqués to the outfit for a "icy" effect.

A back view showing her fur collar complete with icicles!

The Ice Maiden wishes you all a long and cool winter!

Treasures of the Gypsy

I have participated three times in the "Treasures of the Gypsy" challenge sponsored by Pamela Armas and shown at the Houston International Quilt Festival in the fall.  

The gypsies I created for the challenge remain some of my favourite dolls and I have not parted with them.  I present them as the three stages of womanhood and the cycle of life; the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone.

The first gypsy is Zinghera, Maiden Gypsy made in 2001, theme "Gypsy of the World".  The maiden represents purity, beauty and the innocence of childhood dreams.  She reminds us all to look after the magical child that lies within us. This doll won the "Best of Show" in 2001.

Shown with her young cat Mimi, Zinghera has travelled the world and returned home with many treasures that she will eagerly show to all her family and friends.

Side view showing crazy quilting and embroidery.

Close up of her face. (I used multiply body parts from different patterns to create her).

Her hand made shoes.

The second gypsy challenge, in 2003 had the theme "Gypsy of the Night Sky".  I made this gypsy as the Mother of the Night Sky.  The mother figure is the life giver, source of nurturing, patience and unconditional love.  Notice that her faithful cat "Mimi" is now much more mature.

She won the "Gypsy Choice" award in 2003.

A close-up of her face (from a Kooky Davis mold, cloth overlay).  Her turban has the signs of the zodiac and hand felted and beaded "night stars".

A back view showing her embroidered cape that is hand beaded with images of the night sky.

Her faithful, aging cat "Mimi"

 The final gypsy challenge in which I participated was in 2005 with the theme "Jewel of the Gypsy".  I completed my trilogy and used Melinda Small Patterson's pattern (Baba Yaga) to make the Crone.

The Crone is the wise, old woman who imparts wisdom and is called upon in times of loss.  She is wild and free and represents the strength in all of us.  Notice that "Mimi" is gone but in her place is a rebirth, a young white kitten to start the cycle of life again.

Back view showing her cape (made in part using a Sari)

A final look at the Crone Gypsy and the start of the circle of life in the Kitten.

Monkey and Me

Last year our doll club, the Cloth-a-Dollics, had a challenge to make a doll based on a character in a book.  I chose "Monkey and Me" by Emily Gravett, a delightful children's book that is full of sweet illustrations.  I was quite pleased with my dolls as they evoke a sense of abandon and joy.

My first doll made using Akira Blunt technique.  Monkey is my own design.

My second dolly with her monkey tucked in her shirt-what fun!

The award winning children's book that inspired my two dolls.

A final look at the poor monkey. I think he wants to rest!

The Show Girl

I am sharing some pictures of one of my favourite dolls that I called the Show Girl.  This doll was made a few years ago when our doll club was lucky enough to have Pam Grose come and teach her "Basic Lady" workshop.  As far as I know, Pam does not have a personal site but her patterns are available on many popular cloth doll patterns sites.

The Show Girl taking a break between Vegas shows.

A close-up of her costume. I used velvets, tulle and organza.

A close-up of her face.  I love the way she turned out. Her hair is made of yarn.

I knitted her beaded purse and added sequins.

The Show Girl hopes you enjoyed your visit.  Please come back soon!