Kate Church Workshop

I was fortunate enough to coincide my trip to Toronto with one of Kate Church's workshops!  I took a three day class with Kate learning her technique to sculpt a head, hands, shoes/feet.  She also teaches how to put the doll together with internal armature.  

There were 12 of us in her class and it was wonderful.    Most of us did not know each other, but what we had in common was a love for Kate Church's work!  Kate is not only a magnificent doll maker but an amazing and patient teacher who is so generous with her techniques.  I am sharing some pictures of our works in progress.  Once I finish my doll(s) I will post the pictures.  I took pictures of heads/dolls in progress but I forgot to take pictures of my own dolls!  Enjoy! If you get the chance, I would highly recommend Kate Church as a teacher, check out her blog and website. I apoligize in advance if I misspelled anyone's name or mixed up the dolls.  I was concentrating so hard on my work that I did not learn everyone's name!

Fashion gal in progress by Foun-Lee who took the workshop with her sister.

Biker in progress.  I think by Alison.

Cool goblin in progress.  I think by Wendy.

Doll in progress.  I think this belongs to Carla.

Funky doll in progress by Gaye.  She was there with her daughter!

Doll in progress by Catherine.

Too cute guy in progress by Catherine.

The butler in progress.  I think by Lisa.

Adorable.

Cool character in progress.  I think this is Trish's.

Wee mouse in progress by Yelena.

Wise mystic in progress by Foun-Lee's sister.

Catherine and her guy.

Gaye and her funky gal.

Wendy and her cool goblin.

Mystic magic.

Funky character in progress.

Arellya's doll in progress.  Inspired by Cirque de Soleil.

Arellya's doll with her costume, waiting for her balloons.  

Here are some of Kate's dolls which she brought for us to see during the workshop.  You can see why we love her work!

Christine Shively Doll

Our doll club was very fortunate to have doll maker Christine Shively teach "Dress Rehersal" and "Rainbow of Chaos" last fall.  Before taking her classes I decided to make one of her earlier patterns using paper collage.  In order to make the doll a little bit easier I enlarged the pattern by twenty percent.  I added paper flowers using pages from old books. I used crackle medium over the fabric body to give an "aged" appearance. I am very pleased with the result.

Here is the result of the two classes I took with Christine Shively, "Dress Rehersal" and "Rainbow of Chaos".  Christine is an excellent teacher who shares so many techniques and tips with her students.  Her face painting techniques produces beautiful faces every time!

"Dress Rehersal"  She showed us how to make the presentation box.

Rainbow of Chaos

Sock Doll Challenge

Last fall our local cloth doll club, the Cloth-a-Dollics, had a sock doll challenge.  I wanted to make some cool animals.  I finally decided on a cat and a fox.  The cat was made with a white sport sock and a black sport sock.  I decided the cat needed a wee mouse so I used a gray baby sock for the mouse.

The fox was made with a rust coloured hiking sock, a white sport sock and a black sport sock.  I then decided that I wanted to make him steam punk and so I used a plaid tie and made him a vest and a matching hat.  The tail is made with tibetian goat hair.  I  used a metal zipper for his smile.  Enjoy!

In addition to dolls made from socks, I also made a doll wearing socks.  The inspiration came from the book titled "The Sock Fairy" by BC novelist  Bobbie Hinman.  The pattern of the little fairy (minus all the embellishments) is by Sarah Clarke.  I knitted the sock that the fairy is holding and I made the mouse from felt.                  .  

Coast Collective Gallery

I have been accepted to have my teddy bears in the Coast Collective Gallery.  This gallery is an art centre created by a group of five local artists.  The centre hosts juried gallery displays, gives art classes, and has juried art items for sale in the gift shops.  I am very excited to be joining! I would like to share a few of the wee bears (all from 4"-8") that you will see at the Coast Collective gift shops.  Enjoy!

Meet Li-Na and Chen from a design by talented teddy bear artist Monica Spicer.

Meet Duncan as he greets his mouse friend, made from a design by Monica Spicer

Meet Sammi and his chicky buddy.

Meet Peanut in her teacup

Meet Wedgewood the Dragonfly

Meet Buzz bear and his buddy.

Meet Lil Dude and Fluff (Monica Spicer Design)

Well these are just a few of my latest creations that I hoped you have enjoyed.

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