Dolls

My Melbourne Show entry

Hooray, finished in the nick of time!

A doll and her doll!

I used 3 different yarns for the big doll’s hair – sheep’s wool, mohair and alpaca in three colours.

If you’re braving the show this year please do pop in to the art and craft pavillion to see one of my dolls “in the cloth”. She (they!) will be in the Novelty Toy section.

Little embroidered wool felt shoes (recognise the bird print Nic?)

This will be my first entry into any art and craft competition so it’s quite exciting. Thanks to Nic from Yardage Design for the heads up and encouragement. Wish me luck!

Lil’ Mim sisters

by Kelly 5 Comments

I finished the other doll I was working on, her new owner loves the colour blue and has hazel eyes with brown hair. I decided to give her super long hair, I just love a doll with long hair.

This is the first time I’ve made a pair of dolls for sisters, I think it’s really beautiful that they’ll both have their own special doll for Christmas. These 2 are about 13 inches tall and made with the my usual favourites – cotton tricot, carded wool, mohair yarn and lovely prints for their dresses.

Last night I started work on my doll for the Melbourne Show, I’ve left it a little late, but it’s cool, she’ll get there!

Strawberries and cream

by Kelly 4 Comments

That’s what she makes me think of. She is a custom order I’ve just finished for a little girl. I’m working on a doll for her sister now. I knitted her a little bolero shrug out of cashmere that turned out very nicely even though I don’t really know what I’m doing when I pick up the knitting needles.

A back view of the bolero shrug.

I like to always put a little surprise like this into my customer’s parcels. I want them to be really delighted when they open it up and get something extra that they don’t expect.

I hope her new owner likes her!

Busy, busy, busy!!

by Kelly 6 Comments

I’ve managed to fit in a lot of sewing and crafting time this week. I’m showing glimpses of something I’ve been working on to try and impress someone. More about that later I hope.

I love the colour combinations.

I’m so pleased with the finished product.

This being my 399th post can only mean one thing.

So.. to celebrate my 400th post (and today – my 34th birthday!) I’m running a giveaway.

Stay tuned, it’s a good one!

Baby’s first waldorf softie

by Kelly 8 Comments

Well, she isn’t such a baby anymore, her first birthday is next month! Although she won’t be playing with dolls for a little while yet I think it is a beautiful first birthday gift.

I made this 12 inch doll’s body from soft flannel. I tried out a new hair technique and am very satisfied with the results, it’s very secure and lifelike with no long strands for busy little fingers to pull out. I can also add a pony tail later if it’s wanted.

Bub’s initial is embroidered so there can be no question of ownership (she does have two sisters after all!)

UFO or PFP?

by Kelly 5 Comments

The former being Unfinished Object and the latter being Partly Finished Project. I think I like PFP – it’s a little more positive, more like a WIP (Work in Progress) and less like a FTF (Failure to Finish).

Whatever you choose to label it, I have 13 of them! Now, I know I’m not alone on this, and probably like me you avoid the fact that you have so many projects on the go at one time. It’s your little secret, am I right?

As finances are a bit tight at the moment and I can’t indulge in new materials I’m finding it a perfect time to finish off a few of those projects that had just been “put aside later” AKA “I’ve lost motivation and can’t be bothered”.

Here are a few things I’m working on:

Baby gowns and blankets for the Bonnie Babes Foundation. Some finished, many unfinished!

A cute waldorf softie doll (needs hair)

Embroidering vintage pieces (pure joy!)

Baby Mary Janes (need snaps).

So, how about you share your little secret? How many PFP’s do you currently have?

Off to the USA..

by Kelly 6 Comments

Not me unfortunately – my dolls are much better travelled than I am. This doll is being sent with her own hand dyed silk and flannel blanket.

Her dress is a lovely soft cotton velour and she has Hilco striped leggings. Her hair is a mohair blend. This colour hair is very popular, it seems lots of little girls have similar hair.

I’m so pleased to see sun streaming in the windows, I had asked Linda in South Africa to send some sunshine over here – it must have worked.

Today is trying to reorganise my sewing table – oh boy, it’s so out of hand!! Hope you have a great weekend, see you next week.

Another custom order completed

by Kelly 9 Comments

I really enjoy the challenge of a custom order. Matching requested colours, combining my style with the customer’s style.

This one is for a little girl with big blue eyes. The cute fabric for her dress is from Retro Mummy.
I have to tell you about the hair. The customer requested a “deep honey” colour which was somewhat challenging to find. At The Craft Circle I found this handspun wool that has the most gorgeous
warm, earthy tones of brown and gold. It suits the doll’s warm skin most beautifully.

Alright, enough gushing about dolls!
On the home front I’ve had 2 sick children this week so not a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to next week doing Easter crafts and preparation. Easter is such a special time, I love the closing of Lent, the beautiful Masses of Holy Week and the joyous celebration of Our Lord’s resurrection.

Have a great weekend!

Lil’ Max!

by Kelly 8 Comments

Girls can’t have all the fun all the time! A little companion for Mim or a play doll for a boy.

I got some lovely red chenille and made overalls for him, then handstitched the wool felt detail.

He has a pair of flannelette play pants too.

And a good mop of hair. He’ll be in my Etsy shop tomorrow, today I feel too lazy!

It’s great to see Lil’ Mims gaining popularity with custom orders coming in. I’m keeping quite busy with little faces and outfits these days!

Crafty Mamas get together

by Kelly 12 Comments

There were only a few of us but we had a great day. We met at Nat’s quaint and lovely home where she has an upstairs room devoted to sewing (yes, we were jealous!)

Above you can see Nat and Claire hard at work on their dolls.

Zofia and I marvelled at Nat’s beautiful sewing machine- computerized and so quiet and smooth.

Nat took to doll making like a duck to water.

Claire made a doll for her eagerly awaiting daughter.

We all determined it was a lot of fun and something to definitely do again.

Many thanks to Paul for his enthusiastic help with the children, he did a brilliant job.