Organizing in a Thoughtful Way

While I am waiting for the upstairs painter to arrive, I have been a little busy cleaning out the rooms, boxing, (rather reboxing), and moving things to a storage closet.  This makes me sore.  My mind doesn’t sore or tire quite so easily and I have been putting my mind to efforts of how to store and organize when I move back in.  I am too excited about a designated sewing and display room. 

While something is not on display how do I save it and make it look right?  And trust me, I can really overthink things.  And if you ever want to rationalize something you want to do, but have misgivings, give me a shout.  I am good at that, too. 

To that end, I have been playing with the Barbie Costume idea.  I have seen it many places as have you, package a set of clothes so you MUST have it.  I want things for the box these days as well.  I love boxes.  But I digress. 

To that end, I bought some boxes from a packaging company. I think I bought something like a 5’ x 6” and a 6” x 8”  Not really sure.  My excuse is they are packed up again and I cannot measure to be sure.  But your things might be different sizes and there is a lot from which to choose.    

https://www.papermart.com/p/clear-lid-view-top-boxes/11323

My plotting started with which doll fit the box, and which clothes went with her.  That settled the box sizes to buy.  I did not buy every size for every doll, as the 12” dolls will not fit into a box, but most of their clothes will.  That for another blog post.  (I am also a bit conservative with money. So mind your budget!) 

Here is a 6” Cathy Hansen Bru in a small box with her wardrobe.  Small wardrobe for now.  I have plans.  But then I questioned my decision, a doll with clothes or doll clothes with no doll. 

Let’s complicate this further as you see I drift as my mind works.  Don’t be appalled.  If I do the doll in this size box, I will only be able to fit the two dresses, the matching hats, and perhaps some other dolly, shoe, or purse accessories. What happens if I make more?  And how do I make it pretty if I want to compartmentalize?  Pretty scrapbook paper?  I cannot get the same paper as the bottom lining, so would I redo the bottom lining and do fancy folding to get compartments.  Can I make this any harder? 

I wanted to share is virtually the same, a sweet little Jumeau created by Sophie Pearson.  Doll with box, clothes only?  All the same little problems. 

All the time I am fiddling I am thinking about provenance.  Do I do a little card inside that says when it was made, who made it, and who designed it?  And notes about the inspiration?

I have more questions than answers and tons of inspiration.  Until I figure it out it is a nice place to store the items so they are not lost.  Bonus, they pack easily. Now you can be thinking about these things, too.  It would surely take a load off my mind. 

Have Fun!  Kathi

Apology to You

Oh, for Pity’s sake!  I have messed up royally.  This is an apology letter. 

I am going to try to do two blog posts this week.  But before I do anything interesting, I must apologize to all.  Again, I am a Luddite at heart, which is not an excuse for doing a poor job.  But there you have it.  I have several technical issues to learn and fix, but I am trying to do so. 

I have learned a bit this week.  (Not how to fix the white space on the last post though!) In my absence and while not paying attention, Blogger has made changes in the look, feel, and application for the posts.  And I am on a learning curve.  A big one.  Please continue to bear with me. (I have sort of figured it out.  As you can see this post is okay.) 

I know that there is a strong background color of RED. I work through my postings on a PC with Microsoft Office and prepare my postings in advance.  I edit live and then hit publish.  Everything works fine for reading on the laptop.  But, I also have an iPad and it does not work with this red at all.  The whole thing bleeds over and it renders the site unreadable.  The pictures, however, can still be seen.  I don’t know how to fix it.  For all the Apple product users, I apologize profoundly.  But as soon as I learn how to do these things, I will make the change.  It is decidedly inconvenient. 

I’ll know soon enough if I can hang with this and keep giving good service. 

Also, APPARENTLY, there are comments that have been made that have to be moderated.  I did not do this before as Michelle took care of the technical and I did the writing.  But, as much as she can help me, follow-through is important.  There are about 5 years of comments.  Oh, boy, this is unacceptable.  Some are questions, how-tos, and nice compliments.  But they have not been approved in all this time so I can respond.  I will get to some of these and perhaps take care of them as blog posts as well. 

For those of you who have hung around and noticed that I popped back in you are greatly appreciated.  I will try not to disappoint. 

I appreciate the condolences.  It has been a few years.  But we all keep moving on.  As Aunt Violet from Downton Abbey says,  " All life is a series of problems which we must try and solve, first one and then the next and then the next until at last, we die."   

This is rather in your face; it is also true.  

Continue to have fun.  We are all learning all the time. 

Kathi

Let’s Talk Virtual Doll Convention!!

https://www.virtualdollconvention.com/registration/summerfling

Do you Facebook? Are you registered? I am. The prices, low, low, low! The benefits are high, High, HIGH!! How do I know? I am a slow adopter of everything. I mean turtle slow, no wait snail slow! Adamant as a matter of fact. I am a Luddite! Facebook, uh NO, Twitter, more dislike, tolerate email. But here I am a convert!

It started with a class I wanted to take with A is for Artistic. https://www.aforartistic.com/ Love those classes, but the format has changed. To take my last wonderful class I had to be on Facebook. What was I supposed to do? I crawled through the process, of course. LOL! Truth is I do not have time for all the methods to communicate. I made time for my classes.  And found I also have time for the Virtual Doll Convention.

Again, slow adopter. I missed the first one. Convinced and cajoled to do the second one by friends created excitement. I am not a doll collector and feelings of not belonging to the group were heavy on my mind. Unsure of the process and being all-around uncomfortable with new things, I signed up for the blog first. https://www.virtualdollconvention.com/

I received my first post, and there it was, the feeling of being important, not just to sell to, but to the whole community.  More to the point, I love costuming dolls. I did not need to be rich, or famous, and didn’t have to sell myself, or what I had to offer. I didn’t need to collect dolls.  Being me was ENOUGH. Or that is what she said. And over the months I have begun to BELIEVE. Yes, me a believer.

And with that, I wanted to play, even join in! Me a non-joiner! True! I mosey into the wonderful world of Virtual Conventions, Sales, Classes, and get-togethers. I learned what a watch party was, and how to have dinner with everyone, tablecloths, and menus included! Okay, so there are too many exclamation points. That’s okay, it that exciting to play.

I have taken classes with the best in the business. You know the teachers you are afraid to talk to because they are so well known? Then you find they answer your mail and post comments on your work, and value your opinion. I know it is unheard of, but that is the wonderful place that is the Virtual Doll Convention. It is the atmosphere that Rachel Hoffman et al work to bring to us. A place of inclusion and acceptance and wide differences in interests.  Prepare to be happy. Share the fantastic. Enjoy the corny and funny collectibles and people. Appreciate the world of dolls, bears, antiques, modern and everything between. This is a great community for collectors and Do-it-yourself creators.

It's Summer Fling Time!  What have you got to lose, $15.00?  (And believe me, I don’t take 15.00 lightly.)  Did I tell you there is a free pattern?  The most gorgeous, sumptuous blue and white antique reproduction dress imaginable.  (For an extra fee from the Carmel Doll Shop Boutique you can have a kit as well.)  The class and pattern are FREE with registration!

 Yes!  We’re at the beach, we are at the pool, we are Beach Babes at the Summer Fling.  Come on in, the water’s fine. 

Still a late adopter, don’t want to join Facebook?  Not important, Rachel has a way to include you too!  Join, get emails about where to view the videos on U-tube, and download the pattern.  You are not excluded.  The magic of the internet is there to serve you.  With the joining, you can get a link in your email to see the videos, download the pattern, and decide for yourself.  Read all about it here: https://www.virtualdollconvention.com/registration/summerfling

https://www.carmeldollshopboutique.com/

Let’s Have Fun!  Kathi

Cinderella, Another Interpretation

My first UFDC doll convention was in 2009.  I was so excited to receive my Grace Doll as the souvenir.   The theme was “With Grace and Favor”.  You can read it here: http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/2009/08/ufdc-convention-day-6-3-of-3.html

She sat in her box for years and it appeared I would never look at her again.  However, uh, 6 years later, I took a trip to Colonial Williamsburg.  I visited the dress shop there and purchased fabrics to create a daywear costume for her.  http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/search/label/Colonial%20Williamsburg  

I had seen on the internet that Darlene Lane, repainted the doll to give her more depth and personality.  I thought I would take up the challenge and two of my dolly friends allowed me to repaint their dolls as well.  That was courageous of them.  http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/search/label/Beverly%20Walters

Since then more time has passed.  The French Fashion Doll Sewing Club (https://groups.io/g/FrenchFashionDollSewingClub) created a challenge for us all which they do periodically throughout the year.  We have plenty of time to create our fashions.  This challenge came to us as a create a doll costume in Cinema-Novel 1755 – 1920.   Quite a  generous timeframe!  

As I pondered my choices, and there were many, I kept drifting back to Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast genre of fairy tales.   The illustrations I found researching 1755-1800. (DuLac, Disney, et al.)  This would be appropriate as the Brothers Grimm were born and educated during this time.  Their first book was published in 1802.  Joining the doll to the period, what better doll that a doll who lived in Colonial Williamsburg.  The Grace doll is now, newly named, Cinderella and with a host of costumes.  I thought I would share some new dresses with you.  (Once I started, I was on a roll.)  I was really excited to present Cinderella not in her finest. 

  

Keira Knightly in The Duchess, the dress with background removed and my interpretation of dress

Doll and all the pieces that go with her Cinderella "Rags" 

When I think of The Duchess, with Kiera Knightly, I do not think of Cinderella in rags, however, the act of removing the background of the original picture, seen on Pinterest, left the net stole looking a bit ragged, and it served me well for period inspiration.  The picture was my inspiration, the patterns are my creation.  I tried to spotty tea dye the skirt and it shows some in the picture.  She needs a bucket for her mop, and she carries a feather duster.  A mob cap helps keep her hair clean. 

Cinderella on her way to the Ball, with and without the mask

Finally, Cinderella would go to the ball.  All giddy from her experience with her Fairy Godmother, she arrives masked and ready to dance.  This pattern is by Sheryl Williams.  She had created a pattern CD that was with the convention Journal in Atlanta in 2009.  It would have taken me forever to whip out these dresses without her patterns and inspiration.  The butterfly mask is my own idea.  I drew the butterfly, plastered we buckram to her face to get the shape of it, and drew out the eyes.  The rest was on hand embellishments, paint, glitter, beads, stones, whatever I could find.  She has a fancy ball headband for when she is not wearing her mask.   

Other Costumes for Cinderella

A fancy costume created from Sheryl Williams pattern

De La Reine after Marie Antoinette, pattern by Sheryl Williams

More To Come

There are a Little Red Riding Hood inspired dress nearly complete, and a wedding dress to make, and I hope to share those with you when I finish them.    Currently, they are taking a back seat to other things with deadlines, and more work on the house, but I am looking forward to completing them. She will have a wonderful wardrobe once she is married.  

Whatever you are working on, Have Fun!  Kathi 

Final Notes on Japan Days on Miniature Group

We are so lucky on the Miniature Doll List to have many talented miniaturists let alone with doll makers.  I thought I’d share today some of the final finished vignettes and a tearoom that was fairly special, too. 

Deb Laue of Dragonfly International (http://www.dragonflyintl.com/shop/) carried quite a few kits as well as offering several kits for free.  These included a floral sprig of Cherry Blossoms, a static hanging kimono, and several other miniatures cut and play accessories. 

Debbie Jones of Kitz! Miniatures (https://www.minikitz.com/ )also had some special kits prepared for displays.  The most wonderful Kimono Stand is true to scale size and displays the above kimono beautifully.  Plus, she had a teapot stand with cups and teapot, darling geta, Ikebana bowl and plants, a wall scroll (that said Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8), and other special items. 

When so many of our members participate and add kits and "printies" of their own it makes for a really special project.  Our members took advantage of all the kits and made some wonderful vignettes to show off the Japanese themed month and added to their collections.  I wish I could post them all. 

What beautiful and creative ways to display miniatures.  

See you next week.  In the meantime, Have Fun!

Kathi

Only a few of the wonderful kits available.

Japanese Boxes by Annilee Taylor

KimonoStand, Ikebana and Scroll at Kitz Miniatures

Shoji screen by Jane Layden from kit by Dragonfly Intl. 

Tea Set and Tray made by and available at Kitz Miniatures

A set of keepsake boxes at DragonflyIntl.

And these wonderful Vignettes and a Tea Room

Close-up of decked out shelves

Full Vignette by Nellie Pappas

Side View of Tearoom by Lynn Miller in a workshop

Front View of Tearoom by Lynn Miller 

This little lovely by Jane Layden is a book cover which opens to below 

Beautiful vignetter that is enclosed within a book for the bookshelf.

 

July 1, 2020

During Japan month on the Mindolllist forum at IO, we began by concentrating on the doll. Dressing a miniature Geisha would take us the most time as some of the kits needed to reach a worldwide audience.  And some of our membership are doll makers and needed to finish sculpting or firing porcelain.   Dressing a miniature doll of any form takes some time and effort.  The scale is the biggest issue.  And when it comes to a foreign (to me) nation, I needed to learn as much as possible to not disrespect the process and traditions and get it as correct as I could. 

We viewed videos via YouTube and had much inspiration for Geisha on Pinterest.  I had moved along quite well with the intention of “painting” the kimono fabric myself and turning it into a fabric printing company, but the lock-down got in the way of having the fabrics in time.  I was fortunate that Deb Laue at Dragonfly International had the fabrics as I needed the best substitute.  The weight was wonderful, and it had the correct scale and was a silk crepe of a doll kimono fabric I had seen most office while in Japan.  She came to the rescue for us.  Sending me quite enough, but just barely enough of the different colorways to be able to make several kits.  Debbie Jones of Kitz! Miniatures had the white painted porcelain of a Geisha woman up to the split toes for the tabi that they wore. 

Dressing a miniature doll can be tricky as with kimono sometimes there are quite a few layers, and tricks are performed by every miniaturist to remove bulk and have the doll dressed as close to the body as possible.  And boy, did we use as many of the tricks as we knew. The results were wonderful.  Some of our group used their own fabrics and skills to create scenes and costumes for themselves.

I'd like to share a few dolls created by members of Minidollist at IO.  

A set of Geisha by Jean P. of the United Kingdom 

The original Geisha inspiratioon doll by Kathi M.  

Geisha in Blue and red by Lynn B. 

Gesha in other silks fabrics by Nellie P. 

Samurai by Paola R. Italy

Geish in her display case by Winnie V V of Australia

If Minature dolls are your thing, please join us at https://groups.io/g/minidollLIST

If you are interested in making a Geisha, the pattern and other goods can be found here:

Patterns and Fabrics:

http://www.dragonflyintl.com/shop/contents/en-us/d287.html

https://www.minikitz.com/ZenStoreP1/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=339

Miniature Kitz of a Japanese theme.  See the same as above. 

Other laser kits are offered by the companies above. 

Additional fabrics, trim and notions can be found for all your miniature or dressing doll needs at The Doll Artist’s Workshop https://www.minikitz.com/ZenStoreP1/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=339

Have Fun!

Kathi