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Three Friends

Once upon a time, there were three friends, well actually a pair of cousins and a mutual friend. Okay, cousins can be friends, too! Remember Emilie Claire? She’s the one on the left. Her cousin, Molly (Mary Kathleen) got engaged last year and is here visiting family for the New Year.! Sarah Grace, (center) is here with her family, too! We are getting ready to go shopping as Molly needs all sort of things for her trousseau.. Molly is the most discriminating shopper, and we cannot wait to see her selections. None of us have seen her wedding dress or even have a description of it. She’s keeping it a secret!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

Madame Tutli Putli

Incredible...I wonder what scale the work is done in? Michelle minidolls.com

More Tools to Help your Creativity Flow

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Woe is me for being so naughty as to not keep up the posting. It has just been crazy with the new school routine; 2 kindergartners and a 1st grader. Then Halloween hit! In early October it seemed like a much better idea to make 3 costumes than is did around Oct 28th. But I did get them done and all look cute and scary.  2 mummies and a mermaid = 20 lbs of candy.  Wu Hu!  But on to more things Creative doll related...
Kathi worked so incredibly hard on some great tutorials.  Enjoy!
Michelle minidolls.com

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More Cool Tools to Help your Creativity Flow

 

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Oh So Cute little Millinery Bouquets

I am really thrilled when I find something good.  These little millinery bouquets are made the way flowers used to be made.  There is limited stock as once again a supplier is telling me when they are gone they are gone :( .  Of course they would be absolutely perfect if they were half the size.  BUT I know how creative everyone is.  I am sure you will enjoy them as much as I did buying them.  Follow this link to find them on my site: Mixed Bouquet
Michelle  minidolls.com  Doll Artist's Workshop

Mary Kathleen Part 7 - The End

It has been months since the UFDC convention and it has all gone so quickly. I have finished the dress pictures and I have reported almost everything to you. I do have one more dealer I want to share with you and will be doing that soon. There are some final notes to take and I will share them with you, too.
As you can see from the fashion plate, I was trying my best to copy the center pink dress. The theme for the display was “Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes”. I changed colors accordingly. Here you see my completed figure dressed in her ball gown, completely accessorized, dance card at the ready for signatures. What excitement or drama would the evening bring?
I thought she was lovely. The pieces of the evening costume packed away, in truth, probably never worn again. I am on to the next creation, a much simpler one.
I wonder sometimes about the young miss who has worn this dress. Did she meet her special someone that night? Were there tears of joy and giggling with friends? Was her heart broken instead? The only thing I can be sure of is if I had been able to wear this confection, I would have entered a ball room with my head high and all the confidence in the world. The candlelight mesmerizes me; I feel the music. A young man is asking for my hand, it is a waltz, he places his gloved hand at my waist, we sway, and swirl. I would be lost in the joy!

Kathi

Tutorials - Bowmaker

Kathi as been very busy with tutorials. I am so glad to include them in our blog. It is so nice to learn from someone so talented. This bow jig can be purchased from minikitz.com
Michelle minidolls.com

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New Item: Cute Hand Stiched Spider Roses

So cute I have to share them. Just added them to my site. Hand Stitched Spider roses. Find them HERE

I though this was kind of interesting

Having a website I get lots of junk mail from all over the world. I usually go right to mark as junk and delete. But something made me stop and click on this one. The title was: "Doll Face Machine". Wouldn't you have to click on that one? So I clicked hoping and deadly virus would not envelop my computer. But I do see some possibilities. Cute Christmas ornaments of your kids and grand kids? Funny convention souvenir maybe? If you have your own little body to pop it into instead of those strange little cloth ones...Maybe? What do you think? The smallest head is 6cm which is a little over 2", largest 45cm or 17-1/2". Ok, maybe it is a little strange and odd...and maybe tacky?

Happy Forth of July!

Happy Birthday America!!
I could NOT resist this ever so cute hand crafted Patriotic Donkey lovingly made by MaryAnn Wills. You can find more of her creations on her blog: maryannwillsteddybears.blogspotAnd for those who have never read it here is a copy of the declaration of Independence signed 235 years ago:

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Mary Kathleen Part 5 - The Finishing Touches

Finally! The dress is complete. So much sewing, figuring, drafting and cutting and sewing again and it was complete. That felt great! I had no idea what I was getting into when I began this ball gown.

Alas, there was more to do. I created the wig of mohair diligently trying to copy the style of the fashion plate. I think that was a success. The floral headpiece seemed quite easy after all the embroidery on the skirt. I did punch a comb of brass with a punch and attach the silk ribbons and leaves to a florists wire to make the accent complete.

The earrings simple creations made with an “S” hook to hang on her ear wires. I did have a problem with the necklace however. This might be interesting. I made the necklace originally on a gold chain. It looked beautiful. I do not know what doll’s do while I am sleeping, but that little chain went down into her neck! What? Each time her head turned or I shifted something it would get lost. Really! It took a week for me to figure out to add those pearls and resting that necklace. It NEVER occurred to me that the necklace would work its way into the neck join and the breast plate. The finished look is pretty and the pearls do add some richness to the “look”.

She now needed only to grab her dance card and fan. The carriage was waiting. One last look in the mirror….

Kathi

The Dance Card

Mary Kathleen Part 4 - The Bodice

It was time to fit the bodice and I thought it would be much easier than anything I had done on the skirt. Au Contraire! The bodice on this dress also went through many variations. I wanted a nice tight fit and slim waistline, (who of us does not?), but found myself juggling seams and remaking constantly. I wanted the bodice to be authentic, but could not find the best way to achieve the result of the lining showing on the turn back. I looked at a Louise Hedrick example and the construction was not even similar. What lesson was I missing? I read “Costumes in Detail” and the Janet Arnold books and could not find the answers there. It was up to me to create everything I could see in the fashion plate and make the garment as correctly as possible. The neckline turned out beautiful. The chemise lace shows ever so little and matches the rounding wonderfully. The hooks in back alternate so there is no specific pulling in any one are. While there, I spoke with several experts and have learned that I should not have lined this bodice the way I did, as that is what is causing some bunching. This was the best lesson I learned. In speaking with those who know, that best way might have been to snip the lining at the center and finish off the edges of the cut area. This would have released any pressure and pulling from the inside. The linings would also have been apparent in the turn back and I would not have forfeited the style. Having completed this costume, I do believe I can take on other challenges with more success. I intend to try it. To date, however, this is the most complicated thing I have made.
I think it is time to get her accessories and a wig on, don’t you?

Kathi Mendenhall

The Creativity of Christopher Boffoli

I stumbled across this absolutely wonderful and charming pictures in my wanders one line. I knew I just had to share them with you. They are dolls right? Miniature for sure. Very creative and a wonder?- definitely!! I find myself wishing I were those little people. What a world they live in. I want to be the "person" mowing that broccoli.
The photo's are created and photographed by Christopher Boffoli. Christopher is a writer, photographer, filmmaker and artist. His work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and online publications around the world. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington, USA. You can find more of his photography on his website. This wonderful series is called "Disparity" He uses the little HO train scale figures as his people in there larger than life world. I just love them! Bravo Christopher!!
Michelle
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT CHRISTOPHER BOFFOLI. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PLEASE DO NOT DOWNLOAD AND REHOST IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.

A little About Sharon Crystal de Vries

Sharon Crystal de Vries of Chrystal Designs http://chrystalsdesigns.blogspot.com/
(Sharon is having a contest on her blog, so please visit for your chance to win!)

We are always happy when we can feature another doll artist. Today, we are featuring the wonderful knitting of IGMA Fellow Sharon de Vries. I think you will agree that a lifetime of experience shows in her work.Sharon’s career began at the age of four, yes 4, when her mother taught her to knit. Soon, she was knitting and sewing for her Rosebud baby doll. She created large dolls and especially enjoyed the heirloom sewing she used for the undergarments. Sewing for large dolls was so much fun. It was not long before “teddies became the rage” and she created her first knitting patterns for them. She decided on knitting a little teddy dressing gown and the rest is history. She loved baby dolls and knitted her first miniature gown on “Sean”, a sleeping baby. She called the design Candy as it was knitted all in pink. “It was the only baby colour thread I had.”
Sharon believes her specialty is now long baby gowns with the most delicate lace patterns. Some call them Christening gowns, or Blessing gowns, regardless of the name “designing these long gowns seems to please my soul the most.”“I enjoy all the aspects of knitting and crocheting. Doing so in miniature really challenges me as I feel it is vitally important to achieve all the detail in a garment, and yet, producing something so delicate a human mother would enjoy putting on her child.”
In 2009, I achieved IGMA (www.IGMA.org) Artisan. I knitted a version of a leather jacket I had bought my husband in the 70’s, which raised $650.00 for the Guild School at auction. “That felt like Christmas had come early."“My husband Rein, was my third eye. “…I would ask him what he thought, and he would hone into the area I thought needed improvement. One too many buttons, ribbon too fussy, too wide…” Apparently, Rein could see the tree in the forest. At long last since Rein's death, which is nearly 2 years ago already, “I feel I can laugh again and have happy moments, though I miss him so. My children tell me, 'Mom, life goes on’ and so happy are my days spent knitting and designing.”This year, as she had promised Rein she would, she submitted her work for Fellow with IGMA. Moreover, she EARNED it. “I am happy that is behind me.”
Threads excite Sharon and she used the finest she could find on her Fellow submissions. Her commercial designs will continue to be completed using Venne 70/20. The miniature knitting movement is growing and Sharon sees how much more is now available, not only in needles but also in threads and patterns. Sharon’s goals are to publish a knitting book on miniature design and finishing techniques. She will continue to teach and sell her patterns. The only thing I wish is that I could knit anywhere near Sharon, but sadly cast on, knit and purl are the best I can do. Thankfully, we have Sharon, her talents and teaching she shares with us all.

For more articles on miniature knitting and to see more of Sharon’s work, Chrystal Designs, visit her Blog, http://chrystalsdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathi Mendenhall

Soo Cute...

Ok...I know it is an advertisement but still so cute!

Modern Miniature Settings

Ever sine I had my daughter I have been jonesing to dress a Barbie or other larger fashion dolls. I have not had any time of yet...but maybe someday. In my travels around the web in the large modern doll world I ran across Maryann Roy. Her company is called Welcome Home. She even has a jingle which I thought was so cute.

A little about Maryann and her company:

“Welcome Home” – This is my artistic desire to design and create visually pleasing settings in 1:6 scale, for collectors of fashion dolls, toy companies, doll magazines, and miniature aficionados.

You will find my work in Fashion Doll Quarterly Magazine, where I am a regular contributor. I have been featured in American Miniaturist magazine as well as Dolls and have an upcoming feature in Haute Doll Magazine. I also occasionally contribute work to Integrity Toys for their line of dolls – Poppy Parker, Fashion Royalty, Nu Face, etc. And, you can always find me on the web at : www.maryannroy.com, as well as several doll boards.

It is my passion to add another dimension to your doll collecting. Make them more entertaining, exciting and pleasing to look at by incorporating a living world all their own. “Welcome Home’ is the way to do this. I hope you enjoy the ride with me.

“Where does YOUR doll live?”

Best,

Maryann

Very exciting as she now as gone miniature with 1:12 scale furnishings.
So hip! So Cool!!
You can find Maryann's Blog at: Welcome Home
Michelle Mahler minidolls.com Doll Artist's Workshop

New Flowers - Delightful!

I am quite tickled to have found those wonderful millinery quality flowers.
To see all the Flowers click here: Flowers
Primrose:Lilac:Rose Bouquet:
Posy:

Michelle Doll Artist's Workshop minidolls.com