Moving house

After nearly 29 years in this old house, we are moving. So the boxes have piled up and been shifted to the new place. I am getting more ruthless as we go along! Clothes I haven't worn, shoes, old bags and bric-a-brac. Gone!

The new bungalow has lots of cupboards, but I can see we will soon fill them all. We also have too much furniture for two levels, having 4 right now. So I am a little stressed out! If anyone you know wants to buy an fine older home in Old Ottawa South, let me know!

I am going through my stash and did chuck out a bunch of stuff. Then I thought some more. I should have a sale! So I have shifted some of my stash to my studio and will organise a fabric sale for the early spring. It's so cold here, no-one will come out shopping now! So stay tuned for the date!

Meanwhile, I find being at the studio peaceful. No lists of things to pack, just my work. Right now, I am making an 1840's bonnet and dress.

Doll Street Dreamers is keeping me busy and this week I have added some new patterns and classes. Colleen Babcock has converted one of the classes she taught live into a pattern. It's Finders keepers. I took this class with Colleen and it's a really fun doll to make.

Maybe this doll can find some of the things that are getting misplaced during this move?

Order the pattern at Doll Street.

Cloth doll class now a pattern!

Colleen Babcock has taken one of her live classes and made it into a cloth doll pattern for us. This is Ascending. The cloth doll has amazing posture and reaches up for joy.

 Now available on Doll Street. Click the image to order your downloadable pattern. That means you get  it today, folks! A whole class in a pattern - $15! What value!

FREE doll pattern!

Colleen Babcock has designed a pattern especially for  new members of Doll Street Dreamers. It's a Snowflake Sprite. I am so grateful to Colleen for offering this pattern to us.

If you join now, you get this Free pattern. It's just $21 to join Doll Street. For that, you get the FREE pattern, membership of the online daily Journal; access to the Clubhouse, which has a library of articles and special coupons for classes on Doll Street. http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/joindollstreet/

I love the Journal, doll makers from all over the world exchange news and ideas and ask and answer each others questions on doll making. It really is a happening place! Won't you join us?

Guest Blogger on the Magic Bean

 Follow the link here to see my guest article for Colleen Babcock, of the Magic Bean. Colleen is featuring historic costuming this month. I'll be featured this Tuesday and next! Enjoy!

A Stitch in Time Part Two

I'm back home now from the class with Colleen Babcock. We had such a great group to work with. Collleen of course, is a great teacher. She makes sure everyone goes home happy!
Taking a class is great "cross training" as my friend Nancy says! It sure gives the Creative Muse stimulation and there's so much to be said for a creative weekend away from the chores!
Here's a picture of Colleen's doll. When I'm taking a class, I ususally follow instructions closely, then the subsequent dolls willl evolve into my own personal style.

Here's my doll in progress. The wrapping took some time!

Here's my doll with the surcoat pinned on, beside those of my classmates, Joanne and Stephanie.

Since leaving class, I have added hair, but that is it for now. I will get her done, for sure. She has turned out so well. I can see myself creating variations of this doll.
Can't you just see it in Christmas colours?

Colleen Babcock class

Well, here I am in Ingersoll, Ontario. I travelled down with Sue Ann from Doll Club to attend Colleen Babcock's class. We are making her Stitch in Time doll. Sorry, No photos, as I left my camera at her place. Darn. I was going to show you how the head I made was coming along.

It's been a fun first day. I did well sewing the doll's head together and waited for the others to catch up. I made one little mistake, but it's okay. It will be hidden once the neck is in place! I made a start on the trim for the skirt of the costume.

We have a great group of women taking the class. 8 is a perfect number. It's at the home of Colleen's parents. Her Mum, Kitty, made us a lovely lunch today.

Having local connections has benefits. Colleen had the local craft store stay open so we could come by and pick up a few supplies. I spotted some nice frog closures. I bought them, as you never know when you'll find nice ones again. I may use them on the 1812 costumes I'm creating.

Pictures next time, I promise!

New cloth doll emerging

Cloth doll pattern
My new doll design is now called Tilly. perhaps Silly Tilly, I'm still deciding. You may recall, this doll is being designed for our doll club's 1812 challenge. She's 12" or so tall and is designed to be a child about 10 or 12 years old. This makes her proportionately a child to my Annabella doll pattern.

Since this will be a tableau, I wanted to convey some form of activity. so Tilly will be shooing chickens or maybe sheep. once I have finished the doll, i will needle felt some chickens. If those don't turn out well, I'll do a sheep, which is easier!

The pattern can also be a boy, since the figure is juveniles. So next, I may dress the figure as a baker boy.

I have made 1812 clothes for Tilly, but need to finish sewing her together before I dress her. Clothes are easier to make before you pose the figure. the shoes and wig are on, so I know she balances well. Sometimes I find the wig can make the doll top heavy! you can add weights, which I have done, but I wanted this doll free standing.

Blog giveaway
Just wanted to send a shout out to Colleen Babcock, who kindly featured my blog on hers last week, helping to promote my 1812 class giveaway. If you comment on my blog this month, you will be entered in the draw to win one of 3 online classes. The Costuming an 1812 doll class can be previewed on my Edwina dolls site.