The African Queen

Close up Doll Front

Doll Back

A couple of years ago I purchased a copy of Soft Dolls and fell in love with a doll by Kooki Davis, Ethiopian Queen. At the time I didn’t think I was up to creating the doll, but it is amazing what time and the encouragement of great club members can do. I realize as the time has gone by the members of our group have become dear friends. Anyway, the queen was not as difficult as I imagined at first. The most challenging part was her mask. First of all I didn’t have paper clay as was suggested in the article, I used polymer clay. What a search I went through trying to find a mold that would fit the size of the doll. Finally I discovered that I had purchased a mold from Sherry Goshen, Chantal, and she fit perfectly. There was only one problem, Chantal was a beautifully crafted Art Deco face and I needed a beautiful African face. Quickly, my sculptor instinct took over and I realized that I needed to change the nose and mouth of the face. I over structured the mouth of the doll, because she was suppose to represent wearing a mask; and I remembered the mask of the dancers that I observed during my studies in the Ivory Coast. I wasn’t too sure as to the surface color that I wanted the mask to be so I experimented with pearl powders and came up with a result that I was please with. Needless to say I was happy being able to use my large collection of African fabric. The queen’s coat is decorated with cowry shells. Her jewelry necklaces, earrings and bracelets are copper and brace wire enhanced with beads. I still have to complete her staff, but I was so excited with the results I couldn’t wait for you to see her. When school opens I’m going to take her in and have my students give her a name.

Teapot Party

A few months ago my club members and I took part in a doll parts swap. We were making a doll teapot. I thought the idea was great, sew and stuff teapot parts; wrap up the parts in tissue and place the separate parts in various bags and grab. Please greet Ms. Crystal Dragonfly Teapot. Crystal has twisted wire earrings, a pearl necklace and amazing pink fleece hair.

Happy First Anniversary!

Last June my eldest son, Adam, married my best friend’s sister, Lorae. I can’t believe a year has gone by so quickly. We had such a great time at the wedding; I can’t remember when I had danced so much.
Lorae made an elegantly stunning bride. Adam just beamed and we just wiped tears of joy and wished them well. I wanted to share some pictures from the wedding.
I designed and made Lorae’s head piece, it was a real challenge especially since this was the first time I had created a wire crown. The piece contained champagne Swarovski crystals, aurora crystals and pearls. Her cathedral veil was trimmed in champagne lace.

Needless to say I was happy that my training at FIT paid off.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy July 4th to everyone! Let Freedom Ring. Are we perfect, not by no means, but I'd rather be here than anywhere else.

Collaboration

As I posted some time ago I enjoy the idea of working with other artist in order to explore our artistic boundaries. Well, this time we have decided to work on borders. The main artist will present a center to their quilt and the rest of the team will develop a border to enhance that center. We are also including a journal as well.
The title of my quilt is “Riptide in a Koi Pool”. I original had plan to use this fabric for a colleague and then changed my mind, I wound up keeping it. My problem started when the blocks I created didn’t match up with the required number. So, this meant ripping out seams. I did this so often I referred to the quilt as a riptide, hence the name.
The center was inspired by quilts from 9-Patch Pizzazz by Judy Sisneros. I'm very excited to see what the other members of the group come with as a border for the quilt. And with that in mind, I better get started on the center that I have.

This is Yoko-San, I like the way she turned out. She's got a great face, I think I'll make another one for my granddaughter, Ty likes all things Japanese.

Sabat-angel

The doll was from a Sheri Goshen challenge pattern. Her wings are cotton lame and Angelina. I painted the top of her dress and then did hand beading.

While on my way to Blog....

As you can see it has been a while since I’ve tended my blog site. My computer, Wanda went on the fritz, and then I needed to replace my aging sewing machines and finally the digital camera that I had happily purchased on eBay died! What a mess!
Now I’m happy to say that I’m back on track. For January we had to make an angel for our club meeting. I decided I would name her Sabat-angel. I planned to go out on sabbatical for a year and I thought she would watch over my dreams. As things turned out my sabbatical was declined, so I dried my tears and I’m charging forward and will apply for a half year one at another time.
A few months ago the members of my doll club made an EPB doll, Yoko-San. I was excited about doing this doll because I have had this pattern for a number of years and I was finally getting to make her. Well, here’s the joke when it came time to cut out the pattern, I couldn’t find the dang pattern! I mean I live in a one bedroom apartment where in heaven’s name could it be? Anyway, I had to have Jean send me the pattern. You know the silly thing is going to show up when I’m looking for something else.

Branching Out

Recently I’ve become a member of the Needle Knows Doll Club. I have learned so much from these women so far, it’s been great. I’m still working on my angel, she’s a work in progress and she will be finished by our next meeting.
I just made two new purchases which will make me a very happy camper; a new sewing machine a digital camera. So please check my blog often to find out what’s happening at the fortress.