Hi all, it’s been a while since I updated the blog to what I’m ‘really’ doing with my time lately…Doll making.

I got into it a little bit by chance, being a crafty person naturally curious about anything to do with sewing I purchase my first teddy bear pattern. I liked it but sewing furry fabric being a bit tedious and given that there’s a limit to customising options…I got my first ballerina stuffed doll pattern from www.dollsanddaydreams.etsy.com. And moved on from there really…

Now, I paint, sew, stuff, sew clothes and love it!! the sky’s the limit. Getting better with experience too, It’s a journey that I’ve undertaken and that I can’t see myself stopping anytime soon lol.

I started with felt hair dolls based on Wee bit of whimsy patterns (available here )….

(available here)

And then I thought I’d love my dolls to have ‘real’ hair…

(available here)

and more photos of my dolls on my facebook page that I update regularly with promotions and giveaway. at the moment I’m offering FREE WORLWIDE SHIPPING for the last one of my tahitian dolls on the left…If you are on Facebook what don’t you pop over to the page and have a wee look around? ^_^

This is too cute not to share: Handmade Ryan Gosling . It starts with ‘Hey girl’ and then goes on to some simpathetic-crafting-statement to a crafty girlfriend…You have a look and see what I mean…

(melanie, if you’re reading,that one’s for you )

Come on over to Lori’s Blog and have a look at all the different crafters who are participating and giving away prizes every day during this week! All you have to do to is:

The draw will be held a after the event. Simple, fun and a great way to get to the craft market without leaving the comfort of your own home

Dangling daisies, blue, white, pale yellow…A breath of fresh air!
The Lampwork beads have been handmade by american artist Torch by Night which I topped up with mini baby blue lampwork beads made by a french lampwork artist and with carribean blue opal swarovski crytals.
I ship worldwide
All set in sterling silver…and ready to wear

Lately I have been making cute ballerina cloth dolls and love making them. However I have been meaning to start makine another kind of dolls, the arty kind where you paint their face and sew them cute matching clothes …

After looking at my Cloth Doll Workshop book, I couldn’t decide which doll to start with. They’re all lovely and inspiring but somehow I felt a bit overwhelmed…Until browsing the Internet I came across two patterns. One free called the Indian Girl by Arlene’s Original Designs.

 Here’s my version

I named her Odakota meaning ‘friend’

For a first ever attempt at an art doll, it’s not too bad though room for improvement.  Her face was a bit challenging as it was my first time and the pet fox as intended on the pattern doesn’t look one bit like mine; I have tried to copy it but never could, so just did my own thing here.

As for my second doll, I think it’s my favorite (probably easier all around) and I might adapt it and make more dolls out of the pattern. It’s called Belindy from My Raggedy Dolls. Again, tried to copy it and couldn’t make the exact same face and my brush seemed to do its own thing. It seems to be a reoccurence. I can NEVER seem to stick to a pattern or recipe. There’s always something that I’ll do my own way. Ah well, it must be a good thing, at least it’s got my ‘stamp’ on it

I love her look and like to thing she comes from Martinique (don’t ask me why lol) and her name is Marie-Sonine

I absolutely loved painting her face and already have more ideas. Oh and making earrings for her was fun and felt very natural…my making jewellery and all ^+^

Do they look alright?

Lori Anderson from Pretty Things jewelry and blog is the brain behind the event. She’s already organized the famous Bead Soup Party ( in which I participated here and here). This time, it will be open to all kinds of crafters and artisans and not just jewelry designers. Here’s how it works:

For a whole week Nov 26-Dec 3, Lori’s Blog will be entirely dedicated to the show. Each page will be filled with designers and crafters and people will be able to click the links to the stores,  blogs, and take advantage of discounts (should they offer any), shop for things they HAVE TO HAVE NOW, and comment on things they really, really want. And they’ll be a draw for each prize posted on the blog.

So make a note of the dates in your diary and during that week come and have a look at loads of talented crafty people’s creations…there’ll be plenty of prizes to win and discounts to be had!

I’ve personally got a prize to giveaway, so come and join us on the day

see you there ^_^

Lately I’ve been trying to list a few items in the boutique…Not necessarily items that I made recently, but rather earrings and stuff that I have made a few months back and that I never got a chance to take pictures of due to my old camera being a real nightmare to operate.

but NOW I own a great camera (anniversary presents from my mum,dad and siblings) and the battery lasts more than 15 mins- Isn’t great!?

Having said, it doesnt necessarily make me a professional photographer, so still have to work on it.

Here’s the couple of items I’ve been listing recently

Midnight russian dolls earrings

Romantic roses lipbalm case and Mini cupcakes lipbalm case

Polka dots and bow russian dolls earrings

Last weekend I’ve been really busy making dolls (one was a custom order), hope to show you some pics next time…

I came accross these pictures from Jirka who tried to envision dysney characters through photography and a wee bit a photoshop magic I should imagine…Amazing and they remind me so much of my childhood : Disney used to release classic movies every christmas then, and I’d always be looking forward to seeing it on big screen. As you probably did too, so have a look, they’re really fab…

I started to make these lovelies last week after I noticed a pattern by dolls and daydreams on Etsy…I gave it a go and ended up with Annabella here

Which I think is adorable and might just keep it for myself :) but totally redoable if you like her.

Then got carried away with these 3

each a different colour scheme and personality…

Flora is a name that I think would suit that dollie…waiting for new suggestions ^+^

(that little Ballerina is reserved but redoable too)

That one I named Nikita because she looks a bit japanese and kawaiish…the floral fabric is one of my favorites in my stash because I love the hot pink/black combo. I’ve actually listed her here in my Etsy boutique.

As you can see, photographs aren’t the best, I know, but I should be getting a nice lovely new camera for our 5th anniversary in a couple of weeks and can’t wait. I’ve been giving out about my camera for ages and it’ll be a relief to bin it LOL

Tomorrow, I’ll be setting up a table at the Mullingar indoor market in co.westmeath. I’m a little nervous as a free table came up sooner than expected. So it meant that I had to make some stock and order carrier bags and other supplies fast. Last week, just when I really needed to get on with serious sewing, I was waiting for my new sewing machine ( early anniversary gift from my dear husband). I’m still getting used to all the computer options and 200 or so stitches. It doesn’t look much but my first criteria was that it had to be sturdy and take yards and yards of ruffling and fabric. So hopefully I’ll get a good few years of sewing on that machine

Anyway, I managed to get a thing or two done, like a couple of toddler skirts and a few vests…

ruffled bum bum, cute!

Jewellery and accessories will also be on the table.

I’m a bit nervous about tomorrow, hope everything goes ok…will let you know,

smile,

Virginie

A couple of weeks ago, I got an order for making two bright pettiskirts for two baby twin girls… I could pick the colours and went for fushia and orange. Not wanting to make the skirts exactly identical, I deceded on a ‘positive/negative’ colour combo :

Here I sketched the ‘Fushia on Marygold’ so the other skirt would be the opposite of that one, in other words: orange waist band, fushia bow,orange tier and fushia ruffles… both skirts made to measure. So here’s the result when opening the gift box (which was a nappy box I decorated using princess wrapping paper and gorgeous ribbon lol)

From sketch to reality…hanging on my ‘inspiration pinboard’

the ‘twin pettiskirt’

view from underneath…I just love the flufiness and the colour combo. Hope you like too…^_^