I had so much fun with the collage technique I used in the self-portrait quilt that I decided to try it again. I turned the collage into a flap for a messenger bag. It is a pretty simple design, nothing fancy. I just cut and sewed as I went along. I made if from black wool, a mistake, it picks up every thing, but it was an experiment and it turned out ok. I thought the flap might be to stiff.

So, thank you Linda Misa for the inspiration!

Collaged Snowmen

I saw these snowmen in fall the issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. I searched around to find some old bottles and stuff! They were so much fun. Once the materials were gathered up I put them together in a day. I tend to collect little tidbits of junk, or maybe I should say treasures, regardless, they were tons of fun to make and a everyone loved them.

Christmas 2008

I don't know how many of you have seen the book Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle by Tone Finnanger. The book has some great projects and she has some fabulous fabrics that are not available in the US. But I did two displays for the local quilt shop with some of the in store fabric. They turned out ok, but I wish I had some of her fabric. Maybe next year!

Self Portrait

My local quilt/fiber art shop challeged it's customers to do a self portrait. A while back a took a collage class from Linda Misa. It was paper collage, but Linda said the technique could also be done on fabric. I've been wanting to try this for some time and this challenge gave me the opportunity to give it a whirl. It was a lot of fun.....I wish I would have taken pictures of the process because I didn't think it would turn out. The fabric bubbled from the gel medium, but, I was able to iron it pretty flat. I also covered the entire figure with organza. Hope the picture turns out ok.

Christmas Tree Ornaments

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've updated my blog. I have not been making many dolls, but I have been busy with other projects. A few of them are on display at my local quilt shop and I did'nt take pictures before I brought them over there. I just got my camera back from the shop. It's been out of commission for a some time. But I wanted to post a few pictures of the Angel ornaments I've been working on. I used the free pin doll pattern from Doll Street and some leftover fabric from my stump doll. I just added some wing charms I found and a little ring on the back to hang her with. Now I just need to finish the rest and get them in the mail.
Happy Holidays to everyone!

Stump Doll

This doll was so much fun to make!

New Stump Doll

Before I left to go to Alabama last month I recieved my copy of Ray Slater's book, Clothdolls for Textile Artists. I read it while I was there and made a doll as soon as I got home. The book is wonderful, full of fantastic ideas, techniques and patterns. This doll is made by creating a layered fabric and embellishing it with free motion embroidery and much more. The instructions were easy to follow. There is also a pattern and instuction for a wrapped doll. Great book!

Travel Doll Swap

I spent the month of September in Alabama. I went down to help my daugher and son-in-law. They opened a Texas Roadhouse restaurant and they needed gramma to help with the kids. My pleasure!! While I was there I recieved my last doll of the Swap. It is a very sweet little girl named Minuette. She was made my Bonnie Lee Fontaine, one of the many talented ladies I had the pleasure of getting to know this summer. My granddaughter Maggie loved her. Here is a picture of the two of them!

Meet Marissa, a blue mermaid