Mimi Kirchner Handmade Portrait on Etsy

Mimi is one of my biggest inspirations in doll making (besides my grandma=)) and her new handmade portrait on etsy is really great. When I first started thinking about making dolls her Purl girl pattern was one of the first patterns I came across that I was really interested in. I love how each one of them is so unique, and such a simple basic pattern, but the personality that comes across in the details is so intriguing. Anyway, I could go on and on, but this is really cool if you're into sewing or really any kind of craft.

Progress!

Okay, finally some new pics of the witches. The Magic Circle girl is close to being finished, she just needs the front of her dress seamed, a bottom hem, and her collar and waist shawl put together. Oh, and I'm stoked, I finally have a reason to make ribbon flowers. I was reading one of my current fav books (Cloth Doll Couture, Patti Medaris Culea) last night and got totally inspired by a dress with ribbon flowers at the hem. (Love this book, definitely check it out.)

Lady of Shalott is getting there, I'm trying to figure out exact sleeve placement and what to do with her collar. Plus the dress just seems a little bland to me. I'm thinking the sheer fabric should maybe have a really slight tinge of a pink-peach color. I like to think of it as 50's pink. I'm really into 50's colors right now. Weird. Anyway, I like how her face turned out. Pretty funny, she really does look like she saw her life flash before her eyes.

More pics (I hope some complete dolls) by Thursday. In the meantime, I'm also on the lookout for some cool fabrics for 80's glam metal costumes. I swear people must think I'm a real freakin wierdo. That's alright, I kind of like it that way.=)

Finally some sewing time!

Wow, last week was insane. Family is back home, Barney is a million times better since he got his new medicine and we switched food (I wish I would have known how important premium dog food was sooner), and I took the afternoon off on Thursday to work on dolls! (Had to make a hair appt. though, which cuts in on my time and is really irritating because I hate getting my hair done, but my roots are looking pretty bad and we have a big family birthday party on Friday. But I should still fit in a lot more time than last week.)

Anyway, spent all weekend at the Halloween store, which is going to be incredible this year. I could have the weirdest resume ever. This weekend I:

Distressed skeletons

Sewed Wednesday Adams look alike dresses

Painted a 4x 8 foot haunted house mural

Painted tile for a scary dentist's office

Painted tile for a fortune teller's room

Sewed and painted numerous other deranged projects

Loved every minute of it though. I do miss painting every day.

I started my online accounting class today. I'm hoping by January I can start picking up bookkeeping jobs. I think it'd be a great way to make more money in less time, hence more art/craft time, which is my main goal right now.

I will definitely have progess pics of the witches by tomorrow. For now, an inspirational pic (from Vogue) I'm thinking about for dolls.

On the verge......

Soon to post more pics. Halloween is in full swing for us and has caused serious delays in getting the etsy store open. I'm slowly making progress, albeit in bits and pieces. The seriousness of Barney's hip dysplasia has started to set in as well, and that's been quite heartbreaking. Although the vet says he's still in very good shape and should have a long road ahead of him before surgery. We've had family here all week, to add to the stress, not to say we haven't had a day off in over 6 weeks. A serious vacation is in order.

In the midst, MC Witch is almost finished, her dress just needs to be seamed up the front and hemmed, and her collar and shawl need to be put together. Oh, and I need to order some crows.

Lady of Shallot is coming along too, just trying to figure out the last details of the dress. Hoping to find a small candleholder somewhere also.

Some beach ladies are on their way as well, hair is finished, just need to get started on clothes.

I'm leaving work early Thurs. next week, hoping to get much done that day.

In the meantime, a Barney pic.

Coming Along

I've decided I'm never going to reach my goal deadlines unless I get up earlier and work on things before I go to my day job. I'm not a morning person. I wish I was. I'm not one of those people that want to sleep until 11 a.m., but I'm not one of those people who wake up and the crack of dawn ready to go either. So I'm starting slowly, I'm getting up at 7 (45 minutes earlier than I absolutely have to.) I digress. On to Dolls!

I finished everybody's hair last night. These pics are from yesterday morning. Tonight is clothing night, my favorite part! Hopefully more pics tomorrow!

New Dolls!(And a great Barnacle Shot)

Yesterday I finally had a day all to myself. I sat on the deck and worked on dolls from 10 till 7, it was fantastic! So I have about 12 dolls that should be done within the next week or so. These pics are from last week, I'm taking new pics tonight. I'm hoping to finish everyone's hair tonight, and get started on outfits tomorrow. Oh, and just for fun, I threw in a picture of Barney (Barnacle) at a beach near Big Sur from our honeymoon.