Happy Holidays

Since this will be my last post for the year, I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year. It's been a busy time for everyone including myself. This is the busiest time at work for me. I work for UPS so you can imagine what it's been like.

I did get to finish 2 small dolls I was working on before the holiday rush. The first one is called The Bearer of Gifts. It was made from a free pattern from Sherry Goshon called the stash doll. I like the shape so decided to make it as a holiday doll. Her base is made of faux velvet. I added gold beading after sewing a grid in the velvet. Her vest is made of cashmere I found in my stash. Her wrapped gifts are parts from Christmas ornaments I have. I glued the stack together and attached the stack between her hands with glue. She can be used as a Christmas ornament along with your other decorations on a shelf, mantle or a fireplace hearth.

The second doll I completed was for a project with The Needle Knows doll club I belong to. We decided to use the I Challenge You Pattern from Judy Skeel's challenge. I was going to enter it in the challenge but I didn't finish it in time. She turned out to be an Ice Skater. Her entire outfit was made from a large Santa hat found in the discount stores. This particular hat was made from a soft curly fabric with look of lambkin with the fur attached. It doesn't show well in the photo but I thought it would work better than the usual furry Santa hat. Now for her skates. I made them by cutting out the shape of the blades from plastic and painting them silver. I made the bottom plate of the skate with air drying clay and stuck the blade into the clay to mark where the blades will be later glued to form one piece. The feet of the doll was painted white. A silver marker was used to make the string holes. I used white floss to sew through each hole to make laces. The blade plate was then glued to the botton of the boot once it was dried. I think they turned out ok for a first. Well. it's back to the drawing board. A new year means new dolls. So from me and my dollies,

Happy Holidays!

Madame

I recently completed a commissioned doll for one of my sister's co-workers. She had showed him my blog and he asked her if I would make a doll for him. His name is Joseph and he is the Concierge for the Ritz Carlton Hotel here in New York City. When I asked my sister what type of doll would he like, she explained it would have to be dramatic because Joseph's personality is a little "extra" therefore the doll would also have to reflect that. I immediately thought of Arley Berryhill's Madame pattern. I looked it up on the net and showed it to my sister and she agreed it would be perfect. The photo on the right is her without her coat. I used a bronze fabric with matching trim to make her dress. I love the way Arley designed this doll. She has a fabulous pose. The coat she wears is also great and goes very well with this doll and was not difficult to make; which is always a plus. The design in the coat doesn't show very well in the front view photo, but it has a black background with silver, bronze and gold glitter lines that swirl throughout the fabric. You can see it better in the rear view photo. My sister gave Joseph progress reports as I worked on the doll. She told me he was very excited and couldn't wait to see it. She took the doll to work with her when I finished it and even though it was his day off, Joseph came in to pick up Madame. My sister said when he saw her he gasped and said I love her! She also said everyone at the job loved it and said it was the perfect doll for him, but it doesn't end there. My sister said an hour after he took Madame home, he called her and said "I can't stop looking at her" Joseph has already commissioned me for another doll. You can't get more of a compliment than that and I think Madame is ready for her close-up!

It's Halloween

It's that time of the year when the weather starts to get cold and the days get shorter. The children are celebrating Halloween by dressing up in costumes to go out for trick or treat. We grown-ups who play with dolls will make dolls to reflect the Holiday. It's one of the favorite holidays for doll makers and crafters. The doll club I belong to decided to make a witch as our project for the month. The pattern used would be whatever we chose to use. I used a free pin doll pattern from Mary Tressler's site for my witch's head. I enlarged it and made the rest of the parts myself. I really like the nose which is why I chose this particular pattern. I embellished her with some cob webs and a few spiders for a little pizazz. Neither show up in the photos very well though. I had fun making her. Well, that's it for now. I'm finishing up another project I was commissioned for so I'll be back soon to tell you about that one. Until then.........Happy Halloween!

Mermaid On A Rock

In my last post I mentioned having a few things in the works. Well, I finally finished one of them. I've been fighting a cold and haven't really felt up to doing anything but I'm better now and was able to finish one of my projects. This one is from a pattern called Mermaid On Rock designed by Susan Barmore of Frowning Francis Folk Art Patterns. What's interesting about working with this pattern is it is all painted and the parts are assembled with glue. Another thing I found interesting is the face is actually 2 parts. One part is a regular pancake style face pattern. The second part consists of the forehead and nose which is glued to the face above the eyes after they are painted giving the face dimension. The pattern called for the eyelashes to be drawn, but I decided to use the individual lashes you can buy from a beauty supply shop. I thought they would go well with how the face is assembled. I enjoyed making this doll and it appears more difficult than what it really is. After making this one I sent a photo to Susan Barmore. Most of the designers like to see your interpretation of their design and this was Susan's response to me. " Hello Venus, Thank you so much for showing me your work. You did an amazing job with the mermaid. I think she is beautiful and the best job I have seen to date. I also looked at your blog and the charmed cobra is incredible. What a wonderful design and your execution is just flawless. Your work has a deep spiritual glow to it. Thanks again for thinking of me to share your art with, you are a very talented individual. Susan"

Needless to say I was flattered.

Well, I'm off to get started on my other items. I have to make a witch for my doll club project. I haven't decided if it will be a good witch or a bad witch and I also have to make a pincushion for a swap with one of the online groups I belong to. Decisions, decisions.......be back soon!

Finally My Ethiopian Queen

In my last post, I left off with having another doll completed. Well, I finally got around to getting a few photos. I don't think this doll wanted to be photographed. I say that because I took several photos at different times of the day and somehow the lighting was always wrong. I finally gave up a kept the best ones out of the bunch. That's what took me so long to post her. Well even though she didn't want to be photographed, she was a delight to make. She's a pattern designed by Kookie Davis in the May 2005 issue of the Soft Dolls and Animals Magazine. I used the quilters strip piecing method on a muslin base to make the body and robe. I used a paperclay face mask which I painted to suit the costume. The mask used was designed by Sandy Pine and used for her Miranda the Mermaid pattern. It had the expression I wanted so it went perfectly after painting it. The staff was made from a twig found in my own backyard. It had already dried out so all I had to do is sand it a little and give it a coat of varnish. Once it dried I wrapped a portion of the staff with suede laces and added a few beads to embellish. This doll looks more complicated than it is to make. As for her name. I didn't get the chance to name her. She actually had one of my friend's name her. I was told by a friend who saw her photo, her name is FuWenne' (Fu-way-nay). So Fuwenne' it is!

I have a couple things in the works right now and I'm doing a little experimenting. I hope to come back with something interesting. So until then..........

What I've Been Up To

It's been a while since I last posted and I have to admit I have been slacking off with the updates. I just haven't been in the mood to be at the computer. I'm at the computer all day at work so sometimes I just don't feel like it at home. Well, I'm back and since my last post I attended a function call A Day With Dolls hosted by Diane Kearney of Parsippany New Jersey. It turned out to a beautiful day. The weather was great and so were the people. Fifty some odd doll makers showed up for the event. I cannot remember the names of everyone I met at this time but there were a lot of familiar doll makers in attendance. Most of us brought dolls we've made to be put on display for the neighborhood residents to stop in and see. The photos shown throughout the post are just a sample of the dolls on display. Unfortunately I don't have the names to go with the dolls. There were also several demonstrations throughout the day. One had to to do with how to make and wrap a wire armature which was demonstrated by Kathy Hoffer. It was my first time doing an armature and I found it pretty interesting. It's a technique I will probably incorporate in my some of my future doll making once I learn a little more about it. There was another demonstration which had to do with the technique of using cloth over clay using air drying clay. This was demonstrated by someone named Colleen. I can't remember her last name but I think she belongs to a group called So So Dolls. This is a technique I've wanted to learn and now that I've seen it done, I can now practice to incorporate it in some of my own doll making. There were also demonstrations on dying laces, needle felting and there was also a demonstration of how to make fabric wrapped dolls with chenille stems by the ladies of the Mt Vernon doll club. Two other demonstrations were given by MaryAnn & Bonnie of Dollmaker's Journey. They showed us how the new product being used in doll making called Paverpol is done and what the results look like. What you get is a cloth doll that can be made into a "statue" which can be displayed outdoors. Not only does the paverpol make the doll rock hard, it also becomes weather proof. Imagine that! They also showed us another new product which is used for dying fabric and lace by using these "crayons " which are water activated to color the fabric or lace you want to use. Or, you can break off a small piece of the crayon put it into a baggie with a little water; swish it around in the bag with your fabric or lace and dye it that way. You can also mix the crayons to to make other colors. How easy is that?! They also brought products from there company for us doll makers to purchase while we were there. It was definitely a fun fill day with plenty food and drink and a lot of wonderful creative people. The day definitely got the creative juices flowing which brings me to what I've done since then.


Since that day I must say I was on a roll. I've made a couple of dolls I am very pleased with. The one I'll tell you about now is a pattern designed by Shirley Shaw she calls Charmed Cobra. I've been looking at this pattern for a while and each time I saw it I said I have to make this doll. I remembered a piece of fabric I bought a while back that would be perfect for this doll. I ordered the pattern and while waiting for it, started searching through my stash for the fabric and the embellishments. The pattern arrived and I went to work. This is what she looks like. I named her SSsssselena. The fabric is a faux snake skin, perfect for this doll and yes that's a baby snake she's holding in her hands! I love how this doll turned out. She is definitely one of my favorites. There is another doll I finished but I will post it another time. I'm not done the photos. Be back soon!

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by a fellow dollmaker Karen Mallory. "This award will be awarded to those that are just nice people , good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!" I am to nominate five other nice people who are to copy and paste this award to their blog and nominate. Here are my nominees.

Sandi Howell

http://www.indigo06-renasissancewomen.blogspot.com

Trish Williams

http://www.darlingdivasfriends.blogspot.com

Belinda Manning

http://www.myphoenixrising.blogspot.com

Kat Lees

http://www.designsbykat.blogspot.com

Deborah

http://www.urbanwildflowerdolls.wordpress.com

Here Comes The Bride

As you may recall I've been mentioning a project I had going on which was a bride doll for the daughter of one of my co-workers. I would have loved to have posted the project in progress but she reads my blog and I didn't want to her to see it before it was done. It was just as much of a surprise to her as it will be for her daughter. I've finally completed her and she is with her new owner now who was pleasantly surprised when I brought it to her. Well here's her story. My co-worker asked me about a month ago if I would mind making a doll for her daughter's bridal shower. She wanted to use it as a centerpiece. I was a little hesitant at first because I have never made a doll specifically for someone who was willing to pay for it. There was plenty of time to have it completed so I told her I would. My first decision was what pattern would I use. What I end up doing is combining 2 patterns. The top half was from the pattern AfriCoco designed by Michelle Munzone and the bottom half was from Judi ward's pattern Serena. The breast of the AfriCoco were more developed than in the Serena pattern which is what I needed for the dress I was making. My co-worker actually sent me a photo of the dress her daughter had picked out for herself. I told her I would make it as close to it as possible for her. I then chose her hair which was dark with some texture because it was the description she gave me of her daughter's hair. I prepared her hair by rolling it up with some setting lotion to give it a little body for when it's ready to be styled. As I waited for her hair to set, I began working on her dress. I had an idea of what it would look like by the photo my co-worker sent me so I had to figure out how I would do it. I started with the under skirt which was made of a stiff netting to give the dress some "poof". I finished the bottom edge of the slip with lace, gathered the top edge and attached it to the doll's waist. The dress and train are made with off white satin with a semi-sheer overlay on the bodice. I used pearls to simulate buttons for the back of the bodice. Once the dress was completed I began making the the jewelry. My co-worker said her daughter would be wearing pearls so I made a pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings. I even went as far as making her a diamond ring. This girl is definitely blinging with her ring. She also has a french manicure but it doesn't show up well in the photo. Next was the




bouquet. I asked my co-worker what the
color scheme was for the event because I would want to do the flowers using those colors. She told me the brides maid gowns were iridescent fuchsia and burnt orange. Now to be honest, I couldn't actually picture those two colors together. It was a new combination for me but I kept an open mind. I purchased some fake flowers, the primary color being fuchsia and the secondary color being burn orange with some green leaves on them. Once I put them together to form the bouquet, it actually looked great! So now all that was left was the head piece. I had a little problem with this part because no matter what I did it just didn't look right. I tried a flower crown that goes around the head and I also tried one that fits on the head like a headband. I didn't like either. So I stepped back from the project for a couple of days until I could figure out how I was going to do this headpiece. Well, one day on the bus on my way from work the bus stops in front of this party store which has always been there. But for some reason this day I was looking at the store display through the bus window and what do I see? a doll about the same size as the one I'm making wearing a tiara. I didn't think I could find one in time if I had to order it so needless to say, I was pleased. I only had a week left to hand over the doll. I got off the bus and went into the store to purchase this cute little tiara. When I got it home it was a perfect fit. Now all I had to do is make the veil. The veil would be be short and plain so that was pretty easy. I finally completed her and was very pleased with the results. I brought her in to work to show my co-worker and she was floored. She loved it so much she had tears in her eyes and gave me the biggest hug. I was a little taken aback by the response. I wasn't expecting that. She showed everybody on her floor. The response was overwhelming. Well that's the story of my bride. I had fun making her and will definitely have to make another one. I have an idea for a dress that came to me while making this one, but that's another project. It may not be my next project but it will be in the near future. Here's the bride in full view.

She Started As A Fairy.....cont'd

Hi Everyone! This post is a continuation from my last update. As you may recall I was having a little delimma with a doll who was suppose to be a fairy but refused to accept that role. So, instead of fighting with her I made her into who she wanted to be but found I had no idea what to name her. I asked for help from my readers who responded with some great names and it's funny how most of you almost had the same name or were on the same brain wave length about the name! But the one that stood out the most was from Dorene McNeal who is a member of the online group Black Cloth Dollart. The name she came up with is Sorre're (Sor-ray) The Forest Wanderer; which I thought was perfect. I am pleased and so is Sorre're. Thanks Dorene!

I am also excited about a project I am currently finishing up. It's a gift for friend of mine whose daughter is getting married in September. The gift will be part of her bridal shower. I will be posting photos soon after her finishing touches...So stay tuned. I think you all are going to love it.

She Started As A Fairy But Now She's A..........

I know I haven't updated much but it's that time of year when things I can't do during the winter have to be done now. I've also been enjoying the weather. It's summer in New York City and plenty to do outside the house. I had the pleasure of attending a craft swap this weekend; a first for me. My monthly doll club meeting was cancelled so I decided to attend this function. The rules of the swap was to bring a bag of craft items to swap and you pay an entry fee of $5.00 or if you have nothing to swap you pay $20.00. You are then given an empty bag and you go around the tables collecting items you want. There was everything from the different crafts. So whatever your craft is you would possibly find it there. I think it was a great idea. The money collected at the door is donated to one of the local charities. It was fun, and I'd definitely do it again. I went home with some very nice items and fabrics for my dolls.

As you may have read in my earlier posts; I was beginning to make a fairy which was a project for the doll club I belong to. For some reason this doll did not want to be a fairy. No matter what I did she refused to be a fairy. I put her aside and worked on another project for the doll club in the meantime. I'll show you that one at another time. I kept going back to this "fairy" but she insisted this was not what she is so I let her tell me. Next thing I know I'm picking out this yarn she wanted for hair and the fabric for her outfit. I had no idea what I was doing at this point but I let it flow and just when I thought I was done.....She wanted a walking stick. So there I was in the backyard looking for a small tree branch I can make into a walking stick. Well here she is all done but I have no idea what to call her. I don't even know what she is for that matter. I think she may be from another world. She looks like one of the Alien races from one of the Sci-Fi movies. I like how she turned out even though she gave me a hard time. I would love to hear any names you may come up with. It would be interesting to hear what they would be. Who Knows? If I really like the name, there may be a little treat for you. Well, on to my next project which will be to make my fairy. I found a nice simple wing tutorial I really would like to try. I hope this fairy doesn't give me any trouble. I will also be starting another project for one of my co-workers whose daughter is getting married. I've already chosen and cut out the pattern for that one. I'll post more about that at a later date. In the meantime.........I need names!!!!

What I've Been Up To

My dollmaking has been a little slow lately. It's that time of year where Spring cleaning takes priority over everything else. In between the cleaning, I've been trying to finish a fairy doll I started with the doll club I belong to. For some reason I just can't seem to finish her. We did a wing technique at our meeting last week and I wanted to use the technique for her wings but everytime I try to finish her I just look at her and walk away. I can't seem to figure what that's all about but I thought if I should work on something else in the meantime. I thought if I divert my attention to a simpler doll, I would snap out of whatever it was that was stopping me from working on my fairy. I was browsing some of the doll sites and came across a new free pattern by Kate Erbach at the dollmakers journey website http://dollmakersjourney.com/ettamae.html

I thought I would make this doll because it was so simple and then go back to my fairy but I got very much involved with this one. As you can see, she has a very odd look and shape to her which made her interesting to worked on. She came together rather nicely. I would recommend this pattern to someone new to doll making who likes the whimsical type dolls. I can see alot being done with this doll. After completing this doll I figured I'd attempt working on my fairy again, but again the brakes went on. I'm starting to believe she doesn't want to be a fairy for some reason. So while I pondered on what I'm going to do about my fairy I made another doll from the free pattern.

I Think they are both kind of cute; but what am I going to do about my fairy? I really think she doesn't want to be a fairy. I have gotten as far as trying to costume her and that's where she stops me. It looks like I may have to choose another pattern for my fairy. I think that may be the answer. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. It's amazing how some of the dolls we make can be so tempermental. I myself am curious to know what this doll wants to be or wants to look like. I will surely keep you posted about the results.

I would also like to wish all my dolly friends a Happy Mother's Day.

Easter Greetings

For those of you who celebrate Easter. I want to wish you a happy holiday. The Easter holiday is also a reminder of Spring although it still feels like Winter here in NYC. Hopefully, we are at the end of the last frost before Spring actually sets in. Spring can also provokes the flow of creative juices via the color palette it naturally creates through the new bloom of the flowers and trees. I'm sure those of us who are into the crafts will be out there shopping for fabric inspired by the Spring blooms. I'm curious to see what I will be inspired to come up with. Aren't you?!

Mystery Craft Box Update

Our mystery box is now on it's way to North Carolina. The players who have received the box have enjoyed the goodies they had to chose from.

My Latest Project

I've completed another doll this week. I had the week off and spent most of it working on this doll. I named her ClaraBell. I'm not sure why I named her that but it seems to suit her. When I was finished with her and stepped back to look at her, that's the name that came to mind. So, ClaraBell it is!. The pattern I used was designed by Judi Ward. It is her latest pattern called A Reproduction In Cloth. She said the inpiration came from the original, Circa 1580's wooden doll that sold at auction for $21,000 in 2006. I thought this would be a fun pattern to work with, since it involved some painting and staining. A little different from the dolls I usually make. What's was nice about making this one is I had some wood grained fabric in my stash for a few years now. I don't remember buying it but I had it and as it turns out it's the perfect fabric for this project. I made the body from this fabric to make it look more realistic. It also cut down on painting. The pattern actually calls for painting the entire body to make it look like wood. The hands, neck and head are painted a flesh color. The hair was made from yarn and some trim which looked like a braid. The yarn was glued to the head after sewing a part down the middle. I used gesso to flatten it down and prepare it for paint. Before painting, the braided trim was wrapped around the head tacked in place and also glued to hold it in place. This was also covered in gesso and allowed to dry before applying black paint. The face, neck and hands were lightly sanded for the aged effect. The entire piece was then covered with a layer of white glue. Once that dried, the piece was further aged by applying brown shoe polish which was wiped off and re-applied a few times. You can see the aging effect in the close-up photo. I was pleased with results. I really like the last photo of her. Doesn't she look like she's about to curtsy? I really liked working on this doll. Now I will have to make the other adaptation of this doll. As a bonus for a particular time period, the pattern came with an additional pattern pack to make another version of this doll. The difference is the bodice and the breastplate. There's no painting and aging techniques used in the alternate version. I think I'll try my hand at that version also.

Mystery Craft Box Update

The craft box has been sent from Florida to the next destination in Georgia. We got word today it has been received in Georgia. So far, our little game is going well.

Yuko-San

I completed a doll today which is a project for the doll group I belong to. It is a Japanese Kimono doll designed by Elinor Peace Bailey named Yuko-San. This is not a typical pattern for a Kimono doll. The Kimono is the body in this case which I found very interesting. The Kimono collar is a separte piece sewn to the front of the pattern and the Obi was appliqued with a paperbacked fusing. Both steps were done before sewing the front and back together. As you can see in the photo it is all one piece with stitching at the points where the doll will be folded into a sitting postition. The photos show the body before and after it was stuffed. Once stuffed and the head is attached; the doll is folded in a "Z" and tacked at the folds to hold the sitting position. Her arms are brought down in front and hand sewn to her lap. Her feet are sewn to the back. I think the ladies at the club will like the way she turned out.

As you can see, not your typical pattern but it works! It was an interesting doll to make.

Mystery Craft Box Game Update!

The box has reached it's destination in California and has been sent on it's way to Florida. So far, so good!

Mystery Craft Box Game

I was invited to play what is called a mystery craft box game. The game consists of about a dozen players all from different parts of the country. The box begins with one of the players filling a box with different crafting items such fabrics, beads, tools, etc. The items are listed in a journal that is shipped in the box along with the address of each player. The person who starts the box maps out a route for the box to ship. As the box reaches each person, they are to list what item they took and what items they replaced them with and ships the box to the next person on the list. Sounds like fun huh?. The mystery is you don't know what's in the box or what will be put in the box by each player. The box continues it's journey until it reaches it's starting point again and that's where it ends. The group I was invited to play with got so big we had to split it into two groups. I volunteered to send box #2. My box was sent off today and is on it's way to California. Why California from New York? This player was the only one on the west coast so I decided to start there. She will be sending to Florida and then the box will be coming almost straight up the east coast. Well, if everyone plays nice this can be a fun game to play with people from all over. I will keep you all posted on the progress of the game. It should be interesting.

Here's Another One!

As I stated in my last post I had to make another doll from Tonya's design. So I spent part of my weekend doing just that. I really like the curves in this one and I think the fabric I chose for this one really flows with the shape. Tonya really liked the first one I made and said they really look like her little Divas. She wanted to know what I named it and I told I didn't name her but Diva sounds good to me. So I guess I'll called them little Divas. I hope to make a few more from her designs. There are at least two others I would like to make but for right now I will have to stop here. I have to start on another project I have to complete for my doll club meeting this month. We're working on a pattern from Elinor Peace Baily called Yoko-San. As you may have guessed from the name it's a Japanese doll, but not your typical Japanese pattern. I'm not going to give you the details of that patten right now. You'll have to stay tuned for that one. So, come back soon!

What I've Been Up To

I've completed a new project but I had to get permission to use a design before I began. I belong to a dollmakers group (http://www.needleknows.blogspot.com) and one of our members Tonya Dyce makes these beautiful greeting cards. I was going through her website http://www.paintedthreads.com and couldn't help but think how her designs would make very cute dolls. So at our meeting last week I asked if it would be all right if I used her designs. She said it would be fine so that's what I did and look at how it came out. I think this doll would make a fabulous shelf piece or store display. I think the geometric shapes Tonya uses are what really stands out. The face is very minimal in her designs which doesn't take away from the shapes and color of the fabrics she uses so I applied the same concept in making this doll as you can see in the closeup. I really enjoyed making this doll and you can bet I will be making a few more of these using the the different shapes. Tonya said she has never thought to make a doll from her designs so I hope I did her proud with my interpretation. Well, back to the drawing board. I received a new pattern today and need to read through it to see if I would want it to be my next project.

Bummer! The Auction Is Cancelled

I received an e-mail today stating the auction was cancelled. I had a feeling something wasn't right all week. I noticed I hadn't seen my co-worker in charge of this function since the latter part of last week. I was then approached by another co-worker who was making handbags asking about her also. Well, it must have gotten back to her because we all received an e-mail this morning stating she had to cancel because of personal reasons and had to take some time off. She hasn't decided whether she will try to do it at a later date, or postpone until next year. She'll let us know what she decides. Well, life happens so what can you do? and I was so curious as to how much they would have gone for too. But on a brighter note, I get to keep my girls with me a little longer....yeaaaah!!! I was a little anxed about letting them go anyway...lol. I do get a little attached to them after putting so much into them. Since that is now on the back burner I will have to decide what my next project will be so I can share it with you all. Decisions, decisions......what will it be? what will it be?

Hibiscus Is Dressed And Ready To Go

Today I completed Hibiscus which means I have accomplished my goal of king two dolls for the upcoming auction. As you see in her photo I chose a reddish brown yarn to use for her hair. I thought the contrast would be better than using just plain black or brown. I've decided to add a basket with flowers since she is suppose to be a street merchant. I also made her a little sitting stool for when she's working trying to sell her flowers. It was made from an oatmeal box which I covered with batting. I then covered it with fabric and added a cushion on top. You can see it in her sideview photo. It's been fun making these two ladies and I hope
they do well at the auction. As I said when making AfriCoco, I will keep you posted about the auction which is next Friday. I will take photos of whoever the highest bidder with their doll at the end of the auction. Well that's all for

now. I'll have to start thinking about what my next project will be!