She's back!

She arrived home yesterday. This is the doll I made for the Gypsy Challenge at the Houston Quilt Show this year.
The fabrics were sent to me by Treasure of the Gypsy's Pamela Armas and I made a more modern take on a Gypsy doll. She is a charm seller, she has her treasure chest of charms to sell.
It is a challenge for me to come up with a doll, this one was made from 4 different designers pattern pieces. I designed her arms and hands and her outfit.
It is always fun to participate and know that a lot of people from all over the world will see my doll.

What will she look like?

Colleen Babcock is offering her new pattern on a Yahoo Group. She is a mystery doll. 5 weeks ago, Colleen put up on the Yahoo Group the first part of her doll with a picture of that part which was the head. Each week since Colleen released the next part of the pattern with a picture of that part. I have completed part 1 - my head! Since I am so far behind I do know what the finished doll will look like and I must say she is fantastic.
So, I will post each part as I finish her and hopefully you can enjoy this doll coming together piece by piece.
If you are interested in making her yourself you can go to Colleen's web site - www.themagicbean.typepad.com and purchase the pattern for $6 until November 3rd and get access to the Yahoo Group.
I've picked my fabrics out, she is going to have a winter theme and I can't wait to finish her.

Workshop with Christine Shively

It's been a while since I have written on my blog. It has also been a while since I completed a doll. After coming back from Denver in August I worked on my "Challenge of the Gypsy" doll for the Houston quilt show. I believe that starts next week. When the show is over I will show a picture of that doll.
After she was sent off to Houston, I was doing my pre-work for my workshop with Christine Shively. Our doll club, Time For Dolls, brought Christine in for a weekend. I was lucky enough to have Christine stay with me, she is such a lovely woman. We had such great talks, some about doll making and some about her life and her family, especially her nephew Alex. He sounds like a real character and a total delight!

Well, I don't have a doll that is even close to finished to show you, not sure when the doll will be finished but I can show you a picture of Christine's doll! Isn't she lovely?

 I am making mine in black, white and gold. She will have a white painted face and have a theatrical look.

This is an example of how the face can be painted.










It was a great workshop and everyone had a great time. I can't wait to see everyone's completed doll - especially mine.
Christine is a great teacher and her creativity is amazing. My husband and I totally enjoyed her company.