I found this book at the local Antique Mall (great place right on Main street, and open all the time). The title is "Dolls to Make for Fun and Profit" by Edith Flack Ackley. It was printed in 1938. It's a wonderful book, and it is in near perfect condition. I have had the book since May but only within the last month have I actually used one of the patterns.
What makes this book so great is that it is written in simple language, in a simple time in history. The patterns are just hand drawn patterns and the instructions are clear and to the point. I love it. The book reminds me that less is, alot of time, much, much more. It also made me realize that I could make a doll, with a little bit of patience...
Cloth Paper Scissors magazine is challenging it's readers to create an art doll. I have never made a doll before and I've had the book for awhile so I thought I would give it a go. However, this is as far as I have gotten when it comes to creating "Sadie". (I figured if I gave her a name I would be more inclined to finish her) The deadline for the challenge is December 18th so I don't think I'm going to make it. (I still have a couple of Christmas presents to make!) I will finish her after the holidays; she will be completely hand stitched and I think I'm going to put some floral wire inside her so she can be posed. I traced the pattern on a plain piece of muslin and then painted it. She's going to be a fairy and will have "paper-cloth" wings.
I stopped by the Cleveland Handmade Market (a group of Etsy artists that get together and sell their art at different venues during the year) yesterday. It was taking place in Lakewood (Ohio) at the Screw Factory Art Studios. This is a big old nail factory in an old part of Lakewood. The bottom floor is still used as a nail factory but the second and third floor are Artist's Studios. During the market the vendors had their studios open. I was talking to a woman who was a mosaic artist. She had a great studio and did some beautiful work. She had stated that she worked full time in the corporate world and has two kids so this was her time to do something for herself. So I asked her "how do you find the time and the energy?" I'll be honest, there are days after work, and after the girls are put to bed that I really want to go to my back room and create but I'm just so tired! She told me "you have to make the time, and make it every day. I don't watch TV, this is my TV time." She's absolutely right, my New Year's resolution is going to be to make more time for my crafting/art making!
I am not a quilter. Quilting is one of those things that I've always wanted to know how to do but have been afraid to try. Don't ask me what I'm afraid of! I've often used the excuse that I don't have a permanent place to set up my sewing machine, so every time I want to go ahead and try it, by the time I get out my machine (from the dining room closet) and set it up, I'm already frustrated and tired. After picking up a copy of Stampington's Art Quilting Studio I decided to give it a go. This project does not require the use of a sewing machine, it's all done with fusible interfacing. I fused my cotton fabrics to a base of felt and then I'm just embellishing after that. The technique came from an article in the magazine by Deborah Boschert. It has been a project that has been very relaxing. Of course I've had to finish up unfinished Christmas projects first but I'm on my way to actually creating a small art quilt!
