An Extra Peek From Me

The other girls have asked me to add an extra peek at my art doll because due to unforseen events Judith and Jo have been unable post their sneak peeks this week so here goes.





I hope I'm not giving too much away here, Lol! Keep a look out at the end of the week when I think the first of our art dolls will be revealed.

Thankyou for visiting.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

A sneeky dolly peek!

I have made good progress on my art doll project this month. Here is a tiny peek at one corner - I can't show you too much or I will give the game away.

This is very different from Sue's doll, but I am sure she would forgive me. The most important thing is that I have made my first ever art doll and I am sure it won't be my last. I have especially indulged my enjoyment of making things in miniature with this project, so there is quite a lot of detail stuffed in and loads of different stamps have been used too!!

I am looking forward to the big reveal - I just know the projects will once again be really different - not too long to go now!

Elaine xx

What are little Art Dolls made of?

I have never made an Art Doll before, and so I looked at Sue's quote 'you can make one using whatever you feel like'. I like this idea! I woke up one night, a few weeks ago, and had the basic idea for my Art Doll, including the colour scheme, layout, decoration, etc.The idea kept me awake for ages! I wrote it all down in my notebook so that I wouldn't forget it, and then set about gathering my supplies.My basic colour scheme is pink and grey, using paint dabbers, precious metal paint, and Distress Inks. I plan to use a few beads if possible, and some metal sheet. I will incorporate lots of stamping, and a beautiful wood turned, larger than life replica of a cotton reel, that my wood turning friend, Tony made for me. I can't say too much more, or I

 will reveal more than I want to at this stage. However, what goes into my stash picture normally ends up in my project. I have left one component out of my picture this time, on purpose! Thanks for looking, Judith x

A natural theme

Well, here is a selection of the stamps I am planning to use for my art doll project.

I followed Sue's instructions for making the body which worked well, but I have gone for quite a shapely doll body approach - more to be revealed in due course. There will be a lot more stamping for me this time around and the use of punches is also going to feature quite strongly in my project too. I have chosen a slightly more subtle colour palette than my last project, with a strong theme of nature running through.

I have so many ideas whizzing around my head for this project it is hard to keep it all under some control, but hopefully it will come together OK in a doll that works!!!

Elaine x

Feathers and a bit of bling

I thought I'd let you have a peek at some of the bits I want to use on my project for this month.


This one is most definitely out of my normal comfort zone but I'm so glad Jo chose Sue Roddis' art doll from this month's Craft Stamper. It's great fun!


I've decided to go down the fluffy, sparkly route, again not my normal style but I'm pleased with what I've done so far.


Thanks to anyone who visits and leaves a comment. We love to read them and pop back again soon as I'm sure the others will be posting some bits very soon.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Here Come The Girls!

Thanks everyone for the warm reception you have given the blog and for your very kind comments on the finished projects. We never imagined we would draw so much attention.

It's now my turn to choose our next project from the March issue of Craft Stamper and I have decided on the fantastic art dolls by Sue Roddis. These can be found on pages 50-52 of the magazine.

I've always liked the idea of making an art doll, although I've never really known where to start. Sue's work has been a real inspiration to me since I read my first Craft Stamper several years ago. Taking on this project, I feel I have permission to make something which doesn't have to be pretty or to suit anyone but me. I have several ideas already and I'm not sure which one will pass the final audition so my sneak peeks might include body parts(!) that find their way elsewhere. I'm really excited about this particular project. With wooden cotton reels being so hard to find, one of the biggest challenges will be finding a base for my doll. Sue says in the article "I don't think the question should be 'what should I make an art doll from?' but rather 'what can't I make an art doll from?'" so I am going to try not to be too predictable with my materials.

Have fun with this one, girls!

And finally .........

Well at last I have finished my February project - I just missed posting in February as I had such trouble getting a photo in the gloomy weather we had yesterday.

Here is my "love" themed project inspired by Valentine's Day in February. As you will have seen I chose a rich red colour theme. I love textures and fabrics, so that influenced my choice of materials. My envelope was made from a red backed rose paper. I lined my envelope with red illusion film to give the effect of moire silk. I mounted the envelope on red satin mirri card, so beautiful I had trouble persauding myself to take the scissors to it and mounted the whole thing on burgundy velvet paper.

My objects inside the envelope were an original vintage postcard that I edged with some fancy metal corners, my only stamping was the rather passionate Crafty Individuals stamp embossed on more red satin mirri in Ruby Obsidian Moonglow EP and the little jewelled frame that I posted earlier. I wanted to include family love in the theme, so this is a picture of my Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. The outside of the envelope is decorated with the beautiful rose trim that I found in a little haberdashers.  All the metal heart, ring and key embellishments were different colours, so I painted them all with gold Viva precious metal paint to give them a more consistent appearance. I added a red paper flower with a red heart button, a metal flower that came from a very cheap necklace I bought to dismantle for embellshments and a little burgundy tassel on the key. Last but not least , I used a quote from one of my favourite Thomas Hardy poems - if you want to read it - you can find it here and a tiny quote cut from the box of my favourite chocolates - another kind of love!!

I added something extra into this project that no-one can see but me, inside the envelope are two little letters that are precious to me, one my husband wrote to me and one my Grandmother sent me when I was a child. I wanted to add these things to make it an extra special memento.

Thanks for sticking with us for our first four Craft Stamper projects - I hope you have enjoyed looking at them,as much as we have making them.

Elaine x