Hello Reader, I'm making slow but steady progress on my schoolgirl doll, and the end is almost in sight. I'd decided on dressing her in a school uniform, with a plaid pleated skirt. I don't have much experience making pleats, so as I worked out the process I decided to create another quick tutorial for you: Pleater Board Tutorial Maisie Now I'm nearly finished with her jacket. And honestly, those tiny lapels really threw me for a loop! I'm also hoping to include some some sort of school...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, As the weather improves, I've been spending more time outdoors - gardening, walking our dog, riding my new bicycle. But I've also been whittling away at a doll - you may have seen her not-yet-assembled body parts in my last newsletter. Once I added her hair, I envisioned her character: a schoolgirl in a uniform - button down oxford shirt, jacket, pleated skirt, etc. As I contemplated how to design her shirt, I thought it might be a good idea to take photos of my process and...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, The weather is improving, and I've been spending more time outside cleaning up, deadheading, weeding and pruning (and rediscovering some unused muscles!) But I've also been working on a new doll project, one that may develop into a souvenir doll situation (if it comes to fruition, will involve a lot of time and materials over the next couple years). While I wait for confirmation (the committee's yes or no), I've been working on finishing another Enigma-style doll, enlarged 110%....
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I have one course sample doll that need to be completed. All that's left is hair, and I need to make some choices here. Do I go with Tibetan lamb like the others, or use the beautiful wool yarn I like so much? She looks a little serious in this photo, so hopefully hair , whichever I choose, will soften her expression. Originally I had two sample dolls for the course, videotaping each step (or so I thought). Turns out I large part of the costuming/dressing module was NOT...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, After months spent in the studio, today I finished my seventh (and last) video for my digital doll course. I don't know if you've ever recorded yourself on video, but I learned a few things: I stutter, I overuse the words wanna, gonna, kinda WAY too much, and it will take a really long time to become comfortable hearing my own recorded voice. Moments ago, I uploaded the course to my Etsy store. I feel like I've really accomplished something. Every step was a challenge. So if...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Not that I'm surprised, but yes, developing a digital course is a TON of work. I'm not one to shy away from the work, but I'm finding the tech involved in the various platforms quite daunting. I might have to hire a Virtual Assistant to help me out, which irritates me a bit because I like to do things on my own. I'm stubborn that way. I've been working and reworking the seven modules that make up the course for at least a couple months now. I can't tell you how many times I've...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Today I did something I've been putting off for years: I took my Bernina to the local shop for routine servicing and maintenance. This required more than a little sacrifice on my part. Whatever will I do without my knee-lift and needle up/down features? The turnaround time is about two weeks, so not sewing wasn't an option. So I pulled an older machine out of storage, dusted it off, threaded it, located the owners manual (to relearn how to wind bobbins, and use the stitch cams),...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, 2023 has been a remarkably short and yet at the same time, LONG year. How can that be? A lot has happened - personally, nationally, and globally. Let's hope 2024 brings peace, health, stability and happiness to all. My goals for 2024: Knuckle down and get an online course launched. Finish some projects (when is there NOT a project to be done?) Play more music at local venues, on a regular basis. Maybe travel a bit. Get in better shape! I hinted at a project I was working in my...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I spent the last few days in Lacey, Washington (near Olympia), teaching another "Enigma" doll class. This was for a small, informal group of doll makers who are interested in keeping the art of the doll alive. I had so much fun and the students were wonderful. My Enigma dolls are about 12-13 inches tall and this is a little small for some people, so they enlarged the pattern to a degree - 120%, 125%, and 150%. This is a pattern that lends itself well to size increases (and...
8 months ago • 1 min read