Northbrook Designs

Sweet Pea

2009-11-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

So this is the other doll we did in our workshops with Cyndi Mahlstadt. This one is done with a press mold for the head and using Apoxie Clay. I now know the difference between Apoxie Clay and Apoxie Sculpt. You still mix both parts of the clay or sculpt together, but the clay hardens in a short period of time and is rock hard (I know because I heard a shriek and a clunk and the rolling sound, as one little head flew off someone's doll and rolled across the floor). The sculpt on the other hand is an air dry product.

Fortunately I was really good at taking my time to prepare the mold properly and didn't have any fix ups to do when the little head came out of the mold. I did another head will sleeping eyes, and on that one, I pressed the cheeks together a little to make more of a laughing expression and I gave the nose a little bit of an upturn. Here is Sweet Pea. She has small wings as I just felt it suited her that way. Perhaps the next one will have big flashy ones, only time will tell.

Sweet Peas body is done the same way as the Garden Fairy, but not so many layers of padding. She is a wire armature and then draped with batting and cheesecloth for the clothing. She's very tiny, only about 9" sitting, but so cute.

The Garden Fairy

2009-10-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned a while ago, Cyndi Mahlstadt was here to do two workshops for our doll club. This is the doll we did on the Saturday/Sunday. It's her Garden Fairy. It's a cloth head, wire armature body. She's a little bit of a bug, so cute, but also the cloth I used to cover her body is a perfect Christmas colour of stretch velour, so she's a Christmas Bug. She's all ready to pucker up with her pretty glossy lips and has picked out the first two ornaments to go on the tree. She's a little impatient..

I messed up her first face by trying to jump ahead, but Cyndi bailed me out. I used poinsettia leaves and feathers for her wings/flower. I've had them since last year, and after I took Cyndi to Michael's she spotted the same things and made a sample pair of wings to show everyone what you can use for wings instead of the Angelina ones she demonstrated. I decided I would do that as well since I had the things I needed. I've actually made it look more like a pretty flower instead of wings. Her name is Chrissie (how original for Christmas huh ;o~) I hope you like her.

Store front display!

2009-10-20T21:40:00.001-07:00

Before I head out to spend the next few days with Cyndi Mahlstadt in workshops and shopping (of course), I thought you might like to see how my friend Andrea and I decorated her store front window. She has a fabric store and we thought it would be fun to put up a display as she hasn't done a Halloween window before.

I tried to take colour pictures, but between reflections and not being able to get a good night time shot, I compromised and turned the night picture I took into a black and white image. That is actually a good thing as it turned out, because it gives it more of a goth look.... Below that are pictures of what I made to put in the window, along of course with the witch and chair that you've already seen...

Halloween Chair

2009-10-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

The chair I've been working on is done and looking quite regal. The witch loves it and is ready to greet those who dare to approach..... She's a young witch so she's been outfitted with only the most current fashions that only a fashionista like her would approve of. She has a diamond stud for her nose, (to young for warts) and one for her ear.

The chair is adorned with the only the best of trims suited to one of her stature. Devilla is very happy with the final look as evidenced by her toothless smile. She's not concerned about the flies, ants and spiders that have landed or crawled up onto her, she's quite at home with that. She's more excited knowing the big Halloween bash is soon approaching and there is one hot warlock that's going to be there that she's got her eye on. Wish her well....

Newest Project

2009-10-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is my latest project. Colleen Babcock asked me to test her latest pattern, "Give Us A Kiss". She was just a joy to work on. What a cutie. Colleen is one of those designers who keeps creating her dolls with a different theme each time and there is always something new to learn or try in each design. She's totally unpredictable and that's why I like her dolls so much. She and a few others are my favourites for that reason.

Where Colleen did her original doll in a softer tone, mine went the other way entirely. I think my little lady is somewhere between Autumn and Christmas. She's just into the Autumn theme, (her favourite) but knows that Christmas is just a whisper away. But, she's ready to go and all puckered up and waiting.

An Autumn Colour Palette

2009-10-10T11:07:00.001-07:00

I was searching the net one day for autumn scenes of inspiration and I came across this. I thought, what a great colour wheel and based on my most favourite season of the year. Whoever it was that first created this, I applaud you. It's brilliant and so much more interesting than the regular colour wheel.

It's going to be a great day for creating. The wind is blowing, the leaves are to, and it looks like some showers might follow. Yes, I'm strange that way. I'm a much happier and creative person when the weather is cooler, so I'm living in the right part of the world here on the island....

I will have a new project to show you tomorrow. ;o))))

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

2009-10-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

To all my fellow Canadians, wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving weekend and a great turkey day. Indulge yourself for the diet begins anew on Tuesday. ;o(

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-07T07:25:00.001-07:00

Changing from Summer to Autumn somehow brings calm.

Witchy Ways !

2009-10-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

The little witch is coming together. She's going to look like a little witch for sure compared to the size of the chair, but she's going to love it. She'll feel so regal and ready to rule the world. So here are the beginnings of her reign...

Halloween Challenge 2

2009-09-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

I've put the chair together for my Halloween witch. It's glued in the joints, and now I have to stitch the arms and legs in place. What a great project this is, lots of work but the end result is so much fun...Trims will be added, but I am going to work on the witch first and see how she fits on the chair.

Halloween Challenge

2009-09-24T13:57:00.001-07:00

So here are the first stages of a Halloween challenge I'm working on for our doll club. Lots of work just to do this part, but the end result is great and once it's totally put together, I think it will be amazing. I can't wait now to see it all together... The approx. size will be 22" tall and about 13" wide.

Anyone else working on Halloween goodies...???

A Rant !

2009-09-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I don't often post anything political or controversial, but this is something that has really bothered me since we first started hearing about it. It's all the hype (yes, I call it hype) over the Swine flu/H1N1 hysteria. While I do not claim in any way to be a health care expert, what I do promote is being well informed. I don't believe the first thing that comes out of a news alert, or even the hundreds of times the information is hurled at me by news anchor after news anchor to convince me that what they are saying is right. I prefer to use my rational mind to discern for myself, get more information and then make up my own mind about what I think it's right for me.

My personal view and not based on some lengthy stay in a institution of higher learning tells me, that the only people who are going to benefit by this H1N1 vaccine are the pharmaceutical companies that are producing this vaccine. While I maintain that the flu does have a history of making people very sick and even causing death, I think this latest round of discussions has done nothing more than to convince people the necessity of getting those vaccinations and cause undo stress and anxiety.

But, have you really examined what it is that you are allowing someone to inject you with. I used to work in one area of health care that required us to have the flu shot, but since working, I won't go near those flu shots. You've read all the information or heard on tv or radio all the reasons why you should get the vaccine, but consider another alternative that is healthier and from those who do not have a financial reason to inject you, rather their sole reason is to keep you healthy. I am seeing my Naturopathic Doctor and having a series of immune boosting injections, designed to simply boost my bodies ability to fight possible infection and do it naturally as it should be.

There are of course those who are in a higher risk area and even those people really should consider getting a second opinion before just simply lining up like lemmings and allowing something to be injected into your body that you have no idea of what the long term effects could be. If you want to read more about my approach to my own health care, please follow the two links below (parts 1 and 2) to a document that gives a different perspective. If nothing else, you will at least have an understanding from another field of health care and be able to decide what is best for you. This is from an American source, and I am not advocating for this site, just simply drawing your attention to it.

Part 1 Part 2

Last night of Summer

2009-09-21T21:42:00.001-07:00

It's Monday night, the last night of Summer and look at this pretty view. We went for a walk after dinner, along the waterfront and this was the view. The sky, the water and the horizon alternated between pink and blue everywhere you looked. It was beautiful. My favourite season starts tomorrow. I love Autumn, I hope we get some blustery days soon. There's nothing nicer than wrapping up and heading out for a walk on a windy day. It's free and invigorating... Love it...

Words to live by

2009-09-19T10:46:00.001-07:00

I received this in an email this morning and thought it was really good and should be shared with more people.

Believe while others ...

Believe while others are doubting.
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.

By William Arthur Ward

And then I found this image. I think I'm having a thought filled day..

Jelly Roll Quilts

2009-09-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Over at Missouri Star Quilt Co. they are having a Jelly Roll giveaway. Wondering what the heck a jelly roll is. The picture below will give you an idea, but if you're a quilter, you already know what a treat they really are..

What quilter would want to pass up on this offer. The rules are easy to enter, just click on the Jelly Roll image to head over to their site for all the information... The deadline is coming up fast, so don't delay...

Fat Quarter Challenge

2009-09-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

The results are in over at Cloth Doll Artistry in the Santa studio, for the winners of the Fat Quarter Challenge. This was my entry in the silliest Santa category. Congratulations to the winners....

Henrietta's jacket

2009-09-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

She now has her jacket and a few more embellishments. She's looking quite beautiful. As usual I am further along than the pictures show, but I'm almost done. You can see a teaser in the bottom picture. Sorry to be so naughty. This doll, like Morris that I did with Barbara some time ago, is a work of art more than a doll.

I have to finish her today because she's heading to the doll club meeting tonight. Yikes, better get moving. Her base is put together, but now needs painting or trimming or whatever it ends up being. Stay tuned.

More stages of Henrietta

2009-09-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

As promised here are some more steps to Henrietta. And of course, now I'm further along than these pictures, but tomorrow is another day.

Here is how she looks with her vest, what's hidden under her poof, her sleeves and trims. and because everyone always look, what's under her skirt... It's the nosey side of us that demands to know..

The vest is an oriental brocade and is also found in one of the sleeve treatments. The large poof at the top of the right arm is the same as the lining on the swags for the skirt. The pretty beaded piece under the vest is one I got from Leta Benedict when she taught here in March. The ivory beaded trim and the dark metallic one (hard to see, but look at the top of the left arm) is from my favourite eBay seller. Leslie of Embellish the Thought, has the best trims and is a total treasure to buy from. Check her out here. Now on to Henrietta.

I haven't stitched her head down yet, because I want to make sure the position is right first. I tend to want them star gazing, so I have to learn not to be so anxious for the head to be sewn at the beginning.

Newest doll

2009-09-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've been doing Barbara Schoenoff's newest class on Joggles. Henrietta. Such a great piece if you're a person who loves to fiddle and play around with trying different fabric and trims. She will be a really big girl when she's done.

The widest part of her skirt is 15" because of the way it's made. Also, once she has her hat and trims on, and placed in her yet unfinished pedestal, she could be as tall (pedestal included) 30". She may end up shorter, but it will depend on what it's going to take to make her balance. She's absolutely a joy to work on. I have more done than shows in this picture, but I'll share more tomorrow....

The class is not in the current class listings at Joggles for this session, but I'm sure if there is enough interest in Henrietta it will be run again. Make sure to request it from the link, you won't be sorry.

Dahlias again

2009-09-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

Here are the rest of the dahlias for this year. I hope you enjoy them. We used to grow about 100 plants every year. The driveway on both sides was covered with them. However, they are a lot of work when it comes to digging them up, cleaning them off and storing them, so over time we're down to about 15.

This one hasn't been named, so the tag reads #46. It's a great cutting dahlia, wonderful for bouquets.

This dahlia was a surprize. It was supposed to be a dark burgundy cactus and ended up being a lovely big dinner plate dahlia. It's much like Ben Houston from yesterdays post, but this has rounded petals as opposed to the cactus type. This one is big also, about 12" across or slightly better.

One of my favourites is Chat Noir (French for Black Cat). Appropriate since we have a black cat and several that visit every day. ;o) Below you can see how lovely they look next to a bright white dahlia.

Dahlias for 2009

2009-09-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

Our dahlias have been amazing this year. Such a painters palette. Everyone that's out for their walks either slows down going by or stops all together. Sometimes they keep walking but their head keeps turning to look back. It's nice to give people something to smile about. Here are a few for today and I'll post some more tomorrow...

I got this first one specifically for hubby, he loves the dinner plate dahlias. It's name is Ben Houston. This one measures approx. 12". Click on the pictures to see them better and bigger.

Wordless Wednesday "Morning Burn"

2009-09-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

I love it when the mornings are becoming cool enough to put on the wood stove.

New Book

2009-08-27T08:11:00.001-07:00

I've just received the latest book by Tone Finnanger. What a treasure. If you're familiar with her other books, this one is every bit as good and better. It's twice the size and is 158 pages of absolute perfection. The illustrations, the photography, the theme is carried throughout the entire book. It covers everything from home decor projects, to the garden, the sea, and stuffed animals (oh so cute ones). Make a 3 layer soap cake and lavender filled angel wings, it's all there and more. There are doll projects of course in the way of her traditional angels but done in different themes. I love her Bathing Angels dressed in their mid 19th Century swim suits. Remember those from photographs, everything but the face and toes covered.. ;o~

Anyone who loves a book that is end to end projects, this is it. I've waited months for it to be released (thanks for the heads up Colleen) and what a delight. Can you tell I'm impressed. The sheer volume of projects will take you several trips through the book to take them all in.

A few years ago I did a painting swap with a group of online painting friends. I was lucky enough to receive this beautiful book stand created and designed by Jan Fox. It is not only painted, but the wall areas and the arbor are built up with texture paste to give that real feel to it as you stroll into the garden. My new book will reside there now, next to me at the computer and probably cause me to stop often to go through it yet again.

Wordless Wednesday My late blooming Clematis

2009-08-26T06:03:00.001-07:00

Tools of the Trade

2009-08-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

So I've pressed on and been making my work room nice and orderly. It's looking and feeling so good. I've been putting my "tools of the trade" out and one is now on the wall that has been sitting worthless and unused in the sunroom. I got this originally from IKEA and that was because Linda Lock had a free painting pattern to go with it. It's the perfect thing for keeping my Woolly Threads, and my doll sculpting threads in and of course those elusive tape measures.

You've seen this little thread holder before, but now it's on a nice newly painted wall, can't stop looking at it... ;o~ The wall I mean.

This is my big spool rack. Have had this for years. It was originally made by the prisoners at one of the local jails, but I found it at a sewing store. What you don't see is the stem of the rack, but it's like a big Christmas tree. It holds all my serger threads.

My rulers are all front and center now. They had been pushed back and stuff put in front, but not now. They are exactly where I can reach them and see them without lifting the whole board out to find what I want. I love this board, I first saw it at Fabric Traders and it's just the best thing for all those quilting and other rulers that accumulate.

I picked up baskets from Michael's and a store here in Sidney and have put them into the cubby holes of the new wall unit. There aer small pails from the hardware store inside for each item, like the scissors. Now all those little bits of things have a place to live.

I showed this wood piece ages ago, but I've changed what I'm keeping in it. I have a stash of black and white fabrics and decided that since I like them so much, I should keep them out so I know what I have and just because I like to see them. And that's if for today.