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Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts

Monday, June 2, 2014

Finally !

I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for the clouds to lift. This commission doll I’ve been working on has to be special. It’s going to be a a presentation doll and will be given in the fall. I posted a while ago the little caricature doll that I’m working on, and had it sitting and standing with a chair.

Somehow it just wasn’t coming together, didn’t feel right, not convinced that I wanted to use that kind of prop for this doll. I was building a sofa for it last week and half way through, I said NO, this isn’t it. What to do what to do….

I went to my cupboard to look through my stash of wood pieces. In a past life I did a lot of decorative painting. Aha, I pulled out a wooden cube that measures approx. 7” square. It doesn’t open anywhere, it’s just a cube.I got this idea to decoupage sheet music on it as the person receiving this doll is a musician. I went out in search of sheet music and in the middle of asking at a shop if they carry paper with music on it, I heard that amazing sound I wait for each and every time I make a doll. That all too familiar CLICK. Whether it’s light bulb coming on, or my muse giving my brain a smack, I heard it.

Of course!!!!!!!!!! I have copies of this persons sheet music that is available on line, I’ll print that out and use it….So I came home and after thinking about what to use and getting a suggestion from a friend I went with my original thought to tea dye the paper. I didn’t make it really dark, but I like that it turned out looking well used. I used the first pages of 5 of her songs. I have Mod Podged it to 4 sides and the top. The bottom will be covered with felt.

The only other issue, how to attach the doll to the top because the cube doesn’t open.. That was actually the easy part. I positioned the doll on the box, made two pencil marks and proceeded to punch holes in the top. With help from my DH, I got the threads fed through the holes. Now I can push those threads through the dolls hip area from each side, and secure it to the box. I’ll add some glue for the extra hold and a drop here and there under the legs/feet and it should be good to go. I have more done on the doll, but I’ll show where I’m at with it, in another post.

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A TIP: If my problem solving idea gives you food for thought, just a quick tip. Remember to tie off the threads while you continue to work on the doll. I didn’t want them coming out or sliding into the box, so they are tied in a bow for now.

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Sunday, September 16, 2007

A Tip

Have you dollmakers or sewers in general seen these little gems. If you haven't, run to your nearest fabric or craft store and see if you can get them. They come in packages of 3 and are an absolute must for you. You know those sore tired fingers you get from pushing and pulling those long doll needles through arms and legs to get them sewn on. I don't know about you, but my hands and fingers get very sore and tired after a while.
My friend Andrea at the local fabric store blessed me with a package of these to try and they are great, none of you should be without them. Whether you're a doll maker, quilter or a general crafts person, if you are using needles and have a hard time pushing and pulling those needles, this is the notion for you...Let me know how they work for you...