I keep thinking I'll update my blog on a weekly basis. I have good intentions of doing so, but it hasn't happened yet.
Every other year I did a master class that I called Dazzling Daze. This year I sent each person attending the pattern for my new apron. I was thrilled that nearly everyone made the apron.
Isn't it fun to see all the different fabrics used? Valerie, in the center front, hadn't done her applique yet, but she will.
This was my last master class that I organize. I'm an artist, not an organizer. It is too hard to organize something and also teach. I'll miss my Dazzling Daze. They were fun while they lasted.
The doll we did this year was along an Asian feel. Joann Hatch finished hers.
Just like the aprons, it was fun seeing the colors each person worked in.
During the class we used resist and drew our own designs for the jacket. On the dress we stamped using wood blocks and Lumiere metallic paints. When the paint dried we then used Procion dyes and dyed the dress fabric, and also the lining for the jacket.
The "obi" was created using the embellishing machine. Tubes of Japanese silk/rayon fabrics added to the obi along with some silk ribbon roses and beads.
Many other techniques were used in the 4 days. It was pretty intense, but all the dolls were turning out beautifully. As you can see from Joann's doll.
The shoes are Lotus shoes. They are 3-inches, which was the preferred size for a real Lotus shoe. Can you imagine? We were all looking at our feet and were very thankful we were born in an age that has banned such torture to women's feet. Of course, that depends. I see the high heeled pointy toed shoe is back in style. That's almost as bad as having your feet bound.
One of the joys of doing what I do is having people send me photo's of dolls they have made from my classes, books and patterns.
Helen Hill emailed me and sent photo's of dolls she and two friends made from my Creative Cloth Doll Couture book.
The group to the left is the same pattern, but look at how different each person made the doll. Each one is unique, and I'm sure reflects the owner's personality and likes.
Below is Helen's Odephelia Faerie. I love the beaded butterfly face mask. I also love the colors Helen used, along with the embellishments.
The wings were inspired by a workshop Helen had with Jean Barnard. Jean works with Paverpol and air dried clays. I'll have to ask Helen what she used to create the wings. Hers look soft, not hard as most of Jeans are.
As you look at each doll look at the hair, too. Each person used different products for the hair.
The next doll, with the guitar, is Joan Domonchuks. She named her doll Eva. I love the "tattoo" on Eva's cheek. Also, check out the shoes.
Joan used yarn for the hair. I love working with yarn. Also, torn fabric. I've moved away from mohair off the hide as I find it felts over time. If you use mohair on the hide, that won't happen.
Deb Downey's version is called Tea Rose. Another beautiful doll. She does look like she's ready for High Tea.
I love the coloring Deb did on the face. And the outfit is really nicely done.
All of these dolls are spectacular. But, I have one more picture of a live doll.
This is our newest grandson - Theo. He's now 26 days old and still in the hospital. Belgium has different rules for releasing babies than we do. He's healthy, nursing well, pooping and peeing and gaining weight. But, according the the hospital he's not gaining weight fast enough. Guess they like really chubby babies in Belgium. Actually, chubby women are more in fasion in Europe, too. I'd get along famously there.
I leave Saturday, tomorrow actually, to spend a couple weeks helping clean, cook and hopefully hold the newest member of our family.
There you have it. An update on the happenings here at the Culea household. I promise to update my blog while in Belgium. And, I'll be in Prague for a few days, too. I've been asked to teach a workshop there for a doll group. Really exciting.
Those of you in the blizzard areas, stay warm. Hope the electricity holds. My flight was changed due to the weather. Instead of flying to Dulles (Washington, DC area) I'll be flying to London then on to Brussels. Hope the weather holds in London.
Toodles,
Patti
