Linda Searle Dolls

Goldilocks Finished

2012-02-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

Well it took me a while but I finally finished little Goldilocks. This is her just before her little adventure into the woods - looking very sure of herself and fearless! It's been slow and steady with all my dolly making at the moment but at least this little lady is done and dusted!

My Family

2012-01-31T01:54:00.000-08:00

Dolly making is a bit slow at the moment and it's been raining here in Sydney since October 2011 (hardly a full day of sunshine since then - seriously!! - and it's raining heavily now!), so ......... I thought I'd share with you pictures of my four legged "children". Don't have any of my own 2 legged variety - just nieces and nephew. Both were "adopted" when we were living in Tasmania and are just wonderful....... sometimes trying but always wonderful..... and as you can see they do get on.

Mr Darcy is my Cavalier - just turned 5 years old. Real smoocher, very affectionate, snores like a lumberjack and LOVES his toys - this is Noddy Toy. He also has Gingerbread Toy, Girlfriend, and Bert.

and Mouse is my Burmese cross cat - I think he's about 8 yrs. Big beautiful boy! Happy to sleep in the sun on the balcony.

Love 'em both.

Oh yeah - I'm also married to a Greg! Wonderful and extremely patient (with me)!

Mary and Walter - First Offering for 2012

2012-01-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

Mary and her beloved Fox Terrier, Walter, are now finished. I just absolutely loved painting Walter - I must get my paint brushes out more often! He has such a shy little face, and just loves snuggling into Mary as she makes him feel safe.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/15-Inch-Izannah-Walker-Inspired-Cloth-Doll-Mary-and-Walter-/330673540613?pt=AU_Dolls&hash=item4cfdadce05

Goldilocks

2012-01-06T23:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas and New Year was a very busy family affair but I did manage to finish off a paperclay head using one of those foil armatures I blogged about earlier. I have in mind a Goldilocks theme ......... but it all depends on what this little girl decides!

Very Happy 2012

2012-01-02T01:06:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very happy 2012 and may all your resolutions be fun while you're achieving them.

My New Year's Resolution ................. regular blogging and more dolly making!!!!!

Susie Heads

2011-12-14T22:25:00.000-08:00

Kathleen Lynette Mack's beautiful paperclay head in her Maida blog inspired me to get the foil and paperclay out to practice Susie McMahon's technique. The foil armature is so important and for me it's always the back of the head that lets me down - I keep forgetting that there is a skull behind the face and end up creating flat heads. So following the saying "practice, practice, practice" I've created 5 armatures - all looking like silver Christmas baubles at the moment, with the intention of paperclaying over the weekend. Will they be Izannah's or just little heads????? ........... only time and my fingers will tell.

P.S. I'm using Susie's "Sculpting A Head In Air Dry Clay" booklet, which I think she still has for sale on her etsy, as my guide - it really is very good.

Izanna Inspired

2011-12-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last Izannah inspired doll, so I've made 2, plus a Queen Anne inspired sweetie.

Mary, the older of the three is seated and wearing a red dress and little Iris is seated beside her. Is it me or do Izannah's tend to the more serious side? Alice is my first attempt at a Queen Anne inspired doll, and she is wearing her Sunday best, made from an antique table cloth (well beyond it's use-by date).

Little Iris is finished so she is now up for adoption on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330654050602 if you would like to take a look.

The other little ladies still have a little work to be done on them but hopefully ready just after Christmas.

Finished Heads

2011-11-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the two little heads I created about a month ago - they're christmas presents, so thank goodness I didn't leave it till the last minute! I created a simple pattern for these two and boy did they come out differently - position of their heads, not to mention their features.

On top of that I was able to finish 8 of these little ladies (plus a dozen stars) for a local shop that specialises in local handmade items. I've named these Leura Ladies, and unfortunately I didn't take photos of all of them. Two were so sweet with their red caps and red and white bathers. Next time. They're only small, about 4 inches, but I tried to capture as much detail as possible in small a piece. I've hand drawn each face and hand painted them using acrylics - no stencils or printed images here! I just love painting faces - getting each to look different is such a buzz.

Just a Little Excited

2011-10-25T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Stitching Post in Katoomba will be supplying my pattern for a Jester Pin Cushion I created in 2009 so I'm a "little" excited. Click here if you'd like a peak! http://www.thestitchingpost.com.au/dolls-linda-searle-dolls-c-2_17_497.html

Settling In!!

2011-10-20T00:29:00.000-07:00

Well, my first blog in a very long time and first blog in our new home, in a new state!

My last blog was all about getting ready for the big move back to Sydney ............. which has happened. We've moved to Leura in the Blue Mountains, which is approx 1hr and half hours west of Sydney. It's a lovely place, surrounded by world heritage listed forests and olde worlde charm. But it's not Tasmania ....... so I miss all of my wonderful friends down there, and Tassie's beauty, and wonderful way of life.

Our house is a 1920's cottage which has been renovated nicely, and the garden is full of old camelias, rhododendrens, azaleas, the odd rose and every garden bed on the 1200 sqm block covered in ivy, so we've got a lot of gardening to do!

Between bouts of ivy digging I've managed to get back into dolly making on a small scale. It's been such a long time since I did any sewing/painting/paperclaying that I've decided to warm up my fingers by working on small, easy designs. I've started a couple of heads which will become Christmas presents for friends ............... they have a small amount of needle sculpting on their faces, and then painted using acrylics.

and a little white star I've made from vintage linens. The face has been separately painted using acrylics and I've then sewn it onto the star. The star is one of 6 I will be making to list in ebay/etsy (not sure yet), as Christmas ornaments. I'll let you know what I decide.

Sorry - It's Been a While.

2010-11-23T02:06:00.000-08:00

My last post was on my birthday. I can't believe 4 months have gone by that quickly. So what have I been up to? Well, not much dolly making I'm afraid.

Some of you may be aware I'm leaving this wonderful green island and moving back to the mainland to be closer to my family. In particular my mum, as dad passed away last year. During this time I have done a mini make over, sold the house and now packing ..... and packing ...... and packing ....... I haven't even started my tiny "studio".

I'll be flying back to Sydney 4th December to look for a new house up in the Blue Mountains - something with character and a bit of age. I'm not a modernist and would call my decorating style "ecclectic clutter". The cottage we currently have is a lovely 1836 convict brick Georgian home, and unfortunately Sydney doesn't have many of these still around, so I'll be looking at Victorian age timber cottages - still gorgeous.

So as I don't have any dolly making photos to post I thought I'd give you all a look at a few photos of the house I'll be leaving, and hopefully in the next couple of weeks be able to share with you photos of my new home.

Suki's Off to England

2010-07-01T05:55:00.000-07:00

This little sweetie is Suki, the Yorkshire Terrier, who's mum lives in England. She's been made into a brooch so that Suki's mum can wear her/take her wherever she goes.

Works In Progress

2010-06-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

I'm working on two dolls at the moment ......... a small doll approx 8" high (his legs aren't on yet) which will have a horse pull toy ...........

and my version of a Pennsylvania Rag Doll (which I came across in the Maida site). The Rag Doll is huge - I've used about 400gm of a block of paperclay just on the head and boy is she heavy!!

I've Had Puppies

2010-06-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well sort of .................. I've finished painting 3 more Pugs and a pair of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Ruth has been kind enough to pose with them, allowing them to sit all over her - she does look a little uncomfortable. They are listed on Etsy and I will also be making and taking orders for more types of dogs, cats, whatever people can think of.

Ruth with her Pug

2010-05-24T23:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here they are! Ruth with her Pug. I'm going to keep these two for my own collection as I made a bit of an oops when sealing Ruth's face with a slight smear between her eye brows. And as Pug is my first attempt at making this style of dog Ruth and he can stay together. I do plan to make more Pugs, and Cavaliers and Cats and just about anything that will look cute in a doll's hands, and all will be handpainted, original pieces............... so please watch this space.

Pug Phase 1

2010-05-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here's the line drawing and first go at watercolouring for the Pug I plan to turn into tiny little stuffed toys for Izannahs. I scanned the images in and I can see I need deeper shadows for the tail where it meets the Pug's bottom and the rear foot.

My first watercolour attempt was too heavy, and I'm too embarrassed by the result to show you - My darling thinks it looks fine so I think I'll use that one to practice some crackle medium and if it comes out OK I'll show you. In the meantime, what do you think so far?

Why Not A Little Doggy Painting?

2010-05-12T03:35:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. Easter gone and now Mother's Day. I have been dolly making, but it's been a slow process I'm afraid. I'm making a bear to go with my Izzy style doll but having trouble getting small enough bear joints ...... so I thought I'd do a little portrait of my Cavalier Mr Darcy (every woman needs a Mr Darcy in their lives at some time).

My darling husband took these amazing shots of Darcy, making me wonder why can't I do that when photographing my dolls! Isn't he just the cutest??? What you can't see are his de-stuffed, eyeless or headless toys.

I thought a lovely watercolour but on what?? ...... fabric, canvas, ivorine. I'll keep you posted ...... regularly ........ promise.

In the meantime, to warm up my rusty portrait painting fingers I thought I'd try my hand at making small Pug dog cushions (approx 2 to 3" in size) to go with other Izzys for the future - I'm going to watercolour these onto fabric and then slightly age them.

I have no plans this weekend - the first since returning from Sydney just after Easter, so I plan to use it to paint the Pugs. I'll say a little prayer to the camera fairies that the photos look as great as Mr D.

Milly with her Doll

2010-03-14T00:15:00.000-08:00

Well, this is my little angel for the ADO challenge all finished. I thoroughly enjoyed making her - especially her little 3 inch doll. I used a Japanese kimino remnant for Milly's dress and I'm pleased with the way the two tone colouring worked out. Little doll is all paperclay with arms and legs attached with fine beading wire so that they allow her to sit. I've listed her on Ebay along with dolls from some of the other talented ADO artists.
Click here to see how she looks http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Handmade-OOAK-Cloth-and-Paperclay-Doll-Milly-ADO-Doll_W0QQitemZ190380487504QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Dolls?hash=item2c538fb350

She's an Angel In The Making

2010-02-16T01:15:00.001-08:00

When finished she's going to be my contribution for the ADO Angels challenge. I've made her hair out of paperclay so I'm hoping it paints up well. I've put a hole through her hair for either a ribbon or halo - not sure yet.

My Little Leprechaun

2010-02-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce you to Roisin, who is a Leprechaun and is just under 7 inches. Roisin is gaelic for Little Rose. She may look cute and innocent, but like all Leprechaun's she is an imp at heart and behind her serene smile and bright blue eyes hides a mischievous heart. I've made her little high chair out of twigs found in the garden and her rug from fabrics I've been hoarding.

Suzie McMahonn's Moxie Pattern

2010-01-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

All of you who know and love Susie McMahon's work will be familiar with a lovely pattern she created called Moxie. Over a year ago at one of Susie's monthly doll groups I used Susie's pattern to create these two sisters. As you can see Susie's patterns are so easy and well created you can let your imagination run wild. The older of the two girls has been dressed with an old piece of chiffon type of fabric, which I have added a small amount of embroidery across the bodice. I've left the hem rough and un-hemmed. Her head has been covered in a cap made from a vintage piece of lace and her feet have socks and shoes. Her shoes are made from soft felt hand sewn from a pattern Susie has and her socks are made of fine finger gauze (perfect for little dolls). The younger sister at the front also has a vintage piece of lace around her hair - her hair is made of wool roving. She is wearing shorts made from soft cotton and a cardigan. This was made for another doll, but I thought it looked great on her as it's slightly big and looks like a hand-me-down. She is bare foot. Both are sitting astride a wooden rocking horse). I have tried to represent them of a time when during the depression kids wore well worn clothes and hand-me-downs, and the pleasures of even riding an old rocking horse were special and felt like riding the real thing.

Finished Izannah Walker Dolls

2010-01-13T15:02:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since my last post, so I'm looking forward to getting back to sharing with you what I'm doing and in turn spending wonderful hours catching up on what you've all been creating. This is just a quick post (as I need to get ready for work (rats!), but these are the two finished Izannahs I started last year. I'm tossing up a few names at the moment (don't want to name them something they won't be happy with!). They look quite content reclining in their cane chair. Hope you like them.

Izannah Updates

2009-10-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

Here are my two cloth Izannahs - sorry for the blurry photos (again!). Camera charge has run out so I'll have to take some more later.

My First Izannah

2009-09-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

She's all cloth and has been crackled and distressed within an inch of her life.

Cutie Cupies

2009-09-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

Just finished these two cupies (one is more of a pixie). The pixie is the one with the needle felted flowers, embellished with beads and then handsewn to blue ribbon, tied around her waist. I used paperclay for their hair. I've made them in a Frozen Charlotte style.

The UFO's Have Started

2009-08-25T05:14:00.000-07:00

I've put my princess on hold while I finished this little doll, so yes, I now have a UFO (un-finished object), which I promised myself when I started this blog I would never do. Hah! I will finish her, but not by the 30th Di, sorry. I have a real fondness for small dolls and this little one sits in the palm of my hand. Her little friend is an elephant made from felt. Painting her little features was extremely enjoyable - I even ignored the husband's feedback that he now knows what I'll look like when I'm 100 (greying hair pulled back, still wearing my flannel pyjamas and squinting through my old-girl glasses - very sexy image huh?). Anyway, he'll keep. I've had an ebay site for a couple of years now (lillys_dolls_and_fine_art) - haven't used it for 2 years so I thought I'd get back into it and list this little one as an auction. Cross your fingers!

Little Princess

2009-08-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

My current project! I bought some fine copper wire at our local market and thought I'd try a bit of crochet and came up with this little tiara, which I thought needed a little person to wear it. So here she is sans clothes!

My First Etsy Listing

2009-08-04T00:14:00.000-07:00

My first etsy listing - the toy basket!!

Lovin' the creative juices!

2009-08-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my works in progress. I plan to list these on my Etsy as I complete them. The jester needs bells, a few more stitches for my little dunce boy and something to hold in Cherry's basket. I plan to sell the pattern for the jester on etsy and I'm currently creating another two - one in blue and white and the other in black and white. I'm on annual leave for all of next week (yahoo buckaroo) and so there will be no excuse not to complete them. I hope it rains so then it will be guilt free indoor pleasure.

Day 1 - My First Entry

2009-07-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first entry for my Blog! I thought I'd never get my act together to do this. I'm so excited my usually good typing skills is letting me down. I'm hoping to keep this updated on a very regular basis - I'll try not to get too beyond myself and aim for once a week at this stage. The photos I have included are of dolls which I have created a long while ago and have now been re-homed internationally. I'll be recharging the camera to take photos of my current completions who are living with me and my works in progress. Talk to you all soon.