Finished Heads

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

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!!

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.

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

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

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

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.