la folie emilie

Oh you pretty things

2011-12-03T03:52:00.000-08:00

These days i have been inspired by pretty things seen here and there: Sacai creation seen on Susie Bubble's fashion blog: how could I make my own version? wool and lace, lovely.

I received this vintage dress, ordered on Clever nettle's brilliant blog/vintage shop. I shall be wearing it tonite on a night out in Liverpool. Life doesnt get more exciting than that right?

Lucky jackson's amazing embroidered portraits:

Embroidered bag seen on 'Le monde de Lea's blog. I just HAVE to make one just like that! So pretty.

Discovered a super cool, funny and charming blog, featuring lots of 'existential embroidery', perfect! Check it out at: miss-stitch therapy

Quilt seen on flicker, I can imagine myself stitching bits of patchwork in front of the tv for months or years to try and maybe, maybe make something just as wonderful :

Last but not least, i have been making crocheted mittens following an hexagon pattern seen on Ravelry and they are a dream to make and wear. They shall be xmas presents for friends and family this year.
(a 50g skein makes 2 mittens,Knitcoll Adriafil, pure merino wool, for the blue one and multi color one on the far right)
Feel free to order some from me, I sell them £8 a pair.
What have you been up to? x

Autumn chills

2011-10-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

All I want are winter warmers such as these:
(Asos cardis and pixiebell hats on Etsy)

Learning to crochet jumpers for myself and the minx at the mo but will I have the patience?
Wrap up warm and enjoy the fresh air! xx

Its still all about her...

2011-09-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

Somebody has gone completely ballet mad...
and is rather good at it.

So I made a collage of her twirling around and customised the frame, as her nana wanted photographic evidence...

Meanwhile i am on a mission to make clothes with my crochet and saw this granny block jumper chez adetralala:

These blocks and more will be joined soon and will hopefully resemble the jumper above soon:
Smooth DK acrylic.

What goes on on my planet

2011-07-28T02:48:00.000-07:00

Favorite birthday present ever above, twin brooch by kinska, found on flicker!

Missoni :inspiring embroidered print...

Genius knitting post below!
http://whereinthewot.blogspot.com/2011/07/nikki-gabriel-knittingconstruction-no3.html

And finally a tiger in my garden ...
xxx

Candy patchwork colors

2011-06-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

Hello peeps! Lately I have been inspired by Fox's lane's retro patchwork sheets and little girl dresses to make my own duvet cover for the minx. Found some brilliant 70s fabrics on ebay and at a few car boot sales and as you can see a certain brown floral babric has made it into the duvet cover and a little skirt...

Fox's Lane creations above and below, dress from her shop at Everything but the thread:

Really enjoying making this framed flower crochet scarf below. Cant decide if I should keep it for myself or offer it as a birthday present to a lucky friend...

Still working on my sewing machine stitched art dress for an open Art competition, hopefully the dress will be chosen and hang in a gallery: that would be one of my goals in life achieved: to have one of my creations hanging in a gallery! The plastic will be dissolved in warm water once the stitching is finished and only the stitched words will remain within the dress: Mend Love Scrub Smile Poo Hug. What could it possibly be about?! Being a mum maybe?

My first granny squares for a blanket for the minx's bedroom, should look nice next to the 70s patchwork sheets...

One of my old Mooks t shirts, being transformed into a dress for the little one. Yes, its all about her at the moment!

The summer seems to be coming to us in the north of England, lets enjoy...Talk soon xxx

current inspiration

2011-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Christina romeo art. wish I could afford it...

Knit Art by Valerie Anne Molnar. cool in my book.

Ebay treasure...

Style Bubble lacy t shirt...how could I make my own version of it...

Crocheted balls, Lisa Salomon. Am submitting an entry for a local open Art exhibition soon and these really inspire me.

Dream shrug...

Ladybird tablemats! Kawai.

Papier mache tea cup. shall try my own soon...

Have become addicted to this website lately: http://whatcourtneyworetoday.com
She is The Icon for me. Maybe I should send her one of my lace collars? she wears a lot of black and cream lace...

xo

There is a light that never goes out

2011-05-25T06:16:00.003-07:00

I have been very busy finding patterns and yarns for my new collection of handmade collars. They will be sold alongside authentic vintage finds on my etsy shop soon. My first crocheted collar in super chunky super soft wool with blue ceramic effect button is below. I am also making collars with very fine cotton and size 2 hook, which is a new thing for me: spending time on a single project instead of jumping between small projects all the time...

Vintage collars below soon to be mended and put in my shop. which one do you like best?

Not much make up and lack of sleep explain the panda eyes, sorry...one vintage collar as it could be worn: over a studded jumper from Primark. The collars would obviously look nice worn over vintage dresses and tunics but they look interesting worn over jumpers and everyday outfits too.

And the 'Pierrot' collar, my favorite over a lacy blouse found on ebay.

How would you wear yours?
Love and xxxx.

An English Spring Coat

2011-05-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

One does need a light coat to cope with the 'lovely' English weather, ie gale force winds and rain. Purple fleece, japanese corduroy print for the peter pan collar and one BIG red button for a Little Miss who is learning to do her buttons up by herself. I will make the sleeves more gathered at the hem.

Dreamy Inspiration loveliness

2011-05-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Oh. My .God.
Beautiful embellished luxury shrug seen on this cool blog.

Adorable shrug with super cute buttons. Aahhh... I wanna be 3 again.

GGRRR! Very envious of the talented lady who can crochet these brill lacy collars below! mimiandme on etsy I believe. Love the button clasps, so cute.

Octobre rose is a French seamstress who also makes fantastic outfits for her daughter who has the longest and most beautiful ginger hair I have ever seen. The collar below is made out of a vintage cotton dishtowel!

My latest discovery, the dreamy blog of Karin kirsten . She looks like a fairy and must have an amazing photographer of a boyfriend because the visuals are stunning and take you to a beautiful imaginary world.

I love nerdy/ cool looks, a bit of girliness mixed with something a touch sinister. Never been a fan of impeccable clean minimalistic outfits, for me chaos, dreams and clashy prints/concepts always rule. so I noticed slanellestyle on weardrobe and am keeping an eye on her blog too. Another cool Frenchie!

Illustration found on flicker, love the patchwork scalloped skirt, simply HAVE to make a capelet or skirt using this idea , with different colored fabrics.

C'est tout pour maintenant, a bientot!

lace obsession

2011-05-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

This week I am... collecting images of vintage lacy collars for inspiration for my handmade ones, such as this one found at Fancy treehouse's ebay store.

....and saving images of fun designs for inspiration, to push myself to be bolder when designing dresses for my 3 year old. Using doilies and scraps of fabrics like below at allthingspretty on etsy...yes.

Treasures: my growing collection of vintage crochet patterns for collars, am very excited by these! Cant wait to start one of these gorgeous 60s beauties...

So pretty. Can I have her hair too?

Latest work in progress, crochet and fabric dress for the minx, to be worn over a t shirt or not depending on thr Great British Weather. (Erm...This dress will be ironed too at some point...)

Embellished dress. Vintage lacy collar, crocheted ribbon, stitched tulle, buttons, red ric rac.

First painting on canvas done with the minx. I put the canvas on a mat in the garden and let her squeeze the paint out and use paintbrushes as she wanted. Such a fun way to spend our time together on a sunny afternoon, we both loved it. Rather cool result, dont you think? Handprints, glitter and bits of lace for texture. This is now proudly displayed on the landing and shall be kept forever!

Victorian rag doll in progress. Patchwork dress and giant bows, Liberty fabric for the shirt. She cant
wait for her second arm to grow.

Perfect capelet found on etsy below. Another one for the 'to be sewn one day' pile...

Hope these inspire you to make something with your hands too. A bientot!

Royal fun and imperfect crochet

2011-05-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

shhh its all happening on tv...

waving a Brit flag with aher princess crown, ha!

THE moment captured with the minx, a much lovelier princess, at the front....

yeahhh mummy's first crocheted dress fits!
Made with cotton crochet on size 6 hook and a floral vintage pillow. Patchwork ruffles at the hem. imperfect dress because the stitches are big and lose and would have been tighter with a smaller crochet hook. But I am impatient, so that 'll teach me to want speed over precision. Wont repeat that mistake on her next granny square dress, my current project.

Our little summer ritual: a pose in the garden in front of pretty flowers.

Crocheted circles below.

Another view of the vintage collar I will be selling on Etsy soon. I am also working on crocheted collars, experimenting with different patterns and learning about lace crochet at the moment.

A bientot!

painting and posing

2011-04-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Decided to do some painting on a big canvas with Mila with the intention of using the result to decorate a corner of my house. She absolutely loved it and I kicked myself for not doing that before with her. The color palette was just pinks, orange, purple and cream wich she squeezed out of the tubes. then she couldnt resist doing a few hand prints and I added glittler and pva glue, when the glue dries it becomes shiny and transparent and traps chosen textures, in this case we used...what else...bits of lace.

Mila happy and peaceful! Shall show the result of our endeavours on canvas in my next post...
And now poor tired me striking a few poses to showcase firstly my vintage collar, sewn on a string of cream crochet. I have this project of selling detachable vintage collars on Etsy soon.

The collar on a black lace dress, contrast and soft indoor light working better I guess.

Counting the spiderwebs on the ceiling...
And below, more pictures soon of my Little Red Riding Hood shrug, crocheted in shell stitches without a pattern in a red sequined wool. The sequins dont show well here and the shrug would look better on a more casual oufit, on this black dress, it looks kind of spanish which isnt what we want!

Crocheted shrugs are another things I'd like to develop and sell on etsy soon too.
A bientot!

Dressing like a doll

2011-04-19T04:06:00.000-07:00

Unique and brave creation by Highland Fairy below. Love the use of a flower doily.

And one of my favorite artists, the ceramicist Grayson Perry who occasionally likes to dress up in dollies outfits.

Dolly dress by my loved one/ Hannah and landon. Love the giant bow too.
I love dolls, doll's dresses and wish I could wear dolly dresses everyday without looking mad! Not that Grayson Perry looks mad... He's just a lot braver than me.

Collar inspiration

2011-04-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Love white and cream together.

Above Sixties goddess with beautiful dress and that collar! and the tights...
Below, just adore that electric blue velvet dress with the amazing lace edges. Gonna have to MAKE one just like that and find a similar fabric! yep good luck to me.

Little girl dress by everything but the thread. Love different patterns on one dress. Wish could find that in adult size...

Handmade doll which inspires me to make a dress or tunic with crocheted or embroidered element between bodice and skirt. Skirt with petticoat showing, love.

Vintage Blogging

2011-04-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

These cool chicks are a constant source of inspiration (and sometimes frustration! Envy!) and show me how to mix and match and be brave and different with the way I can dress:
'stayfancyfree' and yarnovermovement from Canada. Manages to make knitting super cool. Love that black knit collar.
Am currently working on crocheted lacy collars, my next big project for my etsy shop. Still early days but this is definitely an inspiration.

Mystery girl with great outfit and style below. Love the tights, boots, courtney love dress, bright yellow cardie and grungy hair.

Elizabeth from 'Delightfully Tacky' romantic and cute. Must be the long wavy hair!

Anja 'Clever nettle'. A vintage seller with great thrifted outfits.

Tavi from 'the style rookie' below. She is 14 I think, and alarmingly articulate and intelligent, she gets invited to all the fashion shows and has a wicked sense of humour. mad outfits too as you can see, not the usual trendy tan colors/floral dresses seen on all the fashiony blogs! Which are lovely but sometimes seen too often.

Violette 'L'atelier d'une fee', a Frenchie in Paris, great seamstress and lovely outfits. fun!
What are your favorite vintage blogs?

crochet and playdough

2011-03-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

Latest ghost rag doll, sitting comfortably against my craft book of choice at the moment: how to make a 100 crochet flowers. Gave up crochet in favour of sewing a while ago but am strangely enjoying it again...

Love my mouse tea pot found for a few pennies in a charity shop on the left.

This is how childminders are supposed to present toys and activities to children: the kids should be able to help themselves and make their own choices throughout the day. Hence here we have playdough, craft papers, paint materials, dinosaurs, play food and crayons in their own little basket drawer. All this 'being organised' business is quite new to me. I love a slight mess in the house oh yes.

Crochet flowers I will sew flat together to make a dream shrug. well thats the idea anyway!

The minx on her 3rd birthday this month. Red marks courtesy of a flu that refused to go for months. I love the phase she is in right now: lots of imaginative play and pretending to be snow hite and asking me to be the handsome prince which means i have to wake her up with a kiss. And below what I found in the oven recently: playdough cakes , perfectly aligned and ready to be cooked. That put a smile on my face, he he!

Life

2011-03-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have been busy running after my little red riding hood above.

Making a new ghost doll in my favorite tones of red and cream.

And enjoying my new job as a childminder! Below My mimi and our little mindee get to grips with the concept of chopsticks!

I have also been spending too much on vintage inspired clothes from charity shops. Pictures coming soon...

Come, Spring

2011-02-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

Wishing for Spring to be there already after a tough winter full of illnesses which are still lingering. Lots of ideas for my new dolls, including using handmade pompoms, and secret letters in tiny pockets! Finally working from home part time as a childminder which is bliss. (lucky me, never having to work in an office again!) My sketchbook project is on the road again too with talented peeps in America, Spain and Australia eager to participate. Children and art and craft, friends, more money to spend on vintage clothes, what could make a girl happier....

Sewing

2010-11-30T02:24:00.000-08:00

Dresses on sale on my new website, in working order but still under construction: Coquelicot.bigcartel.com
A new venture! Everybody seems to prefer the red japanese dress so here it is. I take orders for sizes from newborn to 6 year old. The pictures will be slightly different once the website is 'officially' launched, those dresses need to be ironed and lined for a start. Just a little preview...

My little fairy

2010-10-30T04:21:00.000-07:00

Love this picture of Mimi, even though its a bit blurry. Love her pose and the spooked look in her eyes! I shall try and turn it into a watercolor painting soon. Probably will add swirling magic animals flying around her I think. x

New sketchbook project....

2010-10-05T04:32:00.000-07:00

... before I get back to doll making. I have started a travelling sketchbook project (link on the right column) and am getting back into drawing, which is the reason why I have been absent from this blog for a while. The other more serious reason is that I am training to become a childminder and the process has been keeping me quite busy. Children and making Art, what could be more perfect if my life could navigate between those 2 worlds! Hopefully it should soon be a reality. I will be starting lots of sketchbooks with different themes soon because I would like them to be travelling all over the world at the same time. if you want to participate, get in touch! The one pictured above is about to be posted to London at the moment and has got the theme NIGHT AND DAY.
Other themes will include:
-Twins and doubles
-A forest fairytale
-Dont forget me
Any other themes you guys can think of?
x Lo

And the winner is...

2010-07-14T05:07:00.000-07:00

Sonia! I loved your idea of a Frieda Kahlo doll so quick send me your address and you will receive the first of my new mini dolls, like the one pictured. Thanks everyone for participating on Flicker and here and giving me great themes for future dolls, it was fun! Similar mini dolls will be in my etsy shop soon.

Birthday Giveaway!

2010-07-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my birthday on the 10th, lets have a giveaway : leave a comment about my dolls and give me a theme for future dolls. I 'll pick the best one on the 14th and send you one of my new surprise mini wall dolls: they are based on my etsy ghost dolls! (see above picture) Good luck!

3 new dolls

2010-07-01T03:29:00.000-07:00

Lady Penelope (sitting), the Butterfly Collector (standing up) and the Polka Dot Ghost (hanging on a wall). Ms Polka Dot is still in progress. I had a lot of fun mixing cream and red materials for the three of them. So here they are, three coordinated sisters! Available in my etsy shop. Which one will you go for?
More images and little stories about the three of them in my flicker.

Interview from Brazil

2010-06-22T02:50:00.000-07:00

I have recently discovered the beautiful work of doll maker, art director and textile magician Christine Conde of Ameno Reseda and I am lucky enough to be doing a doll swap with her at the moment. Looking at her blog, you can tell she is a multi talented and fertile artist and her dolls are little works of art. She is also a lovely enthusiastic person who agreed to answer a few questions for my first artist interview! So read below...

Tell us a little about yourself and your background

I was born in Rio de Janeiro, but lived in Curitiba till I was twenty. Working since the age of fourteen, for I always liked to make my own money and be independent. I worked on several things! As a saleswoman in a shop, creating things for children's parties, as a receptionist in art galleries, as a waitress ... But I majored in Theatre and since then working as art director and creating costumes and sets for theater, ballet, Video, Opera, etc.. 

Have you always been creative? How do you reconcile creativity with a family life?

I've always been very passionate about my work, because it gave me the opportunity to learn a multitude of different techniques. It's a learning experience that will never end. On the other hand, is a job that requires total dedication, where there is no routine, no weekends, holidays ... it's very difficult to have a personal or family life satisfaction!

For some time I have desired to work from home and devote myself more to my family but I am like all women in the world, it is difficult! Anyway ... I'm determined to turn my hobby into major work and make costumes just once in a while. But for this I have to dedicate most of my time to releasing my brand, Ameno Reseda. I intend to expose at Etsy by the end of the year, for example, in bazaars and participate in more often. At the moment it is still difficult to reconcile the two activities.

Where do you take inspiration for your dolls?

The dolls were born from the desire to achieve a more authorial outcome, with total creative freedom, and to enjoy every bit of income, using fabrics left over from my work wardrobe. It took a long time to develop a template for the body that I liked in terms of proportion. But making them is totally free and not really planned, I will just use a color, or make a doll redhead or brunette. Then I'll bring together the "pieces", the flaps, creating a combination of colors and textures that I like. This is how unique pieces get made, entirely by hand, because at first I never did use a sewing machine, I lingered until the doll was complete. Strangely, during this time of "living together", the dolls create their own personality, I swear! So I have no control about the final outcome, they themselves decide who they want to be.

How is craft perceived in Brazil?

On the issue of handicrafts in Brazil, this is a rather complex issue. The craft is part of Brazilian culture, and is very diverse, wonderful, rich and differentiated only according to the region to which it belongs. As you know, Brazil is a huge country with very different regions. And in each region the story is different from the other: we have Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, African influences, etc.. I live in the South, a region with altitude and very cold. My city, Curitiba, born of a route for travellers was built by Germans, Dutch, Poles, Italians, Ukrainians ... Rio de Janeiro, where I was born is quite different: a different climate, geography, cultural background, etc.. Well, I'm saying all this to explain that craft is somewhat seen as commonplace around here, and seen as a product of tourist appeal. That began to change recently, for issues of sustainability, the dissemination of raw materials and artisanal methods used by Brazilian designers (you know the Campana brothers?) Anyway, I realize in Europe and the U.S. a greater appreciation of the handmade product is taking place now, for a type of product that is impossible to copy and contains the emotional charge of the artist, and all this speaks to me.

This attitude is still not as widespread here in Brazil, but it's a trend that tends to grow more and more. We do have a few spaces and different products are exposed in bazaars, where sometimes I show my work. But not in art galleries: that fine line separating craft and art is still very present here.

Thanks a lot, Christine, your work is gorgeous and inspiring! What do you crafter friends think?
(I have another question for you Chrisitne: what does your brand name Ameno Reseda means?)

Ms Flowerpot, the bear and the teddy girl

2010-06-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

Latest swaps have landed on my doorstep! I swapped Ms Flowerpot here againt a fantastic knitted polar bear from uber knitter Kate at nookriseknitsandbits: he has a lovely fat round shape and is made in a beautiful pure ivory color. Thank you Kate, he is perfect and Mila has taken to cuddling him in bed and serving him cups of tea with her toy tea set, in a word it's a success...

Second is the teddy girl from thericebabies which arrived this morning with goodies including vintage fabrics and buttons and a little fabric project for Mila, which is so thoughtful. I love the creamy-brown color scheme and the butterfly button and I can't wait to use my new fabrics in a wall hanging or as a dress for a new doll.
Thanks a lot, Kellie, opening the package and seeing all the goodies was lovely and once again, I feel spoiled and lucky to connect with all you crafty lasses from all over the world...

These days

2010-06-09T04:14:00.000-07:00

These days (or rather this month) I am taking a break from making these:

to spend more time with this little one:

and if I craft this month, I focus on these:
(nursery wall hanging, commission in progress)

and I also get my hands dirty with these:

Fairytale garden in the making...

and sometimes I manage to care for both the little one and the green growing bits at the same time:

My fairy princess eating an apple in her green kingdom.

mosaic of favorites

2010-05-31T10:02:00.001-07:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by lafolieemilie

Lovely ghostly or colorful favorites.

my 1rst doll on ebay

2010-05-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

A new experience for me from now on. 10% of the sale will go to the cerebral palsy charity Bobath Centre in london because it is a cause that is close to my heart: my twin sister is affected by something very similar. I am so happy to have suddenly found a way to link my creativity with something that has been very sad in my life but that can now be turned into a positive even if it is not much. I will be making dolls to sell on ebay as well as Etsy from now on and will be increasing the percentage of my donation for more expensive dolls. xxx

The ebay link is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Handmade-Folk-art-doll-20-cms-long-/320537528311?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_art_folkart_GL&hash=item4aa18687f7

I feel spoiled!

2010-05-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

This week I received 2 dolls as part of my swaps, how great to open the packages and feel like its Christmas again! The first one is part of a goody bag from Felt Something Good in London, my very own blue One Eyed Mod doll which arrived with these surprises: a lavender doll who is going to live next to my pillow, a one eyed rabbit that Mila loves and a gorgeous sparkly card!

The One Eyed Mod doll is fantastic and very colorful as you can see with funny bendy legs and gorgeous fabrics, ribbons and lacey details.

The other doll I received is from Fabrica do Arcoiris in Portugal and it's my first Boy doll! He is Mr Nice and will provide some much needed male company for my collection of girly dolls, fairies and female ghosties! He is cool and understated and I really like him that way. So thank you Carla and Tracey, I feel spoiled and I love my new dolls! x

a gingermelon doll

2010-05-16T02:41:00.000-07:00

A lovely surprise in the mail this week as my second swap has arrived! A surprise doll from gingermelon, absolutely gorgeous with her embroidered eyes and mouth and best of all a Sarah Kay dress print! Brilliant because I used to collect Sarah Kay stickers as a child so what a nice coincidence. The attention to detail is amazing, she even has beautiful brown mary-jane shoes with the tiniest of button on the side. I didnt know what the doll would be like until I'd received it, we decided to surprise each other with all my swaps, so I'll be sending them my Emily or Helena dolls soon.

She even has embroidered panties!

I found her a nice spot next to a sailing boat and shells on a window sill so she can look into the garden and dream of future travels...

Thank you Shelly, I love my doll!

new dolls in progress

2010-05-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

I have found a new pattern I am happy with, so here are 2 new ghost fairies: I made knit and crochet skirts for them after teaching myself to increase from a book, very proud of that! Plenty more of them to come with pretty fabrics I have been meaning to use for ages. These will be ideal for my swaps who have been keeping me busy and a bit panicky about having 4 swaps on the go! So note to myself: only one swap at a time! So many nice talented folks out there ready to be part of the game though so it isnt easy to stop myself. My latest discovery is one eyed Mod dolls by Felt Something Good:

And this electric blue one is going to be part of a swap, lucky me!

mosaic wednesday: my weekly favorites

2010-05-06T05:01:00.000-07:00

1. Lady Cat with paper jelly, 2. Handmade Doll Creatures in their Travelling Case, 3. little women, 4. Untitled, 5. 'springtide', 6. Emmaline , 7. The Land of Memory, 8. some recent dolls ive finished, 9. Las Raices de Frida

Lady Cloud has grown up

2010-05-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

Lady Cloud looks a bit different now and all grown up as she picks up pine cones in the white stones forest... She is a Swap doll. I have also been working on making my dolls 'suitable' for selling in craft shops and am working on new patterns. It seems to involve 'cleaning' and simplifying my dolls in order to make them more commercially viable... which is a shame but then again the majority of doll buyers prefer cuteness to spooky sinister ghostliness and if I want to earn a few dollars (it doesnt pay well staying at home with a lovely crazy 2year old, I tell you)then... artistic sell out, moi?!

Ghost fairy and Lady Cloud

2010-04-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

2 new dollies I am really enjoying making and adding quirky details to. Ghost fairy is proud of her pine cone and crochet flower handbag, wouldnt you be? lady Cloud is in progress. I quite like her cloud beret, she is quite Parisian looking to me but many more outfit details remain to be added, she needs to look more polished. Soon on sale in my etsy shop with other weird creatures my fingers cant wait to make!

embroidery on fabrics

2010-04-20T03:25:00.000-07:00

A 'bib' necklace I made recently and some experiments of embroidery on felt shapes, clouds and teardrops which I am going to develop and turn into big cluster pieces to be worn as brooches. I am deep in my universe at the moment and slightly unresponsive to the 'real world' because new ideas for dolls and more constantly flood my crazy brain! Not enough hours in the day but I sure do try to make everything come alive. Lots of new dolls on the way which are evolving from my etsy ones, more detailed and less 'folky' I guess. Just finished Knitsandbits' Kate's fabric flower doll which comes out of a tiny fabric covered plant pot and looks super sweet. (I cant show it until I next see kate as I am keeping it a surprise! or should I?) Working on 2 ghost dolls with white grey mohair hair and grey crochet flowers, a cat with metallic purple whiskers, a 'Pierrot' doll, and a circus doll. And I also want to use natural elements such as conkers and pine cones and twigs as arms or put in tiny bags for my forest fairy dolls. Right, back to my sewing machine then, folks! x

Malaysian bunny and liverpool rabbit swap

2010-04-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

My liverpool rabbit ghost creature about to be sent to Malaysia with a note from the ghost himself.

And below the perfect doll I received in the mail from evangelione, super duper cute!

Swapping rules!

2010-03-25T03:09:00.000-07:00

Plenty of work coming my way! 4 talented doll makers and crafters are ready to do some doll swapping with me. They are: fabricaarcoiris, Kate at knitsandbits, gingermelon and ricebabies
I have asked for a Clocha doll like above from fabrica arcoiris, a polar bear from my friend kate against a flower fairy and a Bella style doll from gingermelon against a ghost doll of mine. Ricebabies still has to get back to me about her choice of doll. Better get to work now! So happy that my exams are finished and that ALL my spare time is going to be devoted to making dolls, clothes and new objects and creations for a while.
Rules of swapping are:
-Commission the other person to make a doll by giving them a word, theme or colour
-blog it and get feedback as we go along from the other person
-have fun, experiment with new ideas and get inspired!

The polar ghost rabbit is almost done...

2010-03-22T05:29:00.001-07:00

Almost finished, only a little stuffing and some ghostly fabrics for the underskirt and Mr Bunny Ghost will go all the way to Malaysia as part of a doll swap with evangelione. I cant wait to receive her lovely bunny girl. I have been very boldly asking some of my favorite artists to do swaps with me and I am awaiting their answers! I love the way it forces me to experiment an also communicate in a different way. I hope there will be many other swaps but here is my wish list for now:
helene de roubaix: collage swap
Alice: drawings swap
Becky Boo: red and pink collage swap
Kate of Nookriseknitsandbits: how about a polar bear swap? yours knit, mine in fabric
More to be added!

swap number one!

2010-03-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

This is the lovely rabbit creature I will be swapping with evangelione soon. I am so lucky and so grateful that she has accepted to do a swap with me! Mine is still in progress because most of my time is taken up by revisions for a horrible exam right now. Thanks evangelione, you are so talented and sweet!

the swapping game, who wants to play?

2010-02-24T03:42:00.000-08:00

This is a polar ghost rabbit in progress for evangelione (evangelione.blogspot.com) and the first in I hope, a long series of creatures swaps! she is making me one of her super cute rabbits and I cant wait to receive it! I will contact my favorite doll makers and crafters soon to cheekily ask them if they are interested in swapping creatures or drawings.
a few names I might dare to contact:
art and ghosts
helene de roubaix
encore petite
artycho
The aim is to try different things and also get our work seen by new eyes on the blogosphere. I have been very bad at blogging lately because all my free time is consumed by a horrible science course I need to pass in order to become a primary school teacher. The exam is in 2 weeks so I cant wait to be 'free' again to work on loads of new dollies and creatures!

fairy in color

2010-01-28T12:35:00.000-08:00

A shelf with some of the art dolls in my collection. Hanging doll and house by novembermoon, Mrs Zoe and the bear by Rawshuga, next to her, doll by dayanra and at the far left doll by Valerie Weberpal.

My garden fairy is in bloom with watercolors ... my first experiment with this medium which I have yet to master, not easy at all! She has shimmery tulle fabric wings. I am working on more but as usual practical life gets in the way.

la fee du jardin

2010-01-22T02:12:00.000-08:00

A new sketch which I shall be painting with watercolors soon, a new experiment for me.

work in progress

2009-12-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

Transforming a vintage china doll at the moment.This is the 'before' and 'in progress' dolls at the top. I am changing her hair, make up and dress. Her eyes will be quite heavily made up, like a little dolly ghost... Am also planning to make a miniature vintage book for her to read. I have been reading a lot of Emily Bronte's life lately and it is playing in my mind...

twigs

2009-10-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Blue doll has been transformed and here is my first male doll: Punky Stick Boy. Quite fond of him. Perfect little stick arms he's got.

Scotland and the sea

2009-10-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

My doll with scottish inspiration for Anne who lives in Edinburgh is finished. She wears a vintage piece of tartan fabric found on ebay, real baby starfish found in Brittany and shells in her hair. She's very red which is unusual for me, less cream than usual! Really enjoyed making her little shoes. Embroidered on her dress are the names of some scottish islands.

work in progress

2009-10-13T03:41:00.000-07:00

Theme: Scotland and the sea
Commissioned by: Anne
Ideas: embroidered puffins and starfish, a map of the scottish islands and sea shells...

One of my creations...

2009-10-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Me with the she-devil who often prevents me from crafting! She looks quite naughty there, but really shes (mostly) an angel.

Brooches in the shop!

2009-09-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

Starboy, Johnny the girl and Rosetta Bow are in the shop.

work in progress

2009-09-21T03:26:00.000-07:00

unfinished eskimo doll with ceramic houses found in a charity shop x

A new dolly bag

2009-09-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

My new bag, a first for me, made with thick blue grey canvas and blue lining. And it only cost me... £1! This was the cost of the curtain remnant I bought to make it, so I am becoming surprisingly good at saving the pennies. Little doll optional, it's just my daughter's favorite one... I will try and get a shot of me modelling it if the man of the house agrees. Smaller versions in black could make their way to my etsy shop soon.
Thank you for your recent lovely comments, they really send me on cloud nine and keep me motivated! x

ghostly faces - new brooches

2009-09-08T03:29:00.000-07:00

I am taking a break from making dolls and experimenting with smaller items for my shop, and here are the first few brooches! Still perfecting the art of stitching a perfect oval but I love my little ghosties. I made them using black linen effect cotton as I like brooches to become 'part of an outfit' and not distract from it. Photos are a bit blurry, there is not a great deal of natural light outside at the moment! Work in progress. Their names are...
Rosita and the bow:

Johnny the Girl and Moonboy

Elsita Green and Starboy

Dyeing with tea

2009-09-01T04:57:00.000-07:00

My latest doll commissioned by Becky with the theme: green and pink. I experimented with green tea and fruit tea to dye the linen dress pieces. It gives a lovely subtle hue. I also machine stitched the words 'green tea my dear and blueberries' on the dress.

The Ghost Princess

2009-08-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Latest ghostly doll creation. Tulle and ripped lace collar and hair, linen body, canvas and voile dress with machine-embroidered words: 'la princesse du bois'.

blue plaits

2009-08-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

My 'blue' doll has grown her hair into plaits and had a petticoat and vintage lace sleeves added to her dress.Her eyes got bigger too. I have been a bit down lately as it seems Eliza the birthday doll from my previous post got lost or was stolen on her way to France. My friend hasnt received her and it was sent 2 months ago. So sad... I spent a lot of time and put a lot of 'love' into it. I plan to make a new one and deliver it by hand this time! Naughty postmen...

Eliza the birthday doll

2009-07-13T02:12:00.000-07:00

This doll was commissionned by my French friend Sonia for her birthday: I asked her to give me a theme: the woods, the sea, birds, the color purple ect and she came up with...fairytales!

I did some research and first thought of making a doll after a fairytale called "Donkey's skin", especially after seeing the pictures of the 60s Jacques Demy movie with Catherine Deneuve, totally kitsh and surreal...

But time was limited and I doubted I'd managed to do a donkey's head for the cape so quickly (2 days), having never attempted an animal's head before! So I settled for a doll inspired not by just one tale but several and used the stereotype of girl going from rags to riches: hiding in the woods in tattered clothes under a cloak and then turned into a princess after meeting her prince.

The doll hides a velvet and satin dress under her cloak where I embroidered "il etait une fois'': once upon a time... I made velvet doll slippers for the first time.

My next commission has the theme of birds and flowers in pink and green. I will experiment with dying fabrics dipped in water for a watercolor effect. Next projects include a sea themed doll for my shop and lots of embroidered cloaks and dresses. I am also going to make a pattern for smaller walls dolls, then I can make lots of them quickly as my new big themed dolls take quite a while to make ...and I am a very impatient crafter!

getting hitched

2009-05-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you artycho, la pomme and krisstl for your lovely comments, its such a nice surprise when my work is appreciated by others! I am going to slow down posting new creations for the next 6 weeks as... I am getting married (a 60s vintage wedding...) and I have an important exam coming. The headband I will be wearing for my big Day is above. Designed by Etsy's talented whichgoose . But I will soon be back with more dolls all waiting to come alive in my sketchbooks...

Merci artycho, la pomme and krisstl pour vos commentaires, quelle belle surprise quand mes efforts et creations sont apprecies! Je vais ralentir les posts durant les 6 prochaines semaines car... je me marie (mariage 60s et vintage...) et jai un examen a preparer. Voila donc la couronne que je porterai dans 6 semaines...cree par la talentueuse whichgoose sur Etsy.
A bientot sur ces lignes.

Dress as canvas /robe support d'images

2009-04-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

Blue flower dress on its handmade hanger.
Robe fleurs bleues sur cintre papier.

Work in progress. Doodles printed on fabric.
A finir bientot. gribouillages sur tissus.

garden inspiration/Inspiration jardin

2009-04-24T06:10:00.001-07:00

I have finally found a way to print photographs onto fabrics to a high standard and I am very excited to show the process below: from pretty blue flowers in my garden...to a vintage style doll with a blue flower print on her muslin dress.
She looks a little scary and I will endeavour to make my other dolls on the same pattern look a bit dreamier/softer!

J'ai enfin trouve le moyen d'imprimer mes photos sur tissu et voila le resultat ci dessous: on commence avec les fleurs bleues de mon jardin...pour finir avec une poupee vintage avec imprime floral bleu sur sa robe de mousseline. Je trouve son expression un peu austere et vait radoucir le probleme avec mes prochaines dollies faites sur le meme modele!

a dolly for Boo / et un doudou pour ma Boo!

2009-04-22T14:42:00.001-07:00

The little sister of the main new doll created this week has ended in the clutches of a certain Ms Boo..

La petite soeur de la nouvelle poupee creee cette semaine s'est retrouve dans les pattes de Mademoiselle Boo...

lace and bows/ dentelles et noeuds d'antan

2009-04-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

I also made lots of bows and made the same doll a different dress with cream, vintage, tea stained lace, without forgetting the print of the face of an intriguing and gorgeous victorian little girl..

Une autre robe en dentelle salie au the pour la meme poupee avec photo imprimee d'une petite fille victorienne ...

lace collars

2009-03-29T11:23:00.001-07:00

10 antiques lace collars found on Ebay, soon to be found on new dollies and creatures....

experimenting with mobiles

2009-03-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

work in progress but I think I willl replace the hanging little people by canvas stars as I have realised the doll looks like a spaceman...!

faulty but for keeps frame...

2009-03-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

My darling boo boo girl in a very rough looking papier mache frame I made recently. I tea stained the paper strips too. Love the effect even if it is less than perfect... all her nicknames were printed on the strips beforehand. she's amazing. 2 little paper hearts too.

a mobile, a brooch and a papier mache frame...or the importance of fragile things

2009-03-25T03:03:00.000-07:00

Work in progress. I am experimenting with lots of new techiques right now, papier mache, freezer paper stencils and circular fabric mobiles. All these hand sewn as my darling sewing machine is kaput for the time being! I have been thinking about the reason why it is so important and fulfilling for me to make things lately. Apart from the fact that it keeps me sane in the way that a new mother doesnt want to lose her identity and 'just' be a mother (although I find being a mother wonderful and a privilege), making dolls and cute delicate things is a way of exploring notions of childhood and fragility. I like things that look broken and defective, where something has gone wrong but can still be seen as beautiful. Everything is meaningful, look beyond the obvious... x

wall hanging

2009-03-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

a portion of a wall hanging I am making for Mabel, the daughter of my friend Kate...

sketchbook

2009-03-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

Doodles and ideas for new dolls and characters.

The unnamed Fairy

2009-03-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

A new fairy is born! An ivy twig for the stem, she lives in the woods and is yet unnamed. Her patchwork dress is handmade. She will be on sale in my twinstar etsy shop where my fairytales and nursery-focused creations belong. But what should I call her?

more dolls

2009-02-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

2 darker dolls from lillalota and Junk hee Park, perfect for the goth in me...
and beauties from Le Train Fantome. The Doll with bow I find exquisite!

new direction?

2009-02-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

Lace and cream fabrics is going to be the theme for my new dolls and creations... this brooch is a visual reminder for me of the new direction I want to take and which will include all my obsessions: victoriana, minimal colors, a variety of vintage cream, undyed, natural and rough fabrics, and Tim Burton fairytales of course!