Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
End of Summer Projects
Hello Reader,
It doesn't seem real, but as of today I've been retired 46 days! Where did the time go? I've always heard (but was doubtful) that retired folks are busier than they were when employed. That being said, I'm finding that my Outlook calendar is remarkably full.
I've been busy with a variety of activities including chores, house projects, yard work, one-on-one art days with three of my four grandchildren before they head back to school, sailing, co-planning a huge upcoming retirement party, sewing, and making some time-consuming and tedious changes to my website (still a work in progress).
| Visit My Revamped Website |
In my last newsletter I mentioned working on a new doll, a witch perhaps. With that in mind and before selecting clothing fabrics, I considered what I might use for hair. I found a piece of Tibetan lamb in my stash - black, with pale pink/mauve highlights. This isn't a piece I would have purchased (I generally favor auburn and browns), but for the life of me can't remember how I acquired it.
The hair color, theme, and the doll's complexion informed my fabric choices. With the exception of her boots, I kept the basic costuming fairly simple.
I didn't have anything on hand that worked for a shawl, so I decided to knit one instead (I am NOT a knitter). It's a simple narrow rectangle shape, but once again I had to review how to cast on/cast off yarn. I like how it turned out. The belt was made from my stash of leather, and I have a collection of tiny buckles.
At this point she could become a variety of characters - a witch, or someone else (not everyone wants to make a witch). With the belted shawl, she has the feel of Claire from the "Outlander" series.
Today I plan to give her ears, then make a wig of the Tibetan lamb. Fingers crossed the hair doesn't look too silly...
This doll (who has a cloth-covered polymer clay face) and/or the Enigma doll (not the one with the Amelia Earhart costuming) I taught at an in-person class may become my first online courses.
| Enigma |
For those of you interested in an online course, let me know which of these interest you the most.
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Deanna Hogan
www.blueherondolls.com
deanna@blueherondolls.com
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Deanna Hogan, Blue Heron Dolls
Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Hello Reader, I finished a doll yesterday, and it felt good. When I started her I thought she'd be a good one to take to Virginia for this summer's ODACA Day. But as life has a way of getting in the way, I had to make the decision to cancel the trip. My only regret will be missing all my doll friends. So here's "Averill." I'd forgotten how time-consuming she is to make but I didn't feel rushed as I made her, working a little bit on her each day. She has buried bead joints in her elbows,...
Hello Reader, It's finally spring, which means we're due for weather that beats down my beautiful daffodils. It never fails. Yesterday I started sewing a new doll. This is exciting and refreshing for me because while working on my Big Project (secret souvenir dolls for 2027) and Christmas creations, all my other doll undertakings were on hold. But which doll to make? I went through my patterns and picked one. I chose "Averill," a doll I haven't made in a long time (the last one was a OOAK...
Hello Reader, I sew a lot, sometimes every day. It's never a good time for equipment failure. I love my sewing machine, a Bernina 165 that was purchased in 2006 (manufactured in 2004). Over the last month or two, the reverse/back-stitch button has been increasingly glitchy to the point that it has stopped working altogether. It works fine in every other respect, but the reverse feature is used on EVERYTHING. So I took it to the Bernina doctor. He informed me that my machine is older and has...