My Wish for 2013.....

I have had a few emails asking what my hopes and dreams are , for 2013 and they are very simple, literally simple.
I just want to simplify my world and enjoy it .To be peaceful and always content and grateful for what I have, for I am truly blessed. To minimise the stress...

I found this great quote on pinterest, that I think sums it up for most of us.......
I think sometimes its good to strip things right back to the begining to become better and lighter of burden again, and I will certainly be practising this in the new year, with a good cleanse and de clutter of the house and studio !!
Have a super new year and most of all be kind to yourself, because you are worth it !!

Rainy days.....a New Year.......

Nothing but rain..............................................

but there is a new year around the corner, filled with hope and promise for us all , something to look forward to and to feel grateful for and blessed everyday :)

I hope 2013 brings you all your hearts desire and much, much more.

Lets use these rainy days , to look for beauty in surprising places and to nest and create !

May the beauty we love, be what we see !!

Happy New Year !

x x x x x x x

Little Reds New World.........

Here is Little Red, one of my favourite creations, in a photo that he sent to me full of christmas cheer , in his email to me :0)

He has a super new life and lives in a beautiful place, just at the end of the rainbow, under the stardust and nestled in the silver lining, in a place called, Bamptonia.........

There he has many friends, lots of them rabbity, some of them quirky, and all of them just beautiful !!

Heres the link to Bamptonia, bamptopia !! They have a super new blogg and a cutsie etsy shop too, so we can all have a bit of bamptopia in our lives !!

http://bamptonialoves.blogspot.co.uk/

p.s. Little Red also wanted me to tell you that Bamptonia, also make and made his super felt, festive antlers and I bet they will be making bunny ears for easters too !! (I think I will order myself a pair, as well as the other little creations in my life ! )

My Two day Workshop for a Queen Anne.....

Hello Friends :0)

for some time now people have been asking for an indepth workshop, so I have decided to do a two day course. It will take place in the beautiful forest of dean, in a lovely tin chapel . Included in the cost will be lots of hot or cold drinks, cake and biscuits to nibble on and a nice light lunch of salad and sandwiches. The day will begin at 10am and end at 4pm saturday, then we will all meet again the next day sunday and repeat. This course will be fine for all skill levels, as I will  provide you all with a pre sewn and stuffed body, which you will sculpt over the top of, with paper clay, learning to insert eyes, create features, then paint, make a wig, attach arms and legs, and also you will make the clothes. All materials are included, but if you have any favourite vintage materials you would like to bring, then please do !

Unfortunately at this moment in time, I am not able to offer you accommodation, but there are several great b and b's nearby and camping fascilities, all of which I will be happy to help you locate. This course, I can promise will be a fun, indepth and informative and will leave you with a super doll that you will cherish for years to come.
Please email me on darlingdeborah@rocketmail.com for booking details etc. When you have booked, you will receive an exciting pack all about your course, this is also good if you are intending on buying a place , as a present for a friend. As always, it will be a very fun and creative weekend, charged with energy and home made cake !!
 I look forward to seeing  you there, some old friends and the new :0) Spaces are limited, as I am still artist in residence with the national trust again for 2013, so book early to avoid disapointment. Happy Dollmaking !!

Queen Anne Dolls at Sudbury Hall......

Heres another superb Queen Anne doll, one of a collection at the museum of childhood, at the National Trusts Sudbury Hall, where I am resident artist again for 2013. I will also be using her as inspiration for one of my up and coming weekend workshops, dates to be confirmed in the next few days :)

She will also feature in my exhibition at Sudbury hall, The Art of the Toymaker, which will include my highlights from the museums collections and pieces of my own work, it will run throughout the whole of next year.There will be many free printouts and makes , when you visit the museum.

Here are some photos including, whats under the skirt--which all us dollmakers need to know. Interestingly enough she had no panties, but does have a most fabulous, boned corset, of which you can see the base of. She is a very large doll, and her dress is made of a stunning, rich yellow dupion silk. I will feature more close up photos etc, in a booklet on my workshop--so watch this space. Details up in the next few days and places are limited....enjoy !

Hoppy Xmas and New Year !

I just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Hoppy Xmas and a beautiful and vibrant brand New Year !!

There can be Only ONE.........

Hello my dearest friends and customers, I just wanted to make you aware of the fact that someone has been trying to set up a bogus facebook account, pretending to be me. Please rest assured , I have only the one fb account that I have had for years, and there is only the one of me. :)
If ever you receive anything worrying like this, then please email me on darlingdeborah@rocketmail.com and we can solve the case ! :)

                                     ThAnK yOu  !!!

Little Miss Googly doll at sudbury.......

Heres a new special wee friend of mine, a dear sweet little googly eyed doll,--that I like to call Mavis ! She was in storage at the museum of childhood, but I will be including her in my static exhibition that will take place there next year in gallery 8, The Art of the Toymaker--I hope you can come to see her and myself there next year, I hope you enjoy looking at her, as much as I do ! Much love from us both!  x x

I like a dash of Rufus.........

I love Rufus Wainwright, hes an instant marriage job for me, even if I had to nail his feet to the floor !! lol !
Heres a super song for this very time of the year... enjoy....dont stress...   :0)

Puggy Creations.....

Heres a sneeky peek at my latest creation Percival Pug, and there are many in the making and much more news on those in future postings :0) I just wanted you all to know that I am still creating, let me know what you think of the little fellow !

 and he has a very cute curly tail too !

Felix....the cat....

I thought you all might like to see Felix the scaredy cat, who lives at sudbury museum--he makes me smile everytime I look at him, such a great piece of toymaking, with so much character and mischief ;0)

He dates from around the 1930's and is about 16 inches high and is in a very handsome condition, he lives in a case with some super Laurel and Hardy dolls, and I think at night he and them, get up to alot of pranks and practical jokes, when the museum is shut.

I will be uploading images of my new work tomorrow so stay tuned and have a fun day !!!

Wowzas.....at the Quirky, Handmade and Vintage Fayre

A MASSIVE big thank you to all customers and exhibitors who turned up in great numbers to Lindas and my, Quirky, Handmade and Vintage Fayre yesterday. We were busy from 10am till 4pm, where we had to push people out of the door :0) Thank you all so very much, we have really enjoyed doing it. We are now planning our next fayre in easter, so please feel free to email me on darlingdeborah@rocketmail.com  with images of your work etc, if you wish to exhibit with us. It has been a real pleasure working with you all, you all made it a great event and day for everyone !
Hugs and squeezes all round !!!