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The Queen Anne Doll makers workshop 2012

Calling all , this is the last call for payments and bookings on my two day workshop, nestled in the forest of dean, if I dont hear from you, then I will presume you no longer wish to do the course and offer it to others. Its a busy year this year for me, with fairs and the museum- so I need to make sure I am prepared and organised, just like a boy scout, for all ! :)))

Its a two day workshop on the 15th and 16th of June 2013, starting at 10am and working throughout the day, with oodles of tea and cake and biscuits to sustain us, plus a super good lunch, laid on by me.
All taking place, in the beautiful Tinchapel itself. On both the saturday and sunday, either travel each day, or book into super good local accomodation ( please let me know if you need help with this .)

You will learn how to make a Queen Anne style doll, you will be given a pre sewn and stuffed doll body, and you will learn to sculpt over this in paperclay, paint the doll, attach arms and legs and dress her in a vintage style.

We will use alot of photos etc , that I have gathered during my residency at the museum of childhood.

Please email me for details of payment etc and if you would like to book, and directions . I accept paypal and bank transfer--my email addy is darlingdeborah@rocketmail.com

Once I receive clear payment, I can send you your special pack and welcome you aboard.


Happy Days !! Happy Stitching !!

hugs
Debs xxx

Its Proving Difficult to get on to the P.C.......

I have another free and straight forward knitting pattern for a chunky mans or boys or ladies beanie chunky hat, that takes one hour to knit , and one ball of wool. I shall be adding it later tonight, however thats if I can shift Jacqueline, our Kitty.

She has taken to dominating the laptop.......  when she arrived , as a kitten last year, she pretended to be a boy, and later we discovered she was a girl. Yes a proper Orlando of a kitty........ she rufuses to budge---she likes to hug the pc and look at facebook

--the only way to get her off it, is to give her, her a piggy to cuddle !!

What a cat !!

Free Pattern for Total Nutters Knitted Headband !

N.B.
This head band is for the insane crafters amongst us only, who dont mind what we look like :) not advised for the faint of heart ....

INGREDIENTS
1X BALL OF ROWAN BIG WALL
1X PAIR OF 15MM NEEDLES

AND YOUR FINGERS TO FINGER CROCHET THE BONKERS FLOWER--in a bonkers way ofcourse ! OR A 10mm or 15MM CROCHET HOOK--WHATEVER IS TO HAND.....a small child or a spare fairy might do the trick.......

Distructions.

This warming head band takes less than an hour to make, so stand well back and light the touch paper......

With 15mm needles cast on 6 sts.
rib 4 rows, 9 thats knit 1 , Purl 1 )
then on the next row increase 1 stitch at each end of row (and continue in rib )and continue increasing one stitch at each end of every second row until you have 14sts--but all the time keeping the rib pattern correct.

Now work straight for 5 more rows in rib,( thats no increasing ! )

then dec one stitch at each end of next row ( 12 sts)
and continue in rib --decreasing one stitch at each end of every second row until you have 6 sts left,
rib four rows straight
and cast off.

pop it around your head to check for fit and sew up accordingly with an over stitch :)

FLOWER

for the bonkers-almost cabbage like flower, I  finger crocheted, but you could happily use a 15mm crochet hook or near to that, a 10 mm hook would do, used loosely.

make a chain of about forty and treble in to each, cast off.
then spiral around into the desired shap and stitch onto head band in the desired place.

Please Note--

This pattern is for fun , so let your creative minds flow and be free with it--share it, make things, sell things , do what you want to, but most of all be happy and have fun !!

love and hugs always xXx

feel good factor 1000000000 !!!

This is the most fabulous thing I ever saw, such a lovely thing to do. I wish we all had the courage to really show how much we love our loved ones, sometimes. This is a great inspiration to us all

enjoy !!

Peg Dolly Time.........

Just making peg dollies with the kids, we seem to do this alot !! lol ! But its such good fun and simple too. So I thought I would post this image of the most gorgeous peg dolly face that I ever saw, from the museum of childhood, isnt she a beauty !
plus I have a giveaway for you all later on today, a free knitting pattern, for a chunky head wrap--so keep posted ! xxx

and the winner is.......................

and this giveaways winner is Julie Quinn Taylor !!! So please contact me on facebook with your address honey so that I can get the three gals posted, and here they are waiting for their new mommie  :0)

and dont worry I shall be doing another bunny give a way at the end  of january-- to get us in the mood for easterzzzzz, so now its one last look at the beautiful mr spock below and away to my nest, nighty night !!

beam me up spocky !!!!

lovely Miss Clara

I found this on a friends blogg , crazyjanedesigns and I was smitten with it,the dolls and miss clara--- even more a reason for me to make my dolls in france one day..... But also it has inspired me to make a little video all about my little making world for all to see...watch this space in the year ahead........

catching up on the Give a way !!!

Ok, tomorrow evening, I am conducting a special give a way of three dolls together--sisters infact, so all of you who are not following me in blogger, need to do this in order to be in the draw, as thats the only place I can see you, so its fingers crossed and lots of longing looks at Mr Spock, whom I have always rather loved and eyes down for a full house !! I wish you all the best of luck and thank you for always being there, so supportive and full of inspiration, all my love and squeezes !

The Spoon Doll......beauty from simplicity.....

Heres a sweet and unusual little spoon doll, shes victorian, with lovely clothing and she is made from an old spoon, just proving that children and mothers, will ,and can, make a doll out of anything. I think shes rather beautiful and so unusual, that I just had to share her with you :)

Shes another hidden treasure from the Museum of Childhood...................... :)

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - White Corolla

I love Julias animation and characters---deep joy !!!

Reflection...... a regency style xmas at Sudbury Hall and the museum of childhood.

 As its the new year, I was just sorting out the images and photos that I had taken on my pc and found these super ones of Sudbury Halls Christmas in the regency style and thought that you all might enjoy seeing them, so here goes.

Above and below are the dinning room, all laid out in its finery, including a white sugar paste nativity scene, that has been part of a tradition at sudbury, for generations. Its wonderful that it can still be seen every xmas and that it is made by faithful volunteers. Its far too beautiful to eat !

 Even the candles are lovely, and to those of you who have never visited the hall, I do urge you to do so, as I have visited many national trust properties and this one is absolutely beautiful and although not so large as others, it definately is very ornate and feminine, and very well loved. ( I am so lucky to have my residency there ! )

 Here is the large fireplace, with regency style festivity. This fireplace is MASSIVE ! Although it doesnt seem so in the above photograph, but you have a better idea when you look at the photo below, as to scale. But what I can say is that most of us would only reach our heads to the top of the fire opening, no way near the mantle, by a few feet !

 Isnt that table gorgeous with its floral display, and heavenly scented too !!
You can just see its ice cream pink walls  of the room, and the ornate fire grate and the huge brass fire dogs.

 The staircase at sudbury, is a rare and dazzling creature, every step a heavenly experience-- and so are the ceilings. Heavily iced with stunning mouldings  that frame the beautiful artwork within. ( I promise to take more photos of the staircase in spring, as there is so much beauty there that must be seen )

 Another fireplace, with its elaborate mantle clock and mirror and ofcourse mouldings, its beauty enhanced by the scented citrus fruits and evergreen delight, of the floral displays...

 I love how this photograph turned out, just like a painting. This was taken in the music room, where even the piano is treated to a gem of red and white roses for the festive time of year.

 Here is the cast iron range, in the kitchen where the servants had there christmas, and as you can see the family of sudbury were kind to their workers and treated them to the same finery and joy, as they themselves appreciated.

 I absolutely love the table full of sweets, and how it is laid out .

Here is a table there too, full of cold meats, game, pate, eggs, ham and pies......

and I really want that pine table, with handy storage underneath !!!
All in all, it must of been a well loved family home, as there seems to be plenty of heart within these walls of Sudbury :)

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 !!!

Roll up, roll up, get on yer bike !!

Please feel free to copy and paste the quirky , handmade and Vintage fayres details, from my article  below, where ever you can--- so that we can make this a fun day for all :0)
The more the merrier !!
go, go, goooooooo !   and thankyou !