Recent Work

Projects…

March 16, 2010 By Rebecca 2 Comments

Last week I told my husband, “My creativity is restless.”

“What does that even MEAN?”, he said.

If you’re an artist I’m sure you know what that means. Fingers crossed, I hope you know what that means. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one this happens to. For me, this means I want to begin lots of projects even though I know there really isn’t time to complete them. I want to dabble with this & that, get my hands very dirty & see if it satisfies this something inside me that drives me to create.

Sometimes painting does that for me. Sometimes it’s doll making. Sometimes rearranging a room or sewing a pretty pair of curtains or a sweet ruffly linen chair pad, satisfies whatever that is.

Sometimes inspiration strikes hard; I work feverishly until my idea is complete. Then I get to sit back & look at this pretty thing I’ve made. I LOVE those moments.

But it doesn’t always happen like that. Sometimes, the idea changes or maybe it doesn’t even know what it wants to become. Sometimes, the original vision is completely lost. I appreciate those moments. It’s sort of like how we as people become. Gradually, with purpose.

For the past few weeks my creativity has been restless. Half-completed projects scattered about the house is evidence. And these are just the things that I actually began. My mind is filled with a checklist of projects.

Tiny paintings. Stuffed doll bodies. And naked dollies.

Paintings in various stages of completion.

Furniture that I need to finish painting & distressing because I want to make slipcovers for some wingback chairs that will eventually cozy up to this table.

And this is the kitty who helps me sprint from project to project although she prefers napping, chasing thread (while I’m sewing!) and chewing wool to actual work. But her cuteness makes up for the peskiness, I suppose.

Filed Under: Recent Work, The Nest

Chloe, a Sunny, Yellow Fluttery Thing

March 10, 2010 By Rebecca 1 Comment

Welcome Spring! That’s what this little doll says to me! Those first few rays of spring sunshine after a long snowy winter are completely heart-warming. Those rays were the inspiration behind sunny little Chloe.

Chloe is 14.5″ from the top of her head to her toes & has a wingspan measuring 12.5 inches. She has been made of muslin & is stuffed with fiberfill. Her base has been rag-stuffed & is lightly weighted so that she may stand nicely. She’s been hand-painted & sanded a couple of times, giving her a lovely, aged patina. She’s been sealed so that she may be lightly dusted after display. Chloe has been made in the style of a ‘stump’ doll, meaning she has no legs.

This sweet little face has been painted with a variety of media. Chloe’s nose & bottom lip have been needle-sculpted by hand, giving her face a great bit of dimension & a beautiful pout. She has needle-sculpted hands as well. Her hand-painted, muslin wings, which are attached by vintage mother of pearl button, have been machine-quilted & stained.

Chloe wears a ticking stripe apron dress in buttery yellow shades. The hem is hand-stitched. Her blouse is sewn from white muslin & features hand-stitching at the neckline, sleeves & back. A yellow button adorns the neckline.

Chloe’s brown hair is 100% mohair. It appears more golden than is seen in the photographs. It has been applied with light glue for extra security & needle-felting. Her hair is styled into loose, messy buns with two wisps left around the face. Sprigs of dried sweet annie have been inserted into her hair & may be removed if you wish.

Chloe is currently on eBay. She will end Sunday, March 14th at 9:15 PM EST. Click here to make this little girl yours.

Filed Under: Dolls, Spring

Bebe, A Primitive Bumblegirl

March 3, 2010 By Rebecca 2 Comments

This sweet bumble girl is Bebe. She’s 14.5″ tall from the top of her head to the tips of her toes toes & has a wingspan measuring 12.5 inches. She has been made of muslin & is stuffed with fiberfill. Bebe’s been hand-painted & sanded a couple of times, giving her a lovely, aged patina. She’s been sealed so that she may be lightly dusted after display. Bebe would look lovely perched upon a shelf as she may sit with assistance. She also comes with an embroidery thread loop attached to her back, making her suitable for hanging.

Bebe’s face has been painted with a variety of media. Her nose & bottom lip have been needle-sculpted by hand, giving her face a great bit of dimension & a beautiful little pout. She has needle-sculpted hands as well. Bebe wears painted black boots with buttons, eyelet lace details & yellow & black striped socks.

I just love this whimsical fabric. It’s 100% cotton. The hem is hand-stitched. Bebe’s blouse is sewn from white muslin & features hand-stitching at the neckline, sleeves & back. Two tiny black buttons adorn the neckline.

Bebe’s fluttery muslin wings have been hand-painted & aged. They’re machine quilted in a realistic bee wing pattern. They are attached to Bebe with an antique mother of pearl button & embroidery thread.

Bebe’s honey blonde hair (seems appropriate, don’t ya think?) is 100% mohair. It has been applied with light glue for extra security & needle-felting. It is pulled to either side & has been braided.

Bebe is currently for sale on eBay. She’ll end Sunday, March 7th at 9:15 PM EST. Click here to view or bid.

Filed Under: Dolls, Spring

A Folk Art Easter Bunny Set — Maizy & her Little Ones

February 23, 2010 By Rebecca Leave a Comment

This is Maizy & her two sweet babies. Maizy is 20″ from the bend of her ears to her base. She has been made of muslin & is stuffed with fiberfill. Maizy’s lower torso has been rag-stuffed & is lightly weighted so that she may stand solidly. She’s been hand-painted & sanded a couple of times, giving her such a lovely, aged patina. She’s been sealed so that she may be lightly dusted after display. Maizy’s face has been painted with a variety of media. She features a needle-sculpted nose & needle sculpted hands.

Maizy’s cute hat & apron have been made from white muslin. Her blouse is nubby taupe osnaburg. It has such great texture. Maizy’s apron dress is a 100% cotton Moda print in the loveliest shade of blue. The apron & skirt feature hand-stitching in contrasting brown thread while Maizy’s blouse features hand-stitching along the neckline, sleeves & back. A vintage, grey, mother of pear button adorns the neckline.

In total, Maizy carries 8 muslin carrots. Although the burlap bag is not removable, the carrots can be removed from this burlap purse & scattered at your discretion. Each one has been painted & aged.

Aren’t these little guys just the sweetest? Each one has been ade of muslin & fiberfill from five separate pieces. They’ve been hand-painted with a variety of media & sealed. Their limbs are attached with vintage, mother of pearl buttons. The upright bunny is 9″ tall & 4.5″ wide. While the relaxed little guy is 6″ tall & 8″ wide.