Starboy!

Well.........He wanted to make a brief appearance before heading off to a new home.

Workspaces

Being of a curious (nosy!) disposition, I find it fascinating to see other peoples' workspaces. Jo of http://www.cartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com/ has posted some pictures of hers looking very tidy and organized, I must say. Here are a 'before' and 'after' shot of my studio. I've shown you mine, now show me yours!

Face Painting Book and Pond Fairy

I have put together notes and other stuff I have gathered over the years from various classes, as well as some new information into this little face-painting book - please note: this is not THE doll-making book I am working on - just an interim thing that I can produce myself. Details are in my Etsy store (http://www.susiemcmahon.etsy.com/).

And just look what Erica Davison did with my "Moxie" pattern! She has called this her "Pond Fairy". Isn't she cute?

Progress

Here are a few more shots of the doll head's progress through the painting stages:

underpainting; building up colour; adding highlights

Fiftieth Post!

This is my fiftieth post - that seems to be a kind of milestone!

This picture is of the doll I am currently working on, amongst other things - I will post a few step-by-step photos as this doll gets done. The head, sculpted from air-dry clay and covered with cloth, has been gessoed and sanded ready for painting. The body pattern has been drafted, so the next job, after painting, will be to sew the body and put it together.

Yet Another...........

Here is another little critter........this one is slightly impish, but also blinded by the flash!

New Hat

This doll, 'Rosalind' demanded a hat, so she got one! It is red wool felt with a blue silk band.

I'm working on new things to stock my rather depleted Etsy store with. (http://www.susiemcmahon.etsy.com/). There will be a new pattern or two soon, as well as some dolls and needle-felted animals.

Apart from that, I have started the New Year by getting my book manuscript sorted out ready for formatting.

Garden Bounty, Pastime with Good Company and a Finished Doll

I finished my new doll with multi-joints.........I was wanting to dress her in a vaguely Edwardian style, and by some serendipitous effect, the dress pattern provided with "Verity" by Deanna Hogan was an almost perfect fit! Thanks Deanna!........Deanna's patterns are very clear and full, if this Verity pattern is typical and I can't wait to make the doll. (http://www.blueherondolls.com/)

This doll - as yet un-named has taken a fancy to my Susan Fosnot doll, but she can't have it. Might have to make her a small doll of her own.

We spent New Year's Day in pleasant company with some friends for lunch....most of the food we ate came from our garden - it looked so good that I had to take a photograph.

I wish you all Good Things in 2009!