Monday, April 7, 2008

Dolly Challenge

I will be away from my computer on the morning of
April 8, the start of Lori's Doll Challenge, so I am
posting early. About 10 years ago, my daughters and
I took doll making classes at a local doll shop. These
are 2 of the dolls I made in class.

The little one peeking out at the bottom was
made by one of my daughters. The woman running
the class was extremely knowledgable
and patient I should add. She helped us immensely
through every step and fired and jointed
the dolls for us.


I did however, on my own, make their
outfits .... with the help of patterns of
course! The bronze dress is silk with
silk ribbon trim. The pink ensemble is
crepe and faille.



The wig on my daughters doll is mohair
and was handmade by the instructor....can you
believe that woman! And her little dress
was handsewn by someone else, not me.




There are several other dolls in storage
as we did this over a 2 year period. But,
then the girls got older and didn't want to
collect dolls anymore so we stopped. But,
they are fond memories for me of mom and daughter
times. My girls are still into artistic endeavors...
one is going for a masters in fine art, and the
other is in fashion design. Thanks Lori for the
chance to show and tell. Go to her blog....faeriewindow...
for links to other doll shows.




32 comments:

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Karen, I LOVE these dolls and how special they you and your girls made them! Oh my, just when I think I know all your talents, you come up with more!

Lori said...

oh my!!! your dolls are so lovely and even more special that you made them with your own two hands, amazing! the outfits you fashioned are just gorgeous too! thanks for playing dolls with me and sharing these beauties!!!

vickie said...

Karen, these dolls are beautiful, and their dresses so pretty. Thanks for sharing.

Linda said...

Wow your dolls are beautiful, I can't believe you made them you are so talented. What a wonderful bonding experience to share with your daughters.
Cheers Linda

Jessi Nagy said...

your dolls are gorgeous!!
just lovly!
oxoox,
jessi

Unknown said...

Oh Karen, these dolls are just beautiful! Is their anything you cant do? Those outfits are to die for!!! You are so talented in so many ways!

Love ya,
Amy

Dawn said...

...lovely dollies you have...

Anonymous said...

Fantastic doll making!! Thanks for sharing (and posting early!)
D.

Betty said...

Oh my! Your dolls are beautiful! I've always wanted to make one.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful dolls!

windycorner said...

These dolls are incredible! Such beautiful work. That must have been a wonderful shared time with your daughters.
Holley

Anonymous said...

Your Dolls are Lovely.... They look like Antiques! What a Wonderful memory! !
Marilyn

Christine said...

You made those? Wow, I'm quite impressed! Perhaps your daughters will be taking a dollmaking class with their children in the future:)
Thanks for sharing!
~Christine

LiLi M. said...

You did a terrific job making these dolls yourselves! I first thought that I was looking at genuine french antique dolls! Well done and it's even better that they represent such nice memories. Cherish them!

Fete et Fleur said...

Lovely dolls. The clothing is wonderful and exquisite. Very nice work.

Nancy

bluemuf said...

Karen, you dolls are lovely and what a special time to spend with your daughter. The dress you made is gorgeous.

Karen

vivian said...

great job on the dolls! they are lovely!
vivian

Becky said...

WOW!, So very pretty.

Smiles,
Becky

Shirl said...

HI Karen, I love your dolls, they are just the sweetest! Thank you for telling me about this, it has been so much fun! Thank you for visiting!
Shirl
Shirl's Rose COttage

Sandy said...

How fascinating and special that you and your daughters took doll making classes together! The dolls are just beautiful and the costuming is perfection! Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Such beautiful dolls in your collection, and I love the way that they are dressed. Karen

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh, they're all so pretty with such gorgeous dresses!!! You are so talented!!
Thanks for sharing!! :)

*hugs* Dara

Anonymous said...

you both did a remarkable job on the dolls. WOW !!! They are just drop dead gorgeous pieces. Thanks for sharing.

Mica

zuzu said...

oh karen =^..^=
The dolls you three made are wonderful.How special to make such beauties ... Really!

I have a friend that does this too and her house is like a fairytale world. I like to go through the looking glass as often as possible at her house!

So happy you shared your trio of dolls!
=^..^= love, zU

roseroomnz.com said...

They are beautiful and what a special thing to do with your daughters:) Rachael

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Karen, how sweet are these stunning dolls!!! I cannot believe you & your daughters made them! Wait, yes I can ~ is there anything you can't do?!?!

The bronze dressed one is my favorite.

Thanks for sharing special memories of your past with us.

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Poppedijne said...

I loved seeing your beautiful doll's.Years agoo I had some classes to also make replica bisque dolls.I made 13. Sadly most of them reside in the cellar in boxes!

Unknown said...

Justfound your blog - great stuff! Just love those saftey pin baskets - I hav'nt seen them before, so cute! I will be back for more!
Vicky

Lori said...

great job, I'm impressed! Thanks for sharing, Lori

3rdEyeMuse said...

wow - your dolls are really terrific!

I was a few days late, but did post my own favorites ... if you are interested, feel free to stop by: http://3rdeyemuse.blogspot.com/2008/04/doll-party-worse-than-fashionably-late.html

Cheers! ~M~

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Had to take another gander at your beautiful dolls!

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Sharon said...

Karen what beautiful dolls. Do keep them for your daughters because when they get older I think they might want those old memories.