Mangler Tea Box Challenge

The Fabric Manglers Tea Box Challenge Doll
We were each given a pyramid tea box and kit with an assortment of supplies to be used in a doll.
Below are some of the results.

Angie

Gail

Julie

Mary

Patty

Terry

The head of Terry's doll is made from a miniature teapot turned upside down.

Challenge Doll

These are the items that were in the challenge kit.
The main focus of the challenge was the pyramid shaped tea box.
We had to use a little of each of the additional items and they had to be visible.
We could add whatever we wanted. There were no other restrictions.

I started by painting the wooden bead and spool to match the box
and adding some paint to the box as well.

Next I strung the bead, spool, bells, and other doo dads to the box.

I had additional tea boxes which I cut up and arranged as a fan.
I used a stuffed base for the head and shoulders, complements of
Pamela Hastings a few years ago.

I sewed on a face from a piece of sun and moon fabric and beaded around it.
A braided the yarn and sewed it to the head,
and attached a halo of the gold fabric.
I backed with fan with a piece of green paper.

I glued triangles of the suede onto the ends of the box,
and used it to make a triangle shaped body which
I attached to the head and shoulders.
I added the ribbon around the waist.
I added the beaded heart trim at the neckline.
I shaped a hanger from the large wire and
wrapped it with the smaller wire and attached a bell at the top.
I added gold foil to the fan.

Everything was assembled with wool roving tucked in around the top of the box.
The large green bead was sewn to the back and the purple seed
was attached to the front of the box with beading around it.

Fat Belly Boy

I recently had the opportunity to spend 4 days with the wonderfully creative,
talented, and original Ankie Daanen making my own version of her "Fat Belly Boy".
Ankie traveled from Spain to Ryebrook, NY where she guided us through the steps of
sculpting, painting, and costuming our dolls.

Ankie's original Fat Belly Boy.

When we arrived at the home of our hostess, Barbi,
we were greeted with hugs, coffee in our personalized mug,
and our own work area set up and ready to go.

We started with the body of our doll.

Then came the hands.

And then the head.

After sculpting, the dolls agreed to a group photo.

Then it was time to paint the features on the face.

After painting, the head and hands lined up for a coat of varnish.

And then the fun began as each of us costumed our doll
and watched their individual personalities come alive.

Diane's Doll

Becky's Doll

Deb's Doll

Clare's Doll

Barbi's Doll

Cookie's Doll

Margot's Doll

Alina's Doll

My Doll.

Manglers Meet

It has become a tradition to present each Mangler
with a Dolly Swag on her birthday.
This month it was our lovely Terry who was the lucky birthday girl.

Our activity this month was a pass around doll.
Each Mangler passed a blank doll for others to add to.

Our completed creations.

Day With Dolls

5th Annual Day With Dolls
August 7, 2010

On Saturday, August 7, 2010 over 100 art doll makers gathered to share a creative and inspirational day with fellow doll makers at a "Day With Dolls". The event was sponsored by the 3D Cloth Doll Club and the Manhattan Doll Club. This year's event included demonstrations, workshops, goodie bags, raffles, door prizes and more.


Merrilee and me with "Dolls With An Attitude"

The event was begun by Diane Kearney five years ago when 13 women gathered at Diane's home
to enjoy creative time with fellow doll makers.

Maria Quinones demonstrated how to draw and color and face.

Gloria "Mimi" Winer demonstrated face overlay and sculpting the mouth.

George Washington was made by Sandy Nuhn of the Dolls with Attitude group from CT.

A highlight of the day was the Show and Tell table.
The talents of these creative souls are many and varied.

A special Anniversary cake was provided by Diane the founder of Day With Dolls.

In addition to the demonstrations, we made a Mojo Doll, and a wrist or finger pin cushion.
I wish I had more to show but I was too busy enjoying the friendship and creative spirit that was abundant throughout the day. This was the first time I attended "Day With Dolls", and I'm sure it won't be the last.