And then there were five ...........

.......... rag dolls that is!!

It all started very innocently when I entered Julie’s Secret Easter Swap in February. I had to make a gift for Katarina in Sweden and as she mostly makes very lovely hand-made cards, I was stumped initially as to what I would make for her. Eventually, (much brain-ache later!!) I had the idea of designing and making a rag doll based on one of Katarina’s favourite Rubber Stamp images of a little girl called ‘Tilda’. Tilda has quite a distinctive kind of face as can be seen from the Rubber Stamp pictures below, and although I wouldn’t normally make a doll that looked like this, I was pleased with the likeness to the Rubber Stamp image.

Katarina was, thankfully, over the moon with her doll, but little did I know that I would end up with requests from other ladies asking me whether I would consider making them a rag doll – Tilda, it turns out, is a very popular little lady in the Rubber Stamping world. Consequently, most of my spare time in the last 2½ months or so has been dedicated to these dolls. So now in addition to Katarina in Sweden, they have gone to:-

Vivi in Brazil
Kerry in Massachusetts, USA
Judy in Michigan, USA; and
Cami in Hawaii

talk about going global or what!! I have been very flattered by all the lovely, kind comments paid by the ladies in the Rubber Stamping community – you won’t believe just how much my head has been swelling!!! However, I am glad to get back to ‘me’ things again ..... and I’m sorry to the other three ladies who have since asked me for a doll, but have been refused – they just take up so much of my time I’m afraid. I’ve added the name of the recipient of each doll on the collage photograph above.

Anyway, I’ve been playing around with something called ‘Drawn Thread’ embroidery the last week or so – anybody had a go at this? Maybe I’ll have something to show soon – watch this space!!!

Postscript added 29th June - I've had a comment left by BethenyJ enquiring after a rag doll. Betheny, I can't find a link back to you. I'm afraid I'm not making anymore dolls - if you read above, all will become clear!! Thanks for asking though - I'm flattered.

A finish & Sheep in the Willow BOM

Ooooh, it's good to make some 'me' things again after the last couple of months or so making the 'Tilda' rag dolls!!! Once the last one is received by Judy (no blog), I shall show photos of them all just to prove that I have been busy.

I don't have much to show at the moment, but what I have is better than nothing. I've finally finished my Nancy Halvorsen 'Star of Wonder' Christmas wall hanging - only 6 months late, but what the heck!! I suppose the proper way to think of it really is that it's 6 months early - that sounds much better doesn't it? Heck, who am I trying to kid?!!!

And secondly, my 'Sheep in the Willow' BOM for the month of May - only one month behind with this, but I'll catch up soon.

I did a bit of work in the garden this morning and now my bones are aching, so it's off to bed for me!

Bye for now

Paper roses, paper roses

.....cue for a song, or am I showing my age!!!

Long time no blog post!! The rag dolls I’ve been making have taken up so much of my time, but the last one is finished now – phew!! I did have another enquiry, but I said no because of the time they take. So now I shall be able to get back to my next project for me! I do have something to show you however! This really lovely quilled message holder was sent to me by Vivi from Brazil who I made the second Tilda rag doll for. Isn’t she talented? She also sent a quilled magnetic fridge note holder and even the little gift card that came with it has a quilled flower on it. Vivi recently made 500 of these rose message holders for a nurses convention! Vivi does loads of quilling and even has her own website here – why not check it out!

Thanks Vivi – I’m thrilled with it!