Creations in Fiber 2011

What can I say about Creations in Fibers?
That it's the most fabulous doll conference, with the most fantastic organizers, the best teachers and the most wonderful attendees? I still wouldn't do it justice.

The 2011 conference surpassed itself again, the dolls where fabulous!
The theme was "the enchanted forest", people who know me will know by now that I am not very good with themes, especially the enchanted ones. But as soon as I heard this years theme I knew what I was going to make.
I collect pictures that I find interesting and of things that I might use one day, this ranges from artwork, to nature, to old wrinkly hands and feet. In my collection are pictures of a series of paintings by Monet of a weeping willow. So a weeping willow it was.....

I will take some better pictures soon.....

Too my great surprise she won "Judges Choice"
and "Best in Show". I really didn't expect this. De standard of the dolls was so high and my willow wasn't even finished yet when we arrived in Albuquerque.



 Another doll I had with me was my little Indian doll
He previously travelled with the Hoffman challenge and was a table doll at the final banquet.
He got sold in the auction (with all proceeds going to CIFI).

As always we finished the conference with a trip to Pamela Armas fabulous home and shop. It's the most wondrous place and an Alladins cave for anyone who loves fabrics and trims.
There I couldn't stop myself and bought a Gypsy challenge pack (amongst a whole bag of other things) and believe it or not again I knew exactly what to make.
So my hands are itching to start making new dolls.
This time I will keep you posted, promise!

For anyone who would like to see more CIFI pictures, go to:
http://www.4shared.com/u/QrJcxfpv/rincewind001.html
Tony has uploaded a gazillion pictures.

Autumn scarf, online class

At Cifi Jean Bernard asked me if I was interested in writing an online class.
That was an exciting, but also terrifying proposition.
So I thought I dip my toe in the water with an easy, but fun to do project.
A lacey autumn scarf. In this workshop we will make our own lacy fabric to create a piece of wearable art.

For more information go to  http://www.jeanbernardart.com/OnlineClasses

The ghosts of my past hold the key to my future

 

Jean bernard sent me a picture of a doll's arm made of wire (go and see here at http://www.jeanbernardart.com , she is a fabulous artist). So this wire hand started bugging me. I got out my wires and started bending and twisting and soldering and ended up with a complete doll made out of wire.

The wire frame is covered with fiber optics, so she lights up at night. Unfortunately  I can't seem to capture that in a picture.
Here face is made of air dry clay and Jean's Olivia mold.
You might wonder why the name "Ghosts of the past hold the key to my future"?
Well she is wearing the key around her neck, but the real secret is in the cape.

The cape is transfer printed with cuttings from my scrapbook from the time I was a horse rider.
The clippings refer to shows that I've won. Over this I added a picture of me and Nicky, my most successful horse. And last but not least a picture of my dad.
He was always there with me, every training and every show.
After transfer printing the picture onto silk I added stitching and lots of bling.
She even got a blingy rosette on her hood.