A much needed break...

We've just got back from a week away! We haven't been on holiday for years, so this was a much needed time away.

(...though I did have to paint 7 doll faces while we were there...!)

We went to the Bay of Islands, up north.

Miss Eva on our balcony over looking the beach at Russell.

Christmas dinner table.

On the ferry back from Paihia, to Russell.

(during the few days of rain we had)

The extremely huge old tree outside the hotel. The little one wondered why I would need to take a photo of a tree!

You see this gorgeous view? It brings back scary memories for me! You can just see a couple of steps at the bottom of the picture. After these, came a very narrow path, dropping VERY steeply down, against the side of the cliff. There was little room for error in your steps to get down down down to the beach or it would be a quick trip down onto the rocks. My legs were shaking for about an hour afterward - must be getting old!

But when we got down there, the beach and clear sea were absolutely gorgeous.

The girls just had the best time. Proper sand!

Such a fun time. After a very full on year for us.

Watch out for a short sale in my etsy shop coming in the next few days. You'll need to pop back here for the code to get a discount on the dolls (and other items) I have left. I won't be making any more for a while.

See you next year - have a good one! XXXX

Handmade Shopping

I just remembered I haven't shown you my purchases/swaps from the last few weeks!  This retro cushion from The Devonport Craft Market is for the girls. One of whom was really into outer space until very recently (she's now into forensic science!).

These adorable sock monkeys are from Sarah at Cotton Kiwi.

They have been kept under wraps for xmas pressies.

A very cool market bag,

and fabric scraps from the lovely Nic at Yardage Design.

{loving those exclamation marks!!}

Also just arrived in the post from Melbourne, this gorgeous fabric from Curlypops!

and ... something I just had to get myself for christmas...

This amazing handbag made from vintage linen retro fabric,

 lined with vintage sheeting! The handles are so soft - I'm over the moon with it! Thanks so much Cam!

See you in the New Year sometime!X

Last Market

This sunday sees me at quite possibly my last market here. So if you're after a doll before xmas or  don't want to face the malls for some last minute gifts, come along to Kraftbomb in Grey Lynn. Its on from 11am - 2pm.

If you can't make it to this market, but want to see what dolls are still available - just drop me a line (through the Contact page at the top - before Dec 23). And I'll get them sent off first thing in the New Year.

Thank you so much to everyone who ordered a custom made doll this year. You've made me push the boundaries and try new ideas that I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise! 

Merry Christmas!x



Wordless Wednesday

(more here)



Excellent Day

Here's a few of the girls loitering about, trying to look serious. We had such a great day on saturday at the Auckland Art & Craft Fair. It really went very well. Quite a few of the girls found new homes, where they are going to be so adored - its probably going to go to their heads!

The cushions didn't last long (and the wool rug brooches).

There were quite a few people who had asked for custom orders at the last minute, before christmas - which i couldn't fit in. So they came along, and had the choice of these girls.

We had a really lovely position here, at the top of some stairs and at the bottom of some stairs too. The tables were extra long, which was so nice for me - as I always try and pack too much on the table! It was so lovely catching up with Melissa, Heleen, Kim, Cat, Kirsten, and my lovely neighbour KilowattKatie!

What a way to finish the year(apart from Kbomb this sunday). And the Mr is off to Australia tomorrow for an interview. So we'll see how that goes!X

Auckland Art and Craft Fair

 Its the second Auckland Art & Craft Fair tomorrow. I didn't think I would be doing this one, but I'm lucky to be joining in again! The last one was so busy - that the venue has been changed to a much bigger area at The Edge, in the Aotea Centre.

Miss Isabella Martine

I've used a bit more stripes, after liking the look on the punk/goth doll!

A couple of cushions made from vintage teatowels to take along too...

something a bit different.

So if you're about tomorrow, pop into town and come say hi!

There are going to be so many lovely ideas for christmas pressies!!x

Diary of dolls.

So I've been finishing off some dolls this week for the fair on saturday.

This is made from some vintage fabric from the now closed Salvage vintage textile store in Auckland. And I eventually got to use the aqua/gold ric rac that I'd had for ages!

I was up to my knees in fake fur the other day, in the off cuts of a local supplier. They were quite big off cuts! Went home covered in fluff - was worth it though, for something different!

Duck legs.

Made from a vintage Miffy curtain.

Having to be very careful with this curtain now, as I don't have alot left to work with!

Will do one more post tomorrow of what I'll be taking along on saturday, if I get some more finished!x

Black Eyes

Wavy hair for these two.

And black eyes.

 A bit of a different look, not sure about it yet.

Wish I had the confidence to wear stuff like that!

And this one needs a bit of advice.

She has the unusual black eyes too. But shes not sure if I've put the beauty spot in the right place. So its just a fullstop on the photo at the mo, I'll paint it on when we get some feedback! (the red chimney ear adds a bit of interest as well!)

Crochet Top Hat

Do you like my hat?

Apparently its a bit of crochet gone wrong, which was then turned into a top hat for me!

and I've had my hair done today -

 purple sparkly highlights...

 I've got my best vintage linen dress on to show you too!  (i'm not sure if a necklace is too much with this outfit - oh the dilemmas!)x

Sewing Machine Drawing and my last order . . .

I've found that I can only do the free motion sewing when I'm in the mood to do so...which means its usually when I'm supposed to be getting on with something else! As is the case here. This drawing with the sewing machine is a bit different for me this time though. I didn't draw it out or stop in one place, to then start again in another. (which is why these faces look so different to normal!)

Its all done in one go, and making it up as you go along. For the first face - I started with an eye and worked my way around to finish on the other eye. With the second  face I started with the mouth (as I do when painting the doll faces) worked my way up to the left eye, back down the nose and then up to the other eye.

In the early hours of this morning I finished my last custom order for the year.

Though there wasn't too much umming and arring on this one...

I was given a very specific brief from a young lady who had seen the dolls before. So she new exactly what she wanted - which is always great! Vintage yellow sunflower dress, dark brown curly hair, orange button hairclip, green eyes, pink lips, orange pearl earrings, orange fur shrug with yellow button, orange ballet shoes. It doesn't happen very often that I can make it with all the elements asked for (was very relieved I just happened to have some orange fur)!

The rest of the week will be spent getting some new dolls finished for the Auckland Art and Craft Fair, on this saturday - will post some photos as they are finished.x