Twin Vintage Dolls

These vintage beauties caught my eye a while back.

They were both at the same antique shop

and one wore the gown (although dirty and needing mending)

and the other had a not so pretty outfit.

The first thing I did was to make them undergarments

from vintage lace

At a flea market shop I found a blouse

that was very large and faded but had lovely beaded sleeves.

~ Ta-Da! ~

The elastic end went around the wrists....

I took a seam to make it smaller and hemmed the other end.

T W I N S!!!

From a small fur collar I made two stoles

~ Playing dress up is fun when you have a twin ~

~ Violet ~

Poodle Skirt

Poodle from Felted Wool

and fabric stabilizer

glued onto a skirt made from a felted (aka:shrunken) sweater

For this sweet "Madame Alexander" doll

I found at a vintage shop

for a precious little girl for Christmas

...Who also didn't have any shoes....

So, with some more felted wool and glitter of course.

I made my first ever pair of shoes!

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The only sewing on the skirt

was the elastic sewn into the waistband.

(and I also sewed the glued on ribbon)

When wool has been shrunk,

the fibers meld together and becomes heavy felt.

The edges can be cut with no need for sewing.

I used the neck through raglan sleeve upper part

of the sweater to make the skirt. 

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My first expereince of shrinking a sweater was not so pretty.

When I was a little girl, my dear Aunt knitted me a beautiful sweater

 and my mother accidentally

washed it in hot water.

Ruined!

My aunt was not pleased.

I realize now I could not have worn it anyway,

as wool makes me itch.

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Who knew shrinking sweaters would become a craft?!?

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And I have to show you another crafty girl

who loves to alter and create things with

paper

Her technique: She first tears and rips the paper just so

and then enjoys the work of her paws.

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She has been known to do this to items she finds

while counter-surfing, such as bills, cards, letters,

she is not choosy.  But wrapping paper has a

distinct flavor and is so easy to rip,

and makes a fancy sound

that delights

her ears.

Paper Mache Snow!

Snowy sculptures of paper mache snow
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We've been having a few craft days

in which my daughter and a friend's daughter and I

have been making paper mache snowmen and angels

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The one above is by Megan and OH! She is adorable!!!

We spent her birthday embellishing with paint and glitter

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I've discovered a product called Celluclay

~ used my half-off coupon at Michaels and bought a large bag ~

Here are some of our works in progress

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We made armatures from aluminum foil

and covered them with the wet clay-like paper mixture.

It took a few days to dry so the embellishing had to wait.

Here are our pieces after drying.... they don't look like

much yet, but just wait!!!

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Below are my three.

Come back to see how they look after todays session!

Here is a little guy I finished, he stands only 2 inches tall

-And sits atop glittered crepe paper

on a round paper mache box covered in glitter
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This one is a collaberation between a 5 year old,

and Jessica and myself

TOO MUCH FUN!!!

{like that is possible}
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Another delightful one made by Megan

A d o r a b l e

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~ And now, a completely different subject ~

Don't you just love those "MakeOver" shows in which

those with an eye for fashion completely make over someone

from looking a mess into someone beautiful?

(I find it quite fascinating)

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~ Well, here it is in reverse ~

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A doll I bought for Megan's 2-1/2 year old daughter,

Here she is wearing the tutu I made for her

and wearing an elegant tiara.

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I knew a photo had to be taken before she became well-loved

This dolly was meant to be played with

~ not set on a shelf for display ~
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Here she is 3 days later
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" MakeOver by a two year old "

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: )
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{ so funny }

You're Such a Doll

She knew she was quite a doll

... especially with that feathered hat ...

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And her gown of pink ruffles and sparkly silver thread
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She knew she was worth more than the $4.50 price tag

placed upon her by the thrift store clerk,

even though her dress was torn and needed washing.

She knew in her heart she was a princess

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Worth more than she first appeared when found by the

woman who frequents thrift stores and flea markets,

looking for treasures rejected by others.
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Although she was a bit worried about the two dogs

that for some strange reason this woman also loved.

Especially this one, known throughout the land

as a dog who loves to rip things to shreds.

(don't hurt me oh please don't hurt me,

I command you as your princess do not hurt me!)
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(Whew, that was a close call!!!)
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I much prefer pretty flowers over dogs with teeth
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Or, just standing in the light ~ striking a pose
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And it is important that I keep my lovely nails unchipped
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It's not always easy being a princess

But somebody's gotta do it.

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This lovely doll, found at a thrift store last week

for under $5. All she needed was a little cleaning

and some repairs of her torn and tattered dress and gloves.

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I haven't tried to discover anything about her yet

but would love to know how old she is.

I am guessing she was made around 1950.

Her body is something like soft plastic.
And she needs some shoes.

(don't we all???)

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If anyone knows anything about her, I'd love to know!

I am delighted to give her a new home.

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Have you found any great treasures lately?