Be a Dreamer

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. John C. Maxwell

Lace Stocking and Black Leather Coat

I am working on a new doll using "Beyond's" pattern...will be posting a picture soon. Cute and sassy at the same time...Using Loralie Designs fabric "Wild Cat Woman",  for inspiration. Having this stash of fabric for over 2 years now...it finely let me know what it was meant to be...

Beyond Meets the World

Beyond's Day

"Beyond" was inspired by Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard who encouraged me to step outside the box. Her name is made up of letters from these great artist names. This design is truly different than anything I have ever done. Her face and costume are not plan yet...she hasn't told me what is on her mind. I think Beyond is enjoying her new womanly body....without confinements. I would enjoy your thoughts on my new design.

New Pattern Coming

I am so excited. I have been working on a new doll pattern for 2 weeks. It will be the first one I have done with breast and "callipygian." 
The word "callipygian" is sometimes used to describe someone with notably attractive buttocks. The term comes from the Greek kallipygos, (first used for the Venus Kallipygos) which literally means "beautiful buttocks"; the prefix is also a root of "calligraphy" (beautiful writing) and "calliope" (beautiful voice); callimammapygian means having both beautiful breasts and buttocks.
So, I am stretching and growing in my doll designs. I will post pictures soon.

CIFI 2010

Aquarius

I designed and drafted the doll pattern and costume for Aquarius. She was entered in the CIFI (Creations In Fiber, Inc) Doll Challegne 2010. The doll recieved a 1st place ribbon in the Original, Cloth Intermediate Class. I learned so much by entering her...the judges were kind and honest. Missed a perfect score by one point. Not being to afraid, asked why and recieved an honest and constructive reply. Now a better designer and doll maker, because listening and learning makes us that way.

Kashari "Clown"

Since I was a child growing up in Arizona the Native American culture and the Spirit of the Kachina Dolls have fascinated me. I would draw pictures of the religious symbols with bright colors and spend hours telling stories of my dolls powers. When I got much older I learned that what I thought were just play dolls for a little girl were actually "messengers" from the spiritual worked who brought rain and fertility to the Hopi people. I have always been drawn to the desert lands and not really understanding why. This last year my husband and I moved to Arizona. I am glad to be home. With this in mind and with all respect...set out to create my first fabric Kachina. I realize that the art of making a Kachina is done by Native Artist and traditionally carved out of cottonwood that is then painted.
I love the story of Ogre Kachina (Clown Kachina). My mother would tell me that even though this doll was a "sacred clown"; their job was to scare children into obeying parents (Elders). The Ogre Kachina ate bad little children! But because parents always love their children so much they would stop the Ogre and promise the children would do better. Then my mother would laugh and tell me other stories about how the Kashair or Tewa, (other names for the Pueblo clowns) would be naughty themselves by eating large amounts of watermelon, being very loud and playing tricks on everyone. With this display of "bad" behavior the Kashari would help the community see through exaggeration and taking things to extreme actions by one person can hurt the unity of the tribe.
So with the Kachina season (late December to July) I decided to make my own conception of the Kashari. I drafted and designed this doll. I really enjoyed making the Moccasins even if there was a lot of muslin mock-ups before I had a finished pair. I wanted to share this with all of you during this traditional religious time.

Passion

Passion (my new doll) was finished after I came home from CIFI....we both had stimulus over load. The class taught by Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard had to be one of the most enlighting classes for me in my life time. Thinking out side the box is an understatement. This is my first time using paper clay over fabric. Draping designer paper and napkins with the intent to make it look like fabric works! Embellishment was done with easy and of course you can have never to much...according to Jean. What fun...I will never forget my time there.

CIFI Conference

I spent on of the best weeks of my life in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Creations In Fiber, Inc. Conference. 7 of us from Phoenix "Dolly MaMa and her Fabric Floozies" traveled to attend this awesome get together of wonder doll artists and teachers.
I took a class "Kofuku" taught by two of the best teachers I have had the honor to study under, Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard. When you get a chance, please take a class given by these Mixed Media Artists.
The doll I made is named Passion...she stirred a desire in my to think out side the box. I have never used some of the techniques and her face is total different than I have ever done in the past. I will continue to stretch my skills and experiment more.