Dollhouse
Hello all! So, even with the aforementioned lack of "doll guts" (*cough* I cannibalized a pillow *cough*)
I really, reallly wanted to make this doll. A housegirl doll. I feel kind of fixated on this sort of image right now (another symptom). It's a bit "Alice"ish, I suppose, which I genuinely didn't think of until I was almost finished stitching her "shingles" on. You know, the whole bit in which she grows to be so enormous inside of the rabbit's house, and her arms shoot out the windows?
I was really thinking mostly about my own housiness. But I guess Alice creeps in everywhere, even if I don't think about it. Don't you just love the shingles? My lord, the shingles. And the sham "gingerbread trim" aka tiny crochet-lace?
So this is the part where I say "Oh, and you can get her over here in the shop". But I am not going to say that. Nope. Because I'm going to keep her! Hooray! I really and truly have only 2 of my own paintings (the Dunce pair, for anyone who is curious!), and besides useful things I make for myself (purses, pillows, quilts) I don't have any of the really fun, decorative stuff that I make. Since it has become my livelihood, I feel terribly guilty and conflicted about keeping much of anything that technically should go in the shop. But then I look at photos of all these people's studios (especially plush + doll makers) and they have their own little friends to keep them company.
So she's sticking with me. Not to mention that she is a bit of a mini-me...I mean, my eyes are a completely mystifying color...grey/green/brown/yellow, so grey was as good a choice as any.
A girl that IS newly for sale, is this little one:
She's more of a "wear-your-scarf-as-you-make-it" girl. And she's here in the shop.
I hope to have the next round of pendants ready for sale in the next few days. I think I'm going to have two different listing-rounds, on two different days. So that nobody is left high-and-dry that really wants one!
My sweetest of peas Keith + Corie are coming to visit in 2 days! I have baking and cleaning and small projects to do, in addition to madly throwing myself and my bajillion packages on the mercy of the P.O. today (thanks again for that memo yesterday. I'm always out of the loop).
Happy Tuesday!
i absolutley adore your housegirl doll. this is hands down the best hand-crafted item i have seen online for weeks - lovely!
Posted by: natalie. | October 16, 2006 at 07:37 PM
Wow, just discovered your site today and I love the doll-house doll! How adorable and just a little touch of tongue-in-cheekiness. Your doll faces are too sweet. What do you use to paint their faces?
Posted by: Tami | October 16, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Oh swoon!
Posted by: vegasandvenice | October 14, 2006 at 10:02 PM
Oop, I didn't notice you had typed "dollhouse" before ~ hope that didn't sound rude! I was about to type it myself & thought it was cute, that's why I said it like that.
Scrap fabric & leftover thread make great 'doll guts'. I cut it up small and it is nice & soft; I hate throwing things away.
Posted by: Tiffany | October 11, 2006 at 09:42 PM
I saw the knitting girl in your shop today and thought she was just precious. And the house-doll (not "doll house") is so wonderful and intricate. I am happy to hear you kept her :)
I was thinking of your fairy tale paintings today and pictured the girl with the gingerbread house, and a Snow White & Rose Red pair. Maybe Miss Muffet and her spider.
Posted by: Tiffany | October 11, 2006 at 09:35 PM
I love dollhouse girl she is so you!I have the eye colour thing too but mine are grey,green,blue and yellow no brown!Depends where I am and who I'm with! xxx
Posted by: Kristy | October 11, 2006 at 11:22 AM
I love the dollhouse doll. That is so cute. I also love your new painting. I showed my mom last night and she really thought it was darling.
Posted by: Beth | October 11, 2006 at 10:54 AM
I learned early on that it is always good to keep prime examples of your own work. My work is done in multiples, but I have found that with some pieces I did not save one for myself + regret it.
Posted by: shona | October 11, 2006 at 10:14 AM
that doll is blowin my mind! the shingles are pure magic. seriously amazing!
Posted by: Emily | October 11, 2006 at 12:10 AM
Yeah for keeping that lovely girlie all to yourself! She's wonderful, just like all the rest.
Posted by: Heidi | October 10, 2006 at 11:22 PM
Oh I love this new doll Emily, beautiful
Posted by: Kelly Zarb | October 10, 2006 at 11:22 PM
OMG! That is too funny. I saw some retro poster months ago that had a woman in a house costume. It inspired this quick watercolor picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangewillow/205663380/in/set-72157594179944863/
I just love your vision of the concept. I never would have imagined a doll of it. Great job! I love her and the shingles are to die for. If there has been any doll to keep for yourself she is without a doubt it.
Posted by: wendy | October 10, 2006 at 11:16 PM
Your doll girl is so very whimsical - I love her eyes... I am just amazed at how quickly you seem to be able to produce these lovely dolls!
Posted by: Beata | October 10, 2006 at 10:59 PM
OH MY GOODNESS! that doll...house...is sooo sweet! :)*
Posted by: jenny vorwaller | October 10, 2006 at 09:58 PM
You are so right to keep that doll! BUT, I imagine your customers will be after you to make some more to put up for sale!!
I love your work and really enjoy checking in to see what you're up to!
Posted by: Tracy's Turret | October 10, 2006 at 09:29 PM
The dollhouse doll is amazing!!! What more can I say?
Posted by: Kate | October 10, 2006 at 06:47 PM
Your dollhouse is so sweet, surely a sigh of "nesting". I too am enjoying the domestic qualitys the fall weather brings out in me. Stuffed winter squash ...here i come.....
Posted by: carrie | October 10, 2006 at 05:17 PM
I just love the Alice paralell with this doll! I've been enjoying reading all your posts about doll making--I'm getting inspired to try my hand at making some sort of stuffed critter!
Keep up your inspiring posts and whimsical work! :)
Posted by: Casey | October 10, 2006 at 03:51 PM
some things you just have to keep for yourself...although i totally understand that feeling of guilt:)
Posted by: lori | October 10, 2006 at 03:41 PM
I'm in hysterics that I missed the knitting girl painting! I had asked for her and here I am too late! Will you be making her into a print? Please oh Please! She's my all time favorite and has brown hair like me!
Posted by: Anne Sheridan | October 10, 2006 at 03:22 PM
i'm so glad you decided to keep one doll, and she is lovely.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | October 10, 2006 at 03:17 PM
You never know what the legal holidays when you are self employed. There are certain perks though. Like going to Disneyland in the middle of the week when its not too busy! Its nice to be able to decide your own days off.
Posted by: Diana | October 10, 2006 at 02:44 PM
I really like the knitting girl, she looks so happy with herself :)
Posted by: Malin | October 10, 2006 at 02:01 PM
I love this knitting girl. It's exactly what I do when I'm still working on a scarf or glove.
Posted by: ambika | October 10, 2006 at 01:17 PM
yay for you for keeping the housegirl doll!
i think it's the perfect girlie to stay with you.
she's ever so sweet!
Posted by: Hildy | October 10, 2006 at 01:02 PM