I am always so thankful when life slows down just a bit and I can take the time to create something artful. It's like a kiss on a sore thumb, an antidote for what ever ails me!  I love the idea of what spurred Artful Thursdays.  Although I am finding it hard to meet the challenge of creating on Thursdays- I still love the inspiration of living a "more artful life".  My Artful Thursday's may run into the next Monday or Tuesday, but as long as I'm getting that kiss on the "sore thumb" once in a while- it's all good! Soooo, almost a week late here is my Artful Thursday project.

ARTFUL THURSDAY- Bella The Doll

 

Just over a year ago in art group we spent our artful time creating charming cloth dolls.  I never completed my doll and there she sat in my closet- bare naked and forgotten!  When I saw this sweet video from Stephanie Rausser I was inspired to finish my abandoned doll.  If you have ever stuffed tiny doll parts you know the hardest part was already completed.  All that was left was adding a simple stitched face, hair and clothing.  For the hair I cut strips of wool and sewed them on by hand creating raggedy ponytails- I added a ribbon to the very top of her head.  I stitched a simple mouth and eyes with black embroidery floss and added color to her cheeks with some blush.  I made her bloomers from a vintage baby dress that was torn and shredded.  I just cut off the sleeves pulling one on to each leg and sewing the tops together to make a waist.  To make her dress I used what could have possibly been a cake top cover or a toilet lid cover- I am hoping it was not the latter!  I really debated purchasing it but in the end I fell in love with the pretty pink color of the tulle and the price was great- $1.00!  After washing it I cut the cover in half and just hand sewed the cut ends to fit her tiny body- it worked perfectly and was so simple.  I regret not finishing her sooner because she turned out pretty cute- well at least LuLu thought so... I gifted it to her!   She named her Bella.   

 

  I wish my photographs were better.  I took them in the early evening in poor light.  LuLu was such a good sport when I stole her away from her homework to do an impromptu photo shoot!

Happy Artful Thursday!

 
 

 
 
 

   

PS.  

Dear Typepad,  

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Your listening ears worked really well and I am happy again!

XO, me  

 
 
 
 
 

Comments

[June]

Lorraine you created two beautiful dolls. Bella is a darling...and Lulu is a beauty. I adore the pictures my friend.
I think you have found your calling.
I laughed at you about the toilet seat cover. Do you think there are people out there who still do this??? Or am I the only one with a naked toilet seat?!
hugs to you...

[scrappy jessi]

hey there doll
aaawww these are beautiful photos!!!
hope all is well.
oxoox,
jessi

[Katsui Jewelry]

She is just adorable and Lulu looks like a prima ballerina! Your pictures are so incredibly beautiful, too.

I am just beginning to sew and hope I will get to "doll" someday!

Suz

[julie haymaker thompson]

Both just beautiful dolls!!!

[brookie]

cute bella and lulu...i thought i might see some peaches here! love you

[cerri]

Lorraine, she turned out wonderfully, and this post along with that charming film really stirred the doll maker in my heart. It's been such a long time since I have made dolls!
Cerri xo

[lilylovekin]

Your daughter is beautiful!

[chrissy]

dearest lorraine...
i am so proud of you for fishing sweet bella from the depths of the closet. how happy she must be now. and lulu...well, it.s all been said, but she is truly a doll herself. (dont forget i have a son her age..wink wink)
you are so creative. i used to make dolls WAAAY back when and i haven.t for years and you have inspired me to get out all my old limbs that have no bodies and get to it.
thank you.
huge hugs.
c

[lissa]

oh that doll is just darling and really completed these beautiful photos!

[Ellen]

I love this photos of your living doll and Bella! How beautiful n' graceful~
Your touches are so pretty, I like the photos and how they evoke the quiet stillness and reflection of grace!

Lulu is a great model and what fun to join in and help Mom out! My daughter is like this, too~ Such sweetness!

[jeanne]

It turned out so sweet! The best part is that your daughter loves it too!

[Carolyn Green]

Hi Lorraine,

I love the sweet photo of your very gorgeous ballerina, Lulu is adorable and looks so graceful and elegant.
How lucky she is to have her cute new doll, Bella.

Hope that you are having a lovely week
Hugs
Carolyn

[Whosyergurl]

LOVE the doll, LOVE your girl...how lovely. It is time for art, isn't it? I agree! I have been WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY too busy! If I don't have time to create, write, read...too busy!
Hugs, Cheryl

[sarah]

What a beautiful doll ... and a beautiful girl too! They look so sweet together.

[Julie Harward]

A very cute doll and your real life doll is even more beautiful..they look very sweet together! :D

[andrea]

I think you photos are beautiful...and your doll is adorable.

[Sandra Lee]

That is so sweet and pretty!

[Jingle]

Oh, she is absolutely fabulous! I love her entire soft demeanor!

[Sea Witch]

Your photos are lovely, they have such a marvelous etheral quality about them. Sea Witch

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

I see two absolutely beautiful dolls, Lorraine! They are both simply precious!!!

[koralee]

Pure delight...your LuLu is as sweet as anything my friend...what a beautiful dancer she must me..to do pointe!!!

My little dancer is back at it too...this year her focus is ballet..in the past it was lyrical and jazz with just one class of ballet but she decided she needs to focus on her ballet training.

Hugs and your sweet little doll is adorable....only you could make something so lovely. xoxoxo

[Ola]

A beautiful ballerina for a beautiful ballerina :). I also have a doll that I started for Annie which also just needs the finishing touches. I might need to get back onto that one...