Thursday, March 11, 2010

My Creative Space


It's all about doll making here at our place at the moment.


It started on the rainy long weekend, it seemed like a good idea at the time! At it was. The kids have been immersed in their creations and it's so satisfying watching them making something they love. Having four children standing around me at the sewing machine, loudly discussing their designs, who was next, which buttons they could use was inspiring...but also LOUD.



Sunday's doll was born first. Jane has long. long legs and hair made from a blanket fringe. She hasn't got a mouth yet, mainly because mouths are hard to do and we are waiting for inspiration!

Then along came Loopy. Rosie stuffed Loopy's legs, taking great care, and then we looked for some suitable hair.

Mermaid hair of course.


Arms were next.

And then an old woollen dress from the Dolly Clothes Basket.

While they were waiting for their turn the button box was tipped upside down and buttons were sorted into colours.
I can remember doing this when I was little too.



Lucy is working on a sailor doll with blue & white striped legs & Bill has quickly made up his spotty monster/teddy who is waiting for his mouth and eyes. Apparantly he will be reversable so perhaps he will be scary one side and happy the other? I'll have to wait and see. I love making toys with my kids, I could do it all day! But hey, who has orders to fill and dishes to do? Who has chickens to feed, washing to hang & fold, bills to pay, oh, and nametags/pincushions to make?! Hmmmm.....hope your creative space is ace today, check out some more aciton over here xo


35 comments:

Snooze said...

i'm expecting to see so much more crafting over the winter months ... it's too nice to be cooped up inside during the summer ... and doll making seems like a great idea

Sue said...

The first doll is so cute. I love her spotty legs and hair. I think they look rather cute without their mouths! The second doll looks so sweet with her mermaid hair, and I love the spotty monster. Your children seem to have inherited their toy making skills from you. Hope your having a nice day Beck!

Sarah said...

Love the dolls. So beautiful, even without mouths! Maybe especially without mouths, they seem so wistful and whimsical. Gorgeous, what great fun you have all been having. All the other stuff can wait!

Kirsty said...

I love the long, long legs.

Unknown said...

The dolls are great and working with young apprentices makes it so much fun , I love the long legs .

GardenOfDaisies said...

Those are both so cute!

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

I'd leave the mouths off - sounds like there is enough talking at your house! Love, love, love the dolls, all of them and the teddy too. Sometimes one mummy is just not enough when everyone is working on a project, is it?

Well done!

Casie said...

Lucky kids, love their efforts. The rain offers a nice change of pace.

zofia said...

Such beautiful toys! A wonderful collaboration between you and the kids. I really love the blanket hair :D

Kristi said...

Love those looooong polka dot legs!

Trudi - Me and Ewe said...

How great to have the kids involved - I am sure they will love the toys even more because of their input.

Miss Silver Spoon Vintage said...

Gorgeous dolls! Loving the winter photos too! I look forward to getting down to Daylesford later in the year to hopefully do a market.

Liz said...

That's so nice, to make them together. They'll always remember how special they are and yes, those legs go all the way to....well you know the rest. Gorgeous.
lizzie
xxx

Bron said...

oh these are gorgeous!! And what a totally ace thing to be able to do with kids - I bet they had a great time!

teddybearswednesday said...

these are adorable, I'm especially smitten with the top doll ( does she need a mouth, I like her just the way she is) It must be great fun crafting with kids.
xo

mel @ loved handmade said...

This is brilliant! I love that your kids are so into creating such amazing things. I doubt mine would sit still long enough, they are too busy flying & climbing & turning our backyard into a movie set to re-enact their favourite stories...aaggghhh! It's all good really, I do love to watch them at play, completely absorbed in another world...

Irene MissyMinzy said...

Wow Beck! I love your Creative Space! :)
Your MCS put a smile on my face. It must be very lovely moment spending time with 4 of your kids running around with loud discussion and all that! :)

I like the long legs too. Haha :) Cute!
Kids are sometime so much creative than us. :)

Angie said...

These are he best toys, the ones made by you & your helpers!

belinda marshall said...

LOVE the hair!
can imagine the creative chaos at your place :)

crzylady said...

ummm, can you send some of that mermaid hair my way? I think I would lovely in it!
And what a fun project! can't wait to see the finished dollies/monster

Renee said...

I love those looong spotty legs! What a fantastic idea to do with your kids. I remember sorting buttons when I was a kid too. Actually I still love sorting buttons!

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

I am envious of her red cardigan!!! lovely long legs!

Unknown said...

Oh that first doll us just so beautiful! I love her outfit, wouldn't mind a little outfit like that for myself!
Sophie x

Tweed Thoughts said...

Just love ALL the dolls - what a great way to spend time with your little ones :)

Ooty said...

Your dolls are super great! I love the loooooooooooong legs =)

Anonymous said...

oh the dolls AND the spotty teddy are adorable, it is fun making things with the smalls isn't it very satisfying, yours have done such fabulous work (and with mum's help of course)

yardage girl said...

Cool space and nice to have the kids involved too - even with a bit of noise (at least Jane's quiet). Love the extra long legs!

Tania said...

I can imagine the LOUD! Cos it's LOUD ENOUGH OVER HERE WITH THREE ART DIRECTOR'S IN MY EAR and you had one extra. Phew...

linda said...

Ooo, those are such cute buttons...I am just going through all my stuff and suddenly finding treasures! Lovely doll...it's so fun to see creative spaces :)

Emily said...

What a great mom you are Beck. You must be an extremely patient person. The dolls are just adorable!

DELiciousDesignz said...

They are so gorgeous and very special, as they have been made with lots of love and thought. I made some rabbits yesterday and the girls have already picked out colours for theres.....but yes, we need some more spare time.

LillaBarn said...

I love the dolls... I was looking into making A Waldorf doll for my daughter and one for my son, but I have no idea where to start, what to buy or how to go about it... Looked into getting a book, and all the stuff you need for it and it would cost an absolute fortune.... I love your dolls though, what do you stuff them with? Maybe I should try something similar instead. And I LOVE the bunnies, how cute... You live in such a beautiful place by the looks of the photos in your blog. Funny how I've been here for ten years, but never outside NSW (apart from Canberra...). Time to see some more of Oz I think...
And Ikea is a life-saver, I go there about once a month. Need the food and to soak up the atmosphere... Needless to say, my husband flatly refuse to go anywhere near that place. He can't see the beauty of spending an absolute fortune of things you don't really need... Say hej to your husband from me. Thinking of writing some in English on my blog, as I have friends over here slightly annoyed that they can't understand a word of what I'm writing! Take care, Em :-)

Anonymous said...

How clever to use the fringe of an old blanket as her hair...I love how it looks! Perfect as is!

TopCat76 said...

normally dolls freak me out, but yours are adorable!

WarsawMommy said...

Oooh, adorable! You are so creative; I'd never think of something like this. Also, I don't even HAVE a button box.