About the time I started this blog, I also created a blogspot account.  I guess I did it to see which would be the easiest to use and keep my options open, and for whatever reason I chose to actively add entries to this blog.

But now the space I'm allotted here is nearing capacity (the free version), I'm having trouble contacting the owners to upgrade (if I even want to pay $50+ per year), so I'm going to permanently switch to my other blog.  All entries for 2008 have been copied there (excepting comments, unfortunately).  I may or may not copy older entries.
So here it is:  http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/

I'm in the process of transferring over links to other blogs and websites.  Due to the large number of spam comments, this feature has been removed from this blog.

I've finally finished some clothing for my new doll, Grace.  I will need to make some adjustments to her dress , so it's a little fuller.  I also need to tweak the length of the shoulder section - I ended up having to make a sort of pleat and sew a button there to hold it.  Actually, I kind of like the way it looks, but will still probably change the design. 

Grace was inspired by dolls made by Izannah Walker, Helen Pringle and Anne Adams.  She has a few proportion issues, but I hope to work those out when I make prototype number two - and make the doll a little smaller (although with a doll this size, she CAN wear those little Victorian shoes...hmmm).
 

Last week, I was tagged by Lone Pierette.  Now I have to write five things about myself and tag 5 more bloggers.  I'm new to this tagging business, and don't have a lot of blog links.  So while tagging should perhaps be a surprise, I put out a query to FOCD members, asking for tag volunteers in exchange for a link to their blogs. 
So here's the skinny on me:
1. I'm going to be a grandma (that sounds really scary to me).
2. I've been an Emergency Nurse for 21 years (that's scary, too!).
3. I love to sing, but am pretty shy about it.
4. I'm scared to swim in the ocean (kelp brushing against my leg makes me scream).
5. I have a bad habit of pulling out my gray/white hairs.  Thank goodness there's not too many of them...yet.

A Big Thanks to these bloggers, who will need to write five things about themselves:
Fran Parrigan-Meehan
Carolyn in Australia
Sharon in New Zealand
Darlene Wilkinson
Donna Sims

Here it is March 26 on the Oregon Coast, and it's SNOWING.  It's the last thing I expected today, looking out the window.  Wet, sloppy stuff though it may be.  It hardly ever snows here!

 

Recently I've had a few people ask about photographing dolls, which can be challenging because a doll's skin reflects light differently than a human's.  I've been taking digital photos of my dolls for several years, but before that used my 35mm SLR.  I love the instant gratification of digital photography, because it has enabled me to take step-by-step photos to include in my patterns or post on the web.

I use one of two digital cameras.  The most expensive is a Nikon 5700 (about $750).  It's fairly big, bulky and currently isn't working.  So I'm using my little Fuji Finepix (under $200).  It's small and takes great photos.  It's the one I take on my bike trips, vacations, and keep in my purse at all times.

Today (and every weekend), I have a friend who stays with us and sleeps in my photo room during the day - so I can't take a photo of my setup...but keep checking back.  Now having a "photo room" sounds excessive, but I got tired of repeatedly setting up and taking down photo lights and background in my sewing room (they just take too much room).  Now that my kids have moved out, I have two spare bedrooms - one for my main studio, and one for taking photos.

There are three issues on which I focus when photographing dolls:
Lighting
Shadow avoidance
Background

LIGHTING:
1.  Never use a flash.  It just washes out the doll.
2.  Don't direct your lights directly toward the doll - this will wash out the doll, too.  Aim the lights away from the doll and reflect the light off the ceiling or walls.
3.  I used to take my dolls outside on overcast days in order to photograph them.  Sunny days were just too bright, and washed out the dolls.  If you do this, remember to keep the background plain.
4.  Now I use 2-3 photo lights (very bright, hot, short lifespan), with one fluorescent light above and behind the doll for a backlight.

SHADOW AVOIDANCE:
1.  Shining your lights directly toward your doll will increase shadows.  Use reflected light.
2.  Position your doll away from the back wall.  Placing it close to the background increases shadows.
3.  Move your lights around until shadows are minimized.

BACKGROUND:
1.  I invested in a "seamless paper" photo background several years ago.  I found the photo store on the Web and called the number to order it.  I bought a "vinyl varitone graduated background."  It was $45 in 2001.  They come in a variety of colors and sizes.  My taupe background is 42 X 62 inches.  Using a seamless background eliminates the line where the back wall and surface on which your doll stands meet.
2.  If you use a sheet or similar for your background, IRON it.  You can see every little wrinkle in the photo, and it looks less than professional and is distracting.
3.  Avoid clutter and unnecessary props.  These just take the focus away from the doll.

Also, take LOTS of photos at different angles.  Then you can weed out the bad ones.  Use your macro setting if getting close to the doll.  Hope this helps.  I'm sure real photographers out there have many more pearls of wisdom for you.

I've had a bit of a rough spell, jumping from one project to another.  I just can't seem to settle on one and finish it.  I think it's because I've got all these ideas in my head, and want them ALL done NOW.  So I work a little on one, then move to the next.  You know, sometimes you just need a little break from a particular project.

One of my latest projects is a "Helen Pringle-Izannah Walker-Anne Adams" inspired doll.  I'm really interested in the old-school dolls right now.  She's a big girl, much bigger than my usual - about 26 inches tall.  She still needs her arms.  In this photo, I've painted her head and upper chest in "Messy Mix," one-half modeling paste & one-half acrylic gel medium.  This was followed by a couple coats of gesso, and then acrylic paint.  Then (for the first time ever), I applied a crackle product.  That was one of the hardest things for me to do.  What if it doesn't work?  What if it ruins the doll?  Oh well, it's just fabric.  When this coat is dry, I need to figure out what type of wash to apply - dilute acrylic paint (dark brown), or walnut ink, perhaps.

My first mistake was making her from Osnaburg fabric.  This stuff was just too loosely woven, and tended to fray.  It was also too nubbly for the smoother look that I wanted.

The crackle stuff went on a little bubbly, too.

On the positive side, I found some Victorian/Edwardian button-up boots on eBay that are just her size.  I still need to finish her arms (and paint & crackle them) and design her bloomers and old-fashioned dress.

I'll probably put her up on eBay when she's done.

Lydia's vintage style dress and pantaloons are finished (no pattern yet for them, but the doll is made from Aletha "Ike" Putney's pattern in the January issue of Soft Dolls & Animals).  The skirt-overlay is an old hankie, cut in half and gathered.  While Lydia's clothing is not removable, if I make another, I will make all the clothes removable. 

I'm pleased with her face.  This was a direct sculpt over cloth, and I'm still very much a novice.  The first three or four layers of paperclay were applied with a paintbrush, thinned down to the consistence of baby food.  Then I built up the nose, cheeks, lips and chin.

One of these days (soon, I hope), I will develop a pattern for an all-cloth Izannah Walker inspired doll.  I've always loved the IW dolls.  I recently got a videotape on eBay, documenting some of the early American dollmakers.  Very inspiring, and I can't wait to get started!

The January 2008 issue of Soft Dolls & Animals magazine has an Interpretive Doll Challenge with a pattern by Aletha "Ike" Putney.  The due date is March 1, so I spent all day yesterday sculpting and painting her face.  This is a simple doll, with lots of opportunity for imagination.  The entries I've seen so far have been wonderful.  They are on the Yahoo group vintageclothdollmaking, as Ike is a member.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageClothdollmaking/
This is my doll "Lydia" so far.  She just needs her costuming, and hopefully that will be completed today.

Well I can hardly believe it's been over a month since I last posted.  Where did the time go?  It's been a productive month.  I've been busy with the release of a new pattern and mold.  We went skiing at Mt. Hood.  We helped our boys with downpayments on new cars (the cheapest car on the market - Chevy Aveo), so they can make really low car payments and establish credit.  And work, of course.

I also had a booth at a doll show at the beginning of the month.  While there I saw a Helen Pringle doll, which I just had to have.  She's in great shape.  Her dress is a little faded, but that just adds to her charm.

It's starting to look like Spring around here.  The daffodils are coming up, and we've actually seen the sun.

I had the opportunity to teach my Viola Ruth (Alabama Baby inspired) doll class in Auburn this past weekend, and had a great time.  While the doll is a simple one, making the clay heads and covering them with fabric and multiple layers of paint takes time and patience.  Photos are starting to come in, so check the link below from time to time:

Visit My Photos - 16 Pics
Viola Ruth Class, January 2008

 

I've spent the day getting ready for my "Viola Ruth" class (I'm teaching this weekend in Auburn, Washington).  I hope to have a couple sample torso/heads in various stages of completion, in addition to three completed dolls.  I'm afraid I'm going to forget something crucial.  

We had snow this past weekend en route to Hillsboro to celebrate Christmas with family.  We rarely have snow the coast.  Misty loved it, as you can see below. There were quite a few cars off the road on the way home.