This day has been a long time coming and *today* is finally here!!! I am so excited that I can finally share with you something I have worked on, on and off, for a long time. I started beading my first doll, almost one year ago, for a sweet friend whose heart is as big as her talent. Her energy and zest for life spills forth in all she is, everything she does, and all she creates. When you swing by and visit, you can't help but smile and leave with a warmed heart. This doll was made for Monica, from one heart to another. When she arrives in *Sweet Home Alabama* and Monica finally gets to see her, my biggest hope is that it will have made the wait worthwhile. If this gift brings a smile to her face, I will be happy!Her doll is about 7" x 7" and 11" long including the chain and fringe. I made the face from a commercial mold with copper polymer clay, sealed it three times, and stitched the heart form with black wool felt. It is beaded with 15/0, 11/0, 8/0, and 6/0 seed beads. I used black vintage diamond-cut seed beads, two antique french faceted glass sew-on's, vintage nailheads, vintage disc? (I believe) beads, copper beads and leaves, teardrop beads, bugle beads, pillow beads, a hand-crafted copper art deco heart pendant, sequins, and copper chain. I used many Swarovski crystals that were 2 mm round, 6 mm bicone, and 9x6 mm drop beads in copper, olivine, and amethyst.
I have learned so many lessons on this journey! Notes to myself. . .1) Do not tell your friend you are making her a gift. . .let it be a surprise!
2) Do not pick the biggest doll you've made in your tote box and think you can "whip one up in no time" like Grace can!!! ;-) A doll form that is a bit smaller in size would be just as thoughtful!
3) Remember that beading an entire doll with a curved needle is a 'scosh' slower than stitching with a straight needle!
4) Do not begin your doll with thread catchers again, i.e., leaves around the face, etc.!
5) Remember that crystals really can cut your thread!
6) Remember to quit crowding the beads. It really is okay that a 'smidgen' of fabric is showing!
7) Remember that you are not so sure how you feel about 6/0 beads because they seem to have a mind of their own and flop around. Next time you'd like to use these beads, remember the slight conniption fit you began to have when they weren't all lined up nice and straight like they had been and that overwhelming feeling that maybe you should just rip-it-out!
8) Remember that you can not say *yes* to every fun thing you see in blogland when you have prior obligations!
9) Remember to start another (smaller) doll immediately and keep on practicing! ~wink~
Even with some lessons learned...I hope this doll will always bring a smile, be happy in her new home, and 'sparkle' in that southern sunshine!!!
I shared a few different views for you to see. The best shots, again, seemed to be those taken outside. I did share one from the light box.
I also want to share a beautiful gift that I was so fortunate to receive from the talented and thoughtful Recca girls...Cathie and Sabrina! Cathie made *the coolest* peace sign tote bag and Sabrina told her mom that she felt they needed to make a journal to go with the bag too. Cathie made the bag using a giraffe print batik and the peace sign and lining is a beautiful red Kaffe Fassett fabric. Sabrina made and stitched the heart journal! I absolutely LOVE and adore them both! I know they will get rave reviews! Thank you both for sharing your beautiful heart art with me!
Back to stitching and catching up on the BJP. Whatever your plans, I hope you have a great weekend! ~Lisa
