Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Big As Life

During the week before Easter when my friend sent me the box of baby clothes I thought I would be altering them to fit my bears and dolls. I never thought about making bears or dolls to fit the clothes. Among the things she sent is a darling hooded sweater that would be ruined if I tried to cut it down. At first I thought it would fit the doll that was my mother’s when she was a child but it isn’t a good fit so I set it aside and altered two of the dresses making four little dresses for the bears that I showed you in my previous post.
Shortly after finishing the quilt for the little cradle and the little pillows and pillow cases and the mattress pad I was left with nothing to sew. That wouldn’t do because I am trying to justify buying the new sewing machine. I thought and thought about what I could sew and nothing came to mind at first and then I remembered the sweater and that’s when I decided to make a pattern for a larger doll so the little sweater could be put to use.
Most of the dolls I make are 12 inches or smaller so I had to start from scratch with the pattern. The doll I made for the sweater is 30 inches tall. She’s a big girl and I’ve named her Mara after a character is a story my friend Linda wrote. The character in her story was named Splendora Maravilla. Those of you who have been paying attention know that I never make just one of anything so Mara has a little sister named Dora who stands 24 inches tall.

Mara is on the left wearing gray and yellow and Dora standing is wearing gray and purple. The dolls they are holding were made by my sister Maggie.



It looks like they've helped themselves to the candy jar.



Both dolls are sculpted from cotton fabric that I’ve dyed to resemble flesh. Their needle sculpted faces have been colored with a combination of oil pastels and water color pencils.




These are the largest dolls I’ve made and I don’t have plans to making any larger than these two unless I move into a house where they can have their own room. As it is I’m pretty sure I’m going to be buying them a little table and chair set and you know how one thing leads to another…


Close-up so you can see the appliques on thier tops and get a closer look at their sweet little faces. 



Here's Mara wearing that cute little sweater I told you about.

I did spend the day yesterday making underwear to match their little outfits and Sunday I went shopping for socks and shoes for the two of them. I love Mara’s fancy Oshkosh shoes. I also like the looks of the eyelet trim on her pants.


We have been getting more sunny days even though night time temperatures are still in the thirties which is a good sign that spring has sprung.
Have a great day and as always, thanks for stopping by.

21 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Hi Mara & Dora,

Nice to meet you. Bellamine, Wendy and Clarissa are going to be busy teaching you all there is to know (and there is a lot to learn) about living with teddy bears.

Hi Miss Maddyrose,

I've missed reading your posts. Love the new girls, very sweet.

Heaps of Hugs,
Prudence ♥

yoborobo said...

They are so cute! How fun that they fit baby clothes. I am trying to make smaller dolls because they're easier to stuff (and I don't like that part!). xox!

LLA Creations Art Dolls said...

Love the dolls!

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Maddy,
Wow, how LOVELY "Mara and Dora" look♡♡♡ As are the dolls they have; sister's work, isn't it♬♬♬ Wonderful new babies and the look SO happy to wear the dresses.
Oh My!!! You really makes me feel to see how you work for them, I vaguely remember my mother was good at sewing and made me some cute dresses when little. But she became busy working and since then not much to see her using or hearing lovely sound of the machine.

Way to go☆☆☆ Only sad not being able to see your sweet creations in my own eyes.

Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan to my sweet bs in America, xoxo Miyako*


Cobblestone Creations said...

A room just for dolls ~ I LIKE IT! These two turned out splendidly. You should be so proud. xxx

Katy Cameron said...

Hee hee, just one little hoodie and look what happened! I love that they have their own dolls too :oD

Magic Love Crow said...

Your dolls are so beautiful! I truly love them! They all have their own character! Is your house filled with your creations? I just can see your dolls and bears, with their own rooms and tables and beds ;o)
By the way, love that sweater! I want a sweater like that! LOL!

IrelandBrady said...

Mara and Dora are priceless! Everything about them is just enchanting. You are a marvel Maddy Rose!

I can see why you created larger dolls ... that sweater is precious and just fits Mara to a tee! Or should I say Mara fits it to a tee ..... 8)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

They are just the cutest and I love their sweet outfits. It will be fun to dress these big girls...they'll want lots of clothes! heehee! Sweet hugs!

Crystal said...

They all look so cute in their outfits. :-)

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Oh my goodness Ms. Maddy Mara and Dora are just splendid. When last we talked you were in process and look now, they are finished....well clothed and shoed and looking for more to get you into I'm sure. Everything about them is delightful. I'm so flattered that you took the names from the story. You are a peach. Oma Linda

Kays Kids said...

What great girls, I'm sure they are making the boys blush even now. What wonderful long legs, and wouldn't drool for those shoes.
HUGS

pinkglitterfae said...

I think it's great you made the dolls to fit the clothes rather than the other way around, now you have tried a larger one, and look how adorable she turned out! and her wee sis too :-)
glad to hear you've had a few more sunny days, sure makes a difference in people's moods.
I see you mentioned your sis Maggie, that wouldn't be the Maggie from 'off my rocker' blog would it?
hugs
betty

Hill Top Post said...

Maddie, your new, not-so-little girls are marvelous. Wow, at the amount of stuffing that went into these two. You are quite creative with the needle and with pencils and paints. It is good to see that you have been enjoying the new machine.

Jan said...

Your kids are better dressed than many kids I see around! I'll bet they are better behaved too. Well done you! What will you come up with next???
Enjoy this sun while it lasts. So nice.

April said...

HAHAHA! You are JUST AMAZING!!! Making a Gorgeous Doll to Fit the sweater...My Gosh! Mara and Dora are just Beautiful, and I am going to keep my eyes open for more Goodies for the two sisters. Maddy, You are just INCREDIBLE!!! XOXOXOOXOXOOXOXOXO!

Rhissanna said...

Oh my goodness. What gorgeous dolls! They pose so beautifully. Well done on making such a nicely proportioned pattern.

Ascension said...

Hola Mady
Has hecho un fantastico trabajo con esas dos preciosas muñecas, me encantan!!!
Enhorabuena tambien a tu hermana, me gusta mucho su trabajo.
besitos ascension

Lisa said...

And you could get them a play house for the back yard. Maddy, these are amazing. I am still trying to make clothes for a sculpt I made 2 years ago. Just don't have that knack.

thanks so much for stopping by, since I've been AWOL.

xoxox
lisa

Heather said...

These dolls are awesome! I love the large size, but know what you mean about one thing leading to another.
i am glad spring is springing for you!!!!
I am glad for the rain here as i needed to get some work done...it's been so nice, i have wanted to stay outside all day rather than sit at my desk! the rain will help me check a few things off my list!
hugs to YOU xx

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I love soft sculpted dolls...and yours are wonderful! Each with their own personality. Cute as can be! These little people definitely need their own furniture. I have bought two hand done and beautifully painted ones from a woman on ebay. Relic's and Roses I believe her name was. I have bought two sets from her.