Saturday, February 6, 2010

Just Gorjuss

If you love the art of Suzanne Woolcott here is a link to her Gorjuss artwork , she has the greatest sentimental values to display with her little ones. It's almost Valentines Day already and the new year is well on it's way. Since most of us haven't quite gotten cabin fever from being inside (Baby it's just toooo cold outside) I'm sure there's plenty of crafting and dollmaking to show off. Let us see what you've been up to.


gorjuss Art

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Just a little Raggedy Ann History

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I've always wondered where these fabulous dolls originated and now I know the rest of the story. If you know any more information on these please add to it by posting.
DOLL HISTORY



Raggedy Ann
Raggedy Ann is a fictional character created by American writer Johnny Gruelle in a series of books he wrote and illustrated for young children. Raggedy Ann--a rag doll with red yarn hair--was created in 1915 as a doll, and was introduced to the public in the 1918 book, Raggedy Ann Stories. A doll was also marketed along with the book to great success. In 1920, Raggedy Andy Stories introduced the character of her brother, Raggedy Andy, dressed in a sailor suit and hat.

Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, when she brought him an old hand-made rag doll and he drew a face on it. Her name comes from a combination of two poems--"The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie."

Marcella died at age 13 after being vaccinated at school for smallpox without her parents' consent. Authorities blamed a heart defect, but her parents blamed the vaccination. Gruelle became an opponent of vaccination, and the Raggedy Ann doll was used as a symbol of the anti-vaccination movement.

Raggedy Ann dolls were originally hand-made. Later, PF Vollman, a Gruelle book publisher, made the dolls. In 1935, Vollman ceased operations and Ann and Andy were made by Expotion Dolls.

Gruelle's home town, Arcola, Illinois, is home to the annual Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival, as well as the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum.

Raggedy Ann was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2002. Raggedy Andy joined her in 2007.

Monday, December 28, 2009

A New Year Upon Us

As we end the year 2009 , 2010 is just a few days away. As I look back 2009 wasn't a bad year just different from all the rest. I noticed this economy slump much more than previous years our country has incurred. Maybe because I am in business for myself and the orders were slower than in previous years.
I do know that Americans still have their sports and hobbies even though the money is tight. It helps us keep our sanity so ladies and gentlemen " CRAFT ON " I know it takes me miles away from any problems just sitting down and sewing my baby dolls.
We keep our hopes and dreams for a fantastic new year in our inner vision with high expectations for all.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

HUGS IN SOUTH CAROLINA



As we approach the month of December the HUGS project is getting ready to distribute the Babies and Bears by Dinky Baby Pattern's designed by Vicki Riley. We are excited each year to see our group of Volunteer Doll Makers grow and add to this cause. If you would like to read about the HUGS Project there are links to follow and the patterns for these dolls can be found on my website http://www.barefootannie.com/  To read stories written by Dinky baby lovers go to this blog and enjoy. There are women and men all over the world that love making these adorable dolls and these stories tell what they mean to them.
http://www.welovedinkybabies.blogspot.com/

Friday, November 13, 2009

Free Doll Patterns


I know sometimes you want to try different type dolls but with the economy money is limited. Here is a link to numerous free doll patterns to print and try. Some you may want to use as Holiday Gifts for those special little ones.
http://www.clothdollconnection.com/FreePatterns.html

I personally want to try the Waldorf dolls they have a simplicity about them that make them appealing. Try one and send me photos to add to the Blog of any of your work. My email is norastockman@yahoo.com
Isn't this doll just adorable.



Here is a link to a small Waldorf Bunting Doll, really simple to make   http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/waldorfbuntingdollfreeproject.html

Here are links to the larger Waldorf type dolls
http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/FreeProjectDollHeadDirections.html  for the head

http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/FreeProjectDollBodyDirections.html  for the body

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Doll to get Approval

I have made the prototype Annie style doll with the Hospital gown it should hopefully get approval and those that had rather make this type doll for HUGS will be able to do so. It is a basic 15 inch Annie but the legs and feet are joined as one piece all the doll is done in one color. The joints of the arms and legs are sewn across (at elbows and knees) to give it a soft hugable effect. The gown is a one piece and takes less than 1/8 of a yard of fabric to make. I will post photos on my Piccasa Gallery. Be sure to take a look to see how easy this one will be. You may have 1/4 yard of fabric in this doll  and maybe less for wider fabrics. They will be stuffed with polyfill and later a PDF or a link will be provided for the doll and gown pattern.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Dolls For HUGS

In talking with my daughter I think what she has in mind is making these babies from Muslin fabric in different skin colors then letting the children use Crayons to add faces and hair styles to their own doll giving them an activity to do while in the hospital. Maybe even a Raggedy Ann type doll .So basically all you will do it cut out the fabric , sew , stuff , close the body and mail all your babies to her.
All the names of contributing Doll Makers are put in our local newspaper and on a note inside the bag with each gift. An easy way to give smiles and a gift to a sick child. She was hoping to include a Childrens Burn Center this year but we don't have the helpers this year to be able to do that. Hopefully that HUGS will grow and be able to touch many more little lives.
She also needs small Fleece blankets 18x18 inch and any Crocheted or Knitted caps in Preemee sizes for these babies.
The parents I have talked to during this year that had a child in the hospital and received one of our babies and bears were eternally grateful and told us how special this was to them. Any questions just email me norastockman@yahoo.com or my daughter's email can be found on her My Space HUGS page. The free patterns can be found on the post before this one. The final pattern will be announced once it is approved by the Hospital.