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.

Your dolls are so beautiful. You might try brown paste shoe polish to antique her. :)

Deanna - she is wonderful - as are all your dolls - you know I´m a big fan !:)
hugs Lone

Hi--I have lots of ideas too that I want done now (or last week, actually) and it can be frustrating. To the point where I can't get any work done at all! So I try to keep a list/diary of projects I want to do. At least that way I won't forget.
I have a question about the fabric anniversary journal you did. You said it was bound "accordion style"--can you explain how that is done? Are eyelets involved? I had a terrible time with them last year trying to put a fabric journal together. Finally I made a wrap cover with ribbons for the pages, but I would really like to bind them somehow. Thanks!:)

Hi Sandra,
It's nice to know I'm not alone in this! I'm a huge list person, too. I even use a sort of triage procedure to
prioritize the items on all my lists (I'm an ER nurse, so I have to triage all day long! - It's second nature).
There's just not enough time in the day to do what I want to do. Can't wait to retire...in 20 years.

Regarding your journal question...I've roughly sketched how my journal was set up (emailed to you). I only had time for
8 pages (4 front and back) - they took a lot longer to make than I thought they would! I just decided I could add
more pages each year, if I wanted. You could also bind the pages not as I did, but traditionally - along
the left edge. We've done fabric journals for our doll club this way. That way the pages can be arranged
in any order you want. For the family journal, I chose the accordian fold because I though it would be easier
to add pages later, without having to have the original journal in my possession - just add the next group of
pages to the previous group.

I almost used eyelets, but found my pages just too thick. I used a punch to make neat, uniform holes
through all the layers of each page. While I didn't use an anti-fray product around the holes, you sure
could. Then I used fancy yarn to bind them together (a little loosely). I think I got the punch at JoAnn's
or maybe Michael's crafts.
Here's a link to my journal pages:
http://blueherondolls.com/Fabric%20Journals.htm

I hope this helps,
Deanna

Denna, I love you dolls. I was following the link to making Messy Mix and it lead me to you. Your dolls are wonderful. I think I'm going to give Messy Mix a try.
Doll Hugs,
Sandi