In The Merry Merry Month of May

This is what we did:-

Jo kindly showed us how to do the 'journal' cotton reels.  Elaine brought her beautiful organza flowers project (she'd done a workshop but unfortunately the name of the lady who ran the workshop escapes me at the moment).

These are some of the beautiful wooden reels

some members brought along.

We got talking about making our own stamps from funky foam using the Bigz dies.  I'll bring my BigShot to the June meeting and some dies; I think Pauline said she would bring some dies too?  If you have some funky foam bring it with you if you want to make your own stamps.

Next Meeting Sunday 16th June.

Changes to April's Meeting

Hi everyone, Jo is unable to make it this month as she has realised it clashes with the last day of the York Open Studios.  So just bring along whatever you want to work on.  Jo will do the reel workshop in June.  Perhaps we could do some work on our journals - if you have any pictures/text related to your chosen scheme you could start adding them.
I found the picture of the large reels Jo made.

Does anyone have any spare reels they could bring in June please as I don't have any and don't want to fill loads of bobbins up with one or two colours to free some up.

March's Meeting

Firstly some pics.

Sue's wonderful doll.  Sorry didn't get any details.

This stitched piece and the 2 pics of the journal are Helen's

More from the prolific Jo.

Jo had made some wonderful textile 'reels', both large and small; not sure why the pics weren't in the same file as these, if I find them I'll update this post.  I think most of us were keen to have a go.  Items to bring in April if you want to do the reels are:

Thick paper

Paper scissors

Ruler

Black stamping ink

Stamps

Cotton reels

Colouring medium for the paper

Strong thread

Paper trimmer.

I can't remember whether we need to cut the paper and stitch strips together to fit the reels before the meeting - think we do but I'll check with Jo.  Also machine or hand stitch along the long edges of the paper once the strips are sewn together.

Next Meeting Sunday April 21st.

Things to bring for Saturday - 16th March

Forgot to put this in the last post.  Jo is bringing her Big Shot die-cutting machine and some dies.  I'll be bringing mine to.  So if you'd like to have a go bring some decorative papers and fabric.  It may be a good idea to bring something else along to work on :-)

February's Meeting

Hi ladies, I've got a list of things from Jo for us to bring on Sunday.  This is what she said:
 "you will need the journal you have started, Black pens, and any other pens you like to work with. Any rubber stamps, ideally of a small design that can be used as repeat patterns. Ink pads, papers scissors. If you want to join in but didn't do the journal that's OK just come and play with doodles then apply to a book at a later date".
Don't worry though if you don't have any stamps or inkpads I'm sure there'll be enough to borrow.  Jo will be bringing some and I'll bring some - I've got plenty of ink pads and stamps ;-)
See you Sunday - providing this snow doesn't get worse :-(

October Meeting

The great unveiling of 'The Character who Swallowed a Fly' was postponed till next month as Chris was on holiday.
In November Jo is doing the Journal Painting Class.  If you want to know what to bring please refer to the previous post.  However there are a couple of additions:
£5 to cover the cost of the ink;
Heat resistant or non-stick mats (if you have one) (the type you put in the oven);
If you don't have a heat gun you could bring a hairdryer.a
Bring something to protect your clothing as the ink will stain.
Gloves if you don't want inky hands.
Jo suggests A4 as the largest journal size to bring and should contain 20-40 sheets of good gsm paper - minimum 150gsm.  Pink pig books are Jo's favourite and can be purchased from Amazon.

For info, you can buy them cheaper here http://www.tummybox.com/  (this is the Pink Pig company website) but the minimum order is £20 and I don't know what the postage would be (you can just buy a single one from Amazon with postage included.

Next meeting is Sunday 18th November and is the last one this year.

9th September Meeting

All those involved in the House project brought their completed houses in.  They were all absolutely fabulous, really inspired and such clever ideas.  My camera has died so I was unable to take pics but Chris or Caroline will upload photos showing the houses in all their glory.  The '........... character who swallowed a fly' will be complete by the next meeting so we're all looking forward to seeing more wonderful creations.

In November we are starting a journalling project.  We decided on using 'literature' for a theme; this could be one particular book, an author, quotes etc.  We are preparing the pages in Nov and will start the actual journalling in the new year.
For those who want to take part you will need to bring:
A Journal;
Latex Gloves (if you want to keep your hands ink-free);
Apron;
Stencils, masks, lace - if  you have any that you particularly want to use but Jo will provide plenty of these;
Black waterproof pens for doodling - not permanent markers (Uniball are suitable);
Heat gun (if you have one);
Newspaper or plastic sheets to cover the tables.

Next Meeting: Sat 20th Oct.

July Meeting

The problem with not writing up the blog sooner is I have mislaid any notes I made.  Hopefully those doing the house project know what you need to do before the next meeting.  Those doing the '........................ who swallowed a fly' have to make a cow.  Chris has very kindly provided some patterns via email.

Judith was working on her 'vessel'.

1.      Helen was working on a project
2.  she's had on the go for some time.

 

 

This is Elaine's 'embellished' coathanger to enter into the Ryedale Show.

Jo being her usual prolific self brought lots for us to look at.













Here's Sue working on her 'bird from a lightbulb'

Next Meeting: Sat 9th Sept.
Dates for other meetings are now confirmed by Tina and are:
Sat 20th Oct
Sun 18th Nov
(None Dec)
Sat 19th Jan
Sun 17th Feb
Sat 16th Mar
Sun 21st Apr
Sat 18th May
Sun 16th Jun
Sat 20th Jul

May Meeting

House Project
The houses should be completed by June.  Embellishments/adornments may be added, such as: weathervane; chimney; wildlife; conservatory; gardent furniture; trellis; drainpipes; swing etc.  The next stage will be to make a person/figure; this doesn't necessarily need to fit in the house.

Old 'Person' Who Swallowed a Fly
A bird and cat needs to be completed by June.  These should be  in the style of the fly and spider - eg 2D, 3D, knitted, etc

In May we did a surface treatment technique.  This involved painting Bondaweb, ironing it onto fabric and adding transfer foil, threads, pieces of organza.

Chris and Shirley had done a batik workshop and brought their work in to show us

Click on the images for a larger view.

 
Here are some pics taken in March which I forgot to show.  A fabulous frog from Pauline (sorry I've forgotten what it's called), quilting and a wonderful stump figure from Chris and a sample of a scissor keeper (I think) which Judith is producing as a kit for the Embroider's Guild for something or other - apologies, this shows I should write things down!

 

Someone made a comment that they love coming to the Dollybirds group as it makes them feel normal haha.

Next Meeting - Sunday 17th June, when we will be making the bird from a lightbulb.  Refer to last month for a list of items to bring.

April's Meeting

Chris was away so her daughter came to do the swaps for both projects, so thanks to her for that.
I'm sorry I didn't take note of where the house people should up to be by the next meeting but if anyone in that group would like to add that info please do.  For the 'person and fly' people they need to bring in the doll, completed fly and spider and the journal.  Chris had sent in pattern and instructions for making the fly and bird along with completed samples but feel free to do your own version.

We are doing two projects in May; for the 'Surface Treatment' we need the following:
Colouring medium - paints; koh-i-noor; etc
Bondaweb
Calico - size not specified
Baking parchment
Transfer foil

For the 'Bird' we need:
Wire - 14 guage (think Chris may bring this I'll check) but if anyone wants to bring their own they will need a piece 27" long to make legs for the bird
Light bulb
Wire cutters
Black permanent marker
Ruler
Pliers
Masking tape
Wire mesh - 4"x4" (this is to form the wings and tail which will then be covered with paperclay)
Olive oil - this is just to rub a bit into your hands when mixing the Apoxie Sculpt which Chris is bringing
Paperclay/air drying clay
Gesso
Acrylic paints (I'm going to decoupage my bird)
Mod Podge - this is to coat the completed bird to protect the paint so if you have something else that will do the same job, bring that.

Next meeting Saturday 19th March

February meeting

I didn't take any photos at feb's meeting.  Lots of people had brought in stump dolls for inspiration for the 'Old Lady who swallowed the Fly' project.  Jo had been her usual prolific self and brought in some fantastic altered books.  If anybody else brought anything to show I'm sorry I can't remember, Feb's meeting seems so long ago haha.
For the March meeting those involved in the Lady and Fly project need to bring in: a completed head (left open at the bottome); a jounal; a piece of paper with own name on and the first line of the rhyme, indicating what type of creature/person they are doing; eg 'there was an old 'witch' who swallowed a fly'.  If anyone uses any 'found' objects in there project the objects must be altered in some way.
I don't know any specifics for the group involved in the house project, so, Chris, if you read this can you do a post of anything relevant for that group.
Next meeting 24th March.

January Meeting

Most people had completed their 'Bridal Panels'  It's always amazing and wonderful how different everybody's work is.   Hope I've got the correct names with corresponding panels.

Shenagh

Jo

Mary

                                                                                                             Pauline

Tina

                                                                                                             Chris

Judith

                                                                                                Marlene

Anne

                                                                                                                  Sue

Shirley

Judith made a wonderful mouse pincushion as a gift for a friend.

Chris started off one of the current challenges; the other one will begin in March.  If you've forgotten any instructions for the first challenge please email Chris as we are not putting too many details on here to begin with.  The other challenge will start in March but leading up to that Chris is going to do a workshop in February on heads.  For those who want to join in the workshop please bring calico, stuffing and sewing machine.  Anyone who can't bring a machine because they travel by public transport (or walk?) will have access to a machine as several people will be bringing theirs.

Jo needs 1000 small black buttons for a project - shirt button size or slightly larger only please.

Chris brought in several magazines and Pauline 2 books for people to help themselves to.

Next meeting is Sunday 19th February.

Happy New Year

A bit late posting since Nov meeting.  Chris set a challenge to be completed by the Jan meeting, anyone who doesn't comlete theirs has to paya forfeit in the form of teaching a class.  The challenge as you know is to do a wedding panel.  I won't type it all out again I just hope nobody has lost their instructions.  I haven't even begun mine and only have an idea for the theme; I hope I'm not the only one who hasn't started yet!
Chris also set a couple of other challenges: one which involves passing the project on as each stage is completed, this is based on 'There was an old woman who swallowedd a fly'; the other is the house challenge.  I won't bother with the details here, I'll leave it till they're ready to begin.
Hope everyone had a lovely time at Christmas and New Year :-)
Next meeting 21st Jan.

Dates for your diary

Dates for meetings September 2011 through to July 2012 are:

Saturday 24 September

Sunday 23 October

Saturday 19 November

Sunday 11 December

Saturday 21 January

Sunday 19 February

Saturday 24 March

Sunday 22 April

Saturday 19 May

Sunday 17 June

Saturday 21 July

Mug Rugs and other stuff

At June's meeting Tina showed us how to make mug rugs.  Tina, Chris, Pauline and I completed one each; well Chris did have a little bit of hand stitching to do on the binding.

Top left is Tina's, top right Chris's, bottom left mine (Anne's) bottom right Pauline's.

Helen, Pauline, Chris and I brought in some completed canvas postcards, (I intended to photograph mine at home but haven't done so yet, I'll add the pics at a later date) Pauline had sent one to Chris as agreed at the last meeting.  I think one of Chris's is complete the other is a WIP. 

Jo had made a fantastical bird to fit one pair of the many fairy shoes she has made, and also brought in 2 more pairs of fairy shoes and an incredible altered book.

Sheenagh brought in her delightful 'Doll in the Style of Julie Arkell' and a paper shoe in it's own box

Jo had also made a mini quilt for some project (sorry I can't remember the details)

The date of the next meeting is Saturday 23rd July.  It will be a do as you please day unless I hear to the contrary from Chris.  Please check back just before the next meeting to make sure.