Thursday 16 June 2011

More challenges and playing with dolls.....

Good morning everybody, Mrs Grumpy here again today, after another bad night. I suppose, to see it positively, having a bad night makes you want to get up, so that's some thing anyway.
Yesterday I got some work done on 2 challenges, for the *Dragons Dream*, where the dragon is dreaming of numbers, and for The Craft Room Challenge , where the ladies are playing with dolls.
For the dragon I made a tag with a collage of numbers:



And for the Craft Room girls I dug out some old dressing up dollies which were cut out of a magazine in Israel in the 60s I think, perhaps earlier. They are very tatty, and have been played with a lot, one has a sewn on head, and the other a sewn on knee!! I have put the dolls onto a simple cardboard background, reminsicent of sandy beaches, sun and sea, with a very simple decoration, so as not to distract from the dolls. I think they are actually meant to be boy and girl, but I have just clothed them with the pieces I still have....


Here they are *as they are*

And here in their trouser suits....

This looks like summer dresses for playing....



And these were the last 2 things I found, pajamas and dressing gown, and some sort of winter clothes.
The tabs which hold the clothes onto the dollies are mostly torn, as is one of the trouser legs, but I will mend them before putting them away again.

And some of you may remember Tee's well traveled torso? Well, not Tee, but the one she sent me. Any way, she had a few days rest, so I got around to dressing her yesterday.
First I mod-podged her and stuck a layer of crumpled tissue all over for *undies*. Then I dolled her up with some pink paper from India, a piece of hand made silk from Julie in Australia, lace and a flower from June, some ribbon and roses out of my stash, and some music sheets printed from a freebie. And her belt was tied round a bottle of bubble bath! And here she is. I have called her Mrs T. Orso:
I hope you like her. If you have any suggestions, let me hear them! I wanted to give her a nice feather, too, but have to find one first....


And last but not least, as a contrast programme, I made another card for *less is More*, as I at last found my embossing folder with the frame....


Okay, that was it for today. Now I am going to start painting something green....Have a nice day, take care, and thanks for looking!

50 comments:

  1. You have been a busy bunny!
    I love your frame folder and your card is charming!
    Thanks so much for this second submission.
    Chrissie
    Lady LIM
    "Less is More"

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  2. A wonderful variety of goodies from you this morning Valerie. Mrs T Orso is beautifully dressed. The dolls are great - love how they've been stitched back together. Enjoy your day. xx

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  3. Goodness me! Another busy creative day for you then! When Kim chose the theme of altered paperdolls for Craft-Room Challenge I don't think any of us imagined that anyone would have some and if they did would be generous enough to share them with us for the challenge. Your little pair are adorable and so many outfits you have for them what a vintage treasure. Thank you for sharing these with us at Craft-Room Challenge.

    There is also your fantastic numbers tag! This is a style that is very appealing with the layers of numbers. so much detail and interest love it. Thank you for sharing this with us at Dragon's Dream TIO

    Mrs T Orso how fabulous is she? reminds me of a 1920's flapper with her gorgeous costume, a feather will be perfect.

    And if that was not all enough a beautiful LIM card clean and crisp. Love it.

    So looking forward to seeing tomorrow's Green is it something for the Paint Friday group?

    XOXO Zoe

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  4. What a very busy lady... I love the collage numbers tag, you really had a great play there.. thanks for dreaming with us on my blog
    Frankie
    xx

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  5. Fabulous work again Valerie. Loving Mrs T.Orso - you've dressed her very nicely. :)
    I remember having dress up paper dolls - wonder what happened to them?
    Hugs xx

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  6. I love your paper dollies - had some of those, too! If my DD sees your mrs T.Orso she will be sceaming *Iwannit!* so I'd better get off here quickly! Have a great day, Hugs, Sarah

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  7. Love your 'Less is more' card.
    You have made the embossing look really pretty and effective :)

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  8. Thanks for taking the time to enter our challenge again
    your style is so very unique and yet you fit our challenges perfectly
    Thank you!
    Diva LIM mandi
    "Less is More"

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  9. My Don't have too many sleepless nights lol I can hardly keep up with all this craft in one day ;0)

    The paper dolls are too cute and you still have them with clothes (very cool)

    The tag with numbers is awesome to as is the KIS I like that very much

    love Dawn xx

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  10. Again I am in awe of the sheer amount of production which happens in your crafty kitchen in one day. You would have done well being 'paid by the piece' ;o). Don't know where to begin. The tags are spendificilous! Very juicy and oh so interesting in the detail. Your dollies ... well I'm in love. Such gorgeous vintage beauties. The torso .. She's feeling very proud isn't she, the feather will put her over the top! Love the less is more card .. red and white always make a wonderful statement and the embossing is perfect for the task at hand. You had a wonderful day. Hope the coffee has kicked in by now and you are up and running at full speed with a smile on your face. Take care and hope you have a better night. hugs from Mexico, Donna

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  11. Hi
    Plenty of goodies on display today.
    The detail on your tag is immense, amazing work.
    I have noted down the altered doll challenge and hope I get a chance to take part as it looks such fun and it has been a couple of months since I last made an art doll. Love your cuties.
    What do you have in store for us tomorrow?
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  12. My you have been a busy bee! Love all your creations and thank you for entering our altered doll challege at craft room challenge. Nikki DT

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  13. Such an amazing amount of goodness to ponder... if I had to pick a fave it would be the #s... love the colors and variety in there. The torso is vying for hte #1 spot as well.... oooooh, decisions, decisions! Hope oyu have another creative day today.

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  14. WOW! You've been a super busy girl! All of your projects are beautiful and the detail of your paper dolls is amazing! The dress for is a beauty and it has to be my favorite!

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  15. I love your torso's name. And her frock is so pretty! Do like the silk ;-). I have a little models doll which I fancy dressing up. You've inspired me!

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  16. WOW, you have been SO busy, and I LOVE everything you've been doing- my favorites are those numbers GORGEOUS (!) and your traveling torso is wonderful too- wonderful work!
    I never sleep well on full moon weeks and it always makes me a little grumpy too.
    Have a great day!

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  17. Your so creative and productice love your old paper dolls just like some of the images on my dressmaking patttens lol
    Mrs T looks set for a garden party if the rain keeps off for long enough .
    Sweet folder for the LIM challenge :)
    Von x

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  18. Oh wow, I love it all! And I adore what you did with the torso--and love her name too!!! So precious!
    XO
    Cindy

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  19. You truly are the Queen of collage! Those tags are awesome, loved your dress up dolls and CAS card. Mrs. T looks fabulous! Have a great day.

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  20. My gosh, what a FUN post today!!! Love your tags... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your paper dolls!!!... and Mrs T. Orso is lovely! I've thought about making a dress form of sorts out of a dish soap bottle, but Heaven only knows WHEN I'll get to that. I'm pretty busy with swaps at the moment. They are so much fun, but I think I'll resist signing up for more next month. I need a break to just do my own thing.. whatever I feel like, be it crafting, baking, or maybe NAPPING! (0; Have a great day! ~tina

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  21. So creative Val! I like your #'s Tag! And your paper dolls are so cute! And that they are old make them so much better! I used to have a slew of paper dolls when I was a little girl, and Barbie dolls.
    They Have all disappeared over the years! Shame. Makes me think I should of put some of my sons toys up in a keepsake box!
    Well anyway the T Torso is my fave because of her history, and you have made her Very Pretty in Pink & Blue! And yes a feather would top her off! Love & Hugs,Tee

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  22. wow you have been busy loving your latest creations

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  23. WOW! You are one busy lady! So many awesome and fun creations! Love them all...and the dress form turned out amazing!

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  24. Paper dollies . . . bring back lots of memories for me. My sister loved to play with them but I just liked to cut them out. You see, I am imagination lacking; that's why I relish in the inspiration from others, like you Valerie.

    Your mannequin is certainly dressed to the hilt.

    Carolyn

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  25. I love this pair and all their outfits, they're quite nostalgic, and the dressing gown reminds me of one I used to have as a little girl. Thanks for joining in at Craft-Room Challenge, good luck and hope you become a regualar here. Julia xxx

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  26. Wow, you've made some gorgeous things! I love the paper dolls, and so many outfits! I like your other things as well, particularly how you've done Mrs T Orso. Thanks for joining us at the Craft-Room Challenge and good luck. Maria x

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  27. your dolls are just darling as is the wonderful dress form.

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  28. Fabulous work again Valerie. Your paper dolls brought back a lot of very fond memories. Thank you for joining us at Craft-Room Challenge.
    xxx Hazel.

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  29. those dress up dolls are so cute, with that vintage look.

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  30. My, oh my, you have been busy. The creative juices were really flowing. Firstly, love the collaged numbers tag. So much dimension. The paper dolly, they remind me of my childhood. Mrs T Orso is fantastic. Thanks for joining us on the TIO challenge this week dreaming numbers.
    Wanda xx

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  31. Am totally impressed by the amount of crafting you get done in such a short time. All fabby work Valerie. Annette x

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  32. Fabulous collage tag. You have been very productive and made some lovely work. Thank you so much for joining us this week at DragonsDream TIO.

    Janet xx

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  33. Fabulous post! Love your tags...and you've dressed up Ms T. Orso rather cute! I remember playing with "paper dolls" when I was a little girl. We spent a great amount of time making the outfits they would wear. I don't even think they make anything like that anymore....sad!
    My Card

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  34. Fantastic pieces, it realy is a treat to visit your blog. I love your dress up dolls, I remember playing with similar dolls many many years ago. The torso looks amazing as well. Yvonne xx

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  35. Must be something in the air, I had a bad night last night too.

    Fabulous tags and those art dolls are precious. I just have to get that embossing folder you used for your Less is More Card, love it! Hope your day is going well :)

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  36. My oh my... you have been very busy, WOW! :]
    All these creations are fantastic.
    Great job, you are very inspiring.
    Take care <3

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  37. WOW val, you have been busy again, I just don't know how you have the time AND the ideas...

    brill, well done, love them all...

    maria xx

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  38. Well you have been truly busy! Amazing collage! All of your projects are just wonderful!

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  39. Marvelous paper dolls!! Love them, vintage is wonderful. Your altered torso would look fab with a giant feather! Fantastic work and thanks for joining us at the Craft Room Challenge, please come back again. Kim xx

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  40. You have been so busy! I especially love your numbers tag - the numbers are glorious! thank you for dreaming with us this week.

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  41. Wow, you are one busy lady! All your projects are really beautiful. Love especially your collage of numbers!

    Have a lovely weekend!
    Hugs, Gaby

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  42. Fantastic crafty pieces :)
    Love your LIM card, so simple and pretty :)
    Jenny x

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  43. Lots and lots of beautiful work here - love your torso

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  44. Busy you have been :-) Love the vintage paper dolls- especially the pj's what fun, thanks for joining us at CRC Debi x

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  45. Deine Kreativität ist wirklich bewundernswert, tolle Werke hast du gezaubert.

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  46. Hi you've done some gorgeous projects,
    lovely to see so old and now altered paper dolls.
    Thank you for sharing with us at
    Craft-Room Challenge, hope to see you again, good luck;-))m

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  47. WOW !!!! love your tag and your paper dolls
    Janet x

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  48. Who's been a busy bee again this week lol. Fab tag love the background. And Mrs Orso is ace! Thanks for sharing your dream with us this week. Love Elizabeth x

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  49. Fabulous projects one and all. Love your number tag. really like how you have treated each number differently.
    Jen x

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