What I've Been Up To........

Been quiet lately, only because I've been so busy with orders etc and all the end of year stuff, this time of year is always hectic for most.

I had a nice surprise this week, I received 'Just Steampunk' magazine, (never heard of it) and my Time Keeper was in there, lots of eye candy in there too.

My Tatania is in the current Soft Dolls & Animals.

 

I also made 2 new Isabo dolls, one of my most popular patterns-

 These are for sale and would make lovely gifts.

I have listed many items on Ebay  (after a very long time)-

http://shop.ebay.com.au/merchant/michellesbambole

and I have added many items to my Etsy store-  

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=17643 

Please have a peek, there are great gift ideas and many back & current issue of Dolls, Bears & Collectables and Soft Dolls & Animals, Dolls, Ornaments, E-Patterns, Kits and more

Well wishing you all the best with all your holiday planning...............

Winter & Photo Enhancement

What do you think of my latest blog background, I really like this one, it looks very Spring time, which is what I can't wait for............we're in the middle of a cold, windy Winter and never had this before but it's really playing havoc with my osteo arthritis I must be getting really old, haven't even felt like designing anything lately.

I have been playing with my photos and Adobe Photoshop- using different filters I changed the look of these photos, it's addictive, I could sit here for hours....

Variations of Emelio-                                  Filter- Art Edges             

 

Filter- Art pencil

 

Two Masks I was commissioned to make with paper mache and assorted fabrics, wire and trims-

                                                        Filter- Glowing Edges   
                                 

Filter- Dry Brush

Here's one more for now.....

                                                         Rianna- Filter- Solarised

 

Almost forgot to mention, a local newspaper is running a story on me in the next weeks, this morning my dolls & I had a lovely photo shoot....

STEAMPUNK - TIME KEEPER

I just completed  my latest creation, he is my Time Keeper, I think he's complete, my son tells me the clock needs more, Steampunk style- Art Doll, with a working clock.

I like it just as it is, what do you think?

I found a lot of steampunk bits & pieces- clock gears etc, on etsy and at 

dollar saver stores.......I really love the little steampunk look owl on the front of his vest.

 

Here is a pic of the inside, a collage of some time themed items.

    

NEW PATTERN -CHRISTMAS ELVES- PIPPA & OLIVER

My Christmas Elves- Pippa & Oliver are now available as a pattern (and a E-Pattern).

Their height is 39 cm (15 ½"), they have needle sculptured faces, they are richly embellished girl & boy elves.

They have wired legs and fingers. The pattern has instructions for elves, 2 outfits, accessories, decorating & mounting dolls on stand. LEVEL-Beginner- Intermediate

Here are some pics. I'm really pleased in how they turned out and I love the stand, what do you think?

Apart from creating little characters, a lot of you my know, life has been a little hectic lately with my son Robert is in hospital, got his hip replacement, he is improving so much everyday, when he had the op on Tues (Oct.19) they gave him the option of having full knockout or an epidural, he chose epidural.........he described every detail of the 3 hr op, from the drilling, sawing & hammering to seeing the bone they cut off.............gives me the shivers.

First few days were hard for him, now he is getting stronger and the pain killers have kicked in, he has been pushing himself to walk (with crutches) they are amazed at how well he's doing, he just wants to get out of there.

NEW CHRISTMAS ELVES- PIPPA & OLIVER

I've just completed my NEW CHRISTMAS ELVES- PIPPA & OLIVER-
They are 2 very cute, TOY MAKER ELVES- 39cm (15 ½”) Tall.
 As you know my hubby and I have been doing a lot of work around the house, (never ends) well a few weeks ago we landscaped our front yard, we pulled out the jungle that was there and just left a few favourites, at the moment the new plants are small so it doesn't look like much.

They will brighten any home, both have Needle sculpted faces, wired fingers to hold toys and gifts, wired legs and they can be mounted on a stand.

This is my new pattern and E-pattern, it will be available in the next week or so..... 

Most of the new plants are roses, if you haven't guessed yet I love roses, a few are blooming already but when they grow a bit I will share more pics with you, are there any rose lovers out there?
Here is a plant we've had in the garden for about 10 years, it's an Australian native and is very drought resistant, I don't know it's name though, I was going to pull it out but it has put on such a show I couldn't do it..............last year it flowered for the 1st time, 1 long flower, this year it has 5!

What I'm up to....

Just took some up to the minute photos of our pizza oven & new BBQ area, hubby and I (he is the official builder and I'm the measurer, line marker & level checker!) have been working on this for months, it seems and sometimes it feels like we're the blind leading the blind, but it looks like it's finally coming together nicely.........

On the doll making side of things, I am preparing the workshop for Gwynee Fennyman, stay tuned for details.

I have also started a new piece called the 'Time Keeper'.

GWYNEE FENNYMAN is here

I have put the finishing touches to my latest doll, here she is.............



Gwynee Fennyman is the wife of Mr Fennyman, she is an Elf from the Narlyan Forest, they have shared a life together for many years.......
Her face has a cloth overlay applied, with a sculptured features including eyelids, nose and mouth, her hands are also sculpted and she's holding a tiny bird.

Latest Activities

Can't believe we are halfway though April already, as usual everyday life has been hectic. I haven't done much designing in the past few months.
What I have been doing is working on Mrs Gwynee Fennyman, I just have to add the finishing touches and she will be complete, here is a quick peek. Here she is with Mr Fennyman....

For a while now my husband has wanted to build a outdoor pizza oven, for the last 2 years we've said we'll have it done for our son's 21st birthday, well that's in June,

so we finally made a start this week, so far we've knocked down half of the BBQ to make room for the pizza oven, here is the start of the base....

I have also began we doing our front yard, so far I have cut down unwanted plants, still a lot to do.....

I have been playing with photos, photoshop and another photo enhancing program, can't recall the name, I'll have to find it, it has the ability of turning a photo into a drawing and much more....

Here are some photos taken when we went for a holiday to Terrigal, on the Central Coast of N.S.W.

These are of the same photo-
I will put more pics up soon........

POPPINS PATTERN AVAILABLE

The 'Poppins- Cone Puppets' pattern is now ready to purchase, they are such fun to make, you will love them.

The pattern has many step by step photos (in colour if ordering E-Pattern version) and clear instructions.

Great to decorate your home, your tree or give as a special gift.

Can be made in Christmas colours or any colour combination for all year eye candy.

For more details please email me at-

michelledolls2000@yahoo.com.au

Latest On line Workshop

My latest workshop is Mr Fennyman a 34cm (14") tall elf, he is made of paper clay over cloth, and is seated on a mushroom. There's six lessons in this class, you'll learn how to apply the paper clay over cloth to build up his features, how to make his elaborate costume, and learn how to build his base with those great little mushrooms. This is a fabulous class to take with tons to learn!
Class just started but if you would like to join in click on-
http://tinyurl.com/cygacw

Latest News

Happy New Year, it's already February 1st , it looks like this year is going to fly by too.
I have finished writing my Zodiacs pattern, (more pics below), email me if you would like to order it or for enquiries at-
michelledolls2000@yahoo.com.au

Make one of each star sign and you will have great gifts ready for that special one.

I have updated my web site recently, have a peek and let me know what you think- http://www.mmunzonedesigns.com

Latest Workshops-


FINEUS, will be starting soon, he is a very adorable elf, lots of techniques in this workshop.
More info- http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=7081165443708&Store_id=235&page_id=23&Item_ID=1395





ENCHANTED TREE & FAIRIES, workshop is running and you
can still sign up, lots of techniques on tree building from
making the armature to attaching the leaves and making two
gorgeous little fairies that live in the tree.

More info- http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=4351121323824351&Store_id=235&page_id=23&Item_ID=1377

LOCAL WORKSHOPS:
For anyone in SYDNEY, I have 'live' workshops starting Feb 11, night or day classes, at MACARTHUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, in the Liverpool area.

Unleash your creativity while you develop your skills.

Techniques, fabrics and finishing choices will result in unique art dolls. Doll making experience not required but basic sewing skills necessary.

The workshops is 2 hours per week for 8 weeks, in the time we will complete 2-3 dolls or sets of dolls.
First project for this term is my Mix & Match Pixies, for more info- https://www.macarthurcc.com.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Macarthur.woa/wa/search.shtml?find=NEW!!!&addModule=DA1103-12&page=2

Scroll down to the bottom of page, my workshops are called-

DOLLMAKING as an ART

Hope you can join me....................

LATEST NEWS on CLASSES

ORIANA is a Gorgeous Jester Girl- Height 16” (41cm) Class due to start Feb. 15, 2008- more details, click on-
http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/classes/oriana.htm

MR. FENNEYMAN is a grumpy old Elf,
He spends his days sitting on his favourite mushroom, smoking his pipe.
Class starts- March 14, 2008 for more details click on-
http://www.classheaven.com/mr_fenneyman.htm


The BEADED DOLL CLASS (6 dolls) is still running, you can join for a while longer, more details click on- http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/classes/michelle_beaded_doll_class.htm

All my workshops have clear instructions and directions, all supported by many drawings and many, full colour photos along the way. I will answer all questions you have during the workshop and long after the class is over and you can work at your own pace.
Enquiries please email me at- michelledolls2000@yahoo.com.au