Saturday, December 31, 2011

 I am so thrilled at how the doll that Q helped to design turned out!

I really have to give her props for prompting me into dreaming her up. 
Even though, as my daughter keeps reminding me, she doesn't like dolls. 

"Oh, mommy, I really love the doll that you made...for someone," she said this morning, tactfully reminding me with her phrasing that while she has enjoyed having a hand in the design, she is not about to back down from her anti-doll stance anytime soon!

Here is the doll before I clothed her. I stitched a heart with vintage silk thread under her dress, even though it is covered by her clothing in the finished product.
 Isn't she sweet?
 I love how drowsy and dreamy she is, the way she flops.

Her clothing was made with scraps of cotton homespun, satin ribbon, bits of vintage t-shirt, and repurposed parts from a ballet tutu.

I have to admit I never really understood rag dolls until now.
In fact, I was terrified by the raggedy anne that some family friend gave as a gift when I was very small, and which my mother propped (all unknowing) at the end of my bed until I was old enough to firmly object.
Maybe it was my fear of raggedy anne and andy that resulted in my inability to appreciate rag dolls all these years. Although, oddly enough, I have always admired (and often illustrated) redheads. In fact I would like to be one in my next life!
 So let this mark the start of my new appreciation for rag dolls as an art form. 
Good thing I just happened to have a yard or two of homespun left over in my project box!
And good thing that I have a daughter with a rampant imagination, ready to inspire with new ideas at every turn!
 I hope to be trying my hand at some more rag dolls in the future, if I can find the time between jobs (or during movie nights, as I did with this one!).
 I'll just have to order a few more yards of homespun, and break out the rest of my vintage thread collection (I love the wooden spools!) and the basket of vintage fabric scraps that my mother sent from Woodstock!
 Q standing proud with the design she helped to create. 

It's our first real collaboration...
but most likely not our last!

Welcome, 2012!!!!

Friday, December 30, 2011

 For the new year...a new doll in progress, made at the request of my daughter! 
...my daughter who does not like dolls.
She doesn't want to keep it, I think she just wanted to see me make it. 
So this doll will be in the shop as soon as I decide how to dress her.
 She is by far the largest doll I've ever made - about 24" tall. 
She is made from 100% homespun cotton, and entirely stitched by hand (yes, every stitch!) 
Her features are embroidered with thread from my vintage thread collection, and her hair is of mohair yarn. Q picked out the hair color, thread color and dimensions.
 I am quite fond of her, and can't wait to find the time to make her clothes!

Friday, December 23, 2011


...from Maia, Mike and Flynn Q !!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

 I just got in some Japanese paper clay - a wonderful medium! And there is a new doll in the shop, Isabelle!
 She is just 6" tall and light as a feather, jointed with wire. Her hair is hand-sewn from mohair, her dress from vintage lace (her polka dot leotard peeks out from underneath) and she wears an aged bronze necklace with a tiny, vintage bell from India.
OOPS...already SOLD!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Dream Journal is live today! I'm delighted to be a contributor and cover artist for this issue. I also had the opportunity to do a little interview on the blog, so check it out!!
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.dreamerjournal.com

Saturday, December 3, 2011



Marie, creator of the lovely blog Croix de Provence and designer of the Paris-based children's clothing line Le Carrousel (Q and I are big fans!) currently has a gift selection up on the French site kidZcorner, and she has been sweet enough to include my Audrey paper doll among her selections!
Check out her kidZcorner selection here!!!
And while you're at it, check out one of MY personal favorites from this holiday season, the Voute CĂ©leste skirt from Le Carrousel. Yes, Q will be wearing it this holiday season!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

 There's a new mouse in the house...Innes, the smallest Christmas mouse!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011



New in the shop today, "The Hatter",  the first in a new series I've started depicting children playing at an Alice in Wonderland tea party.
This series was inspired by a family I grew up with in upstate New York, a family whose children staged the most wonderful and elaborately-costumed plays.   
Many thanks to Barbara for providing the photos that help inspire my Tea Party series!

Friday, November 25, 2011

BLACK FRIDAY!!

Today through Cyber Monday, use COUPON CODE ThankYou10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order from my Etsy shop. Free or discounted shipping continues throughout the shop on various items, so check the shipping costs for your location!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

 New items and holiday specials all over The Voyagers Etsy Shop this week! 
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Free shipping in the USA on all 8.5" x 11" art prints AND on all original illustrations! Also look for discounted shipping outside the US, and discounted shipping on all art dolls, artist bears, clothing, and limited edition prints!


Thursday, November 17, 2011



Monday, November 14, 2011

 Getting ready for the holidays around my studio!






Wednesday, November 9, 2011

 I'm in the process of launching a new series in my shop this holiday season.
 They are downloadable paper ornaments, a quick, inexpensive and creative way to make party favors, gift cards or table decor for the Holidays!
 All you need is a printer, some good-quality cardstock (available at any office supply), and a small pair of paper scissors. No tape, no glue, no shipping costs, and virtually no wait! I email your jpeg files within 24 hours of payment.
Not only that, but each jpeg image comes with a customizable message. Just let me know at checkout what message you would like printed above your image, or I will leave it blank.  Print out the page on letter-sized cardstock, slip it into a large envelope, and it makes an excellent card/gift/paperdoll to cut out and play with.
 Each jpeg file comes with easy (very easy) instructions for printing, cutting and assembling. Paper "tabs" form a circular base with no taping or gluing or brads required. No extra parts.
Having a holiday party? Print a guest's name on the base of each ornament, and they make perfect place-savers/party favors that guests will be delighted to take home with them. You can print out your jpeg file as many times as you like, so no extra costs for multiple guests! 

(Files are for private use only. Not for resale or transfer. Copyright to each image remains with the artist and is not transferred with purchase.)