Kamila is about 23 inches long with shoulder length brown hair made of thin and thick yarn. The type of yarn used adds wonderful texture and depth to Kamila. The mocha color accents her beautiful brown eyes and skin.
What I love about Kamila is her dress. The maroon / rich burgundy dress, which leads down into a holder for bags, is a handmade garment accented by gold paisley embroidery. She wears the dress well.
The body of the doll is hand crafted and hand painted cotton fabric with poly fill. Your doll is a one of a kind, signed and tagged as a Sundrip doll.
NOTE : This doll is not meant to be a toy and includes small beads.
You may see Kamila in my Etsy shop along with other original dolls and original art at www.Sundrip.etsy.com.
I sat down to hand sew dolls but my hands cramped and spasmed terribly. I thought I’d try to see if I could use my sewing machine despite half a foot amputated and despite significant nerve damage. I had my CNA bring it to the table but I didn’t try anything until after she left because I didn’t want to embarrass myself if I couldn’t properly feel and safely control the pedal.
There was all kinds of anxiety because I worried I’d press the pedal at the wrong time and sew my hand or something. Anxiety was high but so was my drive to find out if I could do it and save myself some pain while making dolls.
When I turned it on I acclimated myself to how the pedal felt under my foot. I got my brain to recognize the new sensation without automatically recoiling. After a few minutes I pushed the pedal with the machine turned off. I got used to that and got brave enough to turn it on.
I’m so happy I tried. I’ve used the machine several times now and what I discovered is that the nerve damage affects sewing ability. Sometimes the stump hurts too much to add any pressure at all or I can’t feel or control the stump enough to press the pedal. Those issues prevent me from regularly using the machine, but when I can I will use it to my advantage.
It’s been a week since I’ve used the sewing machine but when I was able I sewed the hands and legs for six dolls.
My hands want to give me trouble and my feet are a mess but between the two I am able to offer up dolls I’m proud of. They’re now about 25% sewn by machine but 100% homemade. I still hand paint the flesh tone, put it all together by hand and hand stitch in the hair. I still hand draw and hand paint the faces. The only thing that has changed is using the machine to create the arms and legs. Later down the road I may use the machine to help make the doll’s dress. We’ll have to see where my confidence leads me.
As mentioned in my last entry, I’ve started making bears again. I’m not using the machine with these which means it’s taking longer to finish them. I will post my finished products as soon as possible.
Cordelia is about 23 inches long with beautiful long red hair, green eyes with long lashes and a green-blue dress. Her hair long bag holder dress is decorated with fringe and holds standard bags for recycling purposes. You may also hang her for decoration.
Cordelia is a work of art created with hand painted cotton fabric, hand threaded yarn hair, polyfill and upcycled materials. She is a one of a kind, signed and tagged Sundrip doll.
Pauline doll is about 12.5 inches long with beautiful brown hair and light brown eyes. Her cotton, creme colored dress is detailed with lace as are her pantaloons. Her hair is dark brown textured yarn, hanging long.
She has soft, brown, dreamy eyes.
Pauline’s hair can be pinned up or worn long.
You may visit Pauline in my Etsy shop at www.Sundrip.etsy.com where more photos are available. SOLD
Delilah doll is about 17.5 inches long and is sweet and lovable with her bright, beautiful brown eyes. Her blue flower dress is made of cotton and her hair is dark brown textured yarn, hanging long. Delilah is an art doll made of hand painted cotton fabric.
NOTE : This doll is not meant to be a toy. She is a shelf sitter.
What soft, expressive eyes.
You may visit her in my Etsy shop at www.Sundrip.etsy.com where more photos are available. ** SOLD **
I pulled out the needle and thread, stacked fabric and stuffing and began to sew. Two days later I had three bodies ready to be painted.
The dolls are nowhere near finished. They need so many details: paint as skin tone, painted faced, hair that’s hand sewn in, earrings, clothes and socks. All of that has to be done by hand which puts these dolls about two weeks from being finished.
I love the work. There’s something very soothing about sewing by hand. I truly love it.
I’ve currently got three dolls in my Etsy shop looking for a permanent home.
Self distancing is not as “easy” as I thought it would be. The first few days there was loneliness and anxiety. I’m not sure if it’s anxiety all from the coronavirus or if it’s anxiety because the coronavirus is on the back of the shots and insurance saga without a single second to recharge. Frankly, I’m a bit stressed and feeling needy.
In mmy watercolor art piece I added a drawing of all the things I 💜 that I am holed up with. Tea, fish, art itself, my frogs, snails and of course Joe the cat.
Shots Saga – watercolor / ink
At this time I’m letting in very few people, three of which are my CNAs. Well, we kind of got into a little spat over the art piece Spring Mary because the CNA thinks the skin is too dark, she should smile and her hair isn’t long enough. I asked if she’s buying the piece and since she’s not AND has not constructive criticism to offer then she should silence herself.
The art piece Mary Spring was a tipping point. At least 5 other art pieces have been met with brutal nagging about skin color and such. I had enough!
The last art piece included is an acrylic drawing I did of me walking at night in the grass. I wrote a tad about the argument.
Black Words
All art is done in my 7 x 10 watercolor pad which I totally love. I love how each media looks on this paper which is 140lb paper with a nice tooth. I so 💜 paper. Sorry for such dark photos, though.
I’m not sure what my problem is but I’ve been having panic attacks lately. Today’s panic attack included holding my chest, fast breathing and vomiting. I’m not sure what is causing it but it started over a week ago. I talked about it in therapy.
I’m doing some deep breathing as well as keeping my eyes open so as not to close into myself. I’m hanging out with the cat and watching the aquarium fish. I’ve also done several journal pages.
Wine in time
Wine in Time is done in watercolor and ink in watercolor paper pad. 7×10.
Panic Scramble
Panic Scramble was created with acrylics and ink in a watercolor paper pad. It’s also 7×10 inches.
I started this painting a few years ago but just couldn’t get it so I used gesso and removed everything I want to change. I’ve put the painting on the easel and will turn it and look at it from all angles for the next few days. This will help me to know which direction I’m going with it.
In my little studio apartment I’ve got all the art I’m working on sitting out. This means my CNA and other visitors can see it. I’m not all the way comfortable with this but there’s basically nowhere to put work in progress other than right here in the open so I can see it. I used to have my studio in my bedroom and had all the privacy I needed to work. I could hang work in progress without anyone seeing it. That’s not the case anymore.
Today the nurses assistant saw the piece The Rescuer and said, “This has to mean something. You didn’t just put anything on paper. This has to mean something to you.” What she said wasn’t critical at all just inquisitive. Because the art is just out there I can’t say anything about her viewing it but it still puts me on the spot. It feels like I’m exposed. I’ll have to get used to that because I have no intention of moving to a bigger space where I’m afforded more privacy. This is home. Super tiny yet perfect. Gotta work with it.
So what does The Rescuer mean to me? I look at the person in blue and see myself being pulled up. I see the person in brown as me, too. I’m pulling myself out of a sea of past memories, past abuses. What is the large head facing the left? That is me also. It’s the only figure with some noticeable features. She’s looking away from all she needs to be rescued from.
The painting will become more and more personal I’m sure. I hope to work in the evenings and let it dry over night so that I can place it in a spot that doesn’t spotlight it. Even if this doesn’t happen, I’ll eventually become more comfortable with others viewing art that is personal. I don’t have to give any information on it. I can always say something like, “It’s a fantasy piece” or “It’s just surreal type artwork, don’t read too much into it.” Whatever I say, it doesn’t have to be all my business. However, it would be a good idea to have my comment in mind before I have to use it, this way I can say it naturally and cut the conversation short.
I look forward to finishing The Rescuer and seeing what comes of her. I’ll post it when she’s finished.
