March Meeting.........

Another gathering of the Belles and Beaus at Wellow Hall. As usual much chatter and much industry as everyone worked on the lovely little leather writing case for a fashion doll presented by Lesley. Unfortunately I failed to get a picture of the finished article, but check back and we will find one.

There was lots of other things to see on the Show and Tell table........

 Jean finally finished this lovely little scissor keep, started in a convention workshop many moons ago!!

 Books to drool over.....it seams we all love our books!

 Adrienne brought in a Christmas box that we all decided would make a fun project some time

And Colin as always delighted us with these beautiful little Victorian music boxes (Manivelles) both still in excellent condition despite obviously being played with, they were such a delight to see and hear!

Looking forward to our next meeting to learn a bit about machine embroidery, it should be fun!

Happy New Year.......

It's AGM time. Meeting tomorrow at Wellow Hall, we'll try and keep the business down to the minimum and then on to some fun........
Will report soon

The March Meeting

Everyone gathered for the March Meeting, the weather was so much better and it was good turn out.
Greenware for the little project doll 'Lucy' was handed out and some chose to get on with it there and then and others chose to take their work home.
We revisited the Do's and Don'ts of cleaning greenware, reminding everyone of the dangers of fine dust, that is its a No No to dry clean anymore.

This Years project doll, sculpted by Jayne Louise and in her memory

It was a lovely Show and Tell, Carole Brought in an original papier mache doll she had made in the old fashioned style and Margaret brought in several lovely Christening gowns that were handed down to her.

And this month was the quarterly Bring and Buy, helping everyone to redistribute their stash and raising some funds for the club.

We did it!

We just had a wonderful weekend, a regional convention hosted by Lesley and Mike of Ellie's doll workshop and the Southern Belles Chapter. The venue was perfect, the food was fantastic and an awful lot of chatter was going on the whole time!

 Sylvia and Eddie minding the Southern Belles stand at the fair on the Sunday

 Some of the modern baby dolls in the competition

 Miniature and small dolls in the competition

 Lesley and Sue had a fun evening on Friday meeting with the Essex ring of dolls Chapter who had travelled from Essex and the great Western Chapter who had travelled from Bristol. I guess the Southern Belles are in the middle in Bournemouth!

 Mareen Rose gave us a wonderful insight into different silk and cotton fabrics and she has a wonderful collection of beautiful fabrics which she was happy for us to touch and feel, and some of the better 'polywatsits' as she calls them!

 Carol gave us a lovely demonstration on wefting mohair to make wigs for antique dolls

 Trudy has worked very hard in updating the gem award system, she explained the new system to us and several gem certificates were awarded.

Elaine gave a workshop making a little sewn box for keeping trinkets.

We have to thank great western too for giving a very busy workshop making leather shoes, unfortunately I didn't get a picture, I hope someone did to show later.

Next Meeting.....

Just a reminder that the next meeting is on Sunday 10th July. Usual place, usual time!
This month we have 3 for the price of 1! 45 minutes each of 3 different fabric techniques - Use of an embellishment machine, silk painting and crazy quilting. Pictures to follow after the meeting!

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.......

Southern Belles adventures at the IDMS in Oxford

Southern Belles entries in the competition, didn't we do well?

 Vivienne's Magge Winner, May 2011

Melanies Mollie bronze winner May 2011

 Jean's Tableau, gold winner may 2011

 Elaine's top winner May 2011, well done Elaine! what an achievement!

Carole and Yasuyo Gold and Siver winners in the Bru section May 2011

Welcome to our new look blog...........

Welcome to our new look blog, we have rather neglected sharing our news with everyone but we aim to do better from now on!

Keep up to date with the Southern Belles adventures and projects by following us and checking in often.......

We hope to add the regular newsletter to the blog and of course lots of photos of member activities.

If you have anything you would like to add please email me HERE

Ellie's Doll Fair

The Southern Belles were able to enjoy another lovely fair hosted by Lesley and Mike of Ellie's doll workshop in Kinson, Bournemouth. A lovely time was had by all and I suspect a bit more purchasing of goods than was intended happened!!






























The Southern Belles had a display table and I think we may have recruited a few members and even got some old members back!











There was a good number of dolls entered in the competition all of a high standard. It was pleasing to see although judging was a bit daunting!


The Great Western Chapter enjoying the Chat room area!

A good March meeting...As usual!

A great turnout for the March meeting, and the usual fun and chatter. We did a painting demonstration for Henri, and looked at dolls with intaglio eyes as most of the Heubach children have.
There was the usual lovely display in 'Show and Tell' and a good display for the raffle.



Sue brought in her little vintage hard plastic doll that she says has been with her for as long as she can remember! she is wearing a new dress that Sue made for her and just tooo lovely!




June brought in this lovely little doll that she has made for her cousins daughter who is unwell at present. What a delightful gift which hopefully will help with recovery.


our dutiful officers work through their lunch break!

February Meeting

And a bountiful raffle table too!


And look! everyone is paying attention!!

What a terrific turnout for the February meeting, it looks like the creative juices are beginning to flow and everyone is getting ready to do this years project. Hilary and Lesley were able to tell the group that Debbie had accepted the Southern Belles submission for a workshop at Henley (Lisa Dolittle), so its to work everybody to make it a workshop to remember. The bursery was drawn and Linda W. and Sheila T. were the lucky recipiants. We look forward to seeing how they will use their prizes.