Sue's Day Out.........

I had a day out today! Having joined the Doll club of Great Britain I thought I'd show willing and get to a meeting in London. There was a very informative talk by Olwyn Pearson on Black Dolls.
The Show and tell table was loaded with all sorts of examples of black dolls from the 1850's to contemporary to mystery dolls, all were lovely to see........

 A lovely 'Hilda'

 A gorgeous AM341

 A Beautiful Steiner

 A Collection of Helen Kish Dolls

And a wonderful collection of individually crafted traditional cloth dolls from Brazil

October Meeting.......

Another Meeting at Wellow, we were a small but select and vocal group this time. And we were given the biggest room! unlike last month when we had a big turnout and the smallest room.....C'est la Vie!!

We had much discussion about the wording of the proposed new handbook but we did combine that with working on a little felt ball brought by Lesley. The theme for this meeting was toys for our project doll.

Vivienne brought he lovely little doll that she won an award with ar Waltham Abbey 

 Eddie brough his finished Tamari Ball, all the workshop projects are gradually getting finished!

 Hilary has finished her little cot for the project doll this year, well done Hilary I think you and June are the first to finish!

 Trudy presented this lovely little rattle creatively made with two tea strainers.......who would guess at this use for them?

 And although there was a great deal of talking (as usual) there was also a bit of work being done....

Another very chatty Meeting..........

Wow! what a good turn out and unfortunately we had to use the smaller room as there was a flower show in the big hall.....ah well!

A lot of discussion as usual, mostly feedback about last weeks event and the number of projects we all seem to have on the go!
There was also a lot on the 'Show and Tell' table......

Carol's Beautiful doll, this was the costume she was demonstrating the pattern cutting for last week at Waltham Abbey

Lesley's lovely K*R 114 which won silver prize in the competition.

Eddie brought in this little collection of Madame Alexander dolls that were given away with a Macdonalds happy Meal a few years ago (but only in the USA!). Eddie acquired them at the doll fair last week.........Lucky man!

Celia has been hard at work completing the little matinee jacket and bonnet that Jean took us through at our last meeting

Colin brought in an exquisite 19th Century music book which has been professionally restored. Colin explained how delicate the mechanism was. The music was delightful and richer than most music boxes around today. Topically, all 5 tunes were Scottish tunes!

June has been busy completing her baby bed, She is ahead of us all as Lesley took us through making the bedding at this meeting. I'm looking forward to seeing Junes finished project.

Sue was very lucky to win a prize at the raffle last week,this lovely little musical box made by Val Dixon

Activities continued at the IDMS Convention...........

There was a range of workshops to participate in and of course fun nights with dressing up and dancing!

Jean and Lesley working on Lianne's boutis embroidery class.

 Sue worked on Sandra's 'Box of ladies corsetry' and Eddie finishing his Tamari ball

 'Upstairs Downstairs' theme for the fun night, 

 And of course, prizes. Every Southern Belle who entered competition came away with a place!!

The Southern Belles at the IDMS Convention at Waltham Abbey

13 Members participated in the IDMS Convention at Waltham Abbey, Sue and Adrienne held workshops, Carole and Elaine and Jean were kept busy with judging the competition and Lesley was co-opted into registration duties,Carole also gave a demonstration on pattern cutting. So, a fun filled busy weekend with good friends old and new.

Making pressed felt dolls with Sue

 Making Tamari Balls with Adrienne

 Sight seeing at Waltham Abbey

With the obligatory cream tea!

Belles August Meeting

Another VERY Chatty Meeting.........
The Southern Belles met for this month as usual at Wellow.
We are at the stage for dressing our little project doll. Sue has designed a very simple little baby doll outfit which can be decorated as you wish and Jean has designed a lovely knitted jacket, bonnet and booties.
There was an amazing amount of chatter throughout and lots of ideas generated for projects for next year

 Linda showed us the lovely 'cup cake doll' she won at her recent visit as ODACAs president

And the table gift she came home with

Our Southern Beaus chew the fat!

Eddies lost Teddy that is now on its way to live with Colin!

More samples of \jeans knitted jackets, bonnets and bootees