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SAWDUST STUFFED DOLLS . KAY CLOUD

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T O P I C R E V I E W
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 07:12:00 AM GURLZ .. if you can find this book .. it is MARVELOUS .. Kay Cloud is a nationally known dollmaker of primitive style dolls (animals, etc.) this one is on e-bay: price: US $47.77 Buy It Now Shipping costs: US $3.25 Item location: Ontario, CA, United States +++++++++++++ I found this book for TWO DOLLARS at an antiques shoppe! here's what Kay says about SAWDUST stuffed dolls .. "you will need to find a source of good clean sawdust and preferably a coarser grade. The powdery dust can be used, but will require some expertise in packing and stuffing in order to keep the doll firm. Sift all sawdust. I use a kitchen colander. You may want to use a face mask as the sawdust can be tough on the nose! Any type sawdust is acceptable. Naturally, cedar is nice but you may not have access to it." Kay's book is filled with WONDERFUL dollmaking techniques .. sooo .. if you have some questions, let me know and i'll see if i can find what she has to say about it. xo, frannie True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Mar 26 2008 : 5:28:14 PM THANKS Katie ... soon's i get back home to kentucky from visiting the 'grandes' here in toledo .. i'm going to search this book and find it! and oh chile ... i think most of us wham and slam down on all the wrong buttons on these computer contraptions at some time! what state do you live in? do you make any 'appearances' or give any classes? i'd cross the country barefooted to take a class from you!! i am so sorry that you lost your book before you had a chance to have it published! maybe 'someday' you might sit and pull it all together again .. i promise you .. the 'doll world' and all who love the history of our america would be gretly blessed by it. have you ever read any of JANICE HOLT GILES books about early settlers in Kentucky? Kentucky is my 'adopted state' .. my honey and i moved here about four years ago from Washington, D.C. (where i was born and raised) ... and i am in love with the country .. the earth .. the kindness .. and slower, gentler pace of living. if you ever want to amble this-a-way ... we have a sweet 'stranger room' .. where all strangers who pass our path stay and become forever friends. xo, frannie p.s. when we lived in annapolis, maryland .. i had a wonderful 'rag doll club' for ten years .. we had so many wonderfully talented teachers come share their skills with us .. many warm memories and dear friendships were made. i so very much wish you had been among them! True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
Kay Cloud	Posted - Mar 26 2008 : 04:43:42 AM "The Doll" was published in 1988 by Harrison House and dist. by Crown It does not give any instructions, but a wealth of information from the photos and descriptions.. I know it is available because I found it,,but , where ???? Maybe I will remember...I will let you know...I hope A million thanks to Carol for helping me get this board right..Good grief, I made a mess when I signed on...seems I clicked everything !! Thank you for allowing me to participate with real Farm girls... (I can still feel the "hot, dry dust squishing between my toes.. always diggin up bones !!
farmgirl blessings	Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 10:06:34 PM Thanks, Frannie, for sharing your doll making insights. Love how you put an inspirational message in each of your dolls. That is just a wonderful idea. I have so enjoyed this post! I am been so lacking in my creativity lately and this post has just inspired me to dive into that fabric stash tomorrow! I just came back from the tin rabbit and I must say, I wanted to jump through the screen. What a marvelous place! So glad you shared that with us, Katie! Blessings, Lea www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
abbasgurl	Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 7:26:14 PM Hello Kay, How wonderful to have you join us! So great to hear more of your ideas on dollmaking. Thank you for sharing-and what you said about understanding why and what you are doing, makes perfect sense. It is very difficult to find materials here too...and so most of us figure out ways make our own. I DID find a copy of your book and must say have enjoyed it very much. How sad that your new manuscript went "missing"...a loss for doll makers everywhere! I am also interested in the book you mentioned, "The Doll". Is it subtitled "by contemporary artists"? I am off to "stand in line" with Frannie at thetinrabbit.com I am anxious to get a peek at more of your dolls! Rhonda I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance even if I'm the only one... http://www.kattywhompus.etsy.com
Kay Cloud	Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 6:00:08 PM You are too kind....it is just how I make my living..although not so much anymore. I do like to make straight rag dolls as they have a great old feel to them..I rarely use old fabric to stuff, but I do have a few pieces of 19th century fabric to dress them in..I like to purchase old garments, tattered, and use them for the clothing.. great old garments and fabric is very difficult to come by anymore and costly, to say the least... The Doll is a great , large hardback with the text by Carl Fox and I believe I just saw one on Amazon or out of print books.. It was expensive, but as I recall this one was not..It has dolls of all sizes, shapes and colors..very interesting. I had started a manuscript for a book "One Hundred Years Ago Today" and when we closed our shop in 02, all of my publicity and good stuff was in a stack on our counter waiting to be moved and someone took(stole) all of it...not a good thing, ya know. But , will I attempt to redo it, who knows...I would love to, as many people are making primitives and I am not sure they understand what they are making... to make them correctly, you need to understand the way of life and then it can be understood why they are what they are..did that make sense? But , they are what they are for a reason, not just to make money, ya know. I am just so honored that anyone speaks of me, it is just unbelieveable to me...see ya later...katie always diggin up bones !!
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 10:04:37 AM oh my gosh .. kay ... how incredibly wonderful to see your sweet words here at maryjane's. you .. and gail wilson .. are truly two of my 'guru's' in the dolly-making world! INTEGRITY is the word i would use to describe you both! will you be writing any more books for us .. or making patterns to sell? do you stuff your dolls with OLDE fabrics? (i try to put a little note or poem INSIDE most dollies that i make .. so that a hundred years or so .. if they have survived and 'pop a seam' ... my dolly spirit will be remembered.) who is THE DOLL by? is it a storybook or a dollmaking book? I'm on my way to thetinrabbit.com NOW. thank you from the depths of my dolly-heart for joining us here and sharing your wisdom. xo, kentucky frannie p.s. if you are ever ever ever anywhere near the little hollow where i live in kentucky .. i would be honored to have you as our guest! i would love more than anything for 'primitive dollmaking' to be revived by many 'farmgirls' in our wonderful state of KENTUCKY! True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
Kay Cloud	Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 07:19:01 AM Forgot to mention... I prefer sawdust from commercial sawmills,i,e,; where they make the actual lumber. the coarser it is the easier it is to work with.. Most of the dolls I have made in the last year were filled with cotton and rags as I have developed an allergy to sawdust...my luck ! That stuffing dates the dolls closer to 1900. And Wendy Lavitt is one of my favorite books...The Doll is another great one. You can see some of my latest dolls at thetinrabbit.com Mostly black dolls Signed.....a true farmers daughter.... always diggin up bones !!
Kay Cloud	Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 07:05:31 AM Thank you all for your kind words.. I am complimented.. Yes, you're right , I didn't tell all in the doll book..I did on the 1st writing and the publisher thought the supplies would be difficult for "city folks" to come by , so we had to make it for anyone, anywhere... I use very little tea staining, my aging is done with walnut hull dye that I make.... I will be happy to help any of you and answer any questions you may have...I love to share history... I am a FARM GIRL....milked real cows, fed real hogs,chickens and geese.... Farm girls are the best going... I knew if I lived long enough, farm girls would be in style !! always diggin up bones !!
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 5:53:42 PM wowzer .. i wonder if (generally) boys or girls are easier to raise? i know those BIG BOYS (husbands) can be a challenge! True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
abbasgurl	Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 5:17:39 PM Whew Wee Frannie, that IS sayin' somethin! I'm sure Miz Cat would love a trip south. Seems like something always comes up...but ya know between us, we've got 7 (!!!) boys! More if you count their Papas. LOL in the mean time, I'll get a hold of that pattern for you-but of course her original is BEST! Blessings, Rhonda I'm a one girl revolution.
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 3:14:12 PM miz rhonda .. i loe your philosophy!! and i have found that by far most doll makers are sharing and caring .. and not selfish about a 'technique' .. but love to share them. and oh lordy .. where can i see cat's pattern??? or is it jus' one that you kids will be using? i would love to see the dolly! i SWEAR .. there is something about that 'graveyard' angel she taught us that tugs at my heartstrings every time i look at it! if i could only keep ONE doll .. that would be it! and that's sayin' sumpthin'!!! you kids all plan a trip here this summer (not june or july though .. cuz' .. the angel-baby is due mid-june and you know where i will be hanging out .. TOLEDO!!!!) and we'll sit and sew, giggle and gossip (and gobble) and i'll take you to all the best antiques shoppes in kentucky! xo, frannie True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
therusticcottage	Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 12:31:29 PM I get my saw dust from a cabinet maker that used to work for us when we had our store. Every Thursday he empties his saw and go get a small bag. Jessica - if I need more I will certainly contact you to get some from your uncle. It's nice to know the place where you're getting it from. My Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com Farmgirl Flair Etsy Team http://farmgirlsonetsy.blogspot.com PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100
abbasgurl	Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 11:23:55 AM Love your little poem Frannie-ain't it the truth! There really is nothing new under the sun. Everything has been done and then some. I think everyone has their adaptation of a certain type or style of doll, don't you? Hopefully they bring a bit of their heart to each dollie they make. I think you gotta love doing what you do & feel almost compelled to do it. I know that's my feeling. If I don't get to sew or create for a day or two I just don't feel myself and sometimes even get a teeny bit cranky. I couldn't find a single book or instruction online of what I wanted to do, so I went to doll shows and sweetly asked owners if I could peek under their dollies skirt to see construction. They were so happy I wanted to learn, I was never turned down once! It was a great way to see LOTS of different styles of dollies too! Our friend Cat has made some amazing dollies too! She has a rag doll (her pattern) that looks 100 years old! It looks well loved, with even an arm partially missing. I just love her design. I have permission to do up a few for sale & I'm excited to be able to offer them. Miz Cat is a true artist...she will experiment until she gets just the right look. Some of the things that girl thinks of! LOL My how blessed I have been to know her! She's a SWEETHEART and a great inspiration to me! Can't get better than that! I will sure look forward to seeing you babes in the MJF magazine! SO neat that all you chillins have found homes Frannie! I sometimes find it hard to let mine go! Do you? One day we will make a dollie (or two) together Frannie! I just know it! Blessings, Rhonda I'm a one girl revolution.
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 23 2008 : 07:35:41 AM i love that you are following your own 'dolly heart' when you make dolls! hugs, frannie True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
abbasgurl	Posted - Jan 23 2008 : 07:28:07 AM Frannie, I have just a few minutes this morning, but will come back later today to read your thoughts on doll making. Just wanted to say the Wendy Lavitt is on my list too! I have been pretty much doing things on my own, makin' it up as I go along, and also looking at the construction of old dolls. I never even knew there WERE such books until recently! So now I am on a mission to collect a few of the best. Thanks much for your recommendations & thoughts Frannie Dear! Rhonda I'm a one girl revolution.
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 23 2008 : 07:07:43 AM read my kay cloud book last night (it's not a big one) .. she has some great ideas .. isn't very exact about her 'techniques' .. such as .. it is obvious that her 'painted shoes' have been SANDED to give them a time-weary look .. but she just says to 'paint them'. if you've been making dollies for quite awhile and been in the 'doll world' .. tons of great tips and ideas are learned. it is a skill to make 'authentically olde' looking dolls .. and the 'shade' of the skin is one of the first things i look at .. don't like GREY-toned dolls very much .. never have seen an antique doll with grey skin .. don't like 'baked' dolls very much .. most i've seen come out 'streaky' in 'un-natural' places .. GAIL WILSON, reproduction doll artist extraordinnaire .. told us to put the 'stain' mostly where a child would have touched the doll .. she has a wonderful stain for doing this (i have friends who get that same look with 'shoe polish') another thing i like about reproduction dolls is when either vintage fabric is used .. or 'appropriate sized 'patterns' on the cloth are used for dresses (Gail Wilson has her own designed line of tiny historic print fabrics too). I do not always try to make 100-year old looking dolls .. there are many friends who prefer their's to have a 'homey but 'today' look to them. I think a dollie comes out looking like SHE wants to .. with a touch of your own 'heart'. I never get my 'panties in a bunch' if i see someone emulating the dolls i have been making for many years .. there is NOTHING NEW under the sun .. we do get to be known by our 'style' (IF) we don't follow patterns verbatim .. but let our whimsy and muse take over! I believe that when i do see a TRUE FRIEND (that's what i named my dolly business when i made my very first doll many moons ago( 'frannie-style' ... i feel 'complimented' .. and so pleased that this style has tugged at someone's heart. Sometimes i hear dollmakers complain that someone 'copied' them. Well, i wrote a little poem that speaks to that issue to ME: TWO ARMS TWO LEGS ONE BODY ONE TORSO ... AIN'T NEVER SEEN A DOLLY WITH MORE-SO! there are thousands of dolly-mommas out there .. and i believe .. like a 'used car salesman usta' say' (and i'll clean it up a tad: "there's a BUTT for every seat". And every dolly i have ever made and offered up for adoption has found a momma .. soooo .. there is indeed a momma out there for every orphan child! i do tea or coffe or RIT TAN dye my fabrics .. let them air-dry .. i sometimes do this to the entire yard of fabric .. then cut the doll bodies out .. sometimes i dunk them AFTER they are sewn and turned .. and sometimes, i 'sponge-paint the paint on them after they are stuffed (most UNPREDICABLE results with this technique) .. but sometimes very charming too! I have friends who 'spray' them with dye after the dolls are made and dressed (Kay Cloud suggests doing this) but i've had very little luck with this technique! OH GOSH .. i guess i'm 'waxing poetic' this morning about dollies .. cuz' in the last coupla' days i have cut out and sewn (and in the process of RIT TAN dying the bodies) TWENTY rag chillun. I've got a huge collection of wonderful vintage fabrics .. (and some mighty wonderful NEW fabs too!!!) and can hardly wait to put faces and hair on them and dress them and 'bring them alive'.! Well, i do believe i hear rag chillun callin' my name. have a grande day gurlfrenz! xo p.s. be watching for some of my little 'true friend' orphan chillun in maryjane's next magazine .. and if you are ever in the area .. let me know a little ahead of time .. and stop by and make a dolly with me. OH .. and i'll let you all know when these rag chillun come 'strollin' down the hill' to freedom valley farm and are lookin' for a momma. (i'll post their pictures and 'story' in my SISTER MERCY'S FOUNDLIN' HOME FOR RAG CHILLUN) orphanage (blog). xo True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 11:12:34 PM rhonda .. this one is it! available on AMAZON.com RIGHT NOW .. it was going for $50. to $100. GRAB THIS ONE AT THIS PRICE~~ ... google it .. it's the BEST i've seen in primitive doll-making! American Folk Dolls (Paperback) by Wendy Lavitt (Author) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Availability: Available from these sellers. 15 used & new available from $14.40 Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers: Hardcover (1st ed) 5 used & new from $27.45 True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 11:10:02 PM my fav is by Wendy Lavitt .. be sure to get that one too .. i'll google and get more info on it. i do have it here SOMEWHERE ... absolutely my FAV!!! xo True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
abbasgurl	Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 7:42:54 PM Thats one of the books I've been looking for Frannie! $2 !!! You done GOOD! I just ordered a couple of other doll books, but this one is on my list. It looks wonderful! I'm waiting for delivery of "Early American Dolls in Full Color" by Helen Nolan...have you heard of it? It looks just fabulous too! Rhonda I'm a one girl revolution.
CabinCreek-Kentucky	Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 07:30:51 AM and .. be sure to check locally .. because 'saw mills' will often just give it to you by the bushel too. when we lived in maryland .. i found such a place .. and got enough for over FIFTY of our doll club members to make sawdust-stuffed dolls and had huge amounts left over .. i just gave everyone a big bag of it! we have a sawmill right down the road from us here in kentucky .. think i'll stop by .. and get me some more. i teach a doll class at our HERITAGE SKILLS retreat in Jabez, Kentucky each year .. and THIS year .. i'm going to teach these dolls i think .. can be kinda' messy with a group of girls making them. hmmmmmm .. might try them when the girls come for our CABIN FEVER gathering too. True Friends * Frannie HEAR MY STORIES come, visit my: "GATHERING ROOM" .. http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com adopt a 'rag-chile' http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption: http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
kydeere40744	Posted - Jan 22 2008 : 07:22:56 AM Girls if you want the most abundant supply of premium dry sawdust, my uncle Sterl has it. He has his own saw mill here on the farm in Ky. The trees are grown on the farm and new ones are planted in their place. He makes some of the most WONDERFUL one of a kind pieces. The sawdust sure does fly quite a bit here while he is hard at work! If you need any for your dolls, send Wilma an email and I'm sure she could provide some free of charge. ~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~ Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow... http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/

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