Monday, April 6, 2009

Doll Therapy

I'm not sure if it has been the on again off again worry of Mo being sick, weather that refuses to stay warm and sunny for more then a day, or just the steady stream of daily hard times hitting America, but I have been struggling with keeping my spirit up. However, I am really finding simple joy in creating little stuffed beings...

This is Clair. She was created when I free-motioned stitched her, doodle style, onto a piece of light gray fabric which I had quilted and washed earlier. Clair enjoys clementines, lilacs, poetry, and feeding the birds that visit her yard.


I like the underlying design of the quilted fabric, and forgot until I did her how much I enjoy drawing with the sewing machine.

And as promised in my last post here is Sam the Dog's friend, Bebe the Bunny...


Bebe the Bunny:

Extremely loyal.
Devoted friend.
Occasionally over indulges in fermented carrot juice.
Dreams of someday being Mrs. Barry Manilow.


Carrot is detachable, it slips on and off like a bracelet.


Rear view!

Both Clair and Bebe are available in my Silly BooDilly Shop.

35 comments:

marysgranddaughter said...

Hi Victoria- Clair is so great! I love that she's embroidered in red which happens to be my favorite color. It's so good to meet you. Your blog and your shop are beautiful!

Unknown said...

Such an artist! Both are amazing - hope Mo is happy.

gunnelsvensson said...

Yes, they are both wonderful!

hens teeth said...

Victoria....Clair is stunning. You really must make more. I think the contrast between the drawing and the quilting makes her really unusual and very much your own. You go girl!
Give that pretty sweet nose a kiss again from me!

Hey Harriet said...

I am head-over-heels smitten with your art doll plushies!!! I've seen many cute plushies around but nothing like what you're doing, so I sure hope you continue creating these gorgeous little beings! And they look so fab in your shop amongst your colourful art quilts (I caught Bebe the Bunny having a nap on one of your quilts btw ;) I love them both! I even share a few things in common with Clair. I suspect your art dolls to become highly collectable down the track, so I'm sure glad I managed to snap up Sam so quickly! Not that I'd ever part with him of course! I am truly loving this new direction of yours!

Kate/Massachusetts said...

Awesome "doodles"! lol How do you do that? I just love that doll ~ she's gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Just love the puff tail. It makes me smile!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Your talents abound! Just when I think you've impressed me to the hilt I find you can draw with a sewing machine- and give your fanciful new beings the most delightful personalities.

You ROCK!

syko kajsa said...

I was very much in a Monday mood today too, but then QUILTS, baby! came in the mail and that lifted my spirits, it is a great book! Hope you get yours today too :)

Love your stuffies!

shellysquilts said...

V, That is the cutest bunny I have ever seen! Just looking at him makes me chuckle. (Might be the carrot juice I had this morning.) He's darlin and you are fabulous! Have a great week!

Meagan said...

Such a great tush on that bunny! Love it! :)

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable! LOVE Claire!

Amy C said...

totally cute cool and so much fun, these are lovely, you know I love your sewing drawings and I think Clair is incredible - here eyes are amazing and I love the retorish look she has too.

jacquie said...

love clair....you are sure good at drawing with that sewing machine. so creative. i know what you mean about trying to keep spirits up...i know a little sunshine would sure help me!

Victoria Bennett Beyer said...

I am amazed by your talent (and that's saying something, since you clearly have tons of it)! That anyone can 'draw' like that with the sewing machine is just incredible!

I love the restrained palatte - the red against the white. It makes the details of the quilting and the stitching really shine.

please sir said...

They are so amazing and I'm glad they bring you comfort during this time.

Colleen MacDonald said...

I love your little stuffies. They are a ray of sunshine for those blue days. I hope the sun comes out again soon. ((HUG)) to you and scratches for MO.

connie said...

I am sorry to hear that you are a bit down. I like what you are making though. They make me smile. Hope Mo is doing OK.

Cheryl Arkison said...

Ooh, that is inspiring!

Jackie said...

I love Clair. If the dollar wasn't quite so strong against the pound she might be living with me! You are so talented. Have you thought of making a 'Mo'?

Carol E. said...

Drawing with the sewing machine?! You rock! I suck at it! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Bebe the Bunny!

High Desert Diva said...

Oh how I love the butt tag!!!

Allie said...

Claire is awesome!!!!! So is Bebe, but my heart belongs to Claire, lol. You are a rock star!

dutchcomfort said...

Hope you feel less down very soon! Don’t forget to take good care of yourself!

Fer said...

Oh my, Clair is so lovely but Bebe absolutely rocks!

littlebyrd said...

These are WONDERFUL! I love Clair. The addition of your name on the back is a great detail.

Malissa said...

The art therapist in me LOVES this post. How neat for you to step out of one medium into a different (yet related) one for some solace and focus. I love it.

niki said...

OOO. I've been feeling the same way. So much bad news lately. I've been wearing my aluminum hat hoping to prevent bad vibes (just kidding).

Scrappy quilting has helped and viewing your blog with your clever dolls has been inspiring. Your dolls remind me of the characters from Wind and the Willows my favorite spring read. What a joy...your stories about each make them so real.

Wanda Maria said...

Hi, Victoria:

I've given you a blog award. Please stop by mine to check it out.

http://craftymule.blogspot.com/

Have a great day!!!

Wanda

Karen said...

I am loving his rear view!

Amy C said...

Happy Easter to you too and to your sweet little pals!
A x

picciolo said...

these are great, I love your new direction!
:)

A "cheery" disposition said...

O, this is so, so, so cute!

gina said...

these are amazing! I just love your style...

sending you & Mo happy thoughts from KS :)

Unknown said...

I love Claire, REally nice. The added quilted fabric gives nice texture. xx0x0 PINK