Thursday, January 12, 2012

Dollmakers on Thursday and why I love the Internet.

Remember, when you could only make a recipe if you had the recipe book? 
Remember when you could only see your favourite part of Dr Who when it was featured on the telly?   

 If you can remember this, you're probably a Baby Boomer because there's a whole generation who will never know this because everything they want to look up is here on the internet!.
 The internet is one of the things in life which has fulfiled its promise
 and everything I ever what to know is here, 
If I want to see an image, I go to Google, if I want to see a movie, I go to YouTube and if I want some dollmaking  inspiration and techniques, I go to A Cloth Doll Maker's Diary.




A Cloth Doll Maker's Diary is written and curated by Mary Ann, who is an absolute sweetheart and has put a lot of time and care into a collection of  tutorials and videos that are pure gold for dollmakers and  crafters.

There are videos for demanding techniques, like turning fingers (which I can't do...) 
and painting doll faces  (This last one is given by the wonderful Antoinette Cely). 

There are also items that are of value to all crafters, 
 like the Smash Book or making kraft paper into faux leather.
And for all of us feeling the pinch that inevitable after December, 
there's an amazing collection of links for freebies 

It's an extremely valuable resource,
 all beautifully presented, with Mary Ann's charming  text and eye for the interesting, 
and all collected in the one place.

She has her own blogs , one for making mice




and one for her imaginative and delightful dollmkaing.


She's even a huge Steampunk fan, too.
So, if you're a crafter, or a dollmaker, you should pop over and see what Mary Ann has on offer. 
There's always something good, inspiring and creative, 



22 comments:

  1. Goodness....thank you so much for high lighting my blog. It started out to be a personal thing but then I decided to make it a public blog. I hope it helps other doll makers and becomes a useful resource. I know I'm enjoying the research and finding interesting subject matter to post.

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  2. My pleasure, Mary Ann. I really love your collection of treasures and finds!

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  3. omg..I'v got to go there now!!!!!!! thanks for sharing!! I am a cloth doll lover and "maker"!! mine are the "basic" ones...never done all fingers(only hands with just the thumb!!) or any toes..next up on my to do list!!!
    wishing you a happy weekend!!

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    1. There's all kinds of good things there. Enjoy!

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  4. I love Mary Ann's Blog too. great to share doll inspiration with others which she does. I'm a new Follower of yours too.

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    1. Hi there, and thank you so much for following! I've just popped over to look at your blogs and your sea-themed book is simply AMAZING!

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  5. I already appreciate her work, yet was uninformed re her diary feature. She really is a special lady!
    Online only for a short while.......
    Rose

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    1. Miss Possum, I hope you're able to get back online. Your computer troubles must be dire indeed.

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  6. Oh, I know just what you mean--I must look stuff up a million times a day!!! How did we ever get by without the Internet? I hope that you are having a wonderful evening. XO Cindy

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    1. Thank you so much for popping over, Cindy. Yes, I don't know how I used to manage without it! I hope it stays this way, free and contributed to by ordinary people.

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  7. I am a baby boomer and I love the internet, I can't stand it if I am down for a day

    I get to surf the internet all day from my work place

    thanks for coming over to my blog

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    1. My pleasure! And yes, if the 'Net is down I really have the internet twitches. Of course, then I get some actual dollmaking done!

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  8. Oh gosh, she looks like she has some wonderful treasures...and yes I'm a baby boomer and can't do without, actually I don't know how I made without it back then neither...LOL

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  9. I've seen her blog before, also, and it is amazing! What a talented lady she is! I can't believe how real they all look! So nice of you to feature her!

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    1. I was delighted to do it. I think what Mary Ann does is part of what makes the Internet so amazing!

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  10. I must take a look at her blog because the pictures you shared look amazing! Thanks for telling us about Mary Ann so we can visit her too. Also thanks for visiting my blog. Funny how foods are popular in one place and not others. I'd never heard of those eggs until a few weeks ago. Glad I get to enjoy one of your yummy treats now!

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    1. Oh yes, scotch eggs. Lovely on picnics, too! Thank you for popping over, Shannon and thank you again for the recipe!

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  11. WOW.. I WILL CHECK HER OUT...I AM WANTING TO CREATE A MOUSE,DOLL.. THANKS FOR THIS INFORMATION......LOVE COLLEEN

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    1. My pleasure, Colleen. Yes, she has some lovely stuff and it's nice to find it all together in one place. I can't wait to see your mouse doll!

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  12. Oh....what a delightful crow that is....Wow.... Thanks for sharing Rhissanna.... Hey - I made it through my catch-up....hope I haven't frustrated you terribly! Sorry I missed so much - my sincere loss....Robin

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  13. I know you've been really busy, Miss Crow. Thank you so much for your sweet comments and I'm glad you got to see Russell Crow. Mary Ann, who made him, is a wonderfully talented and generous dollmaker.

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Thank you all for the wonderful and supportive things you say! I'm thrilled to read them and I reply to each one.