Pin Painting
Did you know that clothespin dolls do not paint themselves? I know. It's actually kind of a time-consuming process. Fun, just time-consuming, what with all the painting, letting dry, painting again, dropping on the floor, getting covered in dog hair, the trying to chase the dog around after she finds it and starts chewing it, the throwing away and starting over, the painting, the letting dry, the painting again, the letting dry, the painting the details, the varnishing (the best part), the varnishing again, the desperate attempt to keep the paintbrush clean and unwrecked for once (for I can ruin a paintbrush faster than anyone on earth, I think). In all of it, though, there is something quietly satisfying, if you take your time and just relax into it. When the faces go on, and the girls start to express themselves, that's the best moment, meeting them.
Why, hello there, Country Girls! You're pretty! And so sweet. The Country Girls have calico dresses and bare arms and embroidered gingham aprons and bouquets of paper flowers. I am very charmed by them.
They will be hard to part with, but I've decided to make a limited edition of the girls themselves available for sale (and thank you for asking for them!). I'll also be offering Country Girl Clothespin Doll Kits -- similar to the Santa Lucia Clothespin Doll Kits we did last November, but with new instructions and the flowers and the gingham included for you, instead of the candles and the crown. I'm thrilled about these.
I'll put everything on sale early next week. I'm going to try and take orders for as many people as want them (the kits, that is) -- there's no time crunch on these as there was for the Santa Lucia dolls, so I think I'll leave the kits available in the web shop for a week or so and just plan to order supplies based on the number of pre-orders. I don't have the budget to over-order right now, but I will make sure that everyone who wants one next week will definitely get to have one.
I have been trying to get my on-line stuff organized, and I created some new groups on Flickr for anyone who has any dishtowels to show? Or any crochet things (and by the way, I forgot to mention that the Polly Beret pattern is now available, too)? I would love to see them! Here are the links:
And if you're new hanging around here and need some inspiration for clothespin doll ideas, the sweetie Lucias are here:
On an unrelated note, Clover will be getting her own dog house this summer. These are my inspiration. Actually, I want one of these FOR MYSELF! If you have any other leads on adorable little abodes like these, please tell me! I'm obsessed.
These are great! I've been wanting to make some clothespin dolls for my girls but couldn't figue how to get them to stand up. You're always a source of inspiration!
Posted by: Knitsational | March 12, 2008 at 03:07 PM
The most darling thing I have seen today . . . so cute.
Posted by: nanette | March 12, 2008 at 04:00 PM
My wonderful husband built the most adorable garden shed in our backyard a couple of years ago...We had a kit, but we also added some leaded glass windows from an old house...In my mind, I already had it decorated...with a summer cot, a comfy chair, a lovely desk, lots of inspiring items all around, etc...But alas, when it was done, it contained a gas mower, cans of gasoline, bikes, gardening tools, wheel barrow, etc. Very practical, useful, and much needed garden storage, but I still like to imagine my version...Maybe someday!...Katie
Posted by: Hazel's Vintage Pretties | March 12, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Oh a country clothes pin doll! It's as if you dropped a little gift from the heavens in my lap. I have to have one of those kits. I need to recreate myself as a clothes pin doll. Thank you so much for coming up with this. And an apron? Like a little cherry on top!
That dog house is about as big as my house and nicer. My house doesn't have flower boxes on the windows. That Clover is a lucky little girl.
Posted by: Toi | March 12, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Those are too cute! I love them! I like to make little angel dolls and paint their dresses with glitter and make their wings with sparkly ballet tulle. :)
Posted by: tiffany | March 12, 2008 at 04:57 PM
So Cute!By the way I will NOT be telling my Sadie (a white Boxer) that your Clover is getting her own "shed". She gets jealous enough when I feed the birds bread crumbs that she thinks she is entitled to!
Posted by: Jalal | March 12, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Clover is one lucky dog!!
Posted by: Bacon Pecan Pie | March 12, 2008 at 05:20 PM
I don't know...I think I can trash a paintbrush faster! Those little clothes pins are way cute!
Posted by: distressingdelilah | March 12, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Ok, saving paintbrushes...this is something I might be able to help with. Not sure what type your using, but judging from the pic these tips should help.
First thing, don't leave it setting in water (even if it isn't a wooden one) there is no need to and it leads to loose barrels. I usually lay mine flat in between uses or wash them and put them away.
Washing them really is one of the key things you can do to keep them nice. I use one of the nubby-things you stick beads onto and iron to fuse them together ( http://www.dickblick.com/zz609/64/ ) Put that in the palm of your non-dominate hand, brush in dominant hand and swipe it over a bar of soap then scrub it really well until the soap suds show no color. Rinse REALLY well by scrubbing under water on theh nubby-thing.
If you get a brush thats bristles go all wacko on you, sometimes they can be saved by boiling water, removing pan from heat and dipping bristles in then removing and using hand to shape, repeat if need be, and hope for the best. If it doesn't work, put it aside as it makes great hair or leaves on trees.
Hopefully that was something you didn't already know and it'll help some. I love you blog and your style, my girls too (the older two.) Keep blogging and creating as with four little ones I have minute time for digging deep, it's nice to come to your place and know I'll always find something refreshing and inspiring!
Posted by: Jenn | March 12, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I can't wait for the new dolls -- and if you find ANY information about those kinds of "doghouses" please let me know. If I were rich, I know without a doubt, Emma and I would have the most fabulous playhouse in the back.
Posted by: Beth | March 12, 2008 at 07:37 PM
the doll's faces are awesome.
Posted by: bainbridge island florist | March 12, 2008 at 08:15 PM
These are so precious. You have so much patience! I wanted to let you know that I featured you today over at my place!
Posted by: Liberty Post Editor | March 12, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I would love to buy a country girls kit!
;)Kat
Posted by: Katherine | March 13, 2008 at 01:28 AM
They are SO cute! Dare I order a kit just to mess mine up? Let's see. Well I DO have two girls that I'm sure would love to try their hand at making some. DARLING! I look forward to seeing them in your store. :)
Posted by: Debbie | March 13, 2008 at 05:13 AM
These are so cute, I loved the Christmas ones, too. Wow, nice doggie houses too!
Posted by: Lorie | March 13, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Those clothespin dolls are very cute, I don't know if I could make them as cute as you can!
Speaking of houses for animals, we built our chickens a cute little hen house. Look at backyardchickens.com, people go crazy building fancy houses for their chickens.
Posted by: Sally McEntire | March 13, 2008 at 08:52 AM
I love the little house you want to get for Clover. We got a little house with a verandah for our rabbits (here's a picture) http://calicorabbit.blogspot.com/2007/05/bunny-house.html. It was actually a children's play house (we call them Wendy houses in England) that I bought secondhand on EBay. Originally it was blue, but it reminded me of a beach hut so I painted it cream and green.
Posted by: Denise | March 13, 2008 at 01:53 PM
And I had just been thinking how I would love to have a Clothspin Girl made by you! You are so talented!
Hoping,
Ellen
Posted by: ellen | March 14, 2008 at 12:03 AM
oooo...they are kind of like my tiny house:)
http://prettylittlethings.typepad.com/tiny_house/
love your sweet dolls...oh, and everything else you do!
smiles
lori
Posted by: lori marie | March 14, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Soaking dried brushes overnight in Murphy's oil will revive many of them.
Posted by: Bonnie | March 14, 2008 at 07:47 AM
This post totally sends me back... when I was a little kid one of the things I got to do to help my mom with her crafts for shows was to paint the tips of toothpicks orange for snowman noses. Ahh, to be a kid again. : )
Posted by: Julie @ Letter9 | March 14, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Long time reader, first time comment-er (is that a real word?); I'm quite psyched for the country girl kits. I will be looking for your etsy shop early next week to order one.
Love the blog.
Posted by: Alicia Oathout | March 14, 2008 at 06:21 PM
I'd like to order a couple of your country doll kits, but didn't find anywhere to place the order. Could you give me a hint, please?
I'll go have another look.....
Posted by: Bag Lady | March 15, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Those are seriously adorable, Alicia! Very pretty. I love the gloss of the paint; it makes them look especially finished.
Posted by: Liesl | March 16, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I can't beleive you painted all of those by hand.. you are one crazy lady ;)
Jen R
Posted by: Jen R | March 16, 2008 at 09:44 PM