Beading, Bodices, Anna Karenina and Gravestones

I've not been up to doing much doll making as I woke up last Wednesday with a trapped nerve in my shoulder and couldn't hold a needle to sew very well :S Instead I've been planning out some Christmas peg dolls that can sit in the Christmas tree, and have some elves, Santa, and even a Grinch planned out. I LOVE Christmas and can't wait to get all my prezzies for friends and loved ones wrapped up pretty under my tree :) 

 

I've started some beading on my young widow's gown (and as you can see she now has hair), trimming each ruffle edge with a row of tiny jet beads to catch the light and make her glisten. She really is a wild young woman, ignoring all the rules and wearing highly decorated clothing when she's supposed to be grief stricken. She's certainly trying to catch someones eye.

 

I've added bows, lace and more beading, along with a jet necklace to her bodice and sleeves and I'm happy so far with how she's come out. I think she needs another fancier necklace though before she's done. And maybe a locket with a curl of hair...

 

 

The gravestone to go with my young widow is sitting drying on my table until I'm able to carve in the wording that I want and get it painted and decorated. I layered together foam core until I got a base that was right for it, then laid over with newspaper to give the clay something to stick too. I created the opening at the top to hold a small bar and bell that will have a cord leading down into the grave in a very simple model of a grave bell.

 

 

At the start of the week I started a custom peg doll for a lovely woman in the US of Anna Karenina, and this weekend I managed to get her finished. She's dressed in a copper brown silk trimmed with cream lace and a large bow behind to enhance the shape of her dress. She looks really cute, and she only needs a hat to see her all finished and ready for her trip across the water.

 

After waiting for ages for my little gold comb and scissors necklace to come from Asia it finally came, but as you can see it's totally the wrong size for a doll :S I thought that the comb was the size of the scissors, and then the scissors smaller again so that I could use them on a different project. But I could comb my own hair with this and can't really imagine why anyone would want to wear it. I've had to order something different again for my Nelferch doll so am back to waiting. If you need a large gold comb for a project of your own please let me know and I'll get you some proper pics :)