Happy Birthday to elinor today! Isaac’s mom’s in town for a few
days and she brought along this funny little doll, inspired by a
drawing by my niece, Lily (who’ll be here on Wednesday with Laura &
Luke (not of the soap opera variety), but not before Evie’s family
(another of Isaac’s fun sisters) gets here on Monday). Isn’t she
fantastic? I love her skinny, mis-matched legs (the doll’s).
A few months back, I led elinor to a couple of Softies groups that
had formed on Flickr and to Softies Central and the Softies Awards blog after she declared
that young women were not interested in making dolls. So not true!
She couldn’t believe what she saw. Elinor has been a many-decades
pillar of the cloth-doll-making community and neither she nor her
friends knew what a doll-making revival had been taking place amongst younger
(generally, I think) men & women .
Her overview of "Softies" or "Stuffies" (new words for her) pointed
out the naive and quirky nature of many of these stuffed creations, as
well as the broad influence of Japanese illustration and design. She
was impressed by the creativity, adventure and general silliness of it
all. Aren’t we all? C’mon, stuffed food and sea creatures, fabulously
silly. Many of the best dolls remind me of children’s illustrations,
playful and light-hearted.
So, anyhow, elinor’s new Lily doll brought us back to that conversation
and in revisiting the discussion I realized that perhaps "Softies"-
makers don’t exactly know yet what a resource they have in "Doll"-
makers. Softies-makers are often hunting down used books from the 70s
for stuffed-animal and doll patterns, but perhaps don’t realize that
there are Doll-makers today that can show them how to create their own
vision in 3-D. Maybe they don’t even know that the Doll-makers exist. My
MIL, for instance, has several booklets on designing dolls — Let’s
Face It! (designing faces), Big Fat Hairy Deal (hair tips, techniques
& ideas), The Rag Doll from Plain to Fancy (body shapes,
contouring), etc.
There are some fantastic techniques out there, like the joints on
this Lily doll, or how to dart a foot to make a heel (these doll feet don’t have any darts though). I don’t know
where I’m going with this. I guess you could say that I’m excited to
see what will happen with Softies when some of these techniques are
discovered. There’s some inspiring creative energy being poured into
the genre as it is. Will added technique kick things up even more or will Softies lose their wacky edge?
You know, the night I met my husband (I was 16, he was 21), he asked me
what I liked to do and after a long pause I blurted, "I like to make
dolls." He replied, in a perfectly matter-of-fact fashion, "My mom
likes to do that." At the time, I supposed he was trying to repair an
awkward moment. I later learned that he was 100% unflustered by my
answer. Of course. (And, holy cow, what an understatement… "My mom likes to do that!" ??) Elinor is dolls.
The Softies movement has been a hoot to follow, it brings me back to
the crocheted banana slugs and Santa Frogs of my own quirky childhood
ambition. Softies, dolls, whichever term you prefer, they’re a fun
place to play.
Happy Birthday to elinor, who’s been saying it all along, right mom?
woooow this doll is sooooo beautiful!!!!
Ooooooh, big birthday hug for Elinor.
These girl is more than sweet. Can we find more work of Elinor online? Please……
Wow that doll is amazing!
I love it. I wish I could sew!
what a cute doll!! I love how vibrant the colors are. 🙂 interesting point about the softie/doll movement that is afoot in the younger generations of crafters. I think it’ll be interesting to see how it develops further; there is just such a freedom of style and lack of rules in the craft right now that I find quite fun and liberating! hopefully, as the more “formal doll-making” (and I don’t think less important) techniques are discovered, the uniqueness won’t fade away. can’t really see that happening though… lol.
Happy birthday Elinor!!! She was going to do a class here in Albuquerque but that was when she broke her foot…I hope it’s rescheduled eventually cause I really want to take her class:) She seems like such a cool funky lady!
That doll is so cute! I love that doll and softie making is so popular now. One of a kind dolls are absolutely wonderful!
You’re mother-in-law is super talented, btw!
I grew up on my mom talking about Elinor’s dolls. Happy Birthday to your MIL!
She is absolutely adorable and I love her colorful dress with the fiesta fringe. Her expression makes you smile. A doll like her would make any girl at any age happy to have her. I love the softy/rag dolls. My husband bought before we were married a small cloth type cow that was dressing in a country print pinafore dress. I still have her and she sits on my shelf in my laundry room. Girls never grow out of dolls.
I’ve always enjoyed elinor’s work. She’s long been a staple for doll making in the bay area! Happy Birthday elinor!
What a beautiful, adorable doll. She made me smile. My mom used to make apple dolls when I was little…anyone remember those? It’s touching to see the love and admiration you have for your MIL!
That doll is delicious! I love how fun she looks!
~gyl
Oh how adorable!
That is a great doll. I love button joints at the elbows and knees. I also like the rainbow of pom-pom fringe on the hem of her dress. She is Super cute! And truely looks like a childs crayon drawing come to life.
What a cutie-pie! Unfortunately elinor wasn’t able to make it to the San Mateo creative sewing festival because of her poor broken ankle. I had signed up for the Silly Side of the Sea so that I could meet her. I’ve been admiring her dolls for more than 15 years now. Now that I’m going to Doll U, I’ll finally get a chance to see one of the Queens of Doll-Making in person. Happy Birthday elinor!
–Tami
I love her cute little socks! and everything else
Happy Birthday to elinor! I have been a fan of your MIL for decades and her book “Mother plays with dolls” helped me to realize it was “allowed” to persue my craft. Thank her for me please! Lily is adorable. I chuckled at your hubby’s comment about his mom – understatement of the year! Cheers and have fun!
what a pretty doll…tres tres jolie as we say in france…cool blog as well!!!
Youe MIL is Elinor Peace Bailey??? WOW! What fun! I’ve admired her and her work for years. I am sure she is very proud and admiring of her talented daughter in law!
Happy Birthday to elinor!!
Say Hi to the adorable Issac too!!
………..Maureen and Emmet (the sock monkey groom!)
happy birthday, elinor! I took an epb class way back when and still appreciate her fun attitude and complete sense of sharing and openness. oh the things she can teach the young ‘uns!
Happy Birthday, Elinor!
About 25 years ago, I had my older son use fabric crayons to draw a cat and kitten. I ironed the drawings onto bright yellow fabric, cut them out, backed them with a little calico print, sewed them, and then we stuffed them. We attched the tiny kitten to the cat. It was his gift to his little brother who was turning 3 and LOVED cats. The younger one carried his pocket-size cat with him and slept with it for a long time. (And we still have that little gem,too!)
What a fun doll this is.A truly lucky girl who gets her!
Happy birthday, Elinor! What a fun doll–I love so much about her.
Heather, I think you’re going to start something big introducing your MIL to those who don’t know her. Who knows what will happen out ther in the crafty world!
Joan
I love her dolls!!!! I actually found one of her books a while back in a litttle shop and love it to death. Then a while back I saw you had her on your site and that she was your mother in law. Its a trip what a small world it can be.
Happy birthday doll queen!!
blessings,
eleni
What an adorable doll! What a special treasure for a little girl!
Adorable doll! I love the colorful mix in this cutie’s attire. This is so up my alley.
You obviously found your soul mate when you answered honestly. I absolutely adore that doll, and the face is just so cute. I too used to make dolls. I cut up old clothes and made dolls out of them when I was a teenager, although mum didnt appreciate me cutting up clothes to do it out of the recycle bag. She had ideas of taking them to the op shop. I dont have any of them now, but still remember a few, although none of them were really great, but they were made by me so I still loved them. I do still make dolls but buy kits to make them, or otherwise I look through craft mags to make some too.
I happened upon your blog (don’t remember how) and fell in love with your fabric designs. I emailed a link to my mom who is a big quilter/sewer and she knew your MIL and said she makes the most amazing dolls–she was right! What talent!
Beautiful! I love this doll! She is just so sweet. It looks like Elinor sells patterns for her dolls – but does she sell the dolls themsleves? Thanks for sharing.
Heather thanks for sharing Elinor’s creation. Lily is absolutely fabulous. I love her! I would love to make a Pipi doll for my girls and maybe a witch, but it is a bit intimdating to me. Maybe someday. But I absoulutely love the inspiratoin of your blog. I’ve been a lurker for a while (and make fabulous knots for hand sewing now btw, thanks). I think this is my first comment 🙂 THis doll just makes me smile and I had to say so. Thanks.
Forgot to mention, my mom was a doll maker, of sorts, when I was growing up and has all of elinor’s books. In fact, when I mentioned you (Heather) and Elinor to my mom she about came out of her skin with excitement about my intro (a re-intro really) to Elinor and her great flair with dolls. My mom made me some of my own even, and still has plenty of the supplies and has even shared that stash with me. Lucky me. Lucky you. To have such wonderful women in our own creative lives!!
Happy Birthday Elinor!
~gyl
the doll is adorable! I wish I could create something like that. One day…
Happy Birthday Elinor. And that Lily doll is adorable.
She’s totally cute 🙂 I love the very personnal style!
Holy cow, that doll is fabulous! The details are amazing and you are right about the huge softie movement that seems to be occuring now.
I had the opportunity to meet your MIL when I was a doll-maker at Little Souls, Inc. She was so great and full of energy. Hope you have a great visit with her.Happy Birthday Elinor!
Wow she is absolutely beautiful…lovely work, and the colors she used are so happy.
Beverly
What a fantastic doll — and a big happy b-day to elinor! I LOVE her color sense! I’ve been getting interested in the dolls I’m seeing online these days — thanks for the tips on where to find technique information!
love, love, love the doll! Happy B-day elinor!!! I would love to be a fly on the wall when the entire family gets together…what fun and creative energy must flow!
Joanne
Great post and a lovely doll!!
That doll is adorable!!! I LOVE IT!!!! Is there a pattern for it?? I would love to make one.
dear heather,
my english isn’t very well, but i love the photos in your blog.
the doll ist sooo wonderful!
ute
Am loving that doll big time!!! LindaSonia
H – thanks for the shout out to Softies Central! I think elinor’s doll is fabulous! I would love to feature her on SC.
She’s SUPER cute! Oh I’d love a doll like that.
Oh, the dollie is soooo cute and so well made! I just love the color choices. She is such a happy girl dollie :0)
…til next time ~ queenofdreamsz
Heather I have to again that your MIL is a GREAT doll maker. I have taken a few classes from her and am very sad she moved from California. She is a wonderful teacher and her books have been a great resource for my own creating.
Dianah
Oh! I love the colors of this Doll!
Your blog is awesome!
Regards from Italy.
Cata
Love the doll. Love your site. I was just sitting at my work-from-home computer and needed a pick-me-up, so I tagged your site from my bookmarks and was so happy to have a couple of new posts to read! You are refreshing and always leave me feeling inspired. I’ll continue to check back!
-Shannan in Indiana
OHHHH! she’s beautyfull!!!
Where can I buy this doll? Or is it one of a kind and not for sale? Oh, I wish she’d add it to her “kits” section on her site, I’m in love.
Now everything makes sense! Your mom is the stunning epb!! Ahhhh, now the penny drops! She is brilliant and you are too. I just (as in just this real minute) made my first ever felted baby booties with your teriffic pattern and instructions. Such fun.
Happy birthday to you and elinor! Much love.
A beautiful doll!! 🙂
Bit late, but my GF took classes with your MIL a couple decades ago – by now…
Very great doll !
Hi Heather,
Would you believe I received a pattern for one of Elinor’s dolls in the mail just yesterday! I love everything I have ever seen that she has made just as I love everything you do, such unbelievable talent! Thank you for sharing so much with us and happy birthday wishes to Elinor!