Marie And The Golden Bough

Barbara Willis, cloth doll maker extroidenaire and good friend recently asked me to contribute a special paper doll to be part of a new book she is working on! I was thrilled about the invitation. Her instructions to me, included a lovely victorian image and the words 'Make Her Pretty'! I immediately thought of THIS DRESS that I created for the Bloglandia Ball! If you know Barbara, you know she takes 'Pretty' very seriously, and she has a true LOVE of anything French! I decided on the sophisticated colour palette of pink, brown and tan, and a theme of Marie Antoinette. After digging through piles of papers, baskets of ribbons and a box of lovely fabrics I pieced together her skirt. The under-layer of a beautiful calligraphy (see last piece to far right, and piece just under her hand pointing down, was completely covered by the time I finished! I hadn't planned on adding the music paper panier, but felt like the skirt needed something to 'hold it together, when I reached that point.

Her blouse was created from a lovely bright pink tie-dyed silk that I had ironed onto fabric. I then added hand-painted silk flower petals for her sleeves, with music paper cuffs. For her hair, I decided to 'needle felt' white wool on top of a piece of white felt. I love the realistic look it gave! I then sewed on the ribbons, trim, and pearls and added feathers on top. The 'Golden Bough was an afterthought... she needed something to hold. I fiddled around with some Dresden antlers and came up with a branch like shape that I liked. The idea of Marie holding court with a Golden Bough in hand appeals to my romantic sensibilities!

This last photo shows the image I started with. THANK YOU Barbara for letting me PLAY with you!!!

Comments

[lynn]

Oh Ulla she is so lovely, I just love the colours you have used....beautiful.
I adore the face make up on an earlier post, it really suits, I love it.
Have a great weekend, and thankyou for all the wonderful inspirations you are always giving me, you are an angel.
Hugs Lynn x

[Jocelyn]

Ulla, you are brilliant, and always there to give us inspiration.
She is just so dainty and pretty in pink, a wonderful piece.
As always thanks for sharing.
J.

[Christine LeFever]

Ulla, she is absolutely beautiful.She is elegant and colorful,yet understated, and that, for me is the trick to the best artistic endeavors. Bravo!!!

Christine

[susanna]

Oooh la la...she IS pretty, Ulla. :)

[Donna O.]

Now I'm ready to sign up for THIS class!!
D.

[Di Overton]

Absolutely stunning as always

[Lisa]

Pretty is as pretty does. So lovely. I wish I could wear dresses like that even now.

[Beth P]

Ulla, You are just so talented and I am so happy that you share your talents with all of us out here in blogland! Your paper lady is juset beautiful!

[Boxwoodcottage]

Oh Ulla she looks gorgeous, I love all the enchanting details, so pretty! Btw have you ever seen the beautiful Marie dolls of my friend Ginny from England? Here is a link to her flickr pictures in case you haven't http://www.flickr.com/photos/twinklepost/
I'm sure you'll love her stunning creations too! Thanks a lot for the comment you left on my blog, I'm thrilled that you like my solder creations because I always admire your solder works so much! Hope you had a happy Easter time! Your bunny felt works are very sweet! Hugs Carol xox

[Pinkie Denise]

Dear Ulla, this is the ultimate in "pretty" I
think you complete your mission with perfection! I love her, especially all the colors you picked, she is so lovely...I just
love to come and see what your up to, you never disappoint...Happy Monday Ulla XOXO Pinkie Denise