Foster Children...

Not sure if I have already talked about these dolls, but I was trying to find a pic to show a friend the other day but couldn't (they were all on my computer!!) so I thought now would be as good a time as any to show some of the Foster Children I have made....

It all started when I bought a pattern from Sales Day at Doll Club. It was for a doll called a Foster Child Wee Tot, created by a lady called name Esther Lee Foster, around the same time as the CPK / Martha Nelson Thomas craze hit in the 80's. This version is 12" tall, and shows the "new" joints that were made available, the type with the plastic spigot and ring that lock into place. This was a whizz-bang new invention back in 1984! And, to top it off, this one had the new designed foot (whatever that meant..!)

Anyway, Esther Foster was also making soft sculpture dolls, as I mentioned, in the early 80's, in a 26" size, and using a method of fully sculpted faces with transfer eyes and wigs.

I tried one, and LOVED IT!! He was so cute! I used long fur to make his hair, but essentially, he was step-by-step from the book. Mum had some old style "dollskin" fabric, that made the job a breeze. I painted the eyes, and that was interesting, but turned out great. And even the "new style foot" turned out brilliantly, first time!! Right now, he stands proudly on my shelf, alongside my gollies and ET.

 I then discovered that the "dollskin" fabric that I had used was no longer available, so I started to experiment with different fabrics. I bought this piece of brown from Spotlight, which I think was a piece of suiting, and made my second.... She is so difficult to photograph, but is really gorgeous in real life!

So, of course, I loved the way the fabric worked, went back for more - discontinued! From there I had to experiment even more! I found a single knit in skin tone from KnitWit, and made my Grandmother a Dutch girl, complete with a little pair of clogs.....

The fabric worked OK, although a little hard to get definition in her little nose, so she is a bit piggy. I tried again, and ended up with this Indian girl, who I gave to a girl at work...

 Still a bit piggy, but better.

I discovered that the Foster Children pattern was also released as Elves. I HAD TO HAVE IT!! Found a copy on eBay, and discovered that, essentially, it was the same pattern, just with pointy ears and the "old foot". So I blended the 2 patterns together, to make the coloured fairy below....

Not sure at this stage if they are getting better or worse! The eyes always work, but the fabric just does not want to make a nice face..... time to have a rethink. I went back to KnitWit, and bought a whole bunch of rainbow colours, with the intention of making my own tribe of fairies! Here is my first attempt...

Not totally convinced, but he looks OK. But how about this guy??

A little creepy?? I think so. Such a rushed job to get him ready for the Canning Show, he is not my best work... Last but not least??

Soccer guy! Again, a rush job, and it shows!! I changed the ears on this one to be more normal rather than elvin, and they turned out quite well. Its just the rest that I am not happy with. 

I wonder if I just painted on the face without all the sculpting, I would be much happier with the final result?? The head shape is so beautiful when its stuffed, maybe that is the solution to the problem?? Hands and feet are fine, just that nose doesn't work for me anymore.

Back to the drawing board for this pattern. Its not forgotten, its just on temporary hiatus, until I can perfect the the perfect face.....