Hi everyone!

My oh my, but it's been quiet here over the last couple of weeks. My
bridal doll progresses - the gown is now finished, even if it took two
attempts to get the bodice done!

The only slight problem I now have, the bodice has a deep 'belt' that
goes down below the waist. This is highly shaped and sculpted to fit
the body, with quite a bit of easing to get the seams together
sensibly. It has a deep downwards 'V' across her tummy. The upper part
of the bodice is very full, with a brocade under bodice and organza
shirring around the bodice and sleeves - the under bodice and shirring
are so full the belt doesn't lie close against the body and sticks out
a little one the 'V'. I've plenty of material left, so if I feel in
the mood one day I might try a third attempt at the bodice!

I've made her headdress, just waiting for some small ivory guipure
lace to edge the veil and all my work will be done! I'm also trying to
source a silk flower posy for her. I've seen one I like, just waiting
to hear if they can scale it down so it's in keeping for the doll's size.

She does look good, especially now I've added her eyelashes and wig,
but you'll have to wait now for any more pics until she's finished.
Had to make one change, she's no longer wearing a camisole under the
gown. The yoke is  organza, and the camisole straps showed through and
spoiled the look.

We're both back to doll making the week after next, I'm making a young
girl doll for a change; we bought a small seagrass chair a while back
and she's going to be seated on that. Audrey is tackling a very large
Nubian doll to be posed on a telephone seat.

Two weeks Sunday and we're off to have a few days away in Devon,
staying on a farm just a few miles outside Exeter. I'm wanting fit in
a visit to the Eden Project if any of you have heard of it. It's in an
old china clay pit, there are some enormous 'biospheres' where they've
created mini climates.

http://www.edenproject.com/

Another likely visit is Pecorama

http://www.peco-uk.com/Pecorama/Pecorama.htm

That's probably one that might interest husbands! Last went there
about 20-25 years ago on a very warm and sunny summer day, had a ride
on the Beer Heights light railway all round the place, and got
absolutely plastered with little black smuts all down my shirt front!

Also wanting to make contact with a cousin of mine who lives down that
way, and who I haven't seen for many years.