Recovery is Slow

Hi everyone, Sorry I haven't been on the blog for awhile. I have been trying to concentrate on getting better from my car accident. I haven't been able to do any sewing, sculpting or craft of any kind now for 7 weeks. There has just been too much pain in my neck and back.
BUT- I will not let this keep me down much longer. There will soon be new things to see here.
More soon!
Jane has been showing our 2 Papillions. They are doing quite well. I have added a new picture of them here. I hope you enjoy them.

Check out the Winner

Hi everyone, be sure to go and check out the winner of the Challenge I spoke about earlier on the Hello Dollies Blog spot. All of the entries are pictured there! Some great looking dolls. Congrats Jackie on your winning doll!

Challenge Doll "The Queen"

Hi there, thought I should let everyone know that the new doll pictured below called "The Queen" is the challenge doll from Hello Dollies. The original pattern is Heather Cooper"s, Mrs Chalumeau. We were allowed 2 colours with one accent colour. Then it was up to us to make our own interpretation of that pattern to complete the doll. As you can see this is way out of my comfort zone. I don't do pretty dolls. I always say pretty is boring, my dolls have character! Some would say that my Queen is pretty. Anyway have a look below and see what you think. The winner of the Challenge will be anounced this week at the Stitches and Craft Show at the Entertainment Centre in Newcastle. I will be there on Sunday as I said in my last entry. Hope to see you there.

Turning Hands for Fabric Dolls

Hi there, I offered to give a demo for Dollies in Newcastle so have been putting that together while I am resting my back. I was in an car accident last Friday and I have a very sore back and shoulders. I will be getting some physio this afternoon to go with the pain killers.
On with the demo on hand turning-
If you are unaware there is a little tool kit available at most doll supply shops with a group of different diameter brass tubes and a couple sizes of brass rod included that help a doll maker to turn the fingers of fabric doll hands. Check out my information here on the method I use. I was taught this at Dollies a few years ago. I certainly don't own the process. If I can help you drop me a note or if your local, drop into Dollies this Saturday 10am-12noon and you can watch me actually do the whole process. Hope it helps you! I will also be giving a demo on Sculpting in Super Sculpy at the Stitches and Craft Show at the Entertainment Centre in Newcastle on Sunday. So be sure to stop in and see the Hello Dollies booth at the show. It will be mostly embellished quilts not as many dolls as last year. But I bet will still be a fantastic showing of beautiful fabric crafts. So hope to see you there.

6th of the 6th Tag

Hi Wilma and everyone, Wilma challenged me to load my 6th photo from my 6th folder to share. I actually had to cheat a little bit as the 6th of the 6th was already on my blog! ha. So I picked the next one. This little person is called "Reaching for the Stars". My original idea was to create a doll that had an uplifting theme, plus I wanted to attach the doll to a large metal ring and make it pleasing and fun to look at. I also wanted it to be hangable to display. All are a challenge when working with fabric, wire and fiber fill. That is if you want it to look natural and really sitting and holding on to a ring. being fully wired made all that happen. I am very pleased with the results and only had it a couple of weeks when I took it to my workplace to share with my work mates. One just said to me, how much would you sell one like that for. I gave her a price thinking she was just interested but not serious. She said I would like to buy that. I just smiled and said thanks not thinking she was serious as I told her it was going to be in a show in Sydney the next week. About 2 weeks later she asked when I was bringing her the doll and how had I done? I nearly fell over realising at that point she was serious about buying Reaching for Stars". I did win a First Place for the doll as well. So now I only have a picture and ribbon and my workmate has this doll hanging in her bedroom. Thank you Chris for buying Reaching for the Stars!

Blues Skies Forever 2

Hi there, Well today with the cooler weather I was able to really get work done on my newest version of Blue Skies Forever'. Hope you enjoy. This one has just come along in leaps and bounds. All hand made, the head is made from Super Sculpy a polymer clay with glass eyes. The body is fabric and wired so easy to pose. The flying chair is wood, fabric and copper. This was so much fun!! hope you enjoy. will try and get some pictures loaded of it and the finished version 1. Let me know what you think!

Flying Machine Blue Skies Forever

HI everyone, sorry I am so slack and not making many posts but have been very busy getting back into work mode but even so I started a project a few weeks ago of making a flying machine with a little doll pilot. I accomplished the task after purchasing a torch and soldering copper wire and pipe together to create a frame. I then created a seat, and dashboard with a combination of pine and balsa wood. There are many other bits and pieces as you will see in the pictures.
I plan to show this project in a upcoming Art show. Will let you know the results later.
Hope you enjoy. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or contact me on the email. Thanks for having a look. Bobbi

Perth and New Norcia Western Australia Visit

Jane and I flew to Perth in early November for a week and had a great time. We drove the 2 hours north to New Norcia to visit the Benedictine Monastery established there in the 1800's. We also took in the Swan Wine area, Freemantle and lots of shopping in downtown and surrounds of Perth. Kings Park was also a highlight of the trip. Hope you enjoy the slide show. Merry Christmas in a bit over a week to you all. I hope to update more often and add some other pictures from our Perth trip in the near future. Cheers, Bobbi and Jane

Hi everyone, Jane and I decided to take a drive down to Sydney and see the 12th annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibit at Bondi Beach. What a beautiful day and fantastic sculpture as well. It is well worth the trip to experience this 2k walk along the coast at Bondi. Go early if do venture to see it as the crowds are amazing. This is a free event and everyone seems to go. We arrived at about 10am and by noon on our return walk it was just packed with people infact we got seperated walking along the path and both had a bit of a panic as to who passed who. But we soon found each other and headed back to Bondi. There is a website for the show as well. www.sculpturebythesea.com
check it out. Great day out. I had fantastic BBQ King Prawn lunch as well. Hope you enjoy the pictures

Newcastle Chairty Doll Show

Early in September 2008 we attended the Newcastle Charity Doll Show. We took all our wares and set up a stall of dolls, handmade cards and craft tools that we have for sale. I also entered several of my dolls in the doll competition. I was luckly and won a First Place trophy for Penny who is pictured here in the blog. She is one of the pair Poppy & Penny dolls I made from my own original doll pattern. This pattern has been very successful and I have taught it in classes a couple of times from our studio. If your interested in the pattern let me know I can send you one. They are $15 each. The show and sale was a big success for us and many others as well. Inspite of the very rainy weather there was a really good turn out of customers.

Christmas Card Classes 15th & 29th of November

We are offering a great new class for you paper craft enthusiasts! The class will be held in our Lambo Art Studio here in Thornton on 15th and 29th of November. Both classes will be from 1 to 3pm in the afternoon. Check out the pictures to see what great projects you will be learning. The class is only $20. you make two items all supplies and tools are provided! Just ring Jane on 02 49663897 to book your seat.

Added more pictures

Hope you all enjoy the pictures I have added. They are dolls made in the last couple of years. Most are made from polymer clay, fabric, leather and other various mixed media. If your interested in any of the dolls pictured drop me an email. Some are sold already. Thanks for looking.

First Prize for Penny

We just had a fantastic show at the Newcastle Charity Doll Show. It was a miserable day weather wise with constant rain and wind all day. But that didn't dampen the doll lovers spirit! We had good crowds for the day.
This is the first time I have entered a doll in their competition. I am very proud to have won 1 place in the their cloth doll division! We also had good response from the public for Jane and my paper crafts. And everyone loved seeing Sybil and Frances. This is only the second time they have been out for the public to see.
The next big events for us is the upcoming Craft Day here in our Studio. Don't wait until the last minute to sign up for either the craft day or the Sculpture weekend. Both classes are nearly full.
If we met you at the doll show be sure and come check out our blog often to see what is new. Please contact us with any questions you might have. Jane is soon to offer card making classes at the studio. drop us an email at oliverlambert08@gmail.com. I will post pictures from the show soon so check back later.

Classes- Christmas Craft Extravaganza

Christmas Craft Extravaganza


Sunday 19th of October 10am-4pm
Lambo Art Studio & Supply
53 Government Road, Thornton 2322 NSW Australia
Cost $65.00 covers all 3 workshops materials and tools, morning tea
BYO lunch- see below for details on how to sign up

Learn to make 3 great Christmas Craft items, each lesson will be approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours long.
· Ethereal Christmas Angel –
With Wilma Simmons
You will make a beautiful hanging Christmas ornament Art Doll. Lesson will include making a polymer clay head from a mould and colouring the clay head with Lumiere paints or metallic rubs.
You will also make a unique piece of felted fabric using wool, silk, novelty fibres and organza and have the opportunity to embellish your angel with assorted beads and other items.

· Old Worldly Ornament
With Bobbi Oliver
Learn to alter paper with Glimmer Mist, rubber stamps, and other mediums and then decorate yoLearn to make 3 great Christmas Craft items, each lesson will be approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours long.
Unique Christmas Cracker & Box
With Jane Lambert
Learn to make a card and box using, beautiful Christmas paper, ribbons and embellishments.
Learn how you can combine all three processes from today’s lesson and create fantastic Christmas gifts.

Only 10 seats available. Non-refundable Deposit $25. Reserves your seat! Post check to address above.
Call for more information Bobbi or Jane 49663897

New Sculpture Class October 2008

Hi We want to invite you to read about our up coming Polymer Clay sculpture class Please read below for information-
POLYMER CLAY HEAD SCULPTURE WORKSHOP with Bobbi Oliver
25th & 26th October 2008
2-day Head Sculpture class 10am-4pm each day
(Morning tea, lunch provided)
8 maximum students

Day 1)
Morning - introduction to sculpture techniques, tools, anatomy. Students will create a polymer face -pin doll. Students will complete, face painting, decorating the pin doll face, with coloured polymer clay and mixed media. We will bake the clay creating a finished pin doll.
After lunch - Start the head for a cloth doll, with glass eyes (optional) learn to add hair to the clay before baking. Students will be able to take the doll head home to work on overnight.

(Day2)
Practice the basics of constructing the face, eyes, nose, lips, will explore adding teeth and finish with baking and more painting and additions of colour to enhance the facial features. Lecture on building your Art Doll body. What to do next.

After Lunch students will have the opportunity to bake the heads, paint and take home to build a doll. If not they can take it home and continue working on it. (With instructions on how to bake it)
Cost- $100.00 for the 2 day class includes morning tea & lunch
Basic Kit cost $45. Kit will include, 1 block of Super Sculpy, 2 basic hand tools, and assorted other tidbits
$75.00 deposit required to secure your seat. Maxium of 8 students per weekend

Classes will be held at (Lambo Art Studio) taught by Bobbi Oliver
53 Government Road, Thornton NSW (between Newcastle and Maitland, NSW Australia)
Ring for more INFO & booking 02-49663897 Email: oliverlambert08@gmail.com
Space is limited to 8 students, materials list and suggested tools will be posted or emailed upon booking your seat in the class.NSW

Studio for Lambo Art

I am going to add some photographs here of our studio. It will show us in full swing and mess! There is always heaps of stuff sitting around. You need that in order to have a good selection of items to choose from to create your master piece. So come back soon and look at pictures of our studio in the works. It is a 6 metre square colourbond shed that we lined with gyprock, insulation, paint and fabric. We put in an Airconditioner that also heats so we can keep the climate reasonable and confortable. We even have running water! A novelity for me, only twice in more than 10 different studios over 30 years I have had the luxury of having running water. We also put sliding glass doors and windows where the roller doors were. It is quite cozy and we spend many weekends just creating in the studio. Now we need a shed just to store our staff of craft supplies and goodies. Hope you enjoy the look.

Finally I have some pictures of the finished Sybil & Frances dolls. I discribed the theme in an earlier post. So have a look back. I plan so new pictures of the dogs and studio as well. So hang in there. for new stuff. Thanks for having a look! Please leave me a note if you have time. Bobbi

our pets that rule the house!

Wanted to share our pets with everyone so you can see who rules our house and the neighbourhood. They keep track of all the kids that walk by the house to school and all the comings and goings of every passerbyer.
Sasha, Harvey and Murtle are Papillions and all have won ribbons and Challenge points at the shows. Sasha is the mother of Harvey &Murtle and is 3 years old. Harvey and Murtle are just 12 months but only about 8 weeks in this picture. Bella is a Poodle cross Papillion, a Pap-a-doodle we like to call her. She is quiet one and the one always ready to move in on food bowls left unattended. Bella is nearly 6 years old!

all those pictures

I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures I posted. I am still learning how to arrange and put captions so bear with me. Let us know what you think! Thanks for looking!
Bobbi and Jane

Queen Bee top, and Tatoo girl both fabric dolls

The Shell Collector

1960's Child

Elf King

Babuska

and Witch Hazel

Santa Claus

Teeny Bopper

Christmas Elf

And

the Opal Miner