Alice & Garden Swing
Cyndi Mahlstadt
Start Date: April 24, 2012
Class: Alice & Garden Swing
Instructor: Cyndi Mahlstadt
Cost: $60 for 4 lessons
All Skill Levels
Lesson 1 Opens- April 24, 2012
Lesson 2 - May 1
Lesson 3 - May 8
Lesson 4 - May 15
Once Lesson One opens, it remains available until this classroom closes on May 29, 2012
Class Description:
Alice & Garden
This project was inspired by the recent Alice in Wonderland movie by Tim Burton. The entire movie was spectacular, but I really enjoyed the end of the movie when the flowers grew all over the screen right before your eyes. Very stimulating! So, this is my vision of a whimsical flower garden with a tiny little Alice. Although I see her as an Alice doll, she would be fun to make in many different ways…like with wings for instance! But, I’m sure you will come up with your own creative visions.
Join me for a short while as we take a little journey through wonderland. I’ll share with you many techniques, tips, and creative tid-bits. We’ll use crazy stuff like telephone wire, irrigation wire, glue, clay, paint; and on the softer side we’ll use ribbons, lace, fabric, cheesecloth, buttons, and glitter. One of the things I love about this project is the minimal amount of machine sewing, 95% of the sewing and assemblage is done by hand. Lessons include lots of pictures and step by step instructions.
Lesson Plan
Lesson 1:
•
Create a sweet little head using a clay mask (pre-made) with a fabric overlay.
Create a sweet little head using a clay mask (pre-made) with a fabric overlay. •Build a wire body armature – great technique that can be used for any size body
Build a wire body armature – great technique that can be used for any size body•Learn a unique technique for making tiny little fingers and hands
Learn a unique technique for making tiny little fingers and handsLesson 2:
•We will color the face by dry brushing acrylic paints onto fabric, and using pens and pencils to add fine details. This technique gives a very soft and sweet look.
We will color the face by dry brushing acrylic paints onto fabric, and using pens and pencils to add fine details. This technique gives a very soft and sweet look.•Build out and add shape to Alice’s body by wrapping the wire armature with quilt batting, and needle sculpting to add definition.
Build out and add shape to Alice’s body by wrapping the wire armature with quilt batting, and needle sculpting to add definition.•Make a head bead and attach head
Make a head bead and attach head•Add cloth bodice
Add cloth bodice Lesson 3:
•Make sweet little shoes out of leather, ribbon, paint, and glue
Make sweet little shoes out of leather, ribbon, paint, and glue•Costume little Alice with minimal sewing machine usage. Love that!
Costume little Alice with minimal sewing machine usage. Love that!•Add a little wild and wooly hair
Add a little wild and wooly hair•Embellish with ribbons and beads
Embellish with ribbons and beadsLesson 4:
•Learn a fun easy way to make moss
Learn a fun easy way to make moss•Create 3 styles of flowers, and 2 styles of leaves using ribbon
Create 3 styles of flowers, and 2 styles of leaves using ribbon•Create vines
Create vines•Put it all together to create a delightful flower garden!
Put it all together to create a delightful flower garden!Cyndi Mahlstadt Bio
My passion has always been art, sketching, sewing, and making “things”. In High School I spent every spare moment in the art room (even a few not so spare moments).
In 1995 I started making cloth dolls. After teaching myself the basics I began exploring different techniques in an effort to develop “my own style”.
Fantasy figures, “creations from my imagination”, are my favorite projects. Much of my inspiration comes from my garden and nature itself. I love to include a touch of whimsy and humor in my work. When people look at my critters and smile, I know I’ve done well. There’s great satisfaction in that.
The techniques I enjoy most is “cloth over wire” bodies, and needle sculpting cloth faces . I am continually trying new materials and mediums, because for me, experimenting is what keep me fresh and makes me grow as an artist. It is the mystery of “the outcome” that excites me!
Back in High School, making dolls as an “ART” form, never crossed my mind. But today, it is my joy and my passion!
A passion I love to share!
Alice & Garden Swing
2010 Website designed and hosted by "A for Artistic" ©
Optional Kit $28.50 to order click on link:
Contact Cyndi to order kit: cyndimahlstadt@meadowbugstudio.com
Kit Includes:
*10' 12g. plastic covered wire* 9' 18g plastice covered wire
* 9' 18g plastice covered wire*8' telephone wire* 7" Wood base pre-drilled for wire
* 7" Wood base pre-drilled for wire*Wood swing seat pre-drilled for wire* Chunk of Cheesecloth
* Chunk of Cheesecloth*Small Clay Mask * Felt Ball on wood skewer
* Felt Ball on wood skewer*Skin overlay fabric * Fat Quarter Batting (Fairfield 6 oz)
* Fat Quarter Batting (Fairfield 6 oz)*2 yd.s black seam binding ribbon for shoes * Small piece of black leather for soles of shoes
