Tuesday 11 November 2008

Altered Russian Dolls

I found some Japanese Momiji Dolls the other day on this blog site and fell in love with them. I'm not normally one for collecting such cute things but these are so cool. They come in a tin which is gorgeous and have a little cavity in them for hiding notes. Plus they have added accessories like bags, notepaper and the most beautiful material, what more could a girl want!!


Kokeshi dolls are made out of wood and look a bit like Russian dolls with heads and hair, and it was a combination of these two that gave me the idea to make my own.
I bought these dolls nearly 3 years ago with the intention of altering them. I searched for really cheap russian dolls and found these ones at a Car Boot sale, they were painted with Sponge Bob Square Pants and in my opinion needed saving from such a fate!! I originally stamped some tissue paper and covered them with mod podge but I was never happy with the result.


Meet from left to right Yoko Lilly and Suki

So when I glimpsed this beautiful pack of handmade Japanese papers in my stash that my sister Sarah had sent to me from Australia last Xmas I knew just what needed to be done!! I have also entered these in the Artygirlz challenge which this week is take inspiration from someone else's blog or work.
My sideways bow on Suki is supposed to represent a Kimono.
These papers are so luxurious, I love the printing techniques, colours and the gold in them. I was worried that applying the mod podge would ruin them but it helped me too smooth the paper down into shape and rub out the creases.

Flowers Galore

I have the coolest Mother-in-law. Brenda is a trained florist and gave me a box full of paper flowers and stamen with a note attached "found these little drawers just do your thing"!!! I love it when someone actually gets what you do!!!

TFL xxx

18 comments:

Christina Carnoy said...

those dolls are awesome! beautiful and very unique!

Julie Allain said...

WOW Ruth you have done a great job with the dolls they are fab!!

Thanks for joining in with this weeks Arty Girlz challenge and if you ever fancy loaning your mother in law out please give her my details :D xx

MrsBhunaBlogs said...

Hi, I love russian dolls and you have done an amazing job with altering yours.

I have left you a pm on paperparadise hope the info is not too late x

Faye said...

Since you are an altered geisha you will understand. Kiree desu.

Just a little bit Crafty said...

Beautiful job on the dolls, the paper is divine. Now, about those sets of draws, I am sure that they were meant for me (LOL).

Deborah March said...

Oooohhh, what WONDERFUL little dolls! Love your drawers too...what a sweet Mum-in-law!

paulien710 said...

Oh gosh.... those are awesome!!!!!
as are those flowers!!!!!!

Crissi Harvey said...

beautiful work Ruth the dolls are fab love love love those papers.

Thanks for joining in with the Arty Girlz challenge.

crissi xx

Anonymous said...

WOW, what treasures and a lovely job you've made with these - great use of the papers - another inspiration.

xxxxxxxxxxx

x Rachel x said...

Gorgeous dolls, & fab stash of flowers, I love those drawers,love to know where she got them from.
Rach x

Micayla said...

Those dolls are so pretty Ruth and lucky you with the flowers and drawers, they are so sweet. I am lucking forward to see what you do with them.
x

Tania said...

This is soooooo cute!

Jamie Pyles said...

Awesome job Ruth!! Looooovvve the sideways ribbon:):):) Yes, your mother-in-law truly GETS it!!! Gotta love that:):)
Hugs
Jamie

sam21ski said...

Fantastic Ruth, love the dolls and what you've done with them, can't wait to see what happens to them drawers!!!!

Terri B said...

Heya Gorgeous woman! My blogging isnt terminal lol...its jsut been on hiatus! I finally updated this morning with a very long post....so grab a coffee if you go read it!

Loving your work as always darlin....I will have to get back into it one of these days.

Much love xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Ohh those russian dolls were just beutiful!! And i love those drawers:-)

I coulden`t get to email you, but off course Id love that. Its an honour:-)

Love, -Astrid Elisabeth

Gabrielle Pollacco said...

Those dolls are just as cute as can be!! and the paper blooms!! awesome, can't wait to see the pretties you'll be making with those!!!

~Gabrielle xx

Sally said...

Love how you altered the dolls - they look great!