Ideal Tammy
The Summer Swami -- The Details
Tammy's Before & After:
This is one of the few early dolls that I kept a before picture of. When the doll arrived, it had
a bad hair cut, chipped lip paint, and empty eye issues. At the time,
I didn't quite know where to start. I never re-rooted a doll's head
before, and certainly did not want to throw the doll away. It was not my
desire to cut the hair any further, but knew it was one of Tammy's
shortcomings. However, once the doll was cleaned and her hair washed, I
remembered an old green dress. I found a swatch
of blond hair that happened to match the color of Tammy's hair rather well.
The before and after photo above was taken several years ago. The photos
below were taken over the course of the past two weeks.
The Ideal Tammy is
timeless in design. I touched up the doll's lip rouge and eyes in a way
that would not change her original look. It was my desire to work with
what I had in the best way possible without making the doll unrecognizable.
Once I had the doll's hair crown figured out, this Tammy took on a little girl
fairy-like charm, and reminded me of the warm days of summer.
Dress details and
embellishments: This
doll was not the only rescue. Tammy's dress was, too. Tammy's dress
is something vintage, and lovingly made by an unknown mother. The dress
was found was among some items in a lot and was tattered, worn, and dirty.
But its construction was so unique that I decided to clean and restore it.
Seams were mended by hand, and bows and pearls were added to the dress
without undermining its original design.
Tammy's dress is made of a vintage green satin
material. It is a full skirt, ankle length gown with two rows of rick-rack trim around the bottom. The
dress has a sheer overlay scalloped and embellished with floral charms. Tammy's dress is fully functional,
and removable via snaps and a ribbon tie.
Tammy's custom Pets: Tammy's PetPals are well trained, posable, and truly one
of a kind. No two pets are ever identical.
Tammy's PetPals are constructed one at a time by hand without a pattern.
Tammy's "Pooch" has personality with his whiskers and rolling eyes.
Tammy's "Kitty" is the smallest kitty I've made so far, and is only one inch by
one inch (1" x 1") in size.
Tammy's custom Bird: Tammy's delicate little
hands were designed to hold little
things. I modified Tammy's lucky bird by giving it perching
feet. This allows the bird to perch on Tammy's fingers.
Tammy's Custom Swami
Board: Tammy's custom talking board
is a
functional 1/6 scale magnetic replica of an old Swami Ouija Board complete with
Planchette. The back of the board has a paper plank that allows the
board to stand on a desk, or slide over Tammy's hand to hold. With the
plank removed, the little talking board can be used as a lightweight
refrigerator magnet. (Special Note: I made the Swami Board, and I
can make other things, too. I have great respect for people of faith.
Anyone bidding on this doll who would prefer a custom Tammy-Size Teddy Bear
instead of the ouija board, will receive an exchange upon request.)
Tammy's Custom
Greetings and Art:
Once Tammy was cleaned, dressed, accessorized, and set for display, the
photo session began. The photo above displays Tammy's Greeting Cards
included in the Summer Swami Set. Everything is done by hand
beginning with the rescued doll's makeover.
A lot of time,
thought, and
elements go into my custom cards. For the card shown below, I
used the following items: (1) White with dried flowers and (1) Maroon 8.5" x 11" Hand made paper,
(5) Dried Daisy Flowers, Small Scrap (Approx. 1" x 1.25") Water Color Paper,
(2) Small Cloth Flowers,
Vintage Lace, Clear Acetate, Tammy Photo,
Parchment and/or Onion Skin Paper, Silver or Gold Elastic Cord. TOOLS:
Colored Pencils, Metal Rule, Xacto Knife, and Tacky Glue.
My creations are
simple but somewhat complex. I work with photos, paper, cloth, lace trim,
art, or whatever inspires my muse. The card displayed here was
made in layers. The outer card stock, window cut out, acetate
window pane, the photo, and the card lining make up the card's exterior.
Once the card exterior is
complete, it is center scored and folded. A sheet of parchment or onion
skin is folded and inserted within the card for a personal note. The inner
writing paper is held in place by decorative gold/silver elastic cord.
When deciding on a card
size, I always try to make it functional and convenient. My cards usually
fit easily within a standard sized frame and displayed as art, or used as a
complimentary card to compliment a gift, or mailed as a greeting.
