Fiber Arts by Judi Wellnitz

The busier I get ...

I actually had a few minutes today to get a coat of paint on the collage I'm working on - this is for Linda Misa's class over at Doll Street. I have to start the scary part next, painting the figure on it. You can see the papers I started with at the foot of the canvas.

We also got a box in the mail with some of Loren's grandmother's 'stuff' in it, including this hand quilted and cross-stitched quilt ...

here's a close up of the cross-stitch ...click to enlarge ..

I actually said my younger daughter could have it but then I took it back before she could leave today - I'm so bad. I think it needs to stay with me for a while. It has a few stains and needs cleaning - do you think I could put it in the washing machine safely? I can only imagine how long this took to make!

Then we got this quilt too ... oh, my eyes ...I don't know what it is made of but it's very shiny, LOL.

Between his mom and his grandmother I have close to a dozen hand quilted quilts - no wonder I gave up quilting!

Now take a look at this .. my husband bought this cloth doll for his grandmother at a bazaar when he was stationed in Japan about 20 years ago ... she's a cloth over .. but cloth over what?? Who knows!

Isn't she pretty? Unfortunately she is very dirty. I'll try to clean her with cotton balls/q-tips and water unless someone has a better idea. She was a gift for someone in 1966 according to a piece of paper that fell off the bottom. I imagine she is about 43 or 44 years old.

We also got another dozen rusty silverplated spoons that I am NOT going to clean and we got this really cool seltzer bottle. I remember when I first came to America my aunt had one of these (but not as fancy) and she would make us sodas - egg creams! Man, I loved those things! The bottle says not to fill it up further than the red line. I wonder what would happen - would it explode?

We have some really weird things from his family .. including an accordian that lives in my bedroom closet, LOL.

Posted by judi at May 15, 2008 5:35 PM

Comments

Judi,
Be very very careful cleaning her. Her face looks like it's a molded face. Her face might be silk. Great pictures but can't tell. Her clothing is probably silk. You don't want to get water on silk. Take a brush and try brushing her. She's very pretty. Ken had one he got in Japan years and years ago. He gave it to his niece. She still has it.
Maybe someone will know more about cleaning her.
Love & Hugs
Fran

Posted by: Fran at May 15, 2008 7:02 PM

Hi Judi, I love the quilts, I have never made a quilt like these but made one completly from felt for my daughter, I should post it on my blog. That doll is stunning, I love old things. My husband and I have heaps of old things from out grandparents. Belinda

Posted by: Belinda at May 15, 2008 7:24 PM

wow what treasures...i would soak the quilt in oxclean and put it on gentle...and i wouldn't know where to say to start on the doll...oh my she is wonderful...

Posted by: Sherry Goshon at May 15, 2008 8:03 PM

I don't know about machine washing that gorgeous quilt. MAYBE you could, but I don't know if I'd risk it. I LOVE quilts and that one is so beautiful! Even the shiny one is gorgeous! The doll? WOW! I'm with Franny - caution about wetting the face! I collected dolls for YEARS and some I had to take to 'doll hospitals' and have THEM clean. Yes, I'm serious! Stop laughing! I LOVED my collection! Had some really OLD dolls! Anyway, that seltzer bottle is a prize! Never saw one that pretty! YOU DEFINITELY LUCKED OUT!

Posted by: Kai at May 16, 2008 2:00 AM

Boy, I thought I'd been busy! Just came up for air, checked a couple blogs, and look at you!
I haven't a clue about cleaning the doll...I would be so fearful of doing damage, especially when you don't know what's underneath. I once put some figurines in the sink to soak, and ended up with two sets of glass eyes - didn't know they were salt figurines!
As to the quilt, try soaking it in buttermilk, rinsing, and putting it in on the grass to dry. The first "Shabby Chic" decorating book by Rachel...whatever her name is, has a list of helpful cleaning hints in the back. Great helps.

Posted by: Sue K at May 16, 2008 3:25 AM

That is great beginnings of a collage.

What lovely treasures you have got. The doll is so gorgeous. Hope you can get her cleaned.

Posted by: shashi at May 16, 2008 8:40 AM

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your mixed media piece.

And that is a fantastic cross-stitched quilt. Gorgeous.

Posted by: zhenia at May 16, 2008 9:02 AM

Wow!! Awesome treaures you have Judi! You are envied by everyone now, I hope you can find a way to clean it all safely.

Posted by: kerry at May 16, 2008 2:15 PM

Oh my, Christmas in May! What fun! I'd love to see your accordian by the way. My Dad is an expert player.

Your collage is looking good. I used an awful lot of paint on mine I'm afraid... it doesn't look much like a collage any more.

Posted by: JudiA at May 16, 2008 7:04 PM

What wonderful treasures!
I would not put water on the doll either.
I wouldn't even know where to start cleaning her.

Posted by: Yvette at May 16, 2008 11:27 PM

When you first came to America...? Where were you before that?

Posted by: Cindi at May 18, 2008 4:47 PM

Oxyclean is the way to go with the quilt. You may not want to put it in the machine though. Perhaps in the bathtub to soak, so the stitching doesn't get damaged. As far as the doll, what about trying one of those cans of air that you use for computers and electronics? That might get a lot of it off. Just a suggestion. :o)

Posted by: Bonnie at July 2, 2008 9:50 PM

Art Dolls

The busier I get ...