The Southern Belles

Happy New Year........

2012-01-03T11:20:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone. It looks like we have another year packed with fun things to do and make.

The website is currently being updated with this years programme and there are a number of events that members hope to be getting involved with including the UFDC convention in New Orleans, The GDS international in Lucerne and the IDMS event in Hollingbourne.

There are a few more photos of the GDS event on the Picassa site, thankyou Trudy.

We look forward to our first meeting of the year and our AGM

'Twas a fun workshop!

2011-11-13T20:40:00.000Z

stuffing ,stuffing and more stuffing! our Christmas workshop was a venture in cloth doll making, a simple Christmas character.

Vivienne brought in this wonderful fortune teller doll that Jeannine Scard made many years ago now as there had been a recent workshop making a similar doll. As usual, this one had that peculiar Jeannine touch which makes her very special. A lovely meeting was had by all, the next one in December is our Christmas party!

Surprise Christmas workshop

2011-11-12T18:19:00.000Z

Our next meeting is on Sunday 13th November, usual place , usual time. and it will be a surprise Christmas workshop.....definitely Christmassy!

here's a sneak preview but which bit??

Next Meeting......

2011-10-14T12:55:00.000+01:00

Our next Meeting will be at the usual place at the usual time. I'm sure there will be some congratulations and a collective pat on the back for us all after such a successful weekend.
The aim is to finish our boxes and final touches to this years project.

Sue, June and Eddie supported Wellow village Hall with an exhibition from all the users of the hall, as we have been using the hall for some time now, it seamed the right thing to do!

Competition winners.....

2011-10-14T12:47:00.000+01:00

These are the results of the Regional competition held Kinson, Bournemouth hosted by Lesley and Mike Edwards of Ellies doll workshop and the Southern Belles Chapter of the Global Doll Society

GDS REGIONAL COMPETITION BOURNEMOUTH 2011

COMPETITION RESULTS

YELLOW SECTION

French dolls GOLD Sandra Russell

SILVER Carol Handley

BRONZE ------------------

COSTUME Carol Handley

Ach. Lesley Edwards

German dolls GOLD Jean Neal

SILVER Sandie Cox

SILVER Gemma Bursey

BRONZE Carol Handley

COSTUME Jean Neal

Ach. Amanda Brooks

Baby dolls GOLD Carol Handley

SILVER Amanda Brooks

BRONZE Sally Clothier

COSTUME Carol Handley

Miniature &

Small dolls GOLD Amanda Brooks

SILVER Brenda Crouch

BRONZE Kim Littlechild

COSTUME Kim Littlechild

COSTUME Sue Rivers

Ach. Joan Miles

Ach. Iris Crouch

Bru GOLD -----------------

SILVER Daphne Sykes

BRONZE Carol Handley

COSTUME Carol Handley

Ach. Amanda Brooks

GREEN SECTION

Girls & Ladies

(under 14”) GOLD ------------------

SILVER ------------------

BRONZE Amanda Brooks

COSTUME Amanda Brooks

Ach. Sue Rivers

Girls & Ladies

(over 14”) GOLD Jean Neal

SILVER Jackie Greenhill

SILVER Barbara Lewis

BRONZE Amanda Brooks

COSTUME Iris Crouch

Ach. Ann Miller

Ach. Sandie Cox

Ach. Joan Miles

Ach. Sue Rivers

Boys & Men GOLD Jackie Greenhill

SILVER Lesley Edwards

BRONZE Mike Edwards

BRONZE Daphne Sykes

COSTUME Jackie Greenhill

Ach. Kim Littlechild

Baby Dolls GOLD Amanda Brooks

SILVER Barbara Lewis

BRONZE Jackie Greenhill

COSTUME Ann Miller

Ach. Ann Miller

Fantasy &

Fantasy tableau GOLD Caroline Durbin

SILVER Lesley Edwards

BRONZE Eddie Shergold

COSTUME Caroline Durbin

RED SECTION

Artist Originals GOLD ----------------------

SILVER Amanda Brooks

BRONZE Pat Moore

Teddy bears &

Animals GOLD Jackie Greenhill

SILVER Ann Miller

SILVER Amanda Brooks

BRONZE Pat Moore

BLUE SECTION

Decorative

Porcelain GOLD Jean Neal

SILVER Joan Miles

BRONZE Joan King

Ach. Carol Handley

JUDGES CHOICE 6 BEST DOLLS IN THE COMPETITION.

JEAN NEAL German dolls

JEAN NEAL Decorative Porcelain

CAROLINE DURBIN Fantasy

JACKIE GREENHILL Boys & Men

JEAN NEAL Girls & Ladies

JACKIE GREENHILL Teddies

A note from Debbie

2011-10-14T12:37:00.000+01:00

Herewith a note from Debbie Stanton, our GDS founder and president.

hello members

We just had our Regional Competition and event organised by Lesley
Edwards of the Southern Belles in Bournemouth. (8th & 9th October 2011).
It was a lovely event attended by 58 members. The venue was perfect
and all the catering was supplied, everyone had a great time meeting
old friends, completing workshops and entering the GDS competition.

A big thankyou to members who brought so many dolls, a staggering 76
entries !!
Well done all of you and congrats to all the winners. Gillian will
send out the results sheet soon.
A big thanks also to Sue Maidment for taking the dolls in and of
course to the judges who had a lot of work to critique so many dolls,
it took them all day and they did a fine job!

I also had the opportunity to meet our new Gems System manager Trudy
Hood and a huge thankyou to her for sorting everything out and getting
it all up dated. This was a major task as it was in a bit of a mess.
Trudy has also translated the handbook into German language and
printed new certificates. Several Gem awards were handed out at the
weekend as well.

A big thankyou to all UK members for your efforts and hope you all
enjoyed the weekend.

We also had an AMAZING International event in Hanau, Germany , (16th
to 18th September 2011), which was very well organised by Martha
Grunewald and her family. The competition had 106 entries and some
really stunning dolls! The Doll Museum made the best venue for a doll
convention and in beautiful surroundings. I was thrilled to see so
many of our European members from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and
Norway and a large group travelled from the UK to help make it a truly
international event !
There were several special awards including Puppen & Spielzeug
magazine, The Doll Museum award and a fantastic prize presented by
Hildegard Gunzel as well as the GDS Coleman, Stanton and Wanke trophies.
Gilliian has already distributed the results sheet for this
competittion a few weeks ago, congratulations to all the worthy winners.

See you all again soon I hope.

Best Regards

Debbie Stanton
President & Founder
Global Doll Society

We did it!

2011-10-14T12:28:00.000+01:00

We just had a wonderful weekend, a regional convention hosted by Lesley and Mike of Ellie's doll workshop and the Southern Belles Chapter. The venue was perfect, the food was fantastic and an awful lot of chatter was going on the whole time!

Sylvia and Eddie minding the Southern Belles stand at the fair on the Sunday

Some of the modern baby dolls in the competition

Miniature and small dolls in the competition

Lesley and Sue had a fun evening on Friday meeting with the Essex ring of dolls Chapter who had travelled from Essex and the great Western Chapter who had travelled from Bristol. I guess the Southern Belles are in the middle in Bournemouth!

Mareen Rose gave us a wonderful insight into different silk and cotton fabrics and she has a wonderful collection of beautiful fabrics which she was happy for us to touch and feel, and some of the better 'polywatsits' as she calls them!

Carol gave us a lovely demonstration on wefting mohair to make wigs for antique dolls

Trudy has worked very hard in updating the gem award system, she explained the new system to us and several gem certificates were awarded.

Elaine gave a workshop making a little sewn box for keeping trinkets.

We have to thank great western too for giving a very busy workshop making leather shoes, unfortunately I didn't get a picture, I hope someone did to show later.

Next meeting.......

2011-08-12T10:12:00.000+01:00

Our next meeting is on sat 13th August at the usual place. Hope to see you all there. The workshop this month is ribbon embellishment to compliment the fabric embellishments from last month. Please bring a sewing kit with you.

At our last meeting..............

2011-08-12T10:08:00.000+01:00

A great time as always was had at our last meeting in July. Lots of 'show and tell' and some very interesting workshops to suit everyone. We also had a few boxes of goodies that Hannah, Angela's daughter very kindly donated to the club so that they may go on to another creative outlet. Thankyou Hannah.

Crazy Quilting with June.

A little fortune teller doll which was one of the workshops at the Convention in Oxford in May

Elaine's miniature Kestner which won the costume award in Oxford

Elaines K*R114 which won the judges choice in the DAG competiton in Oxford

Lesley leading fabric painting demonstration

Fabric embellishment with Pat

Next Meeting.....

2011-07-07T16:20:00.000+01:00

Just a reminder that the next meeting is on Sunday 10th July. Usual place, usual time!
This month we have 3 for the price of 1! 45 minutes each of 3 different fabric techniques - Use of an embellishment machine, silk painting and crazy quilting. Pictures to follow after the meeting!

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.......

2011-06-27T14:49:00.000+01:00

As I'm sat here nursing a rotten cold I thought I'd try and sort out some of the old photos, so here a few from the archives which I think are typical of our meetings at Wellow hall, much gossip lots of work and great fun!

All the awards......

2011-06-25T21:14:00.001+01:00

Jean just emailed me to let me know exactly what all the competition places were for the Southern Belles at the IDMS convention in Oxford in May this year. which nicely rounds up our achievements......

"Hi Sue Looked at the blog page, Thought I had better let you know on my Tableau I got a 1st place and a popular choice, the rosette is on the back of the chair for 1st place and the one on the front was the popular choise.

If you want anymore picture's I can look to see If I have anything decent

Gemma and Margaret got a star award which is like an achivement award. Gemma for her Jenny in the painted eye section and Margaret was for her Henry you told her to put in the German Painted eye section.

Elaine in German dolls with glass eyes got 3rd place, Costume and Popular

Elaine in baby dolls got a 3rd and costume

Elaine in Miniature,dolls house and small bisque dolls up to 9" got 3rd and costume

Carol in French children 13" to 26" got 2nd place and Viv got Popular

we wiped the floor clean in the All Bru dolls with

Carol getting 1st, costume and pop, Viv got 2nd place and Yasuyo got 3rd place.

Elaine in Fashion dolls got 1st, costume and pop

In Modern section.

Yasuyo in All dolls under 18" including babies, got 3rd place

Melanie in Painted eyes got 3rd as you know

Me in Tableau 1st and pop

Elaine also got best in catergory for her all bisque 9" doll

AND Best Antique for her Portrait Jumeau

also received Blue Tudor Rose for Best painted

Pink Tudor Rose for Best Costume

Lesley and her IDMS Special Award for all her service to the events

And you already have Viv's Maggie but I think there were more DAG award which Lesley might have.

Does this help you.

Best wishes

Jean"

Look out for more photos soon...........

Brighton Doll festival

2011-06-24T16:53:00.000+01:00

I just had an email from Ceinwen with information about the 2012 brighton Doll fair. This is mainly for reborn artists but one or two other interesting things too have a look www.brightondollfestival.co.uk

Southern Belles adventures at the IDMS in Oxford

2011-06-24T12:49:00.001+01:00

Southern Belles entries in the competition, didn't we do well?

Vivienne's Magge Winner, May 2011

Melanies Mollie bronze winner May 2011

Jean's Tableau, gold winner may 2011

Elaine's top winner May 2011, well done Elaine! what an achievement!

Carole and Yasuyo Gold and Siver winners in the Bru section May 2011

Welcome to our new look blog...........

2011-06-24T11:49:00.004+01:00

Welcome to our new look blog, we have rather neglected sharing our news with everyone but we aim to do better from now on!

Keep up to date with the Southern Belles adventures and projects by following us and checking in often.......

We hope to add the regular newsletter to the blog and of course lots of photos of member activities.

If you have anything you would like to add please email me HERE

Ellie's Doll Fair

2010-05-31T10:07:00.010+01:00

The Southern Belles were able to enjoy another lovely fair hosted by Lesley and Mike of Ellie's doll workshop in Kinson, Bournemouth. A lovely time was had by all and I suspect a bit more purchasing of goods than was intended happened!!

The Southern Belles had a display table and I think we may have recruited a few members and even got some old members back!

There was a good number of dolls entered in the competition all of a high standard. It was pleasing to see although judging was a bit daunting!

The Great Western Chapter enjoying the Chat room area!

Scan of last months newsletter

2010-03-26T20:17:00.003Z

We're still working on the technology but hopefully you will be able to read the last newsletter here...

Well into 2010 !!

2010-03-26T19:57:00.003Z

2010 is speeding up at a pace and this blog has been sadly neglected over the past year, but hopefully we will keep up a bit better! Our website has been updated http://www.southernbelles1.homestead.com/ and we have an action packed year ahead of us.

Our project doll this year is the endearing little Kestner 221 Googly. We have challenges and Elliesdolls is hosting a fun day in May, not forgetting the doll event in Hollingbourne in September. The club is as busy as ever!

Welcome to 2009

2009-02-13T11:23:00.002Z

Well we have suffered from a huge gap since our last update but here we are ready to start a new year and with a new programme. The programme is up on the Website, there is still a bit of updating to do but give us time and we will get there.
It is also time to update our members handbook, so if you wish to be included let Hilary or Trudy know.
I have added a feedblitz thingy to this blog too so that you can be kept updated of all the updates! though hopefully we won't have such a big gap next time!

Looking forward to May's meeting....

2008-05-09T16:44:00.002+01:00

I hope everyone has recieved the newsletter from Trudy with regard to tomorrows meeting. it looks like it's going to be good fun.Sue Gilly is going to show us all how to do quilling and make some flowers.

Jean has passed around the patterns for underwear for Henri...how is everyone doing? looking forward to seeing some progress tomorrow.
will update the site when we have more news...

A good March meeting...As usual!

2008-03-09T15:09:00.009Z

A great turnout for the March meeting, and the usual fun and chatter. We did a painting demonstration for Henri, and looked at dolls with intaglio eyes as most of the Heubach children have.
There was the usual lovely display in 'Show and Tell' and a good display for the raffle.

Sue brought in her little vintage hard plastic doll that she says has been with her for as long as she can remember! she is wearing a new dress that Sue made for her and just tooo lovely!

June brought in this lovely little doll that she has made for her cousins daughter who is unwell at present. What a delightful gift which hopefully will help with recovery.

our dutiful officers work through their lunch break!

2008-03-07T17:21:00.002Z

Hi everyone,

the next meeting is on Sunday, those of you who have your 'Henri's' cleaned up may want to go ahead and paint him at the meeting or otherwise we will be giving a demonstration of painting the Gebruder boys in the right fashion, but then you may wish to do someting completely different!

Looking forward to seeing everyone.........

Show and Tell.........

2008-02-09T19:02:00.001Z

Elaine's bronze winner, just to show us how lovely the boys can be!
Cathy brought in the doll she made with Elly Knoops at the Brighton festival.

Dorothea's beautiful boxes, just too georgious.

Gill's Campbell kids set bought on ebay....what a find!

Gills Kewpies, just too cute!

February Meeting

2008-02-09T18:56:00.000Z

And a bountiful raffle table too!

And look! everyone is paying attention!!

What a terrific turnout for the February meeting, it looks like the creative juices are beginning to flow and everyone is getting ready to do this years project. Hilary and Lesley were able to tell the group that Debbie had accepted the Southern Belles submission for a workshop at Henley (Lisa Dolittle), so its to work everybody to make it a workshop to remember. The bursery was drawn and Linda W. and Sheila T. were the lucky recipiants. We look forward to seeing how they will use their prizes.

A Southern Belles sewing box

2008-02-05T14:05:00.000Z

As we have done so many projects for different sewing aids I thought I'd make a proper sewing box for them all to go in!! This was a kit that June S. gave me shortly before she died and I have been promising myself that I would get on and do something with it. so while I have been convalescing here's what I did......

AGM 2008

2008-01-31T14:22:00.000Z

By now you will have all recieved the notes from the AGM with details of all the officers etc. and some costs for this years project.I'll be updating the website very soon so keep a look out. The next meeting is Sat. 9th Feb. Where we will get the greenware and start cleaning for this years project, no point in waiting to get started!

The dolls on the right were given to me by Gabi Bothen-Hack back in 1994. They've been hanging around in their undies since that time so now is the chance to get on ond dress them as boys, they are a black and a white version of the K*R 101.

New year, new Project

2008-01-20T13:37:00.000Z

The decision for the project doll is the Heubach 'Henri' or the K*R 101 'Peter' or 'Marie'. Whatever you choose the emphasis is on the boys, we haven't done a boy doll before so it will be fun to look at ways of dressing him and accessories to go with him. Details of the workshops are up on the website with some pictures of some antique boy dolls. Take a look. As soon as I can I'll find the pictures for you.
see everyone at the next meeting.

AGM Workshop

2008-01-07T11:23:00.000Z

We hope everyone enjoyed the quick workshop at this years AGM. Full details of all the final plans for 2008 will be here and on the website in due course...... so watch this space!

The New Year.......

2007-12-30T11:22:00.000Z

We hope everyone has had a Happy and peaceful festive time.
We have managed to grab a bit of time to begin the serious update on our website so do take a look. Any feedback, constructive criticism very welcome www.southernbelles1.homestead.com
We will be holding our AGM on the 5th Jan. 2008 and all the plans for 2008 will be discussed and agreed. There will be a small workshop on the day so bring your sewing kit.

Seasons greetings

2007-12-13T22:41:00.000Z

Wishing one and all of the Southern Belles a very Merry Christmas from all of the other Southern Belles!!

Happy holidays everyone.

2007-12-09T17:06:00.000Z

And finally a few more pictures of our Chrismas meeting.

2007-12-09T16:58:00.000Z

A collection of Elizas

Happy Christmas everyone!

2007-12-09T16:38:00.000Z

A collection of Rosalies,made by members of the Southern Belles as this years project Doll

We had our Christmas party today, despite the awful weather. What a wonderful turnout as well. A table full of Rosalie's and it was so amazing to see how one the same doll can be interpreted in so many different ways giving her such a different look. We also had a table full of Eliza's, several finished Christmas bears and of course a secret (or not so secret!) Santa. We had the traditional quiz game and a huge amount of food! Everyone worked hard to make the tables special and Christmassy and a lovely chance just to natter for a change.

We hope all those who couldn't make it because of coughs and colds, get well soon and a Happy Christmas to you

It's the Christmas party!

2007-12-07T09:55:00.000Z

The next meeting is on Sunday at Wellow, we will be having our usual Christmas party with secret santa and display of the years work.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.........

Sue's ramblings

2007-12-02T13:34:00.000Z

The last of the Christmas bear kits are made. There can't be any more, I've run out of fabric and printer ink!

For those that are interested I now have the small 12" Bru on chevrot leather body to accompany the 24" one. I'm getting a project sorted out and will be ready to kick off in the new year. Check out my blog www.susie1205.blogger.com for more details.

I've started the AGM project, I hope you all like it. You'll need a basic sewing kit again.

I'm looking forward to our Christmas meeting in December. as soon as I have the details I'll put them up here.

till next time............

Members at Large

2007-11-19T21:41:00.000Z

We have a number of members at large who are members of our group. Anna Maria Budy lives in Mexico and keeps in regular touch with us. Take a look at her website and see some of the wonderful things she does.
http://www.annamariasarts.com/
Wishing you all the best Anna maria from the Southern Belles

Also at our November Meeting...........

2007-11-18T17:57:00.000Z

Linda brought her friend Sue to the meeting who showed us a wonderful little jacket she had made in felt with Dorset feather stitch trim, she also brought a little sampler......I feel another workshop coming on!

Southern Belles Christmas project 2007

2007-11-18T17:45:00.001Z

The Christmas project this year was inspired by Linda's demonstration of the possibility of printing on fabric using an ordinary ink jet printer. This enables us to print photos, logos or anything you want onto fabric that can then be used to create a unique piece of work. In this case a Southern Belles teddy bear.

Our November Meeting

2007-11-18T17:25:00.000Z

The November meeting of the Southern Belles was held on Sunday. Sue lead the Christmas workshop to make a unique very limited edition teddy bear. It was a fun, chatty session as usual despite the weather being so awful 19 members turned up.

Southern Belles website

2007-11-15T20:34:00.000Z

The Southern Belles website is temporarily under reconstruction. We are in the process of updating everything but we should be back soon with our plans for 2008 and a good round up of 2007.

Next Meeting

2007-11-15T20:32:00.000Z

Our next meeting is at wellow Hall on Sunday 18th Nov. There will be a surprise Christmas workshop. Bring a basic sewing kit and lets have some fun.

Introducing Rosie - Leigh

2007-11-15T20:01:00.000Z

We thought you might like to have a look at the doll created especially for the Brighton Doll Festival by Hildegard Gunzel. She is a limited edition of 150 and some lucky owners were able to have Hildegard personally sign them. She is a very pretty doll made out of resin and dressed very simply in pink and white.

Welcome

2007-11-11T19:48:00.000Z

Welcome to the new Southern Belles blog. Here we will endevour to keep you up to date with what is going on in the dolly world and feedback from our own Southern Belles meetings.
Check in regularly and comment often, let us know what you want to see.