Friday Instagram Finds No. 88 with Maryke Dolls

I was looking through our #feelingstitchyig hashtag when I came across the beautiful dolls that Robyn Maryke creates. You can find her on Instagram at @marykedolls and her online shop Maryke Dolls. Robyn's handmade dolls feature recycled wool, and they are beautiful! I don't have a daughter (unless you count my three female dogs :) ), but I want one of these for myself! The Frida, in particular, is my favorite. Take a look at some of my favorite pictures, and then go check out her Instagram feed @marykedolls.

On March 20, 2017 we have our two year Friday Instagram Finds anniversary - woo hoo! I'm switching things up a bit, so you might want to start using #feelingstitchyfridays on your best needle art photos on Instagram  :)

This 70s icon doll has needle-felted eyes and lip colour for a softer look. What do you think? Can't reveal her in entirety just yet; she's part of something really cool coming up in about a month from now. See #beboldmakedolls for more sneak peeks from other makers. 🙈

A photo posted by Maryke Dolls (@marykedolls) on Feb 3, 2017 at 1:43pm PST

Perched and looking delightfully defiant 🙅🏻😉💐

A photo posted by Maryke Dolls (@marykedolls) on Jan 22, 2017 at 1:09pm PST

Warm enough to get outside and snap some photos today. Love outdoor dolly pics! We go on some thrilling adventures 😉 #inthebackyard #wearallthebabies #magicofchildhood #motherhoodrising #gnomesweetgnome #gnomes #kinfolk #adventureisoutthere #exploremore #littleredridinghood #dollmaker #babylove #oureverydaymoments #bigcartel #fibreart #handmadecanada

A photo posted by Maryke Dolls (@marykedolls) on Jan 25, 2017 at 8:50am PST

New Stitches With Portuguese Soul - Part II

Olá! This week I have some more modern stitches with Portuguese soul to show you... All of them talk a little bit about our country - our Portugal. The sea, the tiles and the fabrics inspired these stitches as it often happens in Portuguese art. 

Let's begin...

Ana, from fric de mentol,  describes her stitching work as a "mixed media embroidery artwork" once her pieces are hand screenprinted and hand embroidered with cotton thread. 

I could have chosen her enigmatic trees, the charming mandolin player or the irreverence of Madame Potato. But the first time I saw the "solitaire" it remembered me of Portuguese fishermen. And I questioned myself how this figure can tell us so much about Portuguese soul... The sea, the nostalgia, the saudade... So romantic, too. Threads are used like ink - no doubt they paint our soul... And they make us have round dreams... Don't forget to pass by Ana's blog, drops de mentol.

Solitaire and gold fishes, from Ana's Flickr

Sofia is her real name but in the blogosphere she is Tayari, a borboleta serrana (the mountain butterfly). Her love for Serra de Sintra justifies both this name and the blog that she writes "between the mountain and the sea", ponto sem nó (stitch without knot). She is a passionate embroiderer. Do you imagine how many hours has she spent cross-stitching? She loves teaching and sharing her incredible knowledge. And I love how she mixes tradition and modern patterns.

I've chosen this image because it remembered me of Portuguese ceramic tile. And I was right... This was a gift to someone passionate about Lisbon's ceramic tile...

 Cross stitch "ceramic tile" pattern, by Sofia.

The details of Maria's work are irresistible. Her dolls , Violetas, are so sweet that for some moments we believe they belong to a dream. Some of them are beautifuly decorated with embroidery and I've chosen one of those to show you. This is a very special one because she's wearing a Portuguese traditional fabric, too - chita de Alcobaça. But it was difficult to choose once the dress of theVioleta nº 42 is also very beautiful. 

And what to say about her bird's bag... If you like appliqué embroidery browse Maria's bags set and don't forget to visit her blog, kase-faz.

Beautiful stitches from Violeta's dress.

I'll continue searching for beautiful Portuguese stitches just for you...