Ready for a Paint Job

Busy, busy, busy me. Working very hard to stay focused on these dolls for the Quinlan Convention Show & Sale. I'm so excited. And wouldn't you know it? My brain is overflowing with new doll ideas. Say what? All I can do is write everything down and do lots of sketching. I feel great. I feel alive. I feel at peace.

Here's A Quick One

Once again I missed my Wednesday post. Oh well, life goes on. I'm here right now. And life is good. I'm legal and ready for the Quinlan show. I've got my PA sales tax number. Woo hoo! Still in the thralls of doll parts. I can say that I'm having fun even though my apartment is a mess and it's beginning to freak me out. I will have to put all show things in one corner.

Yay! I was finally able to do something right and get it to where I needed it. Learn something new everyday. Back to stuffing. Have a great day!

Works in Progress- April

Oh my! Missed Friday's blog. Sorry. I was in the emergency clinic all afternoon. My knee had swelled, I was in a lot of pain and it wasn't pretty. Got checked out, a prescription for inflammation and pain and a knee brace. Just when you think things are going great, the universe tests you by throwing banana peels, marbles, and whipped cream on the floor in front of you. Yes, it was frustrating and annoying because it was another bill. Six years ago I would have crumbled up and cried my eyes out and asked, "Why me? Why now". But because I'm stronger and more secure of who I am, I cried only a little bit. Took a deep breath and kept going. Heck! I'm going to the Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Convention, Show and Sale.

I did have a lot of catching up to do because I was in pain and when you're in pain, the brain just says 'no'. So here's some of what I've been working on. I still have a week to get things done for the show. I am very excited to be going and a part of that show.

Here are some of the Prim Dollies I will take. They still need some decoration and their hair.

And here are my zombie dolls and bunnies. Initial paint job. Still sewing and will be getting other dollies dressed today. I also have more voodoo doll pins in the works. Thanks for stopping by.

Six Years!

Six years ago this month, I moved from Michigan to North Carolina. My life had been in a holding pattern and it didn't look like it was going to get any better. For several years there was a massive migration of Michiganians to other places. I knew I wanted to get back to my artwork and I knew that it wouldn't happen in my home state. So I packed up my truck and headed south. That year, 51,000 people left the state.

I knew one person when I got to North Carolina. My friend Jon had been bugging me to come visit him. We met in Japan. I decided not to just visit but to move. He helped me get a place and my new adventure began. I had to learn my way around. I started hanging out in the Arts District, meeting people so they would remember me for any job that may come up. Finding places to show my work or sell it. Whatever free even I could find, I went to. I was a little afraid but very hopeful.

The first friend I made was Marta. She also moved to NC from Arkansas that same year. We met at a writer's meeting. My second friend I made was Maya, who saw something in me that I hadn't yet seen in myself. They are still my friends. I have made a few more friends and many more acquaintances. I've learned new things and a lot more things about myself. That I am brave, determined, resilient, bold, talented. I can say that I've worked my butt off in the past six years. I've done doll shows, made dolls for an independent film, have my dolls in several shops and galleries, and almost have my kid's book edited.

I have traveled a bit of the state. I've been to the coast, the foothills, and the mountains. I've even been to my first National Park. There are many more places to visit, like Asheville.

The foundation has been laid. I'm so proud of myself. All my hard work is paying off and I'm ready for the next part of my creative journey. I do hope you hang around to see what happens next in my world.

Applique Quilt Blocks

As usual, I'm playing catch up and keep up. I finally got block 9 of Hop To It done and started the block for Bless This House, which is the block-of-the-month for this year. I know, I know, why did I start another quilt when one top isn't even done yet. I don't know. I just do. I have 3 more to do for Hop To It and I will work to keep up with Bless This House.

The Bee Keep for Bless This House by Cheryl S. Karestes.

Block 9 for my Hop To It quilt.

Happy Friday the 13th!

I like Friday the 13th. It can be such a wonderful day. Today I managed to get something done. Like all of my Prim Dollie undies done. Woo hoo! The picture isn't great because some of them are white and others are beige in color but they are ready to go onto dolls. Yay me!

I hope to get the dresses done this weekend. These lovelies will be heading to the Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Convention and Sale next month.

Little Prim Dollie

This is the first Prim Dollie pattern I made. I'm getting ready for a show in Philadelphia next month. Many dolls to finish up.

Her vest is felt and has a blanket stitch around the edges. I love her bloomers.

Garnet and Garner

Here are two more doll samples for upcoming classes. Garner and Garnet are two easy rag dolls that can be made into a boy or girl. Excellent for beginners to see if they like doll making and want to continue. They can be made into play dolls for kids.

It took three times making the pattern before I got the look that I wanted.

Delta Workshop II

The second doll making workshop at the Delta Arts Center was a success too. The girls were a little older and they were so quiet. A far cry from the little ones the day before. I asked if they were all right and realized they were doing some serious concentrating. But their faces at the end were also priceless. We all had fun.

Emily Doll Samples

Things have been happening so fast for me in the past three months. Things are continuing to happen and that's great. I finally got my Emily doll samples done for an upcoming class. This pattern is one I used for two dolls in the Delta Arts Center exhibit. Part of my primitive doll collection. Yes, that's new. I'm still trying to get away from cloth dolls but no.

Emily Ann and Emily Rose.

Now I've got to get my supply list typed up and patterns ready to be photo copied to turn in tomorrow at the quilt shop where the class will be.

It's April!

Oh my gosh! I've already messed up. Here I said I was going to be more consistent and I missed a day already. Yikes! But I was prepping for my first kid workshop and finishing up two sample dolls for another doll making class that has been scheduled. The first workshop went well. The kids were happy and I had a blast.

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Me and Diane Ceasar, director of Delta Arts Center.

So I've been busy and will continue to keep up-to-date with my posts. So much more happening and fast. It's great! I feel alive and the creativity is exploding. Have and astounding April!