Beehive Cottage - Folk Art Dolls

When was my last post?

2012-02-11T03:57:00.000-05:00

How can this be? I can't believe my last post was (gulp)

in August last year!

Here is a list of my excuses:

getting ready for shows,

doing shows,

managing my co-op booth,

Pfatt Marketplace,

holidays,

family,

friends,

and my biggest inspiration/time killer...Pinterest.

Yes, I am an official Pinterest addict.

So if you are one too,

maybe you would like to follow me.

I have added a Pinterest button to my blog.

But, if you don't know about Pinterest,

fair warning, it's amazing!

PS: I promise to do better in the future

keeping up my posts.

Pfatt Marketplace for August

2011-08-10T01:41:00.000-04:00

Hildegarde is my contribution to the Pfatt Marketplace this month.

Visit Pfatt Marketplace

to see more about her.

The August issue begins today at 10am Pacific Time.

Check out all the pages...we are a great bunch of artists.

Imported French Fabric from Provence

2011-08-04T04:57:00.000-04:00

Hi All!

I'm clearing out my studio to make more working space

and have listed some fabric up on eBay.

There is a steel blue and an olive green field print fabric.

Also, each color has a companion border print fabric.

It's a very high quality fabric originally priced at $35 per yard.

I'm letting it go for $5 per half yard.

Sturdy cotton, great for pillows, cushions, upholstery, bags, etc.

Here's the link: Provence Fabric on eBay

Pfatt Marketplace for June

2011-06-10T13:48:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!

This is my Pfatt Marketplace offering for June.

Her name is Coraline Hallows.

I figured if there can be Christmas in July...

why not Halloween in June.

Check out all the amazing work this month.

There are some quite wonderful pieces by

some amazing artists.

Pfatt Markeplace

I also want to apologize for being MIA.

My blog posts have been sporadic at best.

Busy, busy, busy.

I've been helping a friend who is a milliner

when she's getting ready for a show.

This weekend (6/11-6/12) she's doing a show at

Lincoln Center in NYC.

She does some very creative work.

Check out her website.

Moire's Millinery

Hint: Don't stop at the front page.

Enter the website, it's great!

The music is her husband's

original compostitions.

Pfatt Marketplace for April

2011-04-10T01:23:00.001-04:00

Hi-dee-hi!

It's that time again. Pfatt Marketplace for April opens

at 10:00 am today, Sunday, April 10th, Pacific Time.

This is my offering for April...Burlap Bunny.

And there is a surprise.

I am honored to be this month's

Featured Artist!

We, the artists of Pfatt Marketplace, hope you will

visit us. We have some pretty terrific things

to show you. Happy Spring!

Papier Mache Easter Eggs Tutorial

2011-03-31T18:07:00.001-04:00

Hello Springtime! Sorry I have been AWOL for a time...just handling life. I am getting ready for a show and wanted to share something I learned recently. So, here goes my first tutorial, yea!

Awhile back I read a blog post (sorry, I can't remember whose or I'd give credit) that talked about her great, new favorite medium. I have always used a different kind of decoupage medium, but was semi-unhappy with the results. It is great stuff except it always came out shinier than I wanted (even the matte).

So when I read about Matte Gel Medium especially how dull the finish was, I decided to give it a try.

Wow! It is wonderful. Here is some of the label description...heavy body, translucent gel...creates a matte, non-reflective finish...opaque when wet, dries translucent & matte...permanent, non-yellowing, flexible and water resistant when dry...excellent glue for collage. What I say is...feels light and creamy, not sticky, cleans up easily with water and it dries so matte it seems invisible.

I bought the Liquitex brand. There are probably other brands out there, but I really like this one.

Matte Gel Medium has many other uses too...I highly recommend it.

Now for my tutorial.

I started by tearing up a brown paper sack (grocery store) and a sheet of newsprint from an old tablet I had.

Pieces should be smallish and irregular.

The best tools in the world...fingers. Handling the egg is messy anyway so why dirty a brush.

Spread a little Matte Gel Medium on the back of a piece of paper, stick it to the egg, then spread a little more over the top of the paper. As the gel soaks in, the paper softens and flattens out. The brown paper actually flattened out more completely, but I like the roughness of the newsprint too.

Here I used an inexpensive plastic egg.

Here I covered up an egg I had previously made using the 'other' shiny decoupage medium.

I sanded the finish first, but probably didn't have to since the Matte Gel Medium stuck to the plastic egg just fine.

See the white of the Matte Gel Medium while it's still wet?

A 'Before and After' picture...

...and here's another showing 2 finished eggs with 2 different papers.

See the shine on the plastic egg? No shine on the paper eggs!

Next in the process, a paper covered egg & a completed egg.

I added some pieces of cheesecloth and lace using the same Matte Gel Medium.

It works great!

Voila! 2 finished eggs. The smaller egg is covered in newsprint and the larger egg is covered in the brown paper sack. I stained the cheesecloth and lace, one lighter-one darker, with walnut ink.

TIP: I found that I had to rinse my hands about half-way through the paper process. As the Matte Gel Medium begins to dry, the dry bits on your fingers can come off on the egg.

I can't say enough good things about this stuff. It's so nice when a product does what you want it to.

Anyone who has tried the Matte Gel Medium, leave a comment and share your experience. I'd love to hear from you.

Pfatt Marketplace for January

2011-01-11T00:40:00.001-05:00

Here is one of the items I have up on

Pfatt Marketplace for January.

It's my prim Crow Heart.

You can read about it & see the other items

by clicking the link below.

Beehive Cottage on Pfatt Marketplace

While you're there, look at all the amazing work

by the other artists.

You won't be disappointed.

Crow Heart is SOLD, but I will take

a limited number of orders.

One World, One Heart - Fifth & Final

2011-01-02T01:01:00.000-05:00

Here is the link for the last, final, now or never One World, One Heart Event

I'm so excited about this, probably because I missed the 2010 event and

now 2011 will be the last one. Click on the link and find out all about it.

I can't wait to meet you, fellow blogger.

Now what will my door prize be...hmmm?

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T05:21:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm posting to let you know that I've started another blog.

www.beehivecottagegarden.blogspot.com

I've been trying to figure out how to include everything in this blog, but it just seemed too confusing. So now I will have my doll blog here and a second blog that will be all about home.

My new blog will include pictures and info of my house renovation which has been going on for more years than I care to think about. Also, I will include recipes, tutorials for repurposing things, bits about home life, sewing stuff, and other beautiful places where I would love to live...like the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany pictured above. (Only I wouldn't want to clean it)

Of course, you probably know, but for anyone who doesn't, Walt Disney based the look of Cinderella's Castle in Disney World Orlando on the Neuschwanstein Castle.

I hope you will take a look at my new blog and be a follower.

I look forward to your comments and have a Happy 2011.

Pfatt tonight at 12:01 am

2010-12-09T19:11:00.000-05:00

I'd like you to meet Sasha Snow.

She's my December offering on Pfatt Marketplace.

Here's the link...take a peek!

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/beehivecottage.html

And while you're there, check out all of the

Pfatt artists...an amazing group!

Sparkle Snow & Her Pet Crow

2010-11-29T04:08:00.000-05:00

Sparkle & Her Pet Crow

are listed on eBay...take a peek.

Click Here To See Sparkle on eBay

eBay

2010-10-12T14:49:00.001-04:00

Here is Pammie, the Raggedy Pumpkin Girl

and her rag doll Frightful Fanny

Pammie was my September offering on

Pfatt Marketplace,

but alas, she didn't sell.

So in order to keep her from feeling

unloved and unwanted,

I've listed her on eBay this week.

Pammie on eBay

New Halloween Dollies

2010-09-13T23:40:00.000-04:00

Here is Pammie, a Raggedy Pumpkin Girl.

She is my September offering on

Pfatt Marketplace.

Take a peek!

Here's the link.

Pfatt Marketplace & Beehive Cottage

...and here is Zellie Skelly.

She is newly listed on eBay tonight.

Hope you'll check her out...

here's the link.

Zellie on eBay

I just love Halloween!

Two new Halloween Dollies on eBay!

2010-08-31T02:18:00.000-04:00

Nellie Skelly has one more day on eBay before

she leaves for her new home.

Nellie Skelly on eBay

Dottie just began her week long visit to eBay tonight.

Dottie, the Polka-Dot Pumpkin Girl on eBay

I seem to be at a loss for words recently...

so I'll let the pictures do the talking for me.

Introducing Shelly Skelly

2010-08-11T01:27:00.000-04:00

Here she is...on http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/

It's Shelly Skelly,

my first Halloween doll of 2010.

Check her out!

WIP For The First Halloween Doll of 2010

2010-08-09T16:26:00.004-04:00

The wedding day was amazing, the bride was gorgeous, the bridesmaids were beautiful & the flower girls were precious...my son looked pretty great too (although I didn't sew anything for him). Then I spent a few days recovering & cleaning up my studio. Now I'm back!

Here are some pics of my newest doll...or rather WIP pics of my newest doll. The finished doll will be up on Pfatt Marketplace August 10th. Ooo, that's tomorrow. I hope you'll visit all of the incredible artists there.

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/

Wedding Bells

2010-07-19T03:07:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't been around. My son is getting married on Saturday and I have been sewing, sewing, sewing! Have no fear though, I'll be back soon. I'm itching to work out some Halloween ideas.

And now for something completely different

2010-06-09T20:13:00.000-04:00

Lately I've gotten very addicted to crocheting

little Amigurumi characters.

So my Pfatt Marketplace upload

for the month of June is

Amigurumi Cupcakes!

Here's a little sneak peak.

Take a look at

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/

on June 10th.

Pfatt Marketplace for May

2010-05-10T21:42:00.000-04:00

"She sell seashells,

down by the seashore."

Say that 3 times really fast!

Here is Victoria and her shells,

my May offering on

Pfatt Marketplace

Come along for a visit.

Yay...I'm In Print!

2010-04-15T23:51:00.001-04:00

The May/June/July issue of Art Doll Quarterly arrived

in my mailbox today and guess what!

We are in it! Alice and Flavio are pictured

on pages 92-93.

Alice looks a little worse for wear.

Her bow is a little smashed and her hair

is mussed, but she doesn't mind.

After all, she's very happy to have

her 15 minutes...along with

her pet flamingo, Flavio of course.

I want to express my appreciation to

Suzan Hancock,

the lovely, kind lady who has taken

Alice and Flavio into her home.

Without her initiative, this wonderful

opportunity would not be.

I also wish to thank the people at

Art Doll Quarterly and Stampington and Co.

The magazines are so inspirational, every one.

This is starting to sound like an acceptance speech,

so I'll say 'bye for now.

I'm just sooooo excited!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T02:03:00.000-04:00

The hope, the joy & the love

of Easter morning.

He is risen!

Esther - New on Pfatt Marketplace

2010-03-10T03:50:00.000-05:00

Here is my March offering on Pfatt Marketplace.

Her colors make me wish for Spring.

Take a minute to check her out &

all the other amazing artists at

http://www.pfattmarketplace/.

My new banner!

2010-02-11T09:02:00.000-05:00

So what do ya' think of my new banner?

I have wanted a banner for so long & now,

thanks to the amazing & fantastic Sandy Wood,

I have one!

So, if you decide that you need a banner

or any other kind of graphics,

go see Sandy.

http://www.samiamcreations.blogspot.com/

New Pfatt Marketplace Updates for February!

2010-02-10T01:59:00.000-05:00

Here is one of my offerings for this month's

Pfatt Marketplace.

There are more, so check it out!

I just love hearts, don't you?

For Valentine's Day or any day.

Happy Valentine's Day #1

2010-01-28T21:01:00.002-05:00

I just love the way these hearts turned out.

I love the monochrome color way because it allows

the texture of the lace to take center stage.

I listed them on eBay tonight.

There is a choice of ribbon color.

Rose, French Blue & Ivory

And this is my Primitive Angel.

She's also listed on eBay tonight.

Wow, 2 listings on the same day!

Haven't done that in quite a while.

I love Holidays!

2010-01-14T20:58:00.004-05:00

After finishing The Winter White Snow Princess, I was excited to use

more of the vintage pieces in my cache.

I found the lacy pieces (an unfinished project no doubt)

at a garage sale a couple of summers ago.

The little hand crocheted squares were put together in three's.

They looked like hearts to me, but I never got around

to doing anything with them...until now.

The stuffed heart is osnaburg and layered with a piece of lace.

All that's left to do is find a gorgeous length of ribbon

to finish it off.

Voila! A yummy looking Valentine heart.

Here is the wreath I made to grace my front door for Christmas.

I think it makes a pretty good 'all through the winter' wreath too.

What do you think?

Pfatt Marketplace for January

2010-01-11T23:52:00.003-05:00

Here is my January offering for the Pfatt Marketplace.

This little sweetie's name is the Winter White Snow Princess.

I wasn't very happy with the pictures I posted.

I used a black background & cool lighting.

So I decided to retake the pics & post them here.

The colors are much more true to the original doll &

the details show more clearly.

So if you want to know more about this little princess,
go to http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/beehivecottage.html & read all about her.
And while you're there, take a look at all the beautiful
work by the amazing artists that are a part of
the Pfatt Marketplace.

Keep smiling & stay warm!

Fashionably Late for 2010

2010-01-04T21:04:00.003-05:00

Welcoming 2010!

I love to look out of my windows at sights such as this

& wanted to share them with you.

My beautiful pink rhododendron sleeping in the snow &

protected from the west wind by the towering Blue Spruces

in my front yard.

Picture 1 of the cherry tree in my back yard.

Picture 2 of the same scene, a little to the left.

This is my favorite picture...some white birch logs
that Mr. B had stacked on our back porch next to
the most aromatic junipers you ever want to smell.
I took these pictures on Sunday during a little break in our
lake-effect snow flurries.
The snow reminds me of gobs of marshmallow creme
dusted with powdered sugar.
(Sorry, I'm still going through Christmas cookie withdrawals)

I don't make New Year's Resolutions anymore because
I can't keep them for very long & then I feel like I've failed.
However, I have decided to be more diligent
in manifesting & sharing what is in my head on a more
regular basis.
So, on January 10th I will have my first doll of 2010
available on the PFATT Marketplace website.

I'm feeling very inspired by snow...

2009-12-07T23:04:00.004-05:00

In case anyone was wondering why my last post was about Halloween ... November was a strange & busy month. I was consumed by family & house crisis. I had fully intended to have a give-away, but by the middle of November, I was in the hospital for a few of days. Previously, I'd only been in the hospital to give birth & to have my wisdom teeth removed. Yeah, I know, the hospital for wisdom teeth? Well, it was the only way the insurance would pay for it. See, insurance company policies were wacky 35 years ago too. Anyway, first we thought it was a stroke, then maybe a TIA, but decided after many, many tests (MRI's are not fun) that it was probably hypertension brought on by STRESS...then they sent me home with pills for high blood pressure. Good as new... at least good enough.

I have a new listing on ebay tonight, check it out if you get the chance. Her name is Sissy Snow.

I tried to put her picture with this paragraph, but it didn't work. 'Oh well' is my new

mantra.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160385502847&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Happy Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T01:05:00.004-04:00

Hope y'all had a Happy Halloween! Here are some pics of what greeted our guest trick-or-treaters tonight. The image on the front door is a last minute painting I did while still a teenager using leftover Day-Glo paint. (Anyone remember that?) The paint was almost dried up so I had to add lots of water. I keep it in one of my portfolios & drag it out every Halloween. Once in a while I think that I should paint another one. Hopefully my abilities have improved since then...but it's kind of fun to see the old girl. So up on the door she goes, especially since I'm still doing most things at the last minute.

If you can guess the secret behind the disembodied head & the ghost, leave a comment. If you answer correctly, I will put your name in the hat for a giveaway. The next post will show what you could win. Hmmm, what will it be?

Rosalita's on her way to...

2009-10-26T02:28:00.002-04:00

This is a first for me. My little Rosalita is on her way to Australia! I don't usually ship overseas, but I had a very polite request & said yes. It's a bit more work to figure out the international shipping process, but my postal worker was very helpful. I didn't offer free shipping because I wasn't sure how expensive it would be. I ended up shipping First Class International which was the least expensive...although it will take up to 10 days to arrive. The buyer agreed. I also added on (at my expense) Registered mail, so I will get confirmation when it arrives. My postal worker suggested that. He said he had seen some instances where eBay sellers have had problems without confirmation. I didn't believe I would have any problems as the buyer was great with communication & very nice...but better safe than sorry.

Hope everyone has a fun Halloween! Next, on to Snowmen & Christmas.

Rosalita, Dias de los Muertos Girl

2009-10-13T01:27:00.005-04:00

Here is Rosalita, my Day of the Dead girl. I had a great time learning about the celebration while I worked on her. I discovered that many countries have such a celebration (even in Eastern Europe), but I chose to concentrate on the Mexican tradition. It's believed that it began 2500 to 3000 years ago basically with the Aztecs, etc. When the Spanish arrived, they tried to impress Christianity upon the people, but couldn't eradicate the native customs. So now Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) coincides with All Saints Day on Nov. 1, & Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) follows on Nov. 2 with All Souls Day.

I like that they celebrate & honor their deceased ancestors in such a festive & colorful way. The old expression "Dead & Gone" hasn't any meaning for them.

So, Rosalita is now listed on eBay until Monday, 10/19. Check it out! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160369400629&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I almost forgot, I free-handed the mask of paperclay (no molds) & painted it like a sugar skull. I loved looking at the sugar skulls & other calacas & folk art. Amazing!

Baby Witch Wilhemina, Skellie-head & Fuzzy

2009-09-28T22:16:00.002-04:00

Here is my new baby witch doll. Her name is Wilhemina with her pet spider Fuzzy & her dolly, Skellie-head. I listed them tonight on eBay. Check it out.

Pfatt Marketplace!!!

2009-09-14T01:04:00.002-04:00

I am so excited to tell that I have been accepted into the Pfatt Marketplace Site! This little dollie is Raggedy Baby Hazel. I've come up with a new design for a baby doll & she is the first. I feel very privileged to have be a part of this group of wonderful artists. Check us out at www.pfattmarketplace.com The new listings start on the 10th of each month at 12:00 am.

Summer is great...but I love autumn!

2009-09-03T19:42:00.005-04:00

Here near the lake the trees are still mostly green although the sugar maples are tinged with red. The sky has been an amazingly saturated shade of blue. The night air has begun to get chilly...sweater weather, but the sun is still warm during the day. The kids are back in school, still excited about new clothes, new pencils, new teachers & old friends. September holds the promise of picking apples & grapes & pumpkins! Halloween is just around the corner! As much as I like Halloween, I don't want to rush the season.

That said, here is my latest creation, Queenie Halloweenie & Her Cheshire. She's listed on eBay now. One note...she really isn't as orange as she looks. My camera doesn't seem to capture true color very well.

I'm finishing up my next Halloween dolly. She will be up on the Pfatt Marketplace site next week, Thursday, Sept.10th. I am very excited to have been accepted. I have long admired the artists there. Check it out!

Alice & Her Favorite Flamingo, Flavio

2009-08-17T23:24:00.002-04:00

Some time ago I created Alice & listed her up on eBay. Lots of watchers, no bids. At the time, she felt unfinished to me, but I was anxious to get something listed. Now I'm really glad things turned out the way they did because Alice is finally finished. She & Flavio are together again. Well not exactly again...I just made him, but it's part of the backstory. So Alice & Flavio were listed tonight. Check them out!

Halloween is next! I'm soooo excited.

2009-08-05T23:58:00.003-04:00

Tonight I listed a doll on EBAY
Her name is Kizzie & the date is 1865. Do you know the significance? Check the listing to find out. I know that these are not very much like my usual style, but when there's inspiration I have to follow it through.

Another doll on EBAY tonight. Her name is Sweet Sally. I'm starting to get back into the swing of things. Halloween comes next. I can't wait. Sooooo many ideas.

I'm Back!

2009-08-05T01:41:00.002-04:00

It's been quite a while since I've made a doll or posted anything on my blog. Life's been filled with drama, but of course that's life. Anyway, I was feeling the need for simplicity & the result is Laura & Elizabeth. As I worked on them, I pictured myself rummaging through an old, dusty trunk in the attic of an elderly aunt. There has to be a backstory! But you'll have to check out my eBay listing to read the rest. Please excuse the mistakes that have shown up on the auction template. I've been trying to figure out HTML & not doing very well. Maybe that's why I'm so tired! Off to bed. Love you all!

Award Pass Along Instructions

2009-03-24T01:07:00.003-04:00

I knew I'd forget something...I forgot the instructions!

So here goes: If you have been nominated & would like to pass along this "Kreative Blogger" award, just follow the guidelines listed below.

1) Copy the award to your site. (see the previous post)
2) Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3) Nominate up to 8 other bloggers.
4) Link to those on your blog.
5) Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Whew, that was hard work & very time consuming, but also very much appreciated.
Thanks again Mechelle.

My First Blog Award!

2009-03-22T17:39:00.007-04:00

Thank you so much to Mechelle Harrison for sending me this

Kreativ Blogger Award.

It's my first award! I hope I can follow all the rules

as I'm not that good at following all the rules...

mainly because I can't remember them.

So here goes:

http://mothersdreamartworks.blogspot.com/

http://cottonpickinranch.blogspot.com/

http://kingfisherfarmteddies.blogspot.com/

http://grandpurlbaa.blogspot.com/

http://yellena.com/blog/

http://lwemporium.blogspot.com/

http://warmpiehappyhome.blogspot.com/

http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com/

No, I'm not giving myself an award, this last link is for

"The" Beehive Cottage.

These are all blogs that I admire.

It was very difficult to choose only 8.

I hope you'll visit them. You won't be disappointed.

Also visit http://mechelledesigns.blogspot.com/ my benefactor.

Smiles, Debbie

Prim & Pretty Easter Eggs

2009-03-12T00:35:00.032-04:00

Sometimes I just have to make something for fun. I know I have a jump on the holiday (with humble regrets to my Irish cousins), but the idea popped into my head & the eggs had to become real. There are 3 bigger ones & 6 smaller ones.

They are now in our candy booth at the L. W. Emporium, our local craft & antique co-op.
The story goes that the owner, when going to lunch, used to leave a sign on the front door saying, "Gone to lunch. Back soon, L.W.". The L. & W. were not his initials, as some might suppose, but rather they meant, "Lord Willing". The Co-op is housed in a big old barn. At one time it was a coal barn, another time it housed lumber. It's a charming place & we love being a part of it.

Alice, where are you going?

2009-02-23T22:49:00.025-05:00

Here is my newest doll. As you can see she is named Alice.
Alice was inspired by a rhyme I learned as a child. It is called, "Alice, where are you going?"

I have no idea where the rhyme came from, but my mother used to sing it to me when it was bathtime. Scary, huh?

"Alice, where are you going?
Upstairs to take a bath.
Alice with legs like toothpicks
& a neck like a giraffe.
Alice steps in the bathtub,
pulls out the plug & then..
Goodness, gracious, bless my soul,
there goes Alice down the hole!
Alice, where are you going?
Glug, glug, glug. "

Alice is listed on eBay until March 2. Take a peek & if anyone knows anything about this rhyme, let me know. I've never met anyone else who knew it.

Pretty Polly Pumpkin

2009-02-17T18:38:00.005-05:00

Pretty Polly Pumpkin is one of my dolls that sold last year. I am working on a new doll (her name is Alice), but thought I should post something else now. So here is something old that's new.

Pretty Polly Pumpkin had a dream.
Fashion was her passion, but Polly’s mother
told her to be practical.
After all, how can you make a living in fashion?
You are just an ordinary pumpkin girl.

“You need a skill to fall back on,” her mother would say.
(Fall back on when you fail was the unspoken message)
“Learn to type. Better yet,
attend secretarial school, then you will always have a job.”

“Sure, thought Polly, always have a job
that I dislike & have a life that is
miserable & unfulfilling.”
What could Polly do?

Being a dutiful daughter, she applied to
secretarial school & was accepted. After 18 agonizing
months Polly graduated with honors & found a job
at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City.
If she was to be a secretary, at least she
could work in the industry.

Polly created a new ensemble for her first day
at work. It was a not so simple black & white frock
with just the right shoes & accessories.
When she arrived at the office building, a young man
approached her asking, “Where have you been?
You should have been here an hour ago!”
She was ushered into a studio.
“There”, said the young man,
“the models just arrived for the Halloween shoot.
Do your magic!”

Finally understanding that she had been mistaken
for a stylist, Polly realized this was her chance.
She got right to work. The lights, the models, the props
& the clothes…Polly was in her element.

The next hour flew by. Polly was sooo happy until
the young man appeared in the doorway
of the studio accompanied by a man & a woman.
They did not look pleased as he pointed at Polly.
She had been found out!

As the group approached, the photographer
(famous fashion icon photographer of course)
intervened. “Where”, he asked, “have you been
hiding this wonderful stylist? She is remarkable.
She could practically read my thoughts.
I will not work with anyone else!”

The astonished group quickly changed demeanor.
Of course they would do anything to
please the famous photographer.
As they left the studio, Polly overheard one of them
say, “I don’t know who this girl is or where
she came from, but get her on the payroll, now!”

Polly had not given up on her dream,
but she was grateful that she followed
her mother’s recommendation.
After all, Polly would never have been in the lobby
of the prestigious fashion magazine building
if it had not been for secretarial school.

Lilly LaLune

2009-01-27T14:04:00.004-05:00

I just came across some pics of a doll I made last year. She has gone on to a new home, but I love her & wanted to share her again. Here is the story that goes with her.

Lilly grew up among her family's vineyards. She loved early autumn with the warm scent of ripening grapes hanging heavy on the vines & orange pumpkins sunbathing amongst their leaves. Her life was simple, idyllic & rather isolated. Her parents treated all of their children with love, teaching them hard work, common sense & compassion. The day soon came for Lilly to leave home & make her way in the world. Lilly knew she looked a little different, but at home that had never mattered. "Everyone is different in some way," her mother would say. "Otherwise life would be so boring."

Lilly moved to town & set about to find a job without any luck. She was puzzled by people's reactions to her. Some looked shocked, others laughed, but most just stared. "Strange people", Lilly thought. As she rested on a park bench, a man approached asking if she might be interested in a job. "Why yes", Lilly said with surprise & wondered why he chose her. The man said he was the owner of a grand cirque (big circus for the English speaking). He thought Lilly would be perfect for a new curiosity act he was considering.

So Lilly took the offer & along with a new job, found a new name (Lilly LaLune) & a new life. The people she worked with were much like her family. They were hard working, had common sense (unlike the people in the town she decided) & were compassionate. Oh, did I mention? They were all a little different too. Lilly became the star of the show & was received in all the best places. Once before a command performance, she even met the Queen of England! And you know what? Even the Queen was a little different. She kept referring to herself as "we".

It was a wonderful & exciting life! Many years later, Lilly had tired of being a celebrity & longed for the countryside & vineyards where she grew up. So she returned home to write her memoirs. She wrote of all the different places she had visited, all the different thing she had seen & all the different people she had met (of course she did not name any names, she was not that kind of girl). Life had certainly not been boring, but the best place by far was her beloved vineyards in the early autumn where she could just be Lilly.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-01-27T00:38:00.004-05:00

It is said that 'when it rains, it pours'...literally, we've had some roof leaks, car trouble, a dead furnace & lots of snow & cold. So I've been a little busy taking care of the more mundane tasks of life. I was able to finally get something done for Valentine's Day though. It's listed on eBay as of tonight. The pix aren't that great. I just can't seem to get the colors to come out right. Anyway, give me a holler & tell me what you think.

Sarah Snow

2008-12-15T23:25:00.000-05:00

Here are some pix of my new snowgirl, Sarah. Finally finished her today. She was very picky about the way she looked. She didn't like the first hat I made, so I had to make a different one...and she wasn't sure what she wanted to take with her. She decided on the snowflake when she discovered that it was rare...8 points don't you know.

No, I'm not crazy...just silly & intuitive. I'd like to know what y'all think of her...honestly. Maybe there's something you see that I don't.

I'd like to acknowledge Sheryl from 'mothersdreamartworks' for helping me. I've wanted an auction template for a long time, but was too scared, lazy, overwhelmed, non-technical, busy to do anything about it. Then along came Sheryl to pay it forward. Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you...I really couldn't.

What next? I wonder...

Debbie

Sugar Maples in October

2008-12-06T01:08:00.000-05:00

These 2 sugar maple trees live on the same street that I do. Every fall I am awed by their intense beauty & every fall I vow to take pictures. Well this fall I finally did. There is nothing that I have seen to compare to autumn in upstate NY. We live near a large bay in from Lake Ontario. In order to travel west we have to cross a a tall, large, arched bridge & the scenery is ever so beautiful! The land slopes down a hundred feet to the water & is covered with trees. In the fall, on a clear, blue sky day, the view is breathtaking. The cerulean sky might be punctuated with puffy white clouds. Then come the trees...red, gold, copper, brown, yellow & bronze, thousands of them...right down to the cobalt blue water. There are the remains of old indian trails in the area. I often wonder what it was like for the first travelers to happen upon such a scene. It's hard to imagine, but this was once the 'western frontier'.

Sugar Maples in October

2008-12-06T01:01:00.000-05:00

The Beginning

2008-12-03T15:03:00.000-05:00

December...the year has flown by. I had planned to accomplish so much this year. A lot got done, but not much of it was part of the plan. So here is a new beginning at the end of a quickly departing year. My favorite times of year are the holidays...all of them, but my very best favorite time of year is Christmas. So this blog is a Christmas gift to me from myself! I say thanks to myself for all the times I labored throughout the year with unspoken thank-you's. For times when my efforts seemed to go unnoticed or life was too busy to pause. I say thanks to myself so I can keep going when I put aside my plan to help someone else with their needs. I say thanks to myself so that next year, when there is something that needs to be done. When I am the only one to step up to the plate knowing that there will be no outside thanks, I can & I will. I say thanks to myself as a reminder that I am not alone, that I am not unnoticed. I am a child of God, like so many others. We do what we can.

"In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. "
Mother Teresa