Winter Solstice Plans

It came to me – in bed, early in the morning, just coming out of sleep – one of my best times of the day to ponder and dream and plot and plan.  A new year is coming and I always tend to reevaluate what I’m doing – and look ahead to what the year might bring.  There are many unknowns in life – so having a ‘plan’ is my guardian against all of the off-the-cuff things that can happen in any given year.

My requirements at this time (always subject to change of course) would be to work more on 'small stuff', making critters of one kind or another. Perhaps a bit more hand stitching will work its way into my life.  And of course have fun (always my first prerequisite).

As Winter Solstice finds me here in my studio - I plan to take a bit of holiday time off from my blog.  Just until January 4th when I'll be back -- hopefully full of energy, ideas and maybe even a few completed 'smalls'.  Have a beautiful holiday season.

"Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free.  Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate." - Zhuangzi, Nan-Hua-Ch'en-Ching

Ruffles and Ribbons Rabbit

Hey there!!  What are you doing in my very special suitcase?  There is every manner of precious lace and ribbon and oh, just general treasures. Its not a 'rabbit' nest after all.

I believe it should be off limits to rabbits – but then again I hate to deny them a little fabric and frou frou frolic.  So go ahead, stir it all up, make a nest and have fun.  I shall straighten it out later.

"Whoever said less is more never had dessert and never bought fabric." - Carrie Nelson

Winter Trees

Walking up my hill these days is pure pleasure.  Its savoring the season time. Its talking to the trees time.  Its bliss!

This is my time -- when I can see the sky above me and in front of me and around me - without the cover of leaves.  A time when I feel as if the world is mine, all mine into the distance and far away.

I can look at this home far, far up inside the tree.  Was it home to a squirrel family or perhaps even a raccoon?  Or even better, a magical mystical bird in full plumage of bright colors (which he hides by hunching down in his nest). Oh yes, that has got to be 'it'.

Although I was not able to capture it, I recently witnessed the trees dancing.  A breeze had come up and the branches swayed back and forth, sometimes touching each other. It was an awesome sight.  I think perhaps they were saying 'who needs leaves to be beautiful'?

"Live like a tree, giving, forgiving and free." - Debasish Mridha

Reading Rabbit

What should appear this morning but a ‘reading’ rabbit.  Now I’ve seen it all – or have I?

In spite of the fact that these little creatures are a bit pestiferous I’m enjoying their antics.  Of course  I would never deny anybody a good read.

So read on little one and let me know afterward how the story turns out.

"I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library." - Jorge Luis Borges

Who Would Have Thought?

These days, as I play with rabbits, testing, trying, stitching, photographing I wonder what I have become.  Yes, I've dabbled with lots of craft but as you know I've been a doll maker longer than any other 'thing' I've taken up.

For a long time I didn't even like calling myself a doll maker -- and always said it with a quick back-up statement about what kind of dolls I made.  Otherwise I would get that look from my listener like they wanted to pat me on head and say "oh that's nice".  

Then rabbits came into my life.  I would never, ever have thought that I would make a rabbit (although I did make a couple of stuffed animals for my son way back when). But I was enchanted with the idea of making rabbits and there I find myself.

And then I made an even different transition - 'to the small'.  The hold-in-the- palm-of-your-hand small.   I'm loving it - every minute of it.  Lots of hand sewing because of the size, lots of moving these poor old fingers through the turning of very small pieces and parts.  

But most importantly  -- lots of fun!!

"Out there things can happen, and frequently do,

To people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew.

Just go right along, you'll start happening too!" 

- Dr. Seuss