"Star Gazing"

Taking a bit of time for star gazing!

Feeling the vastness of the inky sky above me - dotted with teeny, tiny lights (that aren't really teeny tiny at all).

Thinking that these dots once guided sailors and travelers from place to place. Could it be, that by looking at them I can also find my way?

 "Star light, star bright

First star I see tonight

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have the wish I wish tonight."

A Chappeau

Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you that I am not a fashionista!  I wear jeans everywhere and most of my clothes are purchased at consignment shops or thrift stores, meaning I'm always behind in the latest trends.  My studio dress is usually jeans (of course), a t-shirt and my favorite, oversized green and black checked flannel shirt!  Ahh - comfort!!

So imagine my amazement as I dive back into doll making to find that I'm entranced with dressing these little people.  I'm working on shoes - I'm designing and making hats - I'm putting socks on little feet (okay I must admit that I myself am addicted to socks - love them in all sorts of colors and patterns) - I am becoming my own 'Project Runway' . 

While at a recent quilt show I went to my favorite vendor booth "Annie's Keepsakes" to pick up some of her delicious wool felt.  There I found this pattern for two hats -- a 'stovepipe' hat' and a 'flat hat'.  Of course both patterns were not designed for dolls but hey - I have a computer - I can resize.  And that's what I did!

This scrunched stove pipe hat sits perched on an otherwise unfinished doll -- waiting for the rest of her outfit.  What fun this was to make - even though working in this very small size and with felt was somewhat of a challenge. 

Now I'm working on a new shoe pattern -- this is a prototype in amongst the old doll shoes that I took apart for a pattern.  I learned the in's and out's with this first one and am about to start the 'real' thing in black felt (to match her hat of course).

I'm having way too much fun!!!  If you're interested in this pattern you can get it by contacting Annie's Keepsakes.

"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - Gilda Radner

"Letters from home"

This little person has been created in homage to the old-fashioned art of letter writing.  As I was growing up and even as an adult I treasured each letter that I received from someone far away.   I even read historical books that were based on letters two people had written to each other. 

Although our modern day life gives us quicker, easier access to each other -- the letters written by hand were, many times, far more enlightening than a few quick lines in an email.  I knew that the letters I received were meant solely for me and were not written to a social media site.  Just one-on-one communication - sealed in an envelope.

Hand written letters (yes, there was such a thing once upon a time) were treasures that took time and love to write.  Also they often took quite awhile to actually get to the receiver - no instant messaging in 'those' days.  Sometimes, by the time the letter actually arrived, the news was already 'old'.

But still...  I make this little figure, who collects her mail in her pocket.  Perhaps someday it will end up in a box, up in the attic for a future person to discover.

A special thanks to Sherri for this darling little black chair (and two others that she sent to me).

"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart." - Phyllis Theroux
  

My Place

 

My soul comes alive in the presence of vastness.  When I was recently in Nevada my grandchildren and I would go outside, into the dark of night, and sit looking at the stars above.   We could see from horizon to horizon.  I was in awe while my soul was at peace.

When I am in the desert, where the view is never ending, I feel my heart fill with the miracle of it all.  I celebrate this earth and my teeny, tiny place in it.

 

When the ocean waves break -- one after another -- and I look out to the horizon seeing all that water in front of me my heart sings.

 

I am such a miniscule part of this universe -- and looking at the world around me makes me realize that the every day of my life is only one iota of the whole system (if even that).  These thoughts free me -- they allow me to put everything into perspective.  I will never learn all of the mysteries of the universe but I am so very glad that I am here to nurture it as I can and let it nurture me.

"Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe." - Maria Mitchell

Continuity

 

 

Fabric is piled onto my work table where I sort/discard/keep various bits and pieces that would fit the themes I want to work.   One problem that I have - like a kid in a candy store - is that I am presented with so many choices, so many designs and patterns and colors that I quickly go into overload. 
 

After my first assemblage I Ieave these carefully crafted piles on the table and walk away  to return the next morning.  In the early morning - even before getting out of bed - I realize that in some cases I might have been swayed by the fabric itself and ignored the general, overall design of this series of dolls.
 

These dolls are meant to be 'whimsical',  'simple', 'humble' and somewhat 'vintage'.  I want them to speak for themselves.  As I look at some of the piles of fabric that I had laid out the day before I realized that some of my choices would present a 'mixed-message'.  Hmmm -- this is not something that had occurred to me before. 

Looking at other doll maker's dolls - I am drawn to the designers that are always 'true to their design'.  Dolls tell a story - they can't help it - and if I want to tell my story I must carefully practice continuity.  So - its back to the drawing board - or at least to the fabric stash - to look for the 'just right' pieces that will do the job, carefully keeping in mind my dream.

"Identity in the form of continuity of personality is an extremely important characteristic of the individual." - Kenneth L. Pike