It's been so long

I didn't mean to be away this long.... where does the time go.  I have family members with health issues and a new job.  (It's not an excuse, just the facts).

I want more than anything to just have some free time to work on my passion.... dolls, doll stuff, doll costuming, just time to admire dolls.

I'm getting back to basics and working on one thing at a time.  This month (well for February), I'll be working on a doll bed and the bedding associated with it.  If I have free time, that's what I'll be doing.

I'm not sure what I did wrong.... Head rush....

Once I finish the mattress, then it's on to wood and cutting.... (the fun stuff)

I have so many cuts on my hands... they have all occurred in the kitchen.  I'm usually very careful, but lately, I'm a sharp object magnet.  One cut is from the cuisinart and the other I'm ashamed to say is from opening a container of dates!  The plastic was so sharp it "got me".  Nasty, like a papercut but worse.

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So much has been going on (but not much on the doll front for me)

After my daughter left for school, I had so much free time that I decided I really needed a job....  But my job (training) has been so intense, I really have no free time left.  I'm hoping for a balance and to be able to publish every day after the new year!  I'm hoping to be able to save up enough money for all my dolly dreams!

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Dolls, dolls, dolls

I'm not sure if its me, but I seem to have run into a bit of doll disappointment recently.  There are two artists' work that I was very keen to acquire.  One has been going "back and forth" for some time and the other well, perhaps that was a pipedream anyway.  I always seem to be just behind the curve with these dolls.  I'm not sure why, but it seems both artists are now "reluctant" or unable to sell pieces.  (I assume it is just a general state of the dolly business) -- but it is sad/frustrating.

My latest thing is I'm just going to "step back", concentrate on the dolls I do own and work on some amazing things for them (in my spare time).  I thought I'd have more time in the fall, but projects just keep jumping out in front of me.

I'm going to get back to the Cinderella carriage that I started all those months ago and then I'm going to go from there!

Soon to come the Cinderella progress....

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It has been sooo long!!!

Lots has been happening (however, very little on the doll front) -- My daughters are in college away from home, so "my nest is empty".  I've been busy caring for my mom... that is for the long term.

I did have the most unexpected thing happen to me a while back.  Such a kind and generous act.  One of the doll artists, Nune, sent me a surprise gift!  It is a lovely dress for my Adriana.  I was so touched.  What a sweetie.  Thank you Nune!

Of course, I could not get the right light to photograph this gem and do it any justice.  But my blog is not about the quality of the photos (as everyone knows) it is about the joy of the journey.

I love the color on her.  I tried to do something unusual, like a provocative pose, well....  didn't turn out.  Instead of looking slinky, she looked like she was crawling out of a desert.

Then, a casual side roll, looked more like landing after a fall!

Hope you get a giggle!

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What was supposed to be a quick project...

Seemed to drag on.  As each color needs to be applied separately and allowed to dry.  The black needed 3 "coats". What looks like silver is actually iridescent white.  I'm going to add a stick/holder and viola!

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Hopping around...

More than a jackrabbit!  I came across this last night while I was working on the mattress...

So, here goes, I got to thinking -- I have this half finished mask and I don't have enough time to finish the mattress anyway, so why not work on that...

I had the mask "shape" and the feathers attached, but nothing else.  I painted it silver, started adding some glitter, here's where I am now.  The white glitter didn't work, so I have to find something else to use.

For some reason, I keep thinking fuschia /magenta.... Any how, here I am:

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So, I think I have all the things I need

I changed my mind on the mattress covering yesterday.  I want it to look shabby chic and I think a traditional ticking would be better than the white I was planning (I will use that for the mattress pad).

I have a photo of cutting out the foam.  The "pattern" was made after careful measuring and doing the math to see what a queen sized bed would be.  It is just 2 sheets of notebook paper, but I'm glad I made it as I can measure things against it... (Made sure it was big enough for the girls, etc.)

The pattern, a piece of batting and one of the pieces of foam, all on a blue cutting mat.

My mom was so cute, she said "how did you think of all that?"  -- I told her "I don't know it just comes to me".

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