No surprises.

I guess two of my kids read this blog......
Can't hide anything from them.
So here is the picture of the five "surprises".
Next week I'll start sculpting again...can't wait!!!

I made five!

I made five of them today! Just got them done! (My kids don't read this blog I am sure but I better not say what they are just quite yet).!!!
My arms ache, my fingers hurt, my eyes are crossed but I had fun!
Tomorrow I will exercise so I can keep working!

I needed some GREEN!

Can you tell I am still waiting for SPRING???

Sewing!

Today is a sewing day! I got sidetracked and am sewing up some little surprises for my newest grandkids! Can't tell you what they are yet but I have one done!
But what a mess I have. Probably should stop and clean it up. Oh, well, time for that later.

Rainy'Snowy Spring Break continues.

It's early, dark, wet and cold. But my studio is light and warm and I am going to be hard at work in a few moments!!! I love coming in here early in the morning! I am being thankful for this work I do and for everything I have learned over the years and all of the wonderful people I have met along the way!
I should show you some studio shots one of these days if I can ever clean up the mess long enough to snap a few.
Oh, yes, I am also babysitting for my daughter today! I will be doing that a few days a week while she finishes up her nursing program. She is being a super-mom these days!
My spring-break girls are going stir-crazy during this rainy week. We will have to do something on Thursday or Friday to break the week up a little. They have had their cousins over since Sunday so that has helped. And we did go to the Mall of America on Monday but today they will help babysit Aves and Tuck.
So I better get busy!

More cherry blossom pics

Spring break!

Spring break is here and so is the rain.......the girls and I are off to Mall of America today to take our minds off of the gloomy day!

Cherry blossom girls!

I really finally finished a piece! This one was tons of work....as they all are. But they are a reminder for me that SPRING IS SOON ON ITS WAY!!! Can you tell it's been a long hard winter???!!
I should make some summer girls next.....
This piece is a little larger than some of my other doubles. The older girl is about 27" tall (well, she would be if she could stand up...). The whole piece measures about 16" tall by 20" long.
And how do you like the baby's teeth? I actually managed to make teeth and keep the mouth open!! Progress.....
I had made the baby's dress longer and then decided to shorten it so her little toes would show. I pleated all of the ribbon on the clothing and also made the frog buttons. Tedious, tedious. At least my fingers still bend.
The fabric is a soft silk brocade in a paisley pattern. I think I bought it from the lady who comes to IDEX with fabrics from Germany. I used up all that I had!
I pleated the ribbon and fabric with a couple of pleaters that I bought. One makes nice box pleats and the other one just sort of ripples the fabric.
Next I am going work on a piece that I started a while ago. She will be dressed in white.....then I can get on with the fancy girl that I promised......

Cherry blossoms!

Only one week since my last post and we really have spring! Here are some cherry blossoms to help celebrate! I bought a branch at my local florist and cut it all apart to make these cherry blossom crowns for my Asian dolls I am working on.

Can you believe it???

We woke up to -12!!!! Almost the middle of March!!!! We are leaving for a hiatus in hot, sunny Phoenix in only a few weeks!! Can't wait!!!
But in the meantime it is cold and I am doing my best to ignore it.
This week is almost over - gone in another blur. That seems to be the story of my life these days.
I know you can't believe that I can get yet another grandchild but that is what happened!! Such fun.
I played babysitter Grandma for three days this week. Whew!! Should I post a picture that shows how much mess a tw0-year old can make??? Better not.
Good thing she is so precious. And funny. And cute besides!! And she even got a little brother!
Tucker is his name - sooooooooooo cute.
Back to my studio.....
I did manage to sew while I babysat - thanks to some of my kids that were around at various times this week.....
I am working on a Asian double piece - all in pink.....promise I will post pictures soon.....
Today I am doing their wigs.
Mohair is naturally curly so I have to straighten each section before I apply it to the head. Slow, tedious work.
I have most of the clothing done - I will dress the pair when their wigs are completed. I am waiting on some trim to come and when that does I can finish them up.
Next in line is a little girl that will be FANCY - I have her head done already and I can't wait to get her finished...I am picturing a loooong beautiful dress and barefoot....
Better get back to work.

More pictures.

How about some babies today?

A few dolls from the past....

Just for fun I thought I would post some "old" doll pictures! I made these a few years ago. Maybe you have one of them in your collection!

Pillows!!

I am making a pillow for my next piece. I made two Asian dolls (well, haven't quite finished them yet) and they will be sitting on pillows.
I cut out MANY petals and they go all around the pillow! Such fun! Will post a picture (promises, promises) soon!
I am using an Amy Butler pattern for the first one. I think I will change it for the second one....