Pretty Maids

Creating dolls is my true passion and it's been a while since I've made any new ones.  I just love how these two pretty maids turned out.  They are enjoying the garden in their vintage finery.  I am creating a wedding themed display for the Walpole Artisans Gallery.  Using lots of old lace and doilies!

Loss

I lost my mother last week.   She was always one of my biggest supporters.  She had an eye for design and making do with what you had to make the most creative things.  An amazing cook, yard sale and thrift store maven and a wicked sense of humor right to the end.  She loved to clean and taught me how to really clean something well and to fold clothes just right.

She loved children, came from a large family and knew that she wanted babies right away.  She always told me that the day she had me was one of the happiest in her life.  My sisters and I each felt we were her "favorite".  She cherished her grandchildren.

Every corner of my home carries her influence.  I will miss her more than I can say.  

Back from Sunny CA

Looks like my daughter will be attending college in California!  Look at these views...not too tough to take.   She really loved Cal Poly University.  They offer some beautiful facilities and San Luis Obispo looks to be a wonderful town.  I hope we have enough money left to go visit her!  Better up my production of dolls and jewelry.

Here is a little heart assemblage that I made from papier mache, plaster and solder for a swap in my jewelry workshop group.  Hope she likes it!

It's That Time of Year Again!

 The Smith College Bulb show in Northampton, Massachusetts is in full bloom and my lady friends and I make a point to drive down and see it each year.  It is our traditional welcome to spring.  The pinks and purples were especially lovely this year.  These pictures were taken on my iPhone camera and I have to say I am loving it.  It is so easy to have with me that I find myself taking lots more pictures.

 

My Northampton shopping and flower appreciation buddies.

This was my favorite flower this year.  I love that peachy coral shade and the ruffles.  I would like to recreate this in tissue or crepe paper but Mother Nature can't be beat!

There is a lovely little indoor shopping market with lots of wonderful independent shops in Northampton's thriving downtown.  This is on the bottom floor and is one of my favorites.  It's filled with quirky stuff.   Had a great whoopie pie at the Queen Bee Cupcakery also.  There motto is "get buzzed" at the Cupcakery.

We would have spent more time downtown if it hadn't been for those pesky parking meters!  I don't think the city should have them.  It doesn't encourage leisurely shopping.   All in all a great day.

Newest Miniature Art Book

My newest soldered creation.  These are quite labor intensive but so satisfying to make!  Don't know if I could sell them or not.  They are little jewels.

Valentine Sweet

I have made this little palm size book from soldered metal and plaster pages after taking Stephanie Lee's  class called "Handbook of Elements".  The books shown in that class are scrumptious and it is so much fun to learn new techniques that combine all the vintage elements I adore.

The spine has been embellished with lots of vintage mother of pearl buttons.

 I added hand dyed pale pink cheese cloth embedded in the plaster pages for extra color and texture.

This was pretty paper napkin that I separated the outermost ply and adhered the tissue to the plaster.  I love this effect because it becomes part of the substrate and is seamless.  Working with plaster is so much fun.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Just For Fun

I had fun making these little Art Quilt Pendants based on an idea from Rebecca Sower in an old issue of Belle Armoire that I had.  These were fun and quick to make and there are so many possibilities.  I love combining all the colors and using these these hand dyed silk ribbons that I got off of Etsy.  The combination of old fabric and hard metal and beads pleases me.