Country Cousins

I finally finished my experiment with these Queen Anne style dolls. I used a pattern by Barbara Schoenoff. I don't usually use someone else's patterns but sometimes I do for learning new techniques since I am a self-taught dollmaker. These will be for my own collection.

The dolls had joints that were "ball-jointed" with round wooden beads and I had never done any like that before. It was rather time consuming and I am not sure whether I would do it again since it didn't add a lot of extra movement and the joints are covered up with clothing anyway but it was fun to learn. I did love doing the costuming for these dolls using lots of my vintage pieces. I dressed them as country cousin/city cousin. One has an elegant attire with heavily embroidered silks and fancy underclothes, velvet purse etc.. Her country cousin wears her best dress which is a little threadbare and coarse linen pantaloons with an old eyelet underskirt. She has a vintage bunch of posies tucked into her waistband.

Even though one cousin has much finery, there is no jealousy between them.

She is called "Kate".

I call her "Miss Hospitality" because she wears her little pineapple choker. Pineapples have long been a symbol for hospitality.

Ladies who Lunch and Swap (plants)

My good friend Sharyn, who is a wonderful cook and talented potter, hosts an annual plant swap and potluck lunch each year and this is a sampling of what we had. I must say I hang with a talented crowd.. they can cook. We never want for food at any of our gatherings! Lorraine's delicious stuffed shells.

My own offering of cheese sticks (from Barefoot Contessa in Paris cookbook).

This was a delicious crab dip that was so creamy and rich. I must get the recipe.

Tahini and toasts...yummy.

This is Crystal's absolutely delicious squash casserole.

This dip tasted like spring time!

Delores' signature devilled egg dish.

These were the most yummy cupcakes made by Rita. They were featured on "Martha" and are from the famous Sprinkles cafe in NYC. That scrumptious quiche was made by

Sharlene.

This gorgeous cheesecake was created by Carol with perfect raspberries from her friend Mary.

Lemonade Layer Cake by Sharyn was dense and moist and memorable. Probably my personal favorite if I had to pick. Sharlene brought the lemon chiffon cake from the Taste of Home lemon issue. She didn't think it turned out great but I beg to differ!

Of course you've got to have chocolate!

Jackie brought this simple and elegant almond sponge cake topped with fresh whipped cream, berries and flowers.










And this is what we came for.... our plant offerings. I came away with some great heirloom tomatoes grown from seed by the talented Leslie. A lovely quince bush that I can't wait to get going and other assorted goodies. Now I wonder why there is only one photo of the plants and so many of the food??!!

Next year we should probably focus more on the plants but I doubt that will happen. I am so lucky to have such lovely and talented friends. Now I must do my workout!

Paper Crafting

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. I have been so busy getting a cooperative gallery ready to open here in my hometown. It is finally open sort of unofficially. We will have a grand opening celebration soon. It has been a unique experience working with so many different artists. It is a talented group. We had to renovate an old building to get it ready to accept our artwork...which meant having to agree on a lot of artistic decisions. A challenge! But we are all still friends and the place looks great!

Here are some of the cards that I have made in addition to my dolls which will be exhibited in the gallery. Cards are much easier to sell. They are a lot of fun to make.

We had a few requests for some cards that would be good for guys... these are probably still too feminine but whatever. I guess I have a hard time de-girlying things. Not much of a post after so long a break but will be back soon!

March of the Maminkas

I've been working on some new Maminka dolls over the weekend. I love the way they look huddled together just like they're immigrating! I made some lovely ones from an old flowered tablecloth and I love the pastels. I was able to use some beautiful handkerchiefs that I'd been saving and I really enjoyed making their tags from old flowers and vintage wallpapers.

Little Miss Pansy is currently being offered in my Etsy shop. Some of the others I am saving for a cooperative gallery that I am involved with here in my town. I would much prefer to sell my things on-line though because they come straight from my studio to my customer and do not get handled by anyone but me. I am fussy about that.

These are made from wool and the tags are made from vintage altered playing cards.

Hopelessly Devoted..to my Clothesline

I wait all year for this... a lovely breezy spring day to dry my clothes. I don't attend church but this is where I do my thinking and have my quiet time. It is pure simple joy to hang out my clothes and inhale that clean fresh scent of cotton when I take them in. I hang out clothes all year long, even trudgeing through hip deep snow and dealing with sheets that are frozen like glaciers. I may be crazy but it's just my thing. I LOVE my clothesline!

I bought these cheery curtains Saturday morning at the church rummage sale and they were hanging out on my clothesline by noon.

Some more signs of spring... wild bleeding heart and pulmonaria (polka-dot plant).

Couldn't resist taking this shot of my four-legged "helper" Miss Bella Luna. She loves it when I turn on the hose!

Thursday Thrifting

Had the opportunity to stop in at my favorite antiques/junk shop "The Big Red Barn". I always find a few little things for not much $. Usually these things slip in unnoticed but it occurs to me that my husband reads my blog occasionally and this might not be a good thing. Not because of the money but because of the clutter/junk collecting factor. I married a minimalist and the poor man has been living with me and my "stuff" for nearly 30 years... love you sweetheart! Love the color of this vase and how it looks with these faded vintage hankies.

This was a cute couple although they need a nice sponge bath. I love the linen and lace doiley... will look good appliqued to something.

Great old fabric advertising tape and this little wooden figurine with the peeling paint just got to me... so forlorn. Maybe she will show up in a collage or assemblage in the future.

Love the prints on these cocktail napkins... each one different.

This was a nice yard of a vintage rural print... farms and villages and reminds me of the town where we live in New Hampshire.

Great old poker chips in patriotic colors and a neat old Parker Bros game still in the original box.

That's it for today... happy thrifting where you live!

Paper Brooches

I've been busy having fun with bits of paper, lace and buttons. These little brooches are fun to make ...like tiny works of art on a pin. I will post them on my etsy shop tonight.

Each is stitched, stuffed, carefully handpainted , embellished with gold paint and varnished.

All the embellishments are the fun part.

They look nice on top of a pretty package!