Oh Joy! Feeling Inspired again!

Well, I'm all better and as you can see, I've been pretty busy! This weekend Earl and I moved some furniture around and now the Crafting Center is all contained in my giant armoire:
I love it! I've come to learn that the kids really do appreciate this too- now when they have a school project or a birthday card need, they just help themselves. So, even though the Christmas crafting did not live up to my expectations, this has been a great addition to our home. And it looks so much tidier in this cabinet than on the open shelves.

First, a clock from the thrift store that has been turned into a "seamstress" clock with the addition of some vintage sewing notions.This is an AOL free CD box that I've re-covered. Pretty slick, eh? Carmen and I are working on a birthday gift for my little step granddaughter who just turned 15 and loves everything black and white checkered. Carmen is working on some Kindgom Hearts artwork that we will place in the box, pop up style.And while in this paper mood, I made this tiny (3"x3") accordian type book following this great tutorial. I bpught all these cute papers and stickers from the Dollar Tree eons ago and it makes me so happy to see it all put together. I still don't have a baby, but do you think a nice grandma might buy this as a little brag book if I put it in Etsy?

Lastly, here is a cute nameless girl. She is made for the very young girls and I want to list her for a bargain price at Etsy, but she must have a name! Will you help me name her? She is about 18" and she is made of knit fabric and is very huggable and nice.

Whew- I love gettin' busy! Hope you are all enjoying yourselves too!

Yuck!

I've been sick. Still have a fair amount of goo in my lungs. Wednesday was the last day I was really up and about. I had to take Carmen to the doctor twice because the first time she was in the new doctor kind of pooh-poohed her wheezing. I knew I should have pressed for a breathing treatment. Four hours later, Carmen called me from home and said her breathing was much worse so I rushed her back in where she had TWO breathing treatments and was put on a course of prednisone. Sometimes Mother really does know best.

And that was the last productive thing I was able to do. It hit me Thursday like a tidal wave and I've been in bed ever since. To call it a cold seems like such an understatement. It's got to be a flu. Anyway, whatever it was, it's just about over now. My house is a disaster. *sigh*

Hope all of you are having a better weekend than this!

I Heart Etsy!

I mean, really! Who doesn't? There is so much gorgeous handmade beauty over there! San, you should check out Right Turn Artwerks, she has some really beautiful lampwork beads that you would enjoy looking at. And Deb, this seller, Paperiaarre is in Finland making some amazing journals and jewelry using old black and white botanical illustrations. Josephine, Puppets 'n' Dolls is a place you will love for their old-fashioned appeal and their meticulous workmanship. Joseph Blake is an incredibly talented artist selling prints of his beautiful watercolors. Maisy Brown Repro Retro fabulous fashions make me wish I could be half as cool as she is! I shouldn't even show you Margaret's adorable doll shop, because you might not come back to Tender Arts! And lastly, one of my very favorite shops and a very nice seller besides is LuLus Sparkles- I have one of her decadent necklaces and everytime I wear it I feel amazing. So who do you love on Etsy? I'd love to check them out for myself. Put the name of your favorite shop in the comments and let's shop together!

Miss Doris is on her way to Vancouver! Thank you, Beata of the lovely Rose Hip for your purchase. I think your daughter will love her.

Dear Melanie of Jelly Bean Angel, I'm having trouble viewing your blog. It says I'm not invited. (*sniff, sniff*) If it's a mistake will you please email me?

Photos: Puppets 'n' Dolls, Joseph Blake, LuLu Sparkles

Introducing Miss Doris Daisy

Isn't she a fabulous way to begin a new year? I think so! I had two intentions while making her. First, to chase away the gray winter blahs with something sunshine-y. And second, to put this song, which gets stuck in my head all the time, into doll form.

I love Doris Day and I adore this happy little tune! Doris is in my shop right now, if you'd like to see more photos of her.

Edited to say: Ironically, I came from work and my little daughter, Carmen, said she had added the video to her blog! She hadn't even looked at mine. I guess I "infected" her with that little tune!

Oh Hi!

Hi little blog! Hi! I'm so glad you are still here! Whew! That was weird. I was reading Posie Gets Cozy and I was suddenly afraid that my blog wasn't here anymore. So weird.

Anyway, obviously my blog is still here, but my friends and readers might not be! I'm not sure why it's been so long since my last post. I just got so busy with Christmas. I was sewing little Folkbirds right up to Christmas Eve and then I was still not done. But I haven't even wanted to finish them! I think it all boils down to a bad case of burn out. I sometimes feel like I am too easily overwhelmed. That may be true, but I'm not sure what I need to do about it. I do try to eat right. I do exercise and take my vitamins. I do try to maintain a healthy perspective, but sometimes I just feel unable to keep up with it all.

We had a good Christmas and a good New Years. I love hosting the Open House on Christmas. It seemed like our friends and family must have worked out their schedules in advance- I was so amazed at how well-timed all the visits were! New Years was a fun night spent at home with my beautiful step-daughter, Heather, and her children. It was very "kid-centric"- sloppy joes, seasoned fries and a build-your-own sundae bar!

What are you all thinking about for the new year? Any resolutions to share? I really want to work at consistency and routine-building for the coming year. I am also re-committing to my weight loss goals. After deciding to pursue my dollmaking business back in September, I really slacked off on the diet. Once again, it's about finding that balance. I have been thinking a lot about my priorities and how to make my life a reflection of those priorities.

Top: Folkbirds gathering in the Christmas Tree Middle: Miss Doris Daisy in the works Bottom: seen while on a hike this past weekend. Mother Nature has a beautiful sense of composition sometimes.