Wednesday, February 25, 2009

MARDI GRAS

Now, I am not fixated about the Mardi Gras. We did go once. Back in 1977. It was great. I think though, that that was the last time The celebration was safe to attend. We had a lot of fun. Saw a lot of super costumes. ate too much rich food, and really enjoyed the sights around town. We even got to go out to a real working plantation. I think it is still around. Our travel agent had gotten permission for our group to attend and observe, a real Crewe party. We didn't mingle, but had to watch from a balcony. Although, what was nice, some of the main crewe members came up to talk with us. And to show us there costumes. I was totally delighted. I don't have have photos, as we don't do that. Because, well, other people really are not interested in seeing other people's vacation pics.
Because of the type of diary I was using back then, I never made any drawings or decorations in the books. No room. And all of this collage and altered book craft wasn't around. Even with my now using just the school style composition books. The first book, I began in June-1997. I only used as a straight journal. I didn't write much. I used that book for ten years. But, during the last two years, I began to decorate and do drawings and illustrations in my Journal, as I now call it. Therefore as I had never yet wrote a real entry to Mardi Gras. I finally got aound to it this month. So, even though Tuesday was " FAT TUESDAY'. I went ahead and made my collage and entry today. I think it came out, quite evocative of the celebration.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

VALENTINE TULIPS

I forgot to do something for Valentine's. My Hb., instead of buying us cut flowers, he brought us two pots of lovely tulips. And I love tulips. Besides, the potted plants last much longer than cut flowers. None of the tulips in the garden, returned this year. So, I am happy to have these.
he brought these home Valentine's. They are still blooming. They open and close. And they have grown to be about 2 ft. tall.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

EITHNE-the fashion doll


Here is Eithne. She is the 9 1/2 inch F.G. french fashion mini re pro, that I am sewing a wardrobe for. Her clothes are very intricate. I copy authentic 19th. century styles for her. Although, I have enough experience and knowledge, that I do also, design original fashions for her, based on antique fashion plates.
The dress she is wearing in the picture, is my own design. It is more of a mid-19th. century style. And yes, her clothes are mostly hand sewn.
The doll was made especially for me and given to me as a surprise gift. By my friend Caro and her sweet daughter.

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

COMPETITON

You know what? One of the main reasons I got fed up with blogging? I became fed up with all of the competition. If you wrote a poem, someone Else's claimed to be better. That is no way to make friends. If someone made a doll, oh, someone Else's you had to see, because theirs was so much more artistic and better made. And the giving a "prize' for having the best blog on the Internet. Puulleeas?? So everyone else might as well just give up and shut down???
Blogging was supposed to be fun, and maybe a way to find and connect with others of similar interests. Although, I must say, I never have seen any bullying among bloggers, which is a good thing. Unlike those other websites.
That's why, on this site. I just write for myself. If everyone who runs across it, finds it boring.
I am me.

Monday, February 16, 2009

NEW DRESS

It turned out very nice. I made it in a week. And that was with interruptions. The dress is of a cotton fabric. Really cute tiny pink rosebud print on a Lt. tan background. Very period looking. I chose the fabric because it is a pattern that is suitable for 18th. and 19th. century styles. It is very flattering to Philanthe. I already have another dress cut out and I am sewing on the bodice.
This dress is, of course, all handstitched. As will be all of her clothes.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

THE SWING


THE SWING
How do you like to go up in a swing.
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it is the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the Air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide
River and trees and the cattle and all
Over the countryside.
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again.
Up in air and down!
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

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Swinging was something I so liked to do when I was a kid. My Dad built us a swing in the front yard. But, our Mom didn't like it. It was an eyesore and a deathtrap, as far as she was concerned. We had it for awhile during one summer, until Mom got so nervous and skittish, Poppa took it down. My cousin had a small swing out in back of her house. So, I could swing there if she was home. It was a low swing. Just small child size, for her, as she is 5 yrs. younger than I am.
The tract where we bought our first house, had a great park. And in the park was a wonderful set of swings. So, for the time we lived there, I could swing anytime I wanted to. But, since we moved from there, I had not had anyplace with swings.
And yes, I miss it. Swinging, believe it or not, is a very good way to exercise.












Friday, February 13, 2009

PHILANTHE

This is Philanthe. Her name means: "Flower Loving". Which is a good doll's name. I wanted to do something a little simpler clothing wise, than what I was sewing on. Eithne's new dress is going rather slow, and I was getting bored. So, I pulled out this doll, and decided to make a dress or two for her. They are just two piece pattern's, a bodice and skirt. No lining. No intricate seams. Very simple.
I carved this doll 33 years ago. She has a wood head, arms and legs. Like a porcelain doll and on a cloth body. She is 7 1/2 inches tall. Just a nice size to sew for. And an excellent 'Travel Doll'. But, this doll was based on the so-called: 'Queen Anne' dolls from the 17Th century. I carved about a dozen or so sets, back in 1976, for the 200Th Anniversary Bi-centennial. You know what? That time was barely noticed. Nothing much was done about it. Crying shame too.
The political climate at that time was ridiculus.
I sold serveral of the dolls. But, typically, after doing six or so, I got bored. I still have about six sets of doll parts in a box to be finished. Tried them on eBay. No interest.
Philanthe has her own shaker style box for her belongings. Another way to make her more authentic. All of her clothes are and will be, hand sewn. That is much more authentic for the era she represents.
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She is signed and dated on back shoulder plate.

Monday, February 9, 2009

DOG SHOW

I have been watching the dog shows on TV. I miss having a dog. I've always had a dog of some sort. But, when we lost our last little guy in 1995. We decided , no more. Too painful. And then even though where we were renting, pets were OK. When we had to move, no guarantees. However, turns out we were able to qualify to buy. By then, our health became a care. We just no longer have the energy to be able to properly care for a small fur companion. We can barely care for ourselves.
When I was a child and used to spend a lot of time at my Grandma's. When i learned to read, she pulled out some books she had kept, that my dad and siblings had read as kids. I was delighted. One of the stories w3as about a little girl and companion standard poodle that cared and protected the little girl. Sounded like a poodles were the greatest dogs in the world. Well, I decided then and there, that when i was grown up, i would have one of those. At that time I think standard poodles were the only size. but, it came to me, that perhaps, by the time I could have one. Maybe the dogs would have been bred down. Yes, well worth the wait. When I was young, I was nothing, if not patient.
As the years went by, I was sort of able to follow stories about poodles. Then in a movie, one of the female characters had a tiny poodle!!! Yes!! Of course the poor little dog in the movie was always dyed to match whatever the actress was wearing. Goodness. In reality, several poodles were used for each scene and color.
But, I had to wait until I was able to make my own money.
I was finally able to buy my poodle when I was 23. I couldn't wait and ended up using part of my college expense allowance, I got every month from my Dad, when I came down here to attend University. Yes, I was a little nutsy about it. But, the little one was well worth it.
I looked up dogs, breeders, kennels in the phone book. My poodle was a female black toy-miniature. And I named her: Pepper. She was the delight of my life for ten years. She died of cancer. The vet said if I had had her spayed. She would have been healthier. I used that vet for haLF OF pEPPER'S LIFE. wHY DIDN;T HE SAY SOMETHING SOONER??!!
I will continue the story later.

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Here are two photos of her. The top is her first Christmas. The second is how she loved to spend the hot summer days.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

MY TIME, IS NOT YOURS TO WASTE

One of the things that really annoys me, is that Doctors seem to believe that patients have nothing better to do, than waste time waiting for the medical provider to get to them. Every time I have to go to a new person, I have to train them. They soon learn, that I do not wait. I will give them half an hour. Then I reschedule, and I'm gone. Inconvenient for them!!? What do they think it is for me? people are too passive, too docile and lack self confidence.
Although, if someone comes on and in dire straights, let me know. Just do not leave me hanging. I will make my own decision about what to do. The reception help get very discommoded on that. It is so inconvenient for them!!? Hello?
The medical have an overweaning sense of themselves. In their own minds, they are gods. Such hubris.
My time is valuable to me. It is not my fault I have to go see about whatever. I have tons of better ways way to spend my time, rather than getting sick or need a tooth fixed.
The opthomalogist I just went to. He was so brisk and impatient. I wanted to deck him.
Then tuesday. They told us one time. Then said the appt. was for later. We said ok, reschedule. We'll come back. ----"But'-----
I have another appt. Friday morning. Very, very in convenient for me.
So, don't be pushed around. You do have rights you know. And, most of all, get someone who can go with you a doctor's appt. That puts them the help in their place. Don't let them bully you.