Now....to modern times:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Way Back Wednesday 7/30/2008
Now....to modern times:
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Green Thumb Sunday
I completely missed the blooming of my Stanhopia orchid. I guess because it was hot and the rains brought wind there was short window for admiring the lovely scent produced by this orchid. I had Jerr water my orchid two days this week and the thing opened and died in between my water. Bummer..... Isn't it strange how it blooms fromthe bottom of the wooden basket? That's why you can't plant them in a pot!
Sad, spent blooms is all I found today.
This dendrobian just won't stop! And, it's beautiful.
Costco Lunch
What I did to the Cat on Saturday
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
What I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging, Sewing, or Gardening
Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum series:
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Dotee #3 - Flower
I named this one Flower after the past matriarch of Meerkat Manor. No glue gune used here - everything is hand sewen except the body which was done on machine. I did some bead work on the body (look close up to see) and I used a very cool yarn for the hair. Think you will seeing lots of dolls with that hair cuz I had to buy a skein of it. Also, I bought clay and made/baked some faces today for future dolls. This dotee art doll craft is fun! So small they are not expensive in terms of money or time. Vickie
Saturday Morning
Jerry is working a big tent sale so he doesn't have a day off this weekend so no family dinner with the moms tonight. Instead, I am going to take Marge to lunch at Pickels deli and my mom is coming over tomorrow and we will find smething to do together.
I have to take Daisey to the vet this morning for her yearly exam and shots. As if that isn't bad enough, I gave her a bath this morning. I've included a photo of her looking worried when she heard the bath water running. She will get excited when I take out her travel harness and leash thinking she might go to the park or beach. I've been following her aorund all morning trying to get a "sample" but have not been successful.
A couple night ago a loud sound woke me from sleep and the ratties ran into the guest bathroom looking at the wall and growling/barking. Since that is an exterior wall next to the front door, I opened the door to see what happened. Daisey bolted out of the door and started running down the sidewalk. It's almost midnight and I'm not thinking clearly having been awoken from sleep so I started to chase after her in my nightgown and no shoes. It's really not the type of clothing one intends to wear outside in front of a helpful neighbor. I guess we will have to move soon ;)
Oh, I promise I wil quit rambling soon but I did start another doll last night. Because I'm doing beadwork I didn't finish in one night. Today is too busy so it will probably be tonight before I can post a photo. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Dotee #2 - Ladybug
The ladyblue fabric is actually quite beautiful. It's a buttery yellow with deep red beetles. The skirt fabric is also a buttery yellow, albeit a bit brighter, and it has very small sparkles. I added the larger, red "gems". Truth be told, I was trying to make a tootoo (spell?) because I wanted ladybug ballerina.
I keep looking at Dot's blog and intending to make a beaded, smaller doll with more intricate work and less glue gun but these keep coming out of my hands. I guess I just need practice and better eye sight for beading.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dotee Doll
As you can see by this full frontal photo, both Miss Vickie and I have a little "junk in the trunk". She adores dragonflies and so do I! Her dress is made from a small dragonfly print and there is a dragonfly bead hanging from the bottom of the doll.
Here's her close up. In case anyone is wondering about the hair - I call it dryer lint hair. Basically I am a quilter and "we" wash fabrics before we use them so there is always this balled up mess of threads on the cut edges of fabric when you take them out of the dryer, They just look so artful that I have been saving them (hubby has suggested throwing them away several times) knowing that someday they would be useful. Today the dryer debris became doll hair.
I've had this dragon fly bead for many years and never found a use for it until tonight. I also had a packet of those dark purple beads which were perfect for the project.
Love the angeled shot! Makes her look so artsy and less crafty. LOL
Finally, you can see I embellished with buttons. I was determined to make her from supplies I had on hand and I was successful due to the number of abandoned craft projects I have supplies for:) I've already cut out fabric for a few more dolls so I will have to make a trip to a craft supply store for beads - I was thinking one of those kid bead kits would be cool because it comes in a container with a variety of beads.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Ratbone Rescues
Monday, July 14, 2008
"Made It Myself" Monday
Below are 7 purple and beige blocks I made for a Row Robin. For those unfamiliar with a Robin, you make a block, pass to another person in the Robin who adds to your blocks and passes it on to the next person in the Robin. Usually you end up with what is referred to as a medallion quilt due to most people working around your center block. With a Row Robin each person in the Robin adds a row of blocks (in this case 12" blocks) to your origional row. This was supposed to be an exchange via the internet a couple years ago but it fell apart when one or two people did not follow though. I worked ahead and made this group of blocks but never had an opportunity to send them. I'm considering making a seperate wall hanging from each block and giving them to 7 people (not telling who) at Christmas time. Oh, the patterns are FREE from the Quilter's Cache which is a wondergul site for block patterns although I have to turn downthe music ;)
2. Shooting Star
3. South Carolina Star
4. Victoria's Star
Photos:
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Green Thumb Sunday
Here's the big Crape Myrtle. Isn't it lovely? It's branches were a little weighted down this morning from last night's rain. In fact, when I was taking photos it was as if it was still raining because of the rain falling from trees and shrubs.
The photo above compares the size of the big Crape Myrtle with the young one next to it. Sorta of a Mutt & Jeff photo. The photo below is a closer up of the younger plant.
One of the benches shaded by an oak tree. There are two benches under oak trees - one on each corner that faces the cross street. My neighborhood is shaped like an H.
This is the view across the pond. I am captivated by the mirror effect. Soon there will be ducks, herons, ibis, or spoonbills to stir the water.
My front walkway - no way you are getting a close up of this :) I've cut the areca palm out several times but it comes back because I would need an excavator to remove it all. I give up. It's the plant under which yellow jackets nested last year and I was stung several times while weeding. I love the african iris and it does well in that sunny, hot spot.
Inside that window is my office. I am inside that window right now typing! Houses in our neighborhood are very focused toward the backyard (typical suburb) so this is the ONLY window in my house that faces the street. Naturally the dogs love it.
I took this photo of the pond from my side of the street so you could get a perspective of the previous photos and see my vantage point.
This is a photo of my MIL at Applebee's last night. We had planned on cooking out yesterday and I bought hamburgers and polish dogs, my mom made pasta salad, and mom & I bought a watermelon off a truck (which turned out to be fabulous) but about a half hour before we were to pick up Marge my mom became suddenly ill and went home. Instead of cooking out for 3, we took Marge to a restaurant near her grocery store and then went food shopping for her.