Dupont and Friend

A few weeks ago I started a new doll.  I wanted to try making an animal and for me, a dog is the most perfect animal.   As I was developing this doll, it was taking on a familiar face.  Unfortunately, that face was that of our beloved Molly.  Not wanting this doll to be a memorial of Molly, I set it aside for a bit.  Well, I finally finished him.

Meet Dupont.  Dupont has many dreams of being a heroic chap but Mum puts ribbons on him.  Quite upsetting.

Follow the progress of Dupont ...

And here is a sneak peek at Gilroy.....I'm not going to tell you what or who he is, this is just a clue.

My Sweet Molly

Sad news came early this morning.  Our sweet 11 year old Lab, Molly, has been ill with liver desease for some time now.  Well, actually, she has always been a bit ill, but despite that, she has always been a big lover!  Unfortunately, she started hemmoraging this morning.  With a heavy, heavy heart we said our good-byes (she looked up at me with her big expressive eyes and seemed to say thank you, Mom), before Mr. D loaded her up and drove away.   I truely appreciate the wonderful team at our vet's office.  They have always loved Molly as Molly has loved them, so I knew that I was leaving her in good hands and warm hearts.  Good-bye Sweet Molly.  We will miss you dearly.  R.I.P.

The Sounds of Kindness

In 2002 in Tucson AZ a mother lost her sweet little 2 year old son.  She recognized that the kindness of strangers was helping her family heal.  Out of that Ben's Bells began.  She set up her pottery studio and started creating beads and ornaments to string with a small bell attached at the bottom.  The idea was to leave these bells throughout her community to spread the word of Kindness.

On the first anniversary of Ben's death they placed 400 bells around Tucson and each year the number grows.  After the shooting tragedy in Tucson volunteers created and hung over 1400 bells around the community!

This year on March 29th, the anniversary of Ben's death, the local Phoenix newspaper made a donation  to have 250 bells brought to the Valley.  If you know the Valley you know that it is made up of not only Phoenix, but Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, etc.....quite a bit larger than Tucson.  Given the size of the Valley, 250 bells seems to be a relatively small number.

So you can imagine how honored I was to have found one!  Just hanging on a bench, shining in the sun, no one around.  Attached to the bell was a card which read "You have found a Ben's Bell.  Take it home, hang it in your yard, and remember to spread kindness throughout the world".   To use my niece's quote, "My heart was truly full!"

The article in the newspaper that day said, "You can't buy a Ben's Bell.  Some would say that you can't really find one either, that the bell finds you."   I really feel that this bell found me and I am so honored to have it in my home where I can give it a ring each day as a reminder of the sounds of kindness.

Do something nice for a stranger today.....it will fill your heart.

What's the Problem?

Okay, I'll admit it.....I might have a bit of a problem with magazines. There! I said it. But they are all so beautiful....full of wonderful eye candy! I have a very difficult time parting with these magazines...but alas we must part ways! (sob).

As hard as it is to sort through my magazines, and part with some, it did give me the opportunity to locate  two magazines that printed my dolls. Those I'll keep, thank you!

January 2007 "The Entertainer"

March 2008 "He Gave Her His Heart" (a gift for Melanie and Chris)

The Amazing Humphrey

Finally!  Humphrey has come to life!  It took him several months to explain himself to me.  He originally wanted to be a woodsman but quite suddenly he discovered music!

Somewhere to the left of reality is a kingdom.  In that kingdom, the Royalty are frequently entertained by acrobats, actors, musicians and the like.  Humphrey is, on occasion called upon to provide the evening entertainment.  As a one man band he is quite talented and one of the favorites.

Humphrey is sculpted with paper clay as is his mandolin.  His attire is all hand-sewn and embellished with tiny metal beads and buttons.  He seems to be patiently waiting to start his performance.  Break a leg Humphrey!

Working on my One Man Band

When I first started creating Cloth dolls I noticed that my dolls were taking on a theme. They seemed to be a mix of fantasy and old world royalty. "The Entertainer", "Sir Henry", "Madeline's Feeling a Bit Squirly" were part of that group. I believe they live just to the left of reality. I now am working on my "One Man Band". He is charged with entertaining the royal court. This time, however, I am creating him from clay but he will be clothed in fabric. Here is a sneek preview....sorry, he is still in his skivvies!

New Year, New Doll

Wow!  January completely slipped away and my resolution to blog weekly slipped away too.  Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas Mr. D had the time to start on some of those projects around the homestead.  As is always the case, one project led to another and before I knew it we were completely remodeling his home office.  When I say "remodel" I mean tear out built-ins, rip out carpet (which exposed a huge crack in the foundation which led to having the concrete grinder guy in, etc.), paint, molding, base boards, wood floor, lighting....the works!  Add to that, we tore out the driveway and put in a paver drive and walk at the same time.  Finally, new roof and exterior painting of the whole house!  No wonder January got away from me!

In the middle of all that, however, I was able to complete "Spencer"!  Spencer is a futuristic Engineer.  He is approximately 16" tall.  He has large hand-blown German glass eyes.  While working on his head and imagining what he might become, I was inspired by the dolls of Paula Nerhus and thought I'd try piecing together his costume in her style.  I have so much fun learning from other doll artists!   I hope you like him.