A Gift from a Wonderful Friend

I just had to share this with everyone. I received an unexpected gift from my friend Andrea, the maker of Andy’s Rascals, (http://www.etsy.com/shop/andysrascals )

I love mermaids and the magical stories around them and this was the best surprise I could have received!! This is how they looked when I unwrapped them, and then discovered they were meant to kiss!! That inspired me to create the magical kingdom under the sea where a human boy could live forever with his mermaid love, as long as they were together. Her kiss gave him her love and the ability to live under the water. Her pearls gave him her magic to allow him to be part of her underwater world.

Happily ever after….

Reunited with an old friend

I’m very pleased with the results of this labor of love. This doll was given to my daughter, Dori, in 1979. It is the Beauty Secrets Barbie. This was her favorite even though the doll’s hand fell off, a little girls I babysat cut her hair off and the dolls joints were so loose you could just about tie her in a knot!!

A couple months ago, Dori asked if I could repair or do something to fix her very worn-out doll. Sadly, the only thing I could salvage was the head, which I will re-paint, re-root and find a new body for.

In the meantime, I found another Beauty Secrets Barbie on Ebay,

used and needing a thorough “spa treatment” but her body was sound and completely in tact. Her hair was very dirty yet long and full. Her face was perfect, eyes bright and full of life, all the face paint was great. There was a smudge over her left eye that looked like an extra eyebrow. I was able to remove it with no damage.

After washing and conditioning her hair, I boil permed it and then fingered combed it to style. Then added a beautiful bow.

Next she had to get underwear and a slip

Then the very special crocheted dress that I made for this doll over 25 years ago. It needed some repairs, just a change of hooks and eyes in the back to give it a more finished look.

Now the hat and a special hat pin, a perfect pair of sandals and she is ready for another special place in my daughters heart.

Trying something new - Video

Thought this would be fun to try. Hope it works good. I worked on it for over an hour, (maybe two!) It seemed to me to be a good idea to do a video of the different hats and scarves for both the Barbie and larger Tonner dolls. Hope you like it!

Finally Days at the Library

Well, I took some more pictures of the display case today since I could not find the pictures I took before. I don't know what happened to them? Oh well.

This is the lower case as it is at the library. There are a few changes from the set up I did at home.

This is a closer look at the room segments.

PJ Party in the bedroom

Winter wear display

Entertaining guest in the livingroom

Checkers in the game room

Some of the girls in lingerie

Playing with kittens

The month was a success and so much fun. I hate to have to take it down but my time there is over on Tuesday. But I have the case booked again next year in April!! YAAAA!!! That will be warmer weather time so that means the return of the Bikinis!!!! Hehehehehehe!!

Local Library Display

Our local library has a wonderful little display case that they offer to the public to display things of interest and they invited me to show some of my dolls and clothing. These pictures show how the case is set up in diorama style.

The bottom part of the case is in two sections so I created a living room setting on one side and a game room setting on the other.

All the furniture is made by my friend Ron Shivvers. This is the beautiful hemlock set he made just for me. It has black walnut accents. Hemlock is a softer wood then what he normally uses but I found the board and fell in love with the gorgeous grain. I challenged him to make something with it and he did not disappoint me at all!! I love it!!

The game room is fun. I made the checker board and the checkers and my grandson helped me make the box that is in the drawer of the wall table. The display case is very narrow, front to back, about 11 1/2 inches. It took a bit of doing to get things to fit and look comfortable. I found some of the miniatures at a show, like the mini pop cans, that made it look more convincing.

I'll have to share the upper shelf tomorrow because the pictures are on my other computer in the studio and it is late, too late to go get them tonight. Hope you enjoyed seeing it so far.

Our snow stopped for now. Temperatures have dropped and there is a freezing rain coming down. The report says to expect more snow. I hope so!!

SNOW 2010

Our first snow of the season!! I'm so excited! I love snow and I have been hoping for a big enough storm to maybe snow us in for at least a few days, though I would prefer it to be a month! It would be the best excuse to keep my hubby home!

Look at the size of these flakes! They are about the size of a half dollar. It is very hypnotizing to watch them slowly falling. So beautiful and peaceful.

These pictures were taken about an hour after it started to snow and there is about 2 inches on the ground now. It is still coming down. I wonder what we will wake up to in the morning.

This is looking at the driveway which now is very white with snow. Mike should be coming home any time now. The temperatures are suppose to drop so ice is expected. That is a concern because our driveway is steep and could be dangerous.

I can't help loving this white stuff. It reminds me so much of living in Wisconsin. It also snow the day I got married to Mike which was like the ultimate gift. I don't wish anything bad or any hardship for anyone but I really would be happy to see it continue to snow. I hope all of you stay safe and are enjoying the weather.

Ready for Winter

As you can see, my hand is doing much better now. The fingers are still stiff but I have been able to do some knitting. These are a few of my latest designs for the hat and scarf sets. As you know, I don't follow patterns so each set is unique. There are cables and twist and lacy designs that add so much personality. The scarves are 12 to 14 inches long and can be wrapped and tied in many creative ways. Flower motifs add style and flare.

These will be added to my Dollyknickers website and available to purchase or if you have a certain color in mind and pattern, I can customize a set. Leg warmers can also be made to match.

Order early, I need up to 2 weeks to complete a set. http:www.dollyknickers.org