Back to creating!

 I guess there's a BIG blank spot where I used to keep track of our full time camper-living adventure.  But for some reason, it struck me as blather "First we did this, then we went there, and this camp was okay, that one was awful," etc. and so on.  

So yes, I cut it back to before I changed format, and still have a few things to fix.  Seems like a perennial fact of my life, messing with this blog.  But it's fun ( a little bit, anyway ) and change is something I seem to thrive on.  

For an update: we have landed at Dorado Canyon, in Mesa, AZ.  It's a 55+ community that we fell in love with.  And I have already made so many creative friends!  I didn't realize how hungry I was to be among people who MAKE things until I visited with some ladies over crafty things.  In fact, I am scheduled on the 23rd of July to teach a class on Sharpie Shoes--decorating white canvas sneakers.  This came about because I wore some I'd done to an Independence Day BBQ and others decided we need to Fancy Up Our Feet.  See?  I am among kindred spirits.  

For now, we are enduring the second half of a record-breaking summer--not just here but across the country.  Here we barely notice--Oh, it's 117 instead of 113?  Well, poo!  We walk to the clubhouse, but I carry an umbrella, looking like a Dork Fish, but it keeps me a bit cooler.  The dog is not happy about this at all, being a mountain & snow girl, but she has the AC and we only walk her first thing in the morning (when it's cool--in the low 90's).  She'll love the winter, though!

After having sold the house in the mountains--and everything in it--we spent the first couple of weeks re-outfitting ourselves.  The RV had all the furniture built in, so we had to replace every little thing.  It's been kinda fun, though.  We bought some new (couch, TV & a recliner) but the rest has been second hand.  How I missed thrifting!  You just don't do that in an RV--no room.

So now I'm off to a Christmas In July Crafty thing, sponsored by some outfit called ArchWell, so I'm curious what will happen.  More to come on our new place and the community where we landed.  We're constantly on the go now (weird that we had to move out of the RV for that to happen, isn't it?)  and it's actually good to have a down day where we just sit around and read! 

Burgers for supper, and pulled pork tomorrow.  (This kitchen is way too fine for me, but I won't fuss.)

Looking on the bright side of life.

I started five dolls this last Saturday, and will work on all of them at the same time.  Not sure why I do that, except it seems more fun to have a lot of little "people" show up together.  

These new dolls are smaller versions of some I made five years ago, because I scaled down the pattern from 21" to 18" size.  I hope.  Tomorrow?  I get to start sculpting heads and faces.  Yay!!!  The doll below is a larger version, commissioned by a man in Texas for his grand daughter. 

Winter is coming (echoes of Mr. Martin, anyone?) and I'll be indoors a lot more.  I can think of no better way to while away a snowy season than making things with faces. 

Cheers!

 

16" Izzy is done and done.

 It feels to be back to doll making!  The minis have sold well, except for the boys.  Note to self:  apparently doll collectors want girl dolls.  Poor fellas.

The hubby had to go out of town for a week of work, and I made it a goal to start and finish one regular size Izannah Walker doll.  I did it!  So I can say that I have managed to streamline things and it takes approximately 40 hours to make one, with hand finishing and such.  This one kind of looks like my cousin Valerie as a child.  So that's what I call her.  It's likely not a 19th century name, but who's counting? 

Here are photos of her.  I won't make any more til she sells, or else I'll be up to my eyebrows in Izzies.  But I will start making more of the "weird" dolls that are so fun (and less labor intensive). 

Cheers!