tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306528002024-03-12T21:05:11.706-07:00creativelifeandtimesHandmade Dolls, Art Quilts, Altered Art, Altered Books, Flowers in ART, Life Lived Creativelymolly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-15342604809817259492012-01-10T06:07:00.000-08:002012-01-10T06:07:24.842-08:00Wedding Bells Are Ringing!<br />
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One son got married last May and my daughter is getting married in March.<br />
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I am sewing.<br />
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At the moment, small bits of antique lace are being appliqued to the silk bodice fabric. My daughter is handling most of the plans, thankfully, as that is not my area of giftedness! <br />
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My other creative energies are going into cooking and food/lifestyle changes. This transformation has been slowly taking place the last two or three years but with increasing fervency last year partly as a response to autoimmune conditions and mostly as a desire to be a healthy and useful person as long as possible!<br />
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I am reading, researching, and buying mostly organic vegetables and grass fed meat. I am investing, on a small scale, in a dairy herd so that I can drink raw milk. And trying to not be snobbish or obnoxious about what other people are eating!<br />
<br />
<br />
Good food costs more and takes more time. But I am convinced that cheap food is bought "on credit" which will come due sooner or later in medical costs! And would you rather support small organic farms and ranches or big pharmaceutical companies? I prefer the FREEDOM of real, nutrient dense foods like my grandparents ate as children! <br />
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I hope to see, play with, read to, sew for, love, influence, pray for and with, and know grandchildren!<br />
<br />molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-15557350099158834052011-09-20T15:24:00.000-07:002011-09-20T15:36:57.093-07:00The Foundling<br />
part 3 <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqobR5gvKn_if51PzYd3QADMnxzpQGRDX1MSmC8KSYDd0EVUYOHvKyg83vEVkvLpUU2_hJ2hEPiBPflzHr-BZEZ2Ng1-WwRqT36hvEVUMdW-Hi-tGmqMNP_YqYFMAuoUeDUry0Q/s1600/take+her+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqobR5gvKn_if51PzYd3QADMnxzpQGRDX1MSmC8KSYDd0EVUYOHvKyg83vEVkvLpUU2_hJ2hEPiBPflzHr-BZEZ2Ng1-WwRqT36hvEVUMdW-Hi-tGmqMNP_YqYFMAuoUeDUry0Q/s320/take+her+home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
"What will we feed her?"<br />
<br />
Horse mint tea with honey, wild oat
porridge, grass seed cookies, yucca blossom fritters, wild lettuce,
mesquite bean scones, and rattlesnake steak.<br />
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Pa is out this morning hunting rattlesnake and this afternoon harvesting honey.molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-45195251721299282952011-09-17T04:55:00.000-07:002011-09-17T04:55:32.755-07:00<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Foundling</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Part 2</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BYB67lV5CK7UrldwOWosS-xq7sfslXL9IdlIOHI8xM-1enHIc_8HcdoAGitfkHNACzgAIDZzZcLWBOxy4TovuEs5ushd0Fz48XaAwb6RAioyCGA8FLaP9q-YI7MdPeNEPjBouw/s1600/warm+cozy+burrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BYB67lV5CK7UrldwOWosS-xq7sfslXL9IdlIOHI8xM-1enHIc_8HcdoAGitfkHNACzgAIDZzZcLWBOxy4TovuEs5ushd0Fz48XaAwb6RAioyCGA8FLaP9q-YI7MdPeNEPjBouw/s320/warm+cozy+burrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, they took her home to their nice dry burrow in the roots of a lacy thorn tree.molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-29190881418955014572011-09-06T18:57:00.000-07:002011-09-06T19:19:11.468-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcTa1Cr67Z_TNdAmBGDPjzStlSwE8ESdVpy-09WDMwQedRTV1WE530F3Eor_mmDt5JEppfgLKpbT8bGKO9wBdO3kYNAAurv2BfygDUe5AEU3DbkG-xJ651K0LQ6bcWgBNZbcqLg/s1600/foundling+with+the+hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcTa1Cr67Z_TNdAmBGDPjzStlSwE8ESdVpy-09WDMwQedRTV1WE530F3Eor_mmDt5JEppfgLKpbT8bGKO9wBdO3kYNAAurv2BfygDUe5AEU3DbkG-xJ651K0LQ6bcWgBNZbcqLg/s320/foundling+with+the+hats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> The Foundling</span><br />
<br />
In a secret valley ringed by grassy hills the little people found a
baby. She was bundled up in a colorful patchwork quilt. They looked all
around, even climbing one of the small thorny trees for a better view.
There was no sign of another large human: no buildings, no smoke, no
tracks in the grass. <br /> <br /> "We will have to take care of her until her people return."<br /> <br /> to be continuedmolly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-7676673002882728772011-09-05T19:34:00.000-07:002011-09-05T20:26:30.310-07:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Back to the Drawing Board</span><br /><br />This past week I combined several of my creative streams in these drawings. First I was playing around with drawing one of my cloth dolls.<br /><br /><br /><br />This is Lily. She has a handspun angora rabbit yarn wig.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNgJQgnLNIayH49u_JCyDdbvjJOAjLCkNNZ7B3VsbzCRVYvSIdtDuMFZKaFiJNY_trrwZgWKMTwP3y5C_Q1C9x7j3U287wdSo7QRveSYmwUC5lAfvgmzQYSKg8WO7C6YPIzfeHA/s1600/P1010314.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNgJQgnLNIayH49u_JCyDdbvjJOAjLCkNNZ7B3VsbzCRVYvSIdtDuMFZKaFiJNY_trrwZgWKMTwP3y5C_Q1C9x7j3U287wdSo7QRveSYmwUC5lAfvgmzQYSKg8WO7C6YPIzfeHA/s320/P1010314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649072333220540354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I drew Lily and added some of my doodled flowers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-bUcPUzryS0A8-1Z1K85Z2FZC0vPIqdsM0MjafIMlObGJ8ajiWfbWwskIH43LJzxMQklyvES5w10KAhLUdMmKHB-ESyBmbWNOz3o5C9bgg-B4cG3KfAPsCGVjSS1c0NWxPdGvA/s1600/AppIntGrad373.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-bUcPUzryS0A8-1Z1K85Z2FZC0vPIqdsM0MjafIMlObGJ8ajiWfbWwskIH43LJzxMQklyvES5w10KAhLUdMmKHB-ESyBmbWNOz3o5C9bgg-B4cG3KfAPsCGVjSS1c0NWxPdGvA/s320/AppIntGrad373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649073973536547218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I enjoyed this drawing so much that I wanted to do a watercolor version and this is the result.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6UnVIlDtC_5fiTLW7BuMI1VBBeQZ2MiSkkfG5A0wmfnuDjggrP_uu0C2TGx2Akd5IpUEJRZJM2DkqMWBAlUbzHTXrUSZalj6IrBlIbNXaRGI_dZBbaV3_owoUl7hT5xdUwtm9A/s1600/AppIntGrad377.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6UnVIlDtC_5fiTLW7BuMI1VBBeQZ2MiSkkfG5A0wmfnuDjggrP_uu0C2TGx2Akd5IpUEJRZJM2DkqMWBAlUbzHTXrUSZalj6IrBlIbNXaRGI_dZBbaV3_owoUl7hT5xdUwtm9A/s320/AppIntGrad377.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069816037990626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I usually strive for realism when I draw people. And I am not always pleased with the results! But since I was drawing a simple, stylized doll the resulting simplification, a sort of symbolic child resulted. It is fun! It reminds me of some of the paper dolls I drew as a child.molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-53745304116067360912011-08-03T10:36:00.000-07:002011-09-06T19:26:32.608-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_eON6Vp32A-FDySnYuHAun86y6R6J1cSPiV-y5f1dcLqJitl9VX98dQP2G7-NbuQXxGOKntMOykkeYgRJMNxljx1KDL58UXJWVmB7g2QrIIjXgAhH3jkpFD-8S9wKo1jo_aI4A/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_eON6Vp32A-FDySnYuHAun86y6R6J1cSPiV-y5f1dcLqJitl9VX98dQP2G7-NbuQXxGOKntMOykkeYgRJMNxljx1KDL58UXJWVmB7g2QrIIjXgAhH3jkpFD-8S9wKo1jo_aI4A/s320/IMG_1256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636691957483068834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Waldorf Dolls<br />and Brazilian Verbena</span><br /><br />One of my dear sons, with his much nicer, more expensive camera, used his considerable skill to take pictures of my newest Waldorf dolls.<br /><br />I decided to try get that "bokeh" look early this morning on some flowers in the front yard, "bokeh" being the out of focus points of light in the photo of the pirate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the Brazilian verbena, <span style="font-style: italic;">Verbena bonariensis</span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXHchbJJDiSDs__x6OTrS5oNiiggqJ5853-e1uPaQAFsVHVNjAVAoLYKXorzovBG8Qwns83MgbIlMpfuSXo6FSF91uiQJOA5LMZRvyHZOQ1jKqdktUvLNG54Hs_EmhWukR_Oexw/s1600/P1010297.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXHchbJJDiSDs__x6OTrS5oNiiggqJ5853-e1uPaQAFsVHVNjAVAoLYKXorzovBG8Qwns83MgbIlMpfuSXo6FSF91uiQJOA5LMZRvyHZOQ1jKqdktUvLNG54Hs_EmhWukR_Oexw/s320/P1010297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636717179338024706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Brazilian verbena is the only plant that has actually thrived this drought year, leading me to do some research to see if it might be invasive. And it gets mixed reviews. Most people think it worth the risk because of its beauty. But when you decide to pull it you will probably want to wear gloves because of the <span style="font-style: italic;">hispid</span> stems. Hispid was yesterday's new word for me! It means, "covered with rough hairs; bristly." I came across the term several times while researching the verbena. Of course <span style="font-style: italic;">hispid</span> is from Latin.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVhyphenhyphenVg4vMUe5hpydQVhCRqFRNfvgeDms9Vg1ghAOVgYCm_nDzJBgDHaFVa_BNbRnvLyaVq1gYpvFF9KKqAkGM-8zMIlLNQxe7GyPz5gwO9QrDq2nWt-Ouo1zJAHZubefFdP7Whg/s1600/P1010299.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVhyphenhyphenVg4vMUe5hpydQVhCRqFRNfvgeDms9Vg1ghAOVgYCm_nDzJBgDHaFVa_BNbRnvLyaVq1gYpvFF9KKqAkGM-8zMIlLNQxe7GyPz5gwO9QrDq2nWt-Ouo1zJAHZubefFdP7Whg/s320/P1010299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636691951867517634" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-11278627488124806902011-07-29T04:15:00.000-07:002011-07-29T13:38:06.526-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov-ROh4Ut7MBon3S7utsysnb5gFU8krWeZAKBGeRra1KNakbzaoKpSMZaC5vXM7XOy6Jc3mH-_e3ydFh-MWOBzSSt5Mdv14AnenjelBKjIa3nvAJlXVobd0T63JZY0GQq9-dkSg/s1600/P1010257.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov-ROh4Ut7MBon3S7utsysnb5gFU8krWeZAKBGeRra1KNakbzaoKpSMZaC5vXM7XOy6Jc3mH-_e3ydFh-MWOBzSSt5Mdv14AnenjelBKjIa3nvAJlXVobd0T63JZY0GQq9-dkSg/s320/P1010257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634876241284471586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div id="description_div5967871937" class="photo-desc insitu-trigger"><p id="yui_3_3_0_3_13119378975931088"><span style="font-size:130%;">WALDORF DOLLS, PIRATE, AND EYE PATCHES</span><br /></p><p>Two of my children had to wear eye patches when they were little, starting at or before age two. Both had slight crossing that was only apparent when they were sick or very tired. They got it from me! We had amblyopia or "lazy eye." My Zachary even had eye surgery when he was 3 years-old. Now, at age 22, he doesn't need even to wear glasses! </p><p id="yui_3_3_0_3_13119378975931091">My vision problems were not caught until I was 7. There was no noticeable crossing of my eyes but one eye was not even trying to see because of the mismatch of the two images. The patching for the next 3-4 years was horrible from my "point of view"! They were hot, made of latex or something I was allergic to, made the world a dark place because my "good" eye was patched, and were a source of embarrassment. My mother, usually a stickler for honesty, told me that I could make up stories about being a pirate, having my eye poked out by a pointy object, or such, not that I really fooled anyone. But the stories were a comfort to me! Now, they say that patching at that age is too late to be effective. </p><p id="yui_3_3_0_3_13119378975931100">At least my children didn't have to wear patches often in public, because we home schooled nor when they were as old as I was. They were not always happy to wear the patches but it was more of an annoyance than embarrassment!!</p></div>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-24139044020677965832011-07-25T04:51:00.000-07:002011-07-25T13:54:49.930-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XCfOclbecGOuxmRQuhwAsVjtUSzuPuzXTjrKqNxzCajD0yQ_Xs69Zg79bQ_yy2ruyPf8guHHNCRNJo0E0nymtgXWckPU4rInVWBeyr-ozu84DwZmwdflzZmCixIm94fPbdrDbQ/s1600/P1010637.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XCfOclbecGOuxmRQuhwAsVjtUSzuPuzXTjrKqNxzCajD0yQ_Xs69Zg79bQ_yy2ruyPf8guHHNCRNJo0E0nymtgXWckPU4rInVWBeyr-ozu84DwZmwdflzZmCixIm94fPbdrDbQ/s320/P1010637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633374684765731714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hello, blog, old friend!<br />Lots of water has passed under the bridge, so to speak, since last I posted here.<br />A school year<br />A funeral<br />A wedding<br /><br />I flew from Texas to Baltimore in April to see my very ill sister. Then, at the end of May drove with two of my "children" across the south, where we visited friends in Georgia. Then, as we were proceeding up the coast on our way to Maryland for my son's wedding, we got the news that we had lost my sister.<br /><br />I was able to attend the funeral with four of my children because they were already assembling nearby for the wedding that would be three days later. It is amazing to think of Life, Death, Wedding, Happiness, and Sadness all intertwined in the same week. We may try but we are unable to completely separate time into neat segments!<br /><br />This summer I have spent a lot of time reminiscing about my childhood. Serious reminiscing and questioning. Thinking about what made me who I am; why were my sister and I so different? What are the weaknesses in myself that I refuse to admit? What are the things that I had hoped to accomplish? And which of these hopes and dreams are still possible?<br /><br />In the process of these more serious contemplations some "childish" dreams have been recalled. I guess that is why I have had a renewed interest in the dolls of my childhood, dolls from the 1950's through the 1970's and even some more recent! I have bought some old dolls like I never had, some that I remember seeing after I had "outgrown" dolls. Of course, I never outgrew dolls but spent some wonderful years raising my own living dolls, my lovely six children. They are the joy of my life and my MAGNUM OPUS.<br /><br /><br />I have returned to doll making this summer with the dream of at some point selling dolls, dolls that little girls can actually love and play with, as my sister and I loved and played with the very special dolls we had.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqZHiwMEdgyxpg1Lbt0SxPgUJKRTzLVKfo3ujcKX6D91NwcbRc-xTMwNkzcBMmGkpH8WLI0rjGB-1qs2-bDz1kWZA5rHxlpUc7ukEeklsokvFLILMEvEjLF_6u2GvnwG_nKNAeA/s1600/P1010258.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqZHiwMEdgyxpg1Lbt0SxPgUJKRTzLVKfo3ujcKX6D91NwcbRc-xTMwNkzcBMmGkpH8WLI0rjGB-1qs2-bDz1kWZA5rHxlpUc7ukEeklsokvFLILMEvEjLF_6u2GvnwG_nKNAeA/s320/P1010258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633374685810244722" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-11788197675852546962010-08-14T06:14:00.000-07:002010-08-14T06:32:08.353-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkbb4kJcX-2jgt8vQ1SxIoVkhgon7e1oU8Z1t7xhAJQOxIDwp2LGsH6vsUNIGzYbJWml9wE1T1tN6EP6RVmLRqRjQB1oTbkrDtUUykz8gmKinVSyrxz8b_AipaRjPbzE1seHhJA/s1600/P1010010.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkbb4kJcX-2jgt8vQ1SxIoVkhgon7e1oU8Z1t7xhAJQOxIDwp2LGsH6vsUNIGzYbJWml9wE1T1tN6EP6RVmLRqRjQB1oTbkrDtUUykz8gmKinVSyrxz8b_AipaRjPbzE1seHhJA/s320/P1010010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505257683130119858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlu24BvBXFCeiTfOM0Ji018v-z85Uce06Dy-FOJPV8uhislnrX7sS6Y1CTlXMEQLkoXd_GGN6VabaZre1RvCuVrcAZan8CnTClJxuPM7SQxw0h8UuwzAT-_7ajpJoFKbNSTktkw/s1600/P1010023.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlu24BvBXFCeiTfOM0Ji018v-z85Uce06Dy-FOJPV8uhislnrX7sS6Y1CTlXMEQLkoXd_GGN6VabaZre1RvCuVrcAZan8CnTClJxuPM7SQxw0h8UuwzAT-_7ajpJoFKbNSTktkw/s320/P1010023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505257210095956594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-zBEVbPW4X3OBhy67n3QIXvRaTkHrrb08mi4wuFVOjCqoyUu_-KgEjwf10XZmrx_E4-M9TeVkK4ULmI56MMKdrWys3-7fqcdK1NSg0q-_LLPCDBgQ29Z3FPHSP9H32ULSeOvkg/s1600/P1010014.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-zBEVbPW4X3OBhy67n3QIXvRaTkHrrb08mi4wuFVOjCqoyUu_-KgEjwf10XZmrx_E4-M9TeVkK4ULmI56MMKdrWys3-7fqcdK1NSg0q-_LLPCDBgQ29Z3FPHSP9H32ULSeOvkg/s320/P1010014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505257203160215474" border="0" /></a><br />I have been intrigued by the cuddly hand-made play dolls that I have seen on flickr recently. They are called Waldorf dolls. I know that some homeschooling parents, others too, as well as parents with children in Waldorf schools recognize the value of well made toys. Because I love children and enjoy sewing and creating dolls, I decided to make a few of this style doll. It has been a very satisfying endeavor! Here are some of my dolls.molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-84028014374663989572010-02-06T18:29:00.000-08:002010-02-06T18:50:54.213-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd035ZmBSVUsm8CuA_NVpHzAy7yfoljs2mtV_fpKZZZpe2tfHkWAQCjJCjACyF8322T1CMNiPUvrsP7fdQK8LvVr_GV0YHY_ocP-PLwJs7Dubpz_w-78oQsG5ezTTRMlLn7PKGA/s1600-h/P1010298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd035ZmBSVUsm8CuA_NVpHzAy7yfoljs2mtV_fpKZZZpe2tfHkWAQCjJCjACyF8322T1CMNiPUvrsP7fdQK8LvVr_GV0YHY_ocP-PLwJs7Dubpz_w-78oQsG5ezTTRMlLn7PKGA/s320/P1010298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435325189876887298" border="0" /></a>I finished making my first Izannah Walker doll this week. The pattern is by Dixie Redmond based on historic dolls from the 19th century. I have been taking an online workshop.<embed wmode="opaque" src="http://static.ning.com%20/socialnetworkmain/widgets/index/swf/badge.swf?v=201002041436" flashvars="backgroundColor=0x&textColor=0x999999&config=http%3A%2F%2Fizannahwalkerworkshop.ning.com%2Fmain%2Fbadge%2FshowPlayerConfig%3Fxg_source%3Dbadge%26xn_auth%3Dno%26x%3D70WWPMbXhsJBm9HTeQcQslXnUtbxyjtz%26size%3Dtiny%26username%3D0b8qa1cons77w" bgcolor="" scale="noscale" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="64" width="206"></embed><br /><small><a href="http://izannahwalkerworkshop.ning.com/">Visit <em>Izannah Walker Workshop</em></a></small><br /> I am pleased with the results but see where I can make improvements. I also need to take better photographs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4jxFEbK4hMq6HMH-17KzEWgcXur74Oz029DKbuH8i8J6wK2lKgZbEFMME1GMaCoHqsYS-q9IFTgJ45SA1GU8nTgpRAWzZaOmdbNYsJsBpi6ir6N0ppLMOzzE8QBWwt8MncMnCQ/s1600-h/P1010273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4jxFEbK4hMq6HMH-17KzEWgcXur74Oz029DKbuH8i8J6wK2lKgZbEFMME1GMaCoHqsYS-q9IFTgJ45SA1GU8nTgpRAWzZaOmdbNYsJsBpi6ir6N0ppLMOzzE8QBWwt8MncMnCQ/s320/P1010273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435328052121343314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigUOScbfG62xIULPOS0fW-gkQjfqIWpO_fud1seiRQ1UMr89ZogjlgNUBfc57AcELn70ick1q_KLATfdBa0ucjQlhPOU0UUl7gIndzn0Ripso6nyfTn_rLDVilT29OVvd54tzkA/s1600-h/P1010301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigUOScbfG62xIULPOS0fW-gkQjfqIWpO_fud1seiRQ1UMr89ZogjlgNUBfc57AcELn70ick1q_KLATfdBa0ucjQlhPOU0UUl7gIndzn0Ripso6nyfTn_rLDVilT29OVvd54tzkA/s320/P1010301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435325183402648834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmi71_Y9ogBWFG98vQyuKrAEg8pGzjmihBTh1zKne_2J3st47vJrnzGSDMK8ZOglJ3Ab6S4ofUQCZNbe-xNFLWz2fDjxLNy5J041Fl6HltTkIEbqCrmsMsCKke_NTBk90wyURDew/s1600-h/P1010275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmi71_Y9ogBWFG98vQyuKrAEg8pGzjmihBTh1zKne_2J3st47vJrnzGSDMK8ZOglJ3Ab6S4ofUQCZNbe-xNFLWz2fDjxLNy5J041Fl6HltTkIEbqCrmsMsCKke_NTBk90wyURDew/s320/P1010275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435325171165431154" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-41467541594098846752009-12-17T05:16:00.000-08:002009-12-17T06:24:19.245-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81P8onNe36W5dLngp1Ypau5nheb6G27tYRZ2WeNrw0vCHtlWKlAmi_KryF_TwAtfhFA3-KgOWVxMVPUOEc5To1seqJEuUNZoSF3N2ethyphenhyphen7XQf2L8o3-N3Ii6_RhbpiNWvVbHuNA/s1600-h/P1010192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81P8onNe36W5dLngp1Ypau5nheb6G27tYRZ2WeNrw0vCHtlWKlAmi_KryF_TwAtfhFA3-KgOWVxMVPUOEc5To1seqJEuUNZoSF3N2ethyphenhyphen7XQf2L8o3-N3Ii6_RhbpiNWvVbHuNA/s320/P1010192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416208586322407218" border="0" /></a><br />When I was a ten-year-old, I thought I would be a<br />Doll Maker, when I grew up. I remember checking out the book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dolls-profit-Edith-Flack-Ackley/dp/B0007DV23E"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dolls to Make, for Fun and Profit</span></a>, by Edith Flack Ackley. I checked out every make-it type book I could find!<br /><br />About that time, my family visited my dad's cousin who lived in a remote corner of Texas. Leada, my dad's cousin, was married to Ward, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">real</span> cowboy. They lived in an adobe house at the end of a dirt and rock road over an hour's drive from the nearest paved road. Their children were grown so she spent her time making dolls and collecting arrowheads. (I was disappointed that I was not allowed to ride horses; the cowboys rode mules because of the rough terrain, and drove jeeps and trucks.)<br /><br />I made lots of dolls and doll clothing as a child but only two, that I made as a teen, have survived (other than a few paper dolls that my mother saved.) My childhood technique was less than adequate. I made big stitches and used fabric that frayed too easily. My mom provided lots of drawing and painting supplies and inspiration. She taught me how to sew clothing but I probably didn't request help with dolls or at least I didn't accept it.<br /><br />As a "serious art student" in the 1970, I would not admit my love of dolls or the vintage inspired books written for little girls and for those like me now who are still little girls at heart. Now, not so self-conscious, at least not toward the Art World, I am indulging in my doll and costume passion.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYjCSChEq6ij4RSZolBFMeItKUDELcbi-KIEVT51UXN-JwtinH6GzAeRpslaDFHuKErcAnP1sOeL2ZaSCgTMdy6YXbiw24JCUM_q1NfxG4FRXvQzdrjva5SzrH5PoLZktFZbwHQ/s1600-h/img193.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYjCSChEq6ij4RSZolBFMeItKUDELcbi-KIEVT51UXN-JwtinH6GzAeRpslaDFHuKErcAnP1sOeL2ZaSCgTMdy6YXbiw24JCUM_q1NfxG4FRXvQzdrjva5SzrH5PoLZktFZbwHQ/s320/img193.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416200515812134962" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday, I ran across an my old pattern for a Holly Hobbie doll. I had never used the pattern because it makes a larger doll than I have wanted to make. Also, I have preferred to make my own patterns. I kept it all these years and may make it yet. The pattern uses a child's sock for the needle sculpted head which I am more interested in now than I was then. Having researched the cloth dolls being made these days and especially loving the cloth and clay dolls I have seen, I am now taking a more humble approach and want to learn from other doll makers and even, gasp, use a pattern!molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-21944284485627400232009-11-07T03:15:00.000-08:002009-11-07T04:18:21.681-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVciMaFZQTTpZfEyBPmqBiun0ZiZKJPhH6NdYv3OPAIS5OyWETprzCM334q0XW3DHdOq8y_0gbOZAje_g1qRj2XuzY92cEQCJv3nIp3s7gEfZUvHTBKHhLBP8qC2q_X7DZKOmMw/s1600-h/P1010589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVciMaFZQTTpZfEyBPmqBiun0ZiZKJPhH6NdYv3OPAIS5OyWETprzCM334q0XW3DHdOq8y_0gbOZAje_g1qRj2XuzY92cEQCJv3nIp3s7gEfZUvHTBKHhLBP8qC2q_X7DZKOmMw/s320/P1010589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401334237202117282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This Beautiful Fall 2009<br /><br /><br />What have I been doing? (I ask myself, because I don't feel like I have accomplished much recently!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZzLQ8Xcx_tul6oIzcXdybrWizCEeNgQQyb97QLOx0HnizqCNRZdpDy9U87hYKWEQiVuA7Xh0lhbY1IsnJSQmI1BfdoJQT_SB97gMUcE2H797nVlkQm2dMSUxoCFo2LTXD-2Ncg/s1600-h/P1010621.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZzLQ8Xcx_tul6oIzcXdybrWizCEeNgQQyb97QLOx0HnizqCNRZdpDy9U87hYKWEQiVuA7Xh0lhbY1IsnJSQmI1BfdoJQT_SB97gMUcE2H797nVlkQm2dMSUxoCFo2LTXD-2Ncg/s320/P1010621.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401331910705560530" border="0" /></a>My main occupations : Enjoying the three "children" still in my home and hearing from the three that are far away. Notice the "Abe" costume my youngest wore on October 31st! (Thrift store jacket looked black in person. I made the vest and top hat of felt.)<br />Teaching Latin and loving the children, 3rd through 6th grade, at my school. Teaching two classes weekly at a local dance and art studio.<br /><br />I went to a HUGE garage sale benefiting "Meals on Wheel," where I stocked up on needle working supplies to use and share. I also found some vintage and not so vintage dolls!<br /><br />I fullfilled a childhood desire to stay at the Prude Ranch in the Davis Mountains of Texas. The ladies of my church went for a weekend retreat. I didn't ride a horse while there...maybe next time!<br /><br />A friend at church asked me last Sunday what I had been doing creatively, lately. I could not answer! I reallized that the sewing studio area of my bedroom was a chaotic mess; that was a big part of my inability to sew. So, this week I cleaned, sorted, boxed, moved furniture... and now I have a place to work again and am inspired!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm8uyuE8n7JA8Eh367Bs1CkxPuZT-wRA0Jic4BeQvh9peo7VD5Vy6JWw13vLDbdAbrhxJE1xH8z80rMstaEL3FTFR8N9XN1N4OB5-odXNdgVLIYelRJd2lMx7d7lsCwELpDUfTg/s1600-h/P1010566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm8uyuE8n7JA8Eh367Bs1CkxPuZT-wRA0Jic4BeQvh9peo7VD5Vy6JWw13vLDbdAbrhxJE1xH8z80rMstaEL3FTFR8N9XN1N4OB5-odXNdgVLIYelRJd2lMx7d7lsCwELpDUfTg/s320/P1010566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401333012911218706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjMjd9Cilq2YvbM1O9NyROuTff83phnnJbM6XfIA971o9iubR6xLCMlL3q5A6Bm2qDpAAlN0iHDFTRdlKdufv8PYQIpLyk8wQJ_c8l7grJKRhbADB97YFXDlFUSvBGQrb5pOfJQ/s1600-h/P1010543.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjMjd9Cilq2YvbM1O9NyROuTff83phnnJbM6XfIA971o9iubR6xLCMlL3q5A6Bm2qDpAAlN0iHDFTRdlKdufv8PYQIpLyk8wQJ_c8l7grJKRhbADB97YFXDlFUSvBGQrb5pOfJQ/s320/P1010543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401333015199730786" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-42707639246022734922009-09-06T18:01:00.000-07:002009-09-06T19:11:51.676-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;">The desire to create is strong!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjckO4_R8GeH3FWuPR8AIrXBNyHt2k-Vo4iYKuoTra9RAOgRTQ2nFJqxmXKYOe9UhbsN1FKMs_7UtAd-wQEDlisdQt8svcuhhEBdgvXzWRtn9a_x9ponrHEwITjX19gfiNefahuA/s1600-h/P1010051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjckO4_R8GeH3FWuPR8AIrXBNyHt2k-Vo4iYKuoTra9RAOgRTQ2nFJqxmXKYOe9UhbsN1FKMs_7UtAd-wQEDlisdQt8svcuhhEBdgvXzWRtn9a_x9ponrHEwITjX19gfiNefahuA/s320/P1010051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378541534503116994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYkBrtiJ1hURsknxJNQ4raRLhlXedoxYcaumlz4y92HEaD8B5OPVIJ7Joc6F9xP50RqiAzxTIYq32aIdRswoR7qV2Co1LIpincJR_FIV6g2uDHsaFVRfJvN2r5IxxwUc_uOR5Ig/s1600-h/img138.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYkBrtiJ1hURsknxJNQ4raRLhlXedoxYcaumlz4y92HEaD8B5OPVIJ7Joc6F9xP50RqiAzxTIYq32aIdRswoR7qV2Co1LIpincJR_FIV6g2uDHsaFVRfJvN2r5IxxwUc_uOR5Ig/s320/img138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378536961272356402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I found this free writing I did several years ago. I have since grown a garden and most of my children are grown!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzztmuWw-0vbtc9z1FdBVYhjilMAjSIUsbX7WmRdPbsD55d34Aod5iMQX9H2PA3xK7ialcHGXIB2fRUsi7Zxhi3tzMcgVPKgsBQ6rZPN0Kq4UayjYB4CaOvL6SzVTfxQxS7nFgw/s1600-h/pages+for+dark+aceo+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzztmuWw-0vbtc9z1FdBVYhjilMAjSIUsbX7WmRdPbsD55d34Aod5iMQX9H2PA3xK7ialcHGXIB2fRUsi7Zxhi3tzMcgVPKgsBQ6rZPN0Kq4UayjYB4CaOvL6SzVTfxQxS7nFgw/s320/pages+for+dark+aceo+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378539175853213234" border="0" /></a><br />It was written for an altered book I entitled, "My Blue Book of Desire." The title I stole from somewhere, I don't remember where, and the plan was to make a dark blue slightly sad and dark book. Probably that was how I felt at the time. See this journal page.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Longing for lost dreams - not released- not free- not forgotten- this vision will not be forsaken<br />How to redeem this dream, this imperfect manifestation, this desire, this longing, this love!<br />How do I settle for less?<br />How do I make the most of what is in front of me, in this life.<br />Only God can make this loss beautiful!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMAqDjx-JRg4T10noWTTQu_J2Gsqp5plxeFlFaIwFFjrKek_IyHL44-1gOZFRrcJId9bdoutZxpKfmLvAi7cNokjLc-ERir8ttrq9NfXhYwKwTu3YEEmzdL65r-O5fU8VrXN5Nw/s1600-h/P1010378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMAqDjx-JRg4T10noWTTQu_J2Gsqp5plxeFlFaIwFFjrKek_IyHL44-1gOZFRrcJId9bdoutZxpKfmLvAi7cNokjLc-ERir8ttrq9NfXhYwKwTu3YEEmzdL65r-O5fU8VrXN5Nw/s320/P1010378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378535870045007778" border="0" /></a><br />Creativity: making, doing, living, loving<br />This sub-creation that I see before me: this journey, the journal,<br />The trial, trail, tears.<br />The perseverance to growth,<br />To forgive and be forgiven.<br />By grace to finish well!<br />Soul searching- discovery-joy<br />Spirit, soul, song, tune, music, air, breath, animus.<br />My life wrapped around sights and sounds, tastes and colors; the physical life.<br />LOVE, NURTURING, NEST...more than the physical!<br />For some years I have given up this- no garden but grass and weeds- to raise children- to feed and educate them, sometimes not feeding them well, I have neglected the culinary arts.<br />How to live gracefully, frugally, clean and neat, but also creative, which seems to necessitate some messy clutter!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj121y9Gr582kPdXJswEZ6-UpglxYACuxq5dbMfpomr4-VOx9vargJNCXzamM7bLwG5IjpZXRiYy2gFTvNj91niQFAItizNRUfDhNZV_M420dOjAdmbehJZ5htwPrIF58KAZCuMhQ/s1600-h/P1010017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj121y9Gr582kPdXJswEZ6-UpglxYACuxq5dbMfpomr4-VOx9vargJNCXzamM7bLwG5IjpZXRiYy2gFTvNj91niQFAItizNRUfDhNZV_M420dOjAdmbehJZ5htwPrIF58KAZCuMhQ/s320/P1010017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378541527398047250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Give, give, give, for it is better to give than to receive but giving to my own children is not hard or unselfish, though not always easy! Self-absorption seems to come naturally. (See blog!)<br />All that I have; life does not consist of things!<br />I need food, shelter, utilities, clothing, medicine, glasses...<br />Do I need paint, paper, books, fabric, yarn?<br />When I was a child I made a rose out of native clay, drew on free paper.<br /><br />I have all this and more. Do stuff with it! Draw, paint, make books. write, sew, weave...and share.<br />Make a winter garden by the south wall: lettuce, cabbage, parsely, dill, fennel, onions, peas, flowers! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Make gardens not war!</span> Grow good stuff to eat. Smell the earth! Watch seeds sprouting. Plant wildflowers: poppies phlox, sunflowers, blanket flowers, larkspurs, marigolds...molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-80395242127991779572009-08-08T19:27:00.000-07:002009-08-08T19:56:23.353-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dtGoZd5sthUrYf2AFv5GIFYOZZ4KnEybfwbWCHPtZ97aA3NK5N0t1sqHDa6RcLmwx6uzjYJmsYQbhIXiYF7WZOARPqBaTRS_Se02_7c-mmECUvryrTHgidIOqSbW7hLvDH-vKg/s1600-h/P1010204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dtGoZd5sthUrYf2AFv5GIFYOZZ4KnEybfwbWCHPtZ97aA3NK5N0t1sqHDa6RcLmwx6uzjYJmsYQbhIXiYF7WZOARPqBaTRS_Se02_7c-mmECUvryrTHgidIOqSbW7hLvDH-vKg/s320/P1010204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367790028639076546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I am feeling blue about the end of summer!<br /><br />I LOVE teaching, my school, the other teachers and staff, and especially the interaction with the children. I am excited about my new classroom. Previously I have been the Mobile Latin Teacher, have cart will travel.<br /><br />But there is a sense of disappointment that I didn't accomplish more.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-sDzj_qJYp_zUMXYQlKehpbxVSynOOtVd3zWtebzslVxXNlRp2Boll8z8FHgA2AmXvYCDvdXWYjnSM0cT1ZCHZDyC2dSWlY4JpPMepqD5RPeaLRC_-vSjlhqC8P6epVF5YgNgQ/s1600-h/P1010201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-sDzj_qJYp_zUMXYQlKehpbxVSynOOtVd3zWtebzslVxXNlRp2Boll8z8FHgA2AmXvYCDvdXWYjnSM0cT1ZCHZDyC2dSWlY4JpPMepqD5RPeaLRC_-vSjlhqC8P6epVF5YgNgQ/s320/P1010201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367790008114781250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have not painted on canvas, threaded the loom, finished dolls, made a book or quilt, felted...<br /><br />I have resisted the urge to buy art supplies*. I recognize that as a substitute for spending time creating that I can fall into too easily!<br />But today I bought two books and a magazine with art class money.<br /><br />I am not really happy about my studio arrangement at present hence the purchase of the book Where Women Create.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWB_9ckTmaWXhhM6E6jfr8SC6oJGYL1TBQSIXMiuOUn6GcjyxsS9TPtUoyVcTr6NzQDWEafZJVczDojsZLTGTklkiy4FGl8Wli8c86dwHbAiDUIt-zugpXwCa9QDsBB-JX9Y5dQ/s1600-h/P1010202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWB_9ckTmaWXhhM6E6jfr8SC6oJGYL1TBQSIXMiuOUn6GcjyxsS9TPtUoyVcTr6NzQDWEafZJVczDojsZLTGTklkiy4FGl8Wli8c86dwHbAiDUIt-zugpXwCa9QDsBB-JX9Y5dQ/s320/P1010202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367790020638329842" border="0" /></a><br />In my heart I know that creativity does not depend on place, space, or a lot of specific supplies, I have a lifetime supply already.<br /><br />But some of my focus has been missing of late!<br /><br />* Honesty check: I have bought fabric!<br /> sewed four skirts, and a tunic<br />dyed and embellished a t-shirt<br /> had a serious garden<br /> taught a weekly sewing class for girls<br /> taught one week of art camp<br />cooked lots of primarily vegetable meals<br /> made pickles<br /> worked on the garage, sorting, boxing, trashing and giving away stuff<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_4SGMIhka0ktteHnKObEvK9hENpQ2QIBKenIj6PmHoFXFgI3uzbMUrqJdNy03OL6H2VrHD7dzOGBx-8tpF4S2cImG3n6aDea-1GOgwaweic69CZJxox5l4GO5nYSLX2JVk4T2Q/s1600-h/P1010151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_4SGMIhka0ktteHnKObEvK9hENpQ2QIBKenIj6PmHoFXFgI3uzbMUrqJdNy03OL6H2VrHD7dzOGBx-8tpF4S2cImG3n6aDea-1GOgwaweic69CZJxox5l4GO5nYSLX2JVk4T2Q/s320/P1010151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789979964545794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi-7axpR3QDeIXXr8K6sCajQPqVMlujNgoAPM-kv6zuf6iCSXN_F0A7V0qMzJv3ujXGqmNj9xML70Np1AeKnmwb0DzQFSuU4Hc9cvfpdBNoUlAehn2_XNsDgfAGYU4JBxc5-aBA/s1600-h/P1010198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi-7axpR3QDeIXXr8K6sCajQPqVMlujNgoAPM-kv6zuf6iCSXN_F0A7V0qMzJv3ujXGqmNj9xML70Np1AeKnmwb0DzQFSuU4Hc9cvfpdBNoUlAehn2_XNsDgfAGYU4JBxc5-aBA/s320/P1010198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789996816091074" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-6398180233911988322009-07-07T06:55:00.000-07:002009-07-07T07:08:16.225-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkExUz4eVmIMD9smspPZjHmvConIKJF_hCgijt8EVep46dccs__XK8EKA79XL4T0g0XGMf5CGS12vDeMYDqvvNoODmNp9fXZcgUjCfuDXhKX4XaB_fZkMnHqALk8hXfzWrBSqXvQ/s1600-h/P1010123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkExUz4eVmIMD9smspPZjHmvConIKJF_hCgijt8EVep46dccs__XK8EKA79XL4T0g0XGMf5CGS12vDeMYDqvvNoODmNp9fXZcgUjCfuDXhKX4XaB_fZkMnHqALk8hXfzWrBSqXvQ/s400/P1010123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355718499702404130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This morning I picked a cluster of three large Pompeii Italian Tomatoes. I grew them from seed purchased from <a href="http://www.reneesgarden.com/">Renee's Garden</a>. They are not as heavy as the standard large juicy tomatoes but weighed one pound total. I also picked a over a pound of the small Roma type tomatoes that I love and are so productive here even setting blossoms in our hot weather!molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-71811370658700840832009-06-19T23:13:00.000-07:002009-06-20T00:03:32.603-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-UChhvFkY_U8HKzpJ26mgWjucxyy1GwVSSuiUviKl_d7m2uvalakBVdLYpmdJEgOypg5GyVHG28jOCDXGoFD5HF5ojxghZ1fELOGvsfR9xxuRiNNTPGzHRs8y1DKS0AM8TZ9Kg/s1600-h/P1010012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-UChhvFkY_U8HKzpJ26mgWjucxyy1GwVSSuiUviKl_d7m2uvalakBVdLYpmdJEgOypg5GyVHG28jOCDXGoFD5HF5ojxghZ1fELOGvsfR9xxuRiNNTPGzHRs8y1DKS0AM8TZ9Kg/s320/P1010012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349294769265688674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Borago</span><i> officinalis</i><br /><br />Borage.<br /><br />See it here in my current garden next to a tomato plant. T<span>his hairy </span>herb is a favorite of mine. The flowers are also a favorite of bees, tomatoes, and children. I grew it in my first "serious" herb garden in San Antonio and later when my kids were small. Kids like the cucumber flavor of the blue star shaped flowers.<br /><i><br /></i>When the children were helping me garden we lived in the almost desert prairie of West Texas on 2 1/2 acres. The ground was caliche rock and blow sand. It can be a carpet of wild flowers in any seasons with just a bit of rain. But the summers are hot, windy, and usually very dry.<br /><br />We had a nice water well and one February I got a load of topsoil for my birthday...a dump truck load of dirt! That was my all-time favorite birthday gift! But even with the additional soil I could usually grow flowers and herbs better than vegetables. But we tried!<i><br /><br />Borage is suppose to be a great companion plant for tomatoes. I am hoping it will deter the dreaded <span style="font-weight: bold;">great horned tomato worm</span>. We found one of those on a pepper plant yesterday but not close to the borage.<br /><br /><br /></i>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-63337632799422906532009-06-19T22:11:00.000-07:002009-06-19T22:55:23.962-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HaFRoDDjwhaCqD_27-p9u08y3b2BDshYcBsT6uNlgWUcT2l6no0lsxJY8TUSJsQ30_4OXyZinjW_Tg_Ic2oxi7oPpa8mcjXxx7NSKEqyBfhBOuW7Vu3bSlDrgJ9nWEpcuTpxsw/s1600-h/img007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HaFRoDDjwhaCqD_27-p9u08y3b2BDshYcBsT6uNlgWUcT2l6no0lsxJY8TUSJsQ30_4OXyZinjW_Tg_Ic2oxi7oPpa8mcjXxx7NSKEqyBfhBOuW7Vu3bSlDrgJ9nWEpcuTpxsw/s320/img007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349283520235687890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Memories in the Garden on the Farm</span><br /><br />Some of my earliest memories are of time spent with my grandparents on their farm in Central Texas. I would help Grandmother plant seeds in a lot next to the barn. It had incredible dirt with all that aged manure and decomposing hay! This was the kitchen garden for beans, squash, okra, potatoes, and tomatoes. She always started her own tomatoes rather than buy plants.<br /><br />They also had a few garden rows out in the field for black-eyed peas, corn, and melons. Grandmother grew herbs and flowers in the yard. I remember mint, parsley, dill, garlic, and those wonderful walking onions with the baby onions on top!<br /><br />She grew chili petines for my granddaddy; they would reseed each year. Once I added them to mud-pies and got mud on my face and peppers in my eyes! You don't forget a thing like that!<br /><br />I remember hollyhocks, petunias, bells of Ireland, irises, pomagranet bushes, lilacs, and climbable mesquite trees.molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-73177695563861477862009-06-19T21:58:00.000-07:002009-06-19T23:01:41.719-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;">Gardening</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG30vl7lD8uBN402LDF1lrJ5s-rpMdmJ0lADPNo6NUzIaP-sjLxLEAbl2lshAJ3XxuaMBf72Q4678suOjBwNfjo-RVFMYn1bTZaSEjtQ6YKenvOVWWVCEkxzsSCwAxTJwZ73S0UA/s1600-h/P1010030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG30vl7lD8uBN402LDF1lrJ5s-rpMdmJ0lADPNo6NUzIaP-sjLxLEAbl2lshAJ3XxuaMBf72Q4678suOjBwNfjo-RVFMYn1bTZaSEjtQ6YKenvOVWWVCEkxzsSCwAxTJwZ73S0UA/s320/P1010030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349271402071287906" border="0" /></a>We have been eating lettuce, spinach, carrots, baby bokchoy, onions, garlic, sugar peas, a few Italian bush beans, and small tomatoes. Also from friends and family with larger, earlier gardens we have had new potatoes and squash! We have small squashes coming if the bugs don't get them.molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-73350125904945780842009-06-17T19:12:00.000-07:002009-06-17T20:48:06.669-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5JEx24j0MWi0WvUM4Qp8gkmdzF8aB1Opa-1CgDP5lx7Rd_O5ZMPbR6G5HJ-lbK4J17HikynGL6Q-P2BqF-6wEDpMobC8g4W8Do_YuG30ZGzieaurMabvAtMOxEc4vDaivY7Ybw/s1600-h/june+09+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5JEx24j0MWi0WvUM4Qp8gkmdzF8aB1Opa-1CgDP5lx7Rd_O5ZMPbR6G5HJ-lbK4J17HikynGL6Q-P2BqF-6wEDpMobC8g4W8Do_YuG30ZGzieaurMabvAtMOxEc4vDaivY7Ybw/s200/june+09+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348505794284054994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not forgotten </span></span><br /><br />After a long absence and silence here on the blog I am going to attempt a comeback.<br />No time for <span style="font-weight: bold;">detailed</span> backstory or excuses!<br />In the past year:<br />We have moved to a different house after painting the interior.<br />We have planted the whole backyard in garden.<br />Made gradual but definite changes in our diet...<br /><br />I am struggling to find balance, learn to accept loss, and change, and I hope, to be content but not complacent! I am easily distracted from important but difficult areas of responsibility. There can be an exhilarating and almost intoxicating high from creativity. I can postpone thinking of other things while reveling in color, pattern, paper, paint, and fibers. I can numb my painful memories and present fears with a new project idea. Arranging and rearranging art supplies is a potent procrastinator's ploy!<br /><br />But, I am still creating!molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-2419600985663802832008-12-09T16:52:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:36:35.979-08:00Sewing! <br /><br />I have my Bernina back from the shop, materials gathered, and LOTS of ideas!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMgQbtJ3-tz_73pXbpE23WLlyOO262jYQlwjhkhQH9xXXX0rpfMoMPh87mq1hiEPOQtx5NNFO4t90r8arpnrHNo-giM7Pkno-v3jikIFU27mo3AgDYPBOqaVwbju4Xp8MZF15Pw/s1600-h/P1010671.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMgQbtJ3-tz_73pXbpE23WLlyOO262jYQlwjhkhQH9xXXX0rpfMoMPh87mq1hiEPOQtx5NNFO4t90r8arpnrHNo-giM7Pkno-v3jikIFU27mo3AgDYPBOqaVwbju4Xp8MZF15Pw/s200/P1010671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277962133814490562" border="0" /></a>For about a year I have been gathering wool sweaters, wool yardage, silk blouses, and other beautiful textiles to re-purpose, from estate sales and thrift stores. I am thinking about projects to work on when I am not so busy. One recent weekend I made some small gifts and had a grand time sewing! I have several dolls to finish soon and want to make more animal characters.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcRHgo8J7Aaugz8T9Vk3C9eso9rtd3KPfHHmGZ_jI9QkQzy60VscmCv_ROU1umLPJvubLcE6DiUrNO_354O5LNsgdUm0PruboL6IlcWdfH4Nm6wXMMhYMrFOEAa4U1Z6CnTJA2g/s1600-h/P1010657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcRHgo8J7Aaugz8T9Vk3C9eso9rtd3KPfHHmGZ_jI9QkQzy60VscmCv_ROU1umLPJvubLcE6DiUrNO_354O5LNsgdUm0PruboL6IlcWdfH4Nm6wXMMhYMrFOEAa4U1Z6CnTJA2g/s200/P1010657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277962133443307106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gqg8-xpCCyaayy0xr4-XE4MeoSh-KLp7aM6FYJVhRJGu97EGTAAQJpueCmhiXmIIQQBCFFMIW4EOXxBGaetu9jAyRyYXkmWqA4uVStsdkbScM8ij32XVOCuGj0UNL9mlXBUSLg/s1600-h/P1010649.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gqg8-xpCCyaayy0xr4-XE4MeoSh-KLp7aM6FYJVhRJGu97EGTAAQJpueCmhiXmIIQQBCFFMIW4EOXxBGaetu9jAyRyYXkmWqA4uVStsdkbScM8ij32XVOCuGj0UNL9mlXBUSLg/s200/P1010649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277966418582502226" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-68687748713121465262008-04-20T04:16:00.000-07:002008-11-21T13:58:18.136-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4spCMtuk_SoBHRJYvVShm43heaCST8K-mSnpcrFUbezpvnyQL59ZuU4lURpix5K_2xKwT5ER-vOzP9fIg8BfAs_PQZV3XDfK7o9k6xW7rh1NIydk0P4cZhH9e-2hX2H1vva_9pg/s1600-h/P1010734.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4spCMtuk_SoBHRJYvVShm43heaCST8K-mSnpcrFUbezpvnyQL59ZuU4lURpix5K_2xKwT5ER-vOzP9fIg8BfAs_PQZV3XDfK7o9k6xW7rh1NIydk0P4cZhH9e-2hX2H1vva_9pg/s200/P1010734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271230082205716690" border="0" /></a>Life is Time (passing too fast and spent in frantic busyness it seems)<br />Work to eat, serve, provide for the future...<br />Make art, be creative, where ever and when ever!<br /><br />I have a new home!<br /><br />My creative thoughts have been spent on color choices and how best to arrange people and furniture in a smaller but nicer space. I <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho_hThkvfofp1FR8uctYU1gKwCFC7540LbAsG0ii6aZxXgLMT3QxESJavB61swQ05HbG5xAQ_TnkzN_FlxlN6LrmWspjFSuQ_HDeZE-EEHkwXc8H1zFS0SsPxtoYTZU2iALgueg/s1600-h/P1010583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho_hThkvfofp1FR8uctYU1gKwCFC7540LbAsG0ii6aZxXgLMT3QxESJavB61swQ05HbG5xAQ_TnkzN_FlxlN6LrmWspjFSuQ_HDeZE-EEHkwXc8H1zFS0SsPxtoYTZU2iALgueg/s200/P1010583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271230077941005170" border="0" /></a>have looked through every copy of HOME COMPANION and VICTORIA magazine that I have saved over the years. I focused on what I had bookmarked previously as favorites. I chose "rest-full" green, gray, neutrals in the "public"rooms. I plan to accent with colors from art and textiles which can be moved or changed easily. My bedroom/studio walls are pale pink. I don't think I have ever had a pink room. I painted the 100+ year old iron a brass bed a dark aubergine.<br /><br />The house <span style="font-style: italic;">appeared</span> in wonderful, move in condition and was painted in a nice neutral cream. My only <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">initial</span> plan was to paint over the dark paneling in the living room. Back in March when I first met THE HOUSE, I had a dreadful head cold and was unaware of the smell tha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbml3YuZPC9Yhf90nay6SjUXyDLL-G57NAApGcdsB_NY98vSQbDUIG34INcjSPcFoWAXcQ5ioMbYAriHxipqnQ83Y9DQRHRd3mLN_-H8-sjyNyU9VVakLVuTe-zbVRZyZfETCvpg/s1600-h/P1010728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbml3YuZPC9Yhf90nay6SjUXyDLL-G57NAApGcdsB_NY98vSQbDUIG34INcjSPcFoWAXcQ5ioMbYAriHxipqnQ83Y9DQRHRd3mLN_-H8-sjyNyU9VVakLVuTe-zbVRZyZfETCvpg/s200/P1010728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271231849134276546" border="0" /></a>t the house had from being smoked in for 30 years. When the furniture was moved out we could see outlines on the walls where pictures had hung! I wish that I had taken pictures but the worst rooms have already been painted.<br /><br />My other creative pursuit has been thrift store and estate sale shopping. I am looking for sweaters to felt and silk for a quilt. I love fabric textures and colors. Alas, it means more store. I have meanwhile found that I can clothe myself and family in in silk, linen, and cashmere "for a song"!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1FZ6ClB1nkDRHMJDI_pkuPGyAdf1x3dw55VGoPyYYw6MpFhMWRT1njKqs4yJj4MXUJyt-XCVTGA-zrQAFvR28kKnaWfIiJN82Emn9Y8_JNkLRtGWylUuxya7IHEJHk1BVLWA6A/s1600-h/P1010726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1FZ6ClB1nkDRHMJDI_pkuPGyAdf1x3dw55VGoPyYYw6MpFhMWRT1njKqs4yJj4MXUJyt-XCVTGA-zrQAFvR28kKnaWfIiJN82Emn9Y8_JNkLRtGWylUuxya7IHEJHk1BVLWA6A/s200/P1010726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271233151594708962" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-83121081480840064612008-02-14T03:40:00.001-08:002008-02-14T04:24:01.774-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">And the winners are........<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Drum roll....</span></span><br />I deleted my post and one procedural one from a friend. Then I used a random number generator to get 3 numbers between 1 and 85....<br /><br /><a href="http://bunnychicboutique.blogspot.com/">bunnychicboutique </a><br /><br /><a href="http://lmdandmyworld.blogspot.com/">Lisa</a><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ></span><br /><a href="http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/">brines</a><br /><h1 class="title" style="border-width: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">congratulations to all for the fun!<br /></h1>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-45438699617867483022008-02-11T20:48:00.000-08:002008-02-11T20:53:52.796-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ONE World ONE Heart</span></span><br />More gifts! I am adding an additional two gift packets of pretty supplies. On Valentine's Day I will draw three names from you who leave comments asking to be entered!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi810x6fFUlJvtEMrFd6-K0jbANfafBiLDsYintDOI1MHoOS_UR-TQGVgZbQ1nWvr_3dSi_T46qiWPKrZjzOfwIOpJoQ4fZbinRtp33Vo3Y0xIVatfJz4mssz-x3skkRo-yh-UcPw/s1600-h/P1010001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi810x6fFUlJvtEMrFd6-K0jbANfafBiLDsYintDOI1MHoOS_UR-TQGVgZbQ1nWvr_3dSi_T46qiWPKrZjzOfwIOpJoQ4fZbinRtp33Vo3Y0xIVatfJz4mssz-x3skkRo-yh-UcPw/s200/P1010001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165952048563934562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFeyufZgNCd4BDCwcFYJmuckZAUGK9o7oUvBiEsCjeTi6q4SfJ2qcjAWERET1YFf0oD9yj5_KxhOPDXXHd8Ogd2izte8eDY1e9N_eNltRMSEeAjhIZdNavdczdgo8aqyHnZZCxA/s1600-h/P1010003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFeyufZgNCd4BDCwcFYJmuckZAUGK9o7oUvBiEsCjeTi6q4SfJ2qcjAWERET1YFf0oD9yj5_KxhOPDXXHd8Ogd2izte8eDY1e9N_eNltRMSEeAjhIZdNavdczdgo8aqyHnZZCxA/s200/P1010003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165952052858901874" border="0" /></a>molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-83362057104819748192008-02-11T20:36:00.000-08:002008-02-11T20:47:25.885-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3krv3wKQaqXI0leYw8YCv7XaZEWr0nVk0KqFBfwVK9YGsZRjvnE9C0puTrRQSDsgcys_ZQrw-puPjXvvKJ1OsVBK32Z-qSfBx0MnOOTsqmj0alKXKCuA8mbzCtKwAIqgckilnw/s1600-h/02_11_0.JPEG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3krv3wKQaqXI0leYw8YCv7XaZEWr0nVk0KqFBfwVK9YGsZRjvnE9C0puTrRQSDsgcys_ZQrw-puPjXvvKJ1OsVBK32Z-qSfBx0MnOOTsqmj0alKXKCuA8mbzCtKwAIqgckilnw/s200/02_11_0.JPEG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165949514533229906" border="0" /></a><br />Add these two cards to the two in my previous post to be part of the ONE World ONE Heart blog drawings. The brainchild of <a href="http://http//oneworldevent.blogspot.com/">lisa s. oceandreamer</a>, this is an opportunity for me to give gifts! comment on any of my post with this topic to be entered in the drawings. Surprises will also be sent to winners!molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652800.post-50467701955189104502008-02-11T03:20:00.000-08:002008-02-11T03:51:03.628-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DEhdyAJd8zw/R6tXZl-wJLI/AAAAAAAABNs/jHPSOy6YOgc/s400/worldwide+giveaway+from+orig..jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DEhdyAJd8zw/R6tXZl-wJLI/AAAAAAAABNs/jHPSOy6YOgc/s400/worldwide+giveaway+from+orig..jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>"One World-One Heart" a blog-wide giveaway event. This is a wonderful way to bring bloggers from around the world together, that under other circumstances would not have met. This event enables us to discover new and wonderful people, and at the same time have the possibility of winning a prize or or many prizes...<br /><br />I will also have a DRAWING on my blog for four original collaged and stamped cards and something else in the nature of a nice surprise.<br />These are two of my cards to give away. The others are similar but I don't have time right now to scan them! Time to get ready for school! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNlzCZg85wwETckHpYpLvYPVakuBrK9gZ32C7ml1_O-KMMf6h8Av7lROdeWZirADoT0ATrN8G1CqqZCa_5BbvdeRSDaPGYRTTMdJzSJY27zTBjEC2zeZY8FMbDjA-BHzOFw-yTA/s1600-h/02_11_1.JPEG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNlzCZg85wwETckHpYpLvYPVakuBrK9gZ32C7ml1_O-KMMf6h8Av7lROdeWZirADoT0ATrN8G1CqqZCa_5BbvdeRSDaPGYRTTMdJzSJY27zTBjEC2zeZY8FMbDjA-BHzOFw-yTA/s200/02_11_1.JPEG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165687435628827970" border="0" /></a>Please leave a comment and request to enter the drawing.<br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-8.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-7.jpg" alt="" />molly jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05699452803700882501noreply@blogger.com74