Mother Nature

Isn't Mother Nature something. All we do is go and buy what we see at garden centers. We water, fertilize and keep our fingers crossed for a good showing. But in reality, we're only the worker bees for MN. She does all the hard part of nurturing all the seeds, the earth and the elements like sun or shade that they need to bring that beauty to it's fullest expression, provides the water.

And no matter what paint brushes we pull out, what brand of paints, canvases and special mediums we use, we simply are not good enough to do what Mother Nature does, well.......naturally. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and that's all we can do....she is the master after all.

Bugs.....

I love this time of year. I'm out all the time checking out the garden for bugs, bees and insects of all kinds. Tonight while hubby was running the reel mower across the lawn, I decided to inspect the dwarf birch tree and this is what I discovered. Can you see him!!!  Assuming it's a male that is.

He was watching me very closely, I guess he wasn't sure of my intentions. I just took my picture and let him be. He did creep behind the leaf as I was getting ready to walk away, perhaps for more protection. I didn't dare hurt him. I don't think it's necessary to harm our little critters, they all have a job. Of course if it's something that can cause me grievous hurt, well, all bets are off.

This little guy is a Stink Bug (that much I did know) but apparently when you do them in there is a nasty stink from them...so why would I expose myself to that. I'll just let him live on our tree and we'll live in the house.  If you're not familiar with them, this particular one is about 1/2" long and has some distinctive markings on his back. More info here.. scroll down to Stink Bugs in the left column. It's a good site and probably lists all the bugs you can think of.

Wordless Wednesday

She's done!!!

As promised, here is my Secret doll all finished. I know I'm obsessing over this doll. But truly, when you have worked on your own as a solitary doll maker or whatever your creative bent is, and you've done that over a period of years, it's like someone hits you with a dose of adrenalin when you actually get to take a class with one of the artists you consider a favourite.

Here she is in all her resplendent glory.  If you would like to see step by step finishing pictures, please click over to her own web page, The Secret.

Script Writing

When you went to elementary school, did the teacher always push you to work hard at writing and writing properly. My hubby has always, as long as he can remember, loved the beauty of writing and writing well. He's always dabbled with writing, trying to do what most people think of as Calligraphy. This however is not Calligraphy, it's far more technical a form a writing. It is created with nibs and ink. I do not profess to know the intricacies of the art form that script writing is. Instead I will show you with images.

In the last year or so, hubby has really been working hard to learn how to do this beautiful writing. He's had the privilege of speaking to two masters. The most recent being William Lilly. Mr. Lilly studied at a school specifically for Script Writing, that being the Zanerian College in Columbus, Ohio which sadly closed decades ago. The building still stands today, but no longer hosts any classes. For more information on Mr. Lilly, please follow this link to his blog. You will see examples of his beautiful script writing. Yesterday we were speaking to Bill and would you believe this man is on the edge of 82 years young, remember I said that, 82. That day he had roller bladed for 3 miles and had been out on his bike for 14 miles. How many people half his age are out getting that kind of exercise.

In the mail one day came this envelope for hubby. I think even the postie was taken aback by this because it was propped up so carefully in the mailbox. Isn't it something. A keepsake for sure.

We sent Bill and Sandy a couple of things to show them our part of the world and the next thing I know, this comes in the mailbox. Totally surprized me, another treasure.

Bill said it would be alright to share these with whoever reads my blog and so here you are. And how is hubby doing with his writing, well, you decide. He works on it night after night and just stays with it.

This is a link to the Iampeth site that will show you far more than I ever could. Take a look at the amazing work that the members do with their pens, it is breath taking. There is also a yahoo group, and I believe you could find it either through the Iampeth site or by searching for the Iampeth group name.

Julie McCullough

I was reading Julie's most recent blog post one day and saw that she was coming to the Seattle/Tacoma area at the end of June, and would be able to teach a class while in the area. Of course when opportunity strikes, you take it. I brought it to the doll club and the wheels were set in motion. Julie will be here in Victoria on June 25th/26th.

She will be doing 3 workshops in one. There will be a project for beginner doll makers, and two others for the more advanced. This is the project for the beginners, her newest design, Bird of Paradise and Elf Rider. The other two workshops are the "Crone" and the "Crow Crone". Those should be lots of fun for us who like a challenge. They lend themselves to being open to interpretation that could go in so many directions.

This is a  portion of the definition of a Crone taken from "Daily Om" and is as follows.  "The word crone once meant simply 'wise woman' and, in antiquity, was a term of respect. The crone was a voice of wisdom, an elder, a healer, a counselor, and a teacher, who had traveled the paths of maiden and mother and possessed the accumulated wisdom of youth, adulthood, and old age. She represented the fulfillment of maturity and the knowledge that could only be obtained through a life well lived. The transition to cronehood was a rich and empowering experience, and an important rite of passage, though not one associated with a specific age."

Isn't she just the best. It will definately be a fun workshop and we'll have to see what each of us views what our own Crone will look like.

Holy Cow !!!

A month since I've posted, that's crazy. Well that's also because "it's the flurry of activity" that is my life. Also sorting out allergies and the effects of those does not make for a happy camper. Am slowly making headway on both counts.  A few things I've been doing now.

Since joining  our local doll club, things have changed to high gear with my projects.  First thing I did was redesign the website for the doll club. I was asked by Lynda who had been doing it for the last 4 years if I would take it on, so I said sure. That was a labour of love for sure, I mean that sincerely....it was fun. There are still some things to be tweaked as I go along, but the site is done and up. Have a look when you have a chance. Cloth-A-Dollics.

Along with finishing my "Secret" doll and I'm setting up a webpage for my her. I'll have that ready shortly.I've also made my Carnival doll for Adele Sciortino's challenge.  I'm not allowed to show my Carnival doll as Adele requested they be kept secret until her newsletter comes out in the summer, but as soon as she has sent that out, I will post my doll here.

Other doings. At the last two doll club meetings, we had a chance to learn how to make doll shoes with leather bottoms. Now I just have to make a doll to fit these darlings...They are 3" long.

Another project is this little Unicorn Ornament. It's a new design by Sue Barmore of Frowning Francis. If you don't know her designs, do stop by. She has some great patterns of so many different themes. It boggles the mind how she comes out with so many different ideas, quick and easy to do and full of charm.

And last for today, is this grocery bag I painted for my next partner in the swap. This is the second of 5 swaps for the year. I hope she doesn't check out my blog because she'll know who it's for. The original design is by June Varey. The original design goes around an oval mirror and there is another maiden at the bottom with her hands raising upward with of course the mirror in the center. I will be painting that half on another bag and I'll post that when it's done. That's it, enjoy.