Angela

This is Angela - one of the four dolls I made for my friend this week.  This one is for her mother-in-law.

Angela

Angela is a caring little doll.  Her favorite color is pink and she likes pink flamingos.  She is friendly and always willing to lend a hand when people need help.  She carries a quote by Mother Teresa in her bag which reads - "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."  She likes to stay busy – mostly helping others . . . so she also carries a little bell in her bag to remind her when she hears it ring to stop and take some time for herself. 

Busy day ahead . . . my craft room and house are a mess - since I spent my week making dolls instead of cleaning.  That's really how I prefer to spend my time - but then the house gets out of control.  I saw this a few weeks ago . . . it says it exactly.

I would say I probably have more of the messy days . . . once I get going with something the house can fall down around me . . . while I am tearing things up to find just what I need.  The other night when I was finishing up the  Disney doll I was working on - I knew that somewhere I had an old Disneyland ticket - I was not going to rest until I found that ticket (let alone make dinner or clean something.  I guess the good thing is that in between my creative messes - I am quite organized.   The kids have made comments to me as they have gotten older - that I do my best stuff when I am working in my self made mess.   So here's to a messy house - and hopefully today a clean house . . . or maybe . . . "life is short - let's go for a ride in the country."

Millie & Angela

I've been busy this week finishing up 4 dolls that my friend ordered.  I will post more pictures later with their stories . . . but for now - this is Millie and Angela.  It was fun making them for this particular friend. 

Meet Minnie

My lastest Shabby Charlotte doll - special ordered as a Mother's Day gift.

She has a black velvet skirt.  Her bag is made out from a tag off the back of an old t-shirt.  And in her bag she carries an old Disneyland Ticket . . . if you are old enough - you may remember years ago when you purchased tickets to Disneyland - you received a book of tickets and there were A, B, C, D, and E tickets. 

She has a satin ribbon on the back of her skirt.

Minnie is an amazing little doll who believes in taking care of those she loves.  She loves her name . . . because she is named after a very special mouse.  She likes everything Disney and carries a special ticket from Disneyland and a little Tinkerbell in her bag to remind her that magic is real and that she should always believe.      Minnie is always there when someone needs her – and no matter how busy she gets she always seems to be able to laugh and smile.   She is very down to earth, but also likes to get dressed up and kick up her heels once in a while.   She comes with a little red flower pin to remind her to stop and smell the flowers and to take some time for herself. 

Springtime Charlotte ~

What a wonderful weekend it has been . . . mostly just getting caught up at home, working on dolls, and relaxing. 

This Shabby Charlotte doll is a gift for my granddaughter.  I started making my Shabby Charlotte dolls for that reason - one for her for every holiday.  When I got thinking about an Easter doll - I also thought about May Day - so instead just made her a Springtime Charlotte. 

Lately - my favorite dolls have been the zombie dolls that I have made . . . don't know why - just seem to like those best - but I like this one a lot.  I think it is the spring colors and her crooked little smile . . . and maybe the fact that it is a gift for my little Charlotte.

Springtime Charlotte ~

Springtime Charlotte is always happy – but even more so when it is Spring.   As soon as the weather starts to change you may catch her humming a little tune and if you look really close – you may notice her smile gets a little bigger.  She likes to pick flowers, work in the garden, and play with sidewalk chalk.  She even carries a little piece of chalk in her bag in case she wants to draw something while she is outside.  She likes ladybugs, butterflies, and believes in fairies.   Springtime Charlotte is a free spirit – she is just as happy sitting alone under a tree as she is being with her friends.

1000 Paper Crane Project

I decided to try a little something different with my my paper crane project.

I am still going to drop my cranes whenever I can - and leave them for people to find, but I thought it would be fun to actually give them to people, explain my 1000 crane project, and add some faces to this project.  The world is full of wonderful people . . . some of them I already know and by giving my cranes to people - I hopefully will meet some more.  Hopefully this will also get my project moving a little faster also. 

Color

Decorating Destination!

The store must have the right idea with this display . . . I was tempted to go home and make cupcakes just so I could  decorate them with some of this fun stuff. 

Anything with all these colors gets my attention. 

I am also loving the pink of these geraniums . . .

 

"Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing? Can one really explain this? no. Just as one can never learn how to paint."                                                                     ~ Pablo Picasso

 

things that made me smile today . . . .

This picture does not even come close to showing how beautiful these cupcakes were.  A parent brought them into our office . . . plus they were delicious.  I wish I had taken time to take some better pictures of them - but wanted to share anyway.

Peace and Sushi Ninja . . . "watch out for my ninja moves" (private joke)

Peace ~ Love ~ Lily

Paper Pots

I had some seeds that I wanted to plant today - but didn't really want to go out and get a bunch of small pots.  I remember seeing on Pinterest something about making pots out of newspaper - wonderful idea . . . right?

Inexpensive, biodegradable (for the earth loving side of me), and close enough to origami to be fun.  I am so excited about this project!  25 pots folded and my seeds are all planted.

I can't wait to watch them grow into wonderful Giant Sunflowers!

It was a good day today . . . Just because!

 

In every gardener there is a child who believes in The Seed Fairy. ~Robert Brault

weekend stuff . . .

Just some pictures from the weekend so far.  OP at practice . . . Ashley sent me this picture today.  I love it!  Softball is starting . . . we get babysitting duty with OP - I think this year we are going to have to take him out to the games. 

Richard wanted a double cheeseburger.  So he got the works.

Everything is better with an egg on it . . . lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, jalapenos . . .

We went to a car show today.  I especially like the old trucks.  Unfortunately my battery died - so I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. 

We ran into Sarah and Daniel.  Sarah and I went into this great little shop called Urban Up-cycle.  Wonderful stuff!  I have to go back and take more pictures.  I bought a carafe and some cute earring.  They had wonder old pieces of furniture repainted . . . lots of chalkboard paint, some great fabric, and these wonderful knobs.

The display were great.  Like I said - I wish I had taken more pictures.  I got some wonderful ideas . . .



Finally the burritos that Luke made last night.  The photo really doesn't do them justice.  They were delicious! 

I didn't get much done at home today . . . but that's ok.  Sometimes it is more important to just go out and enjoy the day. 

Our girls . . .

Charlotte's stuffed toys just make me smile - so had to post a picture of them . . . and a picture of her. 

I am so fascinated by this little girl.  Talking to other people - that is a completely normal feeling as a grandma.  She is such a sweet, happy baby - even when she is fussy she tries to smile and laugh . . . LOVE HER!!!

Poor Lily has been sick . . . battling some sort of infection.  She is doing fine - but spending some time in the hospital.  So hard to see her sick with an IV in her arm, but she is still Lily . .. making jokes and being silly - LOVE HER TOO!!!

Peace, Love, Cranes . . . with Room 12

 Today I visited one of the 4th grade classrooms at the school where I work.  Each year Mrs. Crow's 4th grade students read the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.  Last year she heard about my 1000 paper crane project - Peace, Love, Cranes  and invited me to visit her classroom and show her students how to fold an origami crane.  I was invited back again this year . . . and once again I think 4th graders are amazing. 

Each student folded a paper crane.  Those who knew how or caught on quickly helped the other students.  They truly amazed me and warmed my heart.  I have been a little lax on dropping my paper cranes . . . this motivated me to get moving along with my project. 

Irish Shabby Charlotte and no cancer!!!!!

A little Irish Shabby Charlotte.  This one I made for my granddaughter Charlotte.  I started making these dolls with the idea that I would make her one for each holiday this year.   But I have more ideas for dolls for her than holidays.  I want to make her a little Czech Charlotte, a "one sock" Charlotte, a mermaid Charlotte . . . I'm sure I will think of more. 

This little Shabby Charlotte is all Irish. She is a happy little doll who loves to smile and laugh. She is very proud of her green eyes. She likes to have tea parties with yummy sweet treats, but also likes green vegetables. In fact she likes everything green. Her favorite holiday is St. Patrick’s Day - of course. She believes in leprechauns and hopes that maybe someday she will get close enough to one to invite him to one of her tea parties. Little Irish Charlotte is very lucky . . . so keep her close to you and maybe you will be lucky too.

This is my favorite little Irish Charlotte!

* * * * *

I don't know if I really believe in luck . . . but I am feeling very blessed and lucky after seeing my oncologist on Monday and getting the results from my PET scan.  NO MELANOMA! 

If you know anything about melanoma - you know that is wonderful news.  If you don't really know about melanoma - get online and read about it, wear sunscreen, limit your time in the sun, and STAY OUT OF TANNING BEDS!  If there is someone you care about who uses tanning beds - tell them to stop! 

I do have a tumor on my adrenal gland.  I have another test to determine what type of tumor it is . . . and I may possibly need to have my adrenal gland removed.  Not anywhere near as serious as if it had been melanoma. 

I'm glad it is all over . . . happy . . . relieved. 

Sunday Stuff ~

There is something about a sleeping baby that just warms the heart . . . there is something about being a grandma that is simply wonderful! 

Roses are always beautiful . . . love this orange one.

"Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful."   ~Jim Carrey

 

I am nearly done with my other two dolls also - but just posting a couple pictures of the bartender zombie doll tonight.  (He was a special order.)   I usually have something I like most about each doll I make.  This one . . . I like his Lagunitas beer cap.  I still have to write his story - will have to do that tomorrow. I loved the look on Richard's face when I asked him to drill a small hole in the beer cap and little plastic cup that I wanted to hang on this doll.  It's the same look he always gives me when I ask him to do something for one of my projects - it makes me laugh.  Once he knew what I was going to do with it - he was looking for other beer caps with different pictures on them for me . . . I liked this one the best.  I may have to work this Lagunitas dog into the doll's story. 

Good Day!  Good Weekend!

Saturday

Nachos for lunch ~

Baseball on TV ~

Wonderful Spring weather ~

I love Saturdays!

I'm working on some Shabby Charlotte dolls today . . . one of them a zombie that someone ordered.  Although, I find myself being easily distracted.  I am determined to get them finished tonight - so I can start on some new ones tomorrow. 

This little one has distracted me quite a bit - Our little Charlotte is getting so big and she is so much fun.  Thank heaven for little girls . . .

. . . and bubbles!  I guess we will have to do sidewalk chalk tomorrow.

 

"Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people." 

                                                                              ~ Allen Beck

Sidewalk Chalk & Saturday Seven ~

A box of sidewalk chalk . . . guess what we're doing later today!

 

Glad this week is over . . . let me get back to the Saturday Seven at planettreasure

7 non chocolate treats . . .

1.  bright wonderful yarn to play with.

  2.  a good dark beer - a porter or a stout

              3.  a bear claw danish - especially on a Sunday

 morning shared with Richard

               4.  watching a good movie - eating popcorn      

5.  coconut scented lotion - or vanilla 

6.  my mom's butterscotch pie             

7.  brightly painted toe nails