Mini Progress

 Microcrafts are in the works! It took only a few minutes this afternoon to make up a felt version of the example that was in the book. Easy Breezy it was and just perfect for a mini celebration.....

 

 ...in honor of the newest addition to my little doll family! Yep, I followed through and finished up this wee wooden lovie from my Gail Wilson kit.

 

 And as it turns out she is the perfect companion doll to this month's book.

 

 I know I've feature this one before but I honestly couldn't help myself. It's just that good!!!

The Doll's House by Rumer Godden is one of my all time favorite books. Always has been, always will. Not only is it delightfully written but it's just as delightfully illustrated, and by none other than the amazing Tasha Tudor. Top that off with a storyline featuring a dear wooden farthing doll named Tottie and what more could you ask for ?

 

 Being inspired by Tottie I took some artistic liberties and painted her up a bit more like her antique cousins the penny woodens.

 

 I was especially delighted to see they had little red shoes just like someone else I know,

 

 Miss Lily Red!

 

I just know these two are destined to be the best of friends!

 



White Out

 Greetings from our winter wonderland!

 

 The predictions were quite on target.

 

 Two whole feet of snow kept dear hubby busy with the shovel and me busy supplying him with mug ups throughout the process.

 

 After a job well done a brisk walk was in order.....

 

 down thought the woods a bit,

 

 along by one of my favorite houses in the neighborhood,

 

and finally out by the lake where it was so unbelievably cold and windy I was for once grateful that we do not live directly on the waterfront!



Nothing Little About This!

We're in for a monster of a storm!!!

 

While there's only and inch or so at the moment a full two feet of snow could fall before it's all said and done. In celebration of the event I thought it might be fun to host a monster of a sale over in the shop. How does a 1% discount for every inch of snow we've been predicted sound? Fun I think!!! If you agree have yourself a peek at what's available and be sure to plug in the coupon code -

BLIZZARD13

(All done as of 2-19-13

Thanks everyone for popping by!)

 

The sale will last for the duration of the storm plus any extra days the power may be out. Once we're up and running again I'll be back in touch and and headed to the post office with all your goodies.

 

Until then stay cozy!!!

  

 

Little Heaven

 Currently, I am in "Little" heaven.

 

 Shop-wise I've been stitching a little this.....

 

 .....and a little that.

 

 Even a little work on a new Lily found its way into the mix.

 

 And even though little stitches of all sorts always seem to thrill me, it was the arrival of this book that has been the catalyst to send me totally head over heels into the truly divine world of tiny.

 

 I'm attempting to devour it in very little bits to savour the images,

 

 the words,

 

and the tremendous ability it has to inspire me to tackle a few tiny tasks just for me!

 



Fun For More Than Just One!!!

 I recently had a request from a new dear friend for a goodie package of supplies. She has plans to make her own Pick-a-Lily Pincushion doll and was especially fond of the prints I used to make Lily Maida in my tutorial. (I've got it posted by steps down along the sidebar if your interested in taking a peek at her!) Since I had just enough of what was needed I told her "Sure thing," and got to work!

 

 Now I suppose it all could have been folded into a neat little pile, sealed in a baggie, and sent on it's way but I figured what fun was that? I had a hankering to arrange something and since the garden flowers are quite out of season I had a go at arranging the supplies instead and guess what?

I LOVED IT!

 

  My favorite part was coming up with a way to package the little seed beads. With only six in the lot they were sure to get lost if not contained in some way. In the end it only took a needle, some thread, and a few quick stitches to make them travel ready.

 

 I'm hoping she's as pleased with the results as I was. The only problem was it left me wishing I had a package of crafty goodies coming my way as well.

 

Lucky for me there is a dear sweet Gail Wilson in this world! Her kits are the ultimate in crafty goodness and wouldn't you know I just happened to have one tucked away.

 

 And so up next on the "Fun" agenda.....I'm going to try my hand at penny wooden doll artistry!
 

Made With Love

Remember that FUNtastic snow day we had earlier this week and the paper snowflakes we made? Well....they have now been put to use in my FUNctional space!

 

See them? They became my first mini garland of the year! I thought it might be a hoot to make a whole collection of tiny "tie-ups" like this to keep my space seasonally inspired in the months ahead.

 

Something else to look forward to in the months ahead will be a featured book of the month. These won't be just any books mind you. Nope, these will be a collection of books that in some way, shape or form have to do with dolls and I can't think of a better one to start off with than M. B. Goffstein's Goldie the Dollmaker.

 

Goffstein's book is about Goldie Rosenzweig. It's obviously no surprise that Goldie is a dollmaker but the manner in which she fashions each of her creations elevates her work to that of a true artist. Her days are spent in quiet harmony carving, painting, and drinking tea. Throughout the years I've read this book many times over. Goldie is perpetually inspiring and someone I always wanted as a friend.

 

So you can imagine my delight to have, through the miracle of Internet,  found a real live Goldie in existence! Her name is Erin Kleider. She carves, she paints, and she plays with dolls. If you want to get to know her better she can be found over at Fairie Moon.

 

Recently two of her wee creations came to live with me and I must say they are the sweetest little things ever!

This here is Daisy.

 

And this is Fairie Rose.

Every time I look at their little faces I see the love that Erin puts into and gets out of her work.

Such a thought cannot but make one wonder what it is they truly LOVE to do....so I've been doing a bit of thinking.....

 

 

  Probably the greatest creative enjoyment I had all week was making up this little hat for Hitty.

I loved working on a small scale.

I loved takings tiny stitches by hand.

I loved making something substantial out of what was really nothing more than three pieces of scrap fabric and a good length of thread.

But most of all, I loved that I had FUN doing it!!!

 

Snowday!

The wee hours of the morning found several of us huddled around the TV. Flakes had just begun to fall and the white coating on the ground was minimal at best. But by some miracle of miracles the call was made and school was canceled for the day. FUN-tastic!!! There would be no drop offs, no pick ups, and no homework. Instead there were funny movies, cups of hot cocoa, and paper snowflakes in the making. 

 

Hitty, however, was not tempted by such paper fantasies and preferred instead to head outside and give her new capelet and hat a trial run!

 

 

FUNctional Space

 Having a little Etsy shop is great. You get to make things, you come in contact with interesting people, and when you earn a little money you get to spend it in other Esty shops!!! Having to keep records for your little Etsy shop however is another story. Sales must be tracked, expenses logged in, sales taxes paid up (good ole Massachusetts!) and the cost of goods sold must be calculated. Having a designated area in which to conduct such necessary business is a blessing, but one which I had begun to poo poo. Over the course of last year my desk had become one giant paperwork magnet and I dreaded hanging out there. More often than not I could be found dragging my laptop here, there, and everywhere just to escape the visible reminder of my own personal paperwork purgatory.

 

BUT NOT ANY MORE!

 

Nope, now is the time to put the "FUN" back into functional.

 

First things first..... I emptied everything out of the area.

 

Except for this.

It's the front of a Christmas card I received from dear hubby's grandmother many years ago and I've had it hanging around (quite literally) ever since. For me it has a certain quiet and clarity about it that I find very peaceful.

 

I let the space sit for several days with nothing more added.

Instead I spent a good amount of time thinking.

The little bit of action I did perform involved alot of pinterest peeking and just enough research to find myself a much easier bookkeeping system. 

 

Once I'd had my fill of empty space the first thing I added was my trusty old shelf, a length of yarn as a reminder of the garland I want to make, and a personal touch that was surprisingly fun to do.

 

I'd never would have had the nerve had it not been for the fact that the walls in this room are in desperate need of  being repainted.

 

We've been debating colors off and on but not yet found our "creative compromise!"

Our indecision was a blessing in disguise because had the walls been pristine and freshly painted I never in my wildest dreams would have......

 

.....taken a pen to them and scripted a quote.

Granted I wrote tiny in this instance but I don't think I'd be opposed to trying it again on a larger scale. And maybe even on freshly painted walls, OH MY!

 

Gradually items have begun to migrate through. Those that meet with my new standards of being either fun or functional get to stay. The basket for instance will function as handy storage for digital goodies such as camera, cords, and USB keys. The shelf is for fun as I intend to have it host rotating assemblies of inspiration. And the new Mollie Makes calendar? That one's a 2fer! Obviously functional but oh so fun when you decide to record a happy event from each day's passing.

 

The plan is to keep this space an equal balance of function and inspiration, not just for this week or this month but for the entire year ahead. I'll be popping back occassionally with updates, alterations, and of corse that garland I intend to make!