He Unfolds a Rose

I use a rose in my doll art logo because it reminded me of the great beauty that God has created. I loved roses. They are very delicate but yet the thorns that protected them are so strong. It reminds me of the strength God has given us to endure pain. As women we bear children and endure a pain that is soon forgotten after that child is born. It reminds me of my struggle to create art. I make mistakes which add frustrations when I try to use a new painting medium or recently a carving knife. A month ago I started learning how to carve a doll in wood. Carving is such a labor intensive craft without the right tools. Still with the right tools there is a learning curve that must be mastered but not without causing pain. Will ever understand how wood reacts to carving knives? How am I going to get a face to develop in block of wood? God works through me to create anything. It will take patience and time to develop this new skill. So I remember the rose. . .it doesn't open by itself God is directing it. He will direct me and guide my hands in the right time. He will lead me to the right tools and how to use them. He led me to a carving group on Yahoo. Many of the artists are very willing to share tips and info. I love how God can open doors at just the right time. I love this poem. I hope anyone who reads this blog will be blessing by its message.

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design,
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I,
The flower God opens so sweetly,
In my hands would fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust Him for His leading
Each moment of every day
And I'll look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

For the pathway that lies before me
My heavenly Father knows
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments
Just as He unfolds the rose.

~Selma Swanson

Carla is FINALLY completed

I worked on Carla for over a year. I wasn't working on her a year but she sat in my studio. . . . while I altered prom and wedding dresses and who know how many jeans and hunting jacket zippers I replaced while Carla patiently waited for clothing. It took me a long time to photography her. Believe it or not I took TWO photography classes and still feel flustrated taking photos. Oh well I am not a photographer but I present to you Carla Goodnews in her red shoes!

Carla Goodnews wears her pretty red shoes and she is an Izannah Walker inspired doll.

Carla is a OOAK cloth doll with a paper clay head that was painted in watercolor painted as well as her lower arms, lower legs and buttoned red strap shoes.

She has painted corkscrew curls in front of each exposed ear and short curls framing the back of the head, and bulging painted eyes and painted mouth with hint of a smile.

Carla wears an vintage style off-the-shoulder blue printed cotton dress, cotton batiste under garments, and crocheted bonnet.

She has a gusset weighted bottom so she will sit nicely on a chair or wall shelf without a doll stand.

She has a body covering made from cotton ticking.

I am thrilled to offer this wonderful hand crafted doll who needs a loving home.

She will be a wonderful addition to any primitive doll collection
25 inch tall.

My dolls are going to be in Doll Town

 

Check out the new Doll Town, starting Feb 26^th. One of my dolls "Precious will be on the front page! I am so excited to finally get another venue for selling my dolls. The dolls need a home. So please support me and the other artists on Doll Town.

Does ANYONE sell 100% Cotton Gingham?

I have searched all over the internet for 100% cotton gingham to make my next art doll. Why is gingham only 65/35 poly/cotton blend? Has this old time favorite gone polyester on me! I have looked at all the retail chain fabric stores. Woe is me! Why did I move from LA! They had all those little back street jobbers with tons of fabrics! I finally found 100% cotton gingham at a cute little online shop call Adrienne's Attic but wouldn't you know she is going out of business! She only had a tiny 1/8 inch check. I wanted at least a ¼ inch check. But I ordered it anyway. So far I have at least 5 different types of gingham that are not really what I want. Yet I keep buying them. I know. . .how insane is that! One is actually a linen/cotton blend but the color is not the right shade of blue. I am not going to give up hope. Being the fabricholic that I am I will never accept defeat! Someone out there has to have 100% cotton gingham in the blue I want. If anyone reads this blog and knows of any place I can find ¼ inch, medium blue, 100%cotton gingham please tell me! The shade of blue I am looking for is the same as Dorothy jumper in the Wizard of Oz.

New Spiritual Enlightenment

Well it has been a long time since my last post. So many things going on in my tailor shop but not enough time to really finish the new dolls I started this past winter. Boy that seems so long ago but it is almost winter again. I have several doll started but only one finished. I have to photograph her then list her for sale on eBay. I have worked on her all summer. I tried a different watercolor painting technique that I'd like to continue using. It gives me my own style of painting. I enjoy that because at least it gives me a style that is unlike other dolls artist. I definitely what to be unique in my approach to creating dollart.
I went to a spiritual retreat last weekend that really got my create juices flowing again. I am now on fire for Jesus. That means my art has to reflect my new found passion for God. Takes me back to the time I use to create the God Boxes. Just a symbolic way to give your troubles to God by writing them down and putting them in a box. By doing that you give god the problem and let go and let God handles it. It is freeing like nailing your problems on the cross like we did at the retreat. I wanted to create my dolls for the glory of god not just make dolls that have no meaning. So I am revising them according to me newfound spiritual enlightenment.

Retreat Week

I am getting ready to go on a 3 day retreat to camp friedenswald . I will be nice to rest. I am a workholic that really never sits down more than a few hours at night. I haven't even had time to keep up my blog. Not that I am going to do any blogging on this retreat.  I am sure they don't have a port for your lap top so I will get some much needed rest and hopefully some exercise.

Rest is good for the soul. One needs to take time to be still. One of my favorite Bible scripture is. . . . Be still and know I am God. The retreat is coming at a good time since I tore out the closet in my sewing shop this past weekend. It was a simple project or so I thought. . .until I had to wallpaper the walls, paint, add carpet and trim. I even built a bookcase. So needless to say I am too pooped to pop!

I haven't been to the gym since last Wednesday. I was so tired from all the construction work I slept in for the last two days. Tomorrow I am going back the the gym.

Chester is OK!

My brother had open heart surgery on Friday. He has been in critical condition but through much prayer he is improving and today he held my hand. God is good. I kept praying that Chester would live so he can continue to creat.  So that was an inspiration for me to keep creating. My brother is also an artist. Art runs in our blood! For all the creative types just keep creating. It is a divine gift that must be used.