Crowns

I am not sure if it is from hanging out with my 4 year old pal ,Frances, but lately I have really been into crowns- not the "stuffy beauty pageant" kind but the "let's make it ourselves and put fun things on it" kind...

 I will be teaching at the AFIC Doll Conference coming in late April 2011 and one of the "challenges" will be to wear a hat to a banquet...last time I made a crown of kokeshi dolls...

 

This year I want to make another crown...hummm...crowns...

Photos of Vintage Crowns

  

New Crowns

(made by others)

so as I was looking through a magazine I came across this photo- perfect!!

 

but in paper...this is going to be fun!! 

I have made butterflies before in fabric for one of my Story Dolls...

Here are some books and links that may be of interest to you!

Crowns  and Tiaras Book

I have this book and find it delightful!

This book I came across online and do not have it BUT I find her portfolio very inspiring!

Gabriela Delworth

When I complete my crown you will be the first to see!!! Stay tuned.....

Jars of Sparkles...

In my studio, I love to store those special ribbons, trims, and pretty little things in canning jars...

They all sit on a shelf in neat rows. All are visible at any time so I when need that special touch for one of my projects they are in easy reach...

What are some of these special treasures that these jars hold?

Let's take a close up look... It is nice to pull out these wonders and share them with you!

 sparkles of sequins

some vintage some new...

woven ribbons

delicate trims

velvet flowers and buds

bunch of vintage buttons

thin ribbons

many are hand-dyed

 various laces
I love the one with the little goats...


Stamens- new and vintage...

wools for embroidery

Silk bias ribbons

Yes, it has taken me years of "collecting". For many years following I hoarded these beloved ribbons, flowers, and trims. Life can pass by quickly and the originally when  purchased these items it was to use them......I am finding that I am now bringing these precious pieces out and using them, so now all can delight in them and can in their being so special!

Numbers

I love numbers...oh don't get me wrong- not in the typical left brain sense! I am SO right brain that numbers to me are either something I HAVE to pass along to my bookkeeper or they are viewed as just shapes. They have no meaning in this "visual-3-D" brain of mine. It can be a blessing and a curse...but no matter I have lived with it my whole life and have adjusted in this right-handed world we live in!

So where do numbers fit into my life?? I think I like them because of what they mean to me emotionally and creatively...such as...

These three pots I have under my coffee table in my home...

3 THREE- for the three of us- Mark, Leslie and Issy...all happy in a row- a family of little pots!

5- FIVE-my favorite number (next to 3)
5- the day Mark and I were married in November
5- as in fingers on a hand- the way I make my mark in the world with my hands-magic!
5- in my studio address, my studio phone number, my unit number here at ROotie and even my storage unit for ROotie- 5 IS magic!!
5- the tile I have in my house...

6- SIX- a good dinner party group- enough to make it interesting and still intimate
6- napkin rings...fun times with family and friends!

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Love these- all numbers...my little box of Japanese stamps!! fun & cute!

And bless my husband's Left Brain Soul for living with me and my ways for all these years!!

Here is more info on right and left brain people traits..

Left Hemisphere Style	Right Hemisphere Style
Rational Responds to verbal instructions Problem solves by logically and sequentially looking at the parts of things Looks at differences Is planned and structured Prefers established, certain information Prefers talking and writing Prefers multiple choice tests Controls feelings Prefers ranked authority structures	Intuitive Responds to demonstrated instructions Problem solves with hunches, looking for patterns and configurations Looks at similarities Is fluid and spontaneous Prefers elusive, uncertain information Prefers drawing and manipulating objects Prefers open ended questions Free with feelings Prefers collegial authority structures
Sequential Is a splitter: distinction important Is logical, sees cause and effect	Simultaneous Is a lumper: connectedness important Is analogic, sees correspondences, resemblances

Old Textures...

As I have a "new" eye out for wabi sabi things in my life...

I started to look around my studio and found some of the nicest textures. I would love share them with you to enjoy them as much as I do everyday! This is a close up view of each...and memories of each...

birdhouse from old wood

given to me by my friend Carol

I was going to take it home 

but it sits on my sewing table 

and I just love it there- 

she sews also so it reminds me of her.

  

my love- old bookshelf found in an old barn

my other love-Mark helped me clean and seal it!

I have been offered good money for it and 

no there is no price that is worth not having it...

oh but don't tell Mark!

old clock- doesn't work but it is beautiful!

 old velvet couch

given to me by my Mother-in-Law

now sitting in that velvet couch in the heavens.

 old chest- another great find

holds my dishes for everyone!

 old picket fence

Mark found this one for me in the trash

in our building-prize find!

 old quilt

my Mom gave it to me

LOVE IT!

  

old doll dress with metal embroidery

hangs above my work table- 

I look at this everyday- love it.

I found this at a doll show for $20...

been offered good money for this one too- twice.

Don't tell Mark about this one either!

Life can hand you beautiful things-

like friends and family who share wonderful things with you!

Old can be so cherished and 

speaks of many years of loving use in another's life