Saturday, September 17, 2016

Something Old & Something New



Years ago, I made a cuff for my wrist that I thought had a bohemian flair, embellished with vintage laces and buttons. It was beautiful but I never did wear it as my daughter asked to wear it and just never gave it back!

Recently, I was looking through my collection of lace, ribbon, doilies, zippers and vintage buttons...again...and felt the urge to make a few more of the cuffs. The amazing array of colour, texture, and sparkle had my imagination revved up!

My friend Jo-Ann is about to welcome a new daughter-in-law into the family. I saw the creamy pearls and the aged laces and knew what I was going to do...a Wedding Cuff!





























The process of making these little beauties is quite organic and the vintage buttons, ribbons, lace, the lonely earring, the unstrung pearl, all seem to know where they want to go and who they want to sit beside....In the course of choosing items for one bracelet, several other groupings appear and I will often have 3 or 4 cuffs planned and put aside for assembly when I have finished the original jewelry.

 This one is called 'The Spring Nest'





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Saturday, February 20, 2016

Polka Dot Project



My son received 4 sturdy, comfortable and functional bar stools for his new home. They obviously had been loved (the spunky little girl at their previous home expressed some sadness at the thought of giving up her indoor spinners) and the seats were looking a bit shabby. So a quick trip to IKEA for some funky, cleanable fabric to recover the stools was in order.

A pizza pan for a template, a plain old ordinary ball point pen and a pair of scissors were all I needed to get this fabric ready to sew. Add contrasting piping and some elastic to cinch the bottom and we have some groovy orange and white polka dot bar stools!





Thursday, February 4, 2016

This Grand Adventure


When I recently heard that my ex was remarrying, something inside me shifted. I had been content laying low, waiting, pondering. What was next for me? At a crossroads of sorts. What did I want for my life? Now the time had come...

The friendships I had made during the 15 years I had been in town were precious and brought many  good things to me, not to mention, they had sustained me in difficult  times. How could I possibly move away? But within days, I was looking at condos closer to work. My son also now needed a new place to live so we each bought a beautiful condo and became neighbors!

One of my favourite spaces in my new home is the Master bedroom. Of course, I don't actually sleep in it but it makes a pretty mean crafting studio (and my 2nd bedroom doesn't feel left out of the action cuz I sleep in it!) Tons of storage and supplies make a happy me! The latest project was a handmade Amish doll, a special memento gift for a client's very first great-great niece and a nod to her Anabaptist heritage.


I'm told her name is Manitoba Mandy and will live in Ontario with Avery


I have included this following article by James Stuart to satisfy the curiosity of those who ask 'Why are Amish dolls faceless?' The first answer is my favourite.


If you have ever seen an Amish doll, you may have noticed its curious lack of a face. Although sources differ on the exact origin of this tradition, most historians believe these dolls are not faceless for any one reason, but rather for several, many of which relate back to strict Amish religious tradition. Not every Amish doll is missing a face, but the traditional faceless ones are the best-known.

Equality

One of the most important tenets of Amish religious tradition holds that all people are the same in the eyes of God and should be treated as equals. For this reason, many people believe Amish rag dolls were created without faces. If a doll has no face, it is free of identity and reinforces the notion of equality both within the Amish community and, in a larger context, the human race.

Biblical Reasons

According to the Book of Deuteronomy in the Bible, people are forbidden from creating graven images or idols. Amish teachings interpret this to mean that no created objects, including dolls, should be accurate representations of the human form. By creating a faceless doll, children cannot regard the doll as a human likeness and thus owning one is not a sin.

Vanity

Amish religious precepts also teach that vanity and pride are sins. Many Amish individuals believe that represented likenesses, including photographs, encourage vanity, and are therefore forbidden. Similarly, creating a doll or toy with a human image creates an ideal image of the human form and could encourage children to model themselves after this image. This is why many people believe faceless dolls are an affirmation of Amish modesty.

Collecting

Although most of the reasons cited for the faceless dolls are religious or traditional, increased commercial interest provides a more practical reason. In the early 20th Century, several individuals began to express interest in purchasing the faceless Amish dolls and opportunistic merchants begin to sell the dolls to collectors outside of the Amish community. Although many Amish children are permitted to have dolls with faces, interest from collectors encourages sellers to continue making them with the traditional method.


About the Author

James Stuart began his professional writing career in 2010. He traveled through Asia, Europe, and North America, and has recently returned from Japan, where he worked as a freelance editor for several English language publications. He looks forward to using his travel experience in his writing. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and philosophy from the University of Toronto.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

She loved it!

My Serena Ryder pen & ink may have been rejected for the Winnipeg Folk Fest but Serena herself loved it! She autographed it too! Very happy with that. Check it out!!




Wednesday, May 1, 2013

New Chapters

You know how it is when you are in the middle of a good, no, great book and a chapter ends and you can't wait to start the next one? You have been on the roller-coaster with the protagonist and want to know what happens next. I feel that way this spring! I am excited to step into my new chapter and live it!

A few of the new things happening...


Spring is finally here and the museum is gearing up for a new season. I am putting final touches on the giftshop/bookstore and am excited for another year of welcoming visitors from around the globe.

...One of the highlights is that my beautiful daughter will be married in the Old Colony church on our grounds in June! Congrats H & M!!



...my submission to the Winnipeg Folk Fest was rejected :(  (on the grounds that the installation of sketches  may not be weather proof) Sad about that but thrilled that they loved the work itself! Will not be entering them in for the colouring book




...and finally, I am SURPRISED by a new relationship. Jerry, you bring me a lot of joy!






Saturday, February 23, 2013

I am amazingly, utterly happy...yup, happy. deeply, satisfyingly happy. happy.

Sunday, February 3, 2013