C&G Design

Annie Lamp

2011-11-23T05:00:00.003-05:00

I love this lamp! I purchased it at a thrift shop for $9.99 on a half priced tag. My husband was with me and carried her around, boy did we collect attention from other shoppers!

The top photo was taken with the flash on and the bottom was taken without the flash, you can see how she just glows.

She came without a shade so the stained glass topper is my add-on, stain glass in the brown shades are the thing in this room.

And so is Ann! C & G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

"Meet Raggedy Ann" book

2011-11-16T05:00:00.002-05:00

Time to get back to blogging! Seems like I have been away for-ever! I have been getting back to life and making up for a lost year, so many things for me to finish, so many things waiting for me. I'm enjoying it.

Anyway, I want to take some time and show you this cute book Skeeter sent me, Skeeter spoils...I only wished I lived closer!

"Meet Raggedy Ann" is a adorable story.

About a little girl wanting to play but first has to find Raggedy Ann, Ann tumbled from the closet, happy as ever.

Ann is more of a modern version and looks like the little girl. They are both very cute, as is the book.

"Catch ya later." Many thanks, Skeeter!

***Update on my musical Raggedy Ann***

She came together okay but she still has a very aged wear to her body. I'd let her alone knowing this...lesson learned.

C & G design.

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

Did I kill Ann? Part 2

2011-08-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

I came really close to losing Ann, however I'm not pleased with her outcome. I've never had a issue with a cloth doll before and I'm disappointed it had to be with a Raggedy. My mistake was washing her, and I did it about five times figuring I'd get the dirt out, ha! No such luck. The stuffing (which has been around more than 50 years) was dust filled and when it dried it kept making Ann look like this....

Oh my gosh....took me awhile to catch on and when it finally dawned on me, she laid on my counter next to the sink before I decided to do anything more with her. One day I picked her up and inspected closely as to what I could do.....I came to the conclusion that I could cut her under the hairline at the base of her back neck, remove the head stuffing and wash her. So that's what I did...

I'd have to reuse the original stuffing because it is rather threadlike and very firm, I have nothing like it. So I cut off the dirty spots and it didn't look that bad.

It was very difficult to put back in, I was very afraid she'd rip but I allowed a line of glue to dry around the opening to prevent that mishap, it worked like a charm.

After stitching it up, I glued the hair down. As seen it the photo, I had a small repair to the crank opening.
While I was working with her I kept this one thought in my mind, "She could be entirely remade and she'd be better." But I pressed on.

Her face faded so badly that she needed repainting, also.....I forgot to mention. The smudges on her eyes? Yep....apparently glue because when I pulled the stuffing.....it ripped the eyes, oh dear. They needed re-gluing and repainting too.

I think I killed her! C&G Design.

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

Did I kill Ann?! Part 1

2011-07-27T05:00:00.003-04:00

I've been working on a few projects for the last six or seven months. Slow being the word of the day when it came to crafting while under chemotherapy.

One of the highlights of my project working is this Ann.

She is a musical doll with a crank placed in her back. I'm not sure what the music box plays but it is a familiar tune from my childhood.

She was in great condition, just a tear in the lower shin which is close enough to make a stitched bend for a knee. Problem one solved.

Her face, specifically her eyes, were dirty. A bath would take care of that.

All of the elastic had stretched out, simple enough to replace. Problem two solved.

I found, via the Internet, that her dress is original but she was missing the apron. Not a issue, how many times had I made her apron! Problem three solved.

Insert screeching halt noise here. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

Cat Scans

2011-07-26T05:00:00.002-04:00

Last week I went for my 1 year cat scan, 1 year since my cancer was found. I have always had mixed feelings about this procedure, it doesn't hurt but it is very emotional to alot of people, including me. When I experience my first scan.....it was full body scan to see if there was more than one tumor. I became in tears while in the large tubular circle machinery that repeatedly "jur clunked" with every photo, I was thinking...."Yep, it's checking everything, checking, checking and more checking." The technician told me, (she wasn't to diagnose) that she saw what was indicated on the file, and just that. Whew! Happinnnnnesss!

My scan last week was the same exact scan except with this time...... I looked in the window directly above my head and my thought was, "Go ahead, I dare you, just dare you."

I will find out the results this week, I didn't expect any word from the tech.

Cat scans (Tomography) are series of 2D x-rays that are computer generated to 3D images. The slices of photos are taken around a single axis of rotation.

To have a gastric scan the patient must drink a solution of iodine called contrast, it makes certain suspect areas glow as in the one x-ray shown above. It is a cat scan image showing 3 tumors on the kidneys.

This is the 3D image of a skull. MRI's, to the best of my knowledge, already take 3D X-rays. They are not as available as cat scans.

The maximum dose of gamma globules rays (whatever it is!) is 3 per year. A cat scan doses between 3-8 each procedure. I knew one scan equaled 400 chest x-rays but I did not know about the recommended limited exposure formula.

I can't tell you how many I've had in the past year. BTW, did you know they cause cancer?

No, really.....C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

The Birds, murder and mayhem

2011-07-21T05:00:00.034-04:00

How sweet birds are....I've given many thoughts of having a few in my home but the cats put a screeching halt to that whim. Phooey....well maybe someday. Until then I'll enjoy my outside birds who frequent the feeders.

Lately though...I have become concerned about the lower amount of visits to the station. I've had annoying blue jay who keep me busy with peanuts and crackers. If they don't find that for dinner, they tend to eat ALL of the seed........

no BJays though.

My male evening grosbeak was regularly a sight to seed at the feeder,always after we've eaten our own dinner.

But he too is gone.......

Lately I have had a pair of yellow finches, a male with his mate but they soon stopped coming.....

I could always rely on Mr Robin bob, bob, bobbing in my backyard, using it's keen hearing for those purchased earthworms we planted. He or she has been a staple every morning for the last 2 years. Might not be the same one but still....

Okay....hubs was getting ready for work on Monday and heard commotion, bird screeches and blamo! My Robin was gone.....food for this....

A hawk, believing it to be a red-tailed hawk. We watched it make a quick ending of suffering for my Robin.

It was mantling as birds of prey do when it comes to feeding but I also felt it was done for my Robin not to escape while injured. Poof....my poor robin was gone.

Although I'm impressed with the beauty of this bird, I'm less happy with the quality of freedom for all the little birds. I've removed the attraction of the feeders, although I fear it might be too late.

He, or she...had her back to us (and back to to my female cat who quietly watched the murder and mayhem from the deck), the hawk flew off within less than a minute clutching my bird, of course.

He, or she....was a young juvenile and looked more like the photo below, the tail was still banded and not reddened but was most defiantly square. It has amber eyes (another hint of age) and it was smaller the the normal adult.
Wikipedia has all the info
anyone could want to read about when it comes to these raptors. It informs that these are the birds falconers use for their falconing. The falconer is only allowed to take "passage" hawks for training, that is birds under one year are are out of nesting (Hey, I know where one is!). It is to make sure the population of the hawks are on steady numbers. Hawks are protected in the United States and their feathers fall under the Eagle feather law....that is, no feather may become the property of anyone and only American native Indians can apply for a permit to keep feathers, and keep for tribal purposes/uses only. This is ONLY if the proof of the heritage of the applicant is solidly clear.

Wikipedia goes on to say the Red tailed Hawk (chicken hawk) will eat any bird, amphibian, rodent, squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit (which is heavier), groundhog (which is heavier), and has even been known to ferret out a badger or two (which is heavier), I'm petrified for my cats.....if Wooly get caught he'd be on the menu for the rest of the summer!

These are migratory birds, will nest 4 meters off the ground to higher heights and they sometimes lose their homes to owls as owls aren't into nest building. Relocation of the new nest is within a mile though. This bird reaches a speed of 120 miles per hour while diving in air and can catch a bird in flight by doing so. Grrrr. Nothing I can do to help in preventing other birds from being food. Grrr. The other thing about this hawk......they will siren screech when upset.(apparently my backyard Robin made someONE angry that morning!) They will also be flying free following a falconer as he walks with (dogs?) and the hawk will hunt above the trainers head. When it kills its acquired food, the gourmet dinner will be willingly removed for a traded piece of meat.
Read about Pale Male by clicking here. He is the New York, Red Tailed Hawk, with interesting background history.

Juvenile graphic of a red tailed hawk. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

The French Knot

2011-06-28T05:00:00.003-04:00

How bad have I been? I've finished my cancer treatment but not the sampler I started when the cancer was discovered, it is my dedication to my illness.

Samplers (old ones), are usually morbid and a tribute to a relative or friend who has passed on. They were started with children between the ages of 7 to 15 either because the child was sick with polio, or the general family felt the child needed to learn the stitches.

I've created a few but this is the first I've done for myself.

This is going to be a large tree, the french knots are a after thought because I felt the sampler was looking pretty plain. The apple tree was born!
The first photo shows how to start a french knot, pick a spot where you want the knot to be and draw the needle/thread up from beneath.

Then...holding the tread in your non dominating hand, wrap the thread around the needle starting at where it comes out of the fabric. I find 3 wraps are good. The more the wraps the larger the knot.

Holding the tread taut, re-stitch near the area of entrance for your floss.

You can see where the created loop makes the knot.

Who ever thought this technique up is a pure genius!

The effects are stunning. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

Congrads grad!

2011-06-27T05:00:00.009-04:00

Okay, how time flies. I can remember the day my son was born because it seems like yesterday but it was a few years back.
You can't see his feet in the above photo but he donned on sandals. My husband told him he looked like Mosses. ('cept the cell phone)

How lucky to have such a nice intro.....

He blew a kiss towards the audience which was sweet but at the same time...."Wasn't there a high school who took a diploma away for such a thing?"

True to cause....he was one of the first to throw his cap.

*Sob*

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

2011-06-24T05:00:00.021-04:00

Alright, we will have to do this post backwards. Since I've been AWOL for the last 6 months, an update was due for my editor and it is different from the other editor, it might take awhile to get use to. The other editor loaded the photos with the last one on the post being uploaded first. This editor is opposite and I've never been able to move the photos around either. Oay vey.

Anyway, the first photo of me was snapped yesterday. For close to 30 years I've had hair down to my lower shoulder blades, now it is short.

Here is the back and you can see how baby fine it is, I've snipped the top and the sides in hopes it will grow faster.

This is the middle of my illness.

Then.....my husband cutting what was left. Only the sides were to my shoulder but the back was bare. I held the sides back with a hair clip, after awhile that didn't work much either. I saw so much of it on my hospital bed in February, I decided time to cut it off. Control with cancer is important to the patient. Oh yah, I did go blond just to see what it looked like.

Remember our nice congressman Weiner? Well, Good Morning American analyzed his facial mannerisms and talked about his lying pursed lips. The facilitator commented that a furrowed brow means sadness. That's all I see in the last two photos, it seemed like a very long time before I'd be done with chemotherapy and so many things happened.

Here I am though, and today.....I laugh with life. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn, C&G Design.

The Big Baby

2011-06-23T05:00:00.003-04:00

Hi there! I'm back on track, goodness. It has been six months of recovery but I'm cancer free today. Once I 'm back in the swing of things I'll update my health and the experiences that occurred in the last 10 months.
Today...I want to show what we purchased last Sunday (fathers day!).

She is a very large bisque baby, and I just love her! We were informed of a new flea market inside a old Ames building and what a nice place! And what a big place! Hubs had been saving for weeks to take me there, what a guy!

I love her little/big face.......

She wears regular toddler clothing and check out the shoes.

Someone had handmade this little darling.....except, they used terrycloth material for the arms and legs and terry stretches, not good for this application .

Anyway, I hand washed her clothing (except the underwear) and re-dressed her.

Isn't she adorable? C&G design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Where was my head?

2010-12-30T05:00:00.002-05:00

Floating around looking for some leftover chocolate would be my guess.........
I had another treatment of chemo and with every thing, wow! I forgot about it being Raggedy Ann Wednesday. Well we can pretend for today. I picked these cute ones up at a thrift shop this week and I have no idea what they are, my best guess is a moose, but....they can be a bear. Definitely a Ann of some sort, too cute.

My health regime is finally progressing along and soon enough I'll post on it. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Merriest Christmas to you all!

2010-12-25T05:00:00.002-05:00

Poor David, he has a heavy burden this year, by goodness though.....

He looks good doing it. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Too Sweet!

2010-12-22T05:00:00.001-05:00

Another talented handcrafter made this beautiful bracelet with the tender loving care only Raggedy Ann can appreciate. It's made from polymer clay and it is just adorable!
C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Another Musicbox

2010-12-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

I was very pleased and excited to find this cute little music box at one of my thrift shops this past summer. As usual, it was with the toys and I guess, you'd have to be a collector to really see pass that idea. Anyhow, it was rescued by me, and I didn't pay that much for it. This is my second Raggedy Ann, Andy music box. The first one can be seen here. It is one of my first post on Ann and I was very excited to find that music box also. Though it has a companion music box I haven't located yet I might invest in it at a later date, EBay is wonderful for that! My current music box works and plays School days, dear old golden rule days, without any lag or missed notes.

I think....I actually don't know the tune. Ha! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Bell of the Ball

2010-12-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

Seems as though the holiday season has slipped in F-A-S-T! I'm usually up top of things and being highly involved with the spirit of Christmas, not this year. The past couple of days have finally set me in the mood.

This brings me to a point, my Bell of the Ball. I'm so lucky Madame has a close friend that chooses to do some of the things she does, I wished to include her in this photo but, alas, I can not. Trust me.....both are beautiful princesses. The role this year for the Maine State Ballet, Nutcracker was confectionery pages. It was a short swirl on stage behind the angels and then lining up with their cakes. They were on pretty long, not as long as the angels though. Maybe next year madame and her friend will get the better part, after all, they are on point and although the angels don't get up on their toes, they come close.

Madame is here with a marzipan dancer.

Oh, my goodness......C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Things that make you go humm....

2010-12-08T05:00:00.001-05:00

I thought, just for a second...........things that make you go....... hummmmm......could this be a Annie? Made to be a Annie, I should say......

Just for a split second, she might make it.........

I can imagine the legs in the red and white striped and the little red curls of the hair, with the shoe button eyes. She might do it.

Than again, I see cabbage patch.

What da ya think? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A Bevel of a Army

2010-12-01T05:00:00.001-05:00

I'm really missing my blogging but not as I thought I would, I've had a few problems with my hand and I'm currently seeing a neurologist to figure if I have permanent damage or a temporary problem from all the iv's and injections I've had over the last few months.
Anyway...at-las! I have kept with the favorite little red-headed rag doll the springs hope from eternal life, and she makes me happy, as with all that read about her. While I was in the hospital the first time I had a nice customer order a set of five eggheads, many of you can recall I made my first set for Etsy and sold them shortly after listing them. They are fun to make and consist of Ann, Andy, Beloved Belindy and Raggedy Aurthur, their dog.

Wha-la! Done, except putting on the felt. I don't use hot glue because I'm afraid of the peeling so a combination of both does well. These will be off to my lady by the end of the week.

A first time view on Black Friday.......pretty snow.

Happy December. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

BOM #5

2010-11-24T05:00:00.001-05:00

I know on last post I mentioned that #3 BOM is actually #4 so.........keeping in tune with the order, this is the next block but it's referred to as #5. I just love this kind of Annie, there is something about the texture of her hair being thicker.
To all of you who asked, I'm not the one making this quilt, it's another blogger with her own BOM, they are very popular and a great way to share. I DO have all the directions and patterns downloaded in my laptop and hope to sew this one day soon.
Click on the sidebar to visit "the painted quilt." Tell her I sent you.

I have a short update on my health but it will have to wait until Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving all! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

BOM #3

2010-11-17T05:00:00.001-05:00

Or should I say BOM #4. I have downloaded the patterns thus far and got a bit frustrated with #3. For some reason it wouldn't open, save or be viewed.

I finally gave up and decided to move onto #4, I figured it was something with to do with the file sharing site and eventually it would fix itself.

Then I opened #4 and at the top of the page was "block 3 revised", no wonder....

Visit the painted quilt for all the details. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

I've decided.....just not when

2010-11-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

You know those really big purchases we all do? The home, the boat, the big screen tv....ha! I'm talking about the automobile, we all buy one but some of us go for what the current deal is and they never get what they want. I've decided....my next car will be a sporty suv crossover.

For the last two years I've had my eye on the Nissan rouge. Don't you like that name? "I'm Rouge", no one would mess with that. The Rouge is a mid-sized suv, sporty but alittle large...although if someone offered me one for a small monthly rental, I would not refuse it.
The other day I ventured away from home and not to the hospital for a change, it was misty, cold and dark but it felt good to be breathing. I spied this newest Nissan in the parking lot of one of the Goodwill's I shop at. My husband, who by the way just bought a brand new shiny red pick-up, and I tossed around this crossover. Check out the rear door handle, it's up on the side of the window and it is there on the inside also. This is a Juke. I couldn't believe I was seeing it in person.

Besides "Juke" being associated with that large music playing box, it's also a phrase used in football. You know when the running receiver has the ball, comes upon a defender trying to stop him from getting a touchdown, and fancy foots a step to the side and back? That is "juking" or being "juked". I like it, I like it.

I was hoping I wouldn't find a siren running with the police pulling up along side of me for fear the owner of this black beauty reported a crazy woman hanging around their Juke. I didn't but I also couldn't resist.

I see my Juke the color called ''copper jack-o-lantern''......

oh, oh, how 'bout ''electric island blue''! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

BOM #2

2010-11-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

I just love this series of the Raggedy BOM and I have chosen to post on the current three until we get caught up, by then it will be four blocks released. The painted quilt publishes the blocks on the twentieth of each month. Check her out by clicking on my sidebar.

Don't ya just adore the red button eyes? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

What I spend money on.....

2010-11-09T05:00:00.002-05:00

Ahh, too funny. What is the most you have spent on shoes for yourself? I think the most I spent is $35.00, I can't say it is the same for Madame. Just look.....

She will go on point this week and she is excited, so am I. We have spent 7 years doing ballet just for this moment and I knew these were going to be expensive. All of the ouch pouches and toe spacers, ribbon, elastics (which I have to sew on) came to a total over a dear Benji note. Geez...

Maybe a nice pair of retirement sneakers? C&G Design
Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

BOM

2010-11-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

What is a BOM?
It stands for Block of the Month, quilt block of the month.

I have found through the past two years, alot of blogs dealing with quilts, have designed their own block of the month. The blocks of a quilt are published once a month for about 12 months. I have downloaded a cute Noah and the Ark crib quilt that way, remember, you'll never find a BOM in the local shoppes.

The painted quilt, is featuring this adorable Raggedy Ann and Andy, redwork quilt.

This is BOM number 1. I'll post the others in a few weeks, thus far she has released only 3 blocks. I'm unable to transfer the pattern but it's linked from her blog.

Check the link or click here. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Just Call Me Miss 1 Percent

2010-11-01T05:00:00.001-04:00

Beautiful bouquet from a customer

Well, I went for my chemotherapy port on Friday, it was day surgery--in and out. So I thought.

I figured it this way, I had 4 additional complication with the cancer removal, the rare "1%", what else could go wrong?

The plan was a 1/2 hour to 45 minute surgery with the port being placed on the left shoulder. Funny, when I came awake, the clock indicated the time was 2 hours after I entered the OR. I had to ask a assistant because without my glasses I thought I was seeing things. Nope, the time was right.

My port was actually on the right side with a bandage on my left, they could not locate the proper placement, soooo I have a needle hole instead of the planned port on my left and the contraption on my right. I really don't mind which side the port is on just as long as it works.

By the time I got back to recovery I was feelin' the ole' ache and pain in my lower ribs on my back. The "one percent" risk with port placement is a collapsed lung, well mine had collapsed 30%, enough to have an extra overnight in the hospital. Joys....

I'm home now, I have chemo teaching today. C&G Design

Happy November.

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

2010-10-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

Ha! I had to go back in my labels to see if I posted this one before and I'm not even that sure I went back far enough. Either way, aren't these cute.

It would be simple enough to do these, glue, canvas, eyelet lace, embroidery thread and a talented hand.

Cute! Cute! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Staying in Touch

2010-10-25T05:00:00.002-04:00

Geez, it's hard to believe that in a few years I'll being having my 30th class reunion. It seems like yesterday I was a senior in school looking forward to being done and graduated.
I remember two special friends from high school that I spent quite alot of time with, Emma and Robin. Robin I hear from time to time but I seemed to have lost communication with Emma, until recently.

I sometimes wish Emma lived in Maine but she lives far away so emailing has become our way of staying in touch.
I was very surprised when Saturday my husband walked in with a package that had come in the mail. It was from Em, she sent me these adorable snowflake ornaments she found thrifting. She sent them with a wish that she hoped it brightened my day...yep, it did that!
(and I was just thinking of making these)
By God, whomever crocheted these used the smallest hook possible, they seem delicate but I actually think they can take quite a bit, least a kitty batting them around.

The other item that touched my heart is this glass frame....it states it all.

Thank-you, Em. C&G Design
And P.S. I noted the address! Smart of me-I must be getter better!

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

What!?!

2010-10-22T05:00:00.001-04:00

Not much is going on in my neck of the woods lately, I've done alittle crafting but it is an order I got while in the hospital (good thing the lady is willing to wait).

Other than that it's doctor visits and concentrating on healing while speeding closer to having chemotherapy.

I found this article while perusing the Internet the other day, it's from Newsweek, can ya believe that? Newsweek. The bit is on funny businesses and a doll doctor is top ranking, or the doll hospitals in general.

I guess not everyone can see the value in repairing a childhood memory, or cleaning a discarded art piece worth thousands, but hey....it ranks with the bubble busters (gum cleaners) and people who breed giant rabbits. I'd much rather be doing repairs on dolls than the other things listed but to each it's own......see Funny Business.

I sometimes think these unusual jobs come from a need for employment.

Don't you? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Raggedy Ann Grandparents

2010-10-20T05:00:00.002-04:00

Whoops! I forgot to prepare a complete post last night, it was shower night without my drainage machine (yah!), pretty epic to me.
So without ado I found this picture of Raggedy Ann's Grandparents, aren't they cute?

I'm off to see the chemotherapy doctor today.

Wish me luck. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

My Next Challenge

2010-10-18T05:00:00.005-04:00

I saw my chemotherapy doctor last week, I was somewhat nervous and I still am, the idea of pumping chemical into my body just doesn't seem good especially if it makes me sick.
I will be in therapy for 6 months, going every 2 weeks for 3 or 4 hours apiece.
I will have a port instead of the nurses seeking for a vein spot every time, a port is a junction (so to speak) into the artery with a plastic intravenous capsule outside of your skin. I had one in the hospital except it had 4 capsules. It was called a central line.
The kind of chemical cocktail (2) I will be getting is exclusive to colon cancer, one has a peculiar side effect. I won't be able to touch anything cold or my throat will spasm making me feel as if I were being choked, I will have to wear mittens to take anything out of the refrigerator or freezer. The Internet claims this is true with cold weather also. Oh boy! Winter in Maine! The Internet also states that the chemical (at least one of them), interferes with the cell construction at the DNA development. That's the second stage of cell growth, unfortunately it will affect the good cells also.
I read that there has been a recent new drug approval for chemotherapy. The drug targets the growing area and chokes the blood supply off to the tumor.

Gosh! Great works in motion! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Snowflakes

2010-10-15T05:00:00.001-04:00

These are cute, compliments of Snowcatcher.

Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 11 crochet hook, 54 beads, empty pizza box, wax paper or foil, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Instructions

String beads onto thread. Keep them far enough ahead to prevent them from interfering with your work, and use one bead at a time as directed.

Ch 6, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch), *1 dc in ring, ch 2; repeat from * around 10 times for a total of 12 spokes; sl st in starting dc. Do not pull magic ring too tight.
Round 2: *Sl st in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, tr in same space, slide one bead next to stitch after 1st loop of tr stitch (bead should be in center of tr when tr is complete), ch 3, sl st in same space, ch 1, sc in next space, ch 1, sl st in next sp, ch 1; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 petals; sl st in starting sl st.
Round 3: *Ch 2, hdc in next ch 2 sp, 1 dc in next tr, 1 tr in same tr, ch 5 (place bead in center of chain), 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 2 (place bead in center of chain),1 tr in same ch, ch 3 (place bead in center of chain), 1 dtr in same ch, ch 4 (place bead in center of chain), trtr (yo 4 times) in same ch, ch 1, sl st in top of trtr just completed, ch 4 (place bead in center of chain), 1 dtr in same ch, ch 3 (place bead in center of chain), 1 tr in same ch, ch 2 (place bead in center of chain), 1 dc in same ch, ch 3 (place bead in center of chain), sl st in same ch, sl st in next ch, 1 tr in dc below, 1 dc in same dc, 1 hdc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, sl st in sl st at base of petal, sc in next sc (between petals), sl st in sl st at base of next petal; repeat from * around 5 times ending with sl st in starting sl st; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or foil to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or foil.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or foil. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

2010-10-13T05:00:00.001-04:00

While in the hospital I was due to change my header, a reminder stored in my blogger account published accidentally, not the first time though it's O.K.
So I located my last header graphic and today it's changed! I like this one, Ann looks as if she is going to get into mischief. Reality....she is probably getting ready to stop mischief.

She's looking at the words. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

What Kathleen Sent Me

2010-10-11T05:00:00.006-04:00

As I posted about before, many gifts were sent to me while I was in the hospital (I also bought over eBay so I'd have boxes to open when I arrived home). Kathleen of Rural Maine Life was sweet enough to send me a box of little dollies and I opened it up while still in the hospital!

Here is what she sent; Four celluloid dolls, you may remember my post on celluloid or find it here. The girl on the left is a Patsy look a like while the boy on the right has googly eyes.

A cute Annalee doll, seems to be missing a ball.

A dress me doll with a paper outfit and a pillow doll. Wouldn't that be cute on a larger doll bed?

This is a Topsy turvy doll, little red riding hood.

But wait! It's a Topsy turvy turn about doll, see the wolf that hides under grandma's hat?

Both of these dolls are Arranbee. The brunette is a early Littlest Angel and the blond is a Cody girl for the Cody line of make-up. I accidentally found that out while looking at the Littlest Angel.

This one reminds me of the Japanese animation, she's cute.

I don't know if this little one belongs in the box but doesn't she just make you smile?

Thank you, Kathleen! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A Short Note on my Progress

2010-10-08T05:00:00.001-04:00

I want to let my readers know that it has been a good week for me, I have felt stronger everyday and I"m looking forward to the upcoming week. I have some outside plans to do, packing the little people, removing our canopy, and maybe taking a few fall photos.
I am hoping that by Halloween I will be able to walk with Madame when she trick or treats, it may be the last time she'll want to do it.
While in the hospital I had 2 orders from Etsy and a Email from a friend of a prior customer, she ordered 5 sets of a craft I did a while ago, more on that later.
Next week I also meet with the oncologist doctor, he'll brief me on chemotherapy.
Until then, catch you on Monday. C&G Design
Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

What a sweetheart!

2010-10-06T05:00:00.003-04:00

While in the hospital, I was sent several gifts and cards. I want to thank everyone who thought of me, it really brightened my day.
One of the near and dear surprises I received was from Skeeter, what a sweetheart! She sent me her vintage raggedy Ann and Andy Look at Andy's legs! Ann has the same fabric, a cute eye catching change.
Skeeter writes that her grandmother worked for a shop owner, a hairdresser, and the shop owner had displays in her window.
When the shop owner took the display down Skeeter's grandmother asked if she could pass them along to her. Skeeter believes they were made by a customer.

I feel privileged and honored that Skeeter has chosen me to give these to. They will take up a space on the love seat with the other Ann and Andy's.

C&G Design
Happy 50th to my husband!

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A sad day

2010-10-04T05:00:00.001-04:00

I have spent the last few days trying to get caught up with my blog reading and although I haven't commented on all the missed posts, I have read them.
It is with a heavy heart to find CC of Lace 'n' Ribbon Roses no longer in the blogging world, she had had a terrible fall breaking her pelvic and was recovering from it when she was in and out of the hospital with different ailments. Her passing was September 5th.
CC will be missed, she was a very special lady whom loved and collected Sunbonnet Sue like I collect Raggedy Ann, she even posted several Ann transfers especially for me.
You can find a final post by CC's son here Lace 'n' Ribbon Roses.
C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

I'm Back

2010-10-01T05:00:00.002-04:00

It has been a long haul in my battle to be cancer free. I had more than one complication while in the hospital and spent 26 days under their care. The primary thing that happened was the re-connection of my colon came undone from one staple, that one staple cause a battery of problems. I had to have a re-connection surgery, and a follow-up surgery to be sure my abdomen was all cleaned out. Somewhere in there I was moved to ICU for an irregular heartbeat.
This is the flowers my younger sisters sent me, the peach rose was gorgeous. The picture really didn't pick up the vibrant. Not only did I have a nourishment bag of food by IV, but insulin to counteract the high sugar content. I had days....I mean days of vomiting which prompted me to ask for a stomach tube so the acid from my belly could be removed.
My stairs to my front door was decorated by my employee and his wife. I got this photo right when I came home.

I had a ride to another hospital so a abdomen abscess could be drained and finally a fissure developed in the surgical area which set me back another week. The doctor made it clear that all the setbacks had nothing to do with the cancer. It snowballed from the disconnection and so I shouldn't think of it in terms of the "C" trying to beat me. Ha!

But I'm home now and everything is on a upswing. I'm going to try to get back to my schedule of postings but I also want to play it by ear, some days will bring weakness and I tend to relax (sleep) rather than doing alot.

A bouquet from our company supplier.
Happy October. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Blog redesign

2010-09-15T08:32:00.001-04:00

Missing Post

2010-09-10T05:00:00.001-04:00

As my readers know......some of my posts are not here, I actually missed a Raggedy Wednesday :( and broke a 2+ year pattern, oh well the little red haired dolls will forgive me.

I just wanted to let my reader's know that there has been a few complications in my cancer treatment, nothing to a great deal of "edge of death" just a set-back, that's all.

So until further (short) notice C&G Design will be in vacation mode.

Thanks for all your support and thanks to my big sister for the beautiful flowers. C&G Design.

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Full Football

2010-09-07T05:00:00.001-04:00

The season is in full swing now, we won the exhibition game but lost the actual first game, I have not been able to see a good game between our boys and the competition but I will, hopefully it won't be too cold. I love this photo, a friend of mine got it for us. My son has his helmet off, obviously.

All grown up....well almost.

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Happy Holiday!

2010-09-06T05:00:00.001-04:00

Have a great Monday! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Mystery Doll

2010-09-05T05:00:00.006-04:00

I think this little dolly is cute, Madame and I picked her up at the thrift store recently She is a "Madame Magnan" made in 1987.
Inside the tag is a description in a foreign language, she is also numbered.
Her hair is gorgeous and untouched! She is all vinyl.
I've looked on the Internet and I can't see to find anything.

Hopefully someone out there will know. C&C Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Dragon Boat-Part 2

2010-09-03T05:00:00.002-04:00

Last we left the dragon boat I had shown you the simple folded card stock that made up the six sides of this ornament, I had shown the two tone thread I choose and I started to wrap. I was in awe about how it would cover all sides, it moved the coverage quite nicely. The bottom gave the idea it too was folded on itself. Too cool.

I really like doing these, they are a lot of fun and I'm thinking.....hum, I wonder if you could gather the different stripes and have the other background threading, show thru?

I'm figuring if the pattern is 2'' by 2'' and it makes a 2'' boat, a 3'' by 3'' would make the larger 3'' boat, and so on.

My next one will be bigger and perhaps much more fancier.

Too neat. (I love this photo showing the floor and the rail!) C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Temari Ball, #2, Part 1

2010-09-02T05:00:00.002-04:00

It took me a little bit to decide on what kind of Temari ball to make next, I have so many large spools of 2 ply wool yarn and quart size bags of embroidery thread (primary colors). So I came up with a ornament my mother-in-law made me many moons ago, the pattern looked simple and although she used variegated thread, I though a gradual fade to a predominate color would work well.

My north, south pole along with the equator is made from the matching background.

I wasn't really impressed with the anchoring method I used and it took me a while to get the hang of it.

Once I made my second geometric design, I realize this pattern would take me some time to do.

I had to remove the start of one diamond as I had the wrong yarn pole.

Ha! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The second birthday book

2010-09-01T05:00:00.001-04:00

Last Raggedy Wednesday I highlighted a birthday present my husband located for me, a book (see here), this is the other book he found. Raggedy Ann and the Magic Book. This hard bound book was published in 1939, somewhere in Britain. The special thing about this story is the illustrations by Worth Gruelle, Johnny's son.

You can see Worth inherited a lot of Johnny's talent. I love these little Ann and Andy.

I may post this story as it is a whole book so it will take up some Wednesday as we go along but I definitely want to read it.

The quality of the pages in this book are similar to photos, it's a sweet gift from a thoughtful guy.

And this little snippet is at the end of the book.

Words to live by. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Blue Ribbon Campaign

2010-08-31T05:00:00.005-04:00

I have ALWAYS honored and respected the ribbon campaign, thee is several but the most recognized ribbon is the PINK ribbon for breast cancer.
After yesterdays post and now related to me is the BLUE ribbon. I'd like to let my readers know about the BLUE ribbon and what it means.
The most used BLUE ribbon known to us all are the first place award for the best. The best quilt, the best pie, the best grown veggies and best in show. I believe everyone in one way or another has had a blue ribbon awarded in their family with much excitement.
Thanks to the ribbon awareness campaign, BLUE and other colors have become so much more.
If you want more information on the campaign go to Craft 'n Scraps.

BLUE; Child abuse prevention, arthritis, gout, free speech, crime victim rights, water quality, colon cancer, Dysautonomia, hystiocytosis, histiocytosis, Erbs' palsy, Ankylosing Spondylitis, domestic violence, water safety (flooding, drowning and accidents), Acute Respiratory distress (ARD), second hand smoke, dystonia, interstitial cystitis, bracial plexus injury, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyetitis (ME), alopecia, Reyes syndrome, Education, Steven Johnson syndrome, short bowel syndrome, myositis, leukodystrophy, hurricane support, Huntington disease, Police officer lost in the line of duty (AKA, The thin blue line), Malaria, syringomyelia, neurofibromatosis, Sex trafficking and slavery, Cri du chat syndrome, cyclic vomiting syndrome, polio awareness, Primary Immunodeficiency disease, sensory processing disorder (reflux blue shade), Angelman syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau.

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

On that Gut Feeling

2010-08-30T05:00:00.008-04:00

Wikipedia has the definition of "guy feeling" as a "visceral emotional reaction to something, and often one of uneasiness". I figure it's time to post about my health.

"Sensitive" sculpture by Miquel Blay, 1910.

I've shied away from blogging about something so personal because I fear making readers uncomfortable so I will be very non-graphic about my thoughts.

My colon tumor biopsy returned as adenocarcinoma, colon cancer.
My course of treatment has been swift, I've had a CT scan with both ingested iodine dye and intravenous dye, to which I found the machine to be scary.

So far....CT scan of the abdomen shows no metastases to the liver or lung (what lung that could be seen), ruling out stage 4.

Oh, I love you, I love, love you machine!

I am informed that there will be more CT Scans before I'm done.

I'm going to be in surgery soon, the whole right side of my colon will be removed and the lymph nodes will be biopsied, if one shows the spread of the tumor than it means chemotherapy. I'm alright with that considering it is a relief not to have stage 4 cancer.

I'm uncomfortable and fatigued most of the time and was sick Saturday night, a combination of bad roasted peppers, nerves and a heavy gut feeling. This is a living thing inside, waiting to come out and die.

Wikipedia describes ''gut feeling" as "may also be used as a short handed term for a individuals "common sense", what is considered the "right thing to do."

My CT scan showed a 5 centimeter sized cyst on my left ovary a adenobenign cyst and 5 centimeters is the surgical size for this kind of cyst. It will not shrink on it's own. The right ovary may be involve in the "mass". The "gut feeling" thing to do...is...removal of both, the names are too close for my desire. The possible issue in the future could be, scar tissue might interfere with....as in another surgery and chemo will destroy anyway.

Menopause...here I come!

And on that scar tissue......

Wikipedia says "Gut feeling, like all reflective unconscious comparisons, can be reprogrammed by practice and experiences."

I can live with that, signed ; (semi-colon) C&G Design

GUT FEELING BY DEVO, November 1988
From the Devo album, "Are we not men, we are D-E-V-O"

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Senior Season

2010-08-29T05:00:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we went to the exhibition game that will start the high school football season (that's my son on the ground on the left, it's a rarity he goes down). They won! Generally the exhibition sets the tone for the rest of the season but not necessarily a "facto". because sometimes winning the exhibition game is a fluke. All the players are just getting the swing of the game after 10 months off.

I hope, I hope. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Happy Birthday

2010-08-27T05:00:00.002-04:00

Happy, happy, birthday my sweet little girl. At your request....another musical instrument....asking grandpa to teach you with this one might be better since you do band in school and have private piano lessons.

But you've already given yourself a headstart on my ole' beat-up guitar.

Love ya. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Dragon's Boat-Part one

2010-08-26T05:00:00.003-04:00

I'm forever looking for a cool and interesting Christmas tree ornament to make, right now I'm on a thread "kick" as you can tell by my Temari ball post from a few days ago. This is something different....I found a nice tutorial at Craftsanity, she refers to them as "Dragon Boats" although nothing is available about the history on them. They are so simple as a piece of card stock.

Some folding and some tape....

And a special way of winding embroidery thread. I started mine a little different then what the tutorial showed. She had the hanger and bottom tassel already placed but since this is my first....I'm starting without them.

I had to unwind my first attempt because I started upside down and couldn't turn the boat counter clock wise like directed.

The color changing went smooth so hold on for the finished ornament! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A Birthday Gift

2010-08-25T05:00:00.004-04:00

I need to show you what book (s, eventually!) my husband got me for my birthday. This is a long time publication from 1918, 1947 and my copy, 1977 under Bob Merrill, inc.

The stories that are in this book is mostly what I have posted already, a few are new and we will get to them in time.

Gotta love a good Ann book. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Japanese Temari

2010-08-24T05:00:00.001-04:00

Temari balls are a ancient art stemming back to China, more than 6 hundred years ago it was brought to Japan.
They was started to amuse children (what isn't?). It is said the balls were made from tightly wrapped silk left over from kimono making. (some were said to actually bounce!) and the extra colored threading was wrapped over that for a decorative touch.

Throughout the years the meaning of the Temari (handball) has been enhanced to be offered as gifts in present day time. To be given a fancy Temari at a wedding or birth is a honor. Lots of craft people make the Temari as Christmas ornaments.

Here I am making the north and south pole. You wrap a thin piece of paper around the Temari evenly and pin opposite side. Before placing the paper, you fold the strip in quarters and this will give you the equator. Some Temari balls are marked with invisible thread and some are marked with the same color as the wrap.

I picked the simplest pattern I could see and used a metallic thread for easy visibilities. This is a dragonfly pattern based on a common 8 (C8). A division of 8, 4 threads down and 3 across. I used a beaded pin to keep me oriented to the north.

The basic design is to follow the dissecting lines. I'm still a little baffled about the interlocking cubes and star patterns but I'm reading and learning more each day.

These Temari balls are also done with embroidery floss.

I'd really like to be able to make a chrysanthemum pattern and I will try it because they are very pretty.

There is a lot of technical language that accompanies the Temari balls, I was rather confused reading about the Obi (midsection, just as part of the kimono). I kept thing "How can that be when I made the equator?" The Obi is the midsection design that is no bigger that 1/3 of you Mari (the ball).

I completed my dragon fly the same day I started them. They aren't very pretty of linear flies but it's a start.

Not bad. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Village-House

2010-08-23T05:00:00.002-04:00

This is my last structure of the village and it is the cutest, well they are all pretty cute. I'm having one of those moments where I look at my work and think....where did I come up with all those ideas?

Flowers, lace and free flow curtains add to the sparkling roof.

The chimney is a sweet idea, cute, huh? (Forgive the sun in the photo).

Can't you see a fairy living here? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

What's left of my Garden

2010-08-22T05:00:00.003-04:00

Even though I'm in the midst of a health issue, I am still going to keep posting on my blog. I may not even mention my health on some days while others, you might get more than enough information than you really need, TMI!
Anyway, I love flowers, these we finally pinched off my begonia and discarded but I JUST had to photograph them first. Well, my garden is still hanging on, we have all but given up on it, allowing things to grow amuck. The zucchini is coming along.

And....and... I thought this was squash but upon closer inspection.....me thinks it's cantaloupe or watermelon, check out the leaf. I have not one.....

but two......

and three.....

finally four! They are all the size of a apple or bigger.

What did my husband plant?!?

And why this year when I gave up on the long season fruit?!?

All of my tomatoes have grown and creased over, it's our fault though, we fertilized too late. They are still bearing fruit although nothing like the normal.

I've never made it to a growth season with peppers either....

but, by goodness! They have done superb this year.

I have already eaten several and the only complaint I had was the first pepper had a thin wall and very little flavor. The rest are yummmy!

I have been having baby onions as they are still growing along with the carrots, which I never did thin. Should have some interesting shapes this year.

So far, one lone pumpkin. I suspect more are hiding.

The potato's are not doing well except the ones in the tipsy buckets. Time will tell on those.
The beans have all been eaten.

Should I even mention my 2 foot high corn?

Ha! We might get some ears for stir fry, you know...the baby corn.

Bring it on my rouge raccoon with taste buds for kernels! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Birthday Wishes

2010-08-20T05:00:00.002-04:00

Although I'm a day early (I don't post on Saturday) I'd like to wish my mother and niece happy birthday! On a post script, my colonoscopy has resulted with a tumor, we don't know the pathology of it yet so we are waiting on biopsy. Either way that part of the colon will need to be removed. I will keep my readers posted.
Thank you in advance for all your kind words. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

An inside job

2010-08-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

O-kay...so I'm beyond the age of 40, the era when your warranty seems to expire. Since than it has been one thing or another, if it is not the achy knees it's the blurred vision.
My husbands warranty is pro-rated though, I believe that some of his health is still guaranteed, he acts better than all of us!
Anyway, I had my annual check-up and everything is fine except for being anemic, again. A repeat thing from last year. Well in the seven months since my last blood test, my red blood cells dropped to the stage of needing a transfusion, can ya figure out why I've had a hard time with stairs! So!....In that small amount of time the doctors have decided there is bleeding going on inside my stomach or colon. Ahhh, I can't really pinpoint any changes other than what is normal for me. (Geez, what do I know, I should of passed out on the roller coaster at six flags!)
Anyway, that's what I'm doing today, having two out patient procedures at the local hospital and I should know something by the end of the day.

Excuse me if my posts are short until I get back in the swing of things. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Little Ann

2010-08-18T05:00:00.001-04:00

Aren't these adorable!? I forgot where I got the photo from, I think maybe Etsy, you can see that Ann is crocheted....and tiny! I'd like to have one of these for a garment brooch, or maybe a pair of earrings!

Imagine how tiny the crochet hook must be. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Last Presents

2010-08-17T05:00:00.004-04:00

For those of you who guess orange and purple you were right. I think my sister came closest. The bummer about it all is that I have orange and purple sequins but they are the large size so I opted for the gold on both presents. I have black and white small sequins but I did not think the black would look good on purple and I thought it would look too much like Halloween on the orange. Amazing, I don't have silver (making notes about that).

I kept thinking while doing these two presents.....the colors are yummy, they remind me of the freeze pops you can buy, especially the orange.

My next ornament set requires reading and following instructions. I've never made them before.

I've always wanted too. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Princess Grace Dolls

2010-08-16T05:00:00.002-04:00

Well, my printer/scanner has been acting up lately. At one point recently, we added a wireless connection for all the other computers in the house and that's when things went awry. My husband is trying to put it back to just the "big" dinosaur computer but it will take 2 hours to reload all the missing components. Argh.
Anyway "Maddie Mod" was in storage with my blogger account, so here she goes. Maddie mod is a doll made by the Princess Grace, inc. She is Named after Madeline Abrams, first lady of Tennessee I believe.

Not much information is available about Princess Grace dolls or about Madeline Abrams and I can say.....this particular doll (11 inches like Barbie) is known for the doll with the bad haircut.

I have a Maddie, she was found when I purchased one of my vintage Barbie doll cases, she was inside keeping Ken company. I'm thinking....hum...I might want to go through those old clothes that were in the case also and see if I can find a appropriate outfit for my Maddie Mod.

I almost discarded her due the her bad hair. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Building a better elf

2010-08-15T05:00:00.006-04:00

I seem to be remaking some of the old ornaments that I have sold on Etsy, I think I've finally got the hang of "up for retail" before the holidays. Did you know the Halloween candy is already discounted in the department stores? Ha! Just joking. This is Peter and Paul, you can see the original post here.

They are from a pattern I made when being inspired by elves, I don't think I wanted them to be so skinny but I went with it anyway. I cut the first ones larger than my paper pattern and then forgot which parts I enlarged, remaking them is going to be a challenge but this time I corrected the pattern.

These are a bit tricky to do, the face seam is in the center of the body fabric and you really have to know what you are doing when it comes to turning them right side out.

This is the stage my husband make fun of me about, the body parts laying around. Each piece is stuffed and hand stitched, the bottom of the body is weighted. Can you see I made a major foe-par I made from the first pair? I never wrote the color of the fabric on each pattern piece and I assumed the hands were white. They aren't, they're red.

I got my cheese box full of buttons and I hoped to find eight matching shanked, I did, all of them.

These ended up taller than the others but I'm pleased with them. Attaching the legs are hit or miss since the bottom has aquariums rocks in it, it tends to shift while inserting the 4 inch doll needle.

I had wanted to put bells on the shoes and this time I did, it works well.

One thing that has always bugged me about these is the shifting in stitching, since it needs to be partly stitched in the hat and fully in the face before sewing it to the body, the hat gets pushed while turning my stitch direction and the fabric ends up overlapping, try as I might I can't get this to stop in this small area.

Luckily I had my felt out (what a handy material!). The trim around the hat is perfect but would not be in any other place. I think it would take away from the primitive aspect of them.

So I tried to get a few photos for Etsy, I used stuffing instead of batting but it was windy on this day and some of it blew off, argh! I'll do them over on a calmer day.

This photo is nice, I think I'll use this one but that's it. When I looked at the original pair I discovered I forgot the eyebrows also.

Whoops. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Village-Store

2010-08-13T05:00:00.002-04:00

I don't know if I mentioned my buildings from my note paper or not but it's changed. Initially it had a school, church, hospital and 2 houses...well, a school, church, hospital and a store!....makes more sense. So, one of the houses has a penciled x through it, replaced with a building that houses food.

I have saved the house for last because it's the most flexible for applique ideas, I can always come up with something even though I used the first idea on another building.

So, what does a shoppe usually look like? It has neon "open" signs and some sort of advertisement for a beverage, beer or soda, it's always there. I figured the most recognized insignia is "Coke a cola" or something similar to it. I came up with a combination of Coke and Pepsi, ha! You get the idea.

The grey square on top of the building is a A/C and heating unit, it also adds another shape although smaller in version.

My canopy windows are close, close, close. They are bright on the brown and are clearly windows.

Note: Next time make canopy with a steeper side angle. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

I'm in the Treasury!

2010-08-12T05:00:00.001-04:00

Tuesday night, while typing my post for Raggedy Wednesday, I received a email on a Etsy conversation. Well!

I'm always excited to get questions from a potential customer, I even got a conversation while away at 6 flags, yip-ee for free wi-fi!

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I found another Etsy artist had chosen one of my items for The Treasury that is entitled "Maine made", she commented about how hard it was to narrow down the items to a few favorites. I am psyched! So psyched I missed the ending of the new reality show.....The Colony!

I'm not going to mention the artist who selected me because I don't have her permission but I will link The Treasury so all of you can comment if you'd like.

The Treasury is a outlet where Etsy people can post their likes for shopping. The next step to getting a featured item on the home page is, placing a item in the Showcase in hopes you will be picked. It's a purchased amount of about 1 hour for $7.00. I've not done that yet because I realize you can be picked for the homepage without buying time, of course purchasing it narrows it down.
The homepage elevated your traffic considerably.

Here's the link:http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c61feedf7528eef1827fcb5/maine-made?index=37

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Raggedies Home

2010-08-11T05:00:00.005-04:00

I was recently given a gift (from my husband) that had a mention of Worth Gruelle, he was a member of the Raggedy Ann family and had a talent close to his father's, Johnny Gruelle.
Worth and Richard Gruelle were Marcella's siblings, they carried on the stories of Ann and Andy after Johnny's early death at age 57. Johnny's artistic talent was evident through to Joni Gruelle, Worth's daughter. Joni and her husband are credited for creating a project as big as a Ann and Andy museum in 1999. The museum was located in Arcola, Illinois but is now closed only promoting sales from the gift shop over the Internet. Every year in April, Arcola (Ann's birthplace) celebrates the famous redhead with a large festival on behalf of the namesake.
Joni Gruelle-Wannamaker illustrated both pictures featured here, the second photo being the true home of Ann and Andy. If I think about it real hard, we really don't see the home from the outside in any of the stories.....
so interesting.....C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Princess Paperdolls

2010-08-10T05:00:00.001-04:00

It's hard to believe Princess Diana will be gone for 13 years at the end of the month. I think it is one of those moments where we all knew what we were doing when the fatal moment occurred. I had fallen asleep on my husband's shoulder and after he told me of my earring impression on his skin, he told me about Diana. I did not believe him. A true lady who died so young and a life so unfinished, Princess Diana will surely not be forgotten.

I was glad to hear her final resting place would be on a small island her family owned, that way the paparazzi would leave her be.

I enjoy hearing about the growth of her two boys even though some of it is not so nice.

I found these on the Internet, they can be copied as each, Diana being printed on cardstock and the clothing printed on paper. I wished I could find some casual wear like her sweaters but I guess the more glamor outfits will stick around.

If only she could be saved, I think though.....it wasn't meant to be....

A beautiful lady....C&G Design

P.S. Happy special day to my sister!

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

6 Flags New England

2010-08-09T05:00:00.002-04:00

We took a few days off from our regular life to enjoy a mini vacation, it has been 10 years that we have been anywhere, except for Texas on family matters. I was looking forward to this time together but I told my husband, "You plan it." Plan it he did.

The Internet is wonderful, it aided us in finding deals and packages on the best way to go. Our first night was slept in the Hampton Bay, a first class hotel. We found if we stayed here it included two passes to 6 Flags New England which is in Massachusetts and in the long run it was 10 dollars cheaper, we could purchase the two other tickets at a 12 dollar off cost, we also had a true breakfast rather than the continental.

Here is a snapshot of the view from our window, this was taken in the early am hours. I love it when wildlife is mixed with everyday life and this little pond is adorable. Far to the left is a marvelous spraying fountain. The weather was threatening showers all day but we didn't see nair one. The air was humid and hot with overcast clouds. All of us were sunburned by the end of the day.

Six Flags New England was purchased a few years back, before then it was called Riverside park. I'm guessing it's a roller coaster park since it has 7 different ones. Some kid rides and some unique rides but all in all, roller coasters. This one is Cyclone, it's the mid sized coaster, it is also the second wooden one. I actually rode the small wooden roller coaster called the thunderbolt. I did so with my eyes closed.

There were shows for the little one. One of the performances I would of liked to watch was the "junk" band. The members played on items like trashcans and buckets.

These amusement parks, including Disney (I'm told), have what is called a flash pass. It cost money and the different levels cost greater. It's this little contraption you hook on your belt loop and you can reserve a ride. The gadget reminds me of the Tomigatchi pets my kids had to have when they were younger.
Check out Daffy, Bugs Bunny kept hiding.

The platinum level of the flash pass gave you a 10% wait of the normal time waiting for a ride, then it would page you, allowing you to cut the lines. The platinum bracelet meant you could ride the rides twice, back to back by raising your hand. The normal flash pass cut your wait by 75%, paging you when the time was ready. Not knowing how busy it would be, and having driven 5 hours, we bought the platinum but could of got away with the normal pass.

This roller coaster is called the Pandemonium, it was the second roller coaster I rode. The cart rotates while it speeds around the whirls. Yep, on our second trip it blow a fuse just as we were to power up the top of the hill (pictured to the right of the cart), and we were stuck (up there!) for about 20 minutes. My kids were facing down to the ground and we were facing up. Okay......well.....yep......that ended any chance of me riding another coaster for the rest of the day. I don't care for the edge of panic like I, and the rider runners on the ground who were confused as to how to communicate with us.

This is the largest coaster, Bizzaro, Superman's alter ego. It has a story told in the headsets and it rides under walkways, thru mist and over other coasters. It is also my daughters favorite ride.

This one is Batman, it's my son's favorite. If you enlarge the photo you will see my husband in the front, my daughter's face to the right and my son all the way to the right except I didn't get him, I was lucky to photograph what I got! 70 mph and that's pretty good.

This one is the Mind Eraser, it was very quick with short loops. No one seemed to like it, it stopped too sudden.

By 3:00 all the rides were ridden, all the glamor rides that is. We did a few unique rides like this one. It swung slowly then over it went, locking upside down at one point.

My poor son, he had such a hard time fitting in the seats, he's the big guy above. The last time he went on Bizzaro, the techs made a last push of the bar and he was jammed in. I guess they figure a heavier person will snap a lock before a light person would. My son found some of the rides too narrow for his shoulders, also.

"Scream" was the ride that when we were paged, the flash pass kept setting the minutes back. We returned later when it had a smaller waiting line. Enlarging the photo will show you my husband, daughter and son facing the camera, they got that spot on purpose. Least they humored me and my camera.

We were mildly curious above this building, the Opera House. Come to find out....it opened in the dark with a spooky house setting and a short film (no sound) showing Houdini as a young boy. It ended in a room where all the opera seats were to swing while the room turned upside down. It is a trip. My kids were so excited they went on it again by themselves. I reminded them about the "non" glamor rides and how fun it would be to see those on occasion.

There were also water rafting rides I enjoyed and a swim park called Hurricane Harbor. The next time we go we will do the water park. It's to hot to enjoy the entire day without a break.

Six Flags New England also flies the six flags of New England, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

None of us seemed to know the different flags until we looked it up on Wikipedia. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

My Studio

2010-08-08T05:00:00.004-04:00

It's time to reveal my studio! I'm still working out the bugs and the decor but all in all I am happy with the end results. This is the corner at the top of the stairs, the only thing unfinished is the door into the knee wall but that won't take long to do. I have ALL my painted on this one stand, a former bookshelf. What it best about it is the easel it leans on, it makes this unit mobile. The above paper towel holder is actually a paper spool, the other shelf holds my flat trim like rick rack and hem lace. Look close, Wooly is trying to figure out the open window. Here is the long shot of the big window, the rails are iron and heavy duty tin that matches all the way down the staircase. It's kinda french shabby chic.

Here is my craft station, you can see the current work on top my table, the white paper pinned to the wall is my notes on "The Village." The top of the bookcase holds my patterns both purchased and handmade. The small upright stand holds my stencils.

I tried to get the puzzle photographed but the room is not wide so it was a little difficult. The empty cubby is the felt that is out because it's being used. The tote is black, red, orange, yellow, gray and white yarn I use for doll hair.

Here is the long shot of the cubby wall, everything is sorted by copper, beading, embroidery, etc. boxes. All of the boxes are marked. I'm not happy with the stuff on the floor but it is overflow from the dressers and it has to be there until I use it. I've promised myself not to buy more items. Ha!

The corner looks very crowded, I have a chair that will be re-upholstered to match the curtains and the boxes on top the bookcase holds buttons, a button box! There is also a roly-poly that has embellishments in it. Those things really do work.

Here is where I stitch. I need to be careful of my chairs because they roll easy on the bare floor!

We have a large shelf with a rod that we felt would come in handy while making dresses or even, when I paint my doll parts and I need a place for them to dry.
The large trunk has remnants in it and the items on top are projects I need to finish, I thought I'd have more but what there is, is enough. Batting is also contained in the blanket bags.

Madames station is not set up yet, the tote on the floor has all wool fabric and the egg crate foam is waiting to be placed on my son's bed. Check out the spool racks, handy little things.

This is my haven, I cherish all my time up here and sometimes I can't believe I actually have a studio.

I also know e-v-e-r-y thing I have for supplies. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A Side Jaunt

2010-08-06T05:00:00.001-04:00

We recently took a 3 day trip to six flags of New England, why? We haven't been anywhere in 10 years so we were well overdue.

Anyway, the start of our journey did not look that great, we got lost within a hour of leaving our home. I really considered investing in a GPS before we left but the extra money may of meant we wouldn't be able to purchase a flash pass. More on that later.

I drove all the way down to Massachusetts and all the way back and the only side track was a wrong route in Buxton, Maine. I zigged when I should of zagged.

Who knew? Maine is a host to these wonderful retro diners? We saw another on the way back, somewhere below Scarborough, but it wasn't operating. Who knew? I mustn't get out that often. But on this day, getting lost afforded me to snap a few photos of this restaurant.

The '72 Chevy was the cherry, what a added bomb, I wished we had the time to eat here. Just passing through though.

Well, one day...maybe. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Red and Blue

2010-08-05T05:00:00.002-04:00

I guess maybe I don't have a white. Red, white and blue all go together, I know, it's the saved styrofoam!
Anyone who follows me knows I make my Christmas ornaments in a set of 5, this is number 2 and 3. I finally got smart and decided I would set up pins with their respective beads and sequins. That way it went rather fast and I didn't really have to deal with the messy glue while picking the ornament up and putting it down, duh.

These are cute and they have a nice weight to them.

But the only problem with something like this is a mess you always have when your done. Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!I have a studio, I can leave it for tomorrow when I finish this set! NICCCCE!!

The next two will be slightly different than the three already done. Can you guess the colors?

Look close. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Toy Shoppe

2010-08-04T05:00:00.002-04:00

Yeah! It's Raggedy Wednesday and last week I changed my header due to issues with the background sponsor and I did it a week early. I've been waiting to post this particular post as it's something in my studio, a big part of the supplies being held on the floor and not the cubbies.
This is a toy box I purchased at Salvation Army for $2.98. Gosh! I love their bric a brac or hard goods as another name. It was from a little known store which has now become a BIG store. The ladies were talking amongst themselves, betting that I would buy this. Did I mention I was the only customer in the store at the time? It has more of my wooden items, big surprise I had more supplies than the toy box could hold. I have held this item near and dear, it's in good shape and still has the original casters.

It's also in one of my collectors book. The cost is dated to 1997 and as a rule, items increase $10.00 per decade. Notice that in the photo the toy box hasn't any casters? My box rolls rather easy.

Now you know. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Village-Hospital

2010-08-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

I'm working on my village at a consistent speed, I know what I'm sewing as a basic plan but I'm adding embellishments as I go. I'm having a grand time brainstorming on each structure. I kinda thought since there is a possibility of making a mat and the mat will be without water, only land, blue would be the perfect color for a hospital. The original drawing called for a plain square building but since my roofing mistake, I changed the plan.

I thought about a emergency entrance and came up with another shape, another way to use color.

This is another building that has writing on it. My dilemma was the writing will have to go on the backside due to the entrance taking up so much space.

This is my idea in my mind, see the yellow door entrance? And my helicopter pad? I thought that was in genius. My hubby told me he wants to see them all stuffed, phooey. I'm still going to be pleased with myself. I hope the village all works together but don't tell him that.

In the long run though, it didn't matter where the entrance was place because there are doors on all four sides of the building.

Imagination at play. C&G Design :)

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Some Flower Friends

2010-08-02T05:00:00.004-04:00

I have been visiting some blogs that have postings devoted to just lilies, mostly day lilies. I have just a few but I want more and plan on buying a bunch next spring.

Here are some flower friends that made a showing this year. Some of you have seen a few of these but the last two are new. I found a bright sunny spot for the new ones to flower and, believe me, there is a lot more room out there for more. Hybrid lily from a mixed package,

same package. It's a crap shoot when purchasing the mixed packages of bulbs or rhizomes and I thought these were going to be orange. Surprise!

These one comes every year for the last 7 years and it flowers for weeks.

But this one is in the same area and it flowered this year for the first time.

Gasp! A pink one! I could not remember what lily was where after I planted them last year....now I know where the pink one is!

And this one is new, I think it struggled to flower due to a defect on the petals because I don't believe it's supposed to have the spots.

When I think of my day lilies I fondly remember when my son was 9 years old and paying attention to some things, (while talking about the common orange ones) he said "I don't know why you like those so much they only last a day...."

He did not know what kind of flower they are.

It was funny. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Scare scene

2010-08-01T05:00:00.001-04:00

I thought since I had my felt fabric out and being sorted, I'd get another felt project done for Etsy. I'd done a post on these before, look here. I also know this is my mother's favorite, it's pretty cute. I started doing these in the early 90's but on a small scale, I switched to the large size when I did the first post.

I'm really pleased with the fact that enlarging it gives the ability for it to stand by itself.

I searched everywhere for the pattern as when I was organizing the studio, I forgot where I put these! I was becoming upset with myself and had to stop looking for a day or two. I could re-write the pattern but that's not the point. I finally found them in the last possible place.

Anyway, all the characters are hot glued together, be careful of your fingers, the felt is not as insulated as you'd think. Add stuffing for dimension.

I use my handy, dandy glow in the dark paint for the fraidy cat.

Gather the pumpkin and weight the bottom of it, I use clean aquarium rocks.

My picket fence is obviously hand constructed, I also leave it pretty rustic looking (unsanded, uneven spray painted).

I can honestly say that when I was cutting the bat I thought "Now I've had enough of these."

Already posted on Etsy. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Gift

2010-07-30T05:00:00.001-04:00

I'm a big stryofoam person, there are to many uses for stryofoam to not be. Anytime I buy an appliance that has the thin, smooth sheets of stryfoam I save them. As I look now I can see a sheet behind the end table in my family room!

Anyway, this is the other project I wrote about. My goal with this sheet of stryofoam is to make squares. I uses a rotary cutter and a metal sided ruler to cut strips.

I sure did make a mess. Remember to use foam glue when gluing foam to foam, It really works well.

I decided to start with green and gold. I' not sure why, maybe it has something to do with our school colors or maybe not.

Putting a layer of glue gives the ornament added strength.

I saw this idea with large sequins and small beads, but I decided to try it this way and see what happens. Not to bad.

The bow is a wired ribbon, that too is worth it's weight in gold.

Pun intended. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Happy Birthday to me

2010-07-29T05:00:00.001-04:00

Myspace Graphics, Happy Birthday Graphics at WishAFriend.com

Birthday Blessings

Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings now,
As your birthday nears.

Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.

Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.

Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"

By Joanna Fuchs

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Blog redesign

2010-07-28T05:00:00.003-04:00

Time for another header change. I have one more custom made Raggedy Ann graphic to change to before I have to think about making some more. I really like swapping out my header about every 2 and 1/2 months and I do believe I will create more headers for the coming years. I'm not sure I will post all of them though as a surprise is better. Rest assure it will have to do with Ann and Andy, I just might mix a graphic of sewing within it.
We'll see. C&G Design

The Village-Church

2010-07-27T05:00:00.002-04:00

Going back to my note paper, I can see the church is to be white with a yellow roof. Other than that, what else? I know they have b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l stained glass windows, but how do you do that with a scale so small? You don't. You give your applique bright color so the playing participants can get the idea. I also put opening shutters along side the windows, just to dress it up a bit.

Following my drawing, and not really thinking, considering I made 2 black roof peak for the school, I made another peak roof for the church. If you look close you can see that I even stitched the centers to give it the appearance of a steeple. I guess I had to do it......but a peaked roof isn't going to work, back to the drawing board.

Much better, better color too.

Funny, this is a set to appeal to kids ages 3-7, a play set to help learn shapes and I can't figure a triangle plain from a regular triangle, oay vey.

I'll just figure the peaked roof to be used somewhere else. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Scrapbook, Scrapbook

2010-07-26T05:00:00.001-04:00

I was looking on the Internet the other day for some graphics, usually I come away disappointed because so much of it is for purchase. Imagine how excited I was to find a site with several free scrap booking sets. I was amazed. There are many, many sets that are free for the download.

The silver corners are sweet, there is also gold embellishments.

A whole section devoted to baby books,

and tags,

tags,

and more tags. I down loaded the plain outlined tags which has 15 pages. I like to grunge the yellow colored card stock. It gives it a aged look. I read shoe polish is the way to go for grunge.

Borders and frames.

All kinds of stuff.

Check them out, http://www.scrapbookscrapbook.com/

C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Village-Schoolhouse

2010-07-25T05:00:00.002-04:00

I had planned on unveiling my studio starting this week, I've decided it's about as done as it's going to get. My decision was to post on a studio item on Raggedy Wednesday and then get some really long shots of all the set-ups in the studio. The cutest blog on the block changed that and I'm having to post a new header on this coming Wednesday. It was really no big deal because I was due for a header change next week but it cramps everything else. Oh well, I can't complain they have nice backgrounds and maybe I'll still unveil.
Meanwhile, I had my first time at working with my new room and I'm loving it! I started two projects that have been in my thought for quite some time. The first involves glue drying so I will save that for later but look here.

This is my note page, for noting adjustment on the project pieces as I go. I had to start with a drawing though because I needed to get the ideas of the appliques, as it was I changed it all around anyway. I selected to start with the schoolhouse since it seems so elaborate.

Ah....I have my seamstress chalk and room for a ruler to make straight lines. I'm tickled with the chalk though, it will get use!

This village will be all felt and it will have unchangeable features to the houses. I'm not sure about making a complimentary mat yet, but it's a thought. Off to the sewing machine. Oh, did I mention everything is pinked?

I've limited the lettering and decided to best thing is to stitch the ones I am using. I had a question for a buyer on Etsy about the paint I use being non-toxic. The best I could say was to tell her the brands and let her know they are on the market. Anyway, it is touch and go while trying to write with a small zig-zag but I managed something close.

There are windows around the building with a fence on one side and two color shrubs with a tree on the other'

Of course you won't be able to see the full effects until I've put the foam inside but since I have a large piece, the rest of the village will be made up before I take the electric knife out of my kitchen.

Off to do the church. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

What!? Enough is enough!

2010-07-23T05:00:00.002-04:00

Can you see what this is? The photo quality is poor because as soon as I saw it, I was out of the room not to return until my husband came from work to get rid of it. He thought it was rather amusing. Another bat. I Swear! I saw this thing move it's head to look at me. I just knew it was keeping watch on me. The poor thing was dead though. I suspect the Siamese cat brought it in. The rolled up rug from Madame's room was where he had the luck to be. I don't think she found him palatable. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Veggie Garden

2010-07-22T05:00:00.002-04:00

I have really neglected my veggie garden this year, I spent so much of the late spring and early summer working on getting my studio organized and workable. The poor veggies are competing with grass for space.

This is a early morning photo from my bedroom window, you can see the swimming pool supports waiting for us to erect around a body of crystal clear water (I'm waiting!)
I took this photo early to show how big my pumpkin flowers are, by the middle of the day they close up, shying away from the heat.

The peas have been sparse and disappointing, I bought the cheap seeds and never will I do that again. Notice the trampoline, grrr...I'm losing more yard everyday.

Some of my flowers have done well in the 1 foot by length of the garden front. The blazing star have bloomed and my new day lilies have buds on them at this point. Time will show if they flower or not.

"Hello, Mr. Sunshine."

My lettuce has done o.k. but it is on the edge of the corn, which I don't really weed.

Beans are m-a-r-v-o-l-o-u-s!

My tomatoes are giving fruit but they look so scrawny, more tuft of grass are growing at their base.

And what about my corn? Well, as I said, I don't weed between the rows, I feel my bending does more damage to the stalks than what it is worth.

Did you ever see so much grass, it's more that what is on our yard and we are baffled as to where it came from. One sorrow plant and one clover was all I saw after 4 hours in the garden, but plenty of grass.

My summer squash is coming along.

So are the potatoes in the tires at the back of the garden. We had a few red potatoes left over so they made it to the top buckets, kind of late but there just the same.

Sooo, instead of watching me, can't you weed? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A Story

2010-07-21T05:00:00.004-04:00

Funny how unpacking boxes can bring a flood of memories back to you.

This is a little kit I bought for my son 17 years ago, we never opened it. I think it is from the seventies or eighties. Ann and Andy are of the later version.

How curious I am to hear the singing voices of this brother and sister! I'm not sure what happened that caused us to overlook opening this booklet and cassette tape but I'm glad I did. Perhaps my son wasn't the raggedy Ann and Andy type.

It's to new to be in any value book and for now it will stay in it's package.

But let there be ONE grandchild...it will be Christmas with Ann and Andy.

Hopefully cassette players will still be around. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Rugmaking

2010-07-20T05:00:00.003-04:00

My whole intention was to post about my veggie garden today but, since it rained yesterday we are stuck with another dollhouse item. This is supposed to be a checkbook cover but I think it makes the perfect dollhouse rug. I wish the kit came with a graph of the pattern but it only has the pre-printed canvas and a few tips on how to needlepoint.

Apparently someone had the same idea about it being a rug.
I purchased this kit in a box lot of dollhouse stuff.
It's like Christmas! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

A Lame-o Post

2010-07-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

Well, the experiment with Madame and the hexagon grannies did not go to well, she tried to follow the pattern but ended up with a ruffled flower. When I took her work apart I discovered she work one side of the hex and then another, I guess I should of explained "turn work" as crochet in the opposite direction. The really good thing about it all is that she knows how to crochet a granny square now, Yippee! And she loves doing it.
Anyway, I have been working like mad to get these hexagons done, I need about 280 to finish from here on in. I think it will go quick as long as Madame shares her yarn stash. I figured out tonight that there is a actual pattern to my blanket, ugh. I wish I knew that a while ago.
So, much to my surprise, guess who volunteered his time to ball my yarn? You want to what? You will be a while and while your at it....let me snap a picture for people to believe because I don't. Well, my husband believes this is a lame-o post.
I say...I need to replace your chair or make some antimadagascars for the arms! C&G Design
PS. I can do that now that I know where the gold velvet fabric is...

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Christmas in July

2010-07-18T05:00:00.004-04:00

I'm thinking that with all this heat and humidity New England is experiencing for the first time in a while, I might focus on a cooler subject....Christmas, it's not far away.
We have unpacked the last of the boxes from the attic space (now my studio), and a fondness fell over me. These are ornaments Madame made in first grade, the teacher was/is wonderful! This was a plain blue breakable bulb until Madame wrapped her painted hand around it, then with help, she made snowmen, so sweet.

A wired polka-dot heart made from a paper grocery bag.....

And a reindeer from another hand print. These are priceless to me. Babe made a few, a tin foil bell, a cotton ball bearded Santa. They are packed with the regular holiday decorations and this year....Madame's will too.

A wooden star with glitter.

This one is a cute notion, a tin punch from a frozen juice can end.

Feel cooler? Not! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

The Sewing Table

2010-07-16T05:00:00.001-04:00

This is my next furniture refinishing project, I picked it up for $12.00 and I think it's beautiful. It was a vanity table but it is going to be Madame's new sewing table. (And maybe mine!)

You can see where someone glued and stapled a cloth curtain around the stained (original) part. At one point I think the top was painted white.

When the arms are opened they expose 4 drawers with plenty of space. It's unique and the gas attendant who filled the trunk tank on the day this sat in the bed knew I was going to use it for sewing.

How did he know that? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Hexagon Grannies

2010-07-15T05:00:00.001-04:00

I'm still sorting, arranging, and grouping craft items together although I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This yarn stuff and the items at my craft table is it. Since I don't do a lot with yarn anymore I told Madame she could have it. I want the black, yellow, grey, brown and orange for doll hair, she was O.K. with that.
Well, I found another unfinished, yes....unfinished project in the yarn bag.

I told Madame if she wanted to try it, I'd figure out the pattern for her.

Big surprise...she would like to do it.

It's really pretty, it's this hexagon granny afghan. It kind of looks like a honeycomb. Notice how I faded to color themes.

It was somewhat easy to figure out because I had made some multi-colored hexagons and I could clearly see each row. What was hard to figure out was 'what size hook?' I guessed and started with a G since I mostly like to work with G, H, and I. Well, G was a tad too small....it is H.

I would say that I have about a quarter of this blanket done. It's long sided too.

I translated my notes into a pattern and I'm offering them as a freebie.

I hope it's understandable. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

My Newest Addition

2010-07-14T05:00:00.002-04:00

Hooray! I found another Raggedy Ann and Andy collectible while visiting goodwill about a month ago. I have just this place to hang it but it's a tad to big. It works over this window, even my husband said so. It's just.....I like a neater, cleaner transition to my walls. Oh well.....did I mention this is a coat rack? It's missing the wooden pegs that belong sticking out from the grass. Not a problem, I have plenty of wooden coat pegs.
I looked in my reference books for this particular item but it did not have this one, it had others close, like one wilt a mirror between them and one skipping while holding hands. My computer is acting up so I was unable to scan them in :( They are estimated between $40,00 to $50.00. I paid $7.99 and that's a high price for GW.

I guess they may be catching on to the Raggedy Ann items being collectible. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Some Different Dolls

2010-07-13T05:00:00.005-04:00

I have been so busy again I have nothing to blog about as far as crafts go. We had a wonderful surprise visit from my stepson yesterday and gosh! I did not recognize him! It was good yo see him! I felt like crying, he's in the Navy and it's been about 6 years since I last saw him at his graduation. He's a bit bigger than the skinny lil' guy I knew. Anyway, here are some unusual doll photos I have in My Pictures. Some of the dolls I have.....using the photo as a guide to restore and some......I like. Wonderful work. So here it goes.
This is thirsty walker by Horseman. I have her in the bald and na-kid form.

Pinocchio, I might have a rendition out of my wooden items.

A Deluxe Reading doll, I have her with only high heels!

I like this guy, I picked his photo up when I was doing paper mache.

And this is a cloth sculpture doll, can ya believe it?

And finally, this is Sally from American Character. I have her with a broken foot, she is composition and advertised as a Patsy look a like.

I really need to do a composition doll again,

it's a habit, without obvious withdrawal. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

2010-07-12T05:00:00.001-04:00

"Oh, what a rainy day.....I think I'll squish up in the corner of the window."
(Check out the pitch coming out of my window trim! The heat and humidity must be squeezing the last of it out!?!)"Anyway....it's too dreary outside." "I think I'll try this again."

"Ahhh, mush nicer, now there is space for my tail."

"Don't I look cozy?"

"Or at least I was....until that lady flashed when she was taking photos of me."

"Oh, back to the beginning with no space for my tail and pitch in my fur!" C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Annie Applebee

2010-07-11T05:00:00.006-04:00

I just went through my handmade crafts, relabeled them, and repacked them. Storage was a issue for myself and my husband. The crafts were upstairs but now they are stacked up in my bedroom closet. My husband has issues we me placing boxes in the knee wall, since we have blown -in insulation everything has to be placed on the supporting cross boards of the trusses, which are at a angle. I guess that makes everything leaning on the back of my shelving. Oh well, we shall figure it out.

Anyway, Annie Applebee is going on Etsy. I found her amongst the other things that are already listed on Etsy, I must of missed her.

She is 14 inches, made from burlap-hand stitched with the running stitch, along her outside seams. She has jute bows for hair.

She even has primitive bloomers and a five inch, time worn teddy.

ABC and the apples on her apron are fused and that is where her name comes from.

She's sweet. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

My Very First Antiqued Bisque Doll

2010-07-09T05:00:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited!!!When Madame and I went thrifting I found this beautiful bisque doll sitting alone on a shelf. Better yet.....the day we went it was 1/2 price on everything but green tag. My lady was yellow.....$6.99, that made her a whooping $3.50. I really was amazed to find there is a mold number on her breast plate, I kept repeating 1896, COD 2 DEP, as if I could conjure up what the letters and numbers meant. Her silk feels scrumptious and does the feathers of her boa.
.

I believe her hair is real human hair although it is really hard to tell, saran will have the same feel to it if it is kept exposed. She has to most marvelous pins in her hair and I can life the wig to see a head cap underneath. A lot of antique dolls were made with a entering hole on the top of their head so there was access to the sleep eyes, she has that hole.

The minute I saw the teeth, I kinda knew this doll is no ordinary porcelain doll. I really don't care to collect the breakable characters primarily because they all are......so pretty, it's hard to choose. I do have a few which I deem as unusual.

Searching on the Internet I found COD stands for 'Cuno Otto Dressel', Cuno and Otto are brothers, they had Dressel dolls which were manufactured from the 1700'2 to 1945 or there abouts. It was a business passed from one relative to another.

DEP is a marking Armand Marseille used, it was common place for the pricey doll head designers to sell molds to other companies and they did frequently. They were the top french bebe doll makers and today, the name is well sought after. Some people believe DEP is a registration mark from the french trade.

1896 stands for the series the doll falls under, portrait dolls.

She is stuffed with hard sawdust or rags, her legs are classic of the German dolls on the market.

I'm thinking she is not a reproduction as I found her mold numbers listed at several online auctions, most dolls had the sleep eyes but Simon manufactured some painted eyes. I wouldn't think the reproducer could use the mark or mold but who knows??

I still love her just the same. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

More Kits

2010-07-08T05:00:00.002-04:00

Madame and I went thrifting on Wednesday, we hadn't been for a long time.....what seems like forever. She likes to show and tell her father "I made her get this....." Ah.....wrongo! Let's see if there is a better attitude in there for the next time will ya? Anyhow, see what we got? I'm getting into Christmas because I have to! I love the felt ornaments and I cherish the idea I'll have this pattern when the kit is done. Look at the mon--key!

I apologize for the glare on the pictures but it is nighttime and the camera doesn't care for the darkness (who does?) Madame has vowed to do these little birdie ornaments, aren't they cute?!

I've always wanted to try my hand at homemade baskets and this is perfect.

Mr and Mrs Claus.....again with the Christmas. I can't even imagine someone giving a complete craft kit as a donation, I think maybe.....a half done item and the creator decided he/she didn't like it. A whole kit, hummm. Baffles me.

This little clown kit is going to be a guide to using my wooden knobs. I have an idea for my own design and I'm still going to give it a try but I need something successful for all the wooden items I have in stock. Oh-ho wait until you see.

Far too much for one crafter. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Sweet Treat

2010-07-07T05:00:00.001-04:00

I have to say.....this is a sweet treat from Lola. It's a Ann and Andy panel by Daisy Kingdom. It has everything to make a 25 inch set, all but the hair. It does explain how you are to do the hair though, and it's a simple procedure although time consuming. This is under the Simon and Schuster license which followed Bobs Merrill. I believe Simon and Schuster still has it today.

I have mixed feelings about sewing this or leaving it in the panel.

What do ya think? C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

4th of July Fun

2010-07-06T05:00:00.002-04:00

Wow! Is it hot here in New England right now. 90's for a temp and in some spots, over 100. Whew....
Anyway, we made it to my mother's home for the fourth of July. My husband set the fireworks off and they were wonderful this year. It's hard to tell what will work best for a show and what will be very fiery, but he did them justice.
I finally got the chance to pick up the packages Lola sent home from Florida with my mother when she made a trip down there in April. Such nice stuff Lola sent and such a nice lady. Look at the holiday fabric and 2 Christmas door panels, a large card holder and a ole' fashioned Santa pillow. I love the polar bear with the Santa, so old world.

These homespun fabrics are to die for. I was saying " look.....look.." to my husband as I was unpacking them. He teases me about the fondness I have for fabric.

Many blues too. You can't have too many blues, you can do so much with them.

This is the first photo I took of the fireworks and wow! I came out soooo good. The others didn't do so well.

There is more that Lola sent but it will "be continued" tomorrow.

Thank-you, Lola! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Cute Photos

2010-07-05T05:00:00.001-04:00

I had to sort some photos for Madame's moving on ceremony as we had a wonderful slide show, each kid got to submit 10 photos. Here are some we sent, I thought you'd like to see them. First day of school for madame, first day of fifth for her brother, Tartarus is about 6 1/2 years old.

Both kids won a autographed jersey and a letter of authenticity from the Seadogs and were allowed to meet the player on the field after the game, they were excited!

Aw.....

Halloween, 1st grade and 6th grade.

Just a really cute photo that made the slide show cut, it is the ending photo of a large show and it's one of my favorites. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

God Bless America

2010-07-04T05:00:00.001-04:00

Have a great Independence Day! C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.

Taco Salad

2010-07-02T05:00:00.001-04:00

Well, another week has gone by and everyday I have been working in the studio, sorting 10 years worth of craft collection, cleaning, and folding. I'm exhausted but the end is near.
I can not wait until I can use my room and start back at creating things, I have missed it, and....I have next to nothing to post about.
So today I tell you about the summer dance class Madame started. She was not excited about continuing her activity thru the summer but having a desire to be on point shoe, she understood.
Anyway....she is taking this class with a good friend and her parents own a restaurant in the same block building, the mom offered to take her out to eat and bring her home. That left me alone for supper, the other two in the house worked a concert circuit. Oh, what to have for supper, I think I can manage to open a can of vienna sausage and back to the studio.
Madame had a good time but she discovered her eyes are bigger than her stomach, see what she brought home? We gobbled into the late evening, it was g-o-o-d. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,C&G Design.