Plaster Doll-Arms and Legs

My plaster doll is slowly moving from a WIP to a actual sculpture, and I'm starting to be pleased with it although I still have a ways to go. You can see how the premise of the limbs work with being anchored by the copper wire.

The legs were a little more difficult than the arms. I want to have a "sitting" position from my doll so instead of creating a straight, immobile limb,

I crafted a joint, it's comprised of 4 copper loops. One on the end of the upper leg and then the lower leg. Of course, I still have my outlet holes for joining to legs to the doll. (You can tell spring is springing, sorry about the picture, the bright sun through my skylight prevented my flash from going off!)

Ah, a better photo. Anyway, I had to do some weird positions with the plaster tape, because the tough thing is getting the joints joined while adhering a loop in position to the leg. I still have to glue them in place because while they are in, it won't last the swinging of the doll leg.

Stay tune, more sanding and plaster coating. C&G Design.

Hall of Famer

Raggedy Ann Finally Makes It



Dateline 03/30/02



It's taken five times, but it finally happened. Raggedy Ann fans around the world were taking it very persona that she was not in the National Hall Of Fame. Last year Tonka and Silly Putty were the only inductees--yes, they belong in the Hall Of Fame, but certainly not any more than Raggedy does.



Last year's denial was the final straw and Raggedy Ann lovers around the world decided to take things in their own hands, advertising her poor plight. Apparently it worked as thousands of petitions, letters and signatures deluged the selection committee over the past year. There were over 90 nominees trying to win the coveted spot, but only two were lucky enough to make it.



On March 27, 2002, The National Toy Hall Of Fame announced that Raggedy Ann and the Jigsaw Puzzle were the inductees for 2002.

C&G Design

The Leprechaun

By Robert Dwyer Joyce 1830-83 In a shady nook one moonlight night,


A leprechaun I spied



In scarlet coat and green of cap,


A cruiskeen by his side

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'Twas, tick, tack, tick, his hammer went,


Upon his weeny shoe,



And I laugh to think of a purse of gold,


But the fairy was laughing too.

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With tip-toes step and beating heart, Quite softly I drew night.

There was mischief in his merry face, and twinkle in his eye;

He hammered and sang with a tiny voice, And sipped the mountian dew;

Oh, I laughed to think he was caught at last, But the fairy was laughing too.

*****************************************************

As quick as I thought I grasped the elf, "your fairy purse", I cried,

"My purse" he said "tis in her hand that lady by your side."

I turned to look, the elf was off, and what was I to do?

Oh, I laughed to think what a fool I'd been, And the fairy was laughing too.

******************************************************

Have a happy St. Patrick's Day. C&G Design

Happy about Horseman

I found this little girl in the bin at Goodwill, she was $.99, I was ecstatic when I saw she is marked "Horseman". If you enlarge the photo you'll see she still has her hairnet (thank goodness for Macro!) but she's not a waitress! She is a new doll so not very collectible but I don't care, she is intact and someday she will be in the value books. Horseman is one of the oldest doll makers, having the rights to Mary Poppins, Poor Pitiful Pearl and various others. My favorite!

Ohhhh, and she has her shoes!

She is "Alice" from Alice in Wonderland! C&G Design.

P.S.--Visit Karrita from My Mother's Garden to read a interview she has posted about me and some of my crafts.

Negotiating with Needlepoint

I think my title is quite appropriate since I really did not need more needlepoint kits and I will be letting Madame do a few. Which few though, I have only my bell pull left from the existing needlepoint and these may not be easy for her. The above photo is luggage straps, isn't that a cool kit?

This one is cute too, it says;

Upon this sampler

you may see

my name,

birth date,

my friends an me.

This one can be read and it falls in the same cuteness category, but they both are small counted cross stitch and not a good choice for Madame.

Ah ha! We have a winner, maybe. It's a good choice because it's one stitch and it's a small project so the reward will be quick. Loop stitch which is a tight loop with a loose loop. Trim apart loose loops when completed.

Then again, candlewicking is fun, the thing about this one is the white on white, that's the candlewicking. The white is cotton thread that doesn't twist and here you see french knots, hummmm...

Another small counted cross stitch. Not a good one.

This is the only kit that came without the yarn, I have plenty though. Maybe. It's large and forgiving in it yarn stitches. Whew, I'm glad I have the photo of it.

And wha-la! This is why I paid $2.99 for the whole sch bang!

It's roses too. C&G Design

Pink Twinkle

Madame and I were going through some boxes in storage this week and she came across this beaded doily. She gasped and pleaded to have it for her room. Of course it was dirty, so I sent it through the dishwasher. Ha! The camera doesn't really pick up the twinkle of the faceted beads but it is truly pretty.

And while we are on the subject of pretty, Madame also got a new silk sweater for dance class. Here she is modeling it.

It's a short waisted sweater with sequins and beads in the center of the sequins. It moves greatly when worn and although some of the reflection look purplish, it really is pinkish!

Fly on over to How Sweet The Sound and see more pink twinkle stars.

C&G Design

Look who's 50 with a lifty? Be kind, not a day over 29.

March 9,1959, I wasn't around yet, but I know it was a big deal for Barbie. It's her birthday and she is 50 this year. The above picture is what she looked like when released, her creator, Ruth Handler, a shrewd believer in Barbie, marketed a "teen aged fashion model" at New York's Annual American Toy Fair. The namesake is inspired after the Handler's daughter's, Barbara Joyce.

Throughout the first decade of Barbie, many icons and Hollywood scarlets have influenced how she dressed. Grace Kelly, a very elegant lady, had a big role in the "Enchanted Evening" attire.

And Jackie Kennedy inspired the classic wardrobe she was so demure in wearing.

I can't help but notice Barbie is blond in this photo!

By the seventies, sales had dropped and Barbie sustained another redesign, she became "MOD" and so did much of her friends and family. Non traditional careers were added to her vast line of work, Barbie was a Surgeon! The decade of the sixties saw Barbie as a ballerina, stewardess, nurse, graduate career girl and candy stripper volunteer.

The eighties, ah, the eighties, I remember them well! Big hair and glitz and Barbie was no exception. Calvin Klein came on board the Barbie band to design flashy gowns in deep hues and golden glitter! Must be nice! The "World Collection" is started on the market, Barbie was multicultural including a Eskimo and Royal Barbie (England).

The nineties created a much sleeker version of Barbie, she also became a force in the navy, marines, presidential candidate, police officer and baseball player. A hearty switch from the 70's and 80's where she was a Olympic athlete, skier, aerobic instructor, UNICEF ambassador, oh and yah, she was in the Army first, 1989!

Bob Makie and Bill Blass......more pricey designers.

I wanted to mention another release of Barbie, she was made in the mid nineties, if memory serves me right, she was a 'ordinary' version. Mattel was having a lot of feedback about Barbie having an unrealistic, unobtainable figure and decided a closer hero of little girls would be a doll with wider hips and less chest. She wasn't on the market long because little girls didn't want them! Sales declined, and so much for parents opinions on the matter.

I think she looks regal in the 2000's, although 50 this year she still looks very fresh, spirited, and friendly while appearing mature and experienced. By now Barbie has had two boyfriends.
Mattel has released "Anniversary Barbie" to celebrate Barbie turning 50, they are also pricing her single boxed version (no accessories) at $3.00 this week, the original price she sold for in 1959. Normally $13.00.

What will the century celebration bring? C&G Design