Thursday, December 30, 2010

Where was my head?

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.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merriest Christmas to you all!

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.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Too Sweet!

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.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Another Musicbox

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.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Bell of the Ball

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.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Things that make you go humm....

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.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A Bevel of a Army

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.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

BOM #5

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.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

BOM #3

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.

Friday, November 12, 2010

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

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.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

BOM #2


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.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

What I spend money on.....

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.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

BOM

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.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Just Call Me Miss 1 Percent


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.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

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.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Staying in Touch

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.

Friday, October 22, 2010

What!?!


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.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Raggedy Ann Grandparents

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.

Monday, October 18, 2010

My Next Challenge

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.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Snowflakes

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.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

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.

Monday, October 11, 2010

What Kathleen Sent Me

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.

Friday, October 8, 2010

A Short Note on my Progress

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.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

What a sweetheart!

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.

Monday, October 4, 2010

A sad day

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.