A tisket a tasket

UPDATE: The space that my partner and I were going to move our shop into did not work out.  We were two days away from signing paperwork, and we got the call.  It was heartbreaking, but we decided that we could find something better.  For now, I am working on a website where we will conduct our business.  I will have more details on that, coming soon....

In my crafting life, I have begun making dolls again.  It used to be that for each of my friends' birthdays I would make them a doll that was fashioned in their likeness.  I haven't done that in years though.  In fact, it wasn't until recently that I have begun making dolls again. 

It used to be that I was only making cloth dolls, but I have recently taken to altering plastic dolls, such as barbies. Here is one I made at the request of my daughter....

 

I hand stitched all the beads and such onto her outfilt, and made her headpiece and various bits of jewelry from Creative Paperclay.  It is an awesome clay.  It is water based, and dries to a porcelain like clay.  It hardens without baking.  I am currently working on this mermaid, made from the same clay and the remains of a doll attacked by our puppy....

 

Trust me, it was not easy to find two shells small enough to be cover her wee breasts.  All she needs now is to have her hair done, her makeup, and some fabulous jewels!

This last doll I made one evening while hanging out with a friend.  We decided it was time to get back into sewing doll.  I decided to make mine a fairy.

My daughter, who assisted me in painting the doll's face, named her Flower Rosey Daisy.  I thought that was a good name for a fairy. 

Crazy Busy in this Crazy Life!!

So, as you may recall from my last post, I am busy working on my boutique and getting life in line for doing that.  The space that we had been offered did not work out as planned.  This, indeed, was a disappointment, but not the end for Modern Edwardian.  Our search continues to find a more ideal space for our physical presence.

In the meantime, I have been working on our website.  It is coming along quite nicely.  I cannot wait to have something to publish online and share with you all.  I am hoping that will be possible in just a short month!!

In other news, (very exciting news, indeed), my work has been featured on a blog!! YEAH!  GreenMan's Grotto is the name of the blog.  You really must check it out.  It is fabulous.  Just click on the Green Man below to be transported....

The Works

So, Sunday my partner and I go and look at a possible retail space.  We are going into business!! That is what I have been bubbling over about, unable to sleep or shut down my overactive mind.  Yesterday, we got our DBA, and it is looking very much like this is actually going to happen for us!!  Oh, the excitement is at 11.

Care to know the name of this little venture of ours?  The Modern Edwardian ~ For those with a Flair for the Dramatic.  You like?  I have also put together a few logo/promotional designs.  I will post them here so you can tell me what you think.

That is the first design.  I did another version of it, that is just a different color, but it gives it a whole new look.

This one is not as simple, but quite in line with the style and presentation we are looking to convey.

 

And the last one, though I will likely make many more, is this.  It could easily be converted to a business card, once we are sure of the location....

 

 

Wish us well, and let us know what you think of the designs.

Christmas In July!!

www.,I have named today's post Christmas in July for many reasons. One reason is that I am participating in the Etsy-wide sale of the same name.  All of the items in my Etsy shop will be offered for 20% off this month; you need only input the coupon code CIJ20 at checkout. So happy shopping at my shop and thousands of others who are participating this month!

The sale is only one of the many reasons July is feeling like Christmas.  This month is shaping up quite nicely:

• I got a library card and have been exercising this fine privilege.
• I have begun a workout regimine with a dear friend
• My book (the one I have begun writing) is coming along swimmingly!
• I am feeling a huge creative surge, and have been able to bring many ideas to fruition.

Some reasons I am not at liberty to speak of, but as soon as I am, I will be posting here immediately.... 

Another 4th of July has come and gone...

Yesterday was the 4th of July.  Austin was fairly dead.  There were no festivities to be had, so many of the the folks that normally crowd the streets of our fair city did not come into town.  I didn't much mind this.  I prefer less people in most situations.

Most of the day, the family and I lounged around the yard.  I put up the hammock and relaxed.  I have realized that there have not been enough hours spent on that hammock. I am going to have to make up for that in the coming weeks.

In the evening, a good friend joined us for a trip out to Georgetown, where they were still having a fireworks display.  Here are some of the resulting photos.

I love the many colors in this photo....

 

This photo reminds me of a jellyfish.....

How about this for a bit of crazy fun?

 

And this looks like the Big Finale......

Much fun was had by all.  What did you do on your 4th?

Grandma's Cookbook Collection Part II

Today I am featuring another of Grandma's exquisite cookbooks.  This one is from 1958 and is put out by Good Housekeeping.  The title is Book of Salads.  Check out the front cover, super chic.

 

 Note that this sold for only $.39. What a steal!  I really love the artwork in this cookbook.  It takes kitsch to a higher level.

 

This very precious book has illustrations of this sort on every page.  My favorite, however, is the one for Green Goddess Salad.  Honestly, I though this sort of salad was a modern invention... Learn something new every day....

And, finally, a peek at one of the fabulous full color photos....