dollhouse

Dollhouse is done and in the process of being raffled.

Summer 2009

Labor weekend is hours away and the end of summer is nigh. I had a couple of fantastic trips this year with Mr. Dave and recently managed to sort through the film and pictures for recaps posted on youtube. During each trip I filmed Dave giving a shout-out to Thomas Peters at americanpapist.com with evocative scenic backdrops. (like Dave standing next to a canon at Gettysburg with Devil’s Den in the background) Even my paltry video skills looked not too bad with those kind of backdrops.

The first was back in May when we did a Southern Exposure tour. Savannah, GA, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, SC and a few places in between. My first time to the deep south and it was a feast for the senses and plenty of history to keep my my brain happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhuHANgiOic

The second trip was in August to Cape May, New Jersey with a stop over at a favorite haunt – Gettysburg. Having been to Gettysburg numerous times before, spending just a late afternoon is enough to make a visit to Little Round Top, Devil’s Den and Dobbins Restaurant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMliaVEjbF0

It is my hope to squeeze in a mini Michigan adventure between now and when the snow flies. A trip to the beach or an interesting destination picked from the Weird Michigan book for a laugh.

camera

Enjoying my pocket camera. Noon hour walks are more interesting right now with all the wildlife and plant in full summer mode.

Beach Bound

First my mom and I went to Van Buren Beach State Park. It was busy with a lot of people enjoying the sand, sun and water.  We didn’t stay long. Just enough to take a wander and buy my annual State Park pass.

Then we drove up Blue Star Highway to South Haven. My mom had never been to South Haven before. I drove through the tourist section and it was, naturally, congested with people doing the Sunday Beach Town Stroll. No pictures as I had to keep my eyes on the road and we didn’t stop for a walk.

Next I drove her up North Shore Drive to look at the fancy houses on the water and we found a vacant lot on a side road. One of these days I expect there will be a  “no trespassing” sign or a house on the lot but for now, a great private view of the water. Downside to this piece of land is the steep drop to the water. I just wanted to pitch a tent, pull out the binoculars and soak up the scenery. Wish I could bottle the air too. Mixture of water, sand and plants characteristic of Lake Michigan,

Here is my mom doing her Carol Channing impersonation (big sunglasses ☺ )

Another view with out the model. To the left is South Haven’s pier just visible on the photo down the coast

And here she is doing her usual “What flower/weed is this?”

Another example

Another DOF example from today.

DOF

Depth of Field camera test today.

Bad Manors Squirrel Diner

Bad Manors Squirrel Diner Just too funny!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bad-manors-squirrel-diner-live

Finished! .

I think I’m finished. . . for the moment. Will let these beauties rest and contemplate if I need to change an accessory or two. Dolls will be placed in Easter baskets and given away to our department’s student secretaries. A combination holiday and end of year thank you gift for these students who help us out so much in the busy main office.

Doll pattern made by Emily Martin. Link on her blog Inside a Black Apple to the Martha Steward Show for the pattern (not for commercial use) Thank you Ms. Emily!

a few hours later.. five hours to be more exact

Progress being made. need to take a break and wander outside for a bit of fresh air and letting my eyeballs stretch from having to concentrate on myopic work. One of the things about having a quiet contemplative weekend home alone is I can work on a project and listen to audio files at the same time. With this still being Lent, many good talks can be found on the internet to download or stream.

My place however, is a tad trashed now.

creating a mess

Had a odd interest in creating dolls for Easter. These will go for student secretaries at work along with a basket and Easter egg or two. I’ll suggest of course the dolls can be given to a younger sibling in their family.

phase one

What takes the most time for me is fussing with what colors will go together. Hair and skin matches the student. That part was easy. (well, yellow isn’t exactly the color of the hair but felt selection was limited).

Now I need to start painting faces and cut out legs before the stitching begins