Working on Jolena, an African American Doll

For those who don't know, I took a very hard fall about two weeks ago and ended up in the Emergency Room. I've not been able to walk or work until yesterday, so haven't gotten much done. But today I felt better and so I worked for a while on a little African American doll I've been wanting to rescue.

Here is a photo of Jolena before her hair wash.  Here hair was VERY matted and took a long time to comb out.

In order to comb out the mats, I soaped up her head.

Once I'd bathed her and combed out her shampooed hair,

I took off her make-up.

When her hair dried tonight,

I spent about an hour giving her a 

loose double-twist hair style.

The very back didn't hold the twist well.

Once I have her painted, 

I'll try to tighten it up.

I think she is going to be awfully cute!

Now how to dress her ???

Block Party!

Our neighborhood is having a block party today. 

We do this once a year 

and it's a great way to get to know the folks who live around us. 

We get a permit to block off our street. 

We have a barbecue potluck, games, and a dessert contest. 

So today I'm pretty busy with that.  

But I've been working on a new little doll, and she's almost finished.

She has cute little overalls with snails on them and a green teeshirt.

I've also been knitting tops 

and tried my hand at a matching hat this week.

I was contacted about doing a holiday Craft show in Tigard, Oregon last week,

and sent in the application and fee today.

It's going to be quite a large show 

and I'm hoping to sell many of my dolls.

So if there's one you especially like,

you may want to nab her now.

Have a great weekend!

Annie

Sleepy Suzie

Today it was hot as heck and I woke up around 4 am and worked out in the garden until 8:30. Then I popped into the studio and painted "Sleepy Suzie."

Adele is Learning to Ice Skate!

When I first saw Adele, I thought she might be too far gone for my shop.

But I think she turned out really cute!

Her pink hair is just modern enough for Portland, Oregon,

and she comes with ice skates as well as boots.

Ellie Loves to Rollerskate!

Ellie LOVES to roller skate!

She is dressed in a pair of jeans and a simple teeshirt.

Her hair is in cute braids.

Doesn't she look better now?

Ellie had a few "chew marks" on her right leg from prior play.

I completely sanitized her body.

Then I made a permanent "ace bandage" from moldable plastic.

I've included a pair of cute boots in her package,

in case she wants to wear a dress.

These little dolls sometimes come with "boo-boos" and I do my best to mention them in the ad so there are no surprised.

The problems are always cosmetic, and when dressed, don't show.

I feel they are worth saving, even if imperfect.

Don't you agree?