I’m not dead, just dragging. I’ve actually been working on some projects that don’t take much energy or thinking… and that I can work on while I rot my brain watching TV. I think it is a VERY bad sign that I have opinions about shows like What Not To Wear, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,like ’em. And Crafters Coast to Coast, really spotty- geesh, they mix amazing artists with totally clueless people… they show people doing stupid and dangerous stuff- like airbrushing underglazes without a face mask- are these people crazy! Okay, I’ve been watching way too much TV.
So this is what I’ve actually accomplished- my scarf is done

And I am working on my longest unfinished project. I made this quilt top before I had any kids… so that’s at least 21 years ago. About 3 years ago I decided I really ought to finish it.

Unfortunately, I somehow thought it was a good idea to hand quilt it- silly me. It’s one of those things where by the time you realize it was a bad idea, it is too late to change your mind. So, it’s still not finished. I am making progress though- I have now finished stitching a 2 block by 2 block grid over the quilt. Not quite sure what I’ll do next.

When I looked at this pile of dolls this morning, I thought that they illustrated exactly how I am feeling- Sick- cough, cough, blech. Actually, today there is a ray of hope- I am feeling better enough that I have started a knitting project-

It is a triangular scarf. I am using a pattern from Wendy Knits!. I know it’s kind of crazy to be starting scarfs in mid-March, but I am convinced that this winter will never end.
I love the internet. I have never learned how to read knit patterns or what different stitches are. With Google, I just type in “yarn over” and I have pages of explanations. If I read several, I am bound to find someone who will explain it in a way I can understand! Hurray!

I’ve been busy, busy, but not much time for dolls. Some dear friends were in town (Boston) for 3 days at a convention for art teachers. They have a company that sells Twisteez, a plastic coated wire product. Just about the whole family was there, including Harold, who was my art teacher in High School, Sandy, who was my best friend in High School and is now my brother’s wife, my nieces and nephew, and lots of the other siblings, spouses and children. It was great to see them all and participate in the convention. I came home with a bag full of goodies too! Free Sharpie markers including a retractable sharpie- cool!, craypas, crayons, an erasable marker(!). I also bought some sketch books and brushes. Lots of fun, but very tiring!
Now that they have all gone home, I am trying to get Julian ready for his trip to Japan. I’m driving him down to New York on Thursday. He and Eleanor fly out on Friday morning. I am working on my shopping list. Lucky them!

On Friday I spent the afternoon learning about slopers. We made a basic bodice pattern for my newest dolls. I am hoping to transfer what I learned to all the other naked bodies around my workspace.

The picture shows the basic shirt/bodice I made from the pattern we drafted. Next, I will try to make it into something else!

Today was doll club. Lois did a demonstration/workshop of weaving little paper baskets- suitable for dolls to carry. I was reading through my blogs this evening and came across this great post about paper weaving on Art For Housewives.

Here is my Gourd head doll, Hope, holding the basket. I took Hope to the meeting because this summer I will teach a 2 day workshop on making a gourd head child doll. This will be my first workshop teaching experience! By doing it through my doll club, I am hoping they will be patient and understanding…

I am making progress on the blue sweater- I have started the sleeves. I like how the color patterning is working.

Kitty #4 found a new home today with Jean from Doll Club. Enjoy!

I am feeling very unsettled these days. Too much stress in real life is keeping me from focusing clearly. I keep starting new things and not doing the things I should be doing. Todays project- a doll sweater out of sock yarn. On Friday I am going to spend an afternoon with someone who is going to teach me about pattern making. Knowing that I will be doing this, I am waiting to start dressing my new dolls. But a sweater doesn’t need pattern making.

More dye tests-

Clairol Ultress 8N Light neutral blond- horrible. A very light grey purple.
Clairol Ultress 5RO Auburn- (on tibetan lambswool) -pretty good, though a bit too light in color for my taste.

Yes it is snowing, but I am trying to think about spring. My seeds are beginning to germinate in their pots and I am trying to make some crochet flowers.

Another snow day today- no school. That is 5 so far this winter. Peter will end up going to school all the way through June!

Over the weekend I did some more tests with dyeing fur. I bought various types of human hair dye. I went to an outlet that sells “professional” beauty supplies- i.e., they don’t come in a pretty box, they don’t have much in the way of directions, they don’t include rubber gloves and they aren’t any cheaper. I also went to Walgreens and bought a variety of “home use” dyes. I bought some that were on sale (Clairol Ultress, under $3), one that was a color I liked (Clairol Hydrience 04, too much $) and 2 boxes of Clairol Balsam color($3 plus) that worked last time.

My results so far- The professional color, Blond, was a failure. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I ended up with nice white fur- no color at all. The Ultress was a Black dye (color 1N). It had too much grey cast to it, once it was dry. Next I tried the blond, Hydrience. That worked well and so did my second attempt with the Balsam color. In the picture is pearl lamb, a very short fur and the cashmere goat, long hair.

One dye package will dye at least 12 inches by 6 inches of the long haired fur, which is approx. 2 wigs.