working on…

Packaging up the new magnet sets. Until I ran out of bags. Now I am waiting for new ones to arrive.

Hard copy patterns. I still have to make the cds. Each step is a learning process, including getting my files to the printer.

And the dolls. In progress and also a few are being re-thought and tweaked.

Countdown to Renegade.

tattooed girl with bow

Yes, I am having trouble coming up with names here. And, I am thinking that when it takes 3 tries to do the face- embroider, pick out, embroider, pick out…- it is probably time to move onto a different kind of doll.

I am working on all that other stuff that needs to be done before a show. Labeling, packaging, organizing. And, I ordered a new tent of my very own. No more borrowing from the neighbors. I’ve got myself a summer intern from MassArt. She is helping me with some of the prep work.

And some very exciting news- my husband has a new job and he will be going to Paris for the last week of June. I am going to tag along because, guess what, I CAN!!!! The kids are all grown up now! I have SO been waiting for this moment….  Ahem.

Anyway, he is going to be very, very busy and I am going to be doing whatever I want to do. Any ideas? I know the obvious things like the museums. Which, even though I’ve been to Paris (last time in 2002) I’ve never been to. I am interested in meet-ups, crafty places, any place that would be of sewing and fabric interest. I would even be willing to teach a class if someone wanted to gather some people together. The rub is that I don’t speak French. Leave a comment or email me (mimik@pobox.com) if you have some great ideas. Thanks!

grey-haired, mostly bald dude

but let me butt in here to mention that today is my wedding anniversary- 30 YEARS! Woohoo!

And now back to regularly scheduled programming.

I had fun playing with my variegated grey floss to do the hair. More applied ears on this one-

He has the Statue of Liberty and the White House on his toile/tattoos.

And, the poppies are blooming!

to minnesota and back

So much going on!

We’ve been to Minnesota and are back. Another child graduated from college. I think we are getting pretty good at this!

Let me see- so much to report. An article/interview about me was published in my local weekly paper and is online here. The article happened because of the firemen with dolls photo that my husband forwarded to the local paper.

I had a wonderful blogger meet-up in Minneapolis and I am sending a HUGE thank you to Kristin! Firstly, although I brought my camera, I forgot to take any photos- typical. She did not forget and did this lovely post. She hosted 4 of us for a delicious lunch and we talked craft and internet and blogging and kids and thrifting and … yes, on and on. There was Erika, Susan (and her post on the day) and Susan’s daughter Hannah who has a blog but I didn’t catch the name. Then, after the party broke up, Kristin showed me her school and drove me around to meet back up with my family. Terrific!

Then, lots of graduation festivities. I’m not really sure how much Julian wants to be outed so I’ll just show a piece of him-

Hurray! Or, as he would say, Huzzah.

Sunday was spent doing some Minneapolis things- a farmers market, the Walker, the sculpture park, the downtown library, an Eleanor conducted tour of the Guthrie and a lot of just walking around.

I am exhausted now but tomorrow it is back to work- only 2 1/2 weeks until Renegade!

wips

I’m off to Minneapolis tonight. It always seems to take me a few days to get back into things, once I return. I am leaving some partly finished dolls, all ready to work on. I am hoping this will help me jump back into the studio when I return.

3 tattooed ladies and one tattooed man-

And here is what I am stitching- a grey-haired, mostly bald dude. I’m having fun with my variegated floss.

See you next week!

strong man

I had some fun taking photos in various places. Ben’s chair-

His gladiator sandals. They ended up being the most work on this fellow- sewing all the little straps on. They are worth it though- just what I had in mind. I see the photo has a bit of white stuffing on the black fabric- too late to fix that photo!

busy times

That week flew by. And now a new one begins. Happy Mothers Day!

My tree peony bloomed- always a treat.

We’ve had some crazy weather in the few days since I took the photos- wild thunderstorm, torrential rain and now some very windy weather. The plant is looking a bit tussled today. The flowers rarely last more then a week so I appreciate them while I can.

On Friday night I went to the MassArt Senior Fashion Show: Current 2010.  I was offered complimentary tickets (not sure how I got on that list!)- it is not something I would ordinarily think of going to. Well, it was so much fun! I have never been to anything like it- there was the runway, the models, the collections. I tried to find photos but there wasn’t much. I did find this one of my favorite dress of the evening. I hope I can go next year- it was a blast!

Saturday, doll club. We did needle felting. I will not be changing over to needle felting any time soon. Sorry about no pics- the photos I took were too awful to post.

And today. Working on- gladiator sandals.

Maybe too much fiddly work. Piled on the table are men in progress, paper pattern pieces, fabric marking tools, trims…

And the desk, looking cleaner then usual.

This coming week will focus on finishing those guys and then I’m off to Minneapolis on Thursday for J’s graduation. Life seems to have suddenly shifted to high speed.