A few of my flowers....

Well, things are really quiet right now......it's summer and people have other things on their minds....vacations, family reunions, Back to School....and just general summertime events.  I walk in the morning, do my exercises for my back (which is getting much better, BTW) and working in the flower and vegetable gardens.  Our tomatoes are ripping and we will have an abundance of those as well as cantaloupe's, the bell peppers are sort of crazy this year too.  But it's my flowers that bring me the most joy.  Here's some photos of my petunias this year....and a photo or two of my Passion Flower vine.  I've always loved the Passion Flower.  I remember it from my childhood....I was fascinated by them (still am)....so when I found some plants this year, I bought them.  In NE the Passion Flower is an annual, but in CA they are a perennial and the vines get really, really big.....ours grew up and over the backyard fence.  The Passion Flower itself, only lasts one day, but it sure is a pretty thing.

 These two are the Passion Flowers....the bloomed about 3 days apart....

 This is my "pink" wall.  I planted Supertunias along the retaining wall this year and the request of Hubby....
They cascade down the wall....They aren't just a pretty 'face' either, they smell really good too.

Spring is working really hard at it's arrival in Nebraska.  We have some warm and sunny days and then we have days like today, grey, cloudy, windy and almost cold.  I do have a some early flowers though...that are always a pleasing sight for me....means warmer days ahead.  I've got most of the flowers planted...still have to do the north side of the house and the pots in front of the studio to finish.  The garden is planted too....we even have a tomato or two set.  This is our first year at the garden...we've put it off because we have many bunnies, but we learned a little secret that gardeners use around here to keep bunnies away from places you don't want them to be......Irish Spring Soap!  I cut the bars in 1/4's then put a piece of soap in sock, or nylon or fabric, whatever you have handy, I use a cut up laundry bag I bought at the store....then tie the fabric off with wire or string.  I hung my pieces about 4 inches above the ground.  It works great!!!  The garden is small this year...want to see how we do before we go nuts....we can always enlarge it next year.  Here's some photos of some of my early flowers...

These are some of my single Columbines.....

This is a double blossom Columbine.  The flower itself is smaller than the single blossom, but it sure is pretty.

 I also tried a Black Petunia this year.....only one, just wanted to see what it looks like with other flowers.  It sure a different Petunia....looks like black velvet up close.  I think once everything else grows up the black Petunia will be a beautiful accent flower.

 Close up of the black Petunia...

The Garden

I've been working on a display in my studio.  First, I had to find several prints that would blend with each other in a 108 inch spand. Let hunt was on!  I went to Hobby Lobby and started pulling different prints and placing them next to each other to make sure they would work well as one back drop.  I had them all lined up so I could step back and take a look.  I'm sure the people at Hobby Lobby weren't all that thrilled, but I put everything back so they didn't say much.  Then I bought foam boards.  Took everything home and glued the prints down on the foam board.  A garden needs grass.....off to Maynard's for "grass".....Finally I worked over the next couple of weeks adding flowers, swings and little details to make the display come to life.  It turned out wonderful and it makes the perfect photo background for girls that are 14 inches or smaller.  Too fun...Next is "Bea's Cafe."  Bea needs a remodel....after moving a couple of times, it's time to spruce things up at Bea's!

This is the full display.....my girls love their garden....so many things to see and girls to visit.

 The far left hand side of the display....Marilyn (bru) is located art the far left, Lily is at the fence visiting with Aiko.  Jackie is in the blue dress.  Little Lou stop her bike ride to visit a bit with Yvette...Poko is in the basket on Little Lou's bike.

This is the far right side of the display....Fripon is greeting Lisa May and Kathy is making sure he doesn't jump and stain her dress.

 Middle portion of the display....Charmine (back) is sitting on the garden swing getting ready to eat her apple, while Yvette pets Poko.

 Another view of the right side of the display.

 Ali shows Marilyn her little Googliwog as they discuss whether they should go to lunch at Bea's.

 Lily and Aiko are also trying to decide where to go for lunch.

Busy time.....

Good afternoon all.  Bringing you up-to-date on things at The Doll Lady, Inc. and a bit of our personal life......Jerry and I went to Colorado for Christmas and spent our time visiting with Jerry's brother, Don.  Don is a musician and also does a lot of his own writing and arrangements.  We didn't get to see the deer like we did last year.  The weather cooperated on the way out there and on the way back.  The 24th was my Birthday....I remember when I was a lot....and I mean a lot younger, my Dad told me, "You will reach a time in your life, that your Birthday is just another day."  As a child, I couldn't imagine that to be true, but I have to admit, now that I'm one year shy of going on Medicare....he was right.  It was just another day.  Jerry took me out for breakfast and then we took a drive.  When we returned to Norfolk it was time for dinner and we went to Napole's Italian Restaurant.   The animals were very happy to see us when we got home, especially my little Rose.  She is really showing her age more and more, but she still gets around OK, isn't in pain and knows what time dinner is served.  I sure do love that little dog.  I've been working on some new girls...I'll bet that doesn't surprise you.  Also a little guy, named Alex.  He is really cute.  I put a funky wig on him for something different...it seems to suit him.   He's got a great personality too.  Also took some new photos of Brooke....the last set of photos just didn't do her justice.  She's a very cute little girl but it was hard to tell until these latest photos.  Carrie is another little sweetheart as is Aiko and her brother Akio.  Oh and not to forget Miss Bellette, I've always loved this girl.  She is such a beautiful Jumeau mold.  I also finished my 2014 Valentine's Days Premiere.  Who has already found a home.   You may view additional photos on my website:  TheDollLadyinc.com ---link available on my blog.

 Aiko is wearing a red Suzie Wong style dress, she has a beautiful mohair wig and brown eyes.

 Her brother, Akio had on a two-piece gold and black outfit, mohair wig and dark brown eyes.

 Bellette is her lovely self.  Dark green eyes and an auburn human hair wig.

 One Brooke's new photos....

 This is sweet Carrie....blue eyes and a pale blonde mohair wig.

 This is Alex....his sister, Ali is watching him very closely.....

2014 Valentine's Day Premiere was created from the Seeley Premiere mold.

Some of my newer girls wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.                                                                              

 301 Momo style Bleuette.  

Alissa or Ali for short. 

Brooke

Carrie

Little Lou

Isebelle

Want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  The year has gone by so quickly. They seem to do that these days....sign of age I suppose.  All-in-all, it's been a good year.  We added a deck to the back of the house, landscaped the front yard and remodelled the hall bath...I do love my deep tub!  Not sure what, if any, improvements we'll do next year...guess I'll find out.  We've been lucky (so far) when it comes to storms.  The storms seem to go around us, so we haven't gotten much snow......lots of cold weather....but very little snow.  Hubby keeps telling me that January and February are the 'bad' months for weather in Nebraska.  Speaking of Nebraska.....we went to see the movie by the same name the other day.  What a hoot!  It's different....the mood of the movie is a little dark and dreary.  It was filmed in black and white which helps set the tone...but it is funny and we enjoyed it.   I've been busy in the studio this year as well.  I do love my dolls.   After we finished the hall bath, jerry had to repair the ceiling in one of the diplay rooms as we took out the cieling tiles so the electrican could run new wiring.  I spent a couple of days putting it back together.  While doing so, I decided it was time to sell off lots of things.  So in January I'll be having a studio sale and sell off lots of larger and older dolls to make room for new ones.  I've been wanting to do a 14 inch line and a smaller fashion line but have never had theroom to display them....out with the old.....in with the new!

See you all in 2014.....

The Effner's are coming.....

...Well, actually they are here.  Here are three little girls that will melt your heart.  I also have a darling little 301 Bleuette that I finished recently.  All the girls are listed on my website
www.thedollladyinc.com
You will also find them listed on Ebay.  So if you'd like to see additional photos of thee cuties.....click on the link above and enjoy.....

The 301 Bleuette

Isabelle.....love her face!

 Little Lou...I love you too.....

 And who couldn't love Smiling Jenny?

Santa

I have been working on this for quite some time....a good 5 months or so.  Santa and friend are a wedding gift for my hubby niece.  IMHP!  Which stands for...I made...he paid.  When Julie and Dwayne got married, they didn't want any gifts...big bummer for me.  After the wedding I decided I didn't like that....I wanted to make them something that they couldn't get anywhere else.  So I got thinking...poo on that, I'm going to ask her what she would like and if she doesn't tell me....I'll make her what I want to.  So the next time we saw Julie I asked her...."What would you like as a wedding gift from Jerry and I?"  She hesitated a little....then I said, "if you don't tell me, then I'll make you want I want to make you."  That did it...."I'd like one of your Santa's....in traditional colors."  So I started in on her Santa the next day and this is the finished product.  After seeing the finished project I decided I needed one for myself....So I guess I'll start another one!  Santa stands 26 inches tall, I used red upholstery fabric for the main portion of his suit, trimmed it in white beaver.  The inset fabric down the sides of the pants, the sleeves of his jacket and above the fur trim on his hat, is a beaded moss green ribbon anchor a wider golden ribbon.  Three large leather buttons down the front of his jacket.  His hair and bread are white mohair.  His bag of toys is a coordinating upholstery fabric.  The tops of his shoes are painted with poinsettias and the bottom of each shoe is painted with a Christmas Tree.  Little Smiling Jenny is wearing a red outfit and matching hat made by SassySusie, she also has on red leather lace-up boots. 

"Laying his finger aside of his nose......"

A story of a dirty girl..............

This little composition baby doll came to me from her original Mama.  A few months ago a lady from Wayne, NE stopped by my studio.  She had a doll trunk with three dolls from the early 30's.  They were all in pretty good condition, especially the baby doll.  We talk about the work they would need.  I mentioned that I was working on a new program on doll restoration.  She left with the dolls and was going to discuss what to do with the dolls with her mother and she would be in touch.  Last week I received a call from her...she wanted to show her mom my studio.  So we set a time and she and mom arrived as planned.  When they walked in, I recognizes the doll truck and thought they had decided to have these dolls fixed up and looking pretty once again.  They had indeed talked things over and what they decided to do was to give me these dolls to me because I would take care of them and could use them when I did my new program.  I feel very honored that her mother would entrust me to care for her three childhood dolls. 

It's been a long time since I worked on a project strictly for my enjoyment and pleasure and when I saw that little baby doll again,  I knew I wanted to bring her back to life right away.  She needed to be re-strung (as you can see by the photos) so that's where I started.  I took her about and got out my doll cleaner and went to town.  I thought I was going to need to repaint her since she was so scratch up, but once I started cleaning her, I realized, those weren't scratches at all.....it was dirt.  This little girl was really dirty.  Once she was cleaned up, I touch up her lips and lightly blushed her cheeks so the two matched.  Then I lightly re-sealed her and put her back together.  I also washed her original dress and did a little mending on it.  She's as cute as can be and will make a wonderful addition to the dolls I'll be sharing in my program.

 Here she is before her cleaning.....

 If you look closely you see the areas on her face I thought were  scratches.

 He body was is really good shape....dirty, but the composition is in great condition.

 Here she is, all clean and looking purdy again....