Two Little Gals

December 12th, 2008

The two newest ladies have just settled into the shop. I feel as though these gals are sisters. I think they’re sharing secrets as we speak.

Here are Selma & Charlotte.

Selma

Selma is an old soul. She is a keeper of vintage bits & loves to doll up her outfits with antique pieces she’s collected. Her ideal weekend includes scoping out estate sales & eating strawberry ice cream with her slightly younger sister.

Charlotte

Meet Charlotte. Her dream is to find a cottage in a cozy forest town & while the time away with her true love. She very much enjoys a warm mug of cider on a blustery afternoon & her hobby is collecting old picture frames.

Sisters – they bring this old scene from “White Christmas” to mind. We watched Bing & Danny dance across the screen on television the other night & tonight we are due for another holiday film. And perhaps some hot cocoa. And maybe some more sewing. And just maybe a little bit of rain.

Happy Friday evening to you & yours.

1 Comment »

Can I Tell You What a Day I’ve Had?

December 9th, 2008

It started with a very pleasant wake-up call. A gentle poke & my heavy lids slowly lifted to the glow of a computer screen. As my eyes focused I fuzzily read the words “Etsy Transaction.” I looked over the screen at Anthony then scanned the email to see that my remaining three girls had just been plucked from the shop.

I decided to grasp the positivity of the morning & got out of bed before the wee one awoke. I fixed a mug of coffee & sat down to work on the three dolls that have patiently been waiting for their finishing threads. And I actually feel like I got a lot done. Ella gave me two solid hours of uninterrupted work time.

I tell you, I felt like an elf in Santa’s workshop. There with my cozy beverage, Christmas tunes jollying around me, sitting at my sewing machine making toys. All I needed was to see snow flurries out the window & I would have checked my feet to make sure I wasn’t in pointy toed slippers.

This little man has found his way to the shop:

Meet Henry. He was named after his grandpa, with whom he shares his shade of hair & love of butterscotch candies. Henry likes to play tennis in the mornings & follow his matches with a pineapple smoothie. If you keep your eyes open, you may just spot him on a perfect afternoon, strolling about under shade trees with pockets full of butterscotch. And he may just share with you.

I’m very fond of his pants & flops. Quite the charming combo.

A duo of girls are on their way to keep him company tomorrow.

A lovely evening to you & yours!

2 Comments »

A Poppy in Texas

December 8th, 2008

…This girl has been sold. My first Kismet sale! Hoorah! It’s been a long, long time coming. I’ve been (quite slowly, but steadily) cranking these dolls out for a year, in one form or another. Part of the reason it’s taken me so long to get them in shop is my (unhealthy) attachment to each one. I tend to draw out each decision & prolong their finishing touches. Once I’ve named them & given them a story, they instantly become my polyfill-ed children. I get too personal with each little doll. I suppose it is a good thing, to be proud enough that I want to keep each one. It is also somewhat of a curse.

To see they are liked & have one purchased is a wonderful honor. Thank you, dear customer, thank you!

She should be in Texas by now.

It was bittersweet to see her go, but Ella made me put my brave face on & chaperoned me to the post where we shipped Poppy off & wished her good hugs.

Here she is telling me not to be such a baby.

More dolls such as Poppy to be in the shop tomorrow.

I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!

Holiday Spice

December 8th, 2008

Lately I’ve been worried that I’ve lost my holiday spice. Yes, spice. The gusto that comes with unpacking the tree & stringing the lights around the house. I feel like my spice was stronger back at the start of November, when Bing & “Jingle Bell Rock” first began to dance along the airwaves. Thanksgiving baking wore me out a little, although it has taught me nothing, as I plan to do the same in a couple of weeks. This year I’ve got more on my plate, & the deadlines I set for myself every year seem even more unattainable than usual.

It’s all okay, though. I realize this when I look at the little pink-cheeked bundle two feet away. We’ve got the best little Christmas package, the finest blessing we can ever receive. Christmas has become even sweeter. All the more reason to bake, all the more reason to decorate, all the more reason to make the house as cozy as it can get. And, at the same time, all the more reason to take a break from all of the holiday standards I set for myself & snuggle with the ones I love. Take the time to enjoy those cookies & maybe ask Ant to decorate them with me. To hold Ella & introduce her to every ornament, to see her face lit up in the lights on the tree. To settle in early & revel in cheesy holiday movies.

The actual day of Christmas is always bittersweet for me, as I know I will have to wait another year for this feeling to return again. Really it’s the buildup to Christmas, those few weeks between Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve, that are most exciting to me. Next year & the years to come will be even more so as Ella Faye gets older & I can introduce her to holiday traditions & our own little family can create new ones.

I think I’ve got holiday spice. I just need to taste it a little more.
Here are some favorite captures of the season thus far…holiday spice in photos, if you will: