Project Terry...Done!

Yesterday was a LONG day ~ I worked on CEO Terry for about 14 hours (and about 10 hours before that, and 3 hours today). I actually gave my shift away yesterday, because I knew there was no way I could've completed him in the few hours I had left. New designs always take a considerable amount of time, but I had no pattern in my collection that would have worked.

Terry stands about 18 inches tall. Due to the short time I had to work on him, every supply I used had to be what I had on hand. I even sacrificed an old wool ski sweater for his vest. His clothing is not removable.

His hair took the longest, and I'm still not all that pleased with it. I'd hoped that I had some faux fur in a light blond color. That would have made his hair much easier to accomplish. I would have simply made a wig with darts in it and sewn it to his head. Unfortunately, it was a dark blond, and Terry has light blond hair. The only thing I had that was the right color was the mohair. You're not supposed to cut mohair, but I had to do something to resemble his hairstyle.

addendum:
Terry's Ice Cream Social was really well attended, which attests to how he has been thought of over the 20 years he's worked at the hospital (I've been there 23). He's a kind and gentle soul.
He received many special and thoughtful gifts, and I think his doll was a hit. Terry's wife attended as well, and it turns out she collects dolls. How cool is that?!

BTW, Terry's wearing a Walmart greeters badge, a joke gift from the new CEO.

A Challenging Project

It's always a challenge for me to make a doll that's supposed to look like a specific person. So I surprised myself by volunteering to make a doll for our hospital's retiring CEO. I told him I was working on a "project" and lured him to the ER so I could photograph him, with the intention of making a photo-face doll (and with just a couple days in which to complete him).

This is how far I am. The doll's due tomorrow, to be presented along with his other gifts. I'm finding his hair to be particularly difficult. First, he has straight, short, light blond hair. Limited to what I had on hand, I found some wefted mohair. So far, I think I've spent about 4 hours on the hair alone. I glued row after row of mohair to the head, after cutting off the weft. When the glue dries, I'll give him a haircut. Doncha think he looks a bit like "Flock of Seagulls" lead singer right now?

I want to darken his facial features a bit, too, but don't want him to look like a drag queen when I'm done.

I have yet to design/sew his arms and legs, but that should go fairly quickly. Then I'll dress him in slacks, collared shirt, sweater vest, tie, and will give him a name badge on a lanyard like we all wear.

I really hope he's not too freaked out by this doll. After all, it's all in fun.

Merry Christmas!

The Day After

It's been a whirlwind week, what with band rehearsal, baking, babysitting, meetings, and sewing. It's Sunday, and last night was the big Emergency Department Christmas Party. This year's entertainment was the ER band. We played about a dozen songs, and had our co-workers hooting and dancing. We also had our annual fundraiser auction. This is a well-established tradition - auctioning wrapped (sight unseen) gifts to the highest bidder. Then we donate the money to some of our local charities and resources.

Every year (for nearly 20 years now), my auction gift has been a handmade Santa. This year's Santa doll was finished about 3:00 a.m. Saturday. I used a pattern by Soft in the Head, called "Quality Time (Nick & Morty)." The supply list called for Briwax (Golden Oak), and of course I couldn't find ANY locally. So I adapted, and painted his face and hands instead.


Of course, I couldn't find any rusty bells, either (and didn't have time to rust them quickly). Morty's legs and antlers were easy, though I may have looked a little silly in the back yard with a flashlight in the rain, searching for sticks from the cherry tree. Thankfully we've had a bit of wind, so there were plenty to be found.

I may add band photos later, but feel a nap coming on...

Yikes! December 10th already?

It's December 10. I haven't done any shopping. I haven't put up the tree. I haven't bought (or sent) any Christmas cards. I haven't even started on my annual Santa doll for our ER Christmas Party/Auction. I feel remiss in my duties, but honestly don't know where the days go - just that the days are full.

We have "band practice" later today. Our little ER band has been getting together at least weekly to rehearse. The Big Party is on the 19th, so there's only about 1-1/2 week left. So much to do, so little time.
I dredged up this old Christmas photo of my sis and I. I'm on the right, Deb's on the left. I took a closer look, and see I got a Nurse Nancy that year. Had I known then that nurses don't get holidays off, I may have reconsidered my career path. This year we are working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which means any family get-togethers will be done after the holidays. I guess that gives me a little more time to get my act together