The End is Near

The UFDC/ODACA Convention is just around the corner, and it feels like I've been working on the ODACA Day Luncheon centerpiece dolls forever. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last night I got the last of the wigs sewn, and all are glued to the heads.

I ended up with four shades of Tibetan lamb. The hides are just a little stiff, so in the future I may try an acid dye. I'm not sure if that will make a difference. Still, they're easy enough to work with.

We'd planned to spend July 4th on the sailboat, anchored out on the river, ready to christen the new barbeque and watch the fireworks. In Astoria, they're set off at the river's edge. But when it came time to go down to the boat, it was damp, windy, and overcast. Not comfortable conditions for sitting out on the boat. We opted to stay in, and ultimately went to bed early. It's been a tradition that neighbor Kevin plays the anthem Jimi Hendrix style - outside - on his electric guitar for the neighborhood to enjoy. Either he missed this year or I was dead to the world.

Dyeing Tibetan Lamb

After much deliberation, I took the plunge and tried my hand at dyeing Tibetan lamb. Of the information I found on the 'net, much of it was contradictory. Cold water, hot water, liquid dye, powder dye, etc. I ultimately used information found at http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/ (thanks ladies!)

I did the dyeing outside, and as it was a breezy day dried the pelts outside, too. This is the first one attempted. I wanted a natural red color, so mixed four colors of Rit dye. I've got two more outside drying. One is a darker auburn, the other a light brownish color - I may stick that one in the pot again.

Unfortunately, I rolled my ankle as I was stepping off the deck yesterday. The pain and the accompanying crunch as I landed made me think I broke something. My first thought was "oh crap, how in the world am I going to walk to work, at work, and along the Las Vegas strip." It's swollen, bruised, and still very painful to walk.

This morning I mixed up another pot of dye (just two colors this time), and I'm not sure if I'll like this one. I may need to add a little something.