I HAVE to see this movie

I grew up reading and loving "Where the Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak. You can be sure I'll be in line to see this one brought to the screen:

At least it's a start...

Despite myself, I've managed to get a decent start on my Treasures of the Gypsy challenge doll. I found some mystery fabric for her skin, purchased at Fabric Depot in Portland. It's a nice flesh tone on one side only. I usually use dyed muslin, but this is something different. Now I'm wishing I'd bought more.

I made her lower legs from dupioni silk. I'm glad I remembered to trim my seam allowances a little wider, as this stuff frays quite easily. I found a couple big buttons with which to joint the hips. The buttons will be covered with the skin fabric, so it really doesn't matter that they're mismatched.

I've got the upper and lower arms sewn. I just need to stuff and joint them. Then it's on to the challenging part - building her costume.

Hmmmm...

It feels like I haven't made a doll in ages. I'm constantly reminded of all my projects with their due dates, but have been having trouble finding the time to get to them.

I did manage to cross one off the list when I made a simple Santa doll for the Fat Quarter Challenge hosted by one of the Ning groups to which I belong. They're posted on the Santa Studio blog for voting right now, and when that's done I'll post him here.

This is what I got in my Treasures of the Gypsy packet this year. Now I'm just trying to figure out what to do with it. I may kill two birds with one stone by using my pattern "Under the Harvest Moon" to make my gypsy doll, as I have to make a Harvest Moon sample doll for an upcoming class I'm teaching. Now to just make it all come together.

Of course, it's 88 degrees outside today, and it's even hotter in mt upstairs studio. I may expire before I get anything done.

O'dark Thirty

Today is Kyle's first day of Clinicals. It's still dark out, because it's only about 5 a.m. This week's going to be ugly for him. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday he'll be doing clinicals from 6 to 2:30, followed by his shift in the ER from 3:30 to midnight. That's three days in a row, with just a few hours sleep in between.

Of course, I feel compelled to get up an hour early, just to make sure he's up and ready to go. Can't be late for Clinicals. Ever.

Between school and work, he's learning lots, though. When he's finally just working shifts, it'll feel like a breeze to him.

A Beautiful Day in Astoria?!

You'd think this would keep people from coming to the ER today, but NO...
This is outside the ER ambulance bay doors, about 8:30 a.m. Looks kinda like fake movie effects, doesn't it?

Music to my ears

I really miss singing with the local community chorale, especially after watching a fun piece like this:

August Anxiety

Good grief! August's nearly over, and I'm sitting here wondering where it went. It's certainly been a full month, so I guess I've got an excuse for feeling tired and unproductive - which goes completely against my hard-working German heritage. So let's recap, shall we? It'll make me feel better, like I've actually done something!

August 3 was youngest son Kyle's first day of school. He was accepted into a CNA program at the local community college. On the same day, he began his new job - Unit Secretary in the Emergency Department. This will transition into a CNA/Patient Care Tech position (with benefits and a raise!) as soon as he passes the course. It's nice to see him so enthusiastic. Eventually, he'd like to go on to nursing school.

August 4 through 14:
10 full days and nights with our one-and-only grandson, Ivan, who just turned one. I'd forgotten how exhausting a little one can be. Did I mention he's just starting to walk? - just enough to get into things, but not graceful enough to avoid falling over onto hard objects. How in the world did I do it when my boys were small? Oh, yeah - I was perpetually sleep-deprived. Thank God for naps.

August 7, I attended my first high school reunion (I shudder to admit that it was my 30th).
How did we get so old, I wonder? And did I age as well as the rest of them??? I'm in the row behind the seated front row, second from the right in the multicolored dress and dark blond hair. I'm standing next to my best friend, Sandy. I made my Dear Husband Chris (who did not attend my high school) accompany me. And now I owe him something huge, and this debt is hovering over my head, ready to spring when I least expect it.

There have also been barbecues, get togethers, sailing excursions with family, and the ever-present WORK schedule. We took my sister and nephew sailing on the 16th. The Astoria Regatta was this weekend, so there were many boats out on the river ~ sailboats, fishing boats, and a few ships and barges. It was an exciting sail.

Hoffman Challenge Doll Winners!

First Place * Arley Berryhill * "Troll Queen"
Second Place * Deanna Hogan (ME!) * "Bella"
Third Place * Wendy Oxman Whittmore * "Adele (After Klimt)"
Honorable Mention * Veronica Sue Philion * "Madame La Pompadour"
Curator's Choice * Doris Moore Granbury * "Princess Padideh's Flying Carpet"

Most Humorous * Barbara Lee Tomczak * "I Wish I Were A Fish"

Best Use of Sulky (Third Place) * Stephanie Novatski * "Morning Serenade"

The announcement of the winners are not yet on the Hoffman site,
and eventually their photos will be there as well.

Remember, you can see many more Hoffman Challenge dolls on my website!

Little Red Riding Hood

Coffee with Tea's Little Red Riding Hood challenge was launched Sunday, and many participants have posted their dolls on eBay. My doll is not quite done, but I'll not be posting her on eBay (I'm still boycotting sales there). Plus, I intend to take mine to doll club at the end of the month, as we're Show 'n' Telling our dolls made from Lucinda Durbin's repro Presbyterian doll pattern. My doll is an experiment using photo transfer onto fabric, and I'll post a photo her when she's presentable.

Just click on the LRRH graphic above to go to the Coffee with Tea blog. There you can click on the badge to get to all the eBay listings.

More Hoffman Dolls Uploaded!

Tomorrow's the deadline for Hoffman Challenge entries, and I've been receiving lots of wonderful photos. If you're making a Hoffman Challenge doll and have missed the deadline, I STILL want your photos. Send them to me at blueheron61@charter.net.

Check out some of this year's dolls HERE.