In answer to a question...

In answer to a comment/question regarding an earlier post, I wanted to explain the beads in the hands and feet (elbows and knees, too) of my Averill dolls. These beads provide some structure to the wrists and ankles when employing "buried bead joints." This doll is one I made earlier in the year, but you can better see the joints in this photo as she doesn't yet have her clothing.

I've been tidying up my blog this morning, adding some tabbed pages under the header. I haven't used this feature before but I like it, as I can add some photos to the links without making the blog more cluttered than it already is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a very happy, safe and warm Thanksgiving!

I'll be cooking a turkey today, and as it will just be the two of us here the rest will be pretty simple stuff as well. I've gone all-out in past years, but that's more like a 2-day endeavor.

It's now 6:22 p.m., and I'm stuffed. Cooked much of the afternoon, but didn't get crazy about it. That being said, there will be still be lots of leftovers. Mmmm...turkey sandwiches.

Fingers and Toes

It's an unusually frigid day here in Astoria and since the furnace has decided to work only intermittently, my studio is one of the warmer rooms in the house. Despite my cold and stuff fingers, I decided to get some work done on the hands and feet of my current Averill doll.

Each piece has a wood bead inserted. The fingers have chenille stem armature, and the toe divisions are hand-sewn. As soon as I make another cup of coffee or hot cocoa, I'll be adding the nails.

Open Mic at Street 14 Coffee

Astoria may be a small, rural Oregon town, but it's a very artistic community. I love living here. Saturday we attended (and participated) at the Open Mic at Street 14 Coffee. This was one of the talents, Manasseh David Israel, a fantastic musician and vocalist. You can see Chris and I in the crowd as the camera pans, at 1:58.

Sparks - Manasseh David Israel from Cabell Tice on Vimeo.

Here we are, nervous as all get-out and doing our thing at the Open Mic. The premise is that if we do this often enough, the nervous butterflies and jitters will decrease. I don't know why I put myself through this torture, but I guess I enjoy it on some level. Mom, you should be proud of the fact that I played the accordion for the first two songs. And no one threw fruit and vegetables.

Why can't Websites be as easy as Blogs?

Today I spent way too much time updating my website. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as I haven't done it since JULY! While it's not nearly as easy as a blog (click, click and you're done), I am very happy that I don't have to rely on someone else to do the work.

While my website has lots of photos (very important to showcase lots of dolls), it's pretty rudimentary overall. IF I had all the time in the world, I think it might be fun to take an actual class on website design.

Now that I've done as much as I can do on the website, I'm going to try to get more done on my 3rd Averill doll while my grandson naps. Next, is stuffing and inserting beads into her hands and feet - then I can use some of my specially mixed acrylic paint to give her fingernails and toenails. I recently found it's much easier to match the paint to the fabric skin tone by painting a swatch on the lower hip area, as the paint darkens a little as it dries, and it's not in an area that'll be seen when the doll is done.

I've also got to give her some facial features. She'll be the only blue-eyed doll of the 4.

Happy Halloween!

Wishing all of you a spooky (but safe) Halloween this year. We'll be dressing up at work today, but taking along scrubs, too, for a quick change if needed.

I spent more hours than I want to admit on my costume - the first human sized garment I've made in a very long time. I'm to be Alice in Wonderland, and the other nurses I'm working with today will be the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen.

Averill, Doll 2 of 4 DONE!

Well, I guess those errands last week were a bit more involved than I'd expected, and my doll did NOT get done like I'd hoped. I was able to work on her yesterday and today, and just finished.
I don't think I'll get a start on number 3 tonight, but I've got everything ready to go.

Productivity Stalled?

It's pretty clear my productivity in the doll department has come to a halt. Just too much to do and too little time. This is Averill number 2 (of the 4 I've got lined up). Really don't have all that much left to do - just finish stuffing the limbs, joint them to the body, and sew the clothes. I haven't picked out hair yet, but will when I see how things come together.

If I devoted all of today to working in the studio, I think I'd be able to get her done. But first I have to do a little of this and a little of that; errands downtown and such; bills to pay.

The fabrics I've chosen for her costuming are perfect for this time of year. The leaves are starting to turn and the air is crisp and cool. My favorite season.

Fantastic day for the GCX

Today was perfect for the 29th annual Great Columbia Crossing. Last year was clear and cool. This year's overcast skies made for a slightly warmer day. Here's a photo of the first mile - the runners, naturally, take off first. My sister and I are toward the back of the pack of walkers, as we had to use the "blue rooms" before we got started. There were 3000 participants this year; sold out before the event. I believe it's always held the first weekend of October.

Sister Debbie is on the left, I'm on the right. Here we are on the Washington side of the bridge. My phone takes pretty decent photos. It makes it so easy to send photos to friends, etc. ( I never promised Deb I wouldn't tag her on Facebook ...evil cackle).  

The sun did poke it's head out for a little bit. We saw quite a few pelicans, and a couple of seals in the river.





Here we are, maybe 4 miles into the walk and looking toward the span of the Astoria Megler Bridge. This walk/run is 10k. I know we said we'd do the run this year, but neither one of us had to time to train. Maybe next year?

Great Columbia Crossing 2010

Tomorrow is the 29th annual Great Columbia Crossing. It'll probably rain, but that'll be ok. Anyone who lives in this neck of the woods has appropriate raingear. There are 3000 participants this year; a sold-out event. My sister and nephew will be joining me - I'm expecting them any moment. It should be a fun day. Last year I took a photo of the most gorgeous sunrise. It was clear and quite chilly. This year I'm bringing gloves and a hat!

Check out the website for more information: http://www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com/