Call for Hoffman Entries!

Time for my annual call for any Hoffman doll entries. For those who are unaware, I host pages on my main website dedicated to Hoffman dolls each year. I've got this year's pages all set up, just need photos of the dolls! The link below will tell you a little bit about the Challenge if you're not familiar with it. I think this year's deadline is July 15, but better check the Hoffman site to be sure. Here's this year's Challenge fabric:

My Hoffman pages:
http://www.blueherondolls.com/Hoffman%20Challenge.htm
I started hosting photos on my site in 2002, the first year I heard of the Challenge. It doesn't matter if you made the doll but never sent it in because you missed the deadline. I still want photos! For the best photos of your doll, keep in mind the lighting and background. I put some photo hints here on my blog some time ago - just click on "Tutorials" at the top of this blog page - it's the first tutorial listed.

I've not started my doll yet but received the challenge fabric last week, with a couple accent fabrics. No ideas yet, but right now I'm focused on finishing a new doll/design for a class I'll be teaching next May in Ohio (almost done, too!)

Send me photos here: blueheron61@charter.net

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a lovely Easter. For the first time in I don't know how long, we don't have to work this holiday. So we're headed to the valley to spend the day with family. I got up early this morning to finish the salad I'm taking (Greek Pasta Salad - one of my faves). Yesterday was beautiful - perfect weather for the Easter egg hunts (it usually rains cats and dogs for the poor kids). Today is more like usual - overcast and wet. A good day to travel.

New Book ~ Steampunk Bible ~ a Great Source of Inspiration!

It's been a pretty crummy week, but a little ray of sunshine arrived in the form of a new book that I'd pre-ordered several months ago, The Steampunk Bible. I just browsed through it quickly, and wow(!) is it chock full of photos and history and inspiration!

I've not yet made a doll in the style of Steampunk, but I've been collecting a few gears and other doo-dads. Now all I need is the time to do it!

I also wanted to add how appreciated all your comments have been, regarding the recent loss of our beloved dog Misty. Thank you.

The Tough Decisions...

Sometimes we have to make the really tough decision to let something (someone) go. So we said our goodbyes to our beloved Misty just a short time ago.

The last few months have been increasingly difficult for her to get up on her own ~ we've had to pick up her hindquarters because her hips were so bad. She did ok once up, for the most part. But as she appeared to be having more and more discomfort recently (despite the pain medications), the decision became more urgent. And more humane.

Which doesn't mean I'm not sitting here crying my eyes out over one of the best dogs we've ever had. We were blessed to have her in our family for as long as we did.

Making Progress ~ doll from 1933 pattern

It's been a challenge to find the time to work on little Fiona's doll (made from a 1933 pattern). Yesterday I was able to stuff and attach the arms, but it was a mystery to me how to stuff the arms (and legs) enough to fill them out, but allow for some movement. So there's not much movement. I pinned the arms down for the photo.

I also tacked down the goofy little ears. I'll work on the face next. The pattern has a face overlay, onto which the features are embroidered prior to sewing the face to the head. I think I may paint the features directly onto the head instead. I'm still not sure. And after that is the wig. I'm hoping I have some long faux fur that I can use.

A Doll for Fiona

Today is my granddaughter's first birthday, so I guess it's about time I made a special doll for her. I've been going through my embarrassingly large collection of doll patterns - both modern and vintage - and have chosen a pattern from 1933.

Now I could have gone with a simpler, pancake style doll, but where's the challenge in that? This one has interesting construction (though the instructions are a bit scant), so I should be able to learn something new if I can figure it out. It also looks like it'll be safe for a child - no buttons or small parts to come undone.

When Minutes Count...

Back in December right before Christmas, we received word at the ER in which I work that we were receiving a horribly injured young man from a head-on collison. Scrambling to prepare for his arrival (the accident occured outside Chinook on the Washington side of the Columbia River, and not that far from Astoria) - we feared the worst. The ambulance report was grim. Ben was unconscious and had an extremely low blood pressure. He arrested shortly after arrival, requiring CPR for several minutes while we performed multiple interventions - chest tubes, central lines, squeezing in units of blood as fast as they would go in. Lifeflight was on the ground, and the crew was ready to fly him to Emanuel (the big trauma hospital) as soon as we could stabilize him.

Ben's family and friends started a blog almost immediately, and I have been following his progress since the accident. Ben's case was an amazing example of tremendous teamwork, everything going right, and faith. I'm sure faith played a role.

Yesterday I attended a trauma conference in Portland highlighting three amazing trauma "saves." Ben Suprunowski was one of them. The panel that discussed his case included a First Responder, EMT, Lifeflight crew member, one of our Astoria surgeons, and Emanuel Hospital's trauma surgeon Dr. Long. I even got to comment on the Astoria part of his resuscitation (so glad the 200+ people in the auditorium were behind me so I couldn't see them). The best part of all? Ben was there. What an amazing young man. He makes me believe in miracles. Statistically speaking, cardiac arrest due to blunt force trauma is fatal. It used to be one of the "death in the field" criteria used by paramedics (along with decapitation, rigor mortis, etc.). Guess it's time to rethink that one.

A reporter from one of the Portland TV stations was at the conference:
http://www.kgw.com/home/Teens-recovery-from-crash-is-a-lesson-in-teamwork-118278379.html

I wish all our traumas had happy endings. Here's Ben's van:

Barley's Angels (or What I did for fun on my birthday)

This year my Big Birthday happened to coincide with a gathering women learning all about beer, the production and nuances of beer, complementary foods, etc., taught by Lisa "Beer Goddess" Morrison. It was a fantastic event, held in the Tap Room of the Fort George Brewery and Public House. Above is a photo our new chapter of the organization, which was featured in yesterday's local newspaper. I'm in the front, holding one side of the flag. My good friends Wendy (who is next to me and behind the flag) and Allison (seated to the right of the flag) were also in attendance (and yes, we got Barley's Angels t-shirts).

I was so surprised at the birthday cake presented as the sixth (of seven) courses served. Mmmm...Raspberry Chocolate Cake paired with Rogue Double Chocolate Stout - a perfect combination.

All About Barley's Angels

WHAT WE ARE:

Mission Statement: As the consumer leg of the Pink Boots Society®, Barley's Angels is committed to involving women in the enjoyment of craft beer by creating environments where women can learn more about beer in a friendly, educational and supportive atmosphere, thus creating more women beer enthusiasts, and, ultimately, involving more women in beer- and brewery-related careers.

Purpose: Barley's Angels is a growing collection of individual chapters around the world that work with craft-beer focused breweries, brewpubs, restaurants, alehouses and other public beer establishments to advance the female consumer craft beer enthusiast, resulting in increased patronage and revenue from women, while encouraging education and interest in beer among this often under-recognized demographic group.

WHAT WE ARE NOT:

Barley's Angels is not just a social, beer-drinking club for women. Barley's Angels respect beer and brewing, have a thirst for education, enjoy beer responsibly and act appropriately at all times.

Down to the Wire (AFIC)

I'm trying to be as productive as possible today, finishing a doll pattern for Cynthia Sieving's Artistic Figure in Cloth (AFIC). She had the brilliant idea of putting together a booklet that features patterns from doll designers - dolls, pincushions, ornaments, pins, etc. AFIC participants will receive the booklet in their goodie bags.

The tricky part has been designing a pattern and writing instructions that will fit onto 1 piece of paper (front and back). So here's Mirabelle, my very simple doll for the AFIC Designer booklet. The benefit of participating in this way is that it's really great (and inexpensive) advertising.

AFIC will be held April 28 to May 1, 2011. I've never had the opportunity to attend this fantastic conference. Check out the AFIC blog http://www.artisticfiguresincloth.blogspot.com/.

Half a Century!

Can't believe I'm 50 (!) years old today. I don't feel that ancient. Today my mom sent me a photo of the naval hospital where I was born. I thought "what a charming vintage photo." And then "wait a minute, that means I'm vintage." 

At this (chronological) turning point in my life, I've decided to do everything in my power to stay fit and healthy. Yeah, I know I should have been doing this all along. Every day at work I see people who have seemingly given up on themselves - and the condition of their minds and bodies is so disheartening. I don't want to be like them. The sentiment on this vintage postcard is a birthday wish to myself.

I'm so used to incessant drizzle on my birthday, but today has turned out to be gorgeous! I've had my coffee, done my exercises, and am preparing for the "seminar" I'll be attending at 2 this afternoon called "Barley's Angels." It's a beer tasting event at the Fort George (one of my favorite places. I'm a sturdy German girl, so yes, I love good beer). I might even flatiron my hair and wear makeup!