Two Girls

String Camp 2013

I'm leaving for String Camp today - a whole week of music-making and NO cooking!

But, before I go......here's how the doll I am working on is coming along. She's coming to string camp to hopefully have some clothes made.

Busy...........

It's such a busy time of year, with the garden producing so much extra that needs to be dealt with - I've made blackcurrant jelly and cassis and frozen a heap of peas. Tomorrow will be beetroot chutney and some rhubarb and ginger jam, if I have time. And an inundation of tomatoes is imminent! I'm very inspired, because Bob is building a wine "cellar" and storage room in a small spare room we had. I need to fill those shelves with delicious preserves!

Meanwhile, in the studio, work continues apace, with commissions and getting kit orders assembled and posted. Did I tell you I love my job?

Here is the Columbian doll made for the MAIDA challenge all finished:

She's a big, handsome girl and I enjoyed the challenge of making her.

For a complete contrast, here is a tiny doll I've been working on and another made using my "Pipkin" pattern:

Here she is in her underwear...

...and fully dressed.

She looks cute in her little knitted hat!

Finally, here is one of the commissions I have been working on:

These dolls are so much fun to pose and play around with.

So you can see there hasn't been much of a summer break around here.......but next week I'm off to   the annual string summer school for a week of music making by the beach. I won't say it will be relaxing, but at least it will be different!

Introducing...........Marijke van Ooijen

One of the best things about my wonderful occupation is that I get to meet like-minded people from all around the world. Several months ago I was lucky enough to "virtually" meet a doll and bear maker from The Netherlands - Marijke van Ooijen. Here she is with her grand-daughter (yes......I too made the mistake of assuming it was her own child - she looks so young!)

Marijke's blog and in fact all of her work, has a soft, romantic appeal, whether she is making something like this:

.........or something whimsical and amusing like this:

Softly focused photography and pastel colours enhance the sweet look!  Her blog is a true visual delight and a joy to visit. Here are some more delicious treats to feast your eyes on! And if you want to see more you can visit Marijke's blog at http://marijkevanooijen.blogspot.com