CLOTHNCLAY

The Awesome Shoppes of Hereford (Pa.)

2009-09-27T12:49:00.000-04:00

Well, on the spur of the moment, (again) we took a ride down to Hereford and popped on on Judy and Tony's Cinnamon Stick. Sorry to have missed you Judy, ( she was upstairs giving one of her classes), I snapped these pix of their wonderful shop all decked out for Hallowe'en.

The last time I was there, I didn't have time to stop into Homespun Woolens, which is right next door. I had expected a tiny, little shop with a few patterns and some fabric. Well! To my delight, it was another treasure trove of a shop! Just like Cinnamon Stick, it's like stepping back in time! The shop is lined with it's original old general store shelving and counters. Oh, and the fabrics, and sewing antiques and scrumptious shades of wool! And of course Kay's (the owner) beautiful rugs! Both shops are a creative inspiration heaven! Their web addys are below in my "Antique Inspirations Sites" You are welcome to take a peak!

TEXTURES ~ in Bl-o-o-o-zzzz

2009-09-19T12:31:00.000-04:00

~* BETSEY *~ On eBay Sept 14 ~ 21

2009-09-14T14:59:00.000-04:00

This is little Betsey. She is a friend of Lolly's, (in a previous post) 11 inches tall and made of Paperclay and cloth over a wire armature. She is listed on eBay this week. You are welcome to visit her.

ANNIE and EMMIE~on eBay Sept. 7 ~ 14

2009-09-06T08:45:00.000-04:00

Annie is one of the dolls that I have been working on. She is hand sculpted and 19" tall. I will list her this evening on eBay. Hope you stop by and visit her.

Textures ~ in Wood ~

2009-09-03T20:16:00.000-04:00

Well, fibers were such fun, I thought I'd try "wood". (Please try and ignore any dust that you might think you see....)

Oh, and hope you all have a beautiful, fun and happy Labor Day weekend!

Textures ~ Make Viewing Life Interesting

2009-08-31T17:07:00.000-04:00

Been so busy being "sandwiched" in between generations, but squeezing in doll making time. I just loved seeing all your home's "texture" pictures, so I thought I'd throw in a few until I have some dollies finished to show you. My, it really is addicting! I really had to try and control myself! So, I thought, I would try and post the photos in groups. This one is "Fibers" ... hope you enjoy!

~ SUMMERTIME ~

2009-07-28T14:36:00.000-04:00

You have all been so generous and shared photos of your gardens and porches, that I thought I would send some back your way. This is part of my front porch. Hope you are enjoying your summertime!

These lilies are right next door to me. They are about 5-6' tall. Especially in the evening, the intoxicating vanilla scent travels throughout the neighborhood. It is wonderful!

LADY OLDENWICH is Ready for Ebay!

2009-07-13T14:33:00.000-04:00

And her cranky little grandson, Ivor too! They will be listed this evening.

DORCAS ELISABETH ON EBAY

2009-07-09T13:51:00.001-04:00

This is little Dorcas Elisabeth, my latest Izannah inspired, (sort of), witch doll. She will be listed on ebay this evening.

THE WITCHES ARE COMING ~ BOTH YOUNG AND OLD

2009-07-07T10:05:00.001-04:00

The way the weather was so dreary the past several weeks, I felt like we skipped summer ( haven't seen any beetles yet), and was in the Hallowe'en mood. These gals are clothed in dresses of antique fabric and gettin' ready to party! Before I list them, I have a few more details to finish, ... my husband doesn't get so nervous when I'm knee deep in doll parts, it's when my creativity goes into overdrive around the house, that he gets scared... like.. "lets move the posts on the porch (he says it would be easier to put up new ones, cause of how the old ones are attached) ...I can imagine this, no problem, of course, I have no "engineering" skills and would love a magic wand. You know, like "Oh, move this here, and take down that wall there" ..Hhmm, but then didn't a magic wand get those fairy godmothers in Walt Disney's (yes, and it is still "Walt" Disney to me..), "Cinderella" in a whole bunch of trouble? Pink here,... blue there? Well, no pink or blue on these gals, buuut, maybe a touch of some funky purple.. Later, Becky

HAPPY 4TH of JULY

2009-07-03T19:44:00.000-04:00

Well, after 3 tries of this simple post... just wanted to wish all of you, my blogging friends a very happy and safe 4th of July weekend! ~ Becky

36 YEARS TODAY and STILL TOGETHER

2009-06-23T08:56:00.000-04:00

Yup, that's us, around 1970. Now don't laugh, that was one of the first "shag" hair cuts around here! Me and my Hubs actually been together since we were 13!
Went out for a nice lunch, and when we came home, Willoughby, our Greyhound "grandson" gave us a nice anniversary gift... he raided the kitchen garbage can that I forgot to put in the garage. Wasn't about to post a pix of that!

LOLLY AND HER DOLLY

2009-06-17T10:58:00.000-04:00

Lolly is one of the newer type dollies that I have been working on. She stands 11" tall and is paperclay and cloth on a semi~posable wire armature. I suppose you could say she is a combination of an Izannah~ Prairie~ Farmgal figurine. All things that I love. She will be listed on eBay this evening. You are welcome to stop by and take a peek.

MY VISIT TO THE CINNAMON STICK

2009-06-14T16:58:00.000-04:00

Well to my surprise this morning, it wasn't raining. So, we decided to take a drive to Hereford,Pa. to The Cinnamon Stick. Oh, what a delight! Now I've been wanting to go ever since I discovered Judy's cheerful blog "The Spice Cupboard"
http://thespicecupboard.blogspot.com/
You know how, when you walk into a shop, and you want everything you see, and you want to see eveything. (not miss a thing) You won't find all kinds of imported, mass produced crafts. Oh no, not here, but when you walk in you are surrouded by wonderful treasures of the past that Judy and Tony have creatively given a second life to. It's just one of those special places you can dream about....till you get the chance to return. You can check out her blog for pix.

~ NEW EBAY LISTING ~ GRETCHEN ~

2009-06-09T14:18:00.000-04:00

I made Gretchen this past winter and she has been keeping me company in my dining room these past few months. Her blue calico dress has complimented my blue and white china and spongeware. But, I think it is now time to let her go out into the world and let someone else enjoy her. She is will be listed on ebay this evening.

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PARDON A MOTHER'S SHAMELESS PLUG

This CD, THE E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies), the latest by the Black Eyed Peas, goes on sale today. Now normally, I wouldn't mention it, but this is one of the many projects my son Padraic has been working on for the past year or so. Paddy is Will i. am's studio engineer and production coordinator for this fine CD.

Isn't He a Dandy?

2009-06-03T16:45:00.001-04:00

You remember that little guy that I couldn't decide how to dress him? I originally made him a blue 18th Century jacket and trousers, but I always felt it wasn't quite him. So, considering that I almost never do holiday stuff, cause till I get it done, we're already into the next holiday.... Well, I guess I was inspired by some old Uncle Sam dolls that I have seen and loved over the years. He will be listed in Carole's Country Store http://www.carolescountry.com/.You are welcome to stop over and take a peek.

New Banner Photo

2009-06-01T18:14:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let you know I am still here. Been busy digging in the dirt and trying to finish some of the dolls that were lying around my studio in various stages of completion. Didja check out my new banner photo? I am hoping to list a few on some venues. When we moved here, there were not very many flower beds so my reasoning is, the bigger I keep making the beds, (inch by inch) the less grass mowing there will be. Missed all of you, Becky

~ IVORY ~

2009-04-10T18:10:00.000-04:00

I'd like to introduce you to Miss Ivory. She was actually started last Dec. and sat on my worktable as a half sculpted head and torso all these months, kind of like a little butterfly in a cocoon, waiting to emerge into the world. I altered an antique doll dress, and let me tell you, if you think by doing so, it is less work than making one from scratch... well, it's not! But when I originally tried it on her, it went so well with her hair and complexion...

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Hope you had a wonderful Easter Sunday! Even though it was quite brisk here, it was a beautifully sunny day, and I ate my share of chocolate. Got some pansies planted this morning. It felt so good to be out in the sun and not be freezing. This is a pix of my front door.

~ BLUE MONDAY ~

2009-04-06T16:13:00.000-04:00

It has been poring rain most of the day (better than ice and snow), and I am watching the lilac buds get larger by the hour... Just in case some of you may be having a "Blue Monday" , here's another way of looking at phrase... BTW, that doll got her arms redone twice today - they are now drying and I am finally happy with them. And I thought, since I was doing the arms over, (what the heck), I figured I could improve upon the legs too, so they are next. I know, you thinks I'm nuts....

Almost Finished....

2009-04-02T21:52:00.000-04:00

When I started making her, I thought I would make her all dark and somber.... Guess she has a mind of her own.

Just testing my Camera

2009-04-02T21:48:00.000-04:00

Like the title says, actually figuring out how to upload and edit. This is a flag that I usually have out front, but with storms coming, it is propped against my pewter cupboard. I think it looks just as nice indoors too.

Just a Quick Belated Post

2009-04-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

Some of your lovely new comments made me realize how lax I have been in posting. I start working on several dolls and forget to take the time to take pix and post. I do enjoy making the folk art dolls that you are used to seeing here, but am always thinking...hmmm, I really would like to try something completely different so I have been playing with other things too. Some successful, and some, well I suppose we all eventually seem to develop a style of our own with out even realizing it. I guess that's what the long days of winter are good for...searching inside of ourselves and looking to find ways to grow...
I am getting used to a new computer and operating system, don't even have the camera hooked up yet so once I have an idea of what I am doing, I will send some pix your way. It is really sad how comfortable we get with these goofy machines. Once, one of my kids changed my desktop pattern and font and I couldn't function until I got it back to the way it was.. Gosh, this even FEELS weird, having no pix in here to post... well, thanks, for your patience, till later, Becky

One of My Favorites

2009-02-21T19:14:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you recognize this sweet gal from my banner. She is one that I have been working on for awhile now. She hasn't told me her name yet....maybe if I make a dolly for her to hold she will whisper it to me....

Crazy For Calico

2009-02-21T19:10:00.001-05:00

These are some of quilt tops I have bought over the years, of course with the idea of finishing them....someday...I have often wondered what was the attraction of these fabrics, and the quilts themselves, other than their obvious beauty. Perhaps, is it not only the wonderful colours that only natural dyes can achieve? But also , the repetitive, geometric patterns that are so peaceful and soothing to the eye?

These were quilt blocks that I made into a doll quilt.

I could just sit and study each swatch...and dream that I had at least a whole yard of each! Just think of all the dolly dresses that would make!

I am So Pleased to Announce....

2009-02-10T18:02:00.000-05:00

That Carole's Country Store at http://www.carolescountry.com/ will be showing some of my Izannah Walker style art dolls in her Country Store and Artisan's Shop. Carole is a talented photographer and painter and her website, if you have never had a chance to visit, it a real treat! Hope you stop over to see Maggie and Meggie!