Meet Tilly

Once again the day is starting very overcast and still humid. Had a busy day yesterday...Don came by and hooked up the pond for the waterfall and it works. Now do not, I repeat....do not get excited. We thought there might be a leak problem and of course there is. The good news is that we know how to fix it. So for now it is now working. I met up with Dianna and Bobby for pizza last evening. A new place that opened very close by. Good pizza but more than that good friends to chat with, We even sat outside to eat. I know it will be my new pizza place.

Introducing Tilly! Isn't she a pip! This is a collaboration between me and Dianna. One of the days that Dianna was visiting we talked about tilly. At that point all she was wearing was bloomers. That is right and this is how she had been for 2 years. Once made I just could not decide on anything. I bought the pattern but I knew there would be changes. First ...

let's start with her body shape...it is square. Then she has long skinny arms and legs. and you saw her big round head. This is exactly as the pattern is. But I love her. Dianna thought she needed to be special and offered to dress her. So she has lived with Dianna for a few3 weeks now. A good place as Tilly was with someone who makes beautiful doll clothes. I said just do what you want. Dianna wanted to feature Tilly's odd body and she did just that. Once home with me I decided to add a few touches....the knot in the center to break up the flowers.

We talked about bows for her hair and applique for her face. So, at midnight I was still awake and took tilly in hand...voila! Face and ears and a butterfly tattoo. The bows were fun...

Adding to the bows on her shoulder, using them for the hair is perfect. Keeping them spaced is the only hairdo that is right for her. She is a fun gal to look at. With so many traditional dolls in my collection this makes me laugh not just smile. I love creating. I was asked to make a memory bear for someone and receive payment too. Who knows, a new sideline for me. Thank you Dianna for the great clothing and for sharing your creative ideas.....

I am having a lazy day today...fell asleep around 3 and woke up at 6...so off kilter.  I am tempted to get the cement for the pond but probably should wait for Don. I really am eager to finish it now....so close to a working waterfall!
Right no however, I best get a cup of coffee and a bowl of cheerios with banana slices. It is so nice to introduce you to Tilly and have you spend time with me. Thank you for the kind words and most of all for your wonderful friendship. Let's have a good day.

A new Teddy Bear

Another morning starting out with heavy cloud cover...and although I know how important it is that we have rain here in the desert, right now I do not want rain...I am trying to get the pond working and the rains have put me two steps back fro every step forward. Today I will go to get the supplies to get the waterfall in the pond ready before any more rain. Next week rain may be okay...
Yesterday Home Depot came out to quote me a price to replace the rain gutters in the back and add them to the front. More than I anticipated, but then less than another quote. I have to make a decision soon. I was surprise to learn that they will only do the job if it is over $750.00. Something to think on this week. In the meantime

this teddy moved into my bedroom. This is for me to keep. It is made from 3 different Denny jeans and a some special embellishments. It is a medium size; sitting at about 15" and 20" standing.

First his heart...made from red velvet and tattered and broken. His right hand has the Levi tag which were Denny's favorite jeans--505 to be exact. Then his left hand...it was the hand that I held when we walked so it has hearts for our love. The back pocket will hold a special note and a trinket or two. A black velvet nose just because and the simple embroidery on the arms and legs. Denny loved when I made teddies for gifts.  The last one was for my great niece Natalia back in 2014 when she was born.  There is always something special about a teddy!
I have a special gift to make so I may make an attempt later or then again tomorrow. This morning is research a few garden plant that we have to find out how to care for them. This was my Denny's domain and I never paid too much attention, I just enjoyed. This bush is doing well....

It is Firecracker and currently is about 6 feet high. So nice to have this summer bloomer. Bright red/orange and full of them. It is actually considered a shrub but we always trimmed the base to train it to grow more like a small tree allowing space to plant below it. The hummer loves it. This year the heat and humidity is taking a toll on the garden. I am really looking forward to some cooler temps.
I was asked the other day about the size of the pictures....if you click on any picture it will open in a preview of the pictures and then clicking on them will enlarge them.  I just usually add them in the smaller format for space purposes. Well my friends it is time to do some vacuuming and maybe a laundry and of course dusting. Always a pleasure to have you visit. Thank you for the kind words and of course thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

Teddy and a rocker

When I woke this morning the temp was 90 at 4 AM...well, not I knew that I was not going to be working on the pond. So, I thought well I can get an earlier start on sewing my teddy bear....all was going well until I broke the needle. Of course it was the only one that I could use for the denim and then I could not even find my other sewing machine needles! When 9 AM rolled around I drove to the quilt shop and bought the required  needles. Home I arrived to find the other needles...now we have plenty of machine needles.

Here is a peek so far. Needed to take a break so that I could cry and not on the teddy. I am listening to music and one of these songs just set me off. Typing through tears is a little easier. Almost every CD in this house will do this to me at one time or another...it was all the music we loved to listen to. Okay...enough of that.
Glenda and Don advised me on how to properly clean my little  rocker.

It looks so nice. I used Murphy's Oil Soap first and let it thoroughly dry. Then I used Howard Feed -N-Wax...Beeswax and Orange Oil. I put 2 coats on it. Buffing it out seems to be a problem as it still feels a little oily. I guess a bit more elbow grease before anyone can sit it. Yesterday I washed my many tea cups   and tea pots.

There are on my baker's rack...for now. I am thinking of getting another curio for them. For now, they look fine here...

Memories for each of them. Across the room are a few more

Some of these date back to 1964 and forward. the last 2 are the Dragonfly that Denny bought me and the bright red poppy on the top shelf that has my name and was given to me by LisaW.

I guess it is time to think about lunch.  A few days last week I skipped lunch and I am trying to keep to at least 3 meals a day. I think a simple sandwich will do with a glass of fruity iced water. 

Can not believe this month has already ended...where has the time gone? I am happy that you had time to visit with me today. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. Let's have a good day.

It's all about the curio today

Last evening came the pouring rain and a bit of thunder. I do not like these storms! Today is beginning with very overcast skies and muggy. Actually there is a light drizzle falling. Now I have dirty rain water in the pond...and that means another morning (not today) cleaning it out and I better finish the cleaning this time and get regular water back in so this will not happen again. I am hoping that the waterfall connection is clear and I can figure the rock formation so that it will fall properly. For now, I may have to just put it back as a fountain. Two steps forward and one back. But, what I want to show you is my new curio

Doesn't it look lovely next to my chair? On Saturday Don took me to get it  and yesterday Glenda  (they are a team) and I arranged this and that for the shelves.

It is a perfect size; 59"x32"x13". This is the top of the curio. Both the angel and the dragonfly piece at the far right have a battery candle. So very pretty at nighttime. The stitched piece of violets  and the ornament is a piece of turquoise and copper.

 Remember to ignore reflections...mirror backing can be difficult! This is shelf one with angels, fairy and angel wings with a piece of tatting. On shelf 2, is my Cinderella...a couple of glass blown pumpkins as well as the coach and glass slipper and the Disney glass coach pin. Of course my stitched coach too.  In front of the Angels is a glass ball sitting on frogs. The front left is a Lenox dragonfly and sitting on the velvet slipper pillow is a beautiful hand painted needle box that I received as a gift from KimM.

On the third shelf is my needlework doll and the two Victorian ladies that Mr H bought for me when I first visited Arizona. They look lovely with the mirror to reflect the intricate back of their clothing. I decided to put the rose trimmed mirror here to help preserve it. In front of the ladies is a lovely dish with raised roses around the top from Italy. It was given to me 47 years ago ...a gift from Denny's cousin Tootsie that I treasure.  On the bottom of the curio are two Faeries sitting pretty and in the center is a fairy  atop a glass bubble. So pleased with this curio purchase as well as how Glenda and I filled it. Totally feels feminine with my treasures.
This weather has me feeling tired. I was ambitious yesterday morning and I made delicious Pizzelles. Today not ambitious at all. Maybe some teddy bear sewing as it all ready for the machine. Right now I need to finish my coffee. So glad to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. Let's have a good day.