Spring is here-----

the redbud and dogwood are blooming, as well as the azaleas.  Despite all the snow up north, I''m sure I'll see flocks of robins very soon.  They will stay one day, over night and leave the next morning.  This is the day I keep Sassy in the house as much as possible because she will not tolerate ANYTHING that moves on it's own, in her yard.

For weeks now, I've felt the growing need to get outside and DO something, get my hands in the dirt.  I've bought potting and seed starting soil and of course, herb seed.    But, I've saddled myself with yet another deadline.  I hope it's the last for a while.  All those years of working for newspapers and tv stations have left me with a Pavlov-like response to the word "deadline".   So all other chores and responsibilities are left half done at best, until the deadline is met.

                         

B.A.M. was a BUST . . . .

. . . . . seems someone dropped the ball and - trusting soul that I am - I didn't check with the store the day before the big deal was to happen.

I showed up with all necessary gear, full makeup and a pound of candy hearts.  NO one knew I was supposed to be there.  But I must give them credit.  In nothing flat, they had set up a table for me, provided a classy black table cover with the Books-A-Million logo in big white letters and two chairs.  There were NO copies of the current edition on the shelf, nor had the extra copies promised been ordered.  An hour into the afternoon, they found three copies of the current ADQ.  Sold one copy to a neighbor, bless her heart.

When I realized how empty the store was on a Saturday afternoon, I pulled as many Stampington publications as I thought would fit on my table, to promote Stampington's beautiful craft magazines in  general and Crafts Month (March)  in particular.   Bria, my photographer, was there for about half the afternoon until   her Mom called her home to sit with her baby brother.  Meredith and David showed up  just as we were about to leave.  She had misread my notice, thinking the event started at 4 p.m.  It was from noon until 4p.m..  My neighbor, her sister and I were headed to Sweet Tomatoes for an early supper and invited Meredith and David along.  It was nice to have such a congenial group and a good meal.   It took away some of the pain of disappointment.  

SO.  There was mention of another chance May first when the summer issue hits the stands.   I must make a note to talk to the manager about ordering extra copies and getting some PR out there for me.  And for sure, must learn how on earth one arranges to talk to a human at the T-U.    I'm considering sending this to Jana.

A Book Signing -- of sorts

I have arranged to do a book signing at Books-A-Million next Saturday.  I'm steeling myself for it to be a big flop.  Primarily because I'll not be signing an actual book but a quarterly magazine - Art Doll Quarterly.  I don't know how well this magazine sells here in Jacksonville.  I suspect not very well.  I've certainly not managed to contact any other doll makers any closer than Palm Coast.

But, I've stuck my neck out, sent a "press release" to the Times Union, the Folio Weekly and BUZZ, another weekly entertainment tabloid.  If I get a dozen people to stop at my table as a result of those ads,  I'll be pleased.   I've asked Bria to come too, since she was the photographer for several of the dolls.  If she can leave plenty of her cards, she won't have to stay.  She's young, will probably have her boyfriend with her and I can see her getting bored very quickly.

Meanwhile, I've selected the clothes I will wear - sorry, sisters, I don't own a blazer.  On the other hand, this is FLORIDA.   AND - I stumbled upon a panic situation.  I forgot that all my business cards have my OLD phone number on them.  So, in the wee hours, I paint out the old number and hours later, hen the paint is dry, carefully print in the new.  Hopefully, there will be no more panic moments.

Sometimes . . . . .

. . . . sometimes, I feel like I'm advancing backward.  Good things happen but I can't take part or must limit my participation.  Houston was good - but I was burdened with a (borrowed) walker and slowed us down.  My Mardi Gras doll won a Judges Choice award - but Flynn's fingers were broken.

My New Year's Resolution

-------- is to make NO resolutions.   But I am going to try to make this the year I learn how to post a photo - on my blog, on my facebook page - anywhere.   And I have a couple of dolls started that need to be finished.  Of course, I always have sketches of figures I'd like to make, have even pulled fabrics and trims for  some of them.  I hope to improve my pattern making skills, too.  Must check with Jo-Ann's to see if they carry the red "lay out"? tape the designers on Project Runway use.  It looks like such a logical way to create a pattern.   Goinag to try to get rid of all the paper clutter, too.  In a year's time, I must surely recieve a TON of paper in the mail alone.  Hope my shredder is up to the job.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                     

Doldrums

As a rule, I start revving up for Christmas when I put the Jack-o-lantern back in the attic.  But Jack never made it downstairs this year because I was in Houston on Halloween.  Thanksgiving has been turned over to grand daughter, since she has a very large kitchen and a large, custom built dining table.  Not to mention a gaggle of friends.

I still retain Christmas hosting rights - my small home can handle the few family members still around.  Besides, I have a fireplace and all the Christmas stockings!  But this is the year I donate 90% of my accumulated decorations to grand daughter and her significant other.  The big wreath over the fireplace and some poinsettias will be enough to brighten my interior.

So I'll do some baking.  A neighbor gave me three huge Meyers lemons which will go to make lemon bars.  Another favorite I'll make is mincemeat cookies.  And as my son said when he was young - "it isn't Christmas until Mom makes Ambrosia".  Bags full of free citrus make that easy enough.  If you're willing to prep it  from scratch.  A labor of love in my case.

The pressure of deadlines is off.  I've decided competition is just too expensive.  I will make custom D&D figures and figures I sketched months and years ago.  A doll to-do list of ideas that seemed worth exploring in-depth.   But first, we must "do"  Christmas.                                

A Gingerbread Extravaganza!

December 1, 2014

Both gingerbread projects have been delivered - always a tense moment since the house is large and weighs close to 40 pounds.  The house was last years' project and though it didn't win any prizes, it was very popular so we were asked to protect it and return it to show again.

The drama (and trauma!) began when Mary and I were moving said house from my closet to the dining table.  Half way across the living room, my foot got tangled in the plastic cover and I went down - hard - on top of the gingerbread house.   It is a tribute to our construction methods that I sustained more damage than the house.  The scratches on my face are almost gone as are the bruises on my wrist although the impact spot is still qtuite sore.  The house lost a single, small gumdrop which the dog probably got because I can't find it.

As for this years' project, we made it quick and simple - a snowman, a fire hydrant and a wire haired terrier. The title is "Decisions, Decisions".

Tomorrow night is the reception for the artists and sponsors and awards.  From December 3 through 23, visitors will be able to bid on the pieces offered for sale.  Can you imagine how thrilled the children would be to see a gingerbread house on the mantel or in the center of the dining table?