The Raven

Just enjoyed a 2-day workshop with doll artist, Cindy Moyer. She taught her design, "The Raven." Cindy's dolls have a signature look, especially in the face and the shape of the head. A little meloncholy, a little zen; maybe thoughtful or perhaps, just at peace. The details are appealing - she's wearing a raven necklace and holding the book, which we also made. She also has a mask which she can either hold or wear. It looks really cool on her face & I originally planned to do that because I was sure I wouldn't get the eyes right. But I was having a good "face" day and was so pleased with how the eyes turned out I didn't want to cover them.I just love how feathers are used on this doll. And the "hackle plate" (yeah, I didn't know what it was either.) It's like a feather crown. What's not to love about that!? My daughter-in-law thinks she looks like Cher.She sits on a feathered nest made of a straw wreath painted black & covered with a black feather boa. The tulle (or net) skirt fans out over the nest. I chose a crepe back satin in midnight blue for the outfit, with a mix of blue & black netting for the skirt.A few angelina fibers at the crown of the head for accent and a touch of dazzle.

It's always fun to see so many different interpretations of the same pattern. Check the TDD blog in a few days to see more pictures from the workshop.

Class Project

Taking my second photography class. The final assignment is to take six pictures and write an article about them, as if for a publication. I decided to do the article on Tulsa Dolling Dames, but for the pictures it was easier to use my own dolls. We won't be meeting again until November and the project is due tomorrow. You've already seen all my dolls - I've only made six - but this is a more formal look. One exception: the doll above was made by our club matriarch. She gave her to me as a gift for doing the club blog and I will always treasure it!

I'll have a new doll to show soon! I'm going to a workshop this weekend. Looking forward to two days of learning new things, spending time with the Dames, and having creative fun.

Monday Night Mindstreaming

I think I'm gonna like having Mondays off.

"Experts" say you should keep learning new things; it makes your brain create new cells or neurons or something, thus warding off Alzeheimers. I must be making more new cells than my brain can hold. I'm learning a new embroidery software, taking a level 2 photography class, continually learning Photoshop & InDesign. And now, I have to learn EZ Worship software. No wonder I can't remember where I put my keys.

Heavenly rewards are not the same as heavenly blessings. Rewards are for what you did with your life. Blessings are a result of the goodness & grace of God. At least, that's how I understand it.

A Mom of multiple of kids will divide up a little cupcake into equal portions no matter how tiny the final piece, because she loves each of them. She just wants to bless them. But the children are also given chores appropriate for their age & skill level, and they are rewarded accordingly to that and the quality of work they did. The reward each child receives will not necessarily be equal.

So Jesse Duplantis says he's building a mansion with a Tara replica staircase, debt free, mind you, because God loves him so much & "just wants to bless him." That's exactly what he said last night at a service I was at. A newspaper article says it's over 22,000 sq ft.

The Bible says God is no respector of persons. So there should be thousands of 22,000 sq. ft. mansions popping up all over the world right now. If he had just said "reward" we wouldn't be having this conversation.

October makes me happy.

New books give me joy.

Time to absorb makes me calm.

Starting new projects makes me stall.

Finishing projects makes me satisfied.

Tomorrow we head out the door bright & early armed only with a Nikon & Starbucks.

End of mindstreaming.