Just got confirmation that our latest order for Annie's Dye Pot from the lovelies at PROChem is nearly ready for shipping. I SO hate the wait.
As well as stocking up for the shop, Moni and I have put in a side order for ourselves, of a beeeeg jar of Rasberry and Royal Blue. Both the most amazingly yummy colours. I also ordered some of their closeout colours,Crushed Grape, Lemon Merangue, Milk Chocolate and Ash Rose. All sound gorgeous. When this order comes in, there's going to be a crapload of dyeing
going on. The Darlinge and the kids better not stand still for too long!
Also ordered a copy of the Painted Quilt, so I can read for myself what all the whohar is about... I'm steeling myself for a disappointment though, as the last couple of Surface art books I have got were hardly stellar...
On a brighter note, I have just finished sweeping and steam cleaning the loungeroom, so tomorrow I can set aside some guilt free play time for my dolls. You know, all the ones I planned to make to sell at the Canberra Quilter's Exhibition and didn't?
I have come to the conclusion that I cannot specifically make dolls in a production line to sell. I can work that way making simple jewelery that appeals to little girls, but not with my beloved dolls. Talk about suck the joy right outta everything. All I can think of is that they're not good enough. Worst of all is that they won't 'talk' to me when I'm making them.
No, I have not booked a seat on the express train to Woo.
When you make a doll, there comes a time when the doll really gets a personality. When you start to go "No, I don't think that is the right hair/face/dress material etc for you, little one. Here try THIS!." If the doll isn't 'talking' you end up looking at the finished doll with a deep sense of dissatisfaction thinking, "Well, that sucks."
That's what happened when I tried to make a lot of dolls very quickly. I went into massive accumulation and searching phases, and then massive procrastination set in. Then of course I got stressed and the Lupus went to town. You end up disappearing up your own singularity of misery.
But the show has come and gone. I sold the few dolls that I got ready and two quilts. But the really great thing is that I have sorted out all my doll related supplies and half done dolls, cleaned up the work space a bit, sat down a few days after and made a doll for the sheer pleasure of it. Guess what? She turned out really well and I thoroughly enjoyed making her. Such fun.
Life is full of irony tho. I did this pattern from the lovely Julie at Magic Threads a few months ago (Caity put me onto it). I really did not like this doll. For the first time I doubted Julie's designs. But I made it, and didn't really 'finish' it according to the instructions. I just ran out of ooomph and decided to leave her with no face, skirt or wire hair. I gave her a 'big' hair look and left her at that. When I was gathering dolls to take to the exhibition, everybody loved her. I was amazed. Against my better judgement, I put her up for sale. Of all things, she sold the first, and for the best price.
Too late, I realised that I hadn't taken a picture of her, and I decided to make another (this was the week after the show and artistic meltdown).
Lo - I loved it!! I had a BLAST. She chatted the whole time about wanting her legs a bit longer, the right colour and size of spectra bead, hair, not wanting a face or a skirt etc. And, I really love her. She's not going anywhere.
I have decided that I am going to make dolls at my own pace, and as they appeal. I am going to build a doll 'habitat' in my office, mainly consisting of branches and fairy lights, where my completed dolls shall sit. When showtime comes around next August, if any of my dollies want to, they can go to be at new homes. If they don't, they don't have to.
Who knows, I might even get around to finishing Gandalf for my cousin Marianne one of these fine days....
I mean, look what I have to work with here folks!?!?!?
and
I think I might just start on Trapeze tomorrow, I loves the hanging ones.
There is no excuse. I am so bloody blessed to have all these supplies and a good sewing machine. It doesn't get much better than this.
Now I just have to stop gate watching for that bloody order for the next two weeks...
