I started off today with what I will call the Monday jitters. Got up at the normal time, turned on the computer and checked emails. OH NO! I had forgotten to cancel a 7 day free trial membership and my card had been charged $80. Sent off a fast email asking if I could cancel. After showering, and with my stomach now churning, I started to take care of something I had been putting off. I thought it was something I could take care of quickly online. But no! It looked like it was going to require some official paperwork that needed to be filled out, mailed and received before May 1. ACK!
Then an email came saying my membership had been canceled and the charges refunded back to my card. Whew.
Unsure how to complete the paperwork, I called my accountant. He says don't bother with any of it. If I don't do anything it will resolve itself. Another headache taken care of(wish I had known sooner).
Now I only have one worry. My little sister is in the hospital with complications from chemo. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of months ago and was almost finished with chemo. She is in another state so I am trying to keep up by emails and phone calls. Just positive thoughts now....
I think everything is finally back to, at least, almost normal. Still getting used to windows 7 on the new computer but I have all of my regular programs back. The website has had some updating but needs a few more tweaks. Actually, I have finished 4 critters, 3 cats and a dog. The dog is a primitive style and I have been experimenting with painting on mohair to give it an aged look.
That's what I wanted this post to be about ...trying new patterns and techniques. After working with mohair and making my own patterns for 18 years I am finally feeling confident enough to try new things. They don't always turn out the way they are supposed to on the first try but it's a learning process. While drawing up the dress pattern for the new dog, I realized how easy it was. I used to refer to books and other patterns to figure out how to get the look I envisioned. I don't usually toot my own horn but I'm kind of proud of myself.
Well, I will be at the Greater Orlando Doll show in Maitland, FL on May 5. Coming in July, the Friends of Teddy online show at Teddies Worldwide. The creations will be critters other than Teddies. Stay tuned...
Also known as dead computer. Last Wednesday I woke up and routinely turned on the computer. When an error message popped up saying "windows can not open...error something or other", I was really awake. After breakfast, we packed it up and took it to the computer hospital at Staples. It took them a day to tell us it was DOA. Another trip to pick out a new computer. When did we become so dependent on the computer and the internet? It was just 2 ½ days without and we felt totally isolated. The worst part was the Teddies Worldwide online show was due to start on Friday. Finally, at 2 on Friday afternoon the new computer was ready. They were able to retrieve some info off my old hard drive(for and extra charge). Unfortunately, now, I don't have the software to open some of them. The new computer has windows 7 so it will take a little getting use to. I haven't tried loading frontpage yet. I maintain my website with it and microsoft has discontinued it. Don't know what I will do if it won't work. I did lose a lot of my bookmarks and email addresses. I really need to start backing up on a regular basis...onto a flash drive to be safe.
Dolly did find a new home at the Teddies Worldwide show. She packed up her little case and headed to Virginia. The others will be available soon. I was very happy with the way the Tea Cup Fairies turned out and I hope they will find new homes soon.
It's only a few more days til the Teddies Worldwide Tea Party show. Remember to go to the preview page here and vote for your favorite. The voting ends Thursday the 22nd and the show starts Friday the 23rd at 4pm est. The collectors choice award will be announced at the beginning of the show. Lots of wonderful Teddy Bears in their Tea Party finery to look at.
I purchased these guys at a garage sale a couple of Saturdays ago. The 3 critters in the front are Steiff. I listed them in my Nancy's Notions etsy shop. The cat sold the same day I listed it but the beaver and the mouse are still available.
The preview has begun. There are many wonderful bears...all with a Tea Party theme.
Dolly is my preview bear. She is dressed for the party. You can vote on your favorite until March 22 and there will be a collector's choice awarded to the one that gets the most votes. The show starts March 23 at 4 pm est. I will have 6 bears in the show and there are almost 100 artists participating so there will be lots to look at it. Go to www.teddiesworldwide.com to vote.
Since moving a little over a year ago I haven't played with my Blythe doll, Shannon, at all. I had even decided to sell her. I did sell some of her clothes I had made myself and some shoes and accessories that I had purchased. While looking at the pics of beautiful dolls, including Blythes, on Pinterest the interest in making some doll clothes came back. Bill saw me looking at the pics and asked if I had sold my Blythe doll. When I told him I still have her, he said "Good, I know you liked that doll". I didn't realize he felt that way(I figured he thought me silly). So, Shannon will be coming out of her box soon. I'm sure she is tired of being ignored.
I have also dreamed of getting a Lati or similar small bjd doll. Fellow Teddy bear artist, Joanne, purchased an blank hujoo doll and customized it herself. As Lati dolls start at $300 this would be a lot more affordable for me. Not sure I could handle the customizing myself. it involves inserting eyes, making a wig and adding some color to her face. I'm thinking about it....what will Bill say if I get another doll??
This has been a very mild winter and today the temps were in the upper 80's. We love the beach, it was one of the reasons we moved to Florida. Our favorite beach is the Canaveral National Seashore park, aka Playlinda beach. It's about a 20 minute ride from home. Since it's a National park there is no commercialization. Just beautiful beaches. Since it was our first trip this year, we decided not to stay too long. We managed to get a little pink sunburn anyway. But there is nothing like the sound and smell of the ocean to invigorate you. So we came home, washed off the sand, and got to work. Working on a bear for the Teddies Worldwide Tea Party show.
The preview is just one week away. Stay tuned, because I will need votes for the best tea party attire for my bear.
The photo is of Playlinda beach with Myrna the beach dog photoshopped in. I created her in 2007 and she is a beach loving dog.
