Yard sale and estate finds

Hubby and I have always enjoyed yard and estate sales. Lately they have become a weekly adventure.  Many times we come home empty handed but we love the treasure hunt and time spent together. Even though this is a holiday weekend there were a number of both, estate and yard sales. Many times the estate sales items are unrealistically priced. I understand they are trying to make money for the estate but rusty screwdrivers are not worth $2 apiece. Of course, I'm not looking for rusty screwdrivers anyway. I'm looking for a sweet little treasure. The pink leather baby shoes were purchased at an estate sale. The wood doll house furniture, doll, and little metal train were purchased at a yard sale for 50 cents. I also picked up a great distressed leather jacket for 50 cents....maybe some aviator caps for some critters....
My preview piece for the Friend of Teddy show is finished and photographed. It took longer than expected but it is more detailed than anything I have made in quite awhile. The preview starts June 29 so you will have to wait another month to see it. Now, I am working on another critter for the show but really want to find the time to work on my little plastic bjd.

Making progress

Finally, I feel like I am getting somewhere on my preview creation for the Friends of Teddy show. After decided which mohair to use and designing the pattern the sewing began.  Luckily I have plenty of the mohair because the head didn't turn out right and I had to make another.  It's almost ready to accessorize and that might take the rest of the week. 
Saturday, at a rummage sale, I purchased this leather coat for $2. It will be used for the accessories. Fingers crossed that it turns out as I have envisioned.

Babies

This little green monkey is for my, yet to be born, great niece. Kylie Noelle is due the first week of June. She will be my sister's first grand child. I saw this picture of the room my niece has prepared for the baby and after learning monkeys were her theme, decided she needed a green monkey. It's the first monkey I have made. I printed a special sew in label so baby Kylie will know it's from her Aunt Nancy.

My sister is doing much better. She was moved to a rehab facility and hopefully will be going home soon.

 

http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-jacob-kind-of-long.html

 This baby is the grandson of a blogger friend. This little baby needs lots of prayers as he will be born will several congenital problems. You can click on the link to read about him in her blog.

Indecisive

The idea for this creation started to take shape a couple of months ago. There is even a rough sketch somewhere.  If it turns out as I see it in my head it will be my preview critter for the Teddies Worldwide Friends of Teddy show in July. Having gathered several accessories, I am now committed to making it. Here is where I have run into trouble. The preliminary pattern has been drawn up and I have become very indecisive. Should I make the legs longer? the head bigger? Is the short mohair the right choice or should it be made with the slightly longer denser mohair? I think I am having trouble deciding because this critter is a little more involved than usual for me. Challenging ourselves is what artists should do....right? I'm not the only one that goes through this...am I?

Boy! I think that is the most question marks I have every used in a post. Since I can't reveal the creation until the show preview I put a photo of a sunflower from our backyard. Sunflowers always brighten the day!

I took part in the Greater Orlando Doll Club show yesterday. Only a few sales but a good time EXCEPT right before the show I missed a step coming down a small flight of stairs. Besides the embarrassment factor, I twisted my ankle. Everyone was very nice and I spent most of the show with ice on my foot. Today it is very swollen and I am scooting around the house in an office chair. One good thing that came out of the show...I got my first petite Blythe. I have to think about what to name her. That's something I can do while sitting with ice on my foot.

New Week

Well, although still in the ICU, my sister is doing better.  I'm optimistic that she will continue to improve. My niece has decided to postpone her wedding til her mom is well enough to attend.
This week I will be getting ready for the Greater Orlando Doll Show in Maitland, Florida.  I don't have high expectations for Teddy bear sales but I enjoy going to doll shows anyway.  This one is just an hour's drive from home so it will make for a nice Saturday. The location has a nice little lake/pond right next door. This is great for hubby as doll shows really aren't his thing.

The next event is in mid July. The Teddies Worldwide online show "Friends of Teddy" is right up my alley. I love making Teddies but other critters are also fun to create. Dogs are definitely one of my specialties. Keeping my eye out for some nice soft leather for one of my creations for this show...hint, hint. Mark your calendars, July 13th - 15th. 

The little shadowbox in the photo is something I made a couple of years ago ...just for me. The photos are me as a child. The little locket was mine as a child too. It has photos of my mom and dad. I don't think I'm very good at putting scrap book things together but I enjoy my little shadow box.

Monday

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....