ARTFEST 2012

I had a great time at Artfest. I'm so sorry it's the last one.The experience was unforgettable. I met new friends, got some fabulous trades, learned new things and came back a changed person!

I didn't change this much! This is Jesse Reno, my first teacher. He taught me a lot about creativity and the artistic process. Loved it!

The magic of tutus!

 I loved the beach!

I made new friends! 

 My painting from Jesse's class. Scary itsn't it! I was painting what I felt! Being creative is scary sometimes.

"Aging" our dolls in Junker Jane's "Monster Rag Doll" class.

 

Friends

I love Artfest!

IT'S SPRING!

There are finally signs of spring in our neck of the woods. The weather is getting nicer, the lady bugs are appearing and we have seen the first robin! Time to look for Easter dresses at the store (found some on sale!), do Easter crafts and play outside without a coat!

 Chaylee trying on her new dress.

We collected lots of ladybugs in a jar but let them out in our tulip bed. Then we made edible nests and bunny hats. (With four granddaughters!)

It was a bit crazy!

THE LAST OF THE WINTER FUN (HOPEFULLY!)

We watched our granddaughters a couple of times this week. Thursday turned out to be sunny and warm (at least for winter, about 45 degrees) so we all went outside and spent some time in the snow that was left in our backyard. We didn't get much snow this year so we were lucky to have enough to sled in. 

Lillee getting ready to slide down the hill.

 Chaylee and Lillee are ready to go.

 As you can see, there is very little snow. (I loved this winter!)

 The best part was the snowball fight!

On Saturday, we drove out to our local state park to see if we could see any migrating birds. Unfortunately it is too early to see any. All we saw was the resident cat which was very friendly much to our granddaughters' delight. Our granddaughters had fun playing with the cat, sliding on the slide and throwing rocks in the river.

THANK YOU!

I've been sick for over a week with the flu that's been going around so I spent my birthday mostly in bed which isn't always a bad thing if I have a bunch of good books to read. And I got to talk to most of my children and grandchildren on the phone! Thanks for cards and phone calls from the family and friends and the delicious cake baked by my friend Carla!

A PEEK AT ALL MY DOLLS!

As you can see they are all different shapes and sizes just like real people!

I FINISHED ALL 108 DOLLS!

I have finally finished all my dolls. My goal was to make 100 dolls but I finished with 108. I gave 3 away already and am saving two for my two granddaughters that are old enough to appreciate them (they get the doll that they are named for). So I will have at least 100 to give away at Artfest for trades. Here are the final 18.

Doll 91-Candie (Notice she's holding an ice cream cone and she looks like an ice cream parlor to me).

 Doll 92-Meredith

 Doll 93-Sarah

Doll 94-Diedre

Doll 95-Elise, after my husband's grandmother.

 Doll 96-Lillee after our granddaughter.

Doll 97-Eva

 Doll 98-Columbia, after Columbus. The body fabric was the fabric I found and used for my "inspiration fabric" when I designed my "Discover America" quilt.

 Doll 99-Abigail

 Doll 100-Teesha Moore, after the originator and feerless leader of Artfest. She looks like she is running around busily which is what she does during Artfest. Thank you Teesha!

 Doll 101-Stella 

 Doll 102-Esther, I love this one for some reason. Probably because I have always loved purple and green and purple is one of my favorite color combinations these days.

Doll 103-Chaylee after my granddaughter.

 Doll 104-Breana, after another granddaughter.

 Doll 105-Cynthia, after another granddaughter. 

Doll 106-Star, her necklace has a moon and star on it-in tribute to my husband who taught and loves astronomy.

 Doll 107-Carolyn, after our cousin and my friend.

 Doll 108-Jordan, after our granddaughter.