Putting Off Until Tomorrow ...

         
         I know that it has been forever since I have put "Pen to Paper". Just like everyone else there are not enough hours in the day or days in the week to get finished what you need to do. Not to mention what you want to do. I think,for me at least, the older that I get the more that I realize that my clock is ticking at a much faster pace than it used to.
         I have so many projects that are left undone...molds that need to be made...Clay Baby needs to have her arms and legs resculpted...SFGW needs to be cleaned and fired. Then I enter my REAL world..I LOVE my job and it is full time but (and I know that so many of you can relate) when I come home to my family, my energy and artistic fire is more like a flicker of enthusiasm.
        When I peruse my friends blogs and travel along Pinterests roads I become inspired. So much that is out there for us to enjoy and appreciate. Even when I don't have enough energy to fall down I do try to visit these magical places at least a few minutes each day. Could the time be better spent exercising or volunteering for a worthy cause? Probably....Will I? Probably not....
         As I get older I have decided that I will do my best to achieve some sort of a balance in my life. I have also found that the tired old saying of "It is what it is" needs to be thrown out of my everyday dialogue.."It is what it is" IS because I have done nothing to change "what is"...I am on vacation this week and will be enjoying the company of my family...amusement parks...getting ready to have a new shed/studio built in my backyard..In a week I will greet reality with a reluctant smile and move forward. As a Hospice clinician I have seen this LUXURY denied to many...Old and young alike...
        I am basically writing this post to myself...As a reminder that no matter what I will endeavor to persevere and thrill in the moment of NOW !!!
        Wishing EVERYONE the VERY best that Life has to offer....God Speed and God Bless...
                                                      
                                                                                     Mary

Alisa Filippova Artist Dolls using Living Doll Clay

  
       I am always searching for anything that invites emotion....These creations are just one of many things that accomplish this task...This young Russian Artist creates these amazing "One of a Kinds" using a Sculpey product called " Living Doll....
      
        I have used this clay and found it to be extremely easy to work with. Very sturdy and takes color well..At that time the only thing that I did not like was that it did not have a translucent quality...The color was good but I thought that it was too opaque...Boy, was I wrong...:)

        Please enjoy these photo's....

32" Gaithersburg Composition Repair

After many hours of peeling, sanding and painting...

My $1.00 purchase at the March Gaithersburg show...

Underneath all of the old paint there is the soul of a doll waiting to be released...

Vintage child ready to grace anyplace in your heart...once again

Large Enchanted Doll

         I NEEDED to add this STUNNING work of Art from Enchanted Doll...Marina Bychkova..Up until this moment , her Art Dolls have always been 13" of ( in my opinion)  unsurpassed perfection in porcelain...with a smidge of resin for affordability on occasion...This Beauty stands a regal 36" tall...Gloriana...Please forgive her nudity, as I truly do not wish to offend, BUT, with that being said, it would be impossible to appreciate her workmanship and engineering accomplishments dressed in even the FINEST of fabrics...To see more of her please visit www.enchanteddoll.com....Enjoy

Gloriana by Marina Bychlova

 

A Few Treasures from the Eastern National Doll Show

 

           I had the opportunity this past weekend to attend the Gaithersburg Doll Show...It is held four times a year and boasts some of the finest examples of the past when it comes to Dolls..They also have a sampling of modern dolls and Artist dolls...Unfortunately, not as many as I would love to see,but, with that being said...It was a WONDERFUL show....Here are a few examples of the treasures that were present....Enjoy :)

• 

Kathe Kruse

 Artist Ping Lau with her newsest silicone sculpt

Gorgeous Cissy from Madame Alexander

A small sampling of the lovely clothing and textiles that were available

Amazing Jumeaus from the booth of Ashley's Dolls...North Carolina..The phonograph doll ACTUALLY worked

My favorites...The waxes...One Day :)

Happy Baby Restoration: Invasion of the Barnyard Mice !!

These HAVE to be one of the most popular and adored Baby's of the 40's

Unfortunately, this little lost soul was accidentally placed in the family's barn for many years.

I don't know if this would EVER make the pages of " Where Women Create"..Do You?

Happy Baby is Happy once again and so is her owner. She was a complete restore from the Compo repair to an exact duplicate body taken from a pattern of her old one.There was enough left of her original dress to replicate it AND she was still able to wear her original shoes...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 Well, another year has come and gone before we had a chance to blink twice. Our Holidays were fun and fattening..But, most of all it was fun with Family and Friends. These are the presents that can't be purchased for any Dollar amount. Isn't that the most WONDERFUL thing about Family and REAL Friends? Their love is simply yours for the taking..Pretty cool...
 Now, is also the time to reflect and count our blessings. My blessings revolve around the constant chaos that is created by 5 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandson...My 3 daughters ,little girls who grew into caring and beautiful women...Blessed with our Health and the ability to get up every morning and move forward...Last, but not least,The magnificent creatures that I call my co- workers , compassionate ,dedicated to their patients and to each other......
 As to my New Years Resolutions ? It is to laugh, to believe that if I write something down,AGAIN, that I will resolve to follow through and accomplish said tasks... Oh ! H-ll No ! LOL !! This year, I am simply going to view the New Year as a Blank Sheet of paper...I am the Pencil . ( a pencil with a VERY large eraser) New adventures, New dolls , New Friendships....
  I sincerely want to wish Each and Everyone of you the VERY Happiest and Healthiest of New Years...May it be full to the brim with excitement and fulfillment  in all that this WONDERFUL life has to offer...One thing that you learn quickly in Hospice is that we only get one shot at it...at life..make it count !!! God Bless !!