Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The most challengingt one so far!

I knew from the start that this one was the most challenging to work with so far! Even before she had a mouth, I could hear her thoughts directing me on how she wanted to be made. I carefully carved her mouth so she could speak directly instead of me trying to hear all of her thoughts at once. She said that she wanted classic beauty, a pouty mouth and pretty blue eyes. I have never had one so fussy before. I hadn't even gotten her arms and legs finished.


I decided that a little one with so many demands needed a name right away. She needed a gentle name that she would hopefully grow into. I immediately named her Mary Grace.

"Hello Mary Grace," I smiled.

"I should have been called Mary Elizabeth, like royalty." she proclaimed.

"I think Mary Grace will be fine."

"Hmmph," she fussed and refused to speak again.

Well, until I went to attaching her arms and legs she was quiet.

"I want pegs not elastic joints! I told you I wanted to be a classic Hitty!" she demanded.

I sighed and got out the pegs. I began by making my dolls with pegs but didn't like the way they moved. The elastic joints could do so much more. But Mary Grace insisted. So Mary Grace got pegs.

"I want toes and pretty boots that slip on and off!" Mary Grace began.

So Hitty Mary Grace got toes. I got out the black classic boots but oh no, she wanted white.

"I want a look that has been around for a while." Mary Grace demanded.

I antiqued her and made her look as if she had been around for many years.

I began to wonder if this little gal shouldn't have been kindling for my pot belly stove. Maybe I should have named her Patience Grace! Someone with lots of patience will have to be her person. She might be a difficult one to find someone to love her and take her home.

"I want a regal dress so everyone will know I am great," Mary began again.

"I will dress you in one of the many dresses I have until I add your name to the adoption list." I replied.

"I want to choose who I live with," Mary Grace snapped.
She began pulling dresses out of the Hitty and Hickory closet.

"I don't like this one. This one is too plain." she said as she threw the dresses aside.

"I am tired and will dress you in the morning. Please stay out of trouble. Miss Viola Hickory will try to keep you company."

I put up my carving knives and turned off the lights. After a trying day with Mary Grace, I needed to soak in the hot tub and hope she would grow into her peaceful name.

But Mary Grace had other ideas...

Join me next time to see all the problems Mary Grace causes.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A Saturday treat

My Saturday treat was getting to go to the NW Arkansas Wood Carvers Show and Competition.I had intended to show but my body decided otherwise. I had several flare ups of Lupus and was unable to carve as much. No complaints, well only a few. My husband and I drove to the show and was delighted at all of the exhibitions of the carvers. Janet Cordell, another Hitty carver was one of the judges on Saturday. She also had some of her wonderful carvings on display there. I was surprised security didn't get me for drooling over them!

The treat came when I got to meet the talented doll artist Connie Hardt or as some of you may know her Ebay name, stonedragon. She literally met me with open arms. She introduced me to her daughter and showed me all of her dolls, squirrel spoon and key fobs.

And let me tell you, she had some beautiful dolls!

She is as sweet as she could be and so willing to share how she does her dolls. She let me pick her brains on how she jointed her dolls and made some with moveable heads. She is a true artists.


Connie, if you can't tell, it was a thrill to finally meet you. The Hitty I brought home has been too busy socializing with all my gang that she forgot to tell me her name. Miss Viola Hickory loved her deep green dress with tiny leaves in it. She may have to watch out or Viola might just borrow it!

I look forward to trying to get together for a carve and chat session sometime in the future.

What a treat!