Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Saturday Thoughts

November 23, 2024 at 9:35 am by Claudia

The rain stopped overnight. We got a really good soaking, which was desperately needed. We even got some snow flurries yesterday. They didn’t last long, but it was a hint of things to come.

We plan on walking this morning, something that we’ve not been consistent with lately. I’ll drop off the book I just finished, Lone Wolf  by Gregg Hurwitz. I just finished a luxury read, straight through from 6 am to 8:30 am. This book is his latest and now I’ll have to wait, just like everyone else who has already discovered him, for his new book to come out next year. (I just checked: February 11th, 2025.) This may have been my favorite because it centers on AI – artificial intelligence – and its danger. Since this is a subject I think of quite often, it was timely. And chilling.

I’ll check out some John Sandford books when I stop at the library because he’s an author our tiny little library has on the shelf. And I’m still not ready to read Gray Wolf. It’s not time yet.

What else? Clean the bathroom. Wash the towels. Hang out with Don. Stay away from the news for my emotional well being.

Sometimes we’re sort of forced – or nudged – into doing something. With Jessie, when she was still a blank head with lovely little features, I sought out one of my favorite customizers to ask what she charged. She lives in Belgium. She is very kind and extremely talented. She customizes a lot of Little Keiko dolls and the results are beautiful. She was willing to adjust her price, given I already had the head and also had an OB22 body on hand. But she is a true artist, so she likes to supply the perfect wig and outfit, as well. Completely understandable. After dithering over the decision for a long time, I declined, because I didn’t really want to spend that much money. She understood and was lovely about the whole thing.

Then my friend recommended another customizer who had done one of her Little Keikos. I’ve spoken about her before. She finally responded to my friend’s request and contacted me saying she would be able to book me toward the end of November. I wrote her back asking about the price. No answer. Wrote again. No answer. The whole time this was going on – since September – I flirted with trying to do it myself. But I didn’t have much confidence. In the meantime, another friend gave me a list of the things I would need to buy to in order to do a face up. Very inexpensive, all of it, so I ordered what I needed and a stack of supplies sat on my desk for a month, Still no answer from the customizer, who I knew was having some personal problems.

I had already been watching lots of videos about the face up process. I had done a lot of research. And I won the head in a giveaway, so I hadn’t invested the kind of money that might make me fearful about screwing it up. I wrote the customizer and told her I was going to go for it and she was apologetic yet greatly relieved. She’s going through an awful divorce. It worked out for the best for both of us.

Sometimes, you need a nudge and the universe gives you one. You just have to pick up on those messages.

And now I’ve got little Jessie.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: life 16 Comments

Thanks!

November 22, 2024 at 8:35 am by Claudia

Didn’t have a new photo, so this is what you get!

And it sort of looks like this at the moment because I cleaned it up after working on Jessie.

Oh, wait a minute! I do have a new photo:

Jessie and Derek are walking Bertie.

As you can see, we still have some flowers on the porch. I have another week to enjoy them. The week after Thanksgiving will bring really cold temperatures and there will be no saving them then.

I had a lovely birthday. Very low key, just the way I like it. Much time was spent answering Happy Birthdays on the blog and Instagram and Facebook, all of which brought a smile to my face. I heard from childhood friends, high school and grad school friends, former students, family (Z sent me a happy birthday message on his very own phone,) neighbors and lots of theater colleagues. It brings an awareness of the crazy quilt of my life and how blessed I am.

Don made breakfast yesterday – french toast and scrambled eggs. And then he made a spectacular dinner. I requested crabbiless crab cakes (something we have only once a year, on my birthday.) Oh my heavens! DELICIOUS!

He spoiled me, as he always does. My only request was a new bottle of my favorite perfume (Amazing Grace by Philosophy) and he came through. It should last several years.

Oh, and I actually put on makeup.

Thank you for all your birthday messages and for all the kudos on the creation of Jessie. They mean so much to me!

Don whispered in my ear yesterday: “Don’t tell the others, but she’s my favorite.”

It rained all day long yesterday! And it’s raining today. In fact, just down the road, friends of ours got some snow! We didn’t. Go figure. There are lots of little microclimates around here. Anyway, we thrilled about the rain.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 24 Comments

A “Proud of Myself” Post

November 20, 2024 at 9:02 am by Claudia

I’m still on a little bit of a high after my latest artistic endeavor.

Let me explain:

I won a blank doll’s head in a giveaway on Instagram. It’s one of the dolls, “Freesia,” designed by Little Keiko dolls. They are BJD (ball jointed) dolls made of resin. This particular line of dolls is very popular among Blythe aficionados. I was thrilled to win and knew I would have to find someone to do a faceup – the painting and sometimes carving of the face. In this case, there wouldn’t have to be any carving. Just painting.

The head arrived here on September 19th.

I had been slowly collecting the materials required for a face up: pastels, watercolor pencils, white gloves, Mr. Super Clear – a sealing spray, a mask and goggles for using Mr. Super Clear, which is quite toxic, Magic Erasers, foam wedges, paint brushes, and makeup brushes. I gathered all of it because I had been pondering doing the faceup myself and a good friend on my feed gave me a list of what I’d need.

But I was very fearful, so I was about to have the face up done by a wonderful artist (recommended to me by my friend, Gwen.) But, after our initial conversation, she didn’t get back to me when I asked for a price quote. To be honest, money is very, very tight, and that’s why I was thinking of doing it myself. I finally wrote to her and thanked her and said I was going to do the face up. Turns out she’s going through a painful divorce and there’s too much on her plate. So the universe seemed to be saying “Do it!”

So, I started in on the project on Monday. I finished yesterday. Every little step I took was scary. I was so afraid I would screw it up. And it’s not perfect, but since she’s my doll and I’m not selling her, it doesn’t matter.

Here’s the blank head. (I’m not using the eyelids.)

At the end of my first day, here is where I was:

Every layer of work has to be sealed with Mr. Super Clear. You spray MSC over the blank head. Then, you start with the base – in this case, a flesh-colored pastel and then the cheeks and lips. More MSC. (I sprayed outdoors.)

Then you add more layers; the area around the eyes, the eyebrows, and other additions to create the final look. Then, two final coats of MSC. I purchased the eyes and the wig from Little Keiko. I attached eyelashes (which was very tricky – it’s much easier on a Blythe) and inserted the eyes, secured the wig, swore a lot, and – drum roll – here is Jessie!

I can’t tell you how tickled I am about the way she turned out! She’s on the same body I use for my Blythes, so she can wear Blythe clothes. Of course, Don was cheering me on and was seriously stunned by the final look.

I did this! I customized a doll!

One side benefit was that I was so engrossed that I barely thought of the clown show of cabinet nominees.

My birthday is tomorrow. I’m going to be 72. Trying something new at this age can be a bit frightening. But I pushed myself and this sweet girl emerged from all of the worry and trepidation. On my first try!

I think it’s the perfect birthday gift for myself.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: dolls 113 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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