The dolls outside in the evening....

What do dolls do, you ask, in the evening? Here Dottie and Gracie are lounging...yes, dolls Lounge, outside, on the grass, on antique linens and just ...dream, talk, and laugh. At least here at the Patch on Pumpkin Hill they do, and look at the clouds in the sky. I chose this spot in our yard as the weather, evening light, everything was perfect for this photo shoot, and it looks quite timeless, like they have found a secluded spot with their baskets, their book and fan, and are enjoying each other's company. Things I like to do myself, when I have time too. I have always been intrigued by timeless paintings of women in white from the late 1890's by the great painters like Monet where women lounged, rested, fanned themselves and did not seem to suffer from the day to day high tech drudgery of today. lol...

To dream in tranquility and peace, ah, heaven.......Enjoy the pics!

~Lisa

A gift from Miranda Wandering....

Today we received a gift from Wendy Wylde, from the famous blog of Miranda Wandering .
I was one of the ones chosen for liking the  C&M Coffee page on Facebook., It was quite exciting, and of course Gracie went out to the mailbox and found the package way before Dixie did.....here is Gracie unwrapping the goodies Wendy & Miri sent...

'What have you got there Gracie?'

"It's a present from Miss Wendy, that nice friend of yours near the cool doll store where I came from!! And that little doll named Miranda!!!!W0w!"

                                               'Lisa they even have their own card for their blog!! Why don't WE have a card for Pumpkin Hill Studios??'
                                           " We do Gracie."
                                            shrugs shoulders...'No, not the EBAY store, but the blog ...about US!"
                                              Me laughing..."Oh..."

Dixie immediately clamed the book, the cup, and the cinnamon bun and doughnut...I think Gracie wanted the cinnamon bun, but Dixie was quite for such a little Brownie fairy....she took her loot home to strut in front of the other tinies, and then wished me to come and take pictures....mystified, I followed her to the doll room, where the Pumpkin Hill dollhouse was....they were all in the kitchen with..............their dolls!

Dixie decided since the C & M coffee had had a cool doll meetup, that the tinies of Pumpkin Hill could have one as well. Minuette had her Tigger bear, April Mae had a porcelain jointed doll that was sleeping, Maizie had a tiny Kewpie and so did Wren, only hers was in a small dome, because she did not wish it to be broken. Dixie had one of her Bratz dolls! (I didn't even know she liked Barbie or Bratz, ) and they wished me to take this photo to send to Miri and Miss Wendy.

Have fun with the pics!

~Lisa

A Few private Memories of Dad...

 Above are pics of my dad from the year 1966-1967? I think. Today on August 5th, was my dad's birthday, he would have been 73 today if he were alive. We lost him about two weeks before Christmas in 1969 of  a brain anorism when he was 31. So today, I thought I would take a few moments in remembrance of him, and the fun we had while he was here.Above he is receiving an award of some sort from when he was in the Air Force. With each passing year, I think I miss him more and more, he was one of the most positive and friendliest people you would ever meet.

I know many have seen the picture I have posted of me, at the age of three standing in front of the amazing playhouse. My dad took this picture of me, after being dragged up from his nap on my great-grandmother's front porch when we were visiting for the summer. The playhouse stood beside the house of my great-grandmother's neighbor, whose large North Carolina home was across the street. THe playhouse was originally built for the couple's daughter, who was my mother's age at the time, about 27, and had a family of her own. The playhouse or dollhouse, was built like a real house- it had a replica fireplace, small table and chairs, built in cupboards, windows that opened and closed- the shutters closed as well, and was landscaped like a real house. The funny part about this day is I remember sitting on the front stoops just wanting so badly to go over and play in the dollhouse. I remember once being allowed to go in, it was quite difficult for Dad to get me to come out until he went and got the camera and promised to take my picture. It is one of my fondest memories of him, and his patience with me, and unknowingly, put me on my path to my love of dollhouses, dolls, and most of all, doll furniture and anything in miniature. The most wonderful part of this story is after we came home, my grandfather heard so much about the playhouse that I was presented with my very own playhouse, not as elaborate, but just as wonderful. I think the reason for this is I never stopped talking about the playhouse or dollhouse and my fascination must have bordered on a child's obsession, which led to the wonder of the world of dolls and miniatures. So began my story into Lilliput land, and I guess you could say, it was more than a Kodak moment...it was priceless.

Thank you Dad, and have a Happy Birthday with the Angels , we miss you.

~Lisa

Bjd's, Marie Antoinette, Hats & other things....

I haven't done much with the dolls lately, except try and finish up their colonial/Marie Antoinette inspired costumes. Poor Dorothea has been consigned every since she arrived at Christmas from Paulette Goodreau in her wizard of Oz costume, with no new clothing or even a new wig...until now. I have been wanting to take photos of them out in the yard having tea, with a real Petite Trianon type setting, but until now had not finished the hats for them. I did however, think this was a great time to show off the open book wardrobe catalog that I made to fit Gracie & Dorothea. Marie Antoinette had so many gowns that a wardrobe book or catalogue was brought to her in the mornings- she pricked the fabric swatch next to the drawing of the gown she wished to wear that

 day, then they brought in her wardrobe choices to her apartments in large baskets. This fascinated me to no end- though there is still a couple of these books in existence, I could find no images, so I made my own.

Dorothea's ensemble was really thrown together today- almost an afterthought. Her skirt was made by me, & had a matching bodice- but I have misplaced it. Her top is a Tonner camisol I got off of Ebay- in Scarlett's underpinnings. With a lavender sash it coordinates with Gracie's ensemble. Both ensembles were made using the 2008 Arcadia dolls Haute doll pattern. I still have some tweaking to do on these. I was really pleased with the straw hats, and how they came out- I have some larger ones that will fit the American Girl dolls- so I know Felicity would love a new hat to match her pink dress and her rose garden dress.

Gracie's gown was made using cotton- her slippers are made of taffeta. I have not yet finished embellishments on her slippers- need to make some for Dorothy as well. I played with the pattern a bit on this one- I think it needs a ruffle or two in retrospect. The dolls' wigs came from an artist on Den of Angels forum named Mimi who specializes in the most beautiful mohair wigs. They really soften the look on these outfits, I don't think I will ever have anything but mohair again for the bjd wigs. I am hoping to take more pics when I get a few scenes set up but not with the heat index as it has been. For now, hope you enjoy the photos and what the dolls have been doing here at the 'Patch...
~Lisa

More Jewelry creations.....

I have been creating.....and creating........shown above are some simple jump ring earrings I created. I am really enjoying the creative process of making jewelry, especially the recycling of old vintage pieces as well. My newest creation? Some thing casual and funky and vintage, out of the possibilities Mayonnaise jar that my old friend of my dads' Cherokee, gave me. He used to frequent old yard and tag sales, and would come home with all sorts of interesting findings and old jewelry.

The chain, key ring, and vintage earring all came out of the jar! The only thing I added was copper wire wrapping the key ring, and the jump ring to connect it. There were alot of onesie old clip on vintage earrings that are really just too beautiful not to be made into pendants, or a focal point for glitzy pieces. I have a couple of ideas for about three to four pieces, and think they will really pop.

And of course, here is the first piece I did, Gears turn the Wheels to my Heart, a little bit of Steampunk. I absolutely adore steampunk, and last night began work on doll sized goggles for Gracie. I want to make doll size jewelry with a steampunk theme, but the trick is finding gears and charms, and findings in appropriate scales. Also, though I do sketch, I work better 'off the cuff' so to speak. Usually that entails throwing a bunch of chain and findings on the table, then pulling out the jump rings, glue and fasteners....

Right now, I'm living a 'charmed' creative life.,...& I LOVE IT!

~Lisa

A 'Little' bit of art from Lisa.....

Usually, I post here about the new going ons in the 'Patch, and what the dolls are doing, or learning. Actually, not much of anything has been going on with the dolls....they pretty much have been quiet, except for Gracie, who just got her new wigs and is striking a pose all over the place....Since moving the One Sixth Scale dollhouse into the display room, as well as refurbishing my very first dollhouse that daughter played with, as is now mine again...I've been busy.
First of all, I decided to experiment with my artwork...jest a little bit' like the song says. I had recently discovered Steampunk, and also Steampunk styled jewelry. Here is a shot or two of my worktable of the ingredients I've assembled so far.......since Steampunk is so exciting to work in as a medium. I think I have found a new calling....

This book is called Steampunk Styled jewelry by Jean Campbell, and it is a great book for ideas, inspiration and explanations on the culture of Steampunk. Got it yesterday with coupon from Michael's....with more jewelry making goodies...

Shown here is the very first steampunk themed necklance I created to the left- on a leather chain..'Gears turn the wheels of my Heart'. It has a key hanging from the big gear, with all the gears connected to look as though they turn, with a small heart charm in the center of the pendant dangling. The book is a miniature book I made, plus some charms, odds and ends that will be pressed into service soon.

A better view of the pendant, with the heart above the gears. I like it, but am biased, so decided to wear it out to one of my favorite restuarants when going out to dinner to see if there were any stunned looks, gasps of horror, or interest in it all around. The waitresses loved it- so much so that my husband laughed and said they forgot to bring the ketchup for the fries he ordered, they were so busy looking at it. I have to admit, after being like an artistic dessert for the year 2010 - so many emotional upheavals, letdowns, and other problems too draining to mention, it was nice to see I had not lost my touch artistically. The wonderful thing about the steampunk culture is anything can constitute steampunk...and it so embodies my way of thinking...I have always been attracted to the clean lines of wood, brass, veneer, chrome, and glass..I love Victorian era and remember watching 'Wild Wild West' as a child...& loving it. (early 70's tv show, but the movie was good too.) So besides the lives of the dolls, I will probably be showcasing new items here in a steampunk theme, hopefully in more jewelry, but in miniature and for the dolls as well. Gracie has already said she would like to be a Steampunk Alice....

This is an example of steampunk I did in 1:12 scale a few months ago, earlier in the year. I adored doing this table, and the pieces came together with some items I had and it kind of just came together naturally. It's a steampunk themed tea table, and the table is veneered on its tabletop with birds' eye maple veneer by me. All of the items were modded or scratch built by me; Rhett is a doll by the talented artist Sherri Colvin of Colvin Studio. I hope to be doing more of this type of thing in 1:12 scale as well as for the larger dolls. The doll world I have already thought of things for, or more projects, I should say. lol. My creative juices are flowing again and I will be showcasing my steampunk items here....and watch my Etsy store and Ebay store as well for those artisan creations.....
~Lisa