Back to my roots

Whenever I come back from a recent show, I'm so motivated to create more dolls and to get better at it.  I usually get home and begin, starting with dusting and cleaning out the studio and sitting down to write out my goals.  Again, I'm struck by how lucky I am to be HERE.  This is my bliss, my work, my home, my family, my life.  I'm eternally grateful :)

So, with that, I begin a new project...a 18th Century young woman in an elaborate gown.  I've decided to embroider.  Now here's where the title above comes in:  this is going back to my roots when my mom taught me to embroider kitchen towels.  I'd iron on the design and she would show me the stitches:  the backstitch, the french knot, the lazy daisy and the satin stitch.   Since, then I've loved embroidery and needlework of all kinds.  I've enjoyed adding this touch to my dolls as I can make the design to scale and the handwork can be trimming and decor on the doll.  My 18th century doll isn't quite finished, but here is a preview of the stitching.  I will add little gems and beads to glam it up.

Back to my roots again, here is one of my first dolls that I had made.  This is of my mom on her wedding day in 1957.  She had firey red hair and pale blue eyes.  She handed this to me the other day and asked if I would like to show her at my show.  I didn't bring the doll to the show as I didn't want her to be accidentally purchased!  I did however, take some photos of her.  I created "Mom" about 12 years ago and I'm pleasantly surprised that she's held up so well!

So, my dear sweet Mom... here's to you.  For teaching me to sew, to embroider, to make cookies and to stand up for myself.  My mom has dementia now, but so far she's doing pretty well at 78.  She remembers many things and goes back to her memories for most of the time, but she's still here and I'm ever so grateful that I get to have her in my life.