It seems I am not immune.

Immune to that period of life I have heard so many in the paper doll community talk about, where they got married/had children/started their career and had to take a break from the thing they love. 

I assumed that I was after I managed to hang on to my hobby with all I had.  Turns out I just needed a third little to force me to step back. 

Paper dolls are always on my mind, I store my collection and supplies in my bedroom and see it every day when I wake up, but there's never enough time to sit down and create something.  I rarely even doodle these days, which is frustrating.  I feel like my fingers are always itching to draw again, but instead, I'm helping with math homework or teaching the littlest how to draw triangles and bugs.  In the meantime, my oldest has been drawing up a storm.

I'm coming back though, once I get a minute. 

"No power in the 'verse can stop me" - Kaylee, Firefly

Sad news

Apparently Tom Tierney passed yesterday. I never got to meet him, it was a dream that will never come true. From what I've gathered, I missed out on someone truly special.

Jenny Taliadoros wrote a touching post.
http://paperdollreview.blogspot.com/2014/07/normal.html

*tears*

Okay, maybe posting nightly was ambitious.

I had no idea how late things would end and how tired I would be after they did. I did take lot of pictures, loads in the raffle room, some in the artist gallery (I kind of forgot to take pictures after a point and just oogled things), the silent auction items & nearly everything in the competition. I completely forgot to take my camera to all but the last dinners, well actually one time I couldn't find it. Oh and I took pictures of the dress-a-doll.

Paper Dolls in Richmond.

 

I am at the 2014 PD Convention right now. Finally made it to one. I've seen Brenda Sneathen Mattox & David Wolfe so far, but haven't gotten a chance to be star struck and trip over my tongue in front of them yet. I did meet Eileen Rudisill Miller, but didn't realize who she was until I was about to walk away. Judy Johnson is lovely, as well as her daughter Jenny Taliadoros. Pretty sure I chatted with Sylvia Kleindinst (Edited: I did!) while waiting in line for cake (It was Ron Fong's birthday!), but I didn't see her name tag, so I'll be sure later on I suppose. Let's see, I saw Kwei-lin Lum walking down the hall. I was tempted to run after her and ask if she got my email, but I had my hands full with baby.

Speaking of baby, I easily have the cutest 5 week old at the convention. This last year has been the busiest yet and sadly I've barely been able to doodle, much less paper doll.

What has been a surprise is that, aside from people I've met before and people I know from Facebook, I have been recognized. When we were headed for the elevator (possibly in it) a woman said "Oh, you're the artist." Which surprised me and I tripped all over my tongue. Later on (also in the elevator) I was recognized AGAIN! My unique name is doing it's job. This time by Ron, who apparently reads this blog (Hi Ron!), he even said I was "On his list of people to meet". Which is pretty amazing and I'm a little awed to have anyone say that about me. 

I just can't believe anyone in the real world knows who I am.. 

My husband is giddy and maybe a little gloaty. He's always telling me that I sell myself short.

I'm going to post pictures from the convention over the next few days and hopefully resurrect this blog. Will try to do them nightly, so that I don't get bogged down with mom duties and forget.

Either way, thanks for sticking around. It honestly does mean so much to me.

Google Reader going away..

If you use Google Reader to keep up with some blogs, you're going to need to find another way.

I personally use Bloglovin'. I've been using it for a long time now actually. Yes, I follow other PD sites through Google reader, but that's more so their links show up on my page and I can help get them a few more followers if possible. I have never actually used Google reader to actually keep up with the content though.

 The main reason I like Bloglovin' is because you can sort/categorize the sites you follow. I have a paper doll group, a cooking group, a group for people I know, etc. It keeps posts for about a month before they expire. Great for me because if I don't get online all week, I don't have to go to each individual site to see if there's any updates, only updated sites show up. That way while Liana (of http://joechip.net/liana/) is on her adorable baby hiatus, I'm not driving myself crazy wondering if she's back. When she is, it will pop up and I won't miss it. (Ok, so I am wondering, but I understand she's got more important things to do right now.)

Another thing I like is that even if a blog/site hasn't registered themselves with the site, I can still input the link and start following the content from then on. This is also helpful for foreign language sites that post PDs, but not only PDs. I see a picture (if the post has one) and a portion of the beginning text content. That way I don't have to try to figure out the post on antique teapots unless I choose to. Or craft posts I know I'm never going to do.

I've also gotten personal, thoughtful replies anytime I've had a problem, which has been only two or three times in at least two years.

There are other sites, rss feed readers out there & maybe you will find one you like better, but this is how I follow nearly every site I read regularly, so I think you might also find it useful.





This post is not sponsored in any way.

Plans

Just have a minute to post.

My kids are out of school for the summer and we've been busy running around living life. Pools, blueberry picking and loads of bike riding.

Also my birthday is in 5 days (thought I have 2 weeks or so, but my sister-in-law pointed it out to me just a few minutes ago), I'm going to be 29. The last year of my 20s, it's not as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be 5 years ago. In fact I'm looking forward to my 30s. Life looks like it's getting better & better as it goes, I'm optimistic about the future. My husband's birthday is also coming up in 5 days. Yup, you heard me, we've got the same birthday. I'm a year older though, so clearly I'm the wise one (Ha!) in the relationship.

Anywho, it's going to be a busy month.

I am making plans for what to do about the blog and I'm embarrassed to have posted so little. I may not have many, but I value every follower I've got. I'd like to prove I deserve them. I've also had several ideas.

Hope your summer is fun!

The Let-Down

One thing I hear a lot from other paper doll artists and collectors is that at one point they became to busy for paper dolls. I always thought maybe I just loved them more since I never have. I am starting to think it's because I fought tooth and nail for it. It's really hard these days, I feel like I've drawn nothing but doodles in the last year.

I'm not giving up, but I'm realizing that I am essentially in the same position those others were. Maybe it's just hitting me a few years later.

I'm 29 next month, I have two kids 10 and 6 years, most days I watch my niece who is 4. I thought it would be easier once they were a little older and both in school, but I feel like it's more intensive now. I'm trying to raise good people. I am not working currently, but I am looking for a job. I never feel I have the time for art anymore, I feel guilty and sad about it. Paper dolls are important to me and help me feel centered, but for some reason I'm not doing much creating. I am still cutting out my double sets and buying some PDs now and then, but it's not as satisfying for me.

I do think about drawing and this blog every day, no exaggeration.

Does anyone who's been through this have any thoughts or tips on how I can get back on track? I want to, but I've always struggled with motivation.

I wanted to touch base with you all and say that while I don't know when I'll be drawing again, I hope it's soon, I hope it's tomorrow. I'm just not sure I can make any promises that I can keep just now.