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.

Paper Doll Clubs & Groups List

Here's the list of paper doll groups in the USA. Maybe there's one near you.

Spring PD Party

Such sad news in my inbox, The Southeastern Paper Doll Party has been canceled this year. Jean always throws a great party and it's been something I've looked forward to every year. Hopefully next year it will be back. Or heck, my husband keeps asking me when I'm going to take up the torch and throw one myself. I definitely couldn't this year. I'm going to miss seeing everyone.

I guess that means I should think about going to the convention this year. It's in Los Angles, California this year, which is on the other side of the country for me. It would be an adventure for sure. We'll see what happens.

New Year, Renewed Commitment

Last year was a bad one. Busy-busy with no money to spare. Or time to draw for that matter. I think I drew two things (PD related, hundreds of flower doodles were successfully achieved) all year. It stunk and I am not doing that again this year. Plus you'll all leave me if I don't get my act together, if you haven't already. I need to be better. 

I wouldn't be a good host if I didn't give you some kind of picture to look at, right? So here's some grainy pictures I took of the PDs I got for Christmas. I wish I could have gotten better quality shots, but I had to turn off the flash to get them to come out this good. Since they're still available for purchase I'm only posting pictures of the covers. 

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 First we have the new OPDAG Paper Doll book & it's gorgeous. I'm a little disappointed with myself over this book. As a member of OPDAG (Original Paper Doll Artists Guild) I had the chance to maybe have something published in this book, but I didn't get around to it. I missed out on being part of something truly special. I will submit to the next and hopefully my art will be accepted.

 

Peter Pan by Charlotte Whatley.

I love her work and it says there's an additional doll to download on the Dover website, which I really need to get around to doing. I think the Tiger Lily doll is my favorite.

 

Fashion Fads by Brenda Sneathen Mattox.

I've been a fan of her since I stumbled onto her website about 13 years ago.

 

I was also given these two cute PDs. 

Little Japanese Girl by Tom Tierney & Aiko From Japan by Yuko Green.

 

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 Sticker Fashionista by Kelly Smith.

This one was not a Christmas gift, I bought it myself at my local Barnes & Noble. More like a sticker paper doll book, although I think it wasn't intended to be exactly. The dolls are black & white pencil and the clothes are full color stickers. Not sure exactly how the clothing was drawn because I didn't look at them too closely yet. I suspect pencil lined paintings. I took a few pictures so that you can see for yourself. I've included a photo of the UPC code in case you might be interested.

  

 

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Last but not least, I wanted to link to a post on another PD blog. 

Mostly Paper Dolls Too has a B & W paper doll from 1916 with MY NAME. Nothing has my name, except a chain of hotels in Greece, but nothing in the USA. So it's really cool to see and she's cute to top it all off. I've already printed her out twice and will probably do a few more times so I can color her in different shades. I'm excited.

 

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Thanks for sticking around, I really do appreciate each and every one of you.

Disk Found!

Well, it took me 6 hours, but I found my disk. Hopefully I can figure it out and get everything back up and running so I can start scanning art for the blog. Plus it would be so nice to start drawing again. I hope it will help relieve some of the stress I'm doing such a terrible job managing. I miss it, I think about drawing every day, but I always feel too busy. I'm going to fix that.

So, I have a scanner problem. Someone was annoyed that a printer/scanner control pannel was popping up every time the computer was started, so they deleted a file. Now no matter what I do, I can't scan a thing. I found this out yesterday, but had to work.. I will be looking for my installation disk all day if that's what it takes. Hopefully it can be fixed before I get to far behind in this "Art Every Day" project. Now to check some other places.

Think I might take part in "Creative Every Day Month 2012" in November. I don't know that I'll be able to make every thing I do be paper doll related, but I want to. I keep telling myself as soon as I have time I'll get around to it, but I never do. I'm starting to think I'll never have time unless I make time. It's been far to long. AM

Words to come.

SPD Helpers Part 2

Several different dolls.I like the kitty & the teeny tiny one best.


Some very pretty homemade cards, if I find out who made them I will update.


An old-fashioned card, love the hat.


Another mixed lot of paper dolls. I spy a Queen Holden in the mix.


Not 100% sure what this is. I'm assuming it's a sheet of illustrations of different dolls that are/once were available to buy.


So, all in all, it seems I picked five photos I can't come up with many words for. I think it'll be ok, because we both know you're not here for words.

Some "Helpers" from the March PD Party

It's not my artwork, but it's something right? These are the "Helpers" that were available, helper is what we call raffles in paper doll terms. They're also called that because they are donated and the money collected goes to help pay for the costs of the party. I always try to buy lots of tickets, because it'll break my heart if the parties stop.

Ok so this first one was the one my girl wanted the most, but sometimes you win, sometimes not so much. This went to a woman who seemed pretty delighted and L got spoiled with other paper dolls. It's so her though, a princess with poufy pink dresses, those are her favorite kind.


This next one was a mystery box and it went to Lone. Everyone was so curious as to what was inside. It turned out to be craft supplies, ribbons, sparkles, pretty papers and the like. Very cool.


This one I won (yay!). A binder with many Anne Estelle and friends pages. I have a confession though, I like Anne Estelle's friends the most. There's a list inside of all the different pages that were created and the ones in the binder are marked, so I can easily see which ones I don't have. What sold me though, was the beautiful Queen Holden book underneath it. Such big beautiful book. I'll have to take some pictures for you sometime. Especially since to this date my Queen Holden post is my most popular. I'm so lucky to have it in my collection.


This one is of a paper plaything, not necessarily a paper doll. I believe it's a toy story at Christmas time. There's many clerks to help out the two customers wandering around. I'm not a pop-up collector myself, but this is beautifully detailed.


This last one was amazing. Lone won this one as well, lucky lucky. All cut pieces from many different sets, many likely incomplete. I think everyone wanted it. When Sarah showed it at Show & Tell the night before, people were gasping when she opened the box and started pulling out some examples. Very exciting. There was so much variety, that's at least two to three inches of dolls in their protective plastic sheets. Lucky lucky Lone, this one was hard to not envy over. Still hard actually.


Edit: More to come throughout the week. I took 23 photos of the helpers and I think I'll share 'em all with you.

Southeastern PD Party 2

At long last, here they are. Please refer to my earlier post for my inspiration pictures. I'd add them here but I am heading out the door to go cuddle my brand new baby nephew and well, he's small and soft. I'm sure you understand.


This scan is the outfit my girl submitted.


She won the Under 18 category. She was the only one who brought one, but it still counts right? She won a cute little bag in a pretty blue paper doll print with crayon pockets on the outside. Very sweet.


I found these images of the fabric via Google and the site I got them from is Up The Rainbow Creek.

Sick

I haven't forgotten to post my dresses, but I am not feeling well. I've barely been able to do anything at all since my last post. When I'm feeling a bit more like myself, they will be posted.

Southeastern Paper Doll Party 1

The theme was Evening in Paris and I had been completely unable to think of what to draw for the dress-a-doll contest. The night before it occurred to me that I should look for inspiration from Paris Fashion Week. Great idea right? These images are my inspiration. I will have to add pictures of my actual drawings later on, because I foolishly forgot to photograph them. The colors are different, the blue dress became red (doll has a red flower in her hair) and the cream became yellow. Can't wait to share them with you.



No idea where this one came from, other than it's part of a fall-winter collection (I think this years, but I can't be sure).




This one is part of Elie Saab (Spring-Summer, I'm pretty sure) 2012 collection. I love Elie Saab, they make some wonderful clothing.

I really like both, the blue is so ethereal and flowing, while the cream is smart and sophisticated. I wish I could pull either of them off, but alas, I am a short woman.

Not a PD, but something I drew

As one of those team spirit among employees things, my job had everyone come in, dip their hands in paint and make a hand print on the wall. Now they also mentioned in the announcement email that it was not mandatory. Later on they claimed they never said any such thing, but I had the email still as proof. This matters because I didn't go, my sister was moving into a new apartment that day and needed a hand. Since I don't carry paint around with me, but do carry sharpies I made one another day. I like it and it's unique among all the blue palm-prints. I thought about you while on my lunch break and thought I'd post it. See, I have been drawing things!