Drawings of a Princess by a Princess

This is a drawing that our 4 1/2 year old granddaughter
did of her princess doll at preschool yesterday.
She put her in a rainy day scene.

This is a photo of the model she used for her drawing.

Mangler Tea Box Challenge

The Fabric Manglers Tea Box Challenge Doll
We were each given a pyramid tea box and kit with an assortment of supplies to be used in a doll.
Below are some of the results.

Angie

Gail

Julie

Mary

Patty

Terry

The head of Terry's doll is made from a miniature teapot turned upside down.

Challenge Doll

These are the items that were in the challenge kit.
The main focus of the challenge was the pyramid shaped tea box.
We had to use a little of each of the additional items and they had to be visible.
We could add whatever we wanted. There were no other restrictions.

I started by painting the wooden bead and spool to match the box
and adding some paint to the box as well.

Next I strung the bead, spool, bells, and other doo dads to the box.

I had additional tea boxes which I cut up and arranged as a fan.
I used a stuffed base for the head and shoulders, complements of
Pamela Hastings a few years ago.

I sewed on a face from a piece of sun and moon fabric and beaded around it.
A braided the yarn and sewed it to the head,
and attached a halo of the gold fabric.
I backed with fan with a piece of green paper.

I glued triangles of the suede onto the ends of the box,
and used it to make a triangle shaped body which
I attached to the head and shoulders.
I added the ribbon around the waist.
I added the beaded heart trim at the neckline.
I shaped a hanger from the large wire and
wrapped it with the smaller wire and attached a bell at the top.
I added gold foil to the fan.

Everything was assembled with wool roving tucked in around the top of the box.
The large green bead was sewn to the back and the purple seed
was attached to the front of the box with beading around it.

Where Am I??

A bird's nest in winter, taken outside of Starbucks.

Coves in winter.

When was the last time you saw one of these?

A new thrift shop opened. I didn't buy anything, but had fun looking.

Closed for the season.

The Famous Flo's. We didn't eat here this time,
but are taking home a jar of her relish from
the ____ Trading Post.

Where else can you buy bait and chocolate?
I did enjoy those champagne cordials for Valentine's Day,
and got some beautiful tie flying feathers for my dolls.

Brenda's Bloomers.
I didn't capture all of the colorful bird houses in this photo and we didn't stop,
but driving by you can't help but smile. Maybe next time.

Our home away from home.

And soon it will be back to phone calls to answer,
bills to pay, appointments to keep.....

A Year For The Record Books

This winter has been one like no other. We have now had a total of 82.6 inches of snow this season and have the record for the 4th snowiest season on record which dates back 106 years. This past year was the warmest on record with 34 days above 90 degrees. The average temperature for the year was 52.9 degrees which is 2.5 degrees above normal. July 6th tied a record at 102 degrees.

I have recorded some of our winter in photographs which are included in subsequent posts.
We started the season with the blizzard of 2010 on December 26, also known as storm Adrianne.
It was followed by an unnamed storm on January 7; storm Benedict on January 12 which brought 24 " of snow, an all time record and the greatest amount recorded in a 24 hour period; storm Clare on January 21 dropping another 6"of snow; storm Dennis on January 27; and storm Ella, a two day storm on February 1 and 2 with a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain. There have been 300 partial and complete collapsed roofs. It is now February 12th and we have had a week without snow. The temperature is predicted to rise to 50 degrees this coming week.

It has been nerve wracking at times, and although I don't mind relocating the snow, I have resented the amount of time it has taken from other things I could be doing. But it has gotten me outdoors in the sunshine after the storms were over and given me the opportunity to walk as I transferred snow from the driveway to back yard as there was no room left in the front. I have enjoyed sitting with a hot cup of coffee and watching out the window as the snow either drifted or pelted down. The best part of this winter has been watching our granddaughter enjoy the snow and ice. We have broken up and stacked chunks of ice, slid down our piles of snow, played with the dogs, and caught snowflakes in our mouth. I wouldn't trade this winter for any other.

Building Collapse

Just one many in the state!
505 Main Street, Middletown

Roof Rake February 5

With there being a shortage on roof rakes in the area, our neighbor,
being the ingenious person that he, is created his own.

Snow/Ice Storm February 1 & 2

And just we were hoping for a break we got hit with a
two day storm. The was a mix, of snow, sleet and freezing rain.
The birds seem to know what's coming.

And the breaking news of the day was a building collapse
Main Street in Middletown. The was to become one of over 300.

The ice remained for a couple days. It was too cold for even
the bright sun to melt it.

Preparation January 30

They know what's coming and are getting prepared.