Sunset in Old Lyme

Monday's Haiku

Another two Monday's have come and gone without a haiku. We were in Indiana, PA visiting my mother who was on her way to the ER as we were on our way to visit. She had to have surgery for an infection in her knee as a result of a previous fall. Time and lack of access to the internet didn't allow for posting.

Monday's Haiku

MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S GIFT
A REASON TO BE THANKFUL
THANKSGIVING FLOWERS

Monday's Haiku

Monday's Haiku
I have missed the pass two Monday's and thought of making up for it by going
back two weeks and also doing one for today.
But after being without power for a week, I decided to just write two for today,
one from an adults point of view and one from as child's as witnessed by the photographs.

SNOW CAME TOO EARLY
WEIGHING DOWN THE LEAVES ON TREES
LEAVING A PATH OF DAMAGE

SNOW CAME TOO EARLY
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SITE
AS SEEN BY A CHILD

Finished Doll A Year Later

My youngest daughter took a doll sculpting class with Colleen Athens
at the Art Is You art retreat in Danbury a year ago. Until now her doll had remained unclothed.
At this year's retreat, Colleens helper, Heather began to costume her doll by adding the dress and shoes. I completed the costume with undergarments, sleeves, and hat.

Dutch Touch Doll Class

The Dutch Touch

My Dutch Touch dolls, Champagne on the left and Celeste on the right.

Champagne created in 2011 and Celeste in 2008.

Celeste

Champagne

The Dutch Touch
with
Ankie Daanen
Marlaine Verhelst

I was again fortunate to be able to spend 5 days with Marlaine and Ankie in their Dutch Touch class hosted by Barbi in Ryebrook, NY. The last time was in 2008. Barbi and her husband are the ultimate hosts making us feel comfortable and accommodating our needs. And, Ankie and Marlaine are extraordinary teachers. The twelve of us in the class were assured success as we started out on what was a new adventure for some and not so new for others, but still an adventure, and we weren't disappointed. Marlaine and Ankie definitely have the Dutch Touch and "subtle" was the word of the week. Our first 3 days were spent sculpting and painting with Marlaine while Ankie, with input from each of us, was working on designing and partially assembling the costumes for our dolls. Our last two days were spent assembling and costuming our doll. It was a truly a delightful 5 days with outstanding results for everyone.

Sculpting The Head
We started with sculpting the head. Mine required some further adjustments to the chin.

Marlaine demonstrates making the doll's hand.

The beginning of our costumes.

Unpainted faces.
We all started with the same styrofoam egg and the same instructions
and the results were amazingly different.

Painted faces.
As we painted our faces, our dolls began to come alive.

Without knitting needles at hand,
Becky knit a hat for her doll with paint brushes.

The class busily works away in Barbi's studio.

Ankie helps with my costume.

Our last day was Saturday and the dolls were ready to be photographed.

Close up of Barbi's doll.

Barbi's Doll

Becky's Doll

Ceceily's Doll

Celia's Doll

Elisabeth's Doll

Ellen's Doll

Irene's Doll

Joclyn's Doll

Margot's Doll

Mary's Doll

Raye's Doll

Sandra's Doll

Marlaine smiles for the camera while the dolls pose on the sofa.

Ankie and Marlaine always have a little ceremony at the end of the class
to pass out certificates. They finished with their own surprise Dutch Touch.

While we were indoors celebrating and admiring our creations,
mother nature was outdoors playing tricks on us.
And a Noreaster greeted me for my drive home
turning a 70 mile ride into a 4 1/2 hour nightmare.