Happy New Year and Exchange Dolls

Thanks to those who commented to my previous post. We always have such a great time at our Holiday party. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate so it will continue next month so those who weren't present can exchange. Hope everyone had a glorious New Year. We canceled our party and stayed home because my MIL has Pneumonia. Fortunately it was only a mild case caught early and she is on her way to a full recovery. Here's hoping 2009 will be a healthier year!
I am going to post pics of the Exchange dolls I received in the past 2 years. This year and last I was the lucky recipient of Maria's dolls. She makes the most fabulous dolls and her sculpts are just amazing. The doll she did last year (from Sherry Goshon's free elf pattern) makes me smile. She sculpted the head of course. She is wearing a fur trimmed cape and is skiing on icicles. Here she is with and without her cloak.
This year we used Judi Ward's free "Sisters" pattern and again I drew Maria's name! Here is the adorable doll with those awesome clay shoes she made, front and back.










Last year I also exchanged with my other dolls club, the SewSew. I made the accordian fold book for Colleen and I received this breathtaking doll from Evelyn. She is so beautiful, she brought me to tears!





Here is a pic of the entire doll I made for this year's swap. Thanks Judi for a really sweet pattern. Some of the ladies couldn't attend the meeting due to weather, so there will be a few more swaps this month.


I brought muffins to our little holiday party. I try to make them healthy and sugar free as my DH has to watch his sugar. I was asked for the recipe, so here it is!

Fruit Muffins
2 Cups flour preferably white whole wheat or half white half whole wheat
1 Tablespoon baking powder (if you want to make your own,for one teaspoon baking powder mix 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. One Tablespoon = 3 teaspoons)
1/3 c ground flax seed (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
10 oz can pineapple crushed or chunk in its own juice
Milk or Orange Juice
1 c. blueberries (can also substitute apple, pear or peaches chopped in 1/4" cubes)
3 Tablespoons canola or light olive oil or 4 oz unsweetened applesauce
2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)
1/2 teasp vanilla, lemon, orange or almond extract
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon or orange rind (optional)
1 teasp spice such as cinnamon, cardoman, ginger, alspice, nutmeg, or chai spice (optional)
1/2 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 375d. Prepare regular size muffin tin by spraying with no stick spray or lining with cupcake papers.
Mix together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, flax seed, salt, spices).
Drain the pineapple very well and set aside juice in a 2 c measuring cup. Add Orange Juice or Milk to equal 1 cup. Add apple sauce or oil, egg and extract and beat lightly with a fork. Stir pineapple and blueberries into flour then add liquid ingredients and stir just until all dry ingredients are moist. Spoon into muffin tins (should make 12). Sprinkle nuts over tops. Bake for 20 -25 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and remove from pan and place on cooling rack. Enjoy!


Last but not least, I have finally decided on a domain name and have created a website. Please take a peek, http://www.novasblossoms.com/ Thanks!

Doll Club Christmas Exchange

Friday we had our doll club Holiday Party and doll exchange. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating so half the members were unable to come. They will exchange dolls next month. We used the free "Sisters" or Napkin doll pattern by Judi Ward. What a joy it was to see all the interpretations! All were wonderful! Here are some pics. Dolls are by Maria, Margaret, Janice, Mary, Stephanie.
First pic is Janice with her doll made by Margaret. I've included a closeup - a little out of focus - of the face that Mary hand embroidered. Amazing! Next is Mary who received Janice's doll dressed in beautiful fabrics. Check out the shoes! Margaret is holding the doll I made. Jane is holding the doll she received made by Margaret. We had a wonderful time and it ended all too soon! Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday. Can't wait to get together again in January. I received Maria's beautiful doll with the awesome clay sculpted shoes. Jane's doll was received by Maria. Jane is a new dollmaker who didn't quite finish her but what she did have done was perfect! Should have a pic next year.

Finally took the leap!

Well, I finally opened and Etsy shop. I have listed 4 dolls and this afternoon will list some purses for sale. Hope you take a look. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6599407

New Dolls for Christmas Exchanges

I am lucky enough to belong to two wonderful doll clubs. I do everything I can to avoid missing meetings because it is so wonderful to spend the time with these exeptionnally talented and giving people. That also means I have to make two swap dolls for our holiday exchanges. Of course I can't show you pics of the dolls yet, but I can show parts. One of the clubs decided to make the "Napkin" doll - an exceptional free pattern offered by Judi Ward. I had lots of fun with this pattern and was determined to make her great shoes from a piece of hot pink "patent Leather" fabric I had in my stash. Colleen gave me these awesome irridescent papers and I used a dark pink one for the contrast on the shoes. And here is a pic of her face. I made her crown from lace, ric-rac, wire and beads.


The other doll club decided to use the pattern I developed for my witches but with a flat face. I feel like I rail-roaded them into using this pattern, but they said they really liked it. Can't wait to see what they do with it! I also made a Sugar Plum Fairy with the pattern for the exchange. Here is a pic of her face. I made the eyelashed from a piece of black organza though I don't think you can really see them in this pic.












I also made 2 witches for some very dear friends. One is a Dream Witch dressed in blues and blacks and embellished with lots of stars.
The other is a "Haute Couture" witch - dressed in her own eclectic style. Her hair is felted on and made from Lama hair given to me by Colleen. I twisted clumps together with angelina fibers to make the "locks". It took me hours but I think it was well worth it!