Photo Backdrops

I have been trying out new backgrounds for my photo shoots. The backgrounds that came with a light box I bought on eBay many years ago are losing their luster. The white one, especially, is on it's last leg. I also don't like how one can see every little piece of lint or fuzz on white. But I cannot bring myself to spend money on new equipment at the moment. So I thought why not use some of the beautiful fabric I own. The only problem with using fabric is that it gets wrinkly. I have to iron each piece before I can take pictures. I hate ironing.

In fact, I dislike it so much that I had an agreement with my husband when I married him I would never iron his shirts. I guess the ironing trauma stems from my childhood and years of watching my mother iron every single item that came out of the laundry - with the exception of socks maybe...Ugh. I am a good German. But not that generation German I suppose. I'd rather live with wrinkled fabric...

I think the photos I took yesterday look quite pretty. I am a huge fan of the bunny picture in particular...

I would really like to own some new wrinkle free backdrops. Like a sky with clouds pattern. Or maybe some rustic wood backdrop. I just cannot afford right now. Oh well, I have lots and lots of fabric...

Spring is coming...

I can feel it in the air. Spring is on the way. As much as I love spring,  I don't care much for the springing forward of the clock. It makes people grumpy. I read in the newspaper that it's actually not good for our health. Supposedly heart attacks go up by 21% with the changing of the clocks.  Are you a fan of daylight saving time?

Well my day started with a very grumpy teenager around here...A trying morning. But now everyone is gone and I am enjoying the peace of my little studio. When stressed out, creating new dolls is the best therapy.

I realized it's been a long time since I made a little felted leaf buddy. I found two little pre-cut felt leaves waiting in my basket. I must have cut them out a long time ago. So all I needed to do is transform them into little cozy beds for the dolls.

Then the peaceful work was interrupted again. Just one of those days. Teenage boy forgot something. Another trip to school to bring the forgotten items. Oh well.

It was good to come back and finish the little ones you see in the pictures. I'd say a very productive morning - against all odds.

Ides of March

It's not the 15th of the month yet. But if I wait any longer we will reach the Ides of March before the first post. March 6th and still no post on the blog. Hmm. Looks like my slacking off when it comes to blogging has continued into the new year. But who am I kidding? I have not gotten a comment in ages it appears. Why worry? Since I am mostly talking to myself here.

Dear Blog, I'll just use this opportunity take note of all the good things that happened recently. 

1. I still love substitute teaching, and I think I am getting better at it.

2. My doll sales on Etsy have been okay. Not outstanding, but I am definitely hanging in there and selling enough to justify keeping my shop open. I just wish Etsy would stop changing stuff. The category changes were frustrating. And then this morning there was a new thing. After spending hours fixing my tags and titles it appears that all of my listings have disappeared in Google Chrome and lost relevancy. What a joke...

3. Nothing to do with dolls but positive and fun to think about: Our boys High School Basketball team made it to the State Tournament this year. My son has been mostly sitting on the bench with a couple of minutes of playing time now and then but it's been wonderful to see all the kids grow and do so well. 

4. My daughter played Basketball in Middle School and they a had a great season, too. It's kind of weird how addicted us parents become to the adrenaline rush that sets in during those games no matter what.

5. I ordered my books for teaching German in the fall. I really love the new book, and I am working hard on some lesson plans. 

6. I revamped many of my listings and took some new photos of many items. Not sure that it helped with sales. But I am proud of my hard work and never giving up in the face of adversity. 

7. I had a wonderful lunch with a good friend this week. We had not seen each other in a very long time. If you have such a friend who you have not seen in a while, do call them and make time for them. It was the best balm for the soul!

8. I made a new gnome outfit for little Wilhelmina cutting into my precious Heather Ross gnomes fabric. That fabric always cheers me up. But now I cannot decide whether it looks better with the red toadstool bonnet or the rust red pointy hat with matching pointy hat elf baby in pocket. You tell me!

I would be so glad if you are reading and you left me a note. Maybe you want to tell me about something good that happened in your life! 

Last Night at the Oscars...

I love the Oscars. This may seem silly to you, but I actually think of that telecast as one of the perks of living in the US. Since I moved here, at least I don't have to stay up all night to see the whole thing. It's so much more fun to eat a healthy dinner of veggie stir-fry in front of the TV instead of falling asleep while waiting for the show. I am not much of a night owl to begin with. And as I am getting older it appears that staying up late is becoming more of chore.

Though ripped by the critics, I really enjoyed last night's show. As an artist, how could one not enjoy the tremendous amount of effort put into stage sets, gowns, and music performances. I can't help but feel inspired and happy every time I watch that show.

I am just a bit sad and wish I had been able to see more the movies. It's kind of tough living in a small town where many of the movies are not even shown. How I miss my good old Berlin - living in a big city. I could still kick myself for missing out on Selma on the big screen. I believe it was around this town for about a second. Who cares about Civil Rights? Not too many black folk live here.

It stinks that I only get to see the major box office hits. Don't get me wrong, I loved Interstellar and The Theory of Everything. But life is so much more. Living in this small town I often feel like I am missing out on so much...

So I dragged out my daughter's doll from her room and made her a little carpet. Little Arissa did enjoy the fancy dress but complained about needing more jewelry and bling. I think she is right. We girls do enjoy to wear a fancy gown and dress up once in a while. If we cannot make it to Hollywood we got to bring the glamour and fun here.

Bonbon Babies

I just wanted to share some photos of my cute bonbon baby. It's been a while since I sewed one. They are so tiny and cute. This one just fits perfectly in a bunny shaped plastic egg that I my daughter received for Easter many years ago. I am not a huge fan of plastic toys. But this box is really cute and makes for the perfect hiding place for this cute little bunny. What do you think?

I know. I know. We are still a little while away from Easter...I hope you had a good Valentine's Day. I got a big box of chocolates from Belgium. They are so good I have to hide them from myself so I don't eat them all up at once.

Soft Dolls for Baby and Sibling Dolls

It's been a while since I made some dolls for little kids. Hard to believe it's been almost two years since I sent one of these to my baby sister who was expecting her first baby. It's my favorite thing to mail out. Oh the joy of anticipating the birth of a new family member...

 I just noticed I had only one little blanket doll left in the shop. So I forged ahead and made this little sweet pea in the early morning hours. I love the bright green color of this fabric. It's perfect for babies born in the spring. If you are expecting a little one in the family don't miss out on this little cute sprout!

Sometimes an older child may have trouble with the idea of a new addition to the family. Where will my place be? Will this new baby take over and get all of mom's attention? That's why I think it's a great idea to get an older child a soft cuddly doll as a sibling gift. My Waldorf Elf dolls are perfect for that occasion. Here is a bright pink doll I created last week. She has a lovely deep purple hat and would make a great companion for a little girl expecting a sibling.

400 Instagram Follower Giveaway

Finally it is up! What's up? 400 Instagram Follower Giveaway Celebration.
How and what you can win? One lucky winner will get a $25 gift card to my Etsy shop on Tuesday February 3rd at 6:00 pm. In order to enter the giveaway you must be an Instagram follower. @instagram.com/germandolls

instagram.com/germandolls