Best Laid Plans

I can't believe I've let so much time go by since my last post.  It has been busy around here with guests and preparing for a baby shower and all that, but I really could have made the time.  I guess my main problem is writer's block.  I just couldn't think of anything to write about.

I've stopped making dolls for a bit while I was concentrating on making things for the baby shower, I've been scouring the internet for new and unusual recipes for food to serve at said shower, and I've been entertaining out of town guests.  I know, excuses, excuses.

I made this really cute diaper cake with little flying elephants made from baby washcloths, and some onesie cupcakes.  They were great fun.  Everyone got a kick out of them, including the mom-to-be.

The food was great!  Everything from real homemade cupcakes to salads, dips, sandwiches, a fabulous cheese tray, you name it.

 

It was so much fun to host and would definitely jump at the chance to do it again.  I just love the creative process and coming up with all of the games and decorations was my favourite part.

 

I've also a had a bit of time to try my hand at making more doll furniture.  This couch pictured is actually a chair pattern that I modified to make a sofa.  There is a doll in it right now, but from time to time I find my sweet tuxedo cat in it and the doll on the floor.  Maybe I should make one for him too :)

 

 

As I said earlier, I think I may be suffering from writer's block.  Can't think of anything interesting to say, except maybe that I think Chris Hadfield should get the Order of Canada.  What a wonderful wonderful man and a great inspiration to everyone!

 

Listening to Gotye and David Bowie.

 

Furniture Making and Crosby Stills Nash and Young

This weekend I decided to make some Victorian furniture for my dolls to perch on while having their photos taken.  An ambitious project to say the least, but one I was willing to undertake.  I am always of the opinion that if you don't know it's impossible, then it can be done.  Are you following me?  What I'm basically saying is that I can do anything I put my mind to.  Really, how hard can it be?

So, lesson learned.  I can't do everything.  Very humbling, and annoying at the same time.  Furniture making is best left to the professionals.  There's designing, drafting, cutting, sewing, stretching, stuffing, leveling, huffing, puffing, you get the drift.  It's not for the faint of heart and this is only small scale.  Hats off to the people who choose to do this either as a living or as a hobby.  It's harder than it looks.

Thank heavens I was listening to some tunes while I did this or I would be everyone's worst nightmare at this point.  I get really cranky when things don't go my way and it takes me awhile to settle down. 

Anyway, while listening to CSN&Y, Ohio began to play.  For those of you who were around in the 70's, when this came out, you know it was a very powerful and moving song.  May 4, 1970 is a date I will always remember and everytime I hear that song I am so sad for the 4 students who were shot by the National Guard at a peaceful demonstration against the Vietnam War.  But I am so grateful that Neil Young had the guts to write it and even mention Nixon in the lyrics.  I think he managed to capture  the fear, frustration and anger felt by the youth across the country.

Neil Young also wrote For What It's Worth when he was with Buffalo Springfield.  Not an anti-war song, but an anti-police song.  Haunting nonetheless.  But enough about protest songs.

So here's the sofa.  Put together with materials on hand, and not well executed.  I think I need to go back to the drawing board.

 

Stay tuned for more attempts at furniture making, or not.  Next time I try I might listen to something more uplifting.