I few blogs back I showed you the ornament I made for the exchange in my Tasha Tudor group.  I had Janice's name and I made her a felt egg with a buuny on one side and a chick on the other.   Well, Kristen, aka Dr. Dolly, had my name and this is the ornament she made for me.

I love that she put a little doll in it!  She made the whole thing out of some sort of modeling compound and then added the glass triangles and micro beads!  Just awesome!  The inside of the shell was painted with some sort of special paint and it looks like the inside of a mother of pearl sea shell!  If I am not mistaken, she poured the doll and fired it herself!  She also painted her, dressed her and gave her hair!

Here's the back side!

The Desiderata is something I had read as a teen in highschool, but I hadn't ran across it or even thought of it in years.  One of the ladies on my Tasha list happened to mention that Tasha keeps a certain poem on her fridge and she shared this one.  I recognized that I had read it before, but couldn't remember where.  Another lister wrote back and shared that it was the Desiderata.  Ah ha!  I will share it here with you. 

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

Sweet Kindred Spirit Valentines!

Those Kindred Spirits have been at it again!  We are all part of a list or yahoo group who are Tasha Tudor Fans.  For the second year now we have exchanged Valentines!    It has been a lot of fun.  They do not necessarily have to be home made.  Those of us who have Annabelle dolls also exchange mini Valentines amongst the dolls too.  I loved my Valentines from last year so much that I have to confess I still have them up!  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/serenitysheepfarm/45640/

Here's some of the Valentines from this year.  They are sitting among some red roses from my son.  He surprised all of the ladies he works with today with a single red rose.  What a guy!  Plus, I got the leftovers! 

And here is Annabelle in all of her Valentine glory!  Notice her Valentine cookies on the cake plate, she received a bunch of flowers from a Secret Admirer and I must say that Annabelle of Oregon is quite the little shopper and seamstress!   The red and white doll apron on her lap is from her as well as some other little ditties scattered about! 

I found the quilt at the thrift shop!  Perfect back drop!

My Valentines were mailed Monday via Chickadee Post.  Frau Tussi Chickadee was most pleased to put her stamp of approval on them.

While waiting to have them all stamped, a lady asked me if they were all for grandkids.  I just laughed and said, "No, I have 15 friends!"  Some of the Valentines were addressed to Annabelle as well and the Post Mistress was curious about that.  I told her they were dolls.  You should've seen the look!  Then I promptly said, "Yes!  We all play with dolls!  And I've told my husband that if he ever has me committed, I'd like to take my toys with me!"

There are probably people in my life who are sick of me talking about my "Tasha Friends", but I don't care.  I just have TOO MUCH fun with them to keep it quiet!  We are having a Valentine Exchange among us.  There are 16 participating.  This is our second year to do it and it's just a whole lot of fun!  Last year I felt like a school girl again receiving all these cards in the mail.  They were all hand made.  It's not required, but we have quite a talented bunch out there and some of us have enabled other to become more crafty as well!  I sat on Valentine's Day with a cup of tea and opened my Valentines!  What fun!

This year I had a hard time gathering my supplies for my Valentines, so I am a little late in getting them sent out, although they will be mailed in the morning.  Keeping with Tasha Tradition, some of us have created imaginary Post Masters or Mistresses.  Hers was always Sparrow Post .  Mine will be sent out tomorrow via Chickadee Post.  (It's the only bird around here right now aside from sparrows and crows.  Oh yes, eagles!  I saw 6 in one tree yesterday!)  Anyway, Post Mistress Frau Tussi Chickadee shall put her stamp of approval on my Valentines via Chickadee Post of Serenity Farm!

Finally!  My daughter sent a response to my blog!  It's been over a year now since I started it!  She suggested Madeline, or Maddy for short, so Annabelle's dog has a name!

Thanks, Juliana!

It's been bothering me for a while now that Annabelle's dog has no name.  Since she's Tasha Tudor-inspired, I thought of Tasha.  No, that won't do.  I thought of Daisey.  No, that won't do.  Something old-fashioned for sure.  Any ideas? 

LaVonne

I wanted to post a picture here of my Annabelle doll all set for Christmas!  There's lots I could tell you about her, but the short version is that I made her.  My friend Linda made her dress.  It has been fun collecting little things for her.  I decided to set her out on a shelf in a "new" old cupboard I recently purchased.  It's decorated for Christmas!

She has other accessories, including 2 other spinning wheels.  She's about 10 inches tall, so that gives you a little perspective. 

Below is a faux feather tree I made YEARS ago.  The base is a spool.  Some of my Annabelle Club ladies wanted to see it! 

I finished up my shopping today and get to stay home now until Monday morning.  I am sure I will be making a trip to the grocery store though!

In case I don't blog anymore before Christmas, have a wonderful Christmas!

LaVonne