Change.

I voted for it.  Then, I did it to my hair.  Enjoy this historic day!

Alex Project in Progress and Pottery Class

I heard from my friend whose family the Alex project is for that she was obsessively checking my blog to see the progress on the dolls, so I had to post the picture of this newest one before the sun set.  He is almost done, but I couldn't beat the sun today (no fair though--the sun had an hour head start today with "fall back").  Here you are, Tracey!  

  

And here is my pottery piece.  He was supposed to be a vase (I loved the idea of this mustache man with daisies blooming out of his head), but alas I am not an expert "wedger" and there is a small crack on the bottom of him so now he can't really hold water.  That is okay.  Instead of a vase he is now a whisk holder, which I like because the whisky part of the whisk looks like some sort of flying mechanism which is sort of hilarious to me.  I really enjoy my pottery class, but I have to say, I don't have the knack for it that I wished upon myself.  I am not the boss of the clay.  The glazing I like, because I have control over it while I am painting it, and yet everything changes once it goes into that magical, fiery cylinder (kiln), and the surprises are usually nice and welcome.  Also, I really like the people who chose to take adult education classes at the art center in Bloomington.  They are all so interesting and I find their conversations more entertaining then even This American Life on NPR which is my favorite.  

Speaking of America.

Tomorrow is the day.  

Vote.  

Hope.  

O B A M A.

Baby William

Sorry I haven't been posting in awhile.  I have a very cute reason, and he's posted above.  He's my brand spankin' new baby nephew William.  He was born on Halloween, which was my sister in law's wish and she some how made it happen.  Isn't he cute??  He has navy blue eyes.  I held him, which I never do with newborns because their fragility makes me nervous, but I finally broke through my fear with baby William.  Congratulations Aaron and Maureen!  Your kid is really lucky to have you both as parents! 

Alex Project #3 and My Job

Here is the third doll from the Alex Project.  I like this one a lot.  His bear suit is made out of Alex's coat, he has corduroy hair, a t-shirt face and a t-shirt heart.  His legs are made out of a well-worn pair of jeans.  I have three more to make.  One will be a super-hero, one a pirate and the other I am not quite sure yet.

Below is a photo mosaic of some of the people I work for.  For a week and a half I have been teaching a doll making class to the consumers at Stone Belt the *amazing* day program I work at for adults who have developmental disabilities.  The class went over very well, which was a huge morale booster for myself because my paper mache class was not so well received (most didn't like the feel of the mache, though it grew on some).  The fabric we used was all donated by different staff, so there was quite a hodge-podge for everyone to choose from, and they did an excellent job tracing the pattern and stuffing and drawing on facial features.  I think they really enjoyed watching the sewing machine, I felt like I was almost in Stone Belt celebrity status as I used it because they would stare intently as I was sewing and then applaud dramatically whenever I finished.  It was great.

Pumpkins

Just wanted to share some fall moments with you.  Can you guess which one is mine?

Alex Project Doll #2

Here is my second doll of the Alex project. I am really enjoying working this way---there is just something different about working with fabrics that contain memories, I am more careful with my craft and at the same time it forces me to be inventive.  It makes me think that I should try working with more thrifted fabrics, though at the same time it's hard to resist those enticing japanese fabrics out there.  

In other news, I have this neighbor across the street who has an orange cat that always peeks inquisitively out of their window.  My dog, Albert, does the same thing.  I think they make eye contact sometimes, but whenever I double check to see if they are having a staring contest, one of them quickly turns their head and pretends like they don't notice the other.  It's quite hilarious.

The Alex Project

This project will consume my next couple of weeks.  I have a very good friend, Tracey, whose brother, Alex, passed away a couple of years ago.  Her mom asked me to make each member of her family a doll out of Alex's clothes---they will be their Christmas presents.  This project is pretty dear to my heart for a few reasons.  Some of you may remember my post about my mom who passed away last year, and I know there will be several of you who will be able to relate when I tell you this:  Grief is a very lonely thing.  Especially when it relates to the passing of a loved one, because you miss them so much that it puts a hole in your heart and also because people who are your good, good friends maybe feel embarrassed and don't know what to say to you.  For a long time I did not talk to my friends about what I was feeling, and it just sort of made everything a bit wonky and confusing---there is no other short way to describe it.  I was later able to talk with Tracey, it was easier with her because we had "loss" in common.  We talked one night for over an hour on the phone and when the conversation was over I actually felt physically lighter and I think it was because I was finally able to vocalize things that had been stuck in this murky place inside of me for too long.  I am not sure if she knows how important that conversation was to me.  So, I am really happy that I am able to do this for her family because she helped me out so much.   I think I will write more about this project as I post more dolls, but this top one is for Tracey's mom.  The shirt is one that Alex always complimented and the face is made out of a T-shirt, plaid shirt, dress shirt and corduroy's of his.  The heart is from a pair of well-worn jeans and the hat looks like one from his childhood.