Alex Project #7 and Group Shot

The Alex Project is complete!  This last one was a bit of a challenge---it is strange to sew sweater-type of fabric----the straight lines don't really work out, but I like how this one turned out anyway---especially the bow-tie.  I think all men should wear bow-ties.  So the dog outfit and ears are made out of Alex's ribbed sweaters, the face out of a Trading Spaces T-Shirt, the cheeks are that same plaid that I have been using for all of the cheeks, and the nose is from a Jerry Garcia tie, the dog nose is fabric left-over from the pirate hat and of course there is the denim for the jeans and the corduroy for the hair.  I am pleased with how they all look as a group, because they look like a family and they are for a family.  Working on this project has been special for me, I'm a little disappointed that it is over.  I hope Tracey's family likes them and that I did his clothes justice---I know how important memory-holding objects are and I hope these guys make the Perez's feel nostalgic and happy when they look at them.  

Alex Project #6

Here is the pirate of the Alex Project---or maybe less pirate and more little boy with pirate-leanings.  His patch is one of those leather rectangle jean logos, his cheeks a plaid shirt (same as the inside of his ears), his face is from a Trading Spaces t-shirt, his shirt is from a blue striped casual shirt, the pirate patch is from a little Halloween pirate hat and his jeans are of course Alex's jeans.  Also, his hair and eyebrows are wool from his over-coat.  

I have one more to do and no real plan for this next one, but I think it needs to involve one of Alex's sweaters.

Joseph and I don't have cable here, but yesterday I was really wanting to work to some TV shows, so I watched Grey's Anatomy over the internet----I watched 4 episodes and I think I went through a whole roll of toilet paper because of all the water-works the show produced in my eyes.  Phew.  

Alex Project #4

Here is the fourth doll of the Alex Project.  He is a Super Hero!  His helmet is made out of a blue dress shirt, his red suit out of an "Indiana" t-shirt, his belt out of an Indiana University tie and his logo is made out of well-worn jeans and a plaid shirt.  I want to make a "tie" cape, but I am leaving it out just incase I need ties for the other two dolls.  In the top picture he is flying past the tree that I see just outside of my front door.  Its leaves are this extreme shade of yellow that make it seem like it is glowing.  

Election day was amazing.  I feel like America actually shifted under my feet.  I know nothing is really different yet, but at the same time it feels like everything is different.  Today when Joseph and I took Albert on his morning stroll I felt a real connection to the people we passed.  I actually had this urge to hug everyone and jump up and down in glee like they were doing in Grant park last night.  

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.