At 4:30 a.m. I found a new way to study original Izannah Walker dolls in preparation for my own next project. And then I went to Mary Ann Spinelli's site and Be Still My Heart.
Evaluate a Sculpt in Process Using Picmonkey
I'm an artist and a teacher. As a teacher, I stumbled on a way to evaluate sculpts in process using Picmonkey, the photo editing site. I love Picmonkey.com!
If you make antique inspired works, it is helpful to see how your work is comparing to the original antique inspired work. I make Izannah Walker inspired dolls. I'm fine with them being a bit different from the originals and having my own mark. But I do like to get in the ball park. Anyway, here is a tutorial for evaluting sculpts in process against original antiques.
I hope you find this technique helpful!
WORDS: I Am Not Competing for a Big Screen TV
A while ago, Nester Smith posted one of my posts on her Nesting Files site. I respect her viewpoints. Her words have helped me RELAX more in my own home and had an impact on the rest of my family. I have a mad crush on her decorating philosphy, which has helped my living room become a great room for my family to USE. So honey, the swivel chair that can turn to view the fish tank and then the football game? Thank Nester Smith...because she made me think about the PEOPLE living in the house.
Do you know how it feels when someone you respect gives you a thumbs up? It feels awesome. It made my day, week and month. I was even geeky enough to take a screen shot of a tweet where she called me a "smart lady". ;-) Thank you, Nester, for using your words in an encouraging way.
This made me think about the value of encouragement. How words have such power to help or to hurt. When it comes down to it, every good movement that happens in this world begins with words. The words translate to people "putting their money where their mouth is." And change is born. But it all begins with words. That's something I want to remember.
Last week I responded to a FB post with an opposing viewpoint and ended up hurting someone. The push to share my viewoint wasn't really worth hurting someone. In that instance, I could have just kept my views to myself. My sharing didn't make one whit of positive difference. That's something I want to remember as well.
Last week I responded to a FB post with an opposing viewpoint and ended up hurting someone. The push to share my viewoint wasn't really worth hurting someone. In that instance, I could have just kept my views to myself. My sharing didn't make one whit of positive difference. That's something I want to remember as well.
Today, instead of getting up at dawn to compete with a mob of people for a Big Screen TV, I want to take this day to think about words, and who has encouraged me, and who I can encourage. Using words, the most precious resource of all.
More on Certainteed Barn Red Siding
Sharon, who lives in northeast Ohio, resided her house red after seeing pictures of my house sided in Certainteed Barn Red Vinyl Siding. You can see my Before and After pictures here, and read about our Certainteed barn red siding choice, and our updates on that choice. I do love a red house. Christmas is coming and a red house in the snow is the cat's meow. Thanks for sharing, Sharon!
Sculpts in Process and Starting Over
In the midst of lots of other things, I have been working on these two sculpts using some different methods for me. One of my kids has been needing more mom time lately, and sculpting is something I can do and still be in the same room as needed. Taking a picture showed me that the doll on the right's face was sliding to the side. Sometimes I don't see these things until I take a picture. So I pulled out my sanding block and sanded that face almost completely off.
Kind People Brighten the World
Artis Corwin makes beautiful dolls. She is a longtime painter and folk artist who took my Izannah Walker Workshop in the first session offered. She sent me the larger doll she made named Permilla on the front right. Permilla is shown sitting next to Hope, an antique Izannah Walker doll. Artis sent this gift with a lovely card that said, "For my teacher." What a kindness, because I know how much work goes into these dolls. But the note was the cherry on top. To think I had anything to do with Artis making such a beautiful doll is such a blessing and a true gift. Permilla's painting and expression is exquisite. If you want to see more of Artis's creations (and you do!) you can visit her photos page in the Maida Dolls Group.
Not only does Artis make wonderful Izannah inspired dolls, some of her very unique Primer Dolls were featured in Prims magazine recently.
Not only does Artis make wonderful Izannah inspired dolls, some of her very unique Primer Dolls were featured in Prims magazine recently.
~ Dixie Redmond
More on Certainteed Barn Red Siding and Warranty
I get a lot of traffic to this blog for people searching "red houses" and "certainteed barn red siding." They come because of an image on the post at this link. In fact, a lady in Ohio sided her house with barn red siding after seeing pictures on this blog of the transformation of our house. Because so many people come here looking for barn red siding and Certainteed siding I thought I should share the continuing journey with our siding choice, and not just from the designy perspective.
'
Before
We sided our house with barn red Certainteed Vinyl Siding. We went with that company at the recommendation of our contractor, even though it was more expensive than the other choices we were looking at. The contractor said he had only had issues twice in the many years he has been installing Certainteed Vinyl Siding. He said that each time the company was great to deal with when problems arose. We wanted to get it done and know it was done well and any issues would be covered by their guarantee Their brand is a combination of the words Certain and Guaranteed. Great marketing, especially if you follow through with the guarantee.
Last year my brother noticed that the back side of our house had some wavyness in the siding and said, "That is not how your siding is supposed to look." This is called oil canning.
So in September I contacted the contractor who contacted the distributor who contacted Certainteed who sent us a letter saying they were sending a field rep to look at our issues. The field rep cam in mid October to assess. He took a piece of our siding (which was all from one lot) to take it to headquarters to test it. He compared the back of the house (sunny side) to the front of the house (non-sunny side).
Anyway, we are waiting for Certainteed to test the siding and get back to us. It will be too late for repairs to be made this year. I am hoping for next spring, though. I thought it was right to share this as so many people come here searching for barn red siding and Certainteed Vinyl Siding. I'll keep you updated and will tag all the posts in one spot for the convenience of people who are looking at siding.
You can read the other posts about the siding process by clicking here.
You can read the other posts about the siding process by clicking here.
Strength For the Day
This scripture-song is going through my head recently:
The steadfast love of the Lord never changes,
His mercy never comes to an end.
They are new every morning,
new every morning,
Great is Thy faithfulness.
And this phrase, from Eleanor Roosevelt is one that encourages me: "With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."
Here's is a Dixie Redmond paraphrase: "Strength for the day comes with the day." I made that into a sign.
Here's is a Dixie Redmond paraphrase: "Strength for the day comes with the day." I made that into a sign.
My Sculpting Studio
My "sculpting studio" is to the left of my stove. So Izannahs-to-be hang out with chili powder I borrowed from my neighbor along with onions and sweet potatoes. This shot would not make it in Where Women Create or Studios magazine for sure. It's a slice of life. And I am proud of myself for doing some creating in what has been a challenging couple of weeks.
Let's Help
All my problems seem very small right now. These people need help.
Think about how you can help today. Here's an article of ways help can be offered
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
keep you from doing what you can do."
John Wooden
