Girls' Road Trip!

It looks like I'm headed west for a week, traveling through New Mexico & parts of Colorado on an expense paid trip by a couple of friends! I'll be gone through my birthday which doesn't sit well with the rest of the residents of my household (2 legged and 4) but I feel like this is something I need to do, mostly for the artistic inspiration I hope I get! It's been a long time since I traveled through that area & I'm really excited to return.

After Doll Show Report

Oh boy was it a sign of the times at the doll show yesterday. The only thing selling was old, beat up, & dirty dolls that went for $.50 or $1. Those of us with handmade clothes, dolls, bears, or furniture were not selling anything. We had a good time though, met some nice people, had a relaxing evening in a nice hotel and a good trip. I don't think I'll be doing that show again, though, I may not do any show again because I can't afford to go in the hole.

Doll Show in San Antonio Saturday August 7th

I'm spending this week finishing projects and getting ready for next Saturday's doll show in San Antonio. 8101 Pat Booker Drive, Live Oak, Texas at the Civic Center.

Bountiful Harvest!

While I was going through radiation treatments, I was blessed with fresh plums and peaches from neighbor & friend's trees, then a couple of weeks later, my peach tree was full of ripe peaches. So, for about 3 weeks I spent the hot afternoons inside making jelly, jam, freezing peaches, and making cobblers. I am really tired of peaches right now, but I know this winter my hard work will pay off! It is a blessing to have such a bountiful harvest when so much of the world is starving. Next time you see a jar of homemade jam or jelly, think about all the work that went into it, that's why it tastes so good!

New Bear

This bear was made from a commercial pattern and I used some faded shaggy felt for the bear's body. I've been wanting to make this bear for awhile, but somehow never found the time. It was a quick, fun project and an attempt to make something in the "primitive" or "country" styles that are popular decorating trends. In order to even out the bear's color, I sprayed an antiquing ink all over the body.

Artfire Certified Handmade Artisan

My Artfire.com studio has been awarded the Certified Handmade Artisan Badge - that means everything in my studio was handmade by ME! I already know that, looking at broken fingernails, sore muscles, unfinished projects (aka UFOs) but now the world can see (haha). Thanks to everybody for their support! Check it out - www.artfire.com/users/joyceweaver

Returning to Normal!

My cancer radiation treatments are over and even though I'm still suffering with burned skin, swelling and fatigue, every day gets better and I hope my energy level gets back real soon. This has been a real test for me, I did not do well through these treatments except for weight loss. But since it didn't kill me I'm figuring it will make me stronger. Thanks to everybody for their thoughts, prayers, cards, and emails, it meant a lot to me. Now I'm looking forward to the next Hill Country Doll show, August 7th, Live Oak Civic Center, 8101 Pat Booker Road, San Antonio, Texas.