I have a wonderful friend, Noel....she and I have never met face to face, but she is a DEAR friend just the same. She did me the hugest favor and made me some fabric squares for the BJP.
My problem is I don't really do "flat" beading and as everyone knows, I don't sew, so the square I started with I made by hand and it just didn't keep it's shape at all.......so she saved me. Now I'll just cut some of the work from my june square and start on a new one. Such a simple thing makes such a difference, and her making them for me makes all the difference in the world. I have decided to gift her with something really special(well at least to her and me)
When we first "met" we were involved in a doll RR on a beading group, that's when we really started to become friends. She seemed to have really gotten attached to my doll Hoja. I also really love this doll.....
It's been a couple of years now and he has given me alot of pleasure and attracted alot of attention when people see him.....I think it's time he does the same for my sweet friend. I could send her any type of gift, but something tells me she will really understand how special she is to me if I give her something that no one else can......and it happens to be this doll. Here he is waiting to go on his journey
Here he is after returning back home

On AAO I participated in a swap that involved making a doll using gauze....Well, seeing how I make wrapped dolls all the time using gauze, this would be a breeze... Making the doll was no hassle but getting it to Lisa in Canada was another challenge on it's own....The package came back un-deliverable. No reason as to why, just left at my front door. It had been opened, but not trashed like some others I've gotten back. Seems I got the address right, and I filled out all those forms from the PO so I just don't know. Then Charlie asked if it might be because of the eucalyptus that was used on the doll. I thought maybe the "plant material" issue applied to Canada also, so I took off all her greenery and in some ways she looks sortof' sad now.... Actually looks more like the "Avocado King" hehe I sure hope Lisa isn't disappointed. I used a gorgeous princess cut flat back swarovski crystal in the 3rd eye but it didn't show up in the photo.I also used a couple of the blessed medals that were gifted to me from Italy. The base itself is a spoon colored with alcohol ink.

Here's a pic of the "other" doll I made for Tammy. Since Cancion didn't fit back into the tin after finishing her, I made this one so there would at least be a doll in it.

Yesterday was the official start of the BJ project. I thought I knew for sure how I was going to go about this.....but.......I had decided my "pages" were going to be hands........well now I'm not so sure. I will work on this piece a little more and see how I feel about it. My problem is I over-think things. One of the goals of the project (for me anyway) is to go with the flow.....I can usually do that AFTER I've started the piece(or doll, or whatever) but it's getting started that jacks me up.....soooo, I will "go with the flow for the weekend" and see where that takes me....
Meantime, here's some pics of the tin and doll I made for Tammy for the TT swap. Boy, I really got behind on this, but I'm pleased with the outcome and just hope Tammy is too. Cancion(the doll) ended up being a little too tall to fit into her "casket" so I made another little doll(of clay) to go inside, so she got a couple of cuties and some trinkets and toys to make up for being so late. By the way......is anybody out there??? does anyone read my blog???? just wondering

Well, I'm not having much success with Blogger.....Poppee says my puter is getting old and I need to up-date my browsers.....that's okay, I like it here and I am able to comment to posts on BJP, so they can visit over here to see my pics and get to know me a little better. I'm very anxious to get my current commitments in the mail so I can really START my first "page" When I was accepted into this project, I decided then and there I was not going to make any "special/new" purchases for the project......I have so many wonderful things I've been saving, and this is now the time to be using them.....I sometimes feel guilty not sharing some of these beads and trinkets(using them on RR dolls and for swaps) but anyone who really knows me, knows I keep everything and I mean EVERYTHING that some one gifts me (just ask my poor,sweet husband haha)......I hear one of the true signs/symptoms of a "hoarder" Yep, that's me.....but I've got some really cool sh*t too.....hehehe Any way, I look at this as a way to KEEP my trinkets and share them too!!!!!!
Today a woman posted on BJB challenging members to do the same thing, use what they have right now,not make any new purchases just for the project......like minds, don't ya love it??...I'm sure it's a huge challenge for many beaders(it is for me) since this project is the perfect excuse to go "BEAD SHOPPIN' !!
I'm so honored and thrilled to be a part of all of this, so many fabulous artists and some of my really good friends.......Isn't Life Grand?!?!? smile