Hello Reader, What a great way to close out 2025! Today I completed my big, secret commission for a UFDC Region 3 luncheon in 2027. I have just finished 40 cloth dolls with their 80 companion dolls! Sadly, I can't share any photos until after the event but I've been prepping the web pages in anticipation. The original agreement was for 35 dolls, which I completed before leaving in mid November for an absolutely wonderful vacation in Australia and New Zealand. I wanted the dolls done before I...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, April: the last time I published a newsletter! I haven't been idle, though. During these past few months I've been working in bulk, getting a start on the second half of the Big Project: souvenir dolls for a UFDC luncheon. While I can't share what the dolls will look like, I will share my progress. I'm not giving anything away by sharing these, but just want to convey how many man-hours (months!) have been devoted to this endeavor. Yesterday I opened another 10 pound bag of...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I finished a doll yesterday, and it felt good. When I started her I thought she'd be a good one to take to Virginia for this summer's ODACA Day. But as life has a way of getting in the way, I had to make the decision to cancel the trip. My only regret will be missing all my doll friends. So here's "Averill." I'd forgotten how time-consuming she is to make but I didn't feel rushed as I made her, working a little bit on her each day. She has buried bead joints in her elbows,...
10 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, It's finally spring, which means we're due for weather that beats down my beautiful daffodils. It never fails. Yesterday I started sewing a new doll. This is exciting and refreshing for me because while working on my Big Project (secret souvenir dolls for 2027) and Christmas creations, all my other doll undertakings were on hold. But which doll to make? I went through my patterns and picked one. I chose "Averill," a doll I haven't made in a long time (the last one was a OOAK...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I sew a lot, sometimes every day. It's never a good time for equipment failure. I love my sewing machine, a Bernina 165 that was purchased in 2006 (manufactured in 2004). Over the last month or two, the reverse/back-stitch button has been increasingly glitchy to the point that it has stopped working altogether. It works fine in every other respect, but the reverse feature is used on EVERYTHING. So I took it to the Bernina doctor. He informed me that my machine is older and has...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, It took over two weeks, but the new pattern is finally completed. Creating a new pattern means making another doll, writing instructions and photographing each step, proofreading I don't know how many times, and drawing the pattern pieces (without being overly caffeinated. 'Tis the Season She still needs her official photo shoot (she's kind of washed out in this photo), but she is done. I've just added the pattern to my Etsy store and website, but wanted to offer it here at a...
12 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, As one of my New Year's Resolutions, I took on the daunting task of cleaning out the attic. We've lived in this old Craftsman (built around 1918) since 1993 and during that time, the attic, while convenient (too convenient, apparently) facilitated the accumulation of many things. I'm a sentimental fool, but as I pulled boxes, crates, sacks and bins of stuff out of the two attic spaces (east and west sides of the house), I became less precious. After many trips to Goodwill and...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I've been thinking about this year's Christmas ornament design/pattern. I have a few ideas, but have decided to make a caroler. Yesterday I took a break from the "Big Project" to get a start on a prototype. I hope to have the caroler holding a music book, dressed in winter attire, and with an open mouth (painted) to mimic singing. Right now I'm working on proportions. If this first draft is too big, I can always reduce it while still maintaining these proportions. Already I can...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, We had no trick-or-treaters yesterday, so now we have a Costco-sized bag of candy to dispose of (one way or the other). It's now November 1st, and it's (again) a dark, dreary, rainy day here on the north Oregon coast - perfect for starting a new project. This time last year I was busy designing a new holiday ornament - Mortimer Moose (http://www.blueherondolls.com/Mortimer%20Moose.html). I had the idea that I might design a new ornie every year, and if that's going to happen I'd...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read