Gone To The Beach: 12.07.2022

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Angels on My Worktable

''a winter's day...

in a deep and dark December." [Simon & Garfunkel?]

Hello, hello! Yes indeed it is a dark December day, earliest sunset of the year. One chart says 4.22 sunset, but it's so dark all day, who knows. Don't ask me why the sun sets earlier now, instead of on the Solstice, has to do with the tilt of the earth and, and and...? early sunset not on solstice

I got an email the other day, a blast from the past. A much loved and valued customer got in touch wanting to know if I have any angels for sale this year. At first I thought she meant angel ornaments and did a fast scribble sketch.

But she followed up with a photo of one of my angel dolls. Due to health issues, I haven't been making any new items for my temp-closed etsy shop, but I love to make custom items for friends I know are in sync with my style and who value the time and effort involved.

I quickly told her I have a prim doll unfinished on my shelf;

And a selection of exceptional antique and early vintage baby dresses. " I would LOVE to make an angel for you!" I said.

I am especially fond of these early 20th century batiste dresses. I tea dye them if a neutral effect is desired.

This client loves fine handwork and she loves the 19the century christening dresses I use for my dolls.

We easily agreed on a general plan as she trusts my work, and once I got my mini tree up I began the fun part of gathering bits and pieces to bring an angel to life.

I have set aside tomorrow for washing and whitening Angel22's dress and petticoat. I can freshen and whiten but cannot guarantee there are no mends and stains remaining. This dress is perhaps 150 years old. I'll make her knickers later, using an old lacey embroidered hanky probably.

Notice the handknitted/ crocheted? inserted lace and deep bands of pintucks, plus dramatic length.

Let the fun begin.

I do have a selection of white and sometimes w/ red touches lavender hearts [not these], if anyone needs sweet small gifts and wants to see photos. Just pop me an email.]

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December has been stormy, only a few sunny days. We think we want the sun but its position low over the ocean is blinding. Lucky for me Mo loves colder weather. He happily wore his little all weather anorak and off we have gone, wet paws and all.

These neighbors are I think training their gigantic burning bush shrubs into a heart shape!

Scribble journal:

Mr Sunshine looks demented. I may redraw and paste a butter face, stay tuned. LOL.

An inspiration sprig of euonymus, gathered after a windy storm. It is not used at Christmas, is it? But so festive.

On the window sill is this c.1930-50 glass flower frog. I truly think my patience is being rewarded, as its slight lavender color seems to be deepening, slowly.

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I'm trying to keep Christmas, and especially Christmas expectations very small this year. The days of big happy even boisterous feasts and celebrations seems to be gone, partly a new generation, partly covid taught us--me anyway--that a holiday is just a day sometimes.

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Dinner tonight, w leftovers, is fast pan braised Italian sausage [pork/ cheese/ basil], with sweet peppers and onions, everything cooked quickly in a skiller. Added Contadina smashed tomatoes w/ garlic plus a splash of wine and herbs to taste, simmer for half hour. Serve over [in this case, but any pasta is fine], calamari-shaped pasta rings from Home Goods. [Their pastas from Italy are delish and unusual.]. Shaved parm on top. Steamed buttered brussel sprouts on the side.

Tell your family that you love them!