I spent the last two weeks of February reorganizing the back bedroom. Every night after work I’d hurry home, eager to get started. I’d change into my comfy fleece pajamas and socks and sit on the rug in front of the bed to sort through …
I took these photos to document Cecilia and Winnie’s new outfits, which are quite elaborate and took months to find and put together. In April, May, and June, it seemed I was constantly scouring eBay for well-aged pinafores, petticoats, and pantaloons in extremely rare sizes. …
For several weeks in July I labored over this portrait of Josefa, a sweet little doll I adopted in 2019. It was a very challenging project for me as a beginner in acrylics. (I said “Crap!” a lot as I worked.) I had no idea how to paint a carriage—or a doll’s eyes or nose or skin. My previous subjects had been pretty much limited to teddy bears, which, compared to dolls, are a cinch to paint. I messed up so many parts of this painting (in it, for example, Josefa appears to have some serious bruising about the head), but, hey, at least I persevered to the end. At least I finished it! Hopefully I learned a few lessons in the process and my next attempt will go a little more smoothly!
It’s so much fun taking pictures of my toys, but I want to get better at it. I want to acquire some better props (a petite parasol, a pint-sized picnic basket, a very small vanity) and make use of more exotic locations (not just my …
Alice and I had tons of fun in the yard on Saturday morning. It was so nice to feel the warm sun on our heads and to be surrounded by blooming roses and Indian pinks—and butterflies and peaceful bees. In a breeze, petals fell and dotted Alice’s dress. Here’s a picture of Alice and my Penelope rose, whose creamy petals remind me of antique lace.
On Saturday, Fenna and Claudia Rose had a tea party in the yard, even though spring is still a far-off wish, a dream. They held bouquets of pink camellias, the stems tied with satin ribbons, to add a little cheer to the brown and wintry …
