A COLD JANUARY DAY

A good day to stay in reading or sewing or designing. Decided to take a few photos showing some of my vignettes in our home.
The first pix is of my antique composition Effanbee doll Patsy. She is the large Patsy approx. 27". I have her sitting on a stool in corner of our bedroom holding a Boyd bear in her lap. Before moving to Indiana I had her completely restored by a doll maker in Florida. She is just special. Still bears the original Effanbee heart tag on her wrist.
I also have pulled out a few books from my library and scanned a few pages here and there. One of my favorite authors is the Indiana Hoosier Poet James Whitcomb Riley.  My father would read from an antique book of his poems, to me before going to bed. Then we would have our prayers.
Today I looked at one verse of  "A Life Lesson."

THERE ! little girl ; don't cry !
They have broken your doll I know ;
And your tea set blue,
And your play house , too,
Are things of the long ago;
 But childish troubles will soon pass
           by.-
There !  little girl; don't cry !

I typed the verse as written in book.  This book is Child Rhynes, James Whitcomb Riley , Hoosier Pictures by  Will Vawter.  Copyright 1890. This antique book I have was presented to a young lady in 1929 at Christmas time.

My Valentine Swap OH MY

Oh my goodness, as Shirley Temple used to say !! Yes, I am of that age group :)
I recv'd my Valentine Swap yesterday, from Trudy Lawson-Kelly, and well was
just so bowled over by all she sent me!  Felt like it was Christmas.  She did way
too much, but I do appreciate her love in preparing all.
Will include photos for you. 
The doll is big and so neat. Fits right into my family room decor, Folk Art. She
does wonderful work.
She also sent me a book "BackYard Projects", a Kitchen Angel made with a Kitchen
Towel, PotHolder and Dishrag, so cute, also another Hand Towel with a red heart.
She also included several seed packets ( I belong to our local garden club) a
porcelain "Kitchen" sign in blue & white.  A whole bunch of the most delicious
Truffle candies, a package of Biscotti, (ate that after lunch yesterday), a framed Cupid Needlework picture, an apron, and lastly , 3 Wax Heart Primitives wrapped in great smelling tea-stained gauze.
Whew.
Told you she sent a lot.
Thank you so very much Trudy for your generosity.  It has been great getting to know you.
Love and hugs

Susan

VALENTINE SWAP

Ok so I have problems getting the photos where I want them....brother!!
The top photo is the one recv'd from Hope,I named her Whimsical Winnie. The second photo is the doll I sent to Hope. Her name is Hearts Galore!

On one of our art groups we had a Valentine Swap. My swap partner was Hope Jones Griffin from the UK. We had a ball emailing and getting to know each other. I am posting a picture of the doll I made for her, Hearts Galore is her name. Tomorrow I will get a picture of the doll Hope sent to me. I decided to name her Whimsical Winnie ! Not only did I receive the doll from Hope, but so many other goodies. Hope went well beyond the requirements for this Swap. I am thankful to her. She included a pair of UK anklets ( I have traveled often through the UK) , a delish chocolate candy bar ....a BIG one , a small scrapbook she made, a red felt birdie for my valentine tree and a small vintage embroidered heart that also nestles nicely in my Valentine Alpine Tree. It was all so much fun and to meet another fellow artist that loves dolls....was wonderful!

MY DOLL CREATIONS

I am posting a couple of my doll photos that were used at the Cloth Doll Group I belong to. Started creating dolls back in 1986. Began in the craft shows, then after leaving the medical field the adventure led me to my own Country Store and of course the dolls were there.
My Rabbit Doll is made from tea-stained velvet. This was alot of fun to make. Most of my dolls incorporate pieces of antique or vintage textiles and objects. When first copy righting the dolls they were under my designer name Susan Janssen-Green.
Enjoy
Susan