Coming Back Soon!

Hello guys.  I thought I would drop you a little note to let you know I will be coming back to my blog soon.  I am starting to get emails wondering where I am.   I am still on a medical break, but I am confident that I will be better soon.   I'm hoping to post a little story later this week.   Thanks for your love and concern!

Character page is updated!

Hey guys!  It's been awhile.  As of this past Thursday, I have been almost 100% bedridden.  My left leg just decided to give out on me completely.  I was just standing in the garage and 'pop', something snapped.  I thought for sure by the weekend it would be better after a few days of rest.  No such luck.  I had crutches delivered yesterday and was planning to practice today.  Decided to give my body one more day of rest   I will be headed to the doctor on Thursday to start a new treatment that will hopefully get me back on track.

Today I decided to finally spend some time and update the character page.  It's not completely done, but there are a lot of new characters added.  Click on the Characters tab at the top of the blog to see the updates.

As soon as I master these crutches, I will try to venture back to my dolls and hopefully take a few pictures and post some stories.  See you soon!

Dance. Dance. Dance. (Photostory)

Diego finally got his butt out the bed and got dressed for the ball.  He was trying hard not to go, but Halle insisted.  Turns out there's a doctor's convention on the ship.  You will see a few familiar faces and a few new ones.

Don and Paulette are chilling and watching the dance floor.  Don isn't much of a dancer.  Paulette is hoping he will oblige her with a few dances.  Paulette is decked out in a Shasarignis original.

Christine is here wearing a Barbie Look fashion.  Her depressed friend is no where in site.  

Dr. Sheppard and his wife Debbie are at the convention.

"I know I already told you this, but you look beautiful tonight."  (Dr. Sheppard)

"Thank you."  (Debbie)

There is absolutely nothing verbal being said here, but I can almost hear them breathing.

Dr. Locicero (left), Dr. Isiah Washington (middle), Dr. Miller (right)

"It's so good to have you back on staff, Dr. Washington."  (Locicero)

Dr. Washington seems to be distracted by something off in the distance.

That's Dr. Yang, resting her feet.

"So is your wife going to make it tonight, Dr. Locicero?"  (Dr. Miller)

"I hope so.  She was trying to get our son Darrin settled in."  (Dr. Locicero)

"Dr. Yang, dance with me.  This is one of favorite songs."  (Dr. Washington.)

"I don't know."  (Dr. Yang)

"Oh girl, get on up on that dance floor."  (Dr. Miller)

"See this isn't so bad, is it?"  (Dr. Washington)

"Well, I don't want our coworkers to suspect anything."  (Dr. Yang)

"What you don't want them to know you have the hots for me?"  (Dr. Washington)

"Funny.  Funny."  (Dr. Yang)

"Can I get you a drink?"  (Dr. Locicero)

"No, but that chair is looking really good right about now."  (Dr. Miller)

"I'll get that for you."  (Dr. Locicero)

"So are you going to stop by my cabin tonight for a nightcap?"  (Dr. Washington)

"Nooo.  It would not look good if someone saw me going to your cabin."  (Dr. Yang)

"We could just say we were going over some work."  (Dr. Washington)

 

A little faster song is playing, but Diego is keeping up with Halle.

"Honey I need to rest.  Dance with my friend Christine."  (Debbie)

Debbie is also wearing a Sharignis original.  Looks like her husband was fiddling with the back of her dress.

"Well let's see what you got, Christine."  (Dr. Sheppard)

"Uh oh. You are in trouble.  That's my song, Happy."  (Christine)

**It might seem crazy what I'm bought to say.**

"Oh no, she's breaking out.  Don't show me up."  (Dr. Washington)

"Well get those feet moving."  (Dr. Yang)

**Because I'm happy.  Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof.**

Halle is putting it on Diego.

"What in the world is she doing?"  (Debbie)

Maybe Christine has had a little too much to drink.  I think she is trying to get closer to Diego.

She gets an eye full when she does get a little closer.

"Looks like Dr. Sheppard has his hands full."  (Dr. Locicero)

"Now take it easy on me.  I'm the king of the two-step.  But that's all I have."  (Don)

"Don't worry baby.  I got you."  (Paulette)

Epilogue

1.  I had to give a nod to Isiah Washington, who is set to return to Grey's Anatomy soon.  First few seasons of Grey's Anatomy, Dr. Yang and Dr Washington were having a secret affair.

2.  Dr. Locicero is the name of my doctor.

3.  There are 3 Sharignis dresses in this story.  Paulette, Dr. Miller, and Debbie are all wearing her creations. The outfits she sent me were such perfect cruise wear. Here is a tutorial link for the dress Debbie is wearing. Shasarignis Tutorial  She has a ton of tutorials for other clothing pieces, too.

Project Progress

Julian wants to show how his car is coming along.  I changed the color from black to red, once I found this material.  

I still have to do a pillow case and find something to use to make a blanket.

There's even enough room for Jacob.

I'm still on the fence as to whether to add things like lights and decorations on the side.  These are just stuck on with tape for now.  I will mod podge them on if I decide to keep them.

I like the headlights.  Again, they are just stuck on with tape.  I think I will add them for good.  The grate needs to be a little larger.  This item will be 'made to order', so as soon as I add the decals, I will be listing it in the store and taking orders.

I am working on a new crib for those of you who are waiting for one.  I will be designing a matching changing table after multiple requests.  I'm listening!

I am halfway done with the production chair.  I am even using the same material as shown here.  It will probably be listed in the store sometime this weekend.

I'm also doing a few small unique decor items for the store.  This still needs a couple more coats of stain and a protective coat.

And this morning I made my favorite cheesecake.  I really made it to use as a bribe to get my neighbor to mow my lawn.  You definitely need two hands to mow the lawn.  My arm is getting better, but it's not mowing the lawn better.

I have a few more projects that I've started, but they aren't ready to show just yet.  

The Interview (Photostory)

Robin has taken Lena to the back sewing room to conduct the job interview.  Jackie is still tending to Tina and the ladies.

"So why don't you start by telling a little about yourself."  (Robin)

"Sure.  I learned how to sew from my grandmother when I was about 12 yrs old and I've been sewing ever since."  (Lena)

Lena continues talking about her experience and her aspirations.  Let's check in on the ladies.

"So what do you think, Mom?"  (Shantavia)

"It's gorgeous.  You are going to make a beautiful bride one day.  Turn around so I can see the back."  (Tina)

"Oh yes.  I like how the back is very open.  The front is very conservative and then you get the surprise in the back.  Very nice.  Who's the designer again?"  (Tina)

"This is a Sharignis design."  (Jackie)

"It's a one-on-a-kind, so chances are it won't be available when or if I ever get married."  (Shantavia)

"A new Sharignis dress arrived yesterday.  Would you like to see it?"  (Jackie)

"I would love to!"  (Shantavia)

"Well you seem to have plenty of experience.  How would you feel about working in this space temporarily until we can get the other room ready?"  (Robin)

"That wouldn't be a problem."  (Lena)

"We have a Janome here on site, but you are welcome to bring in your own machine if you are more comfortable with it."  (Robin)

"I have a Janome at home.  Not the same model, but I've familiar with the brand."  (Lena)

"The larger room will allow for more than one dress form."  (Robin)

Just at that moment, Shantavia appears in the doorway, headed to the dressing room area.

"Hi.  So what did you think of the dress?"  (Robin)
"I love it.  Your mom said a new one came in yesterday, so I'm going to try that one on, too."  (Shantavia)

"I have to say, you make a beautiful bride."  (Robin)

"So do you have any more questions for me?"  (Robin)

"Just one more question.  This is listed as a part time job, which works great for my current schedule.  Do you foresee this becoming a full time position?  If so, in what time frame?"  (Lena)

"It's hard to judge how quickly this new tailoring adventure will take off.  In the future I see one full time tailor and one part-time tailor."  (Robin)

"Great."  (Lena)

"Well Lena, thank you for coming out.  I will contact you in a couple days to let you know about the job.   And if you have any other questions before then, please give me a call."  (Robin)

"Thanks so much for your time."  (Lena)

Lena bends down to get her bag and her portfolio.

Shantavia emerges from the back with the second Shasarignis dress on.

"Oooh, that looks great on you."  (Robin)

"You think so?  I guess I shouldn't get too excited.  It's not like I'm getting married or anything."  (Shantavia)

"Oh honey, that's another beautiful gown!  I may need to have a little talk with Bruce."  (Tina)

"Mom, no."  (Shantavia)

"Turn around."  (Tina)

"Do you think the bow is too much?"  (Shantavia)

"No because it's not the typical bow.  It's more sophisticated.  Okay turn back around."  (Tina)

Jackie fusses with the half circle bow.

"Oh yes.  Bruce and I need to have a little chat."  (Tina)

"Mom, don't run my boyfriend away with any marriage talk."  (Shantavia)

"I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing.  I just need to know what his intentions are."  (Tina)

"Oh brother."  (Shantavia)

The sewing machine was part of this Wink set I found at Ross' for $12.99.

Prototypes

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be designing new furniture pieces for the store.  Redesigning new chairs and sofas has been on my list for over a year.  It's not the most fun thing to do, because it takes time.  It's always easier to continue making what you've already designed.  I decided to start with a chair.  

This is the prototype and as such, there are mistakes.  How is this chair different than my other arm chair?  First of all it has an attached seat back.  Secondly, I added piping.  The piping is too large, so for the production chair, I will make the piping smaller.  The seat cushion is a tad too big which is why there is buckling on the bottom of the cushion.  In this fabric is looks very country.  I imagine with a solid fabric it could look quite chic.  This would make a great nursery chair.

Next up is the base design I did for my new boy's kid bed.  I would like to do a number of kid beds for both boys and girls.  

I'm not sure what other colors I will use.  But it will be nice and shiny when it's all done.

The best thing about prototypes is that my dolls get to keep them.  Julian was first in line to receive the car bed.  Maybe he will give me some advice about the colors.  No, I am not turning it into a Batmobile.  I did consider it, but changed my mind.  

He's daydreaming about the finished product.  So am I.

I'll be working on a new sofa on Friday.  All the new items will be additions, not replacements.