Three Years Of Dolly Making

Four years ago my daughter Abi Bear was turning one and I went in search of the perfect "first" dolly for her. During the process my good friend Marliessa introduced me to Waldorf Dolls. (You can read a rough description of them here). At the time I couldn't afford the beautiful dolls I found on Etsy so I let it go.  A year later when Abi was turning two I just couldn't get this sweet style of doll out of my mind so I attempt to make my own.



Here is Miss Abi Bear and Annie Doll.

Since that first doll I have truly fallen in love with this art and have grown a business around it.I have tried my best to make dolls that I believe in. I think every one should be able to afford an heirloom quality doll for their child that protects the beauty and purity of childhood. When so many dolls are made of plastic and are holding up unrealistic ideals I wanted a dolly for my girl that was as sweet and innocent as she is.



My dolls have changed and evolved over time but I feel like they still hold the sweet innocence that I fell in love with and Abi still loves her Annie Doll.

To celebrate three years of doll making and as a way of making sure I stay true to why I started, I am offering ONE THREE custom 6 inch doll for $20.00. First  person three people to comment bellow with their paypal e-mail address will get an invoice and e-mail from me with details.

Much love!

~Joy Leanne

Handmade Awesomeness

Last month I signed up for the Love Club. If you are looking for a monthly subscription this is an amazing one! I've gotten two so far and just love everything in them as do my little girls. They have a bit of a waiting list but if you check out the Love Club Blog they are giving away a three month subscription PLUS you get to jump off of the waiting list. I love the fact that they work with handmade businesses. It's a fun way to get exposed to a bunch of new places and try out products from ones I admire.

This month there was an "awesome" sticker from Yellow Heart Art. I had seen them before and loved their stuff and was thrilled to get this little gem! At first I was unsure where I would use it. I loved it but just couldn't figure out what to do with it. Then it hit me! I was inspired by this  picture of Pen & Paints sketch book decorated with September Love Club goodies. The front of my new journal is pretty busy already so I decided to decorate the inside. So far I only have the Yellow Heart Art sticker on there but I can't wait to sit down and add my mini owl from decal from Three Thirty Six that I got in my September Love Club Box.

What are some of your favorite etsy/handmade businesses?

 

Safe, Dry, and Warm

Not much going on here. This storm Sandy seems to be headed to hit the East Coast pretty badly, but where we are is looking safe. Definitely cold and wet but nothing serious. We are staying warm and dry by the wood stove and making good use of our new crock pot!

I got permission to share some pictures of my new nephew!!

I can't believe how precious he is! I can't wait to snuggle him. :)

My brother has written a beautiful post on this little one's first moments in the world. If you are interested you can read it over here. Be for-warded, you will probably cry.

Hope every one in Sandy's path is staying safe and dry and warm. Happy Monday!

Silence

I've been silent here for a while I know. I'm not even sure I can give one reason as to why.

*Once you skip a day or two it's easy to just forget.

*I've been crazy busy prepping for shows.

*I've just needed some down time to processes and think and rest.

So, in case you've been wondering, here's a bit of what we have been up to.

My good friend Amber of Wildflower Photography Took some amazing photos of my girls in their Halloween costumes.

Lots of Halloween parties, Fall Parties, and Fall Festivals going on around here as well.

We are in the throws of Craft Show season right now which means a ton of sewing and playing with new patterns. I love this dolly and think she would make a great "Elf on a Shelf"

Here is me! Sorta. :) I've also been making a lot of non kid items for the shows this year. Loving my bags and teething necklaces.

I may not be writing much but I've been thinking about this space and all you readers quite a bit. Been doing a lot of reading about blogging and taking notes and thinking about who I want to be and what I want this space to become.

My baby nephew was born on Thursday. He is absolutely precious . (I am waiting to post a picture of him till I have his mama's approval. But as soon as I do trust me there will be LOTS of pictures on here.) I cannot wait to meet him at Christmas!

I am going to be perfectly honest at this point and admit there have been some bittersweet moments. There is a pretty big age gap in my family and I never thought I would get to be pregnant at the same time as a family remember. I was so excited to be expecting at the same time as my sister-in-law. There are still moments where I can't help wondering what it would be like to be sharing this time with her. But I am so excited for her and so thankful that she had a safe pregnancy and that her delivery wasn't overly traumatic. God is so gracious and I am praising God for his blessings on all of us. I love welcoming new little ones into our family.

What have you all been up to the past few weeks?

He Loves Me

Hello There,

So sorry for my absence. I am still here, though clearly not doing the 31 Day Challenge any more.  I didn't really think it through and this just wasn't the time to commit to something that. Our due date was a few days ago and while I want to write on that eventually I am just not ready yet. I have been spending a lot of time just being quiet. Thinking, reflecting, and just being. I am still doing Onetober though.



This is today's look. I was running late so my hair is not at all styled, and I am wearing no make up whatsoever. I ran out the door with out a jacket so ended up wearing one of Josh's Mr. Roger's sweaters. And I love everything about this picture. It's not glamorous or polished but it is so very real right now.

Josh was taking the pictures today and I feel like you can tell that. I was just being me. The thing is, I haven't felt like "me" in a while. Josh always brings out the best in me though and I feel like that comes through. No matter how I am feeling or what is going on he is my biggest fan and best cheerleader. He points out my strengths and builds me up in areas that need work. I'm so blessed to have him in my life and have some one who loves me even when I'm not feeling quite myself. :)

Day 11 Onetober and 31 Days in the Life of Me.

October:

For the month of October I will be participating in two challenges. Onetober: One Dress, One Month, One Cause and The 31 Day Challenge. You can read more about these here and here.

Day 11

Hello friends! Are you tired of seeing the same dress over and over again? I thought you might be. So, no outfit picture today. Honestly, I wonder if you might be a bit tired of hearing from me so much in general. I promise, next time I do 31 days I will make sure I have a much more interesting topic. For today though, I thought I would share some things that have been inspiring me lately.

Our local Joann Store is moving and they are clearing out all the stock. I went a little crazy and bought a ton of fabric. Loving these combinations together.

We went to Barnes and Noble's today and I fell in love with this issue of Artful Blogging. It was so beautiful and inspiring. I didn't buy it but I really want to go back and get it. Thinking of subscribing with whatever Christmas money I get.

One of the reasons I passed on the magazine was because I broke down and bought the new journal and book I have been drooling over. I actually got a deal since I used swagbucks gift cards for the book. Got to love free stuff. I'm now so inspired to journal again and have a bunch of lists and quotes from the book already jotted down.

What have you been inspired by lately?

Days 9 and 10 of Onetober and 31 Days in the Life of Me.

October:

For the month of October I will be participating in two challenges. Onetober: One Dress, One Month, One Cause and The 31 Day Challenge. You can read more about these here and here.

Days 9 and 10

Hello Friends!

[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Dress - TJMax
Scarf - Hand painted from a Boutique
Hat - Holiday craft show
Jacket - Target[/caption]

Are you bored yet? If so I am sorry. Since I don't always go out a whole bunch my dress doesn't get "dressed up" very often. Not a whole lot to write about either, but maybe you are getting to know me a bit better. Getting to know our life and what motivates us.

A few pictures from our week so far.

I took a break from making dollies today and made some zipper clutches for my friend's sister. I love getting to be creative and working with fabrics and patterns that inspire me.

Goose and I went to Bible study yesterday and afterwards went to see Grandma at work. Goose love's helping her at the bookstore! :)

They cat got highjacked today and dress in a Build a Bear shirt. Shockingly he still has it on and doesn't seemed to be bothered by it. We really did get a super cat.

Monday was our due date for the baby we miscarried back in February. We are taking it slow this week and giving ourselves lots of grace and time to process. I'm sure I will have thoughts on all of that to share in a few days, but for now I'm ok letting that just sit and percolate.

I hope you all have had a wonderful week so far!