We were helping Chris' family decorate one of their trees on the weekend, and as I was unwrapping some of their ornaments, I came across several that were broken. There were several 'Hallmark' ornaments with parts broken off. I said I could take them home and fix them. There were also several salt dough ornaments that had undergone some major water damage a few years back, and others that had parts broken off. So it became a running gag..."This one needs to go to the Ornament Hospital too!". 

​I took them home and glued what I could. There was nothing I could do about the salt deposits on the water damaged salt dough ornaments, but I could repair all the parts that had swollen and broken off. I figured the best medium for the repairs was Aves Apoxy, as it isn't wet, and it doesn't need to be baked. Just build up the missing parts, let them cure, and then paint them to match.

I've finished the first set of Christmas doll dresses, and thought I'd take a picture outside....

A few more pictures....

The last of the Dark Fairies - the two for JIDs - are now up for sale.
​Please click on the photos for more information

I had been waiting for decent weather to take the three JID fairies to the Ruins Gardens for pictures. So we went yesterday afternoon. But there was no way to get to it. I knew the Guild Inn had been sold, and would be undergoing renovations, but there were also two big new buildings under construction. The old Park entrance is a muddy construction entrance, and there's no way to drive to the back parking lot. There is a pathway along the west side, but there's no parking allowed on either side of the very narrow street. The only way to go now, would be to park in the high school parking lot that's at the west end of the woods, on a weekend when theres no one there, and walk along the street to the path, and then down to the lake.  What a HUGE disappointment. I mean, it's nice the Guild Inn is being saved, but what's going to happen with the Ruins garden?

So, the only place left to take doll photos was either in the woods, or in my backyard. I didn't feel like getting down in the woods, so that left my backyard.  The backyard is all bare and ready for winter, and there's not much left that works as a background for doll pictures.....

But there's still one tiny spot, at the base of the bridal wreath spirea, which still has most of it's tiny yellow leaves. It's where I shot the Kaye Wiggs fairies last week, and hadn't planned on using again for these JID fairies. But with no choice, out in the back we all went.... 

It's so nice to have my own Our Generation doll to model the clothes I'm making, but it always gets me each time just how unposeable they are. Arms go up and down, and head turns from side to side, and that's about it. But she does look nice just standing there.

After these three identical dresses are finished, then I'm making each of the girls another ballet costume - in pale pinks and purples this time. Then hopefully next week I'll be free to work on my own doll stuff again. Yes Santa, I'm looking at you! Will I be able to dress him after all??

I loved my girl in the red and purple fairy ensemble, but decided she still needed something more to set her apart, and give her a truly regal air. So I made her a cloak out of my last black nylon tricot. It snaps onto the shoulders of her bodice.

I can't wait to take the outdoor photos of the three JID girls in their Fairy costumes, but the weather just isn't cooperating. It's freezing rain out there right now, and it's supposed to switch to just plain old rain as the temperature goes up. Then it's at least another two days of rain. So maybe after that? I just hope the last few leaves manage to cling to the bushes until then.

Nothing like a photo shoot with the final leaves of autumn, for these dragon-winged fairies...

The three Dark Fairy sets for Kaye Wiggs MSD girls, just went up for sale....

And at the time of this posting, there is just one left - the Red & Purple Dark Fairy...

Two of the JID versions will be up for sale as soon as I can finish the photography, as I've decided my newest girl can keep one of the three for herself, and she's chosen the Red & Purple one....

Tuesdays we usually go out for pizza for lunch. Then afterwards we go across the street to Value Village. We usually come home with something of interest, but today I hit the jackpot.  Look at all these great doll props!