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We're Back, and We're Freezing!

3/30/2014

15 Comments

 
We are nicely back home again, the sun is shining, and there's still huge piles of snow. The girls couldn't believe how cold it was, especially after their nice warm holiday down south. it's definitely not weather for bare feet and sandals! Better hurry inside and put something warmer on!
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We had a good time down south, even though in many places everything was weeks behind. Last time we went down to Florida we were just too late for the azaleas and rhododendrons, so this time we planned for two weeks earlier so we'd be there when the flowers were in full bloom. But, as luck would have it, everything was way behind down there this year - just like up here - and the azaleas had barely started to bloom. Oh well, we made the best of it.

I brought along five of my smaller dolls; BIDs Elin, Nami and Byuri, and KIDs Lisa and Lonnie. Florida isn't exactly the easiest place to take doll photos, as it's hot, sunny and very windy. Last time we went, I had brought my Rosie, and she only came out of the RV once, and it was way too windy for decent photos. However, all the practice the past year and a half with my smaller dolls, made this trip somewhat more successful. It was not practical to take photos with all five dolls at once, so they took turns coming along to the various sites.

I've downloaded all my trip photos and have processed a few of my favourites...
Evening out on the beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Gulf of Mexico. 
The only time they were all able to come out and play together....
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On the Navarre Pier, on the Florida Panhandle....
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On the Beach at Destin, on the Florida Panhandle.....
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Touring the Historic District of St. Augustine....
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Looking for shells on the beach at St. Augustine......
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More beach-combing on the beach on Tybee Island.....
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...and Lisa in the old Magnolia Plantation garden, in South Carolina....
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I have to admit that beach photos were the easiest - just park and take the dolls in their boxes out to the beach, set up, take some photos, shake off all the sand, and clean up again. The most challenging is taking a few dolls along on a walking tour in a city or public place. Wrapping them up, putting them into a bag, taking them out for photos and putting them back in again. There were also plenty of times when a single doll just popped out for a quick single shot somewhere. I'm still not comfortable taking photos in public, but hopefully that might change someday.  Anyway, my plan is to process the doll trip photos and post them here, one outing at a time, then put them all together into a trip album.

So now I have to unpack, and clean up, and get back to "normal routines". Two weeks away with nothing to do but eat, sleep, drive and sight-see, living in a very small space, is ever so easy compared to a big dusty house. And now that I have my computer back, that eats up a lot of time too. Well, better go put in some more laundry, and put some more trip stuff away......
15 Comments
kenaiqueen
3/30/2014 03:30:57 am

Lovely photos! I think you are wonderfully brave! I rarely take my dolls outside. I'm a terrible photographer and rarely see a good spot to take a shot of my dolls. Ever think about doing a photo book?

Reply
Martha
3/30/2014 04:24:42 am

Thanks! My favourite doll photos are ones I've taken outside. I prefer it not to be sunny, but on our trip there wasn't a lot of choice. And yes, someday a book (or two) with doll photos may just happen.

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Kath
3/30/2014 07:57:47 am

I have missed you but life here was so fast paced that I didn't have time to look anyways.. I was just blessed with a Great Grandson that was born 6 weeks early.. so am splitting the time with my daughter so that they are never alone at the hospital.. I have nothing but big smiles.. :D

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Martha
3/30/2014 08:34:47 am

Congratulations on the new great-grandson! I know all about preemies and the seemingly endless stays in the NICU, as three of my grandchildren were all born around 9 weeks early. They were so tiny, but still ever so cute. Best wishes for an uneventful stay in the hospital until he can finally go home!

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Jane
3/30/2014 09:11:17 am

Welcome back!

Poor little ones freezing in the snow though! LOL!
I love my first look at your holiday photos, they are just all so natural. You never give the impression that you were not fully at ease taking photos of dolls in public places as the finished result is perfect!

Happy wash day tomorrow ....*ugh*...the worst part of the return home from holiday.

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Martha
3/30/2014 10:03:28 pm

Thanks! I'm a very anxious person, so the only times I'm ever totally at ease taking doll photos is in my home or yard, or in total wilderness with no one around. But I do think I'm getting better in populated areas. One trick is to just focus on taking the photos, and since I don't wear my glasses when taking photos, I just tell myself that if I can't see the people, then they can't see me either.

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Martine Guéprotte
3/30/2014 11:09:01 am

What you do is beautiful. Pure and simple art.
I live in Guadeloupe and I am looking desperately bare black skin dolls. would you advise me to a supplier. Indeed, my aim is to dress these dolls traditional Creole costumes.
Sincerely, and thank you for the wonders that you showed us

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Martha
3/30/2014 10:04:39 pm

Maybe try Googling 'black skin dolls'?

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Charie Wilson
3/30/2014 12:42:53 pm

Well come home at least its not to cold write now suppose to be really nice tomorrow I think spring has finally sprung.
Hugs Charie

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Martha
3/30/2014 10:05:31 pm

It's nice to be home and experience spring a second time.

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Randomfish link
3/30/2014 09:37:04 pm

Such lovely pictures! Oh, those beach pictures make me look forward to summer! :)

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Inma
3/31/2014 12:10:14 am

I'm glad you are back, I've missed you ! You have taken beautiful photos of your trip. I particularly like those of the girls looking for shells. You are very brave to take so many dolls when travelling. I never take moren than two and even two sounds me difficult to manage.
When I began taking photos of my dolls in situations where there were many people, I felt bad as if I was doing something inappropriate, but decided to continue. Now, when somebody stops by me when taking photos and wants to know more about my doll, I even feel proud ! And yes the trick is to focus on what you really like to do and forget those who haven't discovered how wonderful it is !

Reply
Martha
3/31/2014 01:21:33 am

There will be plenty more shell pictures coming. I couldn't believe how many shells there were on the beaches.

When we go away with the RV, I've taken up to five dolls at a time, but they only ever all come out when we can park close to where I want to take a picture - or in a campsite. Otherwise, I just take one or two around with me. And I do love the end results.

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Laura J. Underwood
3/31/2014 12:23:39 am

Wonderful pictures. Love the shots in St. Augustine (that used to be my favorite place to visit when I was a child).

As for taking dolls out in public, I too am a bit awkward about it. I have been known to slip one in my backpack with the computer to take to work, but they rarely get out of the bag as my coworkers think my hobby is a little strange.

It is much easier to take them out when you are with a group of other doll people (I had dinner with a group once, and being a people watcher, I could not help noticing the folks who would stop at the window of the hotel restaurant and stare in at us) because you figure they are not just staring at you alone.

Glad to hear the trip was good.

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Martha
3/31/2014 01:25:36 am

We love St. Augustine, and love their Tour Trolley system, where you can get on and off all day. It was very cold and windy that day, and I took Elin and Byuri out with us that day, and even though I did mange a couple of shots with the dolls, I didn't get nearly as many as I would have liked.

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    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
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