New Thai dolls and new Thai restaurant

Hello all!

Just a quick note/update(I always say that don't I?)

I've been creating again! We (and our partners) just opened a Thai restaurant in the Cleveland Heights area and it inspired me to create my first Thai doll.Her name is Ging, just like my niece in Thailand.I had this idea for over a year and drew the doll several ways but ended up realizing that I was over thinking the design and just jumped in.I try to iron out all the details before I put in the hours but sometimes you don't know where you'll end up until you take the plunge.There are a few things I may change but for now,I like her.I bought some supplies to make a few more in different colors so hopefully more to come:o)

As for the restaurant....it's called High Thai'd cafe' and it's taking the place of a well loved Thai restaurant called "Mint Cafe".We have an uphill battle since this restaurant was very popular but we are certainly working hard at keeping the previous customers as well as welcoming new ones.There's a saying in Thailand that says when the Tide is high,you have to make your move because it won't stay that way forever(ie,strike when the iron's hot).As I mentioned with making dolls(or doing anything new for that matter)sometimes you just have to jump in and we did.So we shall see what this New year brings...hopefully good things:o)

Tons of dolls and family changes!!

Happy fall!!!
I think, to date, I've made over 60 dolls.Whew! Just a little idea last year has become a bit of an obsession.I'm trying out a new style of doll that I will list as soon as I get a breather*sigh*.Aside from the dolls and other crafty ventures,I am working on moving.We're trying to stay in our current area so we don't have to take the kids out of school midway through the year but if necessary we will go farther.It's a huge step for our family and a lot of changes will take place but wherever we end up will be fine because we are all together.We're learning about teamwork,as a family of 6, and it will take some grace for us to be all that I know we can be.God has given us a good family,good friends and an awesome church so we will be surrounded by supportive people as we grow:o)This really is an exciting time even though I worry about how all the details will work out.We're waiting for the bank to accept our offer on a house(eeeek!)so whenever the phone rings I run to see if it's our real estate agent.Recently I ran to get the phone,so fast,that I kicked the door frame and seriously hurt my toes.I thought the 2 littlest ones were broken--it hurt so bad!No x-rays for me though,I had a pumpkin carving party to go to!Anyways,I iced my foot for a few days and it's much better.The phone call was regarding voting...I was sooo mad>:/
Well now I force myself to walk to the phone and I won't let myself read the caller id either.Lots to learn about patience too.Well I'm off to bed z-z-z-z

Kokeshi Spool Dolls galore!

This is what I've been up to lately:oD

Ice Cream KeychainTutorial for my DIY Kits

I recently posted 8 Ice cream keychain kits on etsy.I've been making them myself and was asked by several people if they could make one for themselves so I made up 8(for now). They come with the pre-cut felt pieces,embroidered cone pieces,ribbon,keyring,beads,poly-fil batting and color instructions. I will be putting more detailed instructions on here for those that would like a little more help(I do better with LOTS of pictures when I'm making a new craft).
As well as making these kits I've been making a bunch of spool dolls and kokeshi dolls to feed my obsession for all things Asian;o) .Those are also in my etsy shop and more to come in a few days,I hope!!Well I hope you like my crafty things:oD

It's been a long time

Wow, I can't believe that I haven't posted anything in my blog for 6-7 months.I've been taking on new things and I guess I let the blog fall to the bottom of the pile.
Quick updates that I can think of are:
I've made almost 40 dolls and they are called "Kimono Kids"(not kokeshi kids since they really don't look like kokeshi dolls imo).I've been mostly selling them on etsy and have met some awesomely encouraging people through them.
I will be at my twins school this week to be in an artshow.I've been preparing for the show by making felt icecream keychains to display,putting dolls in 2 gallon clear ziploc bags(I didn't even know there was such a thing as 2 gallon bags),getting paper quilling ready to display on the tabletop(on easels) and I have to demonstrate a craft(maybe I'll sew a keychain or do some paper quilling??).
This summer I will be a summer camp craft teacher for a daycare so I've been making a zillion(ok not that many,just 200)Popsicle keychain kits for kids to craft.This is a BIG deal for me since I tend to be a "shy" sort of person.
It's time to change that "shy" label since there is so much more I'd like to do and shyness has been holding me back in some areas.
Well that's the current 411.
I'd better go,I have to do a dress rehearsal of what my table will look like for the artshow.
See ya!!
Hope

Kokeshi kids Dolls

I've been making these lately.It's been hard to keep up with posting to my blog when I make something since I have so many things to do(4 kids,facebook,etsy,flickr,emails etc).Speaking of making things,I'm going to my craftstation/studio right now since I have another Kokeshi "calling to me" :o)

crafting for Thailand