Mar 30, 2009

Manic Monday



Manic Monday I thought I take a few minutes and blog on things I am working on. This is one of my dolls I am almost finished I am not too sure about the green buttons. The cheese cloth she is wearing comes from the packaging of my WinterBasic Swap thanks again Kim for such lovely gifts. I need to stop being so picky I guess lol. I have on the hunt for more vintage hats. I have found some great ones on Etsy. Some I just can't see paying the price they want only to know I will be using them on dolls. But then again they are a few I run across that I almost dont want to part with. Before I had locked my hair I was a big hat wearer. Now it is almost impossible to find a fancy hat to go over all this hair, but non the less I love my locs.

I am off to run some errands and maybe even run pass the one and only thift shop in my area. Everyone be blessed!
Cheryl...Snatching JOY~

Mar 27, 2009

It's The Weekend





Well the weekend is here and my week has been busy busy and down right demanding. I am still working on more dolls. But the sun shined on me I won the Life Maker Over Contest! Ok I have to say I really didn't think I would win. I am still shy bit confussed about it. I am excited to see what happens next. Thank everyone for choosing me!

I had been very bad with blogging and not to mention even with my emails I am going to get better with the both. Right now I have projects going, 1. Makeover for the dead zone that is what I call my laundry room, 2. Trying to come up with a better way of being oragnized in this room I call office/studio aka multipurpose room. 3. Lastly trying to learn how to operate my digital camera to take better photos of my dolls. I have been listing more n more dolls in my etsy shop but the pictures just do not do any justice for them at all nothing to grab your attention not mention all the detail and work I put into each doll. Anyone have any pointers that could help me out with this? I am also behind in listing my doll collection but I took a few pictures of some that are stuffed away in a curio lol. I will try and get back with that again next week.


Have a great weekend
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

Mar 19, 2009

Life and Style Makeover

Today I decided that I would sit back and basically tell the world why I deserve to win this makeover. I am a little shy about doing this but at the same time I thought it is also a way for me to get out a lot that is going on in my life. That is part of what blogging is about.

I don't want to come off appearing depressing. My reasons for the makeover is to be able to once get the joy and peace back in my life that has been missing for so many years. For almost Seven years I have been depressed because of life situations first starting with my home burning down in Washington, DC which is how I ended up living in Baltimore, MD (I hate it here). At the time my house caught on fire I soon learned so many valuable lessons one get insurance, two never trust anyone, three Red Cross only puts you up for one night after that you are on your own. So began my life nightmare. My boys were in elementary school at the time of all this and my father-in-law at the time lived out here in Baltimore and knew of a Person who rented homes without a down payment. Pressed with needing a place to live my husband and I rented the home for the low low price of $575.00 for a three bedroom town house front and back yard and all the mice you could ever want. Yes I said mice come to find out after settling in the place was infested with them. There is no short to this story in order for me to just bring out all the details. I am terrified of mice and don't like anything that has any relation with mice right down to even a shall we say cute picture of one those things.

The first day we walked into the house I almost cried another thing I truly cannot stand is paneling well guess what every last room in this place had paneling. The house of gloom. No Fridge I asked the landlord where is the fridge he just laughed and said you have to get your own. Not mention no way could use the stove that was in this place. My husband soon broke down and cried screaming how he didn't work this hard to end up living this way. I did all I could to try and make the place a home but nothing worked. Now what I also didn't mention I know I am bouncing all over the place with this story but the house that burned only burned the bedroom upstairs which was our room. Everything downstairs was fine but the problem was the owner of the house which by the way we was renting with option to buy stole everything from us he locked us out of the house not even the police would help us told us we had to file a civil suit. My husband lost his job the next day after the fire he is a flooring installer and the company told him they couldn't let his problem become their problems after he asked to not be on the schedule because his house had just burned down.

After living in this hell hole mice infested place Baltimore began the down fall of my life. Never did I stop to realize that this had also taken a mental affect on my kids. They also hated living here. So to start naming the things that has occured in my life of living in Baltimore maybe I should list them before I go on, but instead for the first time instead of talking about everyone else I am going to talk about myself for a change.

I have had 3 what the doctors call mini strokes not even knowing that I had them. My health just started going down hill actually it took a nose dive. I have the worse teeth in my mouth that anyone could imagine because of past things that had happened to me (ex husband abused me and eventual tried killing me) not having a dental plan to get the necessary care my mouth needed, so I dont smile a lot I really don't like talking to anyone in public. At one point I felt as though my life was just over literally everything that gave me any type of joy seemed to have been snatched away. I learned not to buy nothing that I will not use so those days of buying pretty linens and nice dinnerware is just a no no. I don't have anything I call *that is for when company comes over* lol company never comes here nobody comes here except the one friend I have living out here that is Joyce other than that nobody visit. We long moved from the mouse house into a much better place actually I love this house just never had the money to buy the things I would love to have to really make it home starting with a sofa, I am a person who finds ways to make do with what I have. But it would really be nice for once to have a nice cozy place again.

I said I wouldnt talk about anyone but me this time I can't do it. My life I guess revolves around my kids which at this point in my life has been filled with heartaches. Most know the story about my youngest son being beaten, I only mention my other son and him joining the church but there is more to him that I just nevered talked about. It just pains me I guess some days I just dont feel much happiness right now most have stopped reading this and that is ok too. I am just rambling letting out my feelings doesn't much matter about a contest for a makeover those things only happen for other people. I watch extreme makeovers a few times on tv and would wish that could happen to me. That I could have my teeth fixed and have nice clothes to wear. Not mention to take away a ton of pounds I have collected over the years. Some days I just want to grab a bag throw some clothes in it and head for the door and keep going not looking back. I always tell folks to snatch joy I even try finding some to grab hold to just that it seems everytime I get a piece of it something finds a way to snatch it away. Maybe I might try later on with this right now none of what I am saying is making any sense.

I guess that is another reason I surf and read so many of you blogs. Your lives seem so wonderful and family life seem just peaceful and happy.

Mar 16, 2009

Monday's Doll of The Week












Peddler Doll This is one of My Favorite Dolls in my collection she is a reproduction China Head Doll. I purchased this doll in 2000 at a Doll and Teddy Bear Show in Washington, DC. The artist who created her name is Annie. I have a small collection of China Head dolls two which are Antique. The History of China Head Dolls.

China head dolls were made by various companies from 1840-1940. The vast majority of china dolls were made in Germany. China head dolls are usually found on a wood, cloth or a kid body and some have partial limbs of china too. May have molded hair or have a wig over a solid bald dome. Their sizes range from a tiny 3" to a big and heavy 40" tall.

Many of the china head dolls are unmarked, or may have a mold number; it can be impossible to pinpoint the manufacturer, so most dolls are described and identified by their hairstyles. As hairstyles changed the dolls reflected this and changed too.

The Peddler Doll
The few dolls of the eighteenth century which may still be found are either of wood or wax mostly wood. Of these the peddler dolls are the most interesting. In the eighteenth century, women traveled about the countryside as packpeddlers did a generation ago in this country selling needles, pins, and other small articles. These women were called Notion Nannies, and were familiar figures in English country districts.

The peddler dolls commemorate a social custom. They are of carved wood and usually carry a basket containing numerous miniature articles. Such a doll, from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum appears as a frontispiece. Some of these old peddler dolls have found their way to America. Mrs. DeWitt Clinton Cohen of New York has a wonderful collection of them, one of which has 125 articles on the tray. The author owns one that was found for her in northern England during World War II. It dates from 1780 and had been bought by an antique dealer at a farm auction in Nottinghamshire.

Summary ...I guess what I love so much about China Head dolls are, The size, costumes, and accessories. Dolls can be a teacher of history.

Until next time
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

Mar 15, 2009

A Lazy Sunday

It has been sometime now since I have blogged. I have been so busy trying regroup after my shows. Which I am happy to say turned out great! I took a break also from sewing but haven't stopped buying fabric. I don't believe I could ever stop doing that. Few weeks ago I took a trip to Williamsburg, VA one of my favorite places. If nothing more it was to relax clear my head for a few days and enjoy the company of a great friend.

I do have something special to show off my package from Heidi at Foxgloves "Winters Basics Baubles Swap. That was a lot of fun I had a Wonderful Partner as well.


Everything is just wonderful and wrapped so pretty right down to the box she mailed it in. Swaps are a lot of fun and they also can be somewhat risky. So far I have done 3 swaps and only one was questionable. I thought it was a great way to meet new friends. I would like to know your opinions about swaps the pros and cons. Also in the next few days I have decided to start taking pictures of my doll collection and posting a picture a week maybe two post a week about the doll and how I came about having her. I feel it is also a great way for me to be able to start making a journal of my collections. You will be surprised at how many dolls I have in my collection lol. I have sold off a large amount of them on ebay, but for now the ones I have left I will hold on to them a little while longer. Also, I have listed two dolls in my Esty Shop. More to come.
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl....Snatch JOY!