Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A SPRING IN YOUR STEP...

"Spring has sprung, the grass has riz"...A lovely first day of Spring, here in Vegas - one that finds me married to my husband for 30 years, which makes me all of 42 - not long on mushy sentiment on the blog (I tend to keep the family affairs low key and on a personal level), but thanks for a great run, Mister!  This past weekend was the long-awaited "Santo de Estrella" class with ROBIN DUDLEY-HOWES, and some charming girlfriends, here in town.
The dolls were all hand sculpted by Robin, and presented to us as "pieces/parts" at the beginning of class.  Each person assembled their own dolls, and then stained and painted the basic parts, before moving on to lots and lots of soldering, connecting all the dots, and crossing all the T's!  Jewelry was hand fashioned for each of these, also - a TOTAL MUST among the jewelry makers in the crowd.
A two day affair, complete with food and laughter - 7 hours each day.  Learned (learned, not "turned") a few new tricks (who says you're too old), and remembered a few forgotten ones...
Made a couple of new friends, and reconnected with some that had fallen out of touch...
The end result of our table of four...I KNOW that the two that weren't quite finished will be fabulous by week's end...I KNOW.
Mine, in the midst of half from the other table - as each one of these was individually crafted for us by Robin, no two were remotely alike - especially after paint applications.
My finished product...the base has been filled with antique silk flowers.  A glitter glass banner hangs from her hands, and spells out "Calm" in French, the result of that very word being printed on an old page of text used during the day...not that I speak the language, but the word was there, and is also part of my daughter's favorite phrase from a book - "du calme".  The rest of the banners were made up to say Peace...yes, I had to be different and it just seemed to fit the bill.
Thank you, Robin (and the rest of you lovely ladies), for a great two days - had a fabulous time and brought home a special keepsake.
With that out of the way, it is time to spring on out of here and resume the travelogue, as my father in Denver is chomping at the bit, wondering where we're stopping next on our travels.  The incredible Hoover Dam and new Memorial Bridge, it is...a safe and happy Spring to everyone!

16 comments:

Ahl Cooped Up said...

Happy Anniversary Tanya!!
The doll is awesome. No classed like that here. You are so lucky.
Enjoy your anniversary..
Hugs, Pat

DearHelenHartman said...

Happy Anniversary! Love that doll, never seen anything like it.

oldgreymare said...

you little dickens..you never mentioned it was your anniv.. Happy Happy dear girl.

love your MISS_________________? what is her name?
She must have a name!
xx
z

Anonymous said...

Love the doll. Happy Anniversary, Remember it well. Such a cute couple. Love you both Mom and Dad

Jackie said...

Oh I wish I would have taken the class, your doll came out amazing! Such character!!!! Love the jewelry too!! Beautiful!

Colleen said...

WOW! Your doll is incredible and what a talent - I love just studying the doll and all of the little nooks and crannies!

Great job, Chica and Happy Anniversary!

Dorthe said...

Dear Tanya, oh I WOULD HAVE LOVED BEING THERE....looks as though you all had so much fun- and all did those very beautiful dolls.
Yours looks so fantastic- I love the word :Calme, and her wonderful flowers- what a beautiful treasure to take home after 2 dayes of lovely work.
Thankyou my dear, for your very sweet words to me, thankyou Tanya.
Blessings,Dorthe

Dorthe said...

Dear friend, forgot..... :
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY--
HUGS, Dorthe

Clara Turbay said...

it´s great to see your ideas put together.

Createology said...

Happy Anniversary. Wonderful weekend class and your creation is amazing. I adore all of the details. So great to spend time with like-minded creative souls. Blissful creating...

Vicki Boster said...

Tanya- congrats on your many years of wedded bliss. What a great accomplishment!

Your class looks amazing- great fun- ! Your creation is fabulous--- I can only just be amazed.

Thanks again for your faithful visits-- and YES- she was all business and quite stern!! Wouldn't want to mess with her-- happily paid my dollar!!

Enjoy your spring !
Vicki

Melanie Schofield said...

30! Hope the next 30 is as blissful! love the doll! she appears as if ready to tell HER story...very realistic!

Cindy said...

First of all...Happy Anniversary!!!
and, I LOVE your doll! so cool and creative!!
Looks like you had a blast!
xo
Cindy

robin dudley-howes said...

Thanks for taking pictures Tanya and for coming to my class. Your Santos looks dreamy and I love her eyes! Happy belated anniversary!
Robin

Hopewell Creek Designs said...

Happy Anniversary Tanya!!30 yrs that is wonderful. I really wish you would show a photo of the two of you!! It's the personal part of your blog I look forward to seeing!
Your doll looks awesome but that isn't a surprise since you are such a talented lady!!

Mandy said...

Your Santos turned on beautiful! I'm sad I didn't get to go, but looking forward to making one in August!