Still two left of the newest Dream Star dolls for Spring. I have several more in the works in bright, happy spring/summer colors.

Lisa Heyman was a very special and beautiful person. Tributes to her life have been collected at http://lheyman.blogspot.com/ where people she touched and inspired have written of their gratitude that she was in their lives even if it was only "virtually". This is my Lisa tribute doll, made with brightness and fire and light - all words that appear over and over in the condolence messages. It can't do her heart and mind justice, but it is a step in that direction.

We had a great time attending the release party in LA, at Handmade in Sherman Oaks. http://flickr.com/groups/719792@N22/pool/37368141@N00/ will take you to the Flikr pool from that day. Thank you to the organizers for a fun time. When we got home my daughter and I were inspired to continue making softies. She drew this double sided bunny felt bunny. I made some bitty conical critters for no good reason than they seemed fun. Now I feel vaguely inspired to make a softie monster chess set....hmmm.

Currently I am working on a portrait doll that I felt called to make in tribute to a friend who died suddenly a couple of weeks ago. I don't know yet what will become of this doll, but it is a different experience trying to capture the essence of a real person as I knew her, instead of an imaginary being. Here is a sketch and the beginning of the doll. I searched through my fabric store until bingo! I felt this was perfect fabric for someone who brought so much joy to people around her. It is the first time I have included an internal armature in a doll, to support the head and give some limited poseability. She will be about 12.5 inches when finished - the same pattern for my dolls I call "Dream Dolls". Above is the figure thus far. I have painted her smiling face from memory and photo, and I hope am doing justice to her generous heart and sparkling nature. My next task is to fashion her flaming beaded dress.