Update Changed

This update of Etsy shop that was planned for this last weekend had to be postponed due to illness. I will be updating this coming weekend instead. I was down with a cold/flu thing and did nothing but sleep all weekend. Check in this weekend for new additions.

Here is Miss Mae.....she looks like I have been feeling.

These cold, rainy and sick days have been almost as hard on the pups as it has been on the humans.

We all hope to be back on track and chasing our tails soon.

In the meantime.... a good book, some hot tea with wildflower honey, a fluffed pillow and of course my pups at my side, will have to do.

Something to do with words and boats....

I took a diversion from my journey as late. Here are some works in progress I thought I would share with you. These works were inspired by a dear friend whose own journey inspires my own. These little primitives will have a lot to say and will do it with only a word. That is as it should be. Enjoy the WIP and stay tuned for more as these should be finished and listed in my Etsy shop this weekend.


......and what would a lady be without transportation? Some paper mache boats in progress.

Sharing Simple Gifts of Contentment

I often wonder, when my heart seems troubled...how can I find the contentment I seek? What do I do to affect a change in me that will abate the hollow in my heart and flush my soul with peace? I take pleasure in the simplicity of everyday. I get upset if I have to hurry through my day without being able to watch my flowers bloom, catch the song of a bird in flight, observe the slow, steady rise and fall of my dogs chest as he sleeps peacefully in the sunny spot by the back door. These are the moments that are truly important to me.

When the days are cold, cloudy and gray and we are hurried with the business of living, it is hard to remember what gives us pleasure. It is hard to search our environment for that illusive tidbit that will spark warmth in our veins and end in a smile.

In my search today....I found a picture taken in my garden when the roses were giving their last glorious push before winter frost. I also found this quote that sums up perfectly how I aspire to live my life. I thought I would share them both with you today. It is amazing how the universe gives you what you need if you are open and receptive. May you each find in your heart today a symphony of your own.

"To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich;
to study hard, think quietly,
talk gently, act frankly;
to listen to stars and birds,
to babes and sages, with open heart;
to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
await occasions, hurry never.
To let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony."
~William Henry Channing

The Doan Deans

In the quiet of a hollowed out log they appeared. I saw them there one night when the moon was bright. They have been around for millions of years, taking different forms when necessary. Where they come from no one is sure. Legend has it that they come from another universe similar to this one. They take different forms as needed. They might be rocks or birds. I only know that this night, as they appeared to me, they made themselves know as the Doan Deans.

They are here to lighten the burden and turn a tear to a smile with their warmth. They have a tell-tale tear on each of their cheeks.....a magic tear that absorbs your hurts and cares, allowing each who holds them to feel comforted.

You can find a Doan Dean of your own in my Etsy shop.

The Ladies are Here...

The ladies are finally ready to make their debut and are for sale in my Etsy shop. It has been a long time coming. I can't believe how much time it took me to get my shop up and running. Between my commuter job and family to distract me from my creative life, not to mention my lack of technical know-how with computers, time has flown.

I would like to thank all the bloggers and Facebook friends and life friends who have lent their support in getting this project going. I am going to endeavor to be a better blogger and hope to show some new works I have percolating along with works in progress. These will be coming up in the next few days, but until then....with out further blathering or ado...I would like to introduce the ladies of Lil Darlin Designs....

Meet Virginia..

Virginia is somewhere between shabby chic and bohemian. She used to be in love with Roland until, one day, feeling the need for a change, she had her hair cut short and dyed red. Roland was appalled and told her, "I could never be in love with a redhead." With that he departed, leaving Virginia to ponder how she could ever have thought she was in love with anyone quite so superficial. She is much happier now that she has decided to go back to writing poetry and living the contemplative life.

Francine.....

Francine is a tall girl. Well, not so much of a girl anymore. She used to be an actress whose claim to fame is that she was up for the part of Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate." She was perfect for the part in every way accept she was too tall and the producers complained she would upstage Dustin Hoffman, so the part went to Anne Bancroft. Now she teaches acting at a small studio in Irvine, California and is rumored to be writing her memoirs.

....and Collette.....

Collette wanders the streets in search of a voice that is always calling to her. Sometimes it sings sweetly, enticing her to travel great distances, in search of what, she does not know....she only knows she must follow. Her heart aches for that illusive "something" that she's certain has the answers to all her questions of life...if only, if only...

Sneak Peek!

It's been a long time coming, but here is a sneak peek of a special little creature I call a Doan Dean. He will soon be looking for a home and will be up for adoption on my Etsy shop in the next few weeks.

Doan Dean might be a rock or he could be a flower. He has a few human characteristics. No one is quite sure where he comes from. He is nature's finest. He is made from all natural materials. His body is made from muslin dyed with coffee and tea. His flowers are wool felt and buffalo yarn that was gifted to me by special friends. His sweet little face is all cotton embroidery thread and he is filled with wool stuffing. Each Doan Dean will be one of a kind. There are no patterns.

This adorable little guy has a tear on his cheek symbolizing his desire to help wash away your cares. Doan Dean will help to fill your heart with joy and ease your burdens. That is a large job for such a small creature, but he has assured me he is up to the task.

Welcome to My Blog

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog. I hope, today and in the future you will find many things to enjoy here. I want this to be a safe , friendly place to visit. I hope to share with you my creative efforts and process. I hope to share thoughts from everyday and truths I pick up on my journey. Please feel free to leave comments and share your own experiences and truths.

I am in the process of setting up an Etsy shop with my one of a kind dolls. They are made out of cloth, embroidery floss and wool felt and yarn. I don't use patterns and each is a visitor from my imagination. I am making what I call, Doan Dean dolls or stuffies. They are little creatures you might find in your garden. They have come to visit from another demension. They might be rocks. They might be flowers. They might be birds. They might have some human features and characteristics. Mostly they are here to bring you comfort and give you a smile. There is a story behind them and I will share that when I have pictures to share.

My other dolls are "the ladies." They are a touch on the willowy side and each has a story to tell.

I am new to the blogging world and it is a learning process. Bare with me as I traverse the world of high tech and figure the steps out to make this a great place to visit. As soon as I figure out how to download pictures I will show examples of my work that will be on sale at my Etsy Shop. I hope you will visit me there when I have things up and running. Lil Darlin Designs is the name on my shop. I know there is a way to link it and as soon as I figure it out I will post that link.

In the mean time I have some of my favorite blogs listed for you to visit and some music to share. I will add more blogs as soon as I get the addresses. There are so many wonderful doll makers out there. Please enjoy what I have so far and come back and visit often. Have a great day.

Here is a small sample or tease of what I am making. This is Collette. She is one of the ladies.


And here she is with all her friends from other doll makers that I have been lucky enough to buy. Left to right there are dolls by Mummysam, Caracarmina and LilDarlin.