MAIDA TODAY and Happy New Year!

I am a member of MAIDA TODAY and enjoy it so very much. This is a remarkable group of doll makers who primarily engage in Making Antique Inspired Dolls and Accessories.

I am honored to be among seven of us who has been interviewed. To see the interview, click to MAIDA and scroll down to see me!

I wish you all a very happy New Year! 2011, I'm ready!

I'm through with my Sabbatical, and am introducing Elizabeth, and sharing Christmas 2010 with you.

Elizabeth 1, 2010, my newest reproduction doll has just appeared on my website for the first time, today, without any real fanfare other than this blog post. Visit her here.

Otherwise, having taken a small sabbatical from posting, I am eager to get back with sharing my world with all of you dear and wonderful people who visit me.

Our Christmas Day was lovely, spent with some of our family members. We had a delicious prime rib dinner, and we enjoyed much Christmas cheer.

I have already taken down all of my Christmas decorations, but I do have pictures of what I had out this year.

Above is my wonderful milliner's model (1820''s - 30's) where she always sits in the entry hall on my Danish end table, ca 1840's. I made the little paper tree on a stand replete with paper quilled ornaments.
Above is a shot of our living room and my darling, Victorian, "pencil tree" that I've taken out of storage for years on end. Yes, I do love real trees, but it is so much easier for me to set up this slender beauty, and so, I allow the rest of you real tree aficionados to have your fresh scented pine, which I can enjoy when I visit you!

What would Christmas be without a Nativity Scene?

My mantel made room for my Santa's and angels and my darling little feather tree that I made many years ago. I so enjoy it.

There sits one of my very favorite dolls, created by the great Pam Haber of Ghost Island Primitives. This raggedy beauty is Beth Ann, and she enjoys sitting next to a very old bottle brush tree and an old bank Santa.

Another little Nativity Scene that is missing a few pieces.

And another, also missing a piece or two.

In my entry hall, the old-fashioned Christmas Carolers always welcome my guests at Christmas.

There sits the head of the household, my dear, Gregory, and next to him is 4 year old granddaughter, Grace, and our daughter Brigitte and her husband, father to Grace, James.

On the other side of Gregory is Brigitte's dear and wonderful friend, Amanda.

There sit James' parents, Jack and Diane!

The young man on the very end is our wonderful grandson, Alexander, sitting next to his close friend, Colin, and whom do you suppose took the picture? I, of course, hence, no picture of me this year. I'm terribly camera shy anyway.

I'm so happy that it was all so lovely and that it is now a memory. There is much to be done.

I'm wishing you all a very happy New Year!

Christine

Sabbatical

I'm going on a sabbatical from posting on this blog. I almost closed it down, but decided just to retire from it for a while. If enough time goes by, and I'm still no longer interested in posting on it, I will very likely close it down.

Perhaps I will be back, and perhaps not, but in any event, I wish everyone pure joy, always.

Christine

Sylvia Browne to Peterson's Magazine ~ 1857

It's been a long time since I've posted on my blog, for I've been so very busy, and we also just returned from a few days in Lincoln City, Oregon at the coast where the ocean was hauntingly beautiful. Beautiful this time for me is inclement and stormy! This morning I saw many seals frolicking in the water. Our room was way up high, and it looked as though the surf were almost touching the bottom of the cliff from where we viewed it.

Our primary purpose for going to Lincoln City was to see Sylvia Browne at the Chinook Winds Casino. Sylvia is totally fabulous and I have admired her for years. It was a levitating experience being in the same room as that incredible psychic.

We went antiquing throughout the town and found many wonderful treasures, but my favorite was the big book of Peterson's Magazine from 1857. Here is just one beautiful picture from my new book. Look at the picture on the wall. Could it be of a sketch of a woman, or is it supposed to be a lady in a mirror? I think probably a sketch, yes?

Kathy Patterson of Babes From the Woods

Kathy Patterson of Babes From the Woods is not only a dear friend, but a magical talent and I am sharing with all of you an article about her in the brand new issue of Antique Doll Collector magazine. Of course, this is not a PDF, on purpose, because one really must purchase a copy of the magazine to be able to truly read and enjoy the article. This is to tantalize you with the desire to go get a copy, and to visit Kathy's wonderful blog.

I am so happy for her success for her work is incomparable. I'm also jealous of the snow she is enjoying! Oh how I love snow!

Christine

Thanksgiving 2010 at My House

I love to clean and cook. I love the house to sparkle and glitter with cleanliness, beautiful objets d' art, and lots of candle light! Music is essential too. Well it did sparkle yesterday, along with plenty of music and yummy delights. I had a marvelous time on both Wednesday and yesterday preparing and presenting what is to me a good old-fashioned Thanksgiving.

My daughter and her family were there and so was a dear and beautiful friend of hers. Of course, not pictured is my 19 year old grandson who had gone from the table briefly, nor a picture of my dear husband nor of me. Of course, when I snapped the picture the others were wandering about elsewhere. And because there is always so much to do, I only had time to snap a picture! So remiss am I in the photography department. I shoved the camera way up high on the refrigerator and forgot about it. Nonetheless we had a fabulous time and I am so rested and happy today.

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving too.

Christine

Primitive Stump Dolls

Please go to my website and click on the "Dolls" link to see all about my latest stump dolls. I have at last completed using up all of my fabric scraps for they are the stuffing for my little stump dolls.

My studio feels so clean, and it is now time for me to begin creating a new scrap collection.

Dolls beckon...

This Just In: Designer Craftsmen and Historic Home Show in Valley Forge

Designer Craftsmen and Historic Home Show in Valley Forge is ON for 2011!

February 4-6, 2011, Valley Forge Convention Center

Isn't it nice to hear good news these days? Well, if you haven't heard any lately, we've got some for you! Old House Media Group, publishers of New Old House, Old-House Journal, Old-House Interiors, Arts & Crafts Homes, Early Homes, and The Design Center Sourcebook proudly announces the acquisition of The Historic Home Shows and The Designer Craftsmen Shows, the beloved and highly-respected events produced by Bob Goodrich of Goodrich Promotions.

Although I, Christine, have never had the pleasure of attending this show, I am happy to report that it will be on after all! The show was bought from Goodrich by Old House Media Group. We just received the announcement and needed to share.

My "Dear Old Santas" Have Come to Life

These little, old fashioned Santas are my latest design. Please go to the following link to see about them:

Christine LeFever's Dolls and Fancywork Shoppe.

Hope to hear from you! Thank you for looking.

Christine

Goodrich Shows No More

I just learned this information yesterday. Gone is an era, yes? Thoughts anyone?

Goodrich and Company Promotions has made the decision to step back from the promotions industry. We would like to thank all that have participated or attended over the years. We are honored to have played a part in the craft, antique and restoration industries. The following shows are canceled:

The York Folk Art & Craft Show on November 19, 20, &21, 2010 at the York Fairgrounds...York, PA.

The Antiques Show at York on November 19, 20, & 21, 2010 at the York Fairgrounds...York, PA.

The Carlisle Folk Art & Craft Show on December 3, 4, & 5, 2010 at the Carlisle Expo Center...Carlisle, PA

The Greater Philadelphia Historic Home Show on February 4, 5, & 6, 2011 at the Valley Forge Convention Center...King of Prussia, PA.

The Designer Craftsmen Show of Philadelphia on February 4, 5, & 6, 2011 at the Valley Forge Convention Center...King of Prussia, PA

For the time being, you may email us at marketinfo@goodrichpromotions.com. Thank you.

marketinfo@goodrichpromotions.com

My Art Room in October

Yes, I have a television in this room so that I may watch Lifetime movies as I paint, sew, stuff and do so many other crafty artsy things here in my favorite spot in the world. Sometimes I just listen to music and other times it is totally silent. I do not watch excellent films as I work. They require that I sit and watch. But the lightweight TV entertainment suffices to keep me entertained while I work.

I love my sewing machine. I don't need to use it often, but it is trustily there for me, just to the right of my TV!

This sweet Eastlake desk is certainly a handy aid in the corner to the right of the sewing machine.

These are the windows as one turns the corner from the desk, and there they are right behind me as I sit at my art table.

A view of my art table if you were standing in the doorway into the room.

To the right of the windows is the corner where my ironing board resides. A very well used tool that and the iron.

Had to get a shot of my computer, so you can imagine me sitting in my little antique chair typing or reading here.

Now off across the hall to the spare room, and there are two Hannah's huddled beneath a Victorian parasol as they await their new homes.

Still in the spare room and there are packages of dolls ready to ship to their new homes.

And finally, hiding behind the door to the spare room and sitting atop a small armoire, are my packing paraphernalia, that normally resides in the basement, but 'tis the season, and so I must keep it up here for a while.

Now back to that romantic thriller!

Slip-Ins

Today I finally got around to working on a slew of my "slip-ins" as I have named these wee cards that I slip into one's package. My customers will recognize them.

First I paint a picture of a doll. Next I scan the painting. I then manipulate it so as to produce tiny cards of my dolls. I print them off, cut them out, and put them onto card stock stands. I enjoy embellishing them with a little glitter.

Now it's off to the store for a few more supplies.

:-)

Prims Magazine, October Issue ~ My Queen Anne Pansy Poppet!

I am so honored to have my Queen Anne Pansy Poppet featured in the October, 2010 issue of Prims magazine. Right on the cover on the very top of the page, it says "Free Pattern by Christine LeFever."

Yep, if anyone wants to make my Queen Anne Pansy Poppet, the pattern and instructions are there.

Enjoy!

Newsletter for Fall

Above is the picture on my latest newsletter about my latest dolls. It went out this morning. It is not something that can be forwarded, due to the nature of the software. If anyone cares to read it, please click HERE. Thank you!

Christine

Happy 42nd. Anniversary to Gregory and Me!

Gregory and I celebrated our 42nd. anniversary yesterday at the Oregon Coast. It was a wonderful day! We left early in the morning and were home by 10:00 PM. The date of our wedding (elopement ahem) was September 14, 1968.

Below is my Prince Charming way back when, and following are three pictures of yours truly, and there is no wedding attire in sight, because we eloped, and have never regretted it.

Below is an eerie scene from Ecola State Park's Indian Beach.

There I am on the beach at Gearhart.

That is the path to the beach.

Of course the weather was sunny one moment and dark and foggy the next as one can see in the two shots of trees.

But my favorite part of the excursion was in touring the incredibly beautiful, Queen Anne, Flavel House Mansion in Astoria. This gorgeous home was slated to be torn down for a parking lot way, way back long ago, but the angelic historic society members saved it! I am so happy to have seen it. There are 11,600 square feet to this beauty.

That is not a ghost. It is I walking up the stairs to the second floor.

Again, not a ghost, but I, taking my very own picture in that mirror.

Hello! What's this? Yes, it is again I, taking a picture of myself in another mirror!