tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86289389707168714682023-12-16T00:07:02.330+00:00☆Sharon's Sunlit Memories☆♥•.¸.•Memories of Childhood•.¸.•♥sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-8594910067417135702016-04-08T18:05:00.002+01:002016-04-10T16:36:25.233+01:00Paper Doll Studio Issues 112 - 114 (OPDAG)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've not yet received the latest copy of Paper Doll Studio (issue #114), the quarterly magazine published by the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild, but I believe it is on its way to me in the post. This was my contribution. The theme is 'Celebrate the Holidays'. Of course I went back to my own childhood for inspiration ...... but it was only after I had completed the first page that it dawned on me I had represented my sister and myself! So I called the 2 little girls Sharon and Melanie. <br />
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I loved making this set. I'm not sure yet where it will feature in the magazine but Jenny seemed to like it when I sent it in. And as usual I'm including both the completed pages here as well as the uncoloured sketch pages which are not printed in the magazine, <br />
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I have slipped behind with a couple of previous issues so I will feature them here as well.</div>
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Issue #113 was 'Chanel'. It took me a while to decide which decade I wanted to concentrate on .... but in the end I settled on the 1950's. I felt there was no way I could make a Chanel paper doll without including her classic tailored suit. </div>
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We were also invited to 'dress a doll' in this issue. The doll is copyright to Jim Howard and features in his 'Couture of the 1930s' paper doll book published by Paper Studio Press in 2012, I'm including it here from the magazine just to put the dress in context:<br />
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I opted to make something a little out of the ordinary here and depicted Coco Chanel's revolutionary short 1920's wedding dress, using a studio photograph of a bride (or model) that I've always loved.</div>
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Issue #112 was 'Favourite Mysteries'. We had just moved house when the deadline for submission was looming so I ended up with a doll that was a little bit simpler and more pared down than my usual efforts. I'm a great fan of Grace Kelly, so it was a lovely opportunity for me to showcase some of the wonderful costumes she wore as one of Hitchcock's blondes. My doll shows her in 'To Catch a Thief' Portraiture is not one of my strengths but I did enjoy making the clothes. And I was surprised to find my offering featured a lot more prominently in the magazine than I was expecting.<br />
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In the original sketch the dress on the right was going to include her legs (so I could give her matching shoes) but I decided they looked dreadful and removed them.</div>
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And finally to finish the last page I'm including here goes back to issue #108 - the Favourite Films theme. This was the only issue where I sent in multiple submissions. All three were published and I have included two already in previous posts ...... <a href="http://galadriel/" target="_blank">Galadriel</a> from the Hobbit and <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2014/05/the-hunger-games-catching-fire-opdag.html" target="_blank">The Hunger Games - Catching Fire</a> I've not posted this page before - mainly because I ended up making poor Yul Brynner look like a rather strange alien. But I was happy with the ball gown so I'll pop it in here. It's the 'Shall we Dance' scene from 'The King and I' another very vivid childhood memory of mine.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-77191994910834706402015-09-19T21:15:00.000+01:002015-09-19T21:15:50.992+01:00Sleeping Beauty - Little Golden Activity Book - #A33 /1959<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've not been a presence in Blogland very much for quite some time. But from the very start I had a wishlist of books and paper dolls I hoped I'd be able to acquire both for my own private collection and to share on this blog for others to enjoy.<br />
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This book topped that wishlist. I was given a copy as a child by someone in my family (one of my father's sisters I think). But the dolls and clothes had long since been removed. All I could see of them were the jagged edges of pages and the odd scrap of detail that had tantalisingly been left behind, Even without the dolls I still loved the book and I was very sad as an adult to realise it had been lost along the way.<br />
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Today copies in mint condition with the dolls and clothes intact are highly sought after and relatively rare. They command high prices - usually I'd baulk at spending quite so much on a book but I thought this one was worth it. I've spent years trying to find one and now I'm thrilled to discover it is every bit as magical as I hoped it would be.<br />
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I'm sorry I've felt the need to disfigure each of these pages with a watermark but I've learnt the hard way that there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there. I've come across my own images brazenly plastered all over other websites and blogs and I was once alerted to the fact that someone was trying to make money out of selling some of my scans. So while I've not placed these across the middle of each image to totally ruin them I have had to make it difficult for someone else to pass them off as their own. <br />
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Besides the dolls the book contains the classic Disney version of Sleeping Beauty. I'm only including the frontispiece and one other page here - this was my favourite illustration and I think the wonderful glowing effect is just as appealing today as I remember it was when I was young<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-12302609752369861482015-04-11T15:53:00.000+01:002015-04-11T15:57:56.040+01:00Music Music Music - OPDAG Issue #111<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHqJBh2zYkQ/VSkmDHoyINI/AAAAAAAALSU/SZo3LOf7HLY/s1600/My%2BFair%2BLady%2Bpg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHqJBh2zYkQ/VSkmDHoyINI/AAAAAAAALSU/SZo3LOf7HLY/s1600/My%2BFair%2BLady%2Bpg1.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my contribution to the latest issue of 'Paper Doll Studio', the magazine issued quarterly by the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild. The theme was 'Music Music Music'. At first I was a bit stumped until I realised musicals would qualify. 'My Fair Lady' is one of my favourites so I chose to make my own version. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6UWto9QesU/VSkmE_IsfrI/AAAAAAAALSc/fR8g1pmWMUg/s1600/My%2BFair%2BLady%2Bpg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6UWto9QesU/VSkmE_IsfrI/AAAAAAAALSc/fR8g1pmWMUg/s1600/My%2BFair%2BLady%2Bpg2.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some of the sketches while it was still a work in progress.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8nb4Oz_zwo/VSkn9izwS0I/AAAAAAAALS4/UcLwZiF-874/s1600/MFL%2BSketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8nb4Oz_zwo/VSkn9izwS0I/AAAAAAAALS4/UcLwZiF-874/s1600/MFL%2BSketch.jpg" height="400" width="152" /></a></div>
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We were also invited to Dress-A-Doll for this edition. The doll on this occasion was provided by renowned paper doll artist David Wolfe. I chose to submit two costumes based on the work of <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/03/marilyn-sotto-art-of-costume-design.html" target="_blank">Marilyn Sotto</a> . Both were printed although (I assumed due to space constraints) the wig of the second outfit was not included.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dULqROL4q40/VSkyX-TGrII/AAAAAAAALTY/M5J05i_lYdk/s1600/Dress%2Ba%2BDoll%2B...%2BSing%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dULqROL4q40/VSkyX-TGrII/AAAAAAAALTY/M5J05i_lYdk/s1600/Dress%2Ba%2BDoll%2B...%2BSing%2B1.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></div>
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The doll we were given to dress (I hope OPDAG don't mind me including this scan here.)<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-81796623446429977252015-03-22T22:55:00.000+00:002015-03-22T22:56:34.434+00:00Fashions 'Round the World - OPDAG Issue #110<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iY3gLYIIeDs/VQ9F2pefvMI/AAAAAAAALRQ/GoWUSysnB3g/s1600/Princess%2Bof%2BIreland%2BPage%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iY3gLYIIeDs/VQ9F2pefvMI/AAAAAAAALRQ/GoWUSysnB3g/s1600/Princess%2Bof%2BIreland%2BPage%2B1.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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My submission for Paper Doll Studio Issue #110. The theme was Fashions 'Round the World.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-43702564917192823522014-11-09T20:47:00.000+00:002014-11-09T20:47:09.072+00:00Bright Eyes Paper Dolls - Artcraft #4454<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I started this blog almost 4 years ago (how time flies!!!) my intention was to feature all the paper doll books and illustrators that had brought so much enjoyment to my childhood. Lately I have not been a very good member of the blogging community! - but there are a couple of classic paper dolls I have still been meaning to include here for quite some time, especially as I have not seen them on-line anywhere else. </div>
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I have mentioned before that I discovered a box of paper dolls my mother had carefully collected and packed away when I was sorting through her belongings after she died. My paper dolls were very well played with so many are just fragments of sets with tatty looking dresses and no dolls, </div>
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Amongst them was a cut version of this dress - something I recognised as a treasured and precious memory. But try as I might I could not recollect which set it came from. I knew I wanted to seek out a replacement for my 'new' collection but I had no idea whether I was looking for ballet, fairies or children!<br />
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It took me quite some time to track down but eventually I recognised a cover I remembered and was thrilled to discover it was the book I was looking for. It was produced by Artcraft and unfortunately does not have a date but I would have been given my original copy some time in the 1960's.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Cover</td></tr>
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My scanner is A4 size so I could not fit in the complete cover, It has a handle (visible in the first scan) so can be carried around like a little portfolio. The windows are the cut-out type so popular at the time with the actual doll peeking through from the page behind.<br />
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Of course I discovered when I paged through the book that I still possessed one of the dolls (Carol shown above) and some of the other dresses in my box of fragments but I had not realised they were part of the same set! <br />
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All of the outfits are shown below. I especially like those where there is a little skirt to go over a shorts set.<br />
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This book remains one of my favourite childhood memories and still gives me a little thrill of pleasure every time I look at it.<br />
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I bought it from Kassy Ferguson who was selling her late mother's impressive paper doll collection at the time. She was kind enough to help me obtain my copy of Saalfield's <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2011/05/saalfield-double-wedding-no-4432-1964.html" target="_blank">Double Wedding</a> as well, another book I had been trying to find for many months.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-16395022621596030702014-09-20T21:02:00.000+01:002014-09-20T21:02:42.299+01:001960's Barbie Plays the Housewife - OPDAG Issue 109<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My only forays into Blogland at the moment seem to be my OPDAG (Original Paper Doll Artist's Guild) submissions. This is from the latest issue #109. The theme was 'The Housewife.' I chose Barbie from the 1960's to represent the perfect housewife with dresses based on some of the vintage outfits I remembered from childhood.<br />
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Only the finished coloured pages feature in the magazine but as I usually do I've included the sketches here as well.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-15443956258919036702014-07-11T18:21:00.001+01:002014-09-26T10:09:26.920+01:00Bethany - Made for the Annual Paper Doll Convention 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was asked to contribute a paper doll for the Raffle Room of the annual Paper Doll Convention - held this year in Richmond, Virginia (25-29 June).<br />
If you want to read more about the convention this post <a href="http://2014paperdollconvention.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">2014 Paper Doll Convention</a> by Anne K Donze provides an amazing amount of detail.<br />
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I sent in Bethany together with an accompanying sketch of the doll.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6faMT7XiXc/U8AUVp0io6I/AAAAAAAAKY4/YA4yEUsZGXA/s1600/Bethany+Sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6faMT7XiXc/U8AUVp0io6I/AAAAAAAAKY4/YA4yEUsZGXA/s1600/Bethany+Sketch.jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></div>
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I also made another version of Alice to add to my donation as I felt one page with only one doll looked a bit paltry! The original post and the background behind Alice can be found <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/07/introducing-alice.html" target="_blank">here (Introducing Alice)</a> .<br />
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My original intention was to include a third doll and make a new version of <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/06/meet-clarissa.html" target="_blank">Clarissa</a> as well but I ran out of time! I was going to call them my three little ABC girls but in the end I had to settle for just A & B !<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RL4y54dgjK4/UbTaAQoVeOI/AAAAAAAAJeA/uEnDt4Wndog/s1600/Clarissa+Paper+Doll+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RL4y54dgjK4/UbTaAQoVeOI/AAAAAAAAJeA/uEnDt4Wndog/s1600/Clarissa+Paper+Doll+Summer.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
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I'm still hoping to find out who won my dolls and how well they did. I believe they drew a fair amount of comment because they were sent in from Ireland!<br />
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All three dolls are based on the beautiful artwork of Janet & Anne Grahame Johnstone.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-13424049183895393802014-05-10T16:51:00.001+01:002014-05-10T16:51:19.206+01:00The Hunger Games Catching Fire - OPDAG Issue 108<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This was my official entry for the latest OPDAG (Original Paper Doll Artists Guild) Paper Studio magazine. The theme was 'Favourite Film'. I was originally going to make a set of the children from Narnia and then I saw this film with my son and decided it was the doll I wanted to make instead. <br />
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In the end I sent in three totally different paper doll submissions to the magazine. All of them featured, including the <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2014/03/galadriel-paper-doll.html" target="_blank">Galadriel Doll</a> I have already shown you in an earlier post. I'll do a separate blog entry on the third doll. It was one I did on the spur of the moment, but it appears first in the magazine. I think the older, classic movies proved to be more popular - but I'm still glad I chose something contemporary. <br />
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My outfits were all taken from the official posters and press photographs used to advertise the film. The doll herself is copied from the picture below. A set like mine could never be offered for sale on its own - but Paper Doll Studio are allowed to print content such as this as it is considered editorial. I love these costume designs - they are up to date and slightly edgy, but contain a recognisable fantasy element at the same time.<br />
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I'm still a haphazard Blogger at the moment - but despite my inability to get here very often I do think of the good friends I've made in Blogland all the time - and Nora I want to say a special hello to you as I have no other way of contacting you. I loved all the comments you left me last time! </div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-33687429260451916172014-03-29T19:28:00.000+00:002014-03-30T09:55:00.893+01:00Daffodil Day - 28 March 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday was the Irish Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day. It is always the last Friday in March. I've posted about it before and the badges representing past years are from my earlier offering.<br />
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I think it is a lovely idea. It's so nice to see everyone going about their business in Dublin with a sunny silk daffodil pinned to their jackets. Somehow the day seems a bit brighter and people look a bit more cheerful. There was a very good turnout of volunteers this year, selling silk flowers and badges on every street corner. I was glad to see there was still a strong presence. With the economic downturn its always a worry that good causes will fade away.<br />
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I tend to buy the badges rather than the silk flowers as they are easier to keep and I'm building up a nice little collection.<br />
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This year I also bought a pack of note cards. I find blank cards very useful and I prefer having something that supports a charity. A few years ago we lost a colleague at work to cancer. She was only 45 and left behind two young children and a husband who adored her. It made me realise how quickly and unexpectedly cancer can strike and how important the work of an organisation like this is.<br />
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I love daffodils. They are a real reminder that summer is just around the corner. At midnight tonight we change the clocks for summer time - longer days but I lose an hour of sleeping late tomorrow morning!<br />
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I always include this little paper doll for Daffodil Day. The full set of Mother Goose Paper Dolls can be found <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2011/06/mother-goose-paper-dolls-no-4422.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It is one of my favourites from my childhood.<br />
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Warmer days are almost here ..............<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-18930009314476675292014-03-22T18:17:00.000+00:002014-09-21T09:12:45.930+01:00Disney's Cinderella<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Like many little girls throughout the ages I dreamt of growing up to become a princess. (Nowadays I aspire instead to a quiet life with a veggie patch, a rose garden and maybe a bee hive). <br />
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Perhaps the most accessible princesses during my childhood were the Disney versions. I loved all the classics of the time, but Cinderella possibly had a slight edge when it came to my affection.<br />
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I think the appeal of Cinderella is the 'against all odds' aspect of the story. She endures great personal tragedy, reduced circumstances and overt cruelty - and then just when life seems at its bleakest - fate (and a fairy godmother) step in and whisk her away to a new life of happiness and promise.</div>
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When we went to Disneyland (Paris) I chose a small figurine of Cinderella as my memento of our holiday. </div>
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I can't seem to photograph her successfully but she stands on my dressing table with all my other little treasures.....</div>
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.... . And then last Christmas I bought a 'vintage'ornament for the tree. It was a bit of an impulse buy but I couldn't resist it and she looked really pretty amongst the other decorations.. </div>
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The most bizarre thing has just happened. I was busy adding these pictures to my blog when I saw a Google notification. It told me 'an awesome photo has been added' and someone else has included this effect of the tree sparkling - how strange is that! </div>
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My Mom owned these two identical little books of Cinderella and she loved them. The books are really small - like the little pocket dictionaries I used before we were able to look things up online. As a child I could never really see their appeal. They were not big or colourful enough for me, but I treasure them today because they meant so much to her.</div>
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Something that has always intrigued me is that Disney brought out two versions of Cinderella. I've always found both quite magical. Does anyone know if the alternate version was ever made into a movie? If it was I've never come across it.</div>
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There is a well known paper doll book based on these illustrations - I've never owned a copy but have seen it advertised for sale and have often been tempted. </div>
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When I was eight years old (don't laugh I know I was that age exactly!) one of the big South African supermarket chains gave out a page of card when you shopped there (it must have been some sort of promotional offer) that had a game on it - I think it was a bit like snakes and ladders. It was similar to the sort of thing that appeared on the back of cereal boxes. The illustrations all centred around Cinderella wearing the ball gown from this version of the story. I would love to be able to see this game again but doubt any are still in existence. I do own a book with the full story and all the illustrations - I've scanned my favourites from it and have included them here:<br />
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I've always thought this paper doll book a particularly lovely one. It first appeared 4 or 5 years ago and looks like it is from somewhere like Russia. The dolls and dresses are gorgeous. I'm not going to repeat them all here but will instead give two blog links where you can see the complete set (including other Disney princesses as well)</div>
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One can be found here at <a href="http://paperdollcollections.blogspot.ie/2013/05/cinderella.html" target="_blank">Paper Doll Collections</a> and I also spotted them on the blog belonging to <a href="http://missmissypaperdolls.blogspot.ie/2013/03/foreign-disney-princess-paper-dolls.html" target="_blank">Miss Missy</a> (a fellow OPDAG member).</div>
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Of all the blog posts I've ever done the one that still continues to be visited the most (at least 50 times every day) is my compilation of Disney love songs. I shouldn't be encouraging more traffic to it but the link to that post can be found <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2012/02/true-romance-my-top-10-disney-love.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I wanted to put the same version of the song at the end of this post to finish but can't get it to list in the YouTube search so have included another one instead. </div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-87541665429775156812014-03-15T17:45:00.001+00:002014-03-15T17:45:16.717+00:00Galadriel Paper Doll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been wanting to make a paper doll of Galadriel ever since I saw the first Hobbit movie (An Unexpected Adventure) way back at the end of 2012. I preferred the first instalment of The Hobbit to the second - and one of the things I really adored about it was the beautiful soft, fluid gowns that Cate Blanchett wore.<br />
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The next OPDAG Paper Doll Studio issue has Favourite Films as its theme. I had already sent in my submission (which I'll wait to show you after the magazine comes out on the assumption my doll will be in it) when I decided the time had come to finally make Galadriel. When she was finished I sent her in as a second submission. I don't know if Jenny will have space or want to include more than one of my dolls, so I thought I'd put her up on my blog straight away just in case she doesn't make the cut. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsKp2Ed-4jE/UySEwpg3P1I/AAAAAAAAKI8/1T0Uxl42aHg/s1600/Galadriel+Lord+of+the+Rings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsKp2Ed-4jE/UySEwpg3P1I/AAAAAAAAKI8/1T0Uxl42aHg/s1600/Galadriel+Lord+of+the+Rings+2.jpg" height="320" width="161" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO7lWGY6ZPo/UySEweZjBAI/AAAAAAAAKI4/JBluokhegi8/s1600/Galadriel+Lord+of+the+Rings+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO7lWGY6ZPo/UySEweZjBAI/AAAAAAAAKI4/JBluokhegi8/s1600/Galadriel+Lord+of+the+Rings+1.jpg" height="320" width="144" /></a></div>
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I was really pleased with the way she came out. She is a very practical doll - easy to cut out and dress with no fiddly bits and for that reason I think the finished result is quite effective.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Galadriel - ROTK" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/BUGDhdcCIf7pwXKH_RutJ8hgwzFsjiyvM3CqKQJ_Wu8ETjdV2Cx3YD7q54hO4LADLBBf1cTe1lyOJhRX4zunZfFFlXmYbTGQtqJky-3hrd7OXHVsVX6zXSt6UnUmUPT_daXOSM_Lne4gEjyIu1k5TyTCrM0zyjqkNpkM1jhCMVdpF3CR-9mLOX_KBmIJvQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121208130609/lotr/images/thumb/a/af/Galadriel_-_ROTK.png/220px-Galadriel_-_ROTK.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cate Blanchett as Galadriel</td></tr>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-10820783422806673642014-02-01T18:36:00.001+00:002014-02-01T18:40:51.098+00:00Royal Flush - OPDAG issue 107<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is my doll from the latest issue of 'Paper Doll Studio' - the quarterly magazine showcasing the work of OPDAG members (The Original Paper Doll Artist's Guild). The theme was 'Queens'. There were so many dolls I could have made I hardly knew where to start, but in the end I went with this one as she allowed me to indulge in some fairytale fashion. I called my submission 'Royal Flush' and she is a tongue-in-cheek representation of the four suits of playing cards.<br />
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I had two surprises with this submission. First of all my doll was chosen to announce the issue when the newsletter to all OPDAG members was sent letting us know the magazine was ready for posting. The three artists who appear alongside her are all big names in the industry and have worked on paper dolls for many years - so I was a bit overawed to be included in this graphic.<br />
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The second surprise was when I opened the magazine. My doll had been placed inside the front cover so she was the first thing I saw as I turned the page.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphic in the OPDAG newsletter</td></tr>
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I know I do seem to spend most of my time in blogland saying sorry - but once again I must apologise for my prolonged absence and no-show in visiting the many good friends I have made here. I have popped in to look at some of your posts from time to time but have not often left a comment<br />
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In October my husband had a (planned) operation. It was not life threatening but involved a very long recovery & recuperation period. I found the extra responsibilities quite difficult on top of my long daily commute and pressurised job. I'm afraid I hit the proverbial brick wall and am only just starting to bounce back again. My head has hurt so badly for much of the time and often I feel as though its about to fragment into a million pieces. All the things I usually enjoy doing have had to take a back seat just so I can get the essentials covered off. Any spare time I've had has gone into making these paper dolls. I think the fact they have deadlines is what has kept me going with them - it gives me a structure and discipline that makes it easier to achieve a result.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJjhgcKlpq4/Uu0LSQi50pI/AAAAAAAAKEc/8CsMSCyYUMM/s1600/The+Private+Lives+of+Playing+Card+Queens+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJjhgcKlpq4/Uu0LSQi50pI/AAAAAAAAKEc/8CsMSCyYUMM/s1600/The+Private+Lives+of+Playing+Card+Queens+Cover.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zaetoXgGoY/Uu0LnfZsnAI/AAAAAAAAKEk/txvNw_RdNj4/s1600/The+Private+Lives+of+%257Blaying+Card+Queens+Cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zaetoXgGoY/Uu0LnfZsnAI/AAAAAAAAKEk/txvNw_RdNj4/s1600/The+Private+Lives+of+%257Blaying+Card+Queens+Cover+2.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><br />
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The figure of the doll is one I made many years ago (when I was in my 20's in the 1980's). I included her in my blog way back in 2011 in a post called <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2011/04/paper-doll-of-my-own.html" target="_blank">A Paper Doll of My Own</a>. To save a bit of time for this submission I decided I would use her again (I've always liked how she came out). I gave her a new petticoat to represent playing cards (its not stuck on so the original doll is still the same as when she was made.) Then I painted four new gowns to fit in with the theme.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4gpB48_KdM/Uu0S0ybNiUI/AAAAAAAAKFo/TiEzINj8L3M/s1600/Queens+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4gpB48_KdM/Uu0S0ybNiUI/AAAAAAAAKFo/TiEzINj8L3M/s1600/Queens+sketch.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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I could only find one of the sketches today when I went to scan & accumulate the images for this post. I'm not sure what happened to the other one (I am unravelling a bit sometimes at the moment!). I don't have a sketch for the doll as she pre-dates the technology to scan and save images we have today. </div>
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<a href="http://deadspidereye.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">DeadSpiderEye</a> asked me last time what medium I use for my work. I always paint in acrylics - I know it is often called the amateur's medium of choice but I prefer it. I can thin it out for washes or a water colour effect - or I can use it more or less straight from the tube for heavier detail. I treated myself to a set of 24 colours a couple of months ago - but having said that I rarely use the colours in their pure form. Most of the time I mix my own although I always try to keep the shades I use bright and 'clean'. I was very happy with the way the red dress (diamonds) came out. Much of the colour used for the shading was mixed directly onto the paper and then blended before it dried and I could still work with it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdGjvAJxlEs/UcXzXz5JiAI/AAAAAAAAJf0/Eug0waJcGLQ/s1600/Prince+%2526+White+Cat+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdGjvAJxlEs/UcXzXz5JiAI/AAAAAAAAJf0/Eug0waJcGLQ/s1600/Prince+%2526+White+Cat+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a></div>
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Once again the dresses are all taken from favourite 'memories' in the art world. Anyone familiar with my blog may remember the first gown from a story I posted called <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/06/sunday-story-prince-white-cat.html" target="_blank">The Prince and the White Cat</a> . I thought it was perfect for Hearts. As an alternative I was toying with the idea of a more classic 'queen of hearts made some tarts' design but I love the strong vibrant colour of this dress and wanted the bright blue and red combination for the finished page. If I'd had time I would have liked to include a tray of tarts as well but in the end I realised I had neither time nor space.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fN_7klthI_M/Uu0L9vuSsJI/AAAAAAAAKE0/FoehboSU7PA/s1600/Diamond+Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fN_7klthI_M/Uu0L9vuSsJI/AAAAAAAAKE0/FoehboSU7PA/s1600/Diamond+Dress.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div>
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I've always wanted to use this dress for something so jumped at the chance to borrow it here. I made mine full length instead of the lovely bubble cut and gave her a princess headdress in fitting with my theme. I thought it was perfect for diamonds. This is one of my favourite paper doll dresses of all time. It is in my box of paper doll remnants from my childhood. I can't remember what doll it came from. If anyone recognises the set please let me know.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gN-Hw2u-DqY/Uu0L_NSXTwI/AAAAAAAAKFA/jWdSgewcaQ0/s1600/Mary+Mary+Quite+Contrary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gN-Hw2u-DqY/Uu0L_NSXTwI/AAAAAAAAKFA/jWdSgewcaQ0/s1600/Mary+Mary+Quite+Contrary.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
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All admirers of <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2012/09/hilda-boswell.html" target="_blank">Hilda Boswell</a> will recognise her 'Mary, Mary quite contrary' dress. Once it popped into my mind I couldn't imagine anything else for Spades. The little trowel provides the perfect finishing touch. <br />
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My reference to Clubs is a bit more oblique. There was a temptation to depict a more modern golfing outfit but I wanted to stick with the fairytale theme. The game of golf is said to have originated during the reign of Elizabeth I. I already had this Elizabethan dress (its also included in the post mentioned before of the original doll.) I made a new slightly different version to emphasise the link with clubs. I had forgotten where the idea of the dress had come from until I treated myself to a Hilda Boswell Omnibus from <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">March House Books</a>. (I've sung Barbara's praises often I know but she is a marvel and a wonderful friend). The book exceeded all my expectations. One of the stories it contains is Tom Thumb and as I turned to this page all those wonderful memories came flooding back again.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQNwIAdEP9k/Uu0L_seYTRI/AAAAAAAAKFE/0l4WHpWwJkA/s1600/Tom+Thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQNwIAdEP9k/Uu0L_seYTRI/AAAAAAAAKFE/0l4WHpWwJkA/s1600/Tom+Thumb.jpg" height="320" width="176" /></a></div>
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In addition to our theme dolls we were also invited to 'Dress the Queen'. David Wolfe one of the editors of the magazine and a renowned paper doll artist provided a delightful portrayal of the queen as a young woman at the time of her coronation.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHXjZ4eFOTI/Uu0NLHX1RSI/AAAAAAAAKFY/V7QnzWosCzM/s1600/Dress+the+Queen+-+Sharon+Souter+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHXjZ4eFOTI/Uu0NLHX1RSI/AAAAAAAAKFY/V7QnzWosCzM/s1600/Dress+the+Queen+-+Sharon+Souter+2013.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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OPDAG members could submit two outfits. I decided to borrow mine from Hollywood and chose two iconic dresses worn by Grace Kelly (queen of Hollywood and later royalty in real life). This is how I sent them in with references to the movies they appeared in. I knew they wouldn't be used like this in the issue as they had to be arranged with outfits submitted by other artists.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heg32nzu1r0/Uu0M7iX5ybI/AAAAAAAAKFI/4hSC8-jl3PA/s1600/Opdag+dress+the+Quess+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heg32nzu1r0/Uu0M7iX5ybI/AAAAAAAAKFI/4hSC8-jl3PA/s1600/Opdag+dress+the+Quess+1.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8YlHwSR01I/Uu0M8nlOKJI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/JVtvTEjMbVY/s1600/Opdag+dress+the+Quess+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8YlHwSR01I/Uu0M8nlOKJI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/JVtvTEjMbVY/s1600/Opdag+dress+the+Quess+2.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
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I've seen this page containing the doll on a couple of other blogs so I hope OPDAG won't mind it I include if here. I wanted to show you how the queen appears in the magazine. My two dresses were included on two separate pages - this is how the blue dress appears - I didn't want to overstep the mark too much and so I'm not showing the other one.<br />
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The theme for the next magazine is 'Favourite Films'. My submission is already in. It may surprise a few people - we'll just have to see.<br />
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I also received another paper doll request that I am working on at the moment - but I think I'll save that for another time .........<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-86245474707210659692013-10-12T13:30:00.001+01:002013-10-12T13:30:58.967+01:00Anyone for Croquet? - OPDAG issue 106<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RsMkZMC9ZU/UlkrxyZMxII/AAAAAAAAKB4/zvRxp6omexo/s1600/Anyone+for+Croquet+Page+1+Smaller+size+for+Mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RsMkZMC9ZU/UlkrxyZMxII/AAAAAAAAKB4/zvRxp6omexo/s400/Anyone+for+Croquet+Page+1+Smaller+size+for+Mel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeGsGpTSfkY/UlkryXeuzdI/AAAAAAAAKCE/BPV5rkc4vAY/s1600/Anyone+for+Croquet+Page+2+Smaller+size+for+Mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeGsGpTSfkY/UlkryXeuzdI/AAAAAAAAKCE/BPV5rkc4vAY/s400/Anyone+for+Croquet+Page+2+Smaller+size+for+Mel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This week I received my copy of <a href="http://www.opdag.com/" target="_blank">Paper Doll Studio</a>, the quarterly magazine showcasing the work of members of OPDAG (The Original Paper Doll Artists Guild). The theme for this issue was <i>GOOD SPORTS </i>and for my contribution I decided to submit two sheets of dolls playing croquet with outfits from 3 different eras.<br />
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This is my second submission to the magazine. My first was a doll called <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/06/meet-clarissa.html" target="_blank">Clarissa</a>. On that occasion I was given a quarter of an A4 size page. This time I was thrilled to see my dolls received a lot more exposure. The two colour scans shown above were allocated a whole page on their own (pg 14). I also appeared in the section of <i>'Artists talk about their theme art paper dolls...' </i>and was listed first! (But that was probably because I sent in these dolls such a long time ago.)<i> </i> Jenny chose the blue skirted outfit (top left) to put with my introduction.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlKO2Q82pUk/UlkrxyqK6ZI/AAAAAAAAKB8/ZPP-WM6fGm4/s1600/Anyone+for+Croquet+Cover+Smaller+size+for+Mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlKO2Q82pUk/UlkrxyqK6ZI/AAAAAAAAKB8/ZPP-WM6fGm4/s400/Anyone+for+Croquet+Cover+Smaller+size+for+Mel.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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The cover page I put together (above) was not printed - I mainly included it to show how the hats and umbrella work. For the umbrella if you make a slit in her left hand (our right) the handle can slide through quite nicely and then the other end hooks into the area between her thumb and hand.<br />
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I based everything on contemporary images from the eras represented and just rounded up the dates. The two figures are taken from an American fashion magazine of the late 19th and early 20th centuries called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Delineator" target="_blank">The Delineator</a>. Something about their poses made me think they could be easily adapted to croquet This illustration appeared in the magazine in 1911.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGpGLnQNJXk/UlksEvMYKdI/AAAAAAAAKDA/wpLmUpY07tk/s1600/1911dela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGpGLnQNJXk/UlksEvMYKdI/AAAAAAAAKDA/wpLmUpY07tk/s320/1911dela.jpg" title="" width="222" /></a></div>
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The two outfits on the page with the dolls were inspired by this delightful illustration. It is called<i> 'Croquet or Wicket Thoughts' </i>and appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post dated 5 September 1931. Although I loved the design of her outfit I felt I needed more colour in my interpretation and was really happy with the way it turned out.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHJU8CtduXs/Ulkr0mu0ijI/AAAAAAAAKCY/Z8XCz9IAi3I/s1600/Croquet007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHJU8CtduXs/Ulkr0mu0ijI/AAAAAAAAKCY/Z8XCz9IAi3I/s320/Croquet007.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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These are the sketches for the two pages. I drew each outfit separately and then cut and positioned them on the page. Cleaning everything up afterwards can be a bit fiddly but I find its the easiest way to get the different pieces arranged to make optimum use of the space. I've been experimenting with different ways of doing the lettering. For Clarissa I printed it directly onto the sheet with the doll once she and her outfits were drawn but not coloured. That was quite difficult and it took a couple of attempts to get it right. Here I printed and pasted the wording on the original sketch. I cleaned everything up, printed it again and then coloured it in. For the new doll I'm working on (next submission) I've taken yet another approach. I'm doing the lettering last directly onto the scanned image using Microsoft Paint.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9xdg9L7eYQ/Ulkr32hCd2I/AAAAAAAAKCo/f3hptERhkBQ/s1600/Anyone+for+Croquet+Sketch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9xdg9L7eYQ/Ulkr32hCd2I/AAAAAAAAKCo/f3hptERhkBQ/s400/Anyone+for+Croquet+Sketch+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufipE7xozN0/Ulkr3ZeBUvI/AAAAAAAAKCk/x5H3XWQXTUc/s1600/Anyone+for+Croquet+Sketch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufipE7xozN0/Ulkr3ZeBUvI/AAAAAAAAKCk/x5H3XWQXTUc/s400/Anyone+for+Croquet+Sketch+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These two paintings provided the inspiration for the dresses on the second sheet. I adore this next image. It is by the English painter Percy W Gibbs (1894-1937) and is called <i>'Ladies Playing Croquet'</i>. I love the pastel colours and the feminine effect of the artist's technique. I would have liked to have reproduced these figures exactly as you see them here, but the style of my dolls was quite different so I had to adapt it to keep the overall look of my pages consistent.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPtXv7LEEC0/Ulkrzs3ipyI/AAAAAAAAKCM/lfBZ2j1XnZQ/s1600/Crocquet_Gibbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPtXv7LEEC0/Ulkrzs3ipyI/AAAAAAAAKCM/lfBZ2j1XnZQ/s320/Crocquet_Gibbs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last two gowns come from this painting, possibly the most famous and well known depiction of a Victorian croquet game. It is by the American artist Winslow Homer (1836 - 1910),<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVxKFxv39Zk/Ulkr1y49H0I/AAAAAAAAKCc/NX8ONMYxszg/s1600/Croquet_Winslow_Homer_painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVxKFxv39Zk/Ulkr1y49H0I/AAAAAAAAKCc/NX8ONMYxszg/s320/Croquet_Winslow_Homer_painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCkFPjG2KOw/Ue1xz04QehI/AAAAAAAAJkQ/RYhgMSCQE8o/s1600/Alice+-+A+Dream+of+Summer+%2528Smaller+Version%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCkFPjG2KOw/Ue1xz04QehI/AAAAAAAAJkQ/RYhgMSCQE8o/s200/Alice+-+A+Dream+of+Summer+%2528Smaller+Version%2529.jpg" width="141" /></a>When I completed my paper doll of <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/07/introducing-alice.html" target="_blank">Alice</a> I sent a scan of her off to Jenny at OPDAG. Jenny liked her but as the doll did not fit in with either the Sports theme or any of the upcoming themes she could not include Alice in the body of the magazine. What she did for me instead is put Alice in the <i>Showcase Section </i>where members advertise paper doll books for sale. A small image of Alice is shown with a link to my blog. It was so exciting to see my work there - I felt like a child who was allowed to mix with the grown-ups! <i> </i><br />
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The theme for the next issue is<i> QUEENS</i>. I've almost finished my submission (due by the end of next month) and have already sent in two outfits for the special Dress-a-Doll section - in this issue a young Queen Elizabeth circa her coronation in 1953</div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-23179106162461116472013-10-05T18:04:00.002+01:002013-10-05T18:59:15.271+01:00Ruby Reeves - An Enchanting Fairyland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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These exquisitely detailed paintings are the work of South African artist Ruby Reeves (1904-1986).<br />
I came across them while looking for pictures I had in mind for last week's post. I've not thought of including them before because the quality is not great - they are cuttings from a magazine (Ster - the Afrikaans word for star) and you can even see the date in one of the details below - 2nd May 1974. At the time I would have stuck these on my bedroom wall where they must have complimented my <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2012/04/art-of-sulamith-wulfing.html" target="_blank">Sulamith Wulfing</a> posters beautifully. <br />
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It was only when I looked online and realised how little is out there of this artist's work that I decided to put together this post today. If you would like to see more of her art this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruby-Reeves-Fairy-Paintings/246354412105568" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page contains additional examples as does this site called <a href="http://www.rust-en-vrede.com/2v3/ruby-reeves.html" target="_blank">Rust en Vrede</a> (if you swap the two words around it would translate to 'peace and quiet').<br />
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This painting called 'Midsummer's Night' or 'The Fairy Queen's Birthday' is possibly her most well known work. I used to spend hours studying the detail when I was young, imagining living in this magical land. This is what I always imagined Tolkein's Rivendell looked like and I longed to explore this enchanting landscape. It was only when I scanned and cropped these images today that I noticed some of the details again I had forgotten - if you look at the picture below on the right you'll find faces in the tree and I'd missed the fairies dancing around the queen's head like a halo. These would both make beautiful paintings in their own right. </div>
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It also struck me looking at these again that Ruby Reeves must have been familiar with the work of Danish artist Kay Nielsen. (There is an example of one of his illustrations - Sleeping Beauty - on my sidebar ) I can see a lot of similarities between the two, especially the gates in the illustration above left and the details of the clothing below. </div>
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I painted the picture below in my 20's during a period when I was besotted with Nielsen's work and emulating his style in everything I did. I'm sorry you can't see the figure next to the tree terribly well - her clothing is very similar to that produced by both Nielsen and Ruby Reeves.<br />
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This <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruby-Reeves-Fairy-Paintings/246354412105568?sk=info" target="_blank">Facebook</a> entry contains a detailed biography about Ruby Reeves. I was interested to read that she worked mainly at night and used a magnifying glass to create this incredibly fine detail. She lived on her own but was never alone - the fairy world kept her company and she had a special favourite called Marion.<br />
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Another lovely painting - I enlarged the figure on the right to show off her beautiful gown: <br />
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I'm sorry these two examples are not in colour although there is a detail of the one below to give some idea of what the original looks like. I've always pictured the dress to be pale blue.</div>
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Ruby Reeves lived in George (a lovely town on the Cape Garden Route) from 1955 until her death in 1986. The George Museum has some of her work on display - I'm sorry I was not aware of that when we were last in South Africa as I would love to see her paintings close up. I was in the vicinity - my husband's parents live in nearby Knysna so I could easily have paid the museum a visit. I don't have any photos of George but have included some of the Knysna / Wilderness area so you can get some idea of what it looks like and the landscape that might have inspired some of Ruby Reeves' work. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my in-laws house</td></tr>
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The Knysna Heads are quite a famous landmark in South Africa.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-73638703726638641912013-09-28T17:38:00.000+01:002014-07-20T13:31:33.509+01:00Its Just a Matter of Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last week I read something I found very interesting in the 'Metro Herald' our fabulous free newspaper that keeps me sane during my daily commute.<br />
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Dr Andrew Jackson, a scientist here at Trinity College (Dublin) is researching the perception of time by small animals and insects. The project he is leading compares 'flicker fusion frequency' - the point at which creatures begin to see separate flashes of light as a blur. The hypothesis they are following is that the faster an animal's metabolic rate, the slower objects move for them and the longer their impression of time.<br />
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This theory can be used to explain why a fly is able to avoid being swatted so easily. Our actions as humans appear to them like the bullets in 'The Matrix.' <br />
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Dr Jackson has carried this train of thought a step further after noticing that small children always appear to be in a hurry. <i>'It's tempting to think that for children time moves more slowly than it does for grown-ups and there is some evidence that it might'</i>, he is quoted as saying. It certainly seems to be the case for me - as my metabolism slows down, time has speeded up to the point where I never seem to have enough to do anything!<br />
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For me this theory compliments another I have always subscribed to - that there is a direct correlation between a person's age and their perception of time. This is based on the percentage of a period of time in relation to an individual's entire existence. So for a child of 4 the equivalent number of years is very long time as it constitutes his/her whole lifetime. For an adult of 54 it has a whole different meaning.<br />
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Einstein was studying the concept of time and time-travel towards the end of his life. He saw time as a river flowing in one direction with us travelling along in a boat. What he was contemplating in his twilight years is the possibility of us manoeuvring the boat to the bank, getting out and walking back the way we had come. I've always been fascinated by the prospect of time-travel but as I get older I often think it is better we are not able to revisit the past. Our memories are unreliable and often inaccurate - we are most likely much happier with our rose-tinted perceptions of the past than the actual reality.<br />
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My own journey through time: <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aged 34 (with hubby John)</td></tr>
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Jim Croce's 'Time in a Bottle' (1973). I've always found it especially poignant that he died the same year this song was released and in the end did not get his full allotment of time. The photography in this particular YouTube clip is absolutely breathtaking - if you can spare the time its well worth watching! </div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-85419601563215448342013-09-15T16:08:00.000+01:002013-09-15T16:08:51.341+01:00A Distant Echo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Throughout the ages many people have pondered the meaning of life and immortality of the human soul I come from a Christian background so the concept of reincarnation is anathema to my upbringing - and yet I have always been haunted by memories of a distant past that is not my own and a deep sense of loss and longing.</div>
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One theory I discovered some time ago is that we inherit memories in the same way our genetic make-up and character/personality traits (the nature vs nurture debate notwithstanding) are passed down to us by our forebears. Just as a spider knows how to spin an elaborate web with no instruction or assistance, so too do we carry within us the emotions and experiences of those came before. Its an interesting concept and a possible explanation if we truly do pass this way just once.</div>
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I realised early on that I studied history (I have an honours degree in the subject and taught it at high school for a time) not because I needed to learn anything, but because I receive a measure of comfort and familiarity while immersing myself in certain eras of the past. </div>
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In our past two homes I've found corners of the garden that have transported me back to an earlier time. This is the place I gravitated to where we live now. There is a tree stump covered in brambles and at the verge of the lawn long grass is allowed to grow wild, catching and reflecting the light of the afternoon sun.</div>
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During the summer months I sat here for hours and drank in the scene. I inhabit an eternal present where time has no meaning. A little brown bird provided company, foraging amongst the brambles and sunning itself on the stump. Two white butterflies also kept me entertained, waltzing and twirling in a graceful dance, spinning about in the sultry air. Yesterday I thought their short, joyous lives must be over as they were no longer here, but then I discovered them in another corner of the garden, flitting amongst the ripening apples positioned to take best advantage of the late summer sun.</div>
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I have many memories but the strongest is from the early Middle Ages. Strangely enough I'm not a princess in a castle tower, nor am I an important prominent person. Instead my recollections are those of a peasant. The landscape fills my mind with vivid detail - a field of wheat or corn ripening in the sun bounded by a forest. Where the cultivated land ends there is grass caching the silvery light at the edge of the trees. I can hear children playing and the sound of people working.</div>
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Often we are given the impression that this period of history was a fearful time - one of war and pestilence, hunger and want where the populace wore dun coloured clothing and lived in squalor. That is not my recollection at all. Instead I have a perception of community and co-operation, a simple life but one of plenty and a deep sense of contentment. I don't know if represents a tiny window of time or a prolonged period of prosperity.</div>
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I try to reach back to discern more detail but it is out of reach and the distance is too great. All I can do is sit in the sun dreaming of the past .....</div>
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.... and listen to the distant echo of children laughing.</div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-1192322281133314642013-09-08T13:48:00.000+01:002013-09-08T13:48:00.043+01:00Little Women - Whitman Edition 1955<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Women - Louisa May Alcott</td></tr>
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Before I launch into this post I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who left comments on the last one, and <a href="http://earthenmagic.blogspot.ie/2013/09/still-life.html" target="_blank">Earthen Magic</a> a special thank for going back to all the associated links and leaving such magical messages. While I'm in 'thank you mode' I'd also like to tell <a href="http://yurika1126.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">Yurika</a> from Japan how thrilled I was to get the comments you left on earlier posts - I tried to reciprocate on your blog but couldn't find a place to leave a message. Everyone else - I won't mention you all by name but you know your friendship means a lot to me.<br />
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I always feel a bit self conscious when I put up a post like the last one - on this occasion I nearly took it back down again and would have done so but for receiving the responses I got to it. Sometimes I do feel I must be delusional and a bit of an eejit for thinking I can write a book - especially when I read what I've produced in the cold light of day! <br />
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Now on to this post. It was inspired by one Barbara from the ever delightful<b> March House Books Blog</b> featured recently. You can see Barbara's post <a href="http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.ie/2013/08/book-of-week-louis-may-alcotts-little.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Her edition has glorious illustrations by the sublime Rene Cloke - they really are superb. I'm not the first to respond to Barbara's post - another good blog friend Darlene from <b>Darlene's Foster's Blog</b> feaured <a href="http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/little-women/" target="_blank">this post</a> which includes a photograph of Louisa May Alcott <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB9GUtFCHJQ/Uixe2l9vAtI/AAAAAAAAJ3A/WiyO097YSTQ/s1600/Little+Women+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB9GUtFCHJQ/Uixe2l9vAtI/AAAAAAAAJ3A/WiyO097YSTQ/s400/Little+Women+1.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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Both of these posts prompted me to get out my version of the story and page through it again. The book I have was published by the Whitman Publishing Company (Wisconsin) in 1955. It is a 'modern abridged version' but still very wordy for a child running to 283 pages.<br />
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I LOVED this book when I was very young - maybe a little bit surprising as I tended to be drawn to bright and shiny things - large format books with vibrant illustrations in full colour. This edition is the size of a medium hardback novel and includes pen and ink illustrations by Jill Elgin with muted olive green washes of colour.<br />
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I think what makes these illustrations so successful is how wonderfully they portray both the characters and events of the book. And there are a lot of them. I've only included a handful here but this edition is packed full of them. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yECUnYX7xhM/Uixe78HDeMI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/F23H8CCwqb8/s1600/Little+Women+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yECUnYX7xhM/Uixe78HDeMI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/F23H8CCwqb8/s400/Little+Women+4.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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These two were amongst my favourites. I adored the picture of Meg in her unaccustomed finery. I'd still like to do something with this dress one day - it would be perfect for a paper doll! I read through this part of the story again and was startled to realise how young these characters were. Meg is 17 in this scene and Laurie is even younger!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0H_1TZHqCQ0/Uixe-rnmRyI/AAAAAAAAJ38/ocJUT2_XCqE/s1600/Little+Women+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0H_1TZHqCQ0/Uixe-rnmRyI/AAAAAAAAJ38/ocJUT2_XCqE/s400/Little+Women+5.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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More illustrations follow. This story was already 100 years old when I first read it - I think why it endures so well is how universal and timeless it is (a bit like Jane Austen) - and how 'real' and sympathetic the characters are. (I know as Barbara said you either love it or hate it - as childhood memories go it is so entrenched in my psyche I can't but love it.) <br />
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This one of Meg's wedding is one I've always wanted to incorporate into something. It has a lovely graphic quality with its circular design and a great sense of movement. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-daQb8Qo5d00/Uixe53RyCZI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/e3VWhGu2C6c/s1600/Little+Women+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-daQb8Qo5d00/Uixe53RyCZI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/e3VWhGu2C6c/s400/Little+Women+11.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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The cover is the only illustration in colour - I must say I was always intrigued by this hat!<br />
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Each chapter is prefaced by a small illustration - a handful of these are repeated throughout the book. There are a few others beside those I'm showing here - the house, a horse and carriage for Laurie and the portraits of the four girls shown on the frontispiece. <br />
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Many chapters are introduced with a montage representing one of the girls. At some point I went through these and identified them all - writing the appropriate initial (in red ink I'm afraid!) underneath each. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W741JCSesfg/Uixe2CI8hVI/AAAAAAAAJ20/b0uc7xd39ig/s1600/Little+Women+-+Amy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W741JCSesfg/Uixe2CI8hVI/AAAAAAAAJ20/b0uc7xd39ig/s320/Little+Women+-+Amy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6M2Znf25AE/UixeyRcV_6I/AAAAAAAAJ2Y/HjE7ssnI854/s1600/Little+Women+-+Beth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6M2Znf25AE/UixeyRcV_6I/AAAAAAAAJ2Y/HjE7ssnI854/s320/Little+Women+-+Beth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2o8JvTRODwQ/Uixe2SEx0II/AAAAAAAAJ28/oWlLXDYTtzI/s1600/Little+Women+-+Jo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2o8JvTRODwQ/Uixe2SEx0II/AAAAAAAAJ28/oWlLXDYTtzI/s320/Little+Women+-+Jo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbdMhoFmw_o/Uixe1JMOJ3I/AAAAAAAAJ2o/R52eufZHOG8/s1600/Little+Women+-+Meg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbdMhoFmw_o/Uixe1JMOJ3I/AAAAAAAAJ2o/R52eufZHOG8/s320/Little+Women+-+Meg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whitman produced two different series of books at this time - Whitman Classics (of which this is one) and Whitman Adventure and Mystery Books. Besides<i> Little Women </i>I also owned their<i> Fifty Famous Fairy Tales. </i>I no longer have this book and would love to see it again. I've just discovered there is one on offer at Amazon - now should I or shouldn't I ? .... hmmm ...... <br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-14493728500891457262013-08-25T17:38:00.001+01:002013-08-25T17:38:49.588+01:00Alcluith is Progressing - Slowly!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5v_zOlZIL8/UJ_d633uYOI/AAAAAAAAIHU/NmYJc-zN94U/s1600/Alcluith+Cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5v_zOlZIL8/UJ_d633uYOI/AAAAAAAAIHU/NmYJc-zN94U/s320/Alcluith+Cover+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of late I have not been the best of Blogger's - either in posting myself or visiting and commenting on other people's blogs. My free time is so limited at the moment and has to be spread so many ways - blogging, making paper dolls (something that has gained momentum since I joined OPDAG) and trying to write this book. When the sun shines as it has today there is also no contest - I'm out in the garden making the most of the warm weather. In Ireland we have such a small window of opportunity for warmth and sunshine - I try to soak up as much as I can, knowing that all too soon we will be facing the long bleak winter.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pYGOzW8NBA/UhokGiXw4gI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/Y6vuc6mWv4M/s1600/lrg_dumbarton.1f14cc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pYGOzW8NBA/UhokGiXw4gI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/Y6vuc6mWv4M/s320/lrg_dumbarton.1f14cc6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photo above courtesy of Google Maps</div>
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Those of you who have known me for a while will remember that I have been trying to write a book for ages - (15 years since I first started!) - it gained a bit of momentum last year after I got to know so many wonderful literary people through this blog.<br />
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Recently I had a couple of weeks off from work and began to make some real progress again. I've tried to carry that on in the time since - so if I disappear for prolonged periods its because I'm working on this.<br />
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The last time I posted anything about the book I'd completed the first draft of Part I. Now I've got to the end of Part II - about 36 000 words. If as with most Indie authors my target is 100 000 words I'm just over a third there. Its still very rough and needs a lot of fine tuning but at least I feel as though I'm getting somewhere.<br />
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As I did before I'm going to include an extract here from the end of the section I've finished. I won't recount what has gone before - the background and characters of the story are included <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2012/10/the-friendship-and-inspiration-of.html" target="_blank">here</a> and more pictures, details and a link to the entire first chapter are given <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2012/04/some-more-adventurous-scribbles.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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At the end of Part I Saraid's son had been smuggled to safety and she was raising Morag's daughter as her own. Saraid's husband Rowallan had been defeated and killed and Raedwald was the new ruler of Alcluith. Part II ends 15 years later. All of Saraid's plans have gone awry. Her son (now called Aidan) has turned up at Dun Breatann unexpectedly. Her 'daughter' Aleine has fallen in love with him and for the moment Saraid alone is aware of the youth's true identity. Trapped and powerless on the great Rock of Alcluith, Saraid risks everything by telling Morag's husband Ranulf the truth and enlists his aid. Angered by Saraid's interference in fortress affairs but ignorant of the reason behind her actions, Raedwald decides to punish Saraid by sending her 'daughter' Aleine to the monastery at urbs Coludi.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8fg3HuK_mI/UhotJROwtOI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/gOIVp0xHGJ4/s1600/220px-St_Abbs_Head_from_the_NW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8fg3HuK_mI/UhotJROwtOI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/gOIVp0xHGJ4/s1600/220px-St_Abbs_Head_from_the_NW.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuYBbmI4uOM/UhotJUdpbSI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/55apJVNdY3Q/s1600/220px-St_Abbs_Head_from_St_Abbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuYBbmI4uOM/UhotJUdpbSI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/55apJVNdY3Q/s1600/220px-St_Abbs_Head_from_St_Abbs.jpg" /></a></div>
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All of the places in my story are real. Alcluith (the Great Rock of the Clyde) and it's fortress Dunn Breatann (fortress of the Briton's) can be found at current day Dumbarton in Strathclyde. urbs Coludi was also a real monastery, its site at St Abb's Head is currently a nature reserve on the east coast of Scotland. The photos included here and more information can be found in this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Abb's_Head" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> entry. <br />
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All of the people and events in my novel are complete fiction and exist purely in my imagination with one exception. Aebbe was a real person and all references to her are based on historical fact. So too are some of the events at the monastery that will feature in Part III (in the earliest monastic communities men and women co-existed together).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcQipPLpaJI/UhotJGHXkqI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/vf-EStAleys/s1600/220px-Kirk_Hill%252C_St_Abbs_Head_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcQipPLpaJI/UhotJGHXkqI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/vf-EStAleys/s320/220px-Kirk_Hill%252C_St_Abbs_Head_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirk Hill - site of the monastery with Abb's Head in the background</td></tr>
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Part II ends as Aleine is about to arrive at her new home: ............<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">On the morning of the third day they reached the coast
and the wagon turned north. The sinuous track
was well-worn, hugging the contours of the coastline. A panorama of unrivalled beauty unfolded
before them. Verdant green slopes ran
gently down to peaceful sandy coves or unexpectedly dropped away, revealing
jagged cliffs and beaches strewn with rough-hewn boulders.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Aleine’s
attention was immediately drawn to the great expanse of the Eastern Sea. It was like nothing she had encountered before,
filling the horizon and stretching away as far as the eye could see. Dazzling flashes of white and the piercing cry
of seabirds filled the air. They swooped
and dived, searching for fish in waves that crashed endlessly against the
cliffs or eddied in swirling currents, creating foaming pools where water
became trapped between sea-drenched shelves of stone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> Leaning
over the side of the wagon as it trundled along Aleine marveled at the
vegetation growing here. Pink and white
flowers, dainty and fragile bloomed amidst feathery foliage clinging
tenaciously to every nook and cranny. Pale
petals shimmered in the sunlight, mirroring the plumage of the birds and sparkling
crests of foam. Aleine was
entranced. She sniffed the air
experimentally, aware of the coarse texture of salt against her skin and sea
breeze in her hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> By late
afternoon the outline of the monastery rose up before them and Aleine was afforded
the first glimpse of her new home. Perched
on his seat above her, the driver of the wagon pointed his whip towards the
imposing structure and uttered the first words addressed directly to the girl since
setting off on their journey:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> ‘urbs
Coludi.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> The
monastic settlement was positioned dramatically on an exposed headland jutting
out between the waves. It consisted of
an impressive collection of buildings, all in good repair, forming a prosperous
and self contained community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> With
their watch almost at an end her accompanying guards became more loquacious as
well, entertaining Aleine with some of the establishment’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> The
priory, they intoned, was the site of many miracles, its fame and reputation spreading
far and wide. Aleine nodded politely as
they imparted this information, her attention flitting elsewhere. It was only when talk turned to the tale of
its founder that Aleine’s interest was genuinely piqued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Aebbe,
revered Prioress of urbs Coludi was reputed to have been a great beauty in her
youth. As a young princess she soon caught
the attention of the dashing Prince Aidan, heir to a neighbouring throne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> On hearing Aidan’s name Aleine glanced
momentarily away. A flush of colour rose
in her cheeks and her thoughts drifted back to Alcluith. What was Aidan doing now? Did he know what had befallen her?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Aleine’s companions did not seem to notice
and continued with their narrative:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Spurning
Prince Aidan’s advances Aebbe took the veil and persuaded her brother Oswiu to
help her establish a monastery in an effort to evade her suitor’s reach. Such was Aidan’s determination and fervor to
possess Aebbe that he refused to accede to her wish and pursued the young
prioress to urbs Coludi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Realising her plan had not worked Aebbe
cried out to the Lord for help and prayed steadfastly for three days. The Almighty heard her prayers and caused the
tide to rise. Defying the fixed pattern of nature it remained high while Aebbe
prayed, cutting her off from the mainland and keeping her protected on the
headland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Finally
accepting it as God’s wish, Prince Aidan gave up his suit and Aebbe remained in
urbs Coludi as prioress of the holy community.
She oversaw all the monastery’s affairs and had ruled fairly and
efficiently to this day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Aleine enjoyed
the story immensely. Soon she was laughing with the guards and chatting amicably. She was not sure how much of the
tale she believed but it whetted her curiosity.
Before long Aleine would come face to face with this remarkable woman
who had managed to achieve the impossible in a man’s world, holding both sovereign
power and position in her own right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> The
wagon had almost reached the priory by the time the tale reached its conclusion
and twilight was descending on the world.
Aleine noticed as they drew closer to the monastery how well fortified
it was. A double palisade and deep trench made the settlement almost
impenetrable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> The wagon
was expected and the imposing double gates yawned wide to receive them. The oxen trudged ponderously over this last
stretch of their journey, crossing the trench and passing through the gaping
entrance to the settlement within.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> As they
trundled into the courtyard the gates swung shut behind them, quickly fixed into
place with iron bars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> The dull
thud of their closing brought home a chilling revelation. The double fortification not only kept
invaders out, it also trapped those within, effectively turning them into prisoners
behind the walls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> The
exhilaration Aleine had experienced during her journey, the sense of freedom
she enjoyed evaporated in an instant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Not only
had she merely moved from one confined space to another but once again an empty
and futile future yawned before her. This
time, however, there was a significant difference. At urbs Coludi she faced the future alone in
an unfamiliar place, devoid of everyone she loved and everything she had ever
known. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Three
days earlier Saraid had stood at the window of her living quarters and watched the
wagon as it set off across the plain.
She imagined rather than saw Aleine huddled amongst the produce. The distance between them was too great for
her to discern any detail. What had
Aleine’s reaction been to this unexpected journey Saraid wondered? Did the girl also regret the ill feeling and
discord that had soured their relationship during the past days? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Saraid remained
motionless, staring sightlessly into the distance long after the wagon
disappeared completely from view and the guard Raedwald had ordered to watch
her left his post at the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Later Saraid
sat with the shutters open as she had done all those years ago, face upturned
to the night sky. The firmament lay
glittering before her spanning the vault of the heavens, remote and uncaring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Saraid
sought out Morag’s image as she scanned the stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> ‘Forgive
me Morag’, she whispered softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> ‘All I
had to do was watch over the girl and ensure she came to no harm. It was a simple enough task but I failed her
and in doing so I failed us all. Forgive
me…’ Saraid could do nothing more than repeat the phrase over and over like a
mantra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Nobody
heard her. There was only emptiness and
silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> And what
of Saraid’s own child?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> ‘Do not
believe everything you hear,’ Ranulf had said to her when they met in secret in
the chapel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> ‘I will
not betray you or do anything to jeopardize the future of Rowallan’s heir.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Could
Saraid believe him? The sketchy news filtering
through to her recently of her son’s welfare contained only death and misadventure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Ranulf
had also promised:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> ‘Trust me and have faith I will
always do what is in the best interest of the kingdom.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Whose
interest did that statement serve and where did Ranulf’s allegiance really lie
– with her or with Raedwald?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Alone
and powerless Saraid succumbed to despair and desolation. This time no babe lay warm and snug in her
arms. The tears she wept could fall
unheeded as there was no tiny form to risk disturbing. Everything Saraid held dear had been taken
away from her. Once the future she
shared with Rowallan had contained so much promise. Now all was gone, every vestige of hope
stripped away, leaving Saraid vulnerable and exposed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"> All that
was left were her tears, falling on cold and unrelenting stone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">--- oO0 ---</span></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-indent: 0cm;"> </span> <br />
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<span id="goog_1765571474"></span><span id="goog_1765571475"></span><br /></div>
sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-81683483503540521132013-08-11T15:25:00.000+01:002013-08-17T07:27:27.276+01:00The Wonderful World of Princess Marigold<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8_g48aLAMQ/Ugd8AykiPJI/AAAAAAAAJp4/IB4P2oTh_xI/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8_g48aLAMQ/Ugd8AykiPJI/AAAAAAAAJp4/IB4P2oTh_xI/s400/Princess+Marigold+detail+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My lovely two weeks of holiday have been followed by two very pressurised weeks at work - and getting used to my commute again was more of a shock to the system than I thought it would be! As a result I was sure another week would go past without a post - but the sun hasn't shone today as expected so I'm sitting inside doing this instead!<br />
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Way back in January 2011 the <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2011/01/paper-dolls-princess-marigold-ladybird.html" target="_blank">2nd post</a> I put on my blog was partly dedicated to Princess Marigold. I chose it because this comic strip is one of my earliest and most vivid childhood memories. In those days I was nowhere near as verbose as I am now and I've always wanted to do a follow up on this delightful story.<br />
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Princess Marigold lives in the kingdom of Marigoldland. She is married to Prince Strongbow and most of the stories centre on their children Prince Rupert and Princess Rose.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZY5HCZ__Es/Ugd8B55NRKI/AAAAAAAAJqA/r9t0g2iy4fw/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZY5HCZ__Es/Ugd8B55NRKI/AAAAAAAAJqA/r9t0g2iy4fw/s200/Princess+Marigold+detail+4.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5U29_FLt5BM/Ugd7_ARCQwI/AAAAAAAAJps/53oPtlyCBeE/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5U29_FLt5BM/Ugd7_ARCQwI/AAAAAAAAJps/53oPtlyCBeE/s200/Princess+Marigold+detail+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Marigoldland is ruled by the easy going King Florian and there are a number of regular characters who keep everything ticking over nicely - Mr Munch the palace cook, the Lord High Chief of all Indoor Doings, the Lord High Chief of all Outdoor Doings and Green Fingers all add humour and personality to these delightful tales.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Km_TVkojmjU/Ugd8GWUrzXI/AAAAAAAAJqQ/45gNSe2nHQQ/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Km_TVkojmjU/Ugd8GWUrzXI/AAAAAAAAJqQ/45gNSe2nHQQ/s200/Princess+Marigold+detail+7.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVUnlHMi6_I/Ugd8EJLaPlI/AAAAAAAAJqI/nFDZA9BqTP8/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVUnlHMi6_I/Ugd8EJLaPlI/AAAAAAAAJqI/nFDZA9BqTP8/s200/Princess+Marigold+detail+6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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All is not peace and harmony in the kingdom though. Every story revolves around the evil machinations of Wicked Wizard Weezle. His attempts to cause mayhem and the children's ingenuity and bravery in foiling him are at the core of each tale.<br />
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The first story contains Florian's attempt to find a suitable husband for his only daughter Marigold. It is during this adventure that Marigold meets and offends Wizard Weezle, turning him into a lifelong enemy. The later stories are the ones I am more familiar with where the children play the prominent roles. <br />
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This comic strip was a collaboration between three different artists. The earliest are the work of <a href="http://ukcomics.wikia.com/wiki/Giorgio_Bellavitis_(1926-2009)" target="_blank">Giorgio Bellavitis (1926-2009)</a> - born in Venice he became art director of Cosmopolitan Artists after WWII, an agency that dealt with a number of British publications. Later issues were illustrated by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Bermejo" target="_blank">Luis Bermejo b 1931</a>, a Spanish artist born in Madrid who worked on a number of the publications (Once Upon a Time, Look and Learn etc) that I mention regularly in this blog. Finally <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2011/04/nadir-quinto.html" target="_blank">Nadir Quinto (1918-1994)</a> produced some full size illustrations. I'm not sure what they were used for but they have the wonderful vibrancy so characteristic of all his work. (The last post I dedicated to Nadir Quinto was <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/04/the-star-maidens-nadir-quinto.html" target="_blank">The Star Maidens</a>.) <br />
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The two illustrations on either side of this paragraph are by Giorgio Bellavitis with the one following by Nadir Quinto.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5WdyaXx2PU/Ugd8NOe908I/AAAAAAAAJqo/5CNusotgi-Q/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5WdyaXx2PU/Ugd8NOe908I/AAAAAAAAJqo/5CNusotgi-Q/s400/Princess+Marigold+detail+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpcFiORchuE/Ugd75mE5qtI/AAAAAAAAJpk/KwW0jCaelH8/s1600/Princess+Marigold++-+Nadir+Quinto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpcFiORchuE/Ugd75mE5qtI/AAAAAAAAJpk/KwW0jCaelH8/s400/Princess+Marigold++-+Nadir+Quinto.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nadir Quinto - illustration for Princess Marigold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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These stories first appeared in a weekly children's publication called Treasure that ran from 1963 to 1971 (or in other words perfectly encompassed my own childhood!) I discovered Treasure accidentally. When I was about 5 years old I went with my mother to visit a friend (or relation - I can't remember which now). What is very vivid in my memory is that we were sitting in their living room and there was a stack of children's magazines next to the fireplace. They were destined for the flames! I can still recall as if it was yesterday what an incredible sacrilege I thought this was. That brightly coloured stack literally represented a treasure trove of untold delight to me - I couldn't believe anyone would want to get rid of them. I asked if I could have the magazines, and my second vivid recollection of the day is how nonchalantly they were handed over to me - and how thrilled I was to go home with my loot! <br />
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Princess Marigold was a regular feature of these magazines. I immersed myself into this world completely - the people and the place were real to me and I only realised yesterday when I was looking at these stories again for the first time in many years that I have been searching for the landscape these tales were set in all my life. It is what has brought me to the fairy forests and vales of Ireland and is a world I have never grown out of imagining. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcVIkSn8Imo/Ugd9UzKODEI/AAAAAAAAJsI/UxB-DdsfPKQ/s1600/Princess+Marigold+detail+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcVIkSn8Imo/Ugd9UzKODEI/AAAAAAAAJsI/UxB-DdsfPKQ/s400/Princess+Marigold+detail+12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The two stories that resonate with me the most are 'The Magic Broom' and 'The Magic Mirror'. While I decided I would include a complete story at the end of this post both are quite long and so I settled for a different example instead. As an adult I really like the strip shown below - the two illustrations go together very nicely and I love the silhouette effect of the one on the left. I can see the influence of this work on many of the other artists I admire - even the immeasurably great Ron Embleton. <br />
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I no longer have my coveted issues of Treasure (my mother had to keep buying issues of the magazine for me until publication ceased.) Many of my prized possessions (like my <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2012/08/carlotta-comes-home.html" target="_blank">Carlotta Edward</a> prints) disappeared after we moved house when I was aged 7. I've spent the years since I turned 50 trying to gather them all back into my orbit again!<br />
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In the early 90's these stories unexpectedly appeared again in a popular South African magazine (for adults although there was a small children's section) called 'You'. In these pre-internet times I was able (now in my 30's) to enjoy the illustrations all over again. As I have had requests before to include full stories when I put together posts like this, a complete one follows below (I noticed when scanning them the last page has the title in Afrikaans by mistake - they must have got mixed up with their sister publication!) :<br />
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What I thought was quite effective in choosing this one is the combination of monochrome and colour illustrations. This story includes the characters of the colour fairies who also appeared in 'The Magic Mirror' .</div>
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Treasure also produced an annual of Princess Marigold stories. When the pennies allow I want to treat myself to a copy so I can enjoy these lovely stories all over again! (Image below borrowed from Amazon.)</div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-4125960117459654792013-07-26T22:25:00.000+01:002013-07-26T22:25:56.695+01:00A Clotheshorse of Memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I left S Africa and moved to Ireland in 2001 I packed a special box of all my most precious clothing treasures. The box has remained sealed until this Spring. After 12 years I decided to open this little time capsule again and freshen up some of the items inside - and so I ended up with a clotheshorse of memories..<br />
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The box contains an eclectic mix of items. The oldest are two beautiful 19th century christening robes and a taffeta Victorian traveling dress (yes really!) - all completely handmade. The most recent is a dirndl I wore during a time I spent in Austria during my 20's (it was a gift.) In between (amongst other things like my mother's wedding dress - that I used too) are seven little dresses I wore when I was a very young child. These are what I have decided to show you today. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTg0lJ9S5ow/UfLEvvvojHI/AAAAAAAAJpA/ZeR_BdlxvOI/s1600/Baby+dress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTg0lJ9S5ow/UfLEvvvojHI/AAAAAAAAJpA/ZeR_BdlxvOI/s320/Baby+dress+1.jpg" width="259" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LyG2w0xx8Uc/UfLDAk6xWyI/AAAAAAAAJmM/rScn9ogOzE4/s1600/Baby+dress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LyG2w0xx8Uc/UfLDAk6xWyI/AAAAAAAAJmM/rScn9ogOzE4/s320/Baby+dress+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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When my mom passed away in 1999 I found these dresses as I was sorting through her things. Only one has a label and was shop bought. I think all the rest were made by my mom - and when I look at them today I marvel at how beautiful her work was (I can paint and write but I'm a useless seamstress!)<br />
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These dresses were not for special occasions but were made for everyday use. Perhaps it is for that reason I can remember them all so vividly even though I was very young and it was such a long time ago (having photos also helps to keep memories alive!)<br />
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As you can see I got a LOT of use out of some of them. Here I am as a very tiny tot, clutching a little lamb:<br />
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And here I am again quite some time later (in child's terms) strolling around a rose garden in the same dress:<br />
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The amount of detail in these dresses is amazing. There are tiny ribbons to gather up the sleeves and little rosebuds embroidered everywhere. My mom LOVED embroidering rosebuds - I can remember her sewing them onto anything from bookmarks to bed-socks right until she died.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1VzldQ0gSA/UfLDWqXauaI/AAAAAAAAJnY/DErWwWfN6FM/s1600/Pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1VzldQ0gSA/UfLDWqXauaI/AAAAAAAAJnY/DErWwWfN6FM/s320/Pic+1.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my grandmother's sister Elma</td></tr>
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I'm not sure how my mom dressed me in some of these (it must have been like playing with a doll!) There are no zips or anything like Velcro. Instead there are tiny little buttons that I would find quite a challenge if faced with a living child!<br />
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I even have this cute little petticoat. With gathers at the sides and those tiny buttons at the shoulder again.<br />
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This is the only dress with a label. It says 'handmade in Madeira in Portugal'.<br />
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The two photos above were both taken wearing the dress below. Of all of these little dresses it is the one I remember the most clearly and I think wore the most often. </div>
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I'm not completely sure but I think I might be wearing the same dress in this next photo. I'm digressing a bit but I was surprised to discover while looking through my box of old photos how many sea voyages by parents went on when I was a child. Always on the mail ships (every 'castle' from Carnarvon to Windsor!) I'm afraid I did not get to enjoy the high life on the high seas as I was left at home and looked after by my grandparents.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my parents and grandparents (Durban harbour)</td></tr>
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I also couldn't resist including this next picture of my mom (on the right). She looks so pretty and so elegant - I just love that dress! (You can see Table Mountain in the background).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom with her best friend Sheila (& son Reginald)</td></tr>
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Fast forward the decades and here I am today (literally - these were taken this afternoon). No longer a little princess and nowhere near as glamorous as my mom - but at least I am happy! </div>
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-50531842676782057292013-07-22T20:38:00.000+01:002013-07-22T20:38:43.891+01:00Introducing Alice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made especially for Alice in Australia</td></tr>
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Introducing Alice - I think my favourite of all the dolls I've painted so far - but Alice is also special for another reason - she is the first doll I've made for a real person.<br />
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Agman (Terence) at <a href="http://agman-aviator.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Aviator</a> always leaves such nice comments for me whenever I post paper dolls and tells me how much his granddaughter Alice likes them - so I decided the next doll I made would be especially for her. Alice I hope you like your namesake (Granddad as you probably already know has a full size scan of the doll for you).<br />
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I also sent a scan of Alice to <a href="http://www.opdag.com/" target="_blank">OPDAG</a> (the Original Paper Doll Artist Guild). I knew that the doll did not qualify for any of their upcoming themes but Jenny from OPDAG has offered to include her in the Showcase section of the Studio magazine with a link back to this post - so that is quite an exciting prospect as well.<br />
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Alice is a companion doll for <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2013/06/meet-clarissa.html" target="_blank">Clarissa</a> and the second in a series of dolls I'm making based on the beautiful artwork of Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone. I've wanted to try my hand at making dolls in slightly more unusual poses for ages and so a young girl sitting playing not only gave me a subject that was interesting to paint, it also meant I could fit three dresses onto a single page.<br />
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I based the doll on this illustration of Curly Locks taken from 'A Gift Book of Nursery Rhymes' - one of the loveliest figures in the book. <br />
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Although I included the blue dress she is wearing as a separate outfit, designing the other dresses allowed me to play around with different fabric techniques. As much as they are inspired by Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone they also owe a huge debt to artists such as Ron Embleton and Jose Ortiz who feature regularly in my blog and whose work I've tried to emulate since childhood.<br />
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The most fun I had while making this doll was thinking up different objects for her to hold. Part of the challenge of course was fitting the object to the shape!<br />
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It was very rewarding making and dedicating a doll in this way <span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1152&bih=763&q=%22sting%22+%22full+name%22+%22gordon+matthew+thomas+sumner%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAAErANT_AHvTx-gAAAAOCAMiCC9tLzBsYmoxQAG7m2PsBpjxzgze5xKX2HwHjvkd7T6Ee_MrAAAA">so I think it will be nice to continue the idea with the next doll in the series (I don't know how soon that is likely to be as I've had the advantage of being on holiday for the last week - giving me lots of lovely time to indulge in the things I enjoy!)</span></span><br />
<span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1152&bih=763&q=%22sting%22+%22full+name%22+%22gordon+matthew+thomas+sumner%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAAErANT_AHvTx-gAAAAOCAMiCC9tLzBsYmoxQAG7m2PsBpjxzgze5xKX2HwHjvkd7T6Ee_MrAAAA"><br /></span></span>
<span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1152&bih=763&q=%22sting%22+%22full+name%22+%22gordon+matthew+thomas+sumner%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAAErANT_AHvTx-gAAAAOCAMiCC9tLzBsYmoxQAG7m2PsBpjxzgze5xKX2HwHjvkd7T6Ee_MrAAAA">However - if anyone reading this would like me to dedicate a doll to a special little girl, let me know by leaving a comment (and obviously her name) at the end of this post. </span></span><br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-8867993657986978372013-07-18T11:28:00.000+01:002013-07-18T11:28:03.482+01:00A Woodland Reprieve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have some time off work this week - so a rare opportunity to do some of the things I enjoy - and among them another blog entry!<br />
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A couple of days ago we decided to explore the area beyond the stream at the bottom of the garden. The country lane we followed is privately owned and closed to the public with a gate, but the owner had said it was ok for us to wander around if we wanted to. The road leads to a lovely old Georgian house at the top of the hill and although I photographed it and was tempted to include a picture here, I decided not to as it is a private home. <br />
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We stepped back in time to a gentler age and found ourselves in a beautiful sylvan setting. My son's first words were 'its just like the secret garden!'<br />
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But I'm showing you these photographs for another reason as well. Everything you see here was destined for destruction a few years ago. Although the owner of the Georgian house also owns the road, this area adjacent to it belonged to someone else. It was sold to two well known Irish celebrities and property speculators and the intention was to build yet another housing estate on the land you see here. (Ireland is currently littered with badly built ghost estates left over from the irresponsible building frenzy of a few years back.)<br />
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The land was sold as the boom was coming to an end. The people who bought it failed to confirm first whether there was any public access and the owner of the road refused them permission to use it (just brilliant!) To keep the plan on track the elderly couple who lived in the house where we are now were offered a million Euros for the property (way over the market rate even in those days). The intention would have been to raze our house (even though it is a 300+ year old forge) and use the garden as a driveway. <br />
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The elderly couple refused the offer. At their time of life a much loved home had far more value than any amount of money. Not long afterwards they died - within months of each other - but by then the boom was over and the speculators were forced to move on. Our house was put on the market and could have been snapped up for far less than a million, but those reckless days of over-spending were over.</div>
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So this tranquil setting remains untouched (for now) - gently casting its spell in the summer sun. Butterflies and birds flit amongst the branches and leaves and ancient woodland guardians keep watch - the echoes of their protective magic reverberating through the air.<br />
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This cute little gatehouse stands at the point where the road crosses the stream. It has clearly been renovated fairly recently and although empty at the moment would make a cozy home. <br />
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Our garden is to the right of the road in this photo as you approach the gatehouse.</div>
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Roses on my gatepost. I decided not to pick any of these as I think they look lovely tumbling over the way they do.</div>
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I'm probably mentioning something that is well known to the rest of the world - but I have just discovered a favourite new lunch! A few days ago I picked some salad leaves and herbs to make a mixed salad and then my husband asked me to leave the few tomatoes we had as he wanted to use them for something else. So I substituted strawberries for tomatoes. This part of Wicklow is well known for its strawberries and I've managed to grow lovely sweet ones this year due to the exceptionally warm weather. Now I'm hooked - especially when I discovered how nicely strawberries go with fresh basil. So my lunches at the moment consist of strawberry salads, cheese and olives (I have to buy those) and a crisp fresh roll hot out the oven with butter and honey. Yum!!<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-61609817247505801002013-07-15T22:35:00.000+01:002013-07-15T22:39:11.598+01:00Flower Girls - Saalfield Artcraft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is another set of paper dolls I rediscovered a couple of years ago that transported me right back to my childhood. I've always loved this book - and I respond to it with the same delight and joy today as I did then - viewing it with the eyes of a child across the passage of time.<br />
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This is my favourite dress, taken from the original cut version of the set I played with as a child. I think its gorgeous - and just as special today as I found it 50 years ago. What I've always liked about this set is the light and airy touch of the artwork and the dainty feminine fashions. Its a book that holds within it the joy of eternal youth and perpetual sunshine.<br />
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There are two dolls and four pages of clothes. Besides the frilly dresses I also think the bathing costumes with their matching skirts are marvellous.<br />
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The full book follows: <br />
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( I can remember trying to cut these dolls out it a way that would also allow me to keep their pretty petticoats!)<br />
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Isn't it funny - I spend my days planting all sorts of things in the garden - and then I end up liking the wild flowers most of all. These foxgloves are effectively weeds in this part of the world but they are lovely. I still think I might just find tiny fairies hiding in them! <br />
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PS - I'm still on borrowed internet time. I was expecting to be able to buy a new laptop in the next week or so but we have had some unexpected medical expenses to deal with and I have to put off getting one for a while. So my blogging activity will still be patchy and erratic.<br />
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With the lovely summer weather we have been having (by far the hottest I can remember since moving to Ireland 12 years ago) I must say I have been enjoying the chance to spend more time in the garden though!<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-74255512685518808562013-06-23T10:50:00.000+01:002013-06-23T10:50:58.294+01:00Sunday Story - The Prince & the White Cat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp-KjcqKDEg/Tb07wFVbatI/AAAAAAAABAY/CcdHbcgi6lk/s1600/Jose+Ortiz+-+The+Prince+and+the+White+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp-KjcqKDEg/Tb07wFVbatI/AAAAAAAABAY/CcdHbcgi6lk/s320/Jose+Ortiz+-+The+Prince+and+the+White+Cat.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
Some time ago I included this illustration in a post called <a href="http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.ie/2011/05/wonderful-weddings.html" target="_blank">Wonderful Weddings</a>. I think these lovely paintings are the work of Jose Ortiz and as with all my 'Sunday Stories' originally appeared in Once Upon a Time magazine. After posting a series of selected illustrations on different topics I received a request to include the full stories. This is one of my favourites.<br />
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I'm still using a borrowed laptop (my son's) as I've confirmed my own PC problem is not recoverable. The last automatic windows update wiped out my ethernet adaptor. It seems I'm not the only person this has happened to. If you are lucky you can roll back the change, but in some cases like mine the adaptor is destroyed completely<br />
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To get the laptop working again I'd have to reload the operating system, but as it is almost 5 years old I'm taking it as a sign I need a new one. The only reason I'm hesitating before buying one is that Windows 8 seems to have a few problems and a new release is due to come out later this year. I'd like to wait until that happens but my family want me to have my own laptop again so I may have to get one sooner rather than later!<br />
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Here is the story:<br />
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<i>Taken from Once Upon a Time children's magazine. Issue #141 dated 23 October 1971</i><br />
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Through a glass - lightly<br />
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My husband thinks this photo is a bit daft but I find it quite effective. I'm always the one with the camera taking photos of everyone else. I never have any photos taken of me (I'm not vain but I'm a natural historian and recorder of the progression of time. In a way this blog is an attempt to catalogue my memories.). When I saw how well this door was reflecting the scene outside I decided to take a self portrait. I like the slightly indistinct results - its almost like a painting. <br />
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The garden has been glorious now winter has finally released its grip. These flowers are finished now but I loved them when they were in full spate and looked like a waterfall of blossoms. Now the briar rose has taken over so it is still an equally colourful corner. <br />
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When the flowers grow in such profusion its lovely to be able to bring a little bit of the garden inside. I always think of my mom when I do this. She loved arranging flowers and filling her home with them.<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628938970716871468.post-71254495114250838572013-06-09T22:17:00.001+01:002013-06-09T22:17:55.055+01:00Meet Clarissa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RL4y54dgjK4/UbTaAQoVeOI/AAAAAAAAJd8/ATrd531TS9M/s1600/Clarissa+Paper+Doll+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RL4y54dgjK4/UbTaAQoVeOI/AAAAAAAAJd8/ATrd531TS9M/s640/Clarissa+Paper+Doll+Summer.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>
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I hope my friends in the blogging community will forgive me if I post something today but don't visit anyone in return. My PC will still not connect to the internet. I've tried everything I can think of without success. I'm borrowing my son's little netbook to do this - but have promised I will use if for just the time it takes to put up this post and not hog it completely!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inspiration for Clarrisa</td></tr>
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This is the first of three paper dolls I am hoping to make based on the beautiful illustrations by Janet & Anne Grahame Johnstone. I've decided to give my dolls names and chose Clarissa for this one.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzlx4gKrcqU/UbTZ9LDFVxI/AAAAAAAAJds/pTkCFVDzTQQ/s1600/Clarissa+Doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzlx4gKrcqU/UbTZ9LDFVxI/AAAAAAAAJds/pTkCFVDzTQQ/s200/Clarissa+Doll.jpg" width="155" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psF1FbwvZDo/UbTaA-tkQvI/AAAAAAAAJeI/iYGhCf8n-eM/s1600/Clarissa+Pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psF1FbwvZDo/UbTaA-tkQvI/AAAAAAAAJeI/iYGhCf8n-eM/s200/Clarissa+Pink.jpg" width="177" /> </a></div>
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The illustrations I've based her outfits on are all show here. They are all taken from two books I've had since childhood - A Gift Book of Nursery Rhymes and A Gift Book of Enchanting Fairy Tales both illustrated by Janet & Anne Graham Johnstone.</div>
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Clarissa was my first submission to OPDAG (The Original Paper Doll Artists Guild). The theme was Babies and Children. At first I wasn't sure if it was OK to post dolls sent to OPDAG in my blog, but then I noticed Miss Missy had posted her lovely <a href="http://missmissypaperdolls.blogspot.ie/2013/05/heidi-fairy-tale-style-paper-doll.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+MissMissyPaperDolls+%28Miss+Missy+Paper+Dolls%29" target="_blank">Heidi Fairy Tale Doll</a> - one of my favourites from that issue of the magazine - so I felt it would be fine for me to do the same.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtbY1UR1V54/UbTZ9HSVPPI/AAAAAAAAJdk/ziyTeqFMH8U/s1600/Clarissa+Paper+Doll+Smaller+version+for+Mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtbY1UR1V54/UbTZ9HSVPPI/AAAAAAAAJdk/ziyTeqFMH8U/s640/Clarissa+Paper+Doll+Smaller+version+for+Mel.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
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This is the version of the doll I submitted. I realised afterwards it is a bit of a learning curve. Because it was winter and just before Christmas I decided to experiment and use more wintery seasonal colours. My sister and husband liked the finished effect, but I think for OPDAG it was a mistake and I should have stuck with the lighter more traditional colours like the alternate version shown at the start of this post. In the magazine my dolls are allocated a quarter af an A4 page, so reduced down in size the darker colours meant a lot of the detail is lost. <br />
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Still it was exciting seeing something I sent in printed in the issue!<br />
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If you want to colour in your own version here is the original pencil sketch. (I actually always prefer the pencil drawings.) You will have to add tags to one of the dresses - apologies for that and I hadn't added the hat at the time I scanned it.<br />
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Maybe I should hold my own colouring competition with a prize for the best entry!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYnstaOXkE4/UbTaGva1gAI/AAAAAAAAJew/Tn9ED3MHiWI/s1600/Jand+A+G+Johnstone+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYnstaOXkE4/UbTaGva1gAI/AAAAAAAAJew/Tn9ED3MHiWI/s400/Jand+A+G+Johnstone+4.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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For this issue of the magazine members were also invited to send in outfits for a 'dress a doll' theme. This one was called 'Dress the Kids'. I sent in a selection of outfits for two of the dolls provided. I won't be able to include the dolls here but you can see one of them on the cover of the magazine at the <a href="http://www.opdag.com/studionews.html" target="_blank">OPDAG Paper Doll Studio</a> site. Apparently there was an enormous response and although about 150 outfits were included in the magazine none of mine made the cut. These are my dresses - I decided I'd put them up on my blog anyway as I was quite happy with them even though they were not selected. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qvrd0_4nOZw/UbTaBqUsjbI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/QdaqZFScIMk/s1600/Dress-the-Kids+Sharon+Souter+smaller+version+for+Mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qvrd0_4nOZw/UbTaBqUsjbI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/QdaqZFScIMk/s400/Dress-the-Kids+Sharon+Souter+smaller+version+for+Mel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Putting a post together on this tiny little PC has been more tricky than I thought! Hopefully I'll have something more permanent sorted out soon so I can get back to life in bloggyland properly. I'm really missing the interaction with everyone!<br />
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sharonssunlitmemorieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817837936506262964noreply@blogger.com13