Saturday, June 30, 2012

Summer Date Paper Dolls

Pec'h

'Peace' in Breton, spoken in France

courtesy of OrigamiBears

Welcome!
I am short on time today, but have found these super
summer-themed
paper doll set, courtesy of OrigamiBears.
If you are into history, or free paper dolls,
or really cheap original paper dolls,
is the place to check out!






1948 published by Saalfield

With regards to what you can do with these free paper dolls:
Many are still under copyright, and NOT public domain.

That means you can print them to your heart's content,
but you CANNOT:
Sell them, in any way
re-package them for sale
change the colors and re-sell
...get the idea?

'Lourdes Flower Fairy'
altered paper doll by inkspired


You can certainly print a set and give as a gift.
You can take the base paper dolls,
and make your own clothes from lots of fun paper sources.
You can sell these hand-designed clothes,
but not the base paper dolls, as is.

You CAN print them,
and cut them all up and re-make recycled paper doll collages.
For instance,
you could use the legs and then add your own creativity.
You could probably use the heads,
 but no bodies in the same creation.

'Time for Flowers'
altered paper doll by inkspired


Best rule of thumb:
Use these wonderful paper dolls to play with,
design your own clothes,
play sets and backgrounds.

Use the basic doll shapes to help you make your own.
I use paper doll bases to get the hang of where arms fit on a torso,
or where earrings fit on a face...that sort of thing.
These you can package and sell if you choose,
as it is all your own drawing, etc.

'I Dare You to Eat Candy'
altered paper doll by inkspired


Hope this has been helpful.
Give me a comment at the end of this blog,
or
you can drop me a note at

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY
have fun!
:0)

'Happy Stripes'
original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

inkspired

Friday, June 29, 2012

Summer Blues? Let's get HOT!!!

rangima'arie

'Peace' in Maori
a native people in New Zealand

'New Zealand Springs'
original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

I'm thinking those sheep get awful HOT in their wool coats!
I know, that's what shearing is all about.

Today we shall have

HOT SUMMER FUN!!!

There is so much to see and do out there,
so today I will offer a few suggestions to 'spark' you!
yeah, the humor may get a little bad.....
:0)

Did you know that HULA HOOPS are all the rage now?
It is all the rage,
even 'electric' ones that glow in the dark!

battery operated hula hoops www.ElictricLifeStylz.etsy.com


fancy hula hoops www.HoopMamas.etsy.com

Actually, kids have been playing with hoops since the wheel was invented,
I think!


vintage illustration, children playing hoops

Hula hoops are a great activity for the basement -
some where where there is lots of space!
Now, playing hoops is definitely an outside activity!
Shall we do something fun indoors now?

vintage illustration, unknown source

Baking is always a fun indoors activity, to me.
I love to bake.
Summer is a great time to teach you kids how to do some simple recipes.
Let them help you shop for the ingredients,
or gather them from the cupboard.
Let the kids get out the measuring cups, bowls and spoons.
When kids get to help, it gives them a powerful boost to the ego!
Now matter how small, or nerdy or jock,
when you can help accomplish something
with visible results
you feel good about yourself.

'Grocery Shopping in Malibu'
original Collage Art Doll

Still too HOT to go outside without risking sun stroke?


You know me -
READ!!!!

photo credit: Terje S. Skjerdal, blog.syracuse.com


The more you read to your kids,
the more interested they will be in reading.
The more your kids read,
the better they will do in school.
Also, the more your kids read
you give them vital tools to fight -
ignorance
laziness
prejudice
stuck in low paying jobs
no goals
religous intolerancy
and yes, even crime!


"Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them!
How I need them!
I'll have a long beard
by the time I read them."

by Arnold Lobel, master of 'pigerisms'


Executive Baby http://www.rdpl.org/

Now is that an adorable picture or what?!

It's time to beat the heat with a pencil!
That's right, a pencil!
Let's learn how to draw some simple things,
and then put them all together in a picture!

All these wonderful tips on ' How-to Draw' are courtesy Dover Books.





That should get you started!
:0)

Next -
it's time everyone learned how to make sun tea!

orange iced tea found at http://www.fashionistaandthefoodie.com/

First, you need a large glass jar with a lid.

We use a gallon jar that came
with the most delicous cherry juice we have ever had!
(Lyons, Colorado)
You can certainly find large gallon glass jars
at your closest retail stores, such as
Target, WalMart, KMart, etc.
Maybe even at the Dollar Store?!

Next, pick some really good tea in bags.
One I have served at many parties with great success is
Celestial Seasonings 'Blueberry Breeze'.
There's also Celestial Seasonings 'Green Tea - Blueberry Breeze'
and Zingers such as 'Lemon Zinger'.
A nice CS Mandarin Orange Spice would be good also.

Now place 6 - 10 tea bags in your glass jar.
Pour water in to the top.
Place lid on.
Put outside in the sun for the day,
a few hours,
whatever time frame you have.
As the sun moves, make sure your tea jar is in the sun.

Now is the time to make your fruit ice cubes
(see below)

While those are freezing, a nice nap in a hammock is so summer....

vintage illustration

To make this a cool summer activity,
be sure your hammock is in the shade!

Back to your sun tea:
Bring it inside after a few hours.
Your tea will be brewed by the sun!
Now that's saving energy....
Pick out the tea bags. Place the sun tea in the refrigerator
or cool to room temperature
and have a glass with ice!

While the tea is cooling, why not get those pencils out
and make another fun, summer drawing?
These will have to go on the refrigerator....

"Sunshine Fairy" Original Collage Doll by inkspired

Let's do some ice cube COOL Fun!
Even your little little ones can help with this!

Pour off 2 - 4 Cups of your Sun Tea.
Cooler is better (room temp is fine).

Match up some complimentary flavors for your tea:
Blueberry Breeze? Gather some fresh blueberries.
Mandarin Orange Spice? Open a can of mandarin oranges.
Lemon Zinger? Thinly slice some fresh lemons.
Sprigs of mint are great.
Some more ideas:
fresh fruit such as raspberries,  sliced strawberries,
peach chunklets, pineapple tidbits...
get the idea....


Now this is where the kids can help again -
place a tidbit of fruit in each opening (cup) in an ice cube tray.
Don't have any ice cube trays?
You can use dixie cups, only you want to tear the top couple of inches off.
Place the dixie cups in a pan with sides - like a cake pan.

Next, you have a choice.
If you are going to use your fruit ice cubes for drinks other than your sun tea, you want to fill each 'cup' with plain water.
When using dixie cups, keep in mind what size cube it will be when frozen.


If you are going to use your fruit ice cubes for your sun tea,
then carefully pour your set-aside sun tea into each 'cup'.
Be sure and involve your kids if you have any.
Or borrow some neighborhood kids to help!
A measuring cup with a pour spout is ideal.

Place filled ice cube trays in freezer.
When ready, pop them out (or tear off the dixie cup)
place in your drink of choice,
and sip!
AAaaaahhhhhh......

Don't forget a taste-test to see if you need to add some more plain water to your sun tea to get it just right.
For those of you 'sweetened ice tea' drinkers,
try cutting your sugar by 1/2 or 1/3, and let the fruit sweeten your drink.

By using sun tea-filled ice cubes, your tea will remain strong
with no watering down by using plain ice cubes.
An added bonus:
If you are entertaining, or just feel special,
the fruit-filled cubes look COOL in a clear glass with clear-ish juice
like white apple juice, or selzer water,
or just plain water
or in a nice big punch bowl.

Sigh....

I have so much more to share,
but I really cannot write a book -
(I will not write a book,
I will not write a book,
I will not write a book - Michael).

So....
Time to close with a nice swimming pool vintage illustration!
courtesy origamibears

Yep, even those little swimming pools can be fun -
especially if you have dogs!

Have a super COOL day -

inkspired

"Sashay with dog"
Original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Fire Fighters, CO, a bit of Summer and a call for HELP!

Paz

'Peace" in Spanish,
the official language of the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic children

Hello!
Today's blog may be a bit eclectic.
(If you don't that word, look it up! It's a great one to know!)
Please be sure and scroll all the way to the bottom for a
Call for HELP!!


Being in Colorado, fire is uppermost in our minds.
We have several new ones,
 bringing the total up to 8 fires burning across the state.
We have had many days now with the temps around 100' or more.
Holy Hot Air, Batman!
Our subdivision has some 'voluntary' water restrictions.
All of our lawns are burning up.
But,
that is  nothing compared to the thousands of people that have been evacuated because of the fires, and the owners of the 257 homes that have burned
in the High Park Fire only!

an Estes Park, CO home - lost

On one day, June 22, 2012 a new fire burst out in Poudre Canyon.
In that day, 60 homes were lost.
High Park Fire is the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.

c.1907

The fire in Estes Park - the Woodland Heights Fire -had 21 structures burn
just on Saturday. (A 27 acre blaze)

Update 6-27-2012:
23  homes gone
100% contained Sunday pm.
2 - day fire, credited to the High Park Fire firefighters that were very close to help.

Estes Park is a popular tourist attraction, with hiking trail entrances to the
Rocky Mountain National Park (closed due to fire now).
They have charming bed and breakfasts and cabins to rent.

a vintage fire fighting photo from South Dakota forest fire

A new fire has rapidly devoured homes and property in Waldo Canyon, CO
just above Colorado Springs, about 70 miles south of us.
The smoke is very visible from our home,
and in Colorado Springs it is frightening.
Part of the Air Force Academy has been evacuated.

Waldo Canyon, Colorado June 24, 2012

You may recognize some of the names.
Colorado Springs is a large tourist draw, with Garden of the Gods,
Manitou Springs (evacuated), old Colorado City, white river rafting 
and much more.

no credit, perhaps Dover books

Of course, there is  Pike's Peak, a mountain climber's paradise
(I guess, if you're into climbing the tallest peaks in America).
Can't get to it now, because of fire.
Colorado Springs is also where our Olympians train.
Hopefully indoors for now.

1928 Olympics rowing stamp

There have been about 175,000 acres of land burnt.
The High Park Fire has finally been contained to 65%.
But think about it, that means 35% is NOT contained.

Earlier in the week, the fire was contained at 65%,
but then new fires (we are having high winds) jumped up and brought the containment back to 35% contained - in just one day.
Fire is an awesome and powerful thing.


The guesstimate is that the High Park fire will be 100% contained
by perhaps July 30th.
That's a lot of days in-between, with high winds and scorching temps to match.
Not the best of conditions to fight a fire, to say the least.

The  Poudre Park fire has canceled all the white water rafting that is a big
tourist attraction in the summer.
It has been re-opened to many evacuated residents today.
Keep in mind, these residents have been evacuated twice!

c.1904

I guess that's enough about fires for a while.
I have the greatest respect for the almost 2,000 firefighters that are battling blazes all around Colorado. It is hot. The fires are jumping and being eractic due to high winds. We have had firefighters battling the High Park Fire
since June 6.
Thank you.

Fire House Tour Day, from Dover I think.


Okay, I have to put in a little SUMMER FUN now!

courtesy of origamibears

Movie of the Day to watch:

Moon Over Parador

A really fun comedy that was panned by the critics.
Those silly movie critics - don't get me started!

This comedy is set in a fictional South American country (Parador)
and stars Richard Dreyfuss - a favorite actor of mine
and Sonia Braga - introducing me to her, and she is terrific!
and Raul Julia.
Raul Julia is excellent in this movie as a crazy 'bad guy', and he has some of the movie's best comedic lines!
Even Charro has a part in this little farce.
Tell me what you think of it after you have watched it!


Here are 2 more safety pin pins patterns
- say that 5 times quickly! -

Lady bug

Firefly
courtesy Sherri Osborn, http://www.familycrafts.about.com/

I think this little firefly pin is perfect for some
glow-in-the-dark beads, don't you?

Try using matte red beads for the ladybug,
and then shiny black ones for her spots!

Remember, a pattern is there as a guide,
not a hard-set-in-concrete type thing!
Play around, have fun!

Speaking of fireflies, here is nice little coloring page:

unknown source, but I suspect Dover books again!

Well, that's it for today folks!
I'm still gathering together my blog on Walt Whitman
and his eulogy to Abraham Lincoln and his death.
I've got to whittle it down, or I'm writing a book!
Also still picking up the last bits for
New Hampshire
and its' state flower - the purple lilac.

last minute call for help!

Does anyone live near
Newburgh, New York????


My first work shown in a gallery -
the Ann Street Gallery -
is being shown at the
'Altered Barbie' exhibit there.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a photo of my work hanging in a gallery!

PLEASE
 take a photo,
and gather a 'brochure' of the exhibit if there is one,
and I will pay postage.
The gallery is FREE
and

the last day is Saturday
June 30th.

My work is
Black Lace Barbie with Butterfly
original Collage Art Doll
by inkspired

Ann Street Gallery
104 Ann Street
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 784-1146

This would make me sooooo
happy!
:0)

inkspired