I Wish You A Wonderful Weekend!

I woke up today in a great mood, the room was full of Sun, the birds were singing outside. It feels like the raining days are over.

I went barefoot outside on the deck to drink a cup of tea and the first that my eyes laid on was the peonies. I have only 2 types of peonies at this moment. I planted them last spring and the bushes stayed small all year without a sign of growing up, but at the same time without a sign of dying. I think, they fought for their life, and I hoped they would survived, and they DID!

I planted my peonies on the backyard trying to save them from deers, who eat everything on their way they see, therefore nobody else but our family can see them (what a pitty!). Since we don't spend all the time outside, I cut some peonies and put them in a vase upstairs in the sitting room. Each time I go upstairs I smell the magic gentle fragrance of these wonderful flowers. My DAD is a big fan of peonies. Each time when I see them now my nostalgia for home and my family that lives in Russia grows up more.

I decided to share the pictures of peonies (I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!) and my romantic mood with you and wish you a wonderful weekend!

While I was taking the pictures of peonies, I saw a little light green spider. This little green LIFE looks so fragile!

Natalia

Tatyana vs. Yasanna - Work In Progress

Today I was impatient to finish the dress. I made some changes for bodice and sleeves and Tatyana received her dress.

I also added light pink trim and pearl buttons to the dress. The dress doesn't seem finished for me though.

However, Tatyana is ready for wigging. Hmmm, do I want to go blonde, red, black, oh... pink for variety, lol...

Have a wonderful weekend!
Natalia

Tatyana vs. Yasanna - Work In Progress

Dana Burton offered a new kit - last doll (#4) from Heiress Series 2 - Russian Queen Yasanna.

It has been a long time since I dressed dolls and thought it would be a nice change to the activity I've been busy recently. Again, it is true to say that if you want to have a break from what you are busy with - find another activity, :))))

The name "Yasanna" doesn't sound Russian for me, and since it is supposed to be a Russian Queen(?), I decided to give her Russian name Tatyana. For some reason this name clicks with the character I would like to make, even though there was no female Slavic monarchs named Tatyana in the Russian history.

The first idea was to make Tatyana from "Eugene Onegin" by A.S. Pushkin, but the character of Pushkin's Tatyana doesn't match beautifully painted doll and the expression of her face (absolutely gorgeous work by Dana).
This lady seems ambitious for me, with a lot of pride... May be I'll change my opinion while working on her...

So, I haven't finished building her character yet, but assembled her legs, arms and dress skirt

Now I am back to fantasizing, :)))). May be I'll change the skirt and will go with the original fabric that was enclosed in the kit...

See you soon,
Natalia

Credits:
- face mold carried by Cynthia Howe (Lauren mold)
- painting, pattern by Dana Burton

Sneak Peek - Collection of Quarter Petit Point Rugs

I started working on a little collection of petit point rugs in a quarter scale, the scale I've gotten an interest recently. Some of them are stitched based on my design, some of them not.

This little one is designed by SharonG, stitched on 49 count silk gauze and measures 7/8" x 1 3/8".

Have a wonderful weekend,
Natalia

Dollhouse Miniature BAKHTIARI Rug - New Commission - Working Progress

This is my new commission - dollhouse miniature rug Bakhtiari, designed by Lucy Iducovich, that I started working on a while ago.

What are you working on?

Somewhere Where My Soul Sings - Toadstool, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah

Have I told you that I love hiking? With new route you not only cover miles and work on your endurance, you open whole new world you never knew exists.

Toadstool route, Grand Staircase-Escalante park, Utah is an easy and short hike, but the most extraordinary route I've ever hiked.

To reach the Toadstool we had to walk 1.1 miles along the dead creek.

You are advised to follow the path because of "bumps" or biological soil crusts in the sand that are a living web of organisms, a medley of lichen, fungi, and mosses. They benefit plants by absorbing water, adding nutrients, and stabilizing the soil.

On the way to the Toadstool I saw life.

A Toadstool is a spire-like feature with a boulder perched atop a pedestal rock, like a mushroom, or "toadstool". It forms when softer rock erodes away, leaving a column sheltered from wind and water.

I climbed on the top of the hill and a new valley was opened in front of me.

I wish one day I will be back to finish discovering Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah...

to be continued...

What the Eyes Can Say...

Do the eyes express the soul?

It is up to you to judge...

WELCOME TO BEARIZONA!

This American Bison looks sad for me.

Doesn't he seem to be happy? Isn't he smiling?

What are you looking at?

I think this one is asking your name...

and don't trust you

Tired?

Full of energy...

I couldn't find Black bear's eyes,

but found his claws

I think Porcupine was hiding something from me...

River Otter was very happy, playful, and naughty

My favorite - Bobcat - such a show off. He just knows how to win your heart!

Let me introduce Javelina to you. They don't like to be called pigs even though they look like wild pigs. Javelinas are actually the members of Peccary family; which are a group of hoofed mammals originating from South America.

Meet Red Fox with lovely tale, the one that nobody knows what it said

American Badger tried to understand our language, moving his heard each time when he heard somebody's talking.

Swift Fox didn't seem to like us and stayed far away

Have you ever seen a peacock opening his tale in front of you? It was my first time...

Oh, I got a ZOO...

to be continued...