Raindrops and Dandelions

Right now, my life is pretty full. It's full of family, full of activities, full of memorable moments, full of inspiration and creativity. My days are filled to the brim with play, music, reading, climbing, house work, laundry, groceries, preschool, family events, schedules. It's full of happy and it's a pretty lucky place to be in. That's not to say that everything is perfect. It's not. Some days can feel very full and it's important for me to take pause and balance the fullness with just being in the moment.

There have been some of the most memorable and happiest times I've had in recent months. Those were the days spent just being with my children...the days of walking in the rain with no purpose except to walk in the rain. In those moments, my children showed me a world filled with the simplest, yet most beautiful delights...hunting for rain puddles, stomping in them, looking deep into reflections, watching for dandelions.

Focusing on the things that make my life full and joyful provides me with all the inspiration for my creative world. So, naturally, from time to time I like to share a glimpse of our life on my blog. Here's to my tiny little man who recently discovered that he loves rain puddles and dandelions and hence brought both worlds of this magic into our lives. Mister Riley is his name. He is a tad over three and his recently developed obsession has taken us outside on all the rainy days to hunt for both puddles and white fluffy wishing wands. Any chance that he gets, he brings home small bouquets of dandelions for me. And through him, I too have taken to an obsession with the magic of raindrops and dandelions.

I am currently working to finish a pair of siblings, inspired by my two very own little hearts...the ones that showed me the way back into the magical world of childhood where small wonders rule the universe. For my little Miss Claire and little Mister Riley, who loves rain and dandelions.

A boy and a girl who carry with them memories of both raindrops and dandelions will come to life in the week ahead. So, stay tuned.

Embracing the Changes in Life

The evolution of life is a remarkable thing! Each and every day experiences shape and mold us into the person we are today. While each experience may or may not be monumental, they all add up to impact and change us in ways we never imagined. The most spectacular and simultaneously the most difficult may be that of parenthood...perhaps, even more specifically, that of motherhood.

Although I don't remember very clearly, as I was recuperating from the intensity of labor during our first child's birth, but, I was told that the first words to come from holding my baby for the first time was, "I never knew this kind of love existed." Those words stand true to this day. There is nothing to compare to the love that we have for our children. And until we have children, we never really know this kind of love...the kind that takes your breathe away each time you hold and hug and kiss the little ones that you love most, the kind that makes you know what it feels like to have your heart walking outside of your body, the kind that makes you marvel at the beauty and magnificence of life as you watch them learn and grow, fumble and fly. Each stage of development brings within us both joy and sadness...joy because they have mastered a skill, an ability, a piece of knowledge that will add to their life long repertoire of tools to becoming a fully independent and functional part of society and sadness because one step forward means one step further away from us they move.

Perhaps what most beautifully encapsulates human growth and development is that which is the butterfly...a life species that starts off slow moving, relatively sedentary, so completely dependent and vulnerable suddenly transforms into one of the most graceful, beautiful, independent and amazing creations on earth. The butterfly, not so unlike us, must be set free so that it can fly and BE beautiful. These creations of nature are very sensitive to changes and will be the first to perish from an imbalanced ecosystem. For what good is a butterfly who is sad and held back from fluttering freely in the wind and the air that breathes into them life.

And so, it is the same with our children. We must, at some point, allow them to fly and be free so that they may shine with all their brightness and beauty. And in turn, they will leave a mark on us that would never have formed if they did not come into our lives. This is called the love of life. So, tell me, do you know of this kind of love? And if you do, you know that embracing the changes in life can mean heartbreak, heartache and everything sorrowful at the same time that it means beautiful, magical and remarkable. These are the sentiments that encapsulate the inspiration for my next custom creation.

Elise Giveaway

This is the second round of Elise's Giveway drawing. Our first round winner did not come forward to claim her prize. So, we are looking for another home for Elise. Here she is!

Elise's new mama....THALITA ESSINGER! Congratulations! Please contact me within 24 hours to claim your little one. You can email me at young@scarletelfcup.com so that we can arrange for her trip home! Yay!!!!

Thank You for a Really Fun Week

I want to conclude this week by saying, thank you so much for your support of Scarlet Elfcup creations and the natural fiber arts. It would not be possible for me to learn and grow and have the time of my life dreaming, creating and living an adventure all at once, without you.

The existence of Scarlet Elfcup has been made possible not only by the people who love and support Scarlet Elfcup creations but also by the people who've provided inspiration for handmade fiber arts....these women are mothers, business owners, crafters, artists. There are a few significant individuals that I would like to send my deepest gratitude to. It is because of these individuals that Scarlet Elfcup came to life and continues to thrive and grow. 

Brandy Fortune from Pixie Purls, author of Just Like Me Knits - this is where it all started for me. At the end of 2013, while looking for more knit projects, I accidentally came across this book and it changed my entire course of interest. It was through this book that I discovered the beautiful world of Waldorf dolls/dolls made from fabric and it is also where I discovered the makers behind the dolls. One particular maker, Fig&Me, would be a pivotal inspiration. So, thank you, Brandy, for creating this sweet sweet book full of fun knits for the little ones and the little one's little one.

Fabiola Perez, maker behind Fig&Me - it is through Fabiola's blog and her incredible creations that I hopelessly fell in love with the making of these fabric dolls. It was through following Fabiola's own journey that sparked the fire in my heart to dive headlong into this beautiful craft. And this in turn, has had a profound impact on my personal life. Fabiola's creations are nothing less than magical, beautiful and soulful. Fabiola, herself, is also a person full of gentleness, kindness and wit....a creative genius and a savvy business woman. I have told Fabiola all this before and I will continue to tell her for as long as Scarlet Elfcup exists...that my gratitude and respect for her runs wide and deep and I'll always remember that.

Karyn Maizymoo, knitting needle wielder of Maizy Moo Knits - not only is Karyn a charismatic maker of children's and doll's clothing, she is also one of the nicest, kindest and funniest people I've met yet through Scarlet Elfcup. Anytime I need a good laugh I go over to Karyn's nest. Karyn not only ran a successful business of making the most beautiful hand knits for all manner of dolls, but she is also someone whose generosity and thoughtfulness is always meant to boost somebody else's creations or makings. I am grateful to have crossed paths with Karyn. Karyn has been on a break from her knitting needles. So, I haven't seen much of her around. I do miss her so. And I can't wait for her return when the time comes.

Julie Colby, maker behind Inviting Play - Julie has been my "go-to" person for so many Dollectable related technical support and beyond. She has always been there to answer any questions that I have and has made herself so completely available for all of the Dollectable members as well as provide direction and guidance in so many respects. Julie makes the most charming and incredibly playful dolls and her creations always sells instantly on Dollectable. So, we all know how busy life is for her. Even so, Julie is beyond generous when she gives so much of her time to help everyone else out. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Julie. You are a gem!

Dollectable - when Dollectable reached out to me at the end of last year and invited Scarlet Elfcup to join the group, my jaw simply dropped. Never in my dreams could I imagine that I would be able to work side by side with some of the most amazing, talented, funny, interesting and incredible doll makers around. The journey with this group of makers has been nothing less than wonderful and fun and inspiring. Thank you for letting me be a part of it all.

Without further ado, let me now introduce you to the new mamas of this week's giveaways....

Happy Easter!

Good evening! Has anyone seen where Today ran off to? That little Today, I seem to chase after it constantly. Well, I haven't any idea where it went or where to look for it next, but now I'm off to tuck Tonight in. I plan to see Tomorrow in the morning and when I do, I promise I'll be present to finally introduce you to the new mamas of the little ones you see below. So, see you in the morrow. Lala Salama! (means good-night in Kiswahili)

Elise

Hello there! Whatever it is you are doing this weekend, my hope is that you are having a fantastic time. I'm sorry to have come back here so late. But, our day was full with music, play and friends. The weather was perfect as perfect gets...sunny and mild, clear skies, cool breeze, the scent of Spring fills the air as the flowers blossom and the bees and the birds were out singing. On this weekend, Spring is in full swing and it inspired the awakening of this young lady....

ELISE...

Her name came to me for a reason that was not quite clear initially. For me, naming a creation or a doll comes in one of three ways...1.) for a doll, very intentionally and with a lot of thought and consideration, 2.) for a critter, not always, but often times, whimsically, playfully and sometimes without too much logic or deep connection to any particular idea, and 3.) with strong inexplicable intuition. In past creations, Willow Mae, Aoife and Mochta, Serendipity (Seren), and Peigi fell in the last category. And each of them turned out to have an uncanny connection to something that was meaningful to the persons for whom I created those dolls.

Category 3 is how Elise received her name. Her name came to me out of the blues, very suddenly and with inexplicable certainty. When this happens, I take a momentary pause to ponder just a bit why the name came to mind and always I am not able to answer my own question, but rather shrug and say to myself, "Ok...it sounds wonderful." And always, each time unexpectedly, the answer unveils itself at a later time.

Today, as I was preparing to write this blog, I looked up the meaning and history of the name Elise. Turns out Elise means "oath of God" or "pledged to God." I take this as an uncanny coincidence to Easter weekend. She was to be presented today as the 5th gift of the week. So, I think she chose her name well, with full knowledge and intention. 

Elise, the final gift of the week, sums up everything that is the essence of this past week and this weekend....a celebration of Easter, a celebration of Spring, a celebration of new beginnings and hence the reason that Scarlet Elfcup was introduced to the world at this time two years past.

The colors on Elise, her shoes and the hand embroidered flowers on her dress were inspired by colors and florals in my garden. Everything is so green, fragrant, fresh and beautiful. 

Elise is created from Scarlet Elfcup's 8" Le Petite Elfcup doll pattern. She stands 8" (20 cm) tall. She is made with all natural materials. Her doll skin is made with 100% cotton jersey made in the USA. She is firmly stuffed with bio-wool also made in the USA.  Her seams are sewn twice for reinforcement.  She has embroidered facial features. Her facial structure is sculpted giving her a sweet little face with an itty-bitty chin, round chubby cheeks, and deeper set eyes. Her nose, cheeks and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.  Elise's full mane is made of 100% suri alpaca crocheted onto a mohair wig cap. She is a sitting doll.  She also has a belly button and a bum.

Elise comes wearing a simple 100% cotton dress. The dress is detailed with a beautiful hand embroidered floral motif that I sketched and embroidered. In tiny stitches, the motif was inspired by things that grow in my garden at this time of year...dandelions, tiny mushrooms and one of my favorites, the forget-me-nots.

Elise's dress has tiny capped sleeves and opens fully on the back with two nickel-plated snap buttons. Underneath she wears a matching cotton bloomer.

Elise's shoes are hand knit with 100% alpaca, the color of brilliant forest green...one of my favorite shades of green and a green that can be seen all in our garden at this time of year, especially this year, after we've had a decently wet and luscious rainy winter. Elise also comes wearing a fanciful beret slouch hat made from pre-washed, clean, repurposed 100% cashmere.

Here she be...the last gift of the week...from Scarlet Elfcup. Thank you for being here to celebrate two years of dreams and adventures with us!

Elise is being given away as this week's 5th and last gift. To enter your name for the drawing, please join Scarlet Elfcup on Facebook...simply be a fan of the page, like the photo and link of Elise and share the post. Entry deadline is being extended because I was late in getting back here today. Entries will close on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 12:00 PM (PST). Announcement of winners will occur sometime Sunday evening.

Thank you for stopping in to say 'hello.' And good luck to you in the drawing!

A Final Small Anniversary Gift

Happy Friday, everyone!

This is Elise. If you are interested in meeting her, please check back on the blog sometime tomorrow, Saturday, March 26. She is waiting on some clothes. Tomorrow, the anniversary week's final blog will be posted and included in the blog will be details regarding Elise.

Please have a wonderful evening and thank you for stopping by today. 

Day 4 Anniversary Giveaway

For those of you who are greeting a new day...

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

For those of you who are bidding a day farewell...

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today, on the fourth day of our week long celebration, the second to last gift of the week......a FREE Semi-custom 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup to be delivered within the next 4 weeks.

The 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup is Scarlet Elfcup's signature doll...the smallest doll in my line of dolls and my most favorite to create. The 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup pattern was introduced in the Fall of 2014...nine months after I began Scarlet Elfcup. I fell so hopelessly in love with this size doll that I haven't been able to stop making them.

This tiny creation was derived from my original 6" doll, Gardien. The Gardien was one of my very first creations, begun because I wanted to make the smallest size doll possible which can still maintain a good form fit for detailed clothing. That's always been my thing....I LOVE SMALL. When I reflect on this, I find that this applies to almost everything in my life. When I camp and backpack, I pack only things that can be packed as small and as tight as possible. When I climb, the smaller the holds, the more gravitated I am and the more thrilled I am with the climb. When I pack for travel, I travel with the smallest pack I can...if it doesn't fit in the pack, it doesn't come. I traveled for 2 months through the Himalayas and India with one backpack the size of a daypack and carried with me exactly two pairs of clothes...one I wore on me and one I kept as a spare in my pack. (I handwashed and hung them to dry each day for 2 months...so, yes, I did bathe during those two months.) When I shop, I love to buy things that are small or that can be packed up small. When I knit, I love knitting with 0000 size needles. They are my favorites to knit with. There, you see...I just love all things SMALL.

So, it is no surprise that the first sized dolls I really wanted to create were the 6" dolls. When I created Gardien, I was pretty thrilled. But, I wasn't happy with how the Gardien looked. I wanted something equivalent to the large sized dolls...sophisticated, beautiful, well structured....but just many levels smaller. So, I worked to do exactly that and hence was born the 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. And to today, the 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup remains the size I make the most of.

Today, I want to offer you a chance at a FREE Semi-custom Scarlet Elfcup 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. The doll will be created with mohair yarn, an unsculpted face (just like the original featured in all the photos above), and will come with one outfit. To enter your name for the drawing, simply leave a comment below and leave me your first and last name so that I may contact you in the case that you are a winner. (Note: If your comment doesn't appear on the comment block below straight away, do not fret. It takes some time to get processed and then it will eventually appear.)

Entries will close on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM (PST). The winner will be announced via the Scarlet Elfcup blog sometime on Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Thank you for stopping by and good luck if you are entering your name for the drawing.