Hope that you like the new LOOK!

Hi! I so hope that you had a marvelous and blessed weekend.
I also hope that you like the new look? Just seemed time for a change, so I decided to take the plunge and just DOIT!

I have been rooting that melon head of Camelah Elaine (just keep breaking needles on it, not cool). I do believe that she's going to be simply adorable if I might say so myself. OK, I will. She's going to be simply a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e! LOL Then, I want to get started on the "tiny ones". I just can't wait! I have always said that I am a slow painting artist. I just like to complete the baby / babies that I am working on, giving them my total focus before going to the next unless they are special orders. I always have and I am thinkin...I always will.

I even attended my 45th class reunion, kinda under protest, but glad that I did go to the banquet. It was kinda fun, good seeing some people that I hadn't seen since high school! Why did we have a "roaring twenties" theme? I don't know...I still tried to participate in spite of it and those that didn't. (snickering) I will have to get pictures on here soon!

Got to see "Sister Trip" and I haven't laughed that much in years! It was just good and the cast was ALL STAR in my book any day! Needed a break from all of the mess that's going on. Had to take my little Diva to the vet 2 weeks ago, doing something that she really rarely does...excuse me, but puking. Then she has been literally gnawing on her paws at certain times (one in particular) and that I figured was allergy related especially after it rains and she walks in the grass. She chews her own nails, turns those little suckers into cat claws and I do find that amazing, painful, but amazing. Then I had noticed that she had started losing weight but, in her case it was good because she is my little pudjums! I even asked her if she was putting herself on a diet...did I get an answer, no not really. However, if looks could kill. All joking aside, she was scaring me. I mean I understand that she'll be 10 next April but I am looking to spend with her another 10, God willing. She has been my rock and my little furry guardian angel through it ALL. So off to the vet and 4 meds (all total later poor thing had a yeast infection in her ears and on her paws which included a bacterial infection. She's doing much, much better no more puking, still does some itching after walking in wet grass, but less intense. My GURL is in love with her bland diet of boiled "chic/rice pattays" that I have been feeding her.You would think that she was getting prime rib. Will be transitioning her back to her regular diet and I am seriously thinking of changing that . Her little bro-bro has been giving her moral support, except when he pooped on the floor of the vet hospital (another not cool moment in time).

Well, been up all night guess I do need to go to bed! Have a wonderful day and yak back at ya soon! Next time pictures too!

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie www.loveisforevernursery.com

Welcome to the New Year!

I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year! Christmas was fairly nice, family fun with lots of good food and games, but draining. Still...someone was missing and I know that it will NEVER be the same and 2016 wasn't very kind. I had a few issues going on with me personally, hope to have that resolved very soon. We had a rather serious upset in the reborn world. Seems someone has tried to monopolize the description of reborn combined with baby doll. Another big mess, using Baby FX air dry paints and loving them, then I find out they felt compelled to give up a wonderful product because of the expense in producing it. Shissh, that's so sad.

I have to have a new outlook, the other way definitely wasn't motivating to say the least, so I'm starting now! I have some custom memory babies that I am beginning to work on and completed a few cuties over the last year. 2017 is going to be an AWESOME year...one way or another! LOL

I will slowly continue my progress until I am a full throttle and hopefully with fewer setbacks~I have finally modified my nursery work area to my liking, don't know why it took me so long to figure it out. Duhhh. No matter, I was always told better late than never!

One of my problems was that my work area was too small when I redid it. I don't even think it is more than 10 inches wide. The idea before was to rid myself of free-standing tables. It didn't quite work out for me as you can see. I literally felt right down claustrophobic before, hence the free standing table.

Happy to say that the new year, my creative juices once again began to slowly flow. A lady named Theresa at Menards was very helpful and resourceful in getting me what I needed to accomplish my design modification after we got on the same page. It's the first time that the men made no sense to me nor I to them apparently. I just needed and wanted to keep it simple, not elaborate. On January 1, I worked on staging my drop down leaf  (in truth it will probably never get dropped down (chuckling to myself)), but it's always possible if I need to! By the 2nd of January I had it all set up and ready for work. YEAHHHH!

The legs fold neatly under and attach to the bottom of the leaf with a hook and eye which was her great idea, I had something else in mind but this was just as sweet, cost effective and easier. Now that's more like it!

Well, I'll stop here and I have some wonderful photos to add for the next time that I hope that you'll enjoy. Until then sweet dreams and blessings!


From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie www.loveisforevernursery.com

Jeffrey"s ALL smiles!

He's going to live In Willaston South Australia Why? Because he finally

 

got a NEW mommy! He's all excited and he's all packed to waiting to go! I am so very happy for him and I can feel myself breath again! LOL He's the Donna RuBert's "Stinker" sculpt.


From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie www.loveisforevernursery.com

Lil Abra Preview!

 

She's coming along and looking too cute. She's being rooted and has eyebrows now! LOL

 

 

She is Jolina (awaken) by Manuela Muth. Will bring more updates shortly!

 

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie www.loveisforevernursery.com

My Review of Hand Knit Hat and Booties - Blue - fits about 2-4 lbs

Yes, been there again! I just love their micro-preemie clothing and accessories for that perfect fit for my preemies! I just got these little things and ready to get them on some lucky little preemie reborn! LOL

Originally submitted at The Preemie Store & More

Hand-knit hat and booties of soft, stretchy acrylic

Hand Knit Hat and Booties - Blue - fits about 2-4 lbs

Just Adorable!

By Loves2Reborn from St. Louis, MO on 1/13/2012

5out of 5

Fit: Feels true to size
Pros: Colorful, Lightweight, Soft, Cute, Durable, Easy to put on
Best Uses: Preemies
Was this a gift?: No

I am a reborn artist that loves to bring to life like quality preemie dolls. Finding "tiny" baby clothes is not easy. I have shopped the Preemie Store several times and have always been satisfied with the product. Yes, I recommend this product for your very real babies! Just adorable and a definite keepsake!

(legalese)

My Review of Micro Preemie White Stretch Cap - fits up to 3 lbs

I just love this little cap, because it's UNISEX...boy or girl. I am working a special baby for one of my sisters that is dealing with a not so nice illness and want to surprise her. Haven't decided on boy or girl but just depends on what pops out at me when I finish. Hope to cheer her up and keep her attitude as positive as it has been!
Originally submitted at The Preemie Store & More

...little head warmer for teenie girl or boy

Micro Preemie White Stretch Cap - fits up to 3 lbs

Tiny and Cute

By Loves2Reborn from St. Louis, MO on 1/13/2012

5out of 5

Fit: Feels true to size
Pros: Cute, Soft, Easy to put on, Durable, Lightweight
Best Uses: Preemies
Was this a gift?: No

I am a reborn artist that loves to bring to life like quality preemie dolls. Finding "tiny" baby clothes is not easy. I have shopped the Preemie Store several times and have always been satisfied with the product. Yes, I recommend this product for your very real babies! Just adorable and a definite keepsake!

(legalese)

My Review of Gerber Preemie Blue Hat, Mittens and Bootie set - up to 5 lbs

Another cute little set that yes, I see to buying baby boy things. Humm, is that where I am headed again...a little tiny boy. Maybe!

Originally submitted at The Preemie Store & More

Made of 100% cotton for extra softness against baby's delicate skin

Gerber Preemie Blue Hat, Mittens and Bootie set - up to 5 lbs

The picture does not do justice!

By Loves2Reborn from St. Louis, MO on 1/13/2012

5out of 5

Fit: Feels true to size
Pros: Strong Seams, Lightweight, Soft
Best Uses: Everyday Wear, Cold Weather, Sleeptime, Layering

I am a reborn artist that loves to bring to life like quality preemie dolls. Finding "tiny" baby clothes is not easy. I have shopped the Preemie Store several times and have always been satisfied with the product. Yes, I recommend this product for your very real babies! Just adorable and a definite keepsake!

(legalese)

Well baby has a name...meet

Jameelah!

She's not finished yet, so she will definitely be a New Year baby! I have to glue in her hair and fine tune a few things but I think that she came out wonderful! I still have to put her all together, but I needed to take photos of her so she's just kinda together. LOL I just love doing these tiny ones, I don't know why but it's just something about them. Her hair is gorgeous! I didn't go wrong getting her hair from TNGN (Deb) it's the color I want and just as soft as it can be! I love the fact that she lets you know what clip and what the name of the goat is and if the hair is kid or yearling. I even like how she prepares it, you know the cut end without a doubt. Anyway enough jabbering.

tried a little hair painting for the baby fine hair

added spit bubbles, removed the one on the far left, a little over-kill

we've got beautiful hair!

This one was taken with my cellphone so it's a little blurry

Ohhh, ohhh Cameron named Jamie is now living in England with his new mommy and nani, this is some of what she had to say:

:) we are all very happy amazed with Jamie he's amazing feels real, looks real you did a brilliant job !! My daughter very pleased with him we all are. Me and my daughter cried lol so thank you very much

After seeing someone on FB, she is also interested in can you guess? Yes, Jameelah as Jamie's baby sister, so much for the update, well I've got to get back to work!

 

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

Anna Sculpt in need of a name!

I am feeling more inspired with this one! I think that she is coming out awesome! Don't ask how many layers she's gotten since I started on her. Light umber, Flesh 2, red and a hint of blue

I think her tummy plate is becoming a good match

but...she's still got a way's to go, which  is good while I wait on her hair from Deb of TNGUN. I have selected a cute little WILBETH outfit for her. Now I really need a name for her.


From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

Well it's been a year now

As you know it has been a very hard year for me trying to pick up the pieces and be me again without him, it's just still a struggling issue. I have tried different avenues to get me together and it's better some days than others but still leaves me thinking and veering off course. I keep busy but it's not really where I am trying to get back to but simply accomplishing things that we spoke of doing around the house and I am coming to the end of that road. I finally got some closure. My husband now has his marker (after a year, numerous phone calls, a lawyer and them putting it on someone else's loved one's grave. Just another chapter). Now, I am dealing with the fact that a very close family member has been very recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I truly pray that it's in very early stages and all is contained, better yet that they are totally wrong!
I have been working on updating my website. Started a memorial page dedicated to those of us that grieve for a loved one and I have several books that I ordered and working on reading to help me through this. The one I am in now "How to go on living when someone you love dies" by Therese A. Rando, Ph.D. I finished "When will I stop hurting" by June Cerza Kolf and I do know now that I am not going crazy with these torrents of emotions.
I can't remember if I said this but I have been taking guitar lessons, I think it will be a while before I really make sounds that I recognize. lolrothf I have a baby finished named Cameron, but I can't show any pictures until the contest is over in a couple of weeks! LOL I love how beautiful the skin tone coloring came out and the mohair from TNGUN is so wonderful and it stays baby soft, she may be my top mohair supplier next to Slumberland!

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

I have been busy!

It's been a while I know, but I have been busy! We just had our very first family reunion on my dad's side and it was awesome!!! My cousin did a bangup job of locating family that we never knew and organizing the reunion.  Orher things have been going on to numerous to mention, so I'll get to the other good stuff!

As hard as it has been for me to get motivated again I have been working on Raven / Cookie and she's coming along nicely! She has the German glass eyes whereas Paris has the soft silicon eyes.

I should have my head examined...I have been working on "Stinker", another toddler haven't decided on his name. LOL He's a biggin too, but I think that he's going to be cute! I did reshape his teeth (a great idea from another reborner on DF forum), still looks a little alien to me however time will tell but obviously it's going to be another boy!

Well here's Raven:

THEN

NOW...

She still has a little ways to go, but I think that she's going to really be cute with her "twin big sister" Paris, who by the way has been patiently waiting for her little sister. Just hope that it doesn't take as long to root her hair! LOL I have already pierced her ears. Well as she develops I will update.

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

Capri made it!

Capri and her mommy are together and bonding very well! Her words "I love her, she looks just like I knew she would!"

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

It's Official Now!

My prize finally arrived! I got my official certificate and little tiara (it is so adorable!) and now I am pleased to announce my latest achievement July, 2010.  Winning the Miss Baby Doll World Contest with little Tiffanie Ciara (who lives in Hong Kong with her mommy)!

This was a wonderful achievement for me after having gone through the awful trauma of having my tooth pulled Thursday and realizing that this one tooth has been extremely expensive to fix and finally replace. To all that supported her, I thank you so much!

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

Life gets in the way again...

First I want to wish everyone a safe and HAPPY 4th of July! Be careful with the fireworks and don't eat to much BBQ! We just got back from my sister's celebrated a day early! Food was deelish!

Now about life...
My husband spent a week in the hospital due to fluid buildup due to his bad heart and it was on the other side of town. Running back and forth really takes time out of your day and energy! Prayerful and thankfully he has gotten out and has lost a lot of fluid so he is much more comfortable and a lot thinner 2 weeks later. Now I am on antibiotics due to a tooth abcess and happily waiting for a tooth extraction next week (a very expensive tooth I might add considering a root canal, crown and $1600 later oh did I mention the bone graphs). I am now looking at about the same amount for the extraction and a partial to replace it, the tooth probably should have been pulled at first. Oh well who knew?

The good news is that I am learning proper color mixing techniques in my class and getting the pretty brown shades instead of muddy-what-the-heck-is-this. It is so interesting how two colors can create a value that can go on and on by adding a little more each time and add orange and watch it totally change!


I will start painting on my canvas next class now that I have it drawn. It's a 3 hour class that goes by so quickly that it is unbelievable. I am trying to hold off painting AA's until I see what techniques I can apply with the paints that I already have. I will take my primary colors next class to get a true feel for them. Not saying that I won't be using my premixes, but I can sure enhance them when doing my AA babies! I am very very tempted to start painting my caucasian and asian babies that have been waiting, patiently I might add, but every time I get all set, something happens. They had their baths weeks ago! I have always believed everything happens for a reason...I believe this better be a real good one! lolrothf So my thought is I keep getting slowed down (some how that doesn't sound like proper english but you get the message) not knocked out. I have hope!

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

Keanu's got picture updates

He's coming along slowly, guess I haven'g got my grove totally back or this alpaca hair is finer than I thought, but I am working on it! lol See his progress on his personal page!

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

It's a Boy (almost)!

Keanu Reeves is one of my all time favorite actors, did I forget to say "Hunk", and for some reason this Jannik sculpt put me in mind of him (if he was finished; tight and bright dark eyes, fair skin, full lips, dark hair and a very happy baby). He has gorgeous Lebanese features:

This is what I feel like one of his children might look with a little of mom and a lot of dad, my opinion I know, even if he doesn't put you in the moment and it's just my little vision, I like the idea of a little Keanu, let's meet him. If you are shy or easily shocked don't stare too long, cause it's a BOY! :


The Beginning...I have taken his "progress photos" with my new D 3000 Nikon :


The sculpt is Jannik by Master Artist Birgit Gutzwiller from Little Dolldreams Collection, his facial features looked so alert and screamed B-O-Y. I am reborning him using LDC permanent air dry paints. I switched his original limbs and added Sheila Michael's anatomically correct torso because it seemed that it was made for him. It has happy hands (full limbs) that look like they might say "I just want to touch everything".

Here he has had his first few layers...he will have 20mm eyes in Oriental brown (because he would have his father's beautiful dark eyes wouldn't he?)

Now he's got more coloring, he has human hair eyelashes and I have put in his eyes. I shot this yesterday right before it started getting dark outdoors and the next one outdoors from today).

His Binky is now functional, so he's very happy. Gotta do his nails and eyebrows!

All done with his nails, got them sealed off to do his eyebrows while his nails dry. This is an outdoor shot today, oddly enough it was very overcast. Thank God that I got this one right before it started to sprinkle. We've been getting a lot of rain the last few days!

I'll be back with more shortly!

Update:

He's got the sweetest little dimples...the cutest little tongue and I think that he's trying to teeth! I have to do his creases and little fat folds. Then I will start on his hair. I decided to use the natural black Alpaca  (it's beautiful just like his virtual dad's hair) on him too, it's just sooo soft. I can't wait to see the contrast with his skin tone.


So this is skinny of what I have been doing for the last few days. I told you I was getting back into my groove! LOL Well, brought you up-to-speed on little Keanu! He will have his own page like little Jack with the rest of his progress so stay tuned!  Now that I've got him started, I'll need to get started on little "Jack".

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

I got my "Jack" and Tamie's done it again!

Meet little soon-to-be-reborn Jack by Tamie Yarie!

He is definitely the most adorable micro-preemie done with Tamie's master touch!! I thought that I was in love with Samiah. He's her very first EXCLUSIVE edition limited to 250, world wide!

He is so tiny and so adorable, all 12 inches of him! He even has a few little fat folds on his legs and his little face has that very newborn puffy look. Can you see them? Even the shape of his tiny head is very realistic! I've done a lot of preemies and micro-preemies and I must admit that he has more detailing than some that I have done being this tiny.

Now in the real world, we know that preemies have very little if any fat reserve, so just the hint makes him all the more cuter and healthier looking! I gave him his bath and I just have a strong feeling that he will be the start-up of my babies! I will certainly enjoy doing his skin tones with Genesis paints (he will fit in my little oven very nicely). I just love the little ones, they are so determined to survive that they put their all into making it into this world, with every breath an effort. It's a small tribute to their huge effort, the fight that many more can win now and that is why I so love to reborn them! I thank God for modern medicine, which can give them that extra push to help them through all of it.

Oh, did I say that I am excited about my art class (hehe)? I must be VERY excited, because in my excitement...I forgot to tell you what really did it for me! My instructor will teach me / her students how to make, yes I said make, my/ our own shade ranges of brown. I never did like having to depend on the "factory" made browns because when you try to enhance them they become a very muddy dull color. So, I always felt at their mercy of too much red or too much yellow. There never seemed to be a happy medium for me, work with what you have or pay the price of "stripping"! When this class is over, I will probably have a lot of colors for sale. Lol She said that she uses a very limited palette of colors to make many colors. I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Her paints of choice are the Liquitex brand interesting enough, but she's going to work with the colors that I already have. I have their mediums but have never tried the paints. I thought that it was very nice of her...now all I have to do is make a list of all of the colors that I have. Hummm, I should have that list done by June don't you think? lolrotf

Check Jack's page for his progress!!!

From my heart to yours... Hugs, Judie

Vacation is OVER! Kits, kits, and more kits!

Getting my creative juices flowing again, finally! lol I am so excited! I had a family situation that was ongoing and honestly I became totally side tracked. That has now been resolved!

I will be taking a continued education art class for different paint mediums to improve my skin tones in my AA babies starting in June. I had the opportunity to talk with a wonderful instructor and she was so interesting and interested, being a doll collector as well, in working with me. I always feel that I never know enough and I always want to improve my painting techniques (any chance that I get) so that you as a reborn collector will never be dissappointed in purchasing my babies. I have so many in mind that I want to start, I can't make up my mind where to start (have I said that before? :0))! They are all adorable kits! For example and just to name a very few:

Jolina (awaken) by Master Artist Manuela Muth, 1st Peep by Charlotte Parry, Jiao by Adrie Stoete, Erika by Shawna Clymer, Tessa by Didy Jacobsen and Max by Tamie Yarie

I am waiting patiently on my Jayden by Claire Taylor, Jack by Tamie Yarie (I love doing preemies), Marco by Master Artist Nel de Man and Capri by Jorja Pigott (Gooooooo JORJA!!!). Debbie Henshaw of "They Never Grow Up Nursery did an amazing job on her prototype too!! Yeahhhhh Debbie!!!

In addition, I am now the proud owner of some gorgeous Suri Alpaca fiber from Renee of Black Meadow Farm in a NATURAL black from her Kona that I am dying to use, it is definitely a different finer texture which will work great for my "day old" newborns and preemies. I know that my mohair fiber is luxiouriously soft and of very high quality (from Ellen of Slumberland Nursery)with very little waste and works very well for my newborns and toddlers. The clincher is that I love the fact that it is not dyed and the color is even (no reds or white hairs that I have seen). I have had no luck with the darker colors of mohair, through time, they still seem to bleed. Okay, I guess that I am excited about everything and just need to get busy! They have all had their baths so I will be posting my before photos when I get started soon!

Don't forget to visit my website and sign my guestbook! I'd love for you to see my new look!
From my heart to yours...

Playing catch up everywhere! First things first!

Mind you my nursery is getting smaller and smaller! lol I finally got motivated and re-furbished two doll cradles that my sister "insisted" that I needed from one of her many finds. The cradles were in bad shape and I wasn't really interested in them but I gave it a go! I forgot to take a "before" photo of the larger one so use your imagination, just imagine the little one 10 X's bigger and a little darker and not quite as bad looking. I am still finessing the larger one which has a "Mickey Mouse" theme and the little one which is completed has the "Pooh Bear" theme. Here's the small one Before:


After:


Here's the big one in comparison:


From my heart to yours...

A new but old kick for me.

Feeling kind of morose, yes it happens when I reach my saturation point. I have so many beautiful kits that I want to do (I just got my BB kits Meg and Aisha today, they are adorable). It’s when my hands start doing everything but what I want them to do. A side effect from CTS, and yes I had the surgery on both hands. They still go numb and cramp up, and by over compensating it affects my neck and upper back in the worst way, especially when rooting baby heads. Even typing takes its toll. Then my heart aches, took me years to figure it out why and what was happening to me at this time of year, every year. I still miss my moma (always spelled it this way and she thought it was too funny). It was my special name for her. Next month since I lost her on the 13th, it will be 13 years; still there are times it seems just like yesterday. She was my inspiration and when I didn’t have any confidence in myself, she knew just how to restore it and give me that push (that’s what mama’s do don’t they). When I started faltering she always had a way of lifting my budding strength of mind and never put me down (even when I thought it was a silly whim). She would tell me “to just do the best that you can and be the best at what you do, no matter what it is”. She taught me how to sew using dolls and up until now I had lost the desire to sew. Before she died I was making wedding gowns and veils for clients, that aspiration died with her and I just stopped. I got rid of everything that made me think of sewing except for her machine, mine and my serger, but they were covered or in a sewing cabinet for years. I couldn’t even bring myself to repair my husband or my things, but I don’t know I guess I figured may be one day, I might want to do it again, maybe. Yet again…I just miss her and only someone that’s been there can truly understand that funky heavy emotional state that envelops every fiber of your being when it gets close to that time of year. It just sneaks upon you.


Sorry, I am not trying to sound morbid; I hope that I don’t come across as that. Getting back on track, to keep my skills intact, I have to decide what I can do to keep up without over doing it. While I wait to restore some functional use by letting my hands semi-rest, it came to me when I saw them, and decided to do what I haven’t done in a long time! I purchased some (technically) generic porcelain dolls and decided on what I wanted to do with them. It came to me, dressing or should I say redressing them…my way. Knowing how to reborn now, to change what I want to change to get them there, whether it be reshaping eyelashes that reach the eyebrows unnaturally or changing the lip shades and skin tones if no more than subtlety. I have just about completed my first three darling young ladies named Anya (a beautiful blond with a love of salsa mixed with a little Asian flare) Panya (the dancing fairy of whom I am very pleased with, yes I know that their names are very close, however they really are two distinct names that fit their personalities) and my first Dasia (a dark sultry beauty that transformed beautifully, if I may be so presumptuous). Well here they are:

From my heart to yours...I hope that you like them