Underground Railroad Cage Doll

I often marvel at what a basecoat of color can do! Here, a bit of Burnt Sienna just breathes life and adds some personality to her face. (a rather pensive stare!)

I attached the neck and wood head to a duck cloth canvas bodice, that is firmly stuffed and nailed to a piece of wood on the top of the wired skirt.

Some wooden wings with reproduction vintage papers adhered, a bit of vintage lace over the shoulders and a button for a brooch... Yikes...she has no arms! She definitely needs arms! They will have to wait for another day! Enjoy! Daryle

A new cage doll angel has been in the works...since early December! She has a wooden head (seen here) covered with some Gesso and paper-clay details. Her eyes are vintage shoe buttons, set into the paper-clay. The cage is a recycled wire container that I found at a local thrift shop. It is painted black, inverted and attached to a wood base. I found a keyhole that fit perfectly between the wires of the skirt. Several vintage, rusty keys are hung with a piece of coffee stained jute. Here in Salem County, not far from where we live, the Goodwin Sisters House is one of the best documented Underground Railroad "safe-houses" in New Jersey. It was operated by two sisters who were Quaker abolitionists. This cage doll is in honor of them and the dozens of men, women and children they ministered to!

A Teddy for Our Grandson!

My heartfelt thanks to Vivianne Galli for designing and sharing this wonderful pattern. Using her "Sara" bear pattern... I made our grand-baby his first teddy bear, celebrating his first birthday on December 28th!
Meet Ryan's Bear...

Christmas Blessings!

Wishing you the peace and joy that comes in knowing the Prince of Peace!

Daryle & Katie

Good Saint Nick!

I finished Saint Nick just in time for our open house at the parsonage last evening. He stands about 22 inches tall, finding his home on our fireplace mantle among the greens and pine cones. His waist coat jacket is wool, his leggings cotton flannel and his head is paperclay. A local lamb provided his locks! A generous sprinkle of German glass glitter and he’s ready for the journey on Christmas Eve! His bag of wood wool and sticks says: “Naughty boys & girls gets sticks and coal!” On a personal note: I have learned this the hard way! The hang tag on his waist coat reads: “Riding the pale moon, in the night sky... Good Saint Nick with a twinkle in his eye.” Daryle

Our First Winter Storm!

We are in the middle of a powerful nor’easter... with well over a foot of snow on the ground, and a forecast of steady snow through the night! It is our first real snow storm in four winters, here in South Jersey! Our neighbors have been just incredible, out shoveling sidewalks for folks and clearing driveways as well. We have a fire in the fireplace and plan on settling in for a quiet evening at home! The feeders have been a flurry of feathers all day, with buntings, cardinals, house wrens, chickadees, finches and jays... all getting their fill. Spread the cheer!

"Love"

"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."


1. Corinthians 13:13