Friday, January 08, 2010

Shepherdesses and Valentines

It's not "Crafty Thursday" anymore, but I was sick with strep throat all yesterday and missed out on most of the day. I'm recovering! So, here's my post:

I'll admit that I didn't have anything particular planned to feature for Valentine's Day (over a month away, too), but when the team leader of NaturalKids announced a "Valentine's Day challenge" it occured to me that I could make little shepherdesses with hearts on their capes. The heart theme would be in keeping with Valentine's Day, but the shepherdesses themselves could have more versatile for storytelling and display. Here is a photo of the first four shepherdesses I made:



This is my favorite photo of the shepherdesses:


Speaking of Valentine's Day, does anyone else recall the book The Blue Valentine (as opposed to the album by Tom Waits)? I believe it's the one by Gwen Schultz. When I did some internet digging, I found author Laurel Snyder's post about it, wondering if anyone else recalled its existence. It looks as if the library system where I can't place holds has a copy, and that it is indeed the book I remember.

19 comments:

MotherReader said...

These are so adorable with the little sheep and everything.

I love how when you're working on a craft, each thing you do leads you to try something else just a little different from the last time. It's a bit addictive.

Jenny Schwartzberg said...

I love these dolls! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible creativity with us.

Lone Star Ma said...

Those sheep are so cute.

I don't remember that book.

Carol H Rasco said...

The dolls are incredible, I am so glad the Comment Challenge led me here! If you find you will be in Washington, DC at anytime, please give me a call, we would love for you to come by and visit RIF! I'll be back to visit another day.

jama said...

Love these, Farida! Hearts are my favorite :). The little sheep are adorable. ♥ ♥ ♥

Lissa said...

I am positively swooning! Oh my!

I may have to take a crack at these with my younguns. The sweet little hearts on the back, and the lovely embroidery: delightful.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

You are really amazing Alkelda!!! You have taken your art to a higher form and I am so impressed. Your photography is really wonderful too.

Kathleen said...

Oh my, they are SO adorable!

Saints and Spinners said...

My dear commenters, please let me know if you ever need external validation, for I am surely grateful for this group of positive comments.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Farida - The title of the Lennon film I watched is "Nowhere Boy". Blackpool is a big seaside resort just north of Liverpool.
By the way, why are the Valentine shepherdesses holding dried brown earthworms?

Saints and Spinners said...

YP: Those aren't earthworms. They are earworms, and I'm going to send one right your way to sing ABBA songs nonstop inside your head. That'll teach ya!

Jules at 7-Imp said...

The shepherds and shepherdesses of LOVE.

gojirama said...

Those are just adorable! I love the little sheep.

Vivian Mahoney said...

Oh! These are so beautiful!

Amy said...

I can't believe you just whipped these up - they are adorable as others have said here. Very very cute!

The Library Lady said...

The shepherdesses are adorable, but the sheep are what really tickle my fancy. Love 'em!

And I love that book as well--I remember it vividly from my childhood, though I don't think I've had a copy in the library for years.

Hannah said...

Those dolls are so exquisite that if my four year old craft nut saw them, she would immediately begin demanding that I help her make some (because she far overestimates my crafting abilities)!

silly eagle books said...

These are gorgeous! I just started thinking about valentines day crafty things today...you've inspired me even further. I'm so glad I found your blog through the comment challenge!

Anonymous said...

I like all your dolls, but I *especially* love these ones. :)