Cheryl, the Slow Learner--Part Three

On to the next part of my story. We've established that in my search for "My Passion," I learned that jewelry making was too hard on my hands and I moved on to carving and printing wood block prints. Somehow in my little brain I figured that carving wood blocks was easier on my hands. Yeah, I know--doesn't make much sense does it? But wait..it gets even BETTER!

As time went on, I let go of printing and slowly admitted that it probably wasn't a good idea for my hands. Besides, I didn't miss it. So my search went on. Then I stumbled upon Hitty. "Hitty--Her First Hundred Years" by Rachel Field has always been one of my girls' and my favorite books. It's a story about a 6 1/2 inch wooden doll's travels and adventures in the 1800s. Very charming. But what I didn't know was that there were all sorts of people who MADE her! Oh, that stirred the imagination of Ms. Do-it-herself!

Yes, you guessed it. "My Passion" took a turn from carving wood blocks to carving Hittys--wood-pegged joints and all. Yes, I hear you asking now, "How was carving little dolls easier than carving printing blocks?" It's a valid question. Well..I could tell you how pulling a carving knife towards oneself is easier than trying to precisely push and stop a carving knife through a block..and it would be true. But, PLEASE...WHAT was I thinking?! Carving is still hard on the hands. See what I mean about being a slow learner? By the time I had become rational again, I had already carved, sanded, painted, varnished, and clothed 2 little Hitty dolls and had started a third (now forever banished to a box in the basement).

I must admit that we had fun taking the Hittys on our own travels and adventures. Here's my first Hitty sitting at the base of a huge tree.

And here are my two Hittys sitting on the lawn of Monticello.

And at the Lincoln Memorial we have my two Hittys joined with a Hitty by Gail Wilson. My eldest daughter received it as a Christmas present during our "Hitty Fever." Gail creates beautiful Hittys from paper mache with cloth bodies. She sells all sorts of necessary supplies and kits for dolls and doll's furniture. I still love looking through her website, Gail Wilson Designs.

One or more Hittys still enjoy joining us on our travels--particularly when we are camping--we just have gotten more lazy about photographing them.

So, in my search for "My Passion" I never found it. I gladly put aside my carving knives because my hands hurt so much that I just couldn't ignore them any longer. And I gave up my search. Tomorrow I'll tell you about the conclusion. Although I'm sure you've already guessed that it has something to do with teddy bears!

Warmly,

Cheryl