ACKLEY ADDICT

Testing My Motto

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:35:06 GMT

My motto is "No Guts, No Glory". On April Fool's Day, I tested myself, by initiating contact with a relative of Edith Ackley. There are many questions, regarding Mrs. Ackley & her work which I'm anxious to have answered. I often wonder if Mrs. Ackley had a garden; what was her favorite color; did she make and send cards to her relatives; did she collect dolls or belong to a doll club; who was her favorite writer & artist(not related to her); where did she purchase her fabrics; was she interested in sports; did she drive a car; did she use a pen name; was her hair ever short; who was her best friend; what were her favorite foods; did she dance? What questions would you ask?

Creative Space

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:18:32 GMT

EFA 's space was conducive to her creative energy. She apparently did not care if rules were broken. Good for her. My creative space had become a "nighmare". Probably due to my habit of working into the "wee" hours. As some of you know, I maintain a homepage dedicated to EFA, cloth dolls, etc. Please visit. A recent update of "before and after" photos, of what was once my creative space, is posted. Comments are welcomed as well as how you maintain your work space.

http://hometown.aol.com/efa4ever/index.html

Celebrate Spring! Make a Doll

Happy St. Patrick's Day & What's In THe Air?

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:07:57 GMT

What's in the air? Spring! Flowers, fresh air and great information! Thanks to the person sharing information regarding EFA's daring to create a puppet stage in her apartment! I'm never satisfied....any little bit of information is always welcomed.

Don't forget to visit all cloth dollmaking sites & groups to learn, share or lurk. I'm so happy to see flowering pear trees, mock crab apple blossoms, and birds.

Have a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

A picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:25:18 GMT

Photos of Edith Ackley appear to be "posed"...professionally arranged and stiff. Other than her dolls and puppets, there are few personal objects. I have noticed a sewing basket and other doll making materials . However, are these hers or photographer's props? Hmmmm?

The photo in "Marionettes" , shows EFA in front of a fireplace. No. It appears to be a stage. Is that a rug on the wall or the curtain for the stage? Her delightful marionettes are haphazardly placed around her. She looks bored, as if wanting the moment to quickly end. Her face is pretty and plain. Perhaps she is thinking of her late husband and wondering how she will raise a child.

If the pictures of EFA were takened in her home, I wonder where she found inspiration. As I explore questions about her creative space, I am also evaluating my own. How's your space geared toward creativity? Mine needs help.

Thanks and Remembrance

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:09:43 GMT

I celebrated Thanksgiving by not having to cook....only enjoy a wonderful meal with my family. Edith Ackley celebrated many Holidays with her family, having lived 80 plus years! On the anniversay of her death, I remember her with "thanks"....for sharing her talent with us. I'm especially thankful she wrote books & designed patterns.....my favorite "Dolls To Make For Fun & Profit".

CELEBRATE

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 04:06:52 GMT

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Addiction Extends

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:12:36 GMT

How am I to cope with this addiction? I enjoy being a collector, researcher of EFA & other cloth dolls and cloth doll makers/artists! What wonderful friends I have made by being addicted to cloth dolls! Cloth dolls may be made on any level by anyone! Those still possessing a childhood cloth toy is lucky! This is your history.....pass it on....extend it to the next generation! My daughter loved Teddy Bears....I saved them all. However, the bear she really loved was thrown from a high-rise balcony by a very bad 6 year old! The bear had served all odds, except those of a jealous child! Are we too jealous to extend our hobbies to the highest levels of being friendly? I hope not. The groups which I belong may be small but I like it!

This and That

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:44:43 GMT

A dear friend stated that blogs were replacing web sites...due in part to readers being subjected to mountains of ads. I 'm not one to really read the ads, but do search links. There are severals sites, pages, blogs specifically for cloth dolls & EFA! So, why are these interested parties silent.....except for discussions of dolls...only? Is there no interest in the life and times of Edith Ackley ? I find her fascinating. The somber photos reveal nothing of her personality as a dollmaker & puppeteer. I imagine her as vibrant and

Wish I could see a photo of her smiling.

Exercising Your Rights

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 04:40:11 GMT

Please exercise your right to vote!!!!

EFA & women her age spent most of their lives seeking equality. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Participate in politics where you will have some importance.

PARTICIPATE IN THIS POLL

In Memoriam

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:40:50 GMT

Susan Oroyan passed, August 31, 2007. What a great doll artist, author, mentor she was. I found her to be very friendly and always wearing a smile. The last time I spent with Susie was on a ride from her motel in Rockville, Md to Bethesda...our mutal friend Adele Dorge was driving, I provided directions...having lived in the area. The three of us laughed & joked our way down Rockville Pike to NIADA conference. Having taken a class from Susie at Wee Folk of Cloth, I could not work for enjoying the atmosphere! Lucky I am to have known her. She had mentioned EFA in one of her many articles. The doll world has lost a beautiful person but gained a watchful spirit.