Lucile

"Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot, like me? Don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak, like me ? "
- pop song lyrics

Tony's a hot guy. Figuratively and literally, considering that it's one hundred degrees Fahrenheit where he lives and sweltering summer hasn't yet begun.
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Who does such a hot guy fall in love with? Who else, but Lucile.
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I had heard that Lucile was to die for, that Lucile was gorgeous, that she was stacked and loaded and rocked ones socks.
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Of course, I asked for a picture of Lucile to share with you.
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NETO members rejoice. Your season has begun. For the past couple of years, NETO, the NorthEastTimingOrganization has welcomed bikers to join the fold of nostalgic race car lovers. Neither a bike nor a car is required for joining NETO. If you love nostalgic motor sports visit: http://www.neto-nostagia.com/ to find out more.
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Pictures from last year's NETO picnic which Orchid attended are still here on the blog.

The Journeyman

People have been asking, "Where are the dolls?"

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Sometimes, that means "Where are they on the blog? I can't find them ...." and sometimes it means "What is Orchid, her friends, and her sisters, doing today?"

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On the blog, they are scattered throughout. You scroll through, follow links, and find all sorts of doll pictures; those that we make and those which have been made by our friends.

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For those who need to know where they are and what they're doing now, Orchid and a number of other girls, including two new ones, are once again off to Richard Gardner's studio for more photographs. When Orchid returns home in June, she will begin her music lessons with theHarpist.

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Orchid's sister Window, whom many of you have certainly not forgotten, is home and is getting ready for a party. The better one's imagination is, the better the party will be. The party is in an elegant remote part of London at fabled DarkHouseQuarter. For the past couple of weeks I have been stitching a proper party gown for Window. A darling heart shaped bodice, miles of glittering sequin trim, taffeta ruffles and taffeta roses, all in a luscious burgundy wine color. It brings out the pink in her eyes. The MasterofDarkHouseQuarter should be very pleased.

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For those of you who have never visited Dark House Quarter, you really should go. This is your chance. Look: Stephen has sent one of his coaches for you. Dare you go? You wouldn't want to be late. Tour the house during the day, but remember: the party goes into full swing at the stroke of midnight. Don't be afraid. Remember: Window is going.

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The coach will take you here: http://www.darkhousequarter.com/

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Should you like the coach so much that you wish to have one of your own, Stephen will provide you with one from his fleet; they are a limited edition. You can purchase your very own coach here: http://poveditions.com/index.php?id=14 Travel in safety, comfort and style. I love them. Just think of all the wonderful places where the Journeyman can take you....

Marie Corelli

"... even those luxurious individuals who, seated in elegant drawing-rooms before blazing fires, easily forgot that there were such bitter things as cold and poverty ..."
- Marie Corelli

Marie Corelli was a very popular author in the late nineteenth century England. Certainly no one felt greater social responsibility than she. Her thought provoking theosophical ghost tales are still beloved today- by those of us who are into such things.

The first trick to being 'into such things' is knowing they exist. Marie Corelli's works typically fall squarely into the 'rare' and 'out of print' category.

If you don't know who Marie Corelli is, and, of course, I am insisting that if you love Victorian supernatural fiction you most certainly should investigate her, visit:

http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/corelli/salmonson1.html

That link brings you to an essay on Marie. If you're in the mood for a present day haunted bookshop which is odd and interesting, visit: http://www.violetbooks.com/ .

If it's late in the evening, and you just want a wee tale to wend away the midnight hours, visit:

http://www.classicreader.com/read.php/bookid.2980/sec./ 'The Hired Baby' is one of Marie Corelli's short stories.

Nice and Odd

Orchid has one of these. Do you?

Debbie Kirkpatrick makes the oddest dolls and puts together the most wonderful slide shows to showcase them. Visit http://www.oddolls.net to see more.

Origami Dollar

We spend an inordinate amount of time these days discussing Japanese origami. With a probable 'Oriental Exhibit' for us looming on the distant horizon, origami is a natural consideration for inclusion.
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I don't do it; maybe that's why I say that the time spent discussing it seems "inordinate". Talking about angles and bone folders all day long will never enable me to fold straight. I don't have a straight bone in my body. Therefore, symmetrical anal retentive art does not appeal to me in the 'doing' sense.
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I won't do it, but I certainly admire it. If I come up with the dollar, will somebody make me this little guy?
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I love his eyeballs.

Strange Dolls

I've been waiting a long time to introduce you to Beth Robinson; too long in fact. I'm forced once again to apologize for being so far behind in my posting and in disseminating the information that I've promised to some of you.
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I love everything about Beth Robinson. I love her orderly site, I love her nasty sharp little scissors, I love her gratitude for her many fans. And, of course, I love her strange dolls.
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If you are squeamish, do not look. They are carefully made and magnificently strange. They are not for your average person. And, thank goodness they're not, because there are not enough of them to go around. In fact, you will probably have to get in line behind Orchid. I've told you that she has a doll collection of her own, right?
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The photograph that you see here is from Beth's 'Broken Hearts' series from this past St.Valentine's day. How could I not love this? With hearts as one of my signatures, I was mad crazy for these pieces. I'm going to ask Beth to always keep one of the 'Hearts' series out there, so that you can always see at least one; they were pure genius.
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Beth is a very serious, very busy, full-time artist. Her work, fortunately, is highly in demand. All of it is one of a kind. If you see it, and you love it, buy it. One of a kind means exactly that: one.

Visit www.strangedolls.net . Try to snag one of these creatures for your very own. Be sure to look for her map so you can sign it.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars: Orchid gets married in January 2010.
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Yes, you are all invited.