A Pretty Print For You

As promised weeks (months?) ago, I'm finally doing a giveaway.  I'm very excited to have prints in the shop fr the first time, so for the next two weeks you can leave me a comment here to enter; a funny story,  suggestions for doll names, or just a quick hello - anything will do.  (You can also email me if you have any trouble leaving a comment.) I will do the drawing on March 24th, and the winner can then choose their favourite print.   Here are a few of my favourites:

I took this picture in front of a beautiful old church near my house.  It was soooo cold that day, but it was worth it to get the lovely, snow-white background.

I took these photos of Willow in the alleyway behind my apartment. (Also very cold). 

Rather than complain any longer about the weather, I'll share with you something that has been keeping me sane over the past few weeks.  I have fallen in love with "This American Life", which I had heard before on the radio when visiting the US,  but being able to listen to it as a podcast is SO great, especially at those times of day when there is nothing good on the CBC, which is my usual source of news and ad-free radio programming.  The CBC also has some great podcasts, but they are fairly recent whereas archives for This American Life podcats go back to 1995.  (I'll link to some of my favourite CBC shows in the next post, but for now.) If you're an artist or crafter, I highly recommend these shows to keep you company during those long hours in the studio.  It makes all the difference to have something interesting to listen to after you're all music-ed out and need a good story on anything from an lay-person's explanation of the housing crisis (something I'd never thought I'd really understand) to true scary stories for Hallowe'en. (A long way off, I grant you, but is it ever too early?)

Comments

[emma lamb]

that print of willow with her fabulous red hair against the blue back drop has to be one of my favourites, although i love the stark contrast you have going on in all of these... :)

i've stopped listening to the radio too, but instead i'm listening to endless josh ritter on my i-pod - thanks to my man for introducing me to his tunes!

emma
x

ps - i got a fair slap in the face from mother nature at the weekend, gale force winds blowing the snow horizontally!!!

[Ivy Long]

Hi Sarah--I've been admiring your work for awhile and was so happy to see that your wonderful creations getting some much deserved recognition on Etsy recently (the Handmade Portrait and Featured artist interviews were great!) The prints of your dolls are a wonderful idea and I'd love to be entered in the giveaway... Willow's red hair and white dress are particularly stunning in the photo.
take care,
Ivy

[Sharon]

I've been a fan of your work for sometime and look forward to every new post. I'm partial to your red-haired lovelies, although they all have their own uniqueness and beauty. Hauntingly beautiful personalities. The prints you've shown are gorgeous. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks!

[Marlya]

I would love to enter your giveaway-- you already know I am a fan of your work! I already had the Oroyan books- they are so hard to get now they are out of print. I can't wait to see your next doll!

[andi]

I love the first print, and really enjoyed watching the video of your process. I've only recently discovered your work... it's beautiful. Andi

[Mariette Waters]

here is a story about your picture of Willow

…Willow dressed carefully that morning in her long white gown with the embroidered bodice. She asked Martha to fix her hair in a way that framed her heart shaped face, the way the HE liked best. Her cherry red hair made her eyes look almost lilac in colour, deep pools simmering with expectation and sorrow. Despite all her preparation and her and whispered talks to herself, she could not stop herself from shaking. She was terrified. Terrified that the one she so deeply loved would not keep his promise and return to her. So on that freezing day in March she waited and waited. Her long, thin arms felt as bare and cold as the naked tree branches at her side…

I love your freezing pictures of snow! It has been a very humid summer in Australia!
Mariette

[Carrie Wendt]

Moorhead, MN is getting 2 feet of snow. As if that wasn't enough it is being accompanied by -45 degrees F temperature(of course that is with the wind chill).
So you see either of your beautiful ladies will feel right at home here in my frozen north. It will be a comfort to know when I complain about the weather, it will be heard by understanding ears.

XO
Carrie
www.carrieleewendt.blogspot.com

[angelique]

Hi, I'm writing from a very hot place on the other side of the planet thinking I would love to see a bit of snow even for a little while. You dolls are fabulous and would love to be entered into the draw.

[Helen]

I listen to This American Life, too. Like you, I am tired of snow and yucky weather. I am very fortunate to have satellite radio and the ability to hear interesting radio all the time...not a TV watcher any more.

Have been following your work and really like it. I have pointed out to many other doll makers. Saw you on Esty and in the ADQ magazine. I have about 200 doll making books (book collector!)and research and make dolls myself so I know the work and love you put into your dolls. Your dolls are really quite wonderful!

[veralisa]

Your dolls are wonderful in prints!!!
Some of your dolls remind me of author Joyce Carol Oates in photographs! And your dolls always speak to me in stories when I see them...

[Jillian]

Wonderful prints, Sarah. Being outside in the blue-light of the snow really brings out the beautiful pale complexion of each doll. And I agree, it's never too early to get excited for Halloween. It's my absolute favorite time of year =).

I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

Best,
~Jillian

[Kylee]

I love your blog and your work. Your dolls are so enchanting!

Kylee

[Andrea]

I love your work. I know a woman who looks a lot like your Agatha doll...I find her lovely though she inspires pity from those who do not know her. Perhaps the same can be said for your dolls.
I would love to be entered in your draw.
Thank you,
Andrea

[judy chalifour]

Hi Sarah,
When I went to read your blog today I was excited to see your post about the print giveaway. I would love to be entered into your contest!! As I've told you before, I absolutely love your dolls, prints and blog! You're one of my very favorites!
I wish you the very best!
Judy

[Kimberly]

Sarah,
You're doing great work with your new camera! I thought I'd enter the drawing with a doll suggestion. It may be an overpopular subject, but still I'd love to see you try your hand at a Marie Antoinette doll. (Perhaps without a cake though.) It just seems like it would be a lot of fun.
Looking forward to Violet! She'll be arriving just in time -- we found the first violet of the season the other day out front.

Will you add me to your newsletter/mail list?

[Prudence]

Sarah,

You've been making so so many gorgeous dolls this winter! I envy your productivity. It's freezing cold here in Montana, too, and I'm having difficulty being positive about it in any way. Okay, I'm *not* being positive about it in any way! Except today, if it's sunny, I may try out my mother-in-law's snowshoes for the first time. (My husband also loves This American Life.)

xox

[Dawn]

This is the second time I've heard about this, I get so music out it's not funny. I'll have to check it out. Love the prints!

[Patti]

Charming girls... one and all. I think I fall as much in love with the names you choose, and the stories about each one, as I do with the dolls themselves. They are so vividly alive and absolutely inspiring. Thanks for including me in your giveaway drawing.

[Carling]

Hi
I may have miss read your entry but I do have an idea for dolls name. I've always loved the names Nova, Nettie, Ruby, and Mallory.

Like all the other comments have said you do beautiful inspirational work keep it up we all enjoy them. I of course would love to be included in your giveaway!

[Jennifer]

Oh, a giveaway! I just love your work - it is just stunning...

For a name suggestion for a future doll... I think Laurel would be lovely :)

[lunara]

Hello! wow is a very good idea the prints, and are so beautiful.. very good luck.
Saludos. Lunara. 8 )

[Rosemary]

love your dollies! would love to own one... maybe soon...would also love to see a doll based on the girls in "The Loveliest Girl in the World" book!

[Moonfairy]

I hope I win a print, I do, I do, I do....

I`m always searching for perfect names for my own drawings and mini sculptures. I find great inspiration in names from the 1800-1900, or I search through flower books etc.

[jessica]

hello, your work is so lovely!

[Du Buh Du Designs]

I think your photos are gorgeous!! As for doll names I finally broke down and bought an address book so I could keep track as I name one of my dolls a name that I had already used! How about Elodie?
NPR is all I listen to during the day and when I'm in the studio..it's great. Nice to see you have discovered This American Life!
Hope all is going well..life just seems to be getting busier and busier~