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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Express Yourself with Vintage Political Pins from Wolfgang's Vault

Friday, March 7, 2008

Baked Beans

Baked Beans
Pinto, kidney, pink, or black, you can bake beans to your heart's delight and end up with some amazing results. Baked beans make the perfect (even de rigeur) picnic side dish and they are remarkably simple to make.
Don't confuse fresh beans, like lima or green beans with the dried varieties used for baking. Fresh beans are treated differently, and wouldn't work in most of the recipes you'll find here. Beans are members of the legume family, like peas, and they are an excellent source of protein, iron, and starch. They are also low in fat, which makes them an excellent source of low-fat, high-energy protein replacing high-fat meats and cheeses.
Dried beans come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They're a popular mainstay in many cuisines because they are inexpensive, last seemingly forever once they're dried, and taste delicious when they're cooked up. Baked beans recipes are common for side dishes as well as entrees; however you cook them, chances are your family will gobble them up, so it's a good idea to make a double batch!
Boston Baked Beans
Did you know the nickname for Boston is "Beantown?" That's because they are famous for their Boston Baked Beans. There's a reason for this super popularity – beans are simple to prepare, they're easily stored, and they cook up tasty with just the addition of a few items. They are plain, hearty, stick to the ribs fare that never goes out of style. A typical Saturday Night Supper in Boston and beyond contains a big pot of beans and Boston Brown Bread to top it off.
Boston Baked Bean recipes call for salt pork, bacon, molasses, and a bit of baking soda to cut down on the unpleasant after effects eating beans sometimes produce in the digestive tract. There's no scientific evidence baking soda stops these effects, but many cooks swear by the baking soda technique in all their bean recipes.
To Soak or Not to Soak
You can buy "pre-soaked" beans that do away with the need to soak your dried beans overnight, but many bean purists say they simply don't have the "bite" and consistency that traditionally soaked beans add to a recipe. For best results, soak the beans until they are double in size, about 10 to 12 hours. You can speed up this soaking process by blanching the beans in boiling water for about 1 1/2 minutes, and then soaking for two or three hours in cold water. Many people say that you don't have to presoak beans – just cook them slowly for 10 to 12 hours. For some bean varieties, this may work just fine, but other more tender varieties may tend to lose their skins if they are cooked this long.
Types of Dried Beans
* Black Beans – These beans are catching on in many North-of-the-Border eateries. Served whole, unlike their refried cousins, they have a meaty, rich texture and a thick black skin. These are not the same type as the fermented black beans used in Asian cooking. * Cannellini Bean (or white kidney bean) – These are some of the most popular in Italian cooking, especially soups and salads. They are also known as the minestrone bean.
* Cranberry Beans – If you're looking for an unusual and even beautiful bean, try the cranberry. Creamy white mottled with pinkish red, these are used in many Italian soups and stews. They have a nutty, unique taste. * Kidney Beans – Who doesn't know the humble kidney bean? Shaped like the organ it's named for, the kidney boasts a deep, mahogany skin, and a white, creamy interior. Traditionally they are the beans used in chili. They are also used in Louisiana's traditional red beans and rice. * Navy Beans (or small white beans) – These beauties are normally used in Boston Baked Beans. They are small, but pack a powerful taste.
* Pink Bean (or chili bean) – These small, pink beans are also a common ingredient in chili with beans and frijoles. They are smaller and rounder than the pinto bean. * Pinto Beans – Pinto beans have a mottled skin with a white background and dark speckles over the surface. They are the most common bean used in the United States, and are the requisite ingredient for refried beans (frijoles).

Monday, February 25, 2008

Haunted Dolls





Ok, so this doll may NOT be haunted, but I am obsessed with haunted dolls, freaky dolls and creepy clowns.

Here's a great story about a haunted doll:

"My Real Baby," was an interactive baby doll Hasbro announced to arrive in stores in the fall of year 2000. The doll had capability to cry, coo and instantly respond to its owner with smiles and squealed with delight. Hasbro called the doll the "most technologically advanced baby doll" ever. The doll was from an exclusive alliance between iRobot Corporation (also known as IS Robotics, Inc.,) of Somerville, Mass., and Hasbro, Inc.

"My Real Baby" featured Natural Response Technology ™ and was the first interactive, animated doll that responded to a child's actions with realistic emotion-like responses.

The doll used animatronics (the type of technology used in Disney toys!) and Natural Response Technology. This was a process that iRobot developed over a period of six years prior to the introduction of "My Real Baby" in year of 2000. "My Real Baby" reacted instantly to the attention of a child with a full range of expressions and sounds. The doll also appeared to grow over time through speech development having a full menu of unpredictable reactions.

The doll's reactions and expressions that became increasingly active included:

• When a child first picks up the doll, its eyes open and she smiles and coos
• As the child continues to play with "My Real Baby," her face changes from a smile to a frown and back again
• She giggles and laughs when you tickle her feet or bounce her on your knee
• She will tell you when she needs to be burped, changed or fed
• She begins speaking simple baby words like "mama" and "yum-yum"
• She advances to short sentences like "I Love you, Mama" and "I want ba ba, Mama"
• As a child rocks her to sleep, when she is ready to sleep, she will say "night, night"

Hasbro and iRobot created "My Real Baby" to give young girls a highly interactive and stimulating play experience.

Although the doll was a remarkable creation, it was only produced for a very short period of time and then discontinued. This may be due in part by the fact that the doll did not get adequate commercial exposure. It is said that the majority of little girls never knew "My Real Baby" existed. The elections of 2000 supposedly got most of the attention. Toys are seldom introduced into the market twice. It seems "My Real Baby" appeared on the market at the wrong time and missed her chance. There were about 100,000 dolls produced and then Hasbro discontinued the doll.

Do you believe in haunted dolls? Well, I am not sure if I do or not. However, I purchased a Hasbro 1992 "Real Baby" (not a "My Real Baby from year 2000) and learned she had a little extra within her voice box.

This particular doll was marketed to only giggle and coo when you pressed her tummy button (I think). She does that quite well. In addition, she says: "rah-rah-rah-rah-up-up." This little phrase usually speaks at the sound of a sudden noise like the word "boo," or the sudden bark of a dog.

I purchased this little doll only because I thought she had a sweet, pretty face and nice, shiny platinum color hair. She was just a cute little doll in my opinion.

The seller told me she had a psychic reading done on the doll (of which I do not dispute, I believe this seller does exactly as she says) and it was believed the little doll was host to a very young spirit of a child unable to properly communicate. The little girl could have been under one year old in my opinion (if this is the case).

I contacted the Hasbro Company for more information about this 1992 "Real Baby" doll. They responded with: "Unfortunately, we do not have any information about this particular doll." I asked them exactly what the original function of the doll was.

The highly interactive doll of "My Real Baby" had not appeared until the year of 2000, and before that time, it is my understanding there was no other doll produced with progressive speech capability.

It remains a mystery as to why this one particular doll says this additional phrase. It sounds exactly like a little girl's voice and is distinctly different from tone of the giggles from the doll. The phrase appears to come from the same area as the giggle, however, the giggle usually is heard from pressing her tummy (as Hasbro most likely manufactured her) and the additional phrase is heard at the sound of a sudden noise.

It is also possible that someone along the way tampered with her voice box and added this extra phrase; however, even this does not appear to be the case upon examination of the doll.

I am left wondering.

I heard her "cry" a total of two times since her arrival. The cries occurred at times when the switch was off.

If you are interested in seeing my little Amy, I have several pictures on the web site and a more intimate summary of my experiences with her. She is not for sale. I really like her. I have bonded with her.

People say these "spirits" look for other souls to bond with. I am very glad the spirit who found me was a child-like spirit, sweet and innocent. Some of the other dolls I have been reading about can become a little scary with antics such as opening and closing doors and windows, turning the lights on and off, etc.

Follow the link in the resource box of this article to take a look at Amy. She has her own page on the web site.


© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved




Friday, February 22, 2008

Earthquakes in Utah www.getpreparedworld.com

I found this info at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/utah/history.php , and thought it might be interesting due to the recent earthquake activity in Wells Nevada..time to get prepared folks! www.getpreparedworld.com



I found this info at

Utah

Earthquake History

The following summary includes earthquakes centered in Utah with maximum intensity VII (Modified Mercalli Intensity scale) or greater.

Three distinct shocks rocked the Ogden area on July 18, 1894. Walls cracked (VI - VII) and dishes were shaken from tables. Many people were frightened during the violent motion. Another shock of similar intensity occurred on August 1, 1900, near Santaquin. An adobe house was split in two (VI - VII), and people were thrown from their beds. A chimney was damaged, dishes were broken, and some plaster fell at Goshen. There were additional reports that the deep shafts of a mine were shifted so that the cage could not be operated.

On November 13, 1901, a strong earthquake caused extensive damage from Parowan to Richfield. Brick buildings and many chimneys were damaged; some rockslides were reported near Beaver. Earth cracks with the ejection of water and sand were reported (VIII); in addition, some creeks increased their flow. The total felt area covered about 129,500 square kilometers. Intensity VI effects were observed over a 26,000 square kilometer area. Aftershocks continued for several weeks, the strongest of which was on November 14. Considerable damage resulted at Pine Valley, St. George, and Santa Clara from an earthquake on November 17, 1902. Chimneys were destroyed (VII) at Pine Valley and Santa Clara; additional damage occurred at Pinto and Toquerville. Reports were also received of a felt earthquake at Salt Lake City, 400 kilometers away; this may have been a distinct shock at about the same time.

A series of 30 to 60 earthquakes were reported in the vicinity of Garland and Tremonton between October and December 1909. Some of the shocks were strong enough to throw down chimneys (VII). Two tremors about 30 minutes apart were reported felt over a wide area of northwestern Utah on October 5, 1909. These reports probably are related to one event in the series. A May 22, 1910, earthquake damaged many chimneys (VII) at Salt Lake City and several old buildings. Two aftershocks of less intensity were felt.

The area around Ogden was strongly shaken on May 13, 1914. Windows were broken and chimneys thrown down (VII) at Ogden; near panic was reported at Central Junior High School. Dishes rattled and furniture moved at Farmington. The shock was felt from Collinston on the north to Riverton, south of Salt Lake City, an area covering about 20,700 square kilometers.

After several weeks of preliminary tremors, two strong earthquakes about 12 hours apart shook Elsinore, Monroe, and Richfield on September 29, 1921. The first shock, at 7:12 a.m., lasted 7 to 10 seconds and threw down scores of chimneys (VIII), tore plaster from ceilings, and fractured walls at Elsinore. In addition, gables of houses were thrown out and the foundation of a new school sank one foot, leaving gaps between the walls and the roof. Total damage was estimated at $100,000. Another shock of intensity VII occurred at 7:30 p.m. on the same day. On October 1, there was yet another strong tremor causing further damage at Elsinore. A number of brick and stone buildings were rendered uninhabitable by the 8:32 a.m. earthquake (VIII). The Monroe City Hall, built of rock, was severely damaged. Large rock falls were caused on both sides of the Sevier Valley. Warm springs were discolored for hours with iron oxides. Aftershocks continued until December 20, the most important being those on October 27, which were felt sharply at Richfield, and on November 1.

On March 12, 1934, at 8:06 a.m., an earthquake of intensity VIII originating near Kosmo, on the north shore of Great Salt Lake, affected an area of about 440,000 square kilometers, including much of northern Utah and parts of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. This tremor, which measured magnitude 6.6, could have caused great damage in a densely populated area. Because of the sparse settlement in the region there was very little damage - mostly demolished chimneys and cracked walls in poorly constructed buildings. Two deaths, however, were attributed to the shock. The outstanding feature of the earthquake, related to the Hansel Valley fault, was the emission of large quantities of water from fissures and craterlets. Considerable faulting occurred in the epicentral region. Precise leveling revealed that areas sank to depths up to 390 millimeters. The onset of the shock was abrupt. There were no foreshocks, but aftershocks continued for 2 days; only one, at 11:20 a.m. on the same day, was outstanding (magnitude 6.0). There was moderate damage over a broad area, including Salt Lake City, where plaster fell. All chimneys fell in Kosmo and Monument; fissures, holes, cracks, and springs appeared in connection with a belt of fractures at least 8 kilometers long. The second shock was slightly less severe than the main tremor. Intensities for the aftershock are very unreliable because many observers tried to describe both earthquakes in a single report. Another strong aftershock (magnitude 5.5) affected an area of about 45,000 square kilometers in northern Utah and southern Idaho on May 6. It was reported to be strongest in Salt Lake City and Preston, Idaho, where the intensity reached VI.

Damages estimated at $1 million resulted from an August 30, 1962, shock in the East Valley fault zone. The magnitude 5.7 earthquake cause significant damage at Franklin, Lewiston, Logan, Preston, and Richmond. Cache County was designated a disaster region by the Small Business Administration. The greatest damage occurred at Richmond (VII) where at least nine houses were declared unsafe for occupancy, one church was damaged beyond repair, numerous houses lost walls, and 75 percent of the older brick chimneys fell. At Logan, principal building damage was cracked and twisted walls. Brick and timber fell through a church roof. At Lewiston, one brick wall fell and many chimneys were damaged. A sugar refinery near Lewiston sustained major damage when large pieces of cement coping fell, penetrating lower-level roofs. Four schools in Cache County were seriously damaged. The shock was felt over an area of approximately 168,000 square kilometers. Minor aftershocks, with slight additional damage, were reported through September 9.

On October 4, 1967, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake caused damage in the Marysvale area. Ceilings and walls cracked in numerous houses in Marysvale (VII). About 1 mile north of Marysvale, well water was badly muddied for 24 hours. At Koosharem, chimneys and plaster cracked. Chimneys were partially knocked down at Joseph. Rockslides were reported in the Joseph, Junction City, and Sevier area. The tremor was felt over 38,800 square kilometers of southern Utah and a few places in northern Arizona. Several aftershocks were felt.

Slight damage was reported at a number of northern Utah towns from a March 28, 1975, earthquake centered near the Idaho - Utah border. Ridgedale (VIII) and Malad City (VII), Idaho, sustained the most damage from this magnitude 6.1 shock. All of northern Utah felt the tremor; the 160,000 square kilometer felt area also include parts of Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and a few places in northwestern Colorado.

Increase your understanding of the earthquake threat in the Intermountain Seismic Belt through a look at the region's earthquake history in Personalizing the Earthquake Threat. Photos, newspaper articles, and personal accounts have been compiled in this U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program funded project.

Do you live near a fault? Quaternary Fault Maps for Utah, Yellowstone National Park, the Intermountain Seismic Belt, and the Wasatch Front counties are available to view and download.

Liquefaction is a hazard associated with underlying conditions that exist in the Salt Lake valley. Liquefaction maps show where that hazard is likely to occur.

Some of the most frequently asked Questions and Answers about Utah Earthquakes are presented to help you understand the earthquake threat.

As early as 1883, G.K. Gilbert recognized and warned of the serious earthquake threat posed by active faults in Utah. Four segments of the Wasatch Fault are overdue for a magnitude 7 - 7.5 earthquake.

Yellowstone National Park is active with earthquakes in association with volcanic activity and faulting.

Extending from southwestern Montana to northern Arizona, the Intermountain Seismic Belt has fault structures different than the famous faults in California. Yet, it is a very active earthquake region.

The U.S. Geological Survey has a new earthquake-related web site. U.S.G.S. Earthquake Hazards Program is a gateway to earthquake information put out by them for people of all ages. Follow their links to information about the earthquake hazards and activity in your area.

=====================================================================




Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Distressing muslin dolls with coffee, the primitive antique doll.

Distressing muslin dolls with coffee, the primitive antique doll.

To distress a cotton muslin doll with tea or coffee is easy and fun. This makes the doll look antique, old and weathered...
You can do distress you muslin doll in two ways;
A. staining the fabric before sewing the doll
B. Staining the fabric after you have made you muslin doll.
Teak Wood Tumbling Mug
Lets start with "A." first.

What you need:
Prewashed cotton muslin fabric
a big bucket, sink or basin
A container of dark coffee...
when I say "dark" coffee for all you non-coffee
drinkers, I mean using alot of coffee
for a small amount of water.
a plastic hanger (optional)
cinnamon (optional)
cloves (optional)
nutmeg (optional)

If you have a coffee maker
brew 1 full pot with 8 tablespoones of coffee.

If you don't have a coffee maker, you can buy the
folgers crystals that you just add water to, or the
filter bag with coffee in them that look like tea bags.
(add 8 tablespoons to each gallon of hot water)
(or if you have bags, add 8 bags to each gallon
of hot water)

Now take your cotton muslin for the doll and push
it all into the bucket,sink or basin. At this point I like to add
cinnamon,nutmeg and cloves. I let it soak for 30-60 mintues.

I take it out still dripping and hang it over a hanger and let dry
out in the sun.
You can also bunch up the coffee soaked fabric and let dry that
way, on a lawn chair or table, or otherwise clean area directly
in the sun... this creates a more crumbly look to the fabric.

After it has dried, iron it and proceed to cut your pattern as
you would for any other muslin doll.

Sew as directed.
********************************************************************

And now for "B."
If you have already sewn your cotton muslin doll:

Make sure your doll is undressed ...simply take a dropper, spoon or soaked
rag and drip the darkest of the coffee/spices mix all over the doll..
let her air dry or better yet, sun bake.

You can also keep your doll fully dressed and repeat the coffee dripping
proccess on the clothes and let air dry or sun bake.

If there any coffee or spice particles left on after fully drying I
just dust or flick off...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tea staining for your antique primitive cotton muslin doll.

Per each gallon of hot (very hot) water I use about 4-5
tea bags....it doesn't matter what kind of tea...it is fun
to choose different flavors for different smells. Cinnamon
Apple tea with a little big of extra cinnamon sprinkled in
makes for a very yummy smelling and antique/distressed looking
cottong muslin doll.

I do the same with the mixture and clean pre-washed cotton muslin
as I did for the coffee directions.. I soak it for 30-60 minutes
and let air dry or sun bake. Crumpled in a ball or hanging
or a plastic hanger.

I also do the same as I would for coffee staining the already
made primitive cotton muslin doll. I simply drip on tea infused
with spices all over the doll, dressed or undressed and let air
dry or sun bake and flick off or wipe off any larger pieces of
tea or spices after it is fully dry.


I wish you the best in your primitive antique
muslin doll making endevours!!

xoxox
Debbie Kirkpatrick

Electricity Free Games

Pioneer Games! What to do when the power goes out...and the kids have had enough GameBoy,
coloring books and reading for the moment? Below are some great old-fashioned games that your "up-to-date" Kids will enjoy and get a bit of excersize too!


Drop the Handkerchief

Items:
4 or more players
handkerchief

Drop the Handkerchief is similar to Duck-Duck-Goose. Form a circle of players facing each other. The person that is "it" will go around on the outside of the circle. The person that is "it" will drop a handkerchief behind one of the other players. The person that drops the handkerchief will race around the circle in hopes they won't get caught by the person the handkerchief was dropped behind. The people around the circle has to keep checking to see if the handerchief was dropped behind them. The person where the handkerchief was dropped picks up the handkerchief and chases after the person. The first one to sit in the empty spot wins. The one who loses will be "it" next.
*********************************************************************************

Blindman's Bluff

Items:
blindfold
more than 2 players
The game is similar to Marco Polo and is played 2 ways. One person is blindfolded, and calls out ''Blindman's Bluff," like in Marco Polo. One person is calling Blindman and the other calls out Bluff. The person blindfolded has to locate who is calling out bluff. The second way is the person not "it" is silent. The person who is" it" has to find the other one. When they find you, they tag you and guess who it is. Then they are "it".
**********************************************************************************
Knuckle Bones

Items:
2 to 4 players

Bones (neck bones from a chicken or turkey) or easy items to pick up (sticks, rocks, nuts,or small items) A place to play.
First the a person tosses the bones up in the air. The tosser has to catch as many bones on the back of the their hand. I the tosser dosent' catch any it's the next persons turn. If they do catch some or drop some they will have a chance to gather all the tossed bones. They have to toss all the bones and try to pick up the remaining bones. The person with the most bones wins.
If you drop all the bones it's the other persons turn,the game game goes on
*********************************************************************************
Items:
shoes
5 to 10 people
All the children will take off their shoes and put them in the middle of the circle. The "it" person selects a shoe from the pile and closes their eyes while the other players pick out a shoe. They keep the shoes behind their backs. After moving the shoes around the circle all at one time, the person that is "it" says Hunt the Shoe. Now the "it" person has to find the match to the shoe they have selected by guessing.
*******************************************************************************
Items:
2 or more people
One person is the leader and the other people are on their hands and knees. Leader starts in back of everyone and leaps over the person that is front of them. They put their hands on the other person's back and jump over the person. Once the leader gets over the person in front of them the back person starts it all over again. As shown in the picture.
******************************************************************************



Other Pioneer Games
* Chasing Hoops
* Tag
* Skipping rope
* Carving
* Marbles (made of clay)
* Kites
* Checkers
* Hide & Seek
* Tic-Tac-Toe
* String games
* Croquet

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

sprouting for health

Sprouting for Health


The health of the physical body should be the concern of every aspirant to the higher life. Spiritual evolution requires refinement of man's vehicles. In order to attain purification of the physical organism, the body must be provided with proper nutrition.

More and more people are discovering the benefits that can be received by adding to the diet the condensed energy hidden within the seed and released in the form of sprouts. The Western Wisdom Teachings stress the importance of nutrition, not only for the health of the physical body, but also as an aid to one's spiritual sensitivity. Therefore, anyone aspiring to the higher life should be aware of the healthful benefits to be obtained by the use of sprouts.

The sprouting of seeds is rapidly taking its place in the home as the housewife learns that the sprouted seeds contain vital nourishment needed by our bodies. Sprouts are very nutritious because they contain all elements a plant needs for life and growth. The endosperm of the seed is the storehouse of carbohydrates, protein, and oil. When the seed germinates, these become predigested amino acids and natural sugars upon which the plant embryo feeds as it grows to maturity. When used as food, the life force is released and supplies the energy which is capable of generating healthy cells in the body and supplying us with new vigor and life. Used as an adjunct to the diet, sprouts can retard the aging process, since they contain ample amounts of male and female hormones, available in their most assimilable form. Processed foods often lack the vitamins and minerals necessary to a balanced diet. Research shows that, in sprouts, one finds one of the foods highest in vitamin and mineral content. Sprouts should, therefore, occupy a prominent place in the diet. Among their other virtues is the fact that the seeds are low in cost, can be stored indefinitely, and are easy to grow, and, when sprouted, increase their nutritional value many times.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Haunted Dolls



lb.
Can dolls be haunted? Judge for yourself...here are a few stories:

By Sharon Stajda,

Key West, Florida.

It is not that unusual for a young child to have an imaginary friend or two. Often times, we as parents think it cute? A mischievous little friend afoot to take the blame for some minor wrongdoing.

In fact there are parents that will claim a good imagination is healthy.

But what happens when the child begins to be torment by the imaginary friend? To the point that the child can not sleep the night through without the friend awaking them to play? What happens when the play becomes ruff, and frightening to the child?

So it goes this is the story of Robert...

The story begins in the home of Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Otto. The year1896. It was well known the Otto's mistreated there servants and were not the kindest of people. One such servant, that aided in the care of the couples son, Robert Eugene Gene,(Gene) was said to be versed in the ways of voodoo. She for one reason or the other became very displeased with the Otto's, and decided to do something about it. As the story goes the servant gave Gene a doll. The doll standing three feet tall, and stuffed with straw. With life like features, that were at first very endearing to Gene. He decided to name the doll "Robert".

The doll became a constant companion to Gene. It is said that the Otto's often heard Gene upstairs talking to the doll. This in it self might not have been so bad? The Otto's were puzzled to hear the boy answering himself in an entirely different voice than his own?

Many Strange things began to occur in the Otto household. Many neighbors claimed to see Robert move about from window to window, when the family were out. Gene began to blame Robert for mishaps that would occur. The Otto's claimed to hear the doll giggle, and swear they caught glimpses of the doll running about the house.

Gene began to have nightmares and scream out in the night, when his parents would enter the room, they would find furniture over turned, their child in a fright, and Robert at the foot of the bed, with his glaring gaze! "Robert Did It".... The doll was eventually put up into the attic. Where he resided for many years.

When Gene's parents died, and the Otto home came to Gene, Robert was rediscovered in the attic. Robert hold on Gene was strong, and from the moment Gene laid eyes on him, Robert's influence could be again felt. Well Gene's wife Robert unsettling. One day she decided she had enough of Roberts glare...and returned him to his attic sanctuary. Gene was displeased, and demanding that Robert needed a room of his own where he could see out of the window. He put Robert in the turret room, by a window. It wasn't long after that Gene's sanity was questioned?

The citizens of Key West heard about Robert, and his evil doings. Many people walking by the home reported that the doll watched from the turret room, and mocked them as they passed... School children feared walking by the Otto home , in fear of Roberts mean glare.

Gene, himself reported when visiting the turret room, found Robert him in the rocking chair by the turret room window, displeased with his accommodations...home. Finally Gene himself had enough of

But Robert had other plans. Visitors that entered the house could hear something walking back and forth in the attic, and strange giggling sounds. Guests no longer wanted to visit the Otto home.

Gene Otto died in 1972.The home was sold to a new family, and the tale of Robert had died down...

But Robert waited patiently up in the attic to be discovered, once again. The 10 year old daughter of the new owners. Was quick to find Robert in the attic. It was not long before Robert unleashed his displeasure on the child... The little girl claiming that the doll tortured her, and made her life a hell.. Even after more than thirty years later, she steadfastly claims that " the doll was alive and wanted to kill her."

Robert, still dressed in his white sailor's suit and clutching his stuffed lion, lives quite comfortably, though well guarded, at the Key West Martello Museum. Employs at the museum continue to give accounts of Robert being up to his old tricks still today...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


My New Haunted Doll
This doll was given to me by a friend whose young daughter found it in a school
playground. Since the child brought it home she claimed it spoke to her at night and
moved around the room on it's on. Mother was extremely frightened when entering
her child's room feeling the doll's eyes were following her every movement. I agreed
to take it off her hands to be of some comfort to her and calm her fears. Upon the first
night at my house lights will come on and off, t.v.'s would turn on, and in one instance
a light bulb in my bedroom ceiling light actually blew so hard it melted the bulb.


So..can dolls be haunted? I think so. I also thank that some dolls can bring you luck and

protection. Many of my dolls have done just that for many buyers.....


Visit www.oddolls.net for more Haunted Dolls.





Sunday, February 17, 2008

Flat Earth Chips! I love em soooo much


Ok..this seems irrelevant to my blog..lol.. But I have to express my love for Flat Earth Chips. www.flatearth.com (if you wanna know)
They are fruits and veggies made into yummy chips. Impossibly Good..as they say. My favorite right now is the Wild Berry Patch. I want to marry them...=) kidding. maybe. They've got tangy
tomato (which I haven't tried yet), Apple cinnamon Grove (My husband loves these), Garlic and Herb Field (much better than sour cream and onion potato chips),Wild Berry Patch..(my favorite),Farmland Cheddar, my next favorite, and Peach Mango Paradise... I am allergic to mango...boohoohoo..so I am afraid of them...but my family adores them.

I just clicked over to www.flatearth.com and they have a coupon for a free bag. I am so gonna print it out.

  • A 1/2 serving of real fruit in every ounce of crisps!
  • Naturally baked
  • A good source of vitamin C
  • 0 grams of trans fat per serving
  • Low in sodium
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives
FlatEarth.Com

Saturday, February 16, 2008

HomeMade Beef Jerky.Deer.Turkey.Salmon



about 3 lbs. of meat (see instructions below)

2/3 C Worcestershire sauce
2/3 C of soy sauce
1 tsp. of black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder


Options
1 tsp. liquid smoke
2-3 tsp. Tabasco Sauce
2-3 tsp. crushed red peppers
2-3 tsp. sesame seeds

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mix all marinade ingredients together in a large (gallon size or larger) plastic zipper bag. Add sliced meat and refrigerate, turning and mixing every hour or two. Hearty meats like beef and venison should be marinated overnight. For turkey, salmon or tuna, 3-4 hours is usually plenty. Don't marinate ground meats, see notes below.
When ready to begin drying, place a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom of the oven to aid in cleanup. Drain meat in a colander and pat dry with paper towels (the drier the better at this point). Set oven at lowest temperature setting and carefully place meat slices directly onto oven racks. Leave the oven door open a crack to allow moisture to escape.

Drying times vary due to oven differences and meat size. Perfect jerky is firm and dry and not at all spongy. However, if your jerky is so dry it breaks in two easily, it's probably over-dried.

Instructions for For Ground Meat Jerky
Look for meat that is 95% lean or leaner, such as ground beef, ground chuck, ground round or boneless turkey meat. Double grind the meat with a spice mixture (recipe links below) to distribute the spices evenly (you might want to add a little extra salt, depending on the blend of your seasoning mixture). If you don't have a meat grinder, you can use a food processor for this process.

Sandwich some of the seasoned ground meat between two sheets of waxed paper. Use a rolling pin to press the meat into 2" wide, flat, thin strips. Carefully remove the strips from the waxed paper place directly on oven racks, as for sliced jerky. If desired, you can brush of thin layer of marinade on the strips at this point (not too much, you want the meat to dry). This is an optional step as the dry rub will provide a lot of flavor on its own.---------------------------------------

This Recipe was sent to me by Hank from California
Colonel Stivers' Beef, Deer, Elk or Moose Jerky
2 lbs. of flank steak
2/3 cup of soy sauce
2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons of seasoning salt (recommend Lawry's)

Slice flank steak diagonally with the grain of the meat into very thin slices (If slightly frozen it slices more easily). Combine ingredients and marinate meat overnight or 12 hours. Be sure all pieces are covered (coated) with marinade. Drain excess marinade. Place meat on paper towels to soak up marinade. Meat should be squeezed as dry as possible in paper towels. Place individual pieces of meat on rack in oven at 140 to 160 degrees for seven to 12 hours, or until meat is dry throughout. Leave oven door ajar (slightly open) during the drying process. Meat can also be hung in the oven by placing a wooden toothpick in each piece and strung from the rack. Store finished jerky in an airtight container. It keeps for several months, but it is likely that it will be consumed by the master hunter, kids, or the cook within a few days.

Blade's Jerky
All of the following are for 5 lbs of venison, or work great with ground beef (90% lean or higher).

Mix all of the ingredients together that are listed in the recipes and then marinade for 12-24 hrs.
All the ingredients can be adjusted to taste.
I like black pepper, so the amounts listed below might be reduced to 2 -3 tsp.,
for those that don't have the same palate for its' flavor.

EZ Style:
5 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cup soy sauce 5 tsp. black pepper 1 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup brown sugar

Yankee Style:
5 tsp. salt 1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce 1 finely chopped onion 5 tsp. black pepper

Baja Style:
5 tsp. salt 5 tsp. black pepper 2 Tbs.. coriander 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp. turmeric 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Oriental Style:
5 tsp. salt 5 tsp. black pepper 1 large minced onion 5 cloves pressed garlic 1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup soy sauce 1 1/4 cup red wine 1 1/2 cup pineapple juice

Taj Mahal:
5 tsp. salt 3 tsp. curry powder 5 tsp. black pepper 4 cloves pressed garlic 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1 cup cream sherry 1/2 tsp. cumin

Colorado Pioneer:
6 tsp. salt 20 tsp. black pepper 2 cups beef bullion (4 cubes)

Valley Style:
1 1/2 cups soy sauce 1 tsp. nutmeg 5 Tbs.. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. ginger
5 tsp. black pepper 10 tsp. liquid smoke 4 cloves pressed garlic 5 tsp. crushed peppers, dried
1/4 tsp. powdered onion (hot or mild)

These ought to give a little variety, and obviously, some like 'em and some don't. Some of these have been handed down over generations, received from friends, modified to the cooks taste, renamed with the times, experimented with, used not only as food, but as a poultice, medicine, leather, aphrodisiacs, and who knows what else. I've got others, but will save for another time. Have fun with these.

Oregon Deer Jerky
2 cups: brown sugar
1 tsp: pepper
1 tsp: garlic powder
2 tsp: onion powder
1 tsp: ginger
1-1/2 tsp tabasco ( optional )
1 tsp: cajun ( luzianne or creole ) opt
1 tsp: liquid smoke
1/2 cup: soy sauce
1/2 cup: teriyaki
1/2 cup: worcestershire
1 cup: dry red wine
1/2 cup: hot water
Dash of oj
1 cup: salt

Mix all together in big pot put in meat ie (deer, elk, or a good cut of beef ) cut meat into thin strips and let set in brine for 2 or 3 days, use 3 pans of apple or cherry chips and smoke 10 hrs check and turn after 8 hrs the taste is worth waiting for. Brine marinates about 10 to 15 lbs of meat ENJOY!

Sometimes, a change of pace is needed and I’ll make fish jerky for my personal use.. I learned this terrific version of fish jerky while fishing with Slim in Utah.. It comes out tender, flaky, and moist.. The flavor is superb.


Ingredients:

6-12 3/8' thick fish filets.. Use fresh-caught trout, salmon, bass, or very fresh store-bought.. The skin can be left on if you like. It helps hold the filet together while smoking.

16 oz. bottle of Yoshida's Gourmet Sauce (international foods aisle, Japanese)

16 oz of beer

Stir the beer and Yoshida's together in a glass dish or bowl. Add the fish filets and gently mix to cover the fish completly with the marinade. Cover the dish with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours. Mix gently at least twice during the 24 hours for even marinading.

Prepare your home smoker (or dehydrator) for use. Use a mild wood like apple or oak to make the smoke.. Place the filets skin-side down on the racks in the smoker.. If they are 3/8' thick, smoke for 6-8 hours.. If thinner, smoke for less time, if thicker, smoke for more time..

Remove from smoker and cool in a paper bag or clean cardboard box. Warm fish jerky will sweat and possibly spoil if sealed in plastic or glass before it is cooled.




Jerky Tips:

  • It's easier to slice the meat thinly if it is slightly frozen
  • Generally speaking, the leaner the meat, the better for jerky. Remove ALL visible fat!
  • For peppery jerky, sprinkle with pepper right after placing on the drying rack. This pepper will "stick" to the jerky\
  • -------------------------------------------------------------------------------










Food Storage in Bulk


On my website www.getpreparedworld.com I will have 5 lb containers of food in bulk. Peanut Butter, Flour, Beans,Dried Fruits, Veggies and about everything else you could possibly want.
Keep checking back in the next week. We ship freight to keep costs down.

I will also have an E-book with several food storage recipes and ideas...tips and tricks

yahoo! =)

My technique for antique Cloth Doll making

I make a variety of dolls. Some with clay, some with fabric. I have several ways I make these dolls. One way with the Cloth Dolls is as follows:

This makes the old, antique,worn out looking doll.....

Stuff your doll and sew pieces together.

Paint on an under layer of a darker color..preferably brown or rust color, over the entire body and head. Let it dry completely.

Then, when the paint is dry. Paint the doll or animal with lighter color...like off white, shell, antique white,light brown or other colors like that. Let that dry completely on your doll.

Then after drying completely ( I stress this because if its not dry it wont work..patience is a virtue! lol) You take sand paper and start sanding the top white layer. This will make your doll have the feel of a rich leathery patina....kind of like old leather.

As you are sanding...pinch places on the dolls body..here and there...and run the sand papers over the pinched or folded area...this will make it look extra old...but not too rough...you could put a hole in the doll! But ..actually on some dolls.. that is exactly what I wanted.. so however you want the doll to look. Experiment..and have fun!

Tomorrow... I will explain different techniques on painting your now scratched up doll.

--Debbie

Friday, February 15, 2008

What is Polymer Clay?

What is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is, as the name implies, a pliable, blendable polymer compound for artists and crafters. It's not a true clay - clay is fine particles of silicate suspended in water, whereas polymer clay is fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in plasticizer - but it can be used much like clay.

What makes polymer clay special is its versatility. It comes in dozens of colors, and you can blend clays together like paints to make your own colors. Since the color is inherent in the particles, you can also work two or more colors together without blending them, if you prefer, for special effects such as caneworking and marbling. The clay's pliability and ductility let you use techniques from glasswork, textile arts, and sculpture. And polymer clay doesn't dry out, so you can sculpt and form it without worrying about a time limit.

Firing - the process that fuses the particles into a solid - requires only low temperatures, low enough to use a home oven as your kiln. The colors and size are not changed during firing. When fired, the clay gets hard enough to make durable objects, and can be finished in various ways to obtain textures from glassy to stonelike.


What can I use polymer clay for?

You can cover anything (as long as it won't melt or burn at the low firing temperatures) with a veneer of polymer clay: wooden boxes, picture frames, mirrors, tableware. One popular application is jewelry: polymer clay can be used to make beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces. Small sculptures and buttons are other possibilities. Clay artists have developed techniques to give polymer clay the appearance of granite, jade, amber, coral, turquoise, and ivory, and its flexibility means you can make pieces in shapes and sizes that wouldn't be possible using actual stone.

Where can I find the clay?

Polymer clay is undergoing a surge in popularity and is more widely available than it was a few years ago. Look in local craft stores, art-supply stores, and bead stores. Some toy stores and general (sundries) stores also carry polymer clay, although the selection of colors is sometimes limited. You can obtain polymer clay via mail order, although some outlets require you to buy in large quantities and/or have a reseller's license.

There are several polymer clay manufacturers; each brand is a little different in softness, strength, and so on, and each one offers its own selection of colors. Polymer clay is generally available in small (about 2 oz.) and large (about 12 oz.) packages. In the U.S., a 2-oz. package usually costs between $1.50 and $3.00, depending on brand and location.

Walmart now sells Sculpey (the basic kind) for under 5$,,its a great deal...

Thursday, February 14, 2008

how to make polymer clay hands

and a partridge in a pear tree.....kidding.

Rabbits are done, now doing the finishing touch ups...

I found some interesting information on the web yesterday..and thought I would share:

this is what alot of my dolls are made of

Material

Polymer clays of all brands contain a basis of PVC and one or more of several kinds of liquid plasticizer to keep it soft until cured. Small amounts of kaolin or white china clay are added as an opaquing agent to some colors. Others remain more translucent and can be left without pigment, or pigments can be added. Mica is also added in some colors by some brands.

Bakelite was extremely popular with designers and had an early form of polymer clay available in kits, but the phenol base of uncured Bakelite was flammable and these were discontinued. Today's clays are non flammable and certified as non-toxic art supplies. FIMO polymer clay was made popular by Maureen "Fifi" Kruse, daughter of a popular German doll designer Kathe Kruse in the early 1940s. The compound was later sold to Eberhardt Faber in the 1960s and they named it after her.

History

Polymer clay's history as an art medium is only decades long, unlike many media that have been around for centuries and have long traditions. This newness means that there is a great deal of innovation by users of polymer clay. Often, ideas are born by borrowing from the traditions of some other materials, such as metalworking (mokume gane), ceramics, glass (millefiore), paper, etc.

A simple method to create polymer clay hands:

Pardon the different colored hands, it has nothing to do with making them. The dime is included to give a sense of scale. Simple tool set: #2, 3, or 4 knitting needles and blade (tissue blade or single edge razor blade, etc.)

A. Start with a nice little ball.

B. Roll ball into a cylinder about 1.5 inches long and a little larger at one end. The smaller end will become the wrist.

C. Use your thumb to flatten the larger end until it looks like a flat paddle.

D. Use a blade to cut away a little notch on one side.

E. The little segment that remains after the cutout? - pinch, pull and shape into the thumb. Smooth and round any cut edges using your finger tips and the knitting needles.

F. Make three cuts, as shown in F. This is the beginning of making four fingers.

G. Smooth edges with finger tips and needles to round over cut edges and the spaces between all the digits. Use a finger to push in the center of the hand to form a slightly cupped palm. Gently push up the clay along the base of the thumb to form that large rounded base thumb muscle (opponens pollicis muscle to you anatomists :).

Most importantly, use your hands as the models. They have all the design secrets. I hope this is enough to at least get you started.


Wednesday, February 13, 2008

4 Zombie Bunnies for Easter!!


I just finished painting 4 zombie bunnies for Easter. Now I need to finish the little voodoo dudes that will adorn each bunny. Just painted one today....should have the bunnies up for sale by this weekend or sooner.

Here is a picture of one of my voodoos I made a few months ago and sold.

Each bunny will have a voodoo doll like this attached to him, along with a pin dolly, and other little trinkets...

Check out my website

www.oddolls.net in the next few days if you would like to buy one.

A New Day

Well, last night was a crappy night. I stayed up til 1:30 working on my new website and that messed up everything.. I went to bed and couldnt sleep. I tossed and turned all night and finally went to sleep somewhere around 7am. Hah! Woke up at 10...and got the kids up. I homeschool them...no no worries. But they sure did enjoy there sleep in. Well..gotta get to work.
check out www.oddolls.net for new dolls.

I am working on some zombie Bunnies for Easter as we speak.

-Debbie

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The end of the world as we know it


and I feel fine........

WWW.getpreparedworld.com





I named the website Urban Emergency Supply. I was raised Mormon and I have not been active for several years. Although I have tried to go back several times...on and off..and on and off...my parents would be thrilled if I got my endowments, went through the temple and wore garments. But I just can't do it.

I am 37 years old. When I was 18 I got pregnant out of wedlock and had a baby girl. Under the duress and pressure of my bishop, several authorities of the church and my mother, they tried to get me to give her up for adoption. And, of course, to giver her to the church...LDS family services. But, I kept her, and I was disfellowshipped from the church. I never really went back.

I mean....really. 2 years ago was my first time trying to go back, but that was because my Uncle. who is VERY staunch Mormon hired my husband, and moved us out to Las Vegas (hell hole...sorry all you Las Veggians...) to his 5000 sq foot home that he was not currently living in..
A jacuzzi,grand piano, house so big it needed cooling systems on both sides of the house. A view of the city...and of course...we lived on Temple View Drive. LOL.. look it up on Google Earth. Yes..we were practically across the street from the Mormon temple and the ward house up there.

SOooooo...I went back to church and dragged my 2 youngest daughters with me. My then 12 year old daughter and my then 8 year old daughter. My 8 year old ate it up...but that what they do there..they get you when you are young. My 12 year old..said in these words "It makes me fell creepy and icky" . My husband HATED that we were going....but I went for about 4 sessions...and just couldn't do it any more.

I quit...then we moved to Elko Nevada for 1 year (last year 2007) and I went to that ward 3 times. And only my youngest would go. You know.. I think what I missed most were the things of my childhood. Family outings, ward outings...which were so much fun. once a year the entire ward would get together and go into the mountains as families and camp out and have big yummy breakfast's, potato chips, shasta pops on ice (of course no caffeine!), hamburgers off the grill, hiking, campfires (which I fell into one as a young kid..at a ward outing)..I missed the camaraderie of kids my age... hell, my best friend (who is still my best friend to this day) grew up across the street from me and her family were staunch Mormon.. so I had someone to hang with, share with, sluff church with =). As I got into my preteens...I started to rebel..and hate church..My best friend, Karen..and I sluffed as much as we could...walking to the nearest gas station for pops and maybe even smoking a bit on the railroad track up the way.

What did stick with me as I got older..was the belief that we should be prepared for emergencies...
Mormons highly believe in 1-2 year food storages...I really put it on the back burner over the years..but as the world gets crazier the more I think we should prepare. So I started a website, of course....lol...and I am slowly but surely collecting my own foods and supplies.

Just today I was in my art room and my 10 year old came in and said "Mom, come here, I need you to see something." She sounded so serious...She had her old backpack on the couch with all the contents spilled on the couch...
They werent school items.

They were the makings for a 72 hour kit. I had it hanging in the hall closet with 3 other backpacks that I making 72 hour kits with.

She said, "mom, I was looking for Pokemon cards and I found this stuff in here" I just laughed and said "Put it all back...it is for a 72 hour kit" She freaked out..."Why do we need one of those??" She asked. I said, "Well, if there was an earthquake or some kind of emergency, we could just grab them and go" She said "We will have an earthquake?" I was like..oh shit...here we go....the paranoia sets in. Thats all I need, along with her fear of elephantiases (I am not sure how to spell that sucker) and parasites. "Well", I said, "Every state has some sort of emergency thing that COULD happen, we should just prepare, now put that stuff back where you found it"

So anyway, hope this doesn't start an avalanche of earthquake nightmares for her.


Below is a section from my website....it MIGHT be interesting.. =)

Our Goal for this website is to inform
and help every person and family in
the world who is ready and willing to
begin their food storage, 72 hour kits,
emergency preparedness kits, 1 year and 2
year storage supplies.

In a beautiful world going bad, we need
to prepare for the inevitable. Every faith,
belief system and country are beginning
to see that, yes, we are on the edge of a
recession.

Millions of foreclosures country (USA)
wide, rising gas prices and other expenses
is blatantly telling us to PREPARE for
the worst.

So folks, that is our goal, if you are ready...
if you are willing...start...start small...
but just start with that Food Storage, that
72 hour kit, that Emergency preparedness Kit,
That 1 and 2 year storage...a bit here and
a bit there is better than never starting
at all. Right? Right.

The doll maker/artist/mental patient...thats me =)

I'm not joking....not only am I a doll maker, an artist and a mental patient..I also have seizures, 2 heart problems, a weight problem...1 husband, 3 girls, 3 cats, 1 dumb dog, 2 bunnies, 1 iguana, 1 scorpion and a bird! Art is what saves me and renews me every day.


Below is my bio that I have on one of my websites

WWW.ODDOLLS.NET:

Biography
born Sept. 8th 1970 -Virgo! ♥

Painting History

Began painting murals
in offices, churches,children's rooms
and schools in early 2001-2005
I had to stop because of a hole found
in my heart and fainting and dizziness was a favorite
pastime! Heart surgery May 2005. yay.

Teaching History

Taught children ages 5-12, cartooning, art history and
arts and crafts in over 10 different schools in the
Salt Lake City Valley from 1992-2002.
Teacher for Highschoolers Private School, Tooele, Utah
2001-2002 , taught art history, fun!

Other Art History

Taught watercolor and Drawing with my mom ( she was actually the teacher,
but she is also where I learned many techniques) at age 14-16
at a local Highschool Community Program for all ages.

1990-current
Designs art for numerous
stamp companies around the world.
some companies include,Stampin' Up!
Stamps on Fire,HALOS,Stamp Emporium,
Creative Images, Creative Chaos, and the
Angel Company.

Published hundreds of pieces of artwork
for Cedarmountain Publishing , for their
affiliate company, Scrapbook Buzz.

Began Contracts with companies and
stores (like Derby Street Shoppes, MA)
to make holiday themed decor for their
displays and stores. 2004-early 2007

Influences

1980-1985 I was obsessed with
Elfquest and a little store in
the heart of SLC called Cosmic
Aeroplane. Many a time I would take
a bus (we could do that back then and
not fear getting killed or kidnapped, ha!)
and practically live in that store and read
every magazine my brothers bought
and try to copy the artwork.

In 1987 I attended a school for ding-dongs
like me that HATED normal highschools
and Jocks and Boufs and I just couldn't
seem to make it at the "normal" schools,
So I was 'kicked out' and attended a school
for LOSERS called Valley High. It changed my life,
I met a Japanese hippy teacher
(name withheld) that taught me
that I could do anything I wanted with my talent
and he taught me how to work with clay, paints and
other mediums. He taught me to NEVER quit.
I think of him often when sculpting and painting.

My mom
was an awesome portrait
and watercolor artist and I always strived
to be like her (or better than her! haha)

As a young child (4-12) I was plagued with
nightmares, visions and constantly seeing
a man cloaked in black lurking in the corners
of my home, or sitting on our kitchen chairs
just staring at me..(I later found out that most
of my siblings saw this man also). We eventually
had our house blessed and a sort of an
exorcism and I never saw him again and my
nightmares began to fade with time. That experience opened
me to a whole new thought pattern of 'what-if's' and I began
visiting cemetaries and was very drawn to the morbid,death,beyond
the veil, and the paranormal. My places of MOST comfort is
a good old cemetery, to this day, it brings me much peace
and calmness. The obituaries are my favorite part of any
newspaper, hands down! =)

Mark Ryden (who doesn't learn from him!)
Scott Radke (I love his work so much I feel like crying...haha)
Beth Robinson (love her talent)
Brian Hill (my brother, great artist and musician 1966-1996)
Cart Before the Horse
Jennifer Murphy


Mission

Do I have one? Well yes, I guess I do.
=)
To share my art and talents with everyone! yay!

I also feel very strong about
giving children the support, love and push they need and desire
to make something of themselves and KNOW that they can
accomplish anything they want to.

I have 3 children, all girls, ages 18,14 and 9 and all
of them have picked up on art and love it. I love it
too!

I also want to bring my art and love and understanding
to all groups of people. I have a seizure disorder that I have
had since age 16, I have struggled with agoraphobia most
of my adult life and panic and anxiety attacks and numerous
surgeries and therapies. Anyone can do anything that they want
to, maybe not perfect, or maybe not like someone else
with more abilities. And each and every person can bring something
different to this world..and I support it wholeheartedly! So there.

Interests

Philosophy,Art (obviously), History, Religion(s),
Music, People-watching...I know rude, but I love it.
I'm probably one of those that other people
watchers watch. =)
Family, and being a loner. hahaha.

Comments

Happy Happy Joy Joy
and boo!

--Debbie Kirkpatrick







Debbie Kirkpatrick has always had a strange fascination with the odd and all things paranormal. Since a young child, she has walked countless cemeteries, sitting in them, meditating in them...walking in them. She even had a make-believe friend that died the same year she was born, that she "befriended" at a childhood cemetery! Daily fun activities include reading the
obits....the deads lives , what they did, when they were born....not as interested in why they died...just who they were..and fascinated that they are "over there" now.
As a child, Debbie had an ever-present entity in her life....a dark black cloaked man, in the corners, lurking in the shadows. Her parents eventually had an exorsism to rid her of these visitations..it worked..but she always thinks of him and why he was there. Plagued by nightmares, visions and illnesses as a child...this sculpted who she is today.
Many of these things that run through her head....comes out in her art.

All the dolls and other artwork on Oddolls.Net are created and handcrafted by artist Debbie Kirkpatrick. She uses many different mediums and styles to create each doll and piece of art.

Each doll is entirely hand made using muslin cotton, polymer clays, vintage fabrics, acrylic paint, and many other interesting materials to create OOAK dolls.

Debbie shops around at antique shops and other places for old rusty nails, keys, wire, wood, vintage ;linensand other things to make each doll truly unique. Many of the dolls she makes are inspired by old pictures, cult phenomena, lucid dreams, and everyday things that she enjoys twisting into the slightly unusual to the truly bizarre.

Debbie Kirkpatrick began making dolls in 2004 for friends and family, recently she has begun to sell them and has become a favorite with
www.OutrageousEbayAuctions.com