This type of garment is far too valuable to simply discard… so, let the imagination begin.

This year (2011) my dear friend Sue has spent countless hours with me in my workshop creating an adorable line of diva dolls call Harajuku Dolls.

Once they are all finished, I’ll post everything on my website otksanta.com.

Good Grief… it’s only 26 days until my first show for 2011!

It will be held at Ward Warehouse on September 17 followed by a 2nd show on October 22… same place.

For clients who can’t make these dates, I will have a private showing in early November. So, if you’re on my mailing list you will get the details. I’d love to see you come… even if you don’t make a purchase… and bring some friends.

This year I had an unexpected displeasure… walking pneumonia in late May while I was visiting my daughter and her family in Boston. Actually, I think I got the bloody thing on a train ride to New York. Anyway, it’s really slowed me down this year and, in fact, I’m still fighting the tiredness all the time.

Nevertheless, the show must go on as they say (but wasn’t that for the Barnum and Bailey Circus?).

Here are several photos of one Couture Santa doll for 2011. You can see the entire collection by clicking here.

This is how I feel right now!

Well, everything is finally done.  In fact, I even had time to make a couple stockings as a special order for a wonderful customer and friend of mine. She is really into Halloween, so…..

It’s really great fun doing something out of the ordinary.

This pneumonia thing really has taken its toll on me. But, I got this far and the first show is this coming Saturday.

Bring it on!

You know… like many of you I get too caught up in the business of being busy. Seems like I’m always making Santa dolls or traveling to places getting supplies so I can make even more dolls.

Don’t get me wrong, I love doing this… but, sometimes you need to take heed to the following advice in this video.

Do yourself a favor. Don’t make the mistake of being too busy… watch it right now!

Grab a cup of coffee... click the picture... and enjoy!

Life passes too quickly and we don’t really take enough time to enjoy it fully.

Oh sure, we have moments when we think everything is under control… but is this really true?

A friend of mine shared a photo slide show with me that I’d like to share with you. The truisms expressed with these pictures should be (in my opinion) fundamental to all our lives.

Click here to watch the slide show.

You will be asked permission to open a powerpoint presentation which will expand to cover your entire screen.

To advance each photo simply press your Enter key. To stop the show at any time press the Esc key.

I hope you enjoy the many meaningful messages as much as the beauty of the plants.

Me ke aloha pumehana

Bearding the Santa dolls by hand has got to be one of the most unpleasant jobs ever.

It’s messy and when I burn myself with the glue gun it really hurts.

But, hooray… that’s behind me. Now most of the costumes are finished for the 2011 collection and I’m attaching hands to the arms of the bodies that have been completed (by my husband incidentally).

Lots more work ahead of me, but psychologically I’ve completed a milestone and there’s no looking back.

We not only have fun going to special events and interesting places… we also donate time and money to help others who are less fortunate.

Well, the gals went way beyond the call of duty with their generous support of my shows and I am very grateful.

With so much walk-in traffic including kids, baby strollers, ice cream cones and soft drinks that had to be confiscated at the door… let alone the time it takes to keep an eye on all the Santa dolls as people start to get a little too touchy-feely. This requires a combination of vigilance, diplomacy and graciousness… and they all came through with flying colors.

Mahalo nui loa to: Joann, Aimee, Gladys, Elaine, Kaki, Marion, Lorraine, Annie, Nancy and Lu for being there to help me get through the day with my sanity intact.

And, a special thanks goes to John, Willy, Keith and Tina who have stood by me for many years and without whom I really don’t know how I could make it all happen.

The last two shows will be at our home next month, which makes my husband very happy that he doesn’t have to transport those 26 inch bearded gritters to another location… until, of course, next year comes around.

To see what it looks like just click this link: animoto_high_res

Hit the return key when finished if you want to come back to this blog. And, feel free to leave a comment – good or bad!