Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Rebbie

 My lovely friend, Celia over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial writes about Phoenix projects. She rescues lovely bits of clothing that are worn out and mends them into works of art. 

While my mom has been recovering from breaking her leg I've been going through decades of stuff, sorting, donating, throwing away. In the closet of my old room, in a box that hasn't been touched since the seventies I found Rebbie. He was the beloved animal friend of my little brother Tom, who passed away when he was 16. 

Rebbie might not look like much at age sixty, but he was the King of the Toys. He was sassy and liked to surf. He was popular and had a thick California beach accent. He was the kind of dog that said "Dude" a lot. We wrote comic books about him and his friends. When I found him I became most sentimental.

So he has come to my house for a bit of makeover. 


Here he is on my desk, ready for a spa day.


A nice warm bath. 


Look! He really is pink and white, sort of. He got a soft brushing and a bit of a blow dry. 


After a nice nap on the windowsill he's ready for new stuffing. 



On to the mending. All the bald spots are going to take some time to patch. But I think he's looking much better, don't you?

Who was your animal friend growing up? 

Love and hugs,

Marilyn.


---



Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. 

But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Fred Rogers





Saturday, June 20, 2020

A Year for Growing.

One year ago today, I had my last chemo treatment. By June I was bald as a billiard ball. I thought that my hair would come back right away but it honestly took a long time.

 July 9, 2019. Very Uncle Fester.

September 11th, 2019. Not a lot but making progress. The weather got hot so I ditched the hats.


Going through radiation. 

By October it was starting to get a peak. Bunny Butt!

November, feeling pretty punk rock with my silver hair.

January was feeling pretty Eddie Munster. :-)

By March I had trimmed the back and sides a bit because I was looking like an Oompa Loompa.

After a year, my hair is pretty much crazy town. 

2020 has been quite a year. All my cancer tests have come back clean, so for that I am grateful. 
 
 I hope that wherever you are you are safe and healthy.

Love and hugs,

Marilyn.

PS The Small Dog send his best thoughts.

 





Wednesday, January 1, 2020

What You Need to be Warm by Neil Gaiman

I thought that this poem by Neil Gaiman was so lovely that I made drawings to go with it. Wishing you a happy, healthy and creative New Year my friends.



















Saturday, September 21, 2019

Checking in. How are you?

Hello and hello! How are you?

Had my first radiation appointment this week. 

My 80th doctor visit of the year. I should be done by Thanksgiving WoOt! 

Please admire my bunny butt hair.:-)






 All in all, things are going great. 
I am so extremely grateful for my super family, friends and all the love and friendship there is in the world. 

Best thoughts,

Marilyn.

---

Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life. ~ Mark Twain


Monday, November 26, 2018

Inktober

Last month I to part in Inktober, where artists all over the world do a drawing every day. It was great fun and quite a challenge.

If you would like to see the full set they are all posted on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/thetoymakers/

Wishing you a creative week,

Marilyn.











Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Alice

I am missing Alice Provensen, who would have been 100 years old today. She was an amazing illustrator of children's books and my friend,



Sunday, July 29, 2018

Midsummer Paint

I've been painting a lot this summer here and there. I think I need a tropical vacation. :-)






I can't seem to be able to reply to blog posts for some reason. I hope your summer is going well,

Marilyn.

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If we give ourselves half an hour a day
with our creativity,
our dreams, our music,
the soul becomes quiet.
We are in our body
and we feel nourished. 


Marion Woodman