Hello Dear Ladies this is going to be another one of my long blogs so please hang in there with me. I was so excited to go see The Help on Wednesday I must say it was the best movie that I have seen since The Color Purple. I can remember as to date of watching The Color Purple I know at least if not more than 482 times. It inspired me, it lifted me it motivated me. The Color Purple was everything when I was down and all the things it could be when I was flying high. I would sit cut fabric, stuff dolls, sew and dream.
Even then I was so driven to make Mammy Dolls you see this has not been something that in the last few years I thought about doing it has been in me for a long time and it's been a long time coming that I have finally got it all right. I wish that I had pictures to show of some of the first attempts of making Mammy dolls. Oh my Lawd they was some big Ol Girls. I even had made one standing fully out of cloth holding a child size Silver Tea Set it was beautiful I sold it at one of my first doll shows. Then these also were the times that I was frowned on, laughed at and even questioned many times why would I make such slave like dolls. I have always had an old spirit and I have always been a day dreamer. I would sit back at times and dream of clothing women wore when a real Lady dressed up not for going out but to carry on with daily life.
Yes I am one of those women of today who still love carrying a nice Vintage bag, who loves to keep a hanky in my purse, and you know Big Momma always got a piece of hard candy in her purse. Oh I must say my life would not be complete if I did not have my aprons. You know the funny thing about that is it all some how is trying to be new again. Now there are patterns everywhere to make a apron. Yet you could never catch me not wearing one and I have been doing that all of my adult life. My friend Joyce is always trying to make fun of me and tell me *You is Mammy* well darn it I be Mammy then cause Mammy is one Loved Woman and she got a lot of Love in her to pass around.
I know right now I seem to be all over the place trying to get it all out but some times you just have to take the long road in order to get to where your trying to go. Which brings me back to my Mammy dolls you see if I could count the number of times I have been asked why do I make them *kinda dolls* and *you know folk don't want no dolls like that* well guess what I don't care what nobody wants I just know that it is in my heart and soul to make Mammy dolls and yes there are a lot of primitive doll artist out there who have there versions of making Mammy dolls and that is wonderful. I just didn't want to make one which such a strong primitive look about it yet I still wanted to make Mammy with a soul without a face because she doesn't need one you can look at her and see the vision and the story that Mammy wanted to tell but couldn't. So in my heart I wanted to tell Mammy stories.
After having to move my seat in the theater because some one had the bright idea of bringing ill mannered kids with them. I mean really they were loud and one even started kicking the back of my seat. I had to move because nothing was going to interrupt me from enjoying this movie. During the movie I laughed I cried and then as if it all made even more sense my reasons why I Love Mammy and I am a Mammy Doll Maker. Sew with every stitch I make to bring Mammy to life I know now even more My Mammies have stories to be told and bring memories back to those who have them.
Right now I am working on a very Special Mammy Doll which will be in collaboration with my 100th follower and Wannabe Quilters http://www.sewwequilt.com/ In October I will be giving away this very special Mammy. I will give updates as I get everything together.
Sew I hope that I have not lost any of you with my long post. Have Wonderful Evening
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~!
