I'd like to introduce you to my blogger friend Dolly, from over at Dolly's Designs and Hibiscus House. She also has a cooking blog called Dolly is Cooking.
Dolly is the creative force behind a wide variety of hand crafted, one of a kind items - Vintage pattern designs, aprons, crocheted and knitted products, hand sculpted items, quilts and pillow covers. This is one busy lady!
I kept seeing all these great aprons that Dolly was creating and when she designed one based on her grandmother Cora's original pattern, I jumped on it. I loved the bright blue color with the white piping and the fabric she used was a tea pattern - hey, all I drink all day long is iced tea. I had to have that apron! What do you think?
Dolly has a fascinating history and I asked her to stop by here and share her story with us.....
Me (dolly) and one of my awful doll dresses at 4 years old - looks like I tied it on with
who knows what.
Which
blog came first - Hibiscus House, Dolly is Cooking or Dolly’s Designs? And what is the difference
between the two?
Hibiscus House was
first. It was to cover all subjects. Dolly is Cooking was born as a necessity,
because I cooked more than I realized. Dolly's designs came a
little later as an outlet for the creative side that I knew would once again
grow.
What
inspired you to start your blogs?
Truthfully I had
never even heard of a blog until I watched the movie Julie & Julia with
Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Amy Adams wrote a blog about Julia
Child's French Cooking. I thought I would like to write a
blog.
You
like to sew and crochet. How did you get started?
I started sewing
doll clothes as a child and at 12 years old in Home Economics Class I made my
first real item. It was an apron which I still have to this
day. I really enjoy sewing and my beautiful little girls wore many
dresses because of this love. Crochet, began after years of
watching my "Grandma Cora" do it. I had to take a course to learn
but did so quickly. It is a very
restful past time.
What
other crafty things do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy so much:
sculpting, paper Mache, doll making, quilting, ceramics, needlepoint, crewel,
cross stitch, home decorating; The idea of making something out of
nothing intrigues me. I also think gardening is an art form, with
a blank slate (yard) colors, shapes, styles of plants all an art form.
Cooking is another art form; to be able to make something beautiful that
actually is delicious.
Do
you have a particular item that you like to make the most?
I can't say that I
do. Things change at different times, right now It seems that
aprons are making a come back. People like to wear and collect
them. Sculpting Santa's has always been a favorite to me, because
people always like them.
Tell
us a little about your family.
Chuck and I live
on family land where Hibiscus House is that has been in the family for over 150
years. We have 4 children between us and 5 grandchildren.
I stay very busy at home and he has always been in some form of law
enforcement.
You
currently live in SC. What’s your favorite feature about your state?
How I love South
Carolina! Favorite feature(s): It is a Southern State, smiling faces, friendly
places. Beautiful from the shores to the foothills. Our oak lined
drives hanging with moss, dirt roads to walk bare foot, our porches lined with
rockers, our Rainbow Row in Charleston, our beaches complete with our state
dance "The Shag". Our history and our ancestors mean a lot to
us. We are deeply rooted; home and family mean so much to
us. It is a way of life. Would you like a glass of sweet tea with
lemon?
What
type of work did you do when you were in clothing retail?
I started in the
ladies apparel of a nationwide department store. Then on to Supervisor in charge
of all the store's merchandise. I was one of the first with a
great team to implement an innovative new program that is now used in the chain.
I loved the job because it was detail oriented and gave me good visual display
experience.
What
do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy and make
the most of each day, there are not enough hours in the day, though. I love to
spend time with the family. I love to travel, to meet new people,
to tell their stories. I guess now I'm a roving reporter. Chuck
and I just got back from a trip to Historic Camden where I interviewed Mr. Ross
Beard, the Godson of the famous FBI G Man Melvin Purvis. One of
our hometown heroes. One could write a book about that Southern
Gentleman! Oh, I forgot I love to go antiquing!
I now write for another blog.. Savannah
Attic. This is not my blog, I am a part of the Savannah Attic Team.
http://savannahattic.com/
I'm thankful to
God for everyday. He has given us all so many talents if we only use
them. I am so honored that you asked me to do this.
Thank you Kim.
Thank you Dolly. I appreciate you coming by and sharing your story and your talents with us. And I love my apron! I think I can now officially say that I have started an apron collection.
Please visit one of dolly blogs as well as her FB page and her Etsy shop.
Dolly's Designs
Hibiscus House
Dolly is Cooking.
Dolly's Designs Etsy Shop
Dolly's Designs FB page.
