Nude Descending an Umbrella: Baby's Breath Topiary

(My first choice of product name was "ANti-Gedes Topiary" but I figured I would get some copyright flack over that one.)

Everybody in a group shot.

It all started with a simple visit to an appliance dump out on BLM land. Over the course of 50 or 60 years, this particular piece of land had been used by people to dump their appliances and derelict cars etc. We went out for a photoshoot, and in the process, Kristi found an old dolly head who had apparently been used for target practice. She propped him up on some of the old vehicles and appliances and he became one of our subjects that day. Due to the bullet hole right between the eyes, it left him with a bit of an odd expression on his face. "Quizzical" is how Kristi categorised it and so, that became his name. Because we took a number of photos of him in the old Chevelle, he was christened "Quizzical Chevelle." As the light faded we made our way back to Kristi's house for an evening of board game playing (Settlers of Catan and Citadels) and to have eats. During the course of the evening Quizzical kinda developed this persona and at one point was even given game space, with other players helping him "take his turn" due to the fact that he has no hands. Or arms, legs or body. I told Kristi she should keep Quizzical in her house and put him on a shelf for future reference. She did. Only to find out later that Quizzical bore a horrific and vomit inducing stink on him. A year later, I recieved Quizzical for a CHristmas gift, all wrapped up in glorious festive boz, ribbons and bows. He spent the following year in the same box becasue to take him out was to prepare to puke the stench was SO BAD! This spring I rolled up my sleeves, got a bucket and soaked him outside on the back deck in almost pure bleach, for 3 days and 3 nights. Then I pondered how I might "return the Gift" to his rightful home. Well Kristi had her birthday yesterday and inspiration struck :

Amazingly enough, because there were parts left over, I ended up making a couple more of these scary baby topiarys. Today I took one in for another friend of ours to look at, and her co-workers all made a big deal and I sold 2 of them with an order for a windowbox creation of similar style.

So today I cleaned out the local Habitat for Humanity Thrifts Store, St V DePaul, Humane Society Thriftstore and the Opportunity Foundation THrift Store of their Dollies. I took the creations to 3 seperate stores. All of them were interested in consigning them with a suggested retail of between $25-$30.

So as of today, my inventory is :

WILLIAM TELL

SPRING BLING (Back)

SPRING BLING (Front)

MARCIA COFFEE

(We all looked at this after the fact and decided that this little person resembled Auntie Marcia!)

This is "Lizzical" who was the 2nd creation. Thanks to Lizzy Hansen for spotting this wonderful baby head in a thrifts store last month at the beach. I fond out today that this head is actually quite valuable. So I am not selling this one. I am keeping it and we have named it in Lizzy's honour.