Archives for posts with tag: imagination
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Annoying Harvey

February 20, 2013 //
2

harvey angry

The hardcore Dedes put their heads together again to come up with a good idea for the anniversary. They were having a very animated discussion when Harvey burst into the room airing his displeasure about last Saturday.

“How come” he demanded in a very upset tone, “that you warmly welcome any Tom, Dick and Harry, or Lil’ Sculpture for that matter, but give Pavlova the cold shoulder? Lil’ Sculpture is not even a Dede!”

“That is so unfair” said Mouse. “I tried very hard….”

Devil just looked at her and shook his head to indicate she shouldn’t take the bait. Not an easy feat for Mouse as she has a strong sense of fairness, particularly when it comes to how she treats other Dedes.

Philosopher observed the whole scene from his favorite spot on the sofa. “Give them time, all of them. You should know by now you can’t force friendship!” he said quietly. “Pavlova is a bright young thing, she will find her way! Let them sort it out.”

“You know Lil’ Sculpture might be a bit naive, but he talks to everybody. You just have to love him” added Mouse. She really needed to have the last word.

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Social Network

Running out of ideas?

February 19, 2013 //
5

devil serious talk

Devil is the self-appointed spokesperson for the Dedes. Whenever they are worried about me, he pops around to have a “serious conversation” with me. Last night he turned up again. I had just settled on the sofa, when he tugged at my feet.

“So,” he said. “One year of blogging and you ran out of ideas?” Devil is not known for beating around the bush.

“What makes you think that?” I asked.

“You left it to us to come up with an idea for the anniversary!”

I burst out laughing.

“It’s not a laughing matter” Devil said indignantly. “You know what that means… don’t you? If you run out of ideas, that is the end of us, all of us!”

“Oh no, don’t worry” I apologised and told him a story about what happened to me once when I was teaching. Each week, I started the period by asking my students what we had done the week before to get them to focus their minds on where we are at. One year, the lecturer’s evaluations came in and one bright little thing had commented: “The lecturer doesn’t seem to have a good memory, she always asks us what we were doing the week before!”

“And how exactly does this fit in with your lack of ideas?” Devil asked a little annoyed.

“Of course I have a couple of things up my sleeve, but I wanted to know if you have anything in particular you would like to do. After all, it is about you, isn’t it? Not about me!” I explained.

Devil rolled his eyes and said he would go back to the others to ask them again. As he turned round he said: “But you know you scared the shit out of us… we really thought that is the end for us!”

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Social Network

Coming up soon…

February 17, 2013 //
4

devil thinking

It was such a great evening yesterday. Really, it was wonderful to see the Dedes  having fun together again. We have come such a long way, haven’t we?  Mouse reminded us that our first anniversary of blogging is coming up soon. I had forgotten when we started, as for me it is such a normal part of my daily routine now. So I had to check whether Mouse is correct and indeed, I published my first post ever on the 27th of Feb last year. So it is ten days to go before the first year ends. Anniversaries are such wonderful occasions to stop and reflect about what you are doing, aren’t they?

When the puppets were still asleep this morning, I indulged in re-reading some of the stuff. I can truly say, the whole blogging process is a very interesting experience. The blog has changed considerably throughout the year . In the beginning I wrote much more about the background and processes around the puppets, rather than what the puppets are experiencing in their daily life. It started off with the publishing process of  the puppet book “Hermit’s Web”, then I had a period where I posted my other artwork, before I finally settled into the continuing puppet story.

The Dedes said last night they really would love to celebrate the anniversary in style. They want to have another competition of some sort. I agreed but put the ball back in their court. They can’t expect me to have all the ideas, so I left it to them to come up with a feasible concept. But I will be happy to donate a set of postcards as a prize again.

Nobody was forthcoming with any ideas yesterday. Devil thought hard for a while and finally said maybe our readers have a wish or idea? The Dedes would be delighted to hear your suggestions for how we should celebrate this remarkable milestone!

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Categories Art, Books, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Social Network

Can of worms

February 9, 2013 //
6

friends again

Can you imagine Sunny’s smile getting even bigger? It did when he read the comments from ArtistatExit0. Sunny was adamant that what he had done was legitimate. Being inspired by fellow artists is common practice. I agree with him on this one. Of course you are inspired by what you see… that is simply called life. But there is a very fine line between appropriation of ideas and a rip-off.

“Why should I, as an artist, produce new work and put my sweat and life-blood into it, when the next person can simply come along and copy my ideas?” I asked.

“It will never be the same anyway” Sunny retorted. “And you obviously have never heard the saying ‘imitation is the highest form of flattery’!”

What ensued was a very long, yet infertile discussion. We were going nowhere in a hurry. Our opinions were just too different. Words like ‘generation gap’ were mentioned and ‘all-for-free-internet-society’. None of the other Dedes wanted to participate, let alone take sides. Finally Sunny suggested we should ask our readers about their opinion.

So, what do you think? Can Sunny be proud of his achievement or was it a blatant attempt to falsely take credit?

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Categories Art, craft, Digital art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life

Caught

February 3, 2013 //
4

pig catflap

A building site does have a strange attraction, doesn’t it! There is so much to see and do. No matter how often I tell the Dedes they shouldn’t go there, they just can’t stay away.

This morning they kept their voices down so they wouldn’t alert me to their whereabouts, but of course I could make out the pitter patter of their feet in the old living room. When I opened the door a fraction to check out what they were doing now, I heard the ca-lonk, ca-lonk of the cat flap opening and closing and saw them all escaping onto the deck. Only fat little Pig, the last one, got caught in it.

Pig’s mate Professor was very distressed about the accident and tried to pull from the other side. It must have hurt a bit, as Pig was  squeaking and squealing. I’m pretty sure the entire neighbourhood thought we were preparing it for our  Sunday roast. My biggest worry was that the noise would attract Nosy Neighbour’s attention and he would come over.  I couldn’t have coped with him on a Sunday morning, so I quickly helped Pig out. But I was certainly not impressed that they had ignored my warnings yet again.

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships

Wonderful news

January 27, 2013 //
2

devil news

For most of the Dedes it was very hard getting up this morning. Admittedly, this is the case most days. But today it was particularly difficult as they were working hard to tidy up the house yesterday. They are not even half way there. Worse, the house is in a bigger mess than ever. Luckily it is a long weekend and they have an extra day to finish their chores. Understandably, breakfast – which they had on some already packed boxes – was a very quiet affair today. That is, until Devil came running in, barely able to hide his excitement.

“We’ve got a message, we’ve got a message…” He sang and danced around. You might remember he is responsible for the Facebook page and it is all new to him. Of course everybody looked at him and waited. Then he told us this morning he found a lovely message from Cape Town on Facebook.

“Where is that?” Lou, the puppy asked. “Shush,” said Smuggy

“It’s in South Africa, Lou! And I think it is our first official friend there. So it is quite something”

“The blog can be read everywhere in the world, so what’s the big deal?” Smuggy pointed out. “Cut the crap and get on with the story.”

Devil took his time. He enjoyed having everybody’s attention. “But… wait there is more, the young women didn’t ‘find’ our blog… she got the Hermit’s Web book for Christmas from her aunt and she loved it! She was ‘looking’ for our Facebook page!”

“This is indeed interesting,” Mouse gave Devil a hi-five.

“Thinking of it” Detail piped up, “we never heard back from Arindam, who won the book in the Super Dede 2012 competition! He mustn’t have liked it and is keeping mum!”

“Oh, no, no” Mouse defended our friend from India. “He loved it too. He has send an email to Dietlind privately. I don’t want to disclose what is written in emails, but I can assure you, he liked it a lot. You have to take my word for it!”

“We don’t have all day to pat ourselves on the back,” L’Artiste interrupted the celebrations rudely. “Let’s get on with our chores. Otherwise we will never get them done. I want to knock off at 8 tonight. Miss Viwi continues her interview in ||:::VEGGIETORIA::|| and this time it’s with me!”

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Self-publishing

Devil makes a stand

January 25, 2013 //
5

devil makes a stand

Devil visited me last night to borrow a box of matches. No idea what he needs them for, Dedes shouldn’t play with fire. They are not water tight and I am pretty sure they burn quite well to boot. Hesitantly I gave him a box, but while I was looking for them, I asked him what his opinion is about the feud that is brewing between Minor and Detail.

“Ah, girls….” he said. “Look at their history… Detail and Chance are half-sisters, Detail is a solo mum and now Minor is giving her mother grief. You get the picture? You better stay out of it!” he advised and it looked as if he wanted to leave. But then he stopped and turned around. “You know what annoys me the most about the entire story?”

“No, but you will certainly enlighten me” I answered expectantly.

“What about Rob? Has anybody actually ever spoken to him? How do you know he is not fair-minded! Everybody just assumes he is a bad boy…  How come?… Is it his hideous handkerchief?” He got his own hankie out and tied it around his face. “Imagine… One day someone decides all Dedes with horns are bad, what would happen to me?”

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Categories Art, Fun, Life, Relationships, Social Network

Here comes Chance

January 24, 2013 //
2

minor and rob-2

Chance kept her promise and met up with her niece Minor. After a long warm hug, they sat down and Minor immediately started spluttering on about her mother Detail. She plainly doesn’t understand her anymore. She has become increasingly short-tempered and the most infuriating is that she seems to be able to listen to everybody else and give good advice, but not her own daughter. All her friends come flocking to her and pour their hearts out, but when it concerns her own daughter, she is incapable of listening, let alone  understanding. She constantly pesters Minor to let go of Rob, the scoundrel.

“Mum, just doesn’t know Rob as I do” Minor said. “He has a heart of gold and he really loves me.”  She showed this photograph and Chance agreed they look like a lovely couple. Then Minor went on to tell her aunt that Rob hadn’t had a good start in life. He is not entirely sure where he comes from, so there they have something in common: Minor doesn’t know her father. But unlike her, Rob just fell in with the wrong crowd. Yes, he has done some naughty things in the past, but he wants to change and she, Minor, is the one who can save him.

“Can’t you talk to Mum?” she beseeched her aunt in the end.

“Mhm, I would love to, but you know as well as I do, if I say something, the shit would really hit the fan. Wouldn’t it? This would infuriate Detail even more.”

“I don’t know what I should do. I am at my wits end” Minor said resignedly. “She just doesn’t want to see my point of view. Maybe I really should elope with Rob. That’s what he wants! Start a new life somewhere else, where nobody knows us.”

“No, you can’t run from your problems, Minor. It would break your mothers heart and it will take years to mend.”

“I don’t care!” Minor responded huffy. “She doesn’t love me anymore.”

“Now, that is not right. On the contrary, she loves you too much.”

“So, tell me, what shall I do then?”

“Whatever you do, don’t burn your bridges! And don’t deliberately hurt in anger. Maybe write a letter to your mother. Explain to her how you feel. She can read a letter in her own time and take in what you have to say.”

“A letter? You mean on paper?” Minor exclaimed… “Can’t I just send her a txt?”

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Social Network

Devil on Facebook

January 18, 2013 //
4

devil on facebook

Mouse hasn’t quite recovered yet. She decided to make herself scarce for the time being. Devil had a long conversation with her yesterday, and he reported back to us – while she has stopped crying, she is not ready yet to face the crowd again.

“So what is happening with our Facebook page then?” Socialite asked, more interested in publicity than in Mouse‘s wellbeing. “It is still half finished, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry” Devil said, “I have offered to take care of that and I kept the ball rolling.” And then he showed us what he had done with instructions from Mouse. He is feeding the blog straight into Facebook. The others were reasonably impressed, except for Foreign Correspondent who had to point out that Mouse accused him of rehashing this blog on his German site. “So, what are you doing on Facebook then? Isn’t that just another form of recycling?”

“I am going to put some background images up. Like us in context. You know, us hanging around the house and things like that. And I will show some images from the studio – Dietlind permitting of course! We could have our beauty competition, once I figure out how to do it. Don’t worry, Foreign Correspondent, it will be different. But give me time! You know I am a bit of a Luddite.”

They were all very excited about the prospect of communicating with friends once they have some. Then they looked at me and Devil asked: “Why don’t you have a Facebook page? You could share us with your friends.” I shook my head. “As if I didn’t share you with my friends already!” I said, reminding them that there is not only this blog here, but also a book and postcards and a calendar. And I can’t stop talking about the Dedes anyway. “I am starting to drive my real friends bonkers” I said with a smile. “No, I won’t have a private Facebook page!”

What the Dedes are doing is their thing. I won’t interfere, but I am starting to worry about the time they spend on the computer. I hardly have a chance to use my own laptop. First there is Mouse, who does all her administration on the computer, then Foreign Correspondent who translates the blog into German and now Devil started this Facebook thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if L’Artiste wanted to have a LinkedIn presence next.

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Social Network

Breakdown

January 17, 2013 //
5

skeleton

Mouse finally had her break down everybody was waiting for. Yesterday, one could hardly talk to her without her bursting into tears. She is obviously overworked. But asking her what the matter was made it even worse. I have learned my lesson in the meantime and leave her alone on days like this, it will pass! I will approach her again when she has calmed down.  Even though I know this is not the best thing to do, on days like this you basically can’t win. Talk to her, she cries. Don’t talk to her she says, nobody loves her. Thankfully she doesn’t have these days very often.

Last night she went to visit her bosom buddy Skeleton Edeltraut, who lives with her partner Monster under my bed. Wednesday night  is Monster’s night out. He meets up with some monster mates at the local for quiz night and a beer. Skeleton Edeltraut doesn’t like to go to the pub and hang out with Monster‘s mates, but doesn’t want to be at home on her own either because she has a stalker. Puppy Lou is in love with her, ever since he first laid eyes on her. I can understand the attraction for a young dog. She on the other hand is just plain scared of his attention, which of course I can understand as well. Have you ever seen how a dog treats a bone?

Personally, I am okay with my skeletons (the rest of her family lives in my closet), as long as they don’t bother me. But I wouldn’t seek them out and that goes for Monster as well. But Mouse is a regular visitor at their place. Last night they must have had a good heart to heart. They kept their voices down, but between sobbing I could hear fragments like “… just too much…” “…everybody relies…” “… take it anymore….” I didn’t try too hard to listen in on their conversation. I know it will blow over and she will be back to her normal self. I hope it will be today!

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Categories Art, Fun, Hand Puppets, Life, Relationships, Social Network
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