Story: Doll Divas Behind the Scenes during the PBS Special

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To set our scene---it is over five hours into taping the PBS Billy Holliday special, and everyone needs a break.

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Gerard: Everyone take thirty, but don't wander off too far. We still have three sets to complete and the finale.

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Jennifer: Gerry, can we do something about the lighting, it is blinding me, it's hard to be singing BLUES in all that glare. 

Gerry: Sure, just tell the lighting crew what you want, a cut down on the lights for the next segment would be perfect.

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Jennifer: Say Mac, can we get a soft filter on those two spots for the next numbers please. And I want halo spots on me on the finale.

Mac: (from the rafters) Sure thing, Ms. Jennifer. Give me a few minutes to switch things up.

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Jennifer: Phew, that will help, it sure gets hot under the lights---Callie you may need a bit of powder on your shine, Honey. 

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Colette/Callie: I'm sure I'm glistening as much as you are, Sweetie. I do wish I hadn't worn this wig though, it's definitely tropical under here.

(Jennifer has already turned away toward the Lights again.)

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Jennifer: Ah, yes, that's better. Thank you! I really need Spring water, can someone get me some Spring Water...preferably glacier???

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Colette/Callie: She sure thinks she is the "Quee-a-Somethin'". I think this has been the longest day of my life, she keeps stepping on my phrasing and crosses in my sidelight.

Ella: Callie, you have been in this business long enough to know every type...Jennifer is well, Jennifer. Her big name will get this special seen...we are lucky to be on the same bill with her. Don't spoil it.

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Jennifer: I think it is going very well, Gerry. You have done a great job of arranging and the back-up singers are very good.

Gerry: Well the music is what it is all about...and the exposure for PBS here in Chicago. I understand they may use the tape as a fund raising promotion for $1000 or more donations. This will do a lot for Chicago entertainment. And of course your styling is a big part of the project.

Jennifer: Thanks, say, your girl there, Callie has a unique tone, not a lead singer, but she might be okay for a back-up for my next tour. I understand you manage her, so what do you think?

Gerry: Colette has her new album coming out in Spring. Uh...um, the control room is paging me....let me get back to you on that.

(Oh, that's not going to go over well)

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(Oh, that's REALLY not going to go over well.)

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Jennifer: Say, Callie, Gerry said you would be free to join my tour as a back up singer in July, how about it.

Callie/Colette: (silence---dumfounded) I have an album coming out soon, I'm not sure ...ah....Gerard said that? 

Jennifer: Well, don't ponder too long, I'll need an answer today so we can get you on the books, of course it will only be base pay---but the exposure would be good for a career starter.

Callie/Colette: (CAREER STARTER????) Ah, excuse me----I'm ...ah... 

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Gerard: Hey ladies, there's plenty of time to talk business, take a few minutes to freshen up---so we can get through the rest of the program! 

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Ella(Callie's Mom): I really think I could use something stronger than this water to watch fireworks.

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Gerard: Callie, may I make a few suggestions for the next number. (He steers her away from Jennifer).  I did not offer you up as a backup singer...just so you know...let it go.

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Callie/Colette: Jennifer has a lot of nerve...calling me a backup singer. You said we would have equal billing on this special? 

Gerard: Well, since its for PBS we are all getting paid scale...so that's equal billing isn't it? Besides, this will be great for your new album. And, lower your voice, please.

Callie: (louder) Well, change your tone---you represent me, you don't own me or order me...(her voice rising)...or decide who or where I'm singing for, or with.

Gerard: Sit down and cool off, PLEASE! 

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Ella: Just breathe Callie...just breath.

Callie: Looking at the cart with Ice water. (How about some over Queenie's head, maybe?) Hm-m-m.

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Tres: Miss Colette, thanks so much for getting me this gig. This is way better than where I have been playin'. Can't thank you enough!

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Callie; Always glad to help new talent, Tres.

Ella: And, you have been a real asset...real asset! Thanks, Tres!

Tres: Gotta check my gear for the last sets...thanks again.

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Gerard: Colette and Ella on stage please. Let's start this number slower...just follow me, and I'll get it movin' on bar 32.

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Callie: Let's get this right on the first take, I want to get out of here.

Ella: It takes the time it takes, (whispering) remember Mademoiselle Colette...this isn't Paris, and you're just Callie from Joliet, so make the best of it!

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Callie: (Sigh....) Yes, Momma. 

(The number goes perfect and Jennifer saunters in at the end before the last note is played.)

Ella:(Holds her last note as long as she can.....following Gerard's lead).

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(The cameras are glued on the 'star' and she's qued for her last solo) 

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(Gerard slows down the temp---watching the clock for how much time they have left.) Thank the angels, we are almost done!

Finally the Finale!

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Jennifer: 

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way...

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Trio: We'll find you in the morning sun

And when the night is new....

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Trio: We'll be looking at the moon 

But we'll be seeing you....

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Gerard: The control room says that's a wrap...thank you everyone. It's been a long day...so I'm sure everyone wants to be on their way. 

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Sonnie: Sticks, I mean Gene, be seein' you fer sure. Ever want to jam, I'm usually at the Green Mill on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Stop by and maybe the boss will let you hammer on their skins some.

Gene: Will do if I'm free, been kinda busy lately.

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Zara: G'nite all, it's been a pleasure! 

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Gerard: (whispering) Callie, don't do anything rash...I'll need you in post production.

Callie: I'm not staying one more second...take your hands off me!

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Ella: Let her go...it's not worth the fireworks, Gerry. Come sit with me.

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Ella: This special was good work, one of the best things I've done. Thanks, Gerry...a real fine quality production. Extra good for a delinquent from Joliet.

Gerry: (chuckles) Sure Ella, pretty good.

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Jennifer: Attention all, thank you so much for supporting me in filming this wonderful program. I hope to work with you all again, especially you, Gerard.

(to the side she says to Gerard)

Let me know if that Callie girl wants to be a backup, tomorrow. I'm at the Drake until Tuesday, and I'm free for dinner tomorrow night and we can settle on terms.

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Gerry: I'm booked this week, Jennifer, maybe next time you're in town or I'll call. I'll be seein' you...just as the song says.

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Jennifer: Oh, I'm sure lots of work goes into this important type of a special. I'll be at the Drake. Goodnight everyone....and thank you. 

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Ella and Gerry talk about the special and some old times, and made a few plans to deal Callie and any aftermath. Everyone else has gone.

Ella: Guess you have your mind set at this point.

Gerry: I always have. Callie just doesn't want to have anything to do with me, except through the production company. We haven't even sat in a single meeting on the album at the same time. I'm more than.... (he groans.)

Ella: What about that last photo shoot. She was just complaining you have no cover yet for the album.

Gerard: Yea, maybe we can come to some agreement on that? Do you want me to get you a cab or an Uber, Ella? It's really late.

Ella: My phone just buzzed, so my ride is here, but thanks. Get yourself home now Gerry, and worrying doesn't make anything change.

Gerard: Yes, Ma'm.

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Gerry: Thanks, Mac. you can douse the lights, I'll get the stage lights off when I leave. (Gerry's hand twiddles with the keys...an old song from Paris spills lightly from the piano.

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Gerry takes the bench, and plays the entire piece from beginning to end, and mouthing the words Je'Taime, a song he arranged for Colette. 

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...it ends in a long lingering arpeggio...

He can see her face, her eyes, her voice, her breath...

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Slamming his hands down on the keyboard,

Gerard sighs and rises.

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He turns off the lights, ...

(to be continued)

Dear Readers: 

I hope to be picking up the threads of all my stories on a more regular basis, now. Please refer to past stories by searching by character or title. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the characters, the settings, or story lines. I'm careful to deal with adult situations with children in mind and will ultimately keep everything PG and occasionally PG-13. I encourage all children and young adults to write and produce stories for their dolls...it is most rewarding and fun.

This story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this blog are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

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Getting your Green on: Herbs and potted Trees/Bushes

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Do your dioramas and dollhouses need a little life? 

Plants are a great accent and usually 

very economical if you make them yourself.

Choosing greenery for plants for 1:6 scale. I scour 'sale' aisles after seasons for bargain plants in stems and ushes, even garlands and wreaths, always keeping in mind scale. WallyWorld,  $$ stores, and Michaels' are my favorites for new---and of course there always thrift store plants, arrangements or even greenery wreaths available, really cheap.

Flowers and Twig stems:I shop when I see anything reasonable and buy cheap whether I have a plan or not. Think texture---mixing up textures can be very interesting. 

Finding Florals isn't as easy as plants, as blossoms need to be 1/2" or smaller to work for Playscale of 1:6. I do not make flowers or leaves from scratch---but I have cut down or trimmed commercial products to a more workable size.

Containers: Mini's from thrift stores, mini wood, plastic, or ceramic floral pots, beads, candle cups, mini-dishes, bottles, bottle caps, baskets, napkin rings, shot glasses make great containers also.

Basic Tools: Glue gun or glue, scissors, wire clippers, pencil, dowels, toothpicks. (when working with hot glues, something to push down on your mini saves fingers.)

Basic Supplies: Dry floral foam, rocks, modeling clay, skinny duct tape, wire, florist tape, scotch tape, glue, moss ( I use lichen type mosses for mini's)

EASY Project: Making a Kitchen herb garden. The remodeled Victorian house has such great windows---really screaming for plants. 

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I started with some mini 5/8" clay pots I had, and painted them red with paint pens. 

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Since the pots are so small---I used some fine moss to fill them. A touch of glue in the bottom will secure the moss. Take a small 1/16" rod/wood/toothpick and stir a hole in the center of one pot for the taped-plant below.

I took a stem or two from a grass plant and slit some blades in half length-wise. Then I sharpened the ends by clipping. I used a variety of lengths. Trick for really tiny pieces is to make a taped bouquet. Place each blade starting with shortest on each end and the longest spread out in the middle on the double stick tape.  (keeps you from dropping the pieces, everywhere )

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Then tightly wind the tape and blades up....trim off excess at the bottom. Glue the bottom (hot glue or some sort of glue that work with plastic). Insert the plant in the hole in the mossed pot. Great for Chives!

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The pot on the left was made from bits of Christmas Cedar greenery and makes a great Rosemary plant, a mini Eucalyptus plant (just the tips) makes  Basil. These are just hot glued/ or glue on each stem and inserted into the secured moss. Since the stems are soft---you will need to use a good dab of glue. Three to five pieces/stems is plenty for this size of pots.

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This corner sink gives a perfect place for an herb garden.

Potted Trees or Bushes

Generally trees or bushes are evergreens backdrops in dioramas, so I choose small versions of pines, cedar, or palm/plants. Here Trish models with the plants to show the scale of outdoor plantings.

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Containers: The most important thing for potted trees/bushes is to have heavy or weighted containers. Rocks, or a clump of clay in the bottom of a lightweight container will support a large planting, bush or tree. It is a balancing act, the taller the tree/plant the more weight you will need. Plaster is also an option--though messy but, great if you are doing a lot of containers.

 Cut a piece of dry floral foam to size and secure to the container with hot glue or secure with a duck tape weight skinny tape. For smaller pots,  I use low-melt glue glue gun which usually is totally removable, yet will hold foam and small plants/branches. 

Mosses:  I use the lichen type mosses for small projects, just bits and pieces and glue them around the rim of the containers 

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Here I covered a white plastic pot(left) with contact paper to match  the one on the right.  

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These were made from a Christmas bush, the pot on the right has small twigs added to the greens. Both pots are weighted and filled with multiple sized cuttings inserted/glued into the foam.

Trish is shown for scale, I tend to make 'matching' pieces in different sizes. 

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From the top---you can see it isn't perfectly even---plants aren't, but balanced all the way around.

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Filling in the outside edge with small pieces gives a 'natural' shape to your bush.

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This is a large lit planter with many different types of greens and twigs. Think of all those commercial planters you see in shopping centers...and this is a great way to use up odds and ends. This is roughly a 4" square pot, with rocks in the bottom, then the glued in foam and finally moss.

Start with your largest stem branch in the middle towards the back(the twig branch here), Then add a medium pine stem and pull all the pine pieces evenly across the back. Add a few smaller pieces to each side and then something interesting in the front. I used some white mini berries from a wildflower bouquet.

For winter, I added a birdhouse and a few cardinals for color and interest.  Snow is just laid on the branches. Other bits were glued in, or wired if I wished to remove them later. I will update this for the summer season by changing out the twig/snowy branches and adding maybe a flower/berry stem?

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From the back: This was made for a corner display so is flat in the back on two sides. Square planters are perfect for corners. Diorama space is always tight! 

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This was a thrift store tree stuck in a disk of wood which kept tipping over. 

I used clay in the bottom of this pot. It was shallow so I made the foam taller than the edge of the pot, trimmed the edges off round and covered it tightly with different pieces of moss. 

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I made a hole in the center with a pencil, filled it with hot glue and stuck the tree in.

It works and is an easily moveable prop tree.

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This small potted tree/bush is cedar from a Christmas greenery bush, The pot is a weighted one from a commercial plant. I used it's plant somewhere else.

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View from above, I made this piece somewhat flat on the back to be put against the garbage cans. One tall stem, 2 medium pieces and a few bits for the bottom.

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This little plant and pot (peat moss pot) was weighted, and sparsley filled when I bought it, I just added the pine stems into the holes to fill it out. 

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I use this piece in lots of out door shots and it gets moved around a lot!

Potted Houseplants

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Actually the tropical in the middle of this pot--was from the white pot shown before. I needed an indoor pot to fill an awkward space in the Victorian by the beam support. The container is a black ceramic candle cup from a thrift store, and heavy enough to support these light weight plants.

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I used three types of greenery here to support the tropical house plant. In the industry we call these  'gardens' when smaller plants support one larger plant.

Glass Pots for Greenery and an ARRANGEMENT

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I had to show you one of the ways to treat a glass pot.  This 'dish garden' was used in a bedroom and has three different 'elements' or types of greens/flowers  in it. Two pieces of flowering twigs, 3 bits of mini-eucalyptus, and 3 trailing plant fronds. The fronds were glued to some wire stem pieces which were bent to drape the fronds over the side and down. You can also bend plastic greenery with a hair dryer, heat it up and coax the shape you want, as it cools it should stay that shape.

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Here you can see I filled the pot with moss. The stems are glued in one at a time, starting from the middle and working outward. Other glass pot fillers for mini's: tiny shells, rocks, gravel, sand, even fruit or beads. 

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Close up here shows the 'wire' on the left frond, it's green which just blends in.

This glass pot was found in a bag of several at a thrift store. Perfect for 1:6 scale.

I confess I was a floral designer for three major big box stores as well as a few florists, I always enhanced my pottery displays at shows with seasonal greens and sold them. I taught tons of classes, but you really don't have to be a designer to make miniature greenery arrangements. 

Just, keep it very simple and have FUN!

Next Post: Scale and Arrangement styles with lots of GREEN!

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