A Slow Start

I'm pushing myself this year to learn some new techniques for making dolls and figures.  I have some crazy ideas on the drawing board and have started to do some research. Here's my first batch of frog info and sketches.

My new work won't be so realistic but I need to know how frogs are put together so I can unput them together. It's going to be an interesting year. I have also started to look for different shows to attend. That's an interesting process too.

April!

It's April!

A new month. Another start or continuation of the previous month. At this point, I don't know yet. I've been back up north for a little over a month now and I guess I can say I've settled in. I am here for awhile and will deal with it. It's time to put the blankie and bear to the side and get back to work. I'm still learning my way around; I know that will take some time to get used to but I'm glad the weather is getting better.

So... for a new location and month, I've decided to try a new look for the blog. I don't know if I like it or not, but I will give it some time. I love the color of the background.

I'm still working on organizing my work space. It's starting to look like a studio. My studio. I'm trying very hard not to get hung up on not having some things at my disposal that will prevent me from creating. I tell you, moving just takes so much out of you and to get back into the groove of things is difficult. I'd rather sit on a beach. The pic below is of a plastic container full of ribbon and other trims. Yeah. They were separated into shoe box size bins but when I moved, I toss the contents into a box so that I could stack the plastic boxes. When I got to Michigan, I tossed them into this bin so I could break down the cardboard box for recycling. I continue to arrange some of my fabric and needed the container for it, so I finally went through this container and organized my ribbons and trims.

Now they are in their collective boxes, labeled, and everything is nice and neat.

And I also set up my sewing machine. No more excuses. I have a table to sew on, one to do wet things on and one to draw, paint, or finish things on. And I have more room to work with. That will come later. I'm also trying to figure out how to put plans, designs, and posters or paintings on the walls without damaging them. This isn't my place but as an artist, I need some inspiration. Stay tuned.

I have some goals for the month and quite a few deadlines. I never really had any, I just made things but now I want to be a bit more prolific so I've got to have some end dates. I did finish my first draft of a short story four days ahead of time last month, got my second Redwork practice piece done, designed some new work/dolls, and got back to reading. Last year I read about 40 plus novels. This year I want to add in some regular fiction and non-fiction. I've always liked to read and I'm glad I'm rediscovering that. There's so much out there. I also have to catch up on the movie challenge I'm participating in. I'm a bit behind but if I can get my goals met this week, I'll be able to binge watch some movies on Sunday. So I'm off until next time.

Have a grand day!

Almost Ready

I did make it up to Michigan from North Carolina. I got all my things delivered and I'm almost through all my boxes. I have the basement sort of set up for working. Now  I have to clear off my art table so I can start creating again. I am so grateful for my friend from university who has opened her arms, heart, and home to me while I take a side trip on this adventure called my life. I finally got my car insurance taken care of and my car license changed, a new plate and tags, and have registered to vote. I'm still learning my way around my new town but spring is coming. So soon, very soon there will be some cool things coming.

Staging area as I unpacked boxes to find things.

Creating area. My big art table and two smaller white folding tables. I will probably put my sewing machine and serger on them.

Repaired the bookcase on the right and the new bookcase that I got on sale is on the left. Ready to get books loaded.

This area is where most of my boxes were. Now there is floor.

My daybed holds books, dolls, fabric, and quilts. It will take some time to get that situated but I now see all that I have and what can be donated. It will be a nice sitting area once everything is put away.

The area behind the daybed. Not many boxes left to go through.

The wall with another bookcase and shelves for supplies. I will need to rearrange those shelves too once I pull out my paints.

So I'm getting there and I'm itching to get back to making things. Glad the ideas are still running around in my head and I still have many little sketches to go through. Almost there.

And Here We Are

Yep, Hello 2017.

A new year, a new day, a new month. In a way I'm kind of looking forward to this one. After the past three being not quite up to par, this one feels different. Not only do I have goals but I finally have plans for those goals. Projects broken down to keep me on track and reach those goals. I don't do resolutions but I have projects. I also have challenges too. Starting this month with a drawing hands challenge for myself. Next month will be 29 Faces again. For now, I need help drawing hands better and I might throw in some feet too. I am joining an online friend to do a 32 Movie Challenge. To watch movies from each year starting in 1920 up to 1980. Some that I haven't seen and so forth. It should be fun and I'll be able to see something new. Each month that comes up will have a new challenge and I'll keep you up to date.

There will be more drawing and painting. Some will be for sale. More Halloween creepies and new dolls and they will also be for sale. I plan on having one short story finished by the end of the month. And some other new things.

I emptied my Good Things Jar and there weren't many that happened. That was pretty sad and I usually keep hold of old calendars because of the pics but last year was so bad I ripped it apart and threw it away. Good riddance 2016. And the past two years before it.

I am excited about this year. Yes, there will be things that just happen but it's the way you react to the stupid things that happen. I will forge ahead. Yep, I'm feeling this year. I hope you are too.

Happy New Year!

No Pic Post -- Books and Movies

In 2015 I decided that in 2016 I was going to start to read more. My goal was four books a month. Fluff books because things just weren't going great and I wanted mindless entertainment. A total of 48 books and I'm at 40 right now. I don't think I'll get 8 more read by December 31st but that's okay. I'm pretty close to that goal.

Next year, I want to keep the 48 fiction books, add 12 non-fiction books, 12 documentaries, and 12 classic movies I may or may not have seen. That may not look like a lot but it's what I can manage. This isn't a competition. I love to read. I want to expand what I know by reading non-fiction about a variety of things. I'm not a fast reader, so this is what I've come up with. I will be posting what I read. Here and on Goodreads. I've got to do better with that too. Documenting what I've read.

#books #nonfiction #fiction #documentaries #classicmovies

New Stuff

I colored in my adult coloring book the other day because it does soothe me and helps me to relax. I need to do it more often. A friend sent this to me one Christmas and like I said, it helps to calm me down. I have to remember I have it. This book is Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford.

 I also finished off two of my latest preemie quilts by stitching down the binding and putting on quilt labels. These are 36 inches by 36 inches.

Happy June!

It's a new month. My birthday month and I will be working to do some neat things leading up to my birthday at the end of this month. I'm excited. I haven't been excited about my birthday in a long time. I'm grateful that I've made it to this age. I've done quite a few things in my life that others may not get a chance to do. But let's wrap up May.

May

• Read 4 books
• I did some writing but didn't get my short story finished, I guess I'm going back to 100 words or one page a day for June
• I longarmed 5 quilts
• I planted a veggie garden and I've got flowers popping up
• I went to the One Way Art Show in King, NC
• I went on an overnight stay with two friends to Hendersonville and Flat Rock, NC; saw some lovely quilts at a quilt symposium, had dinner at Hubba Bubba Smokehouse and breakfast at Tupelo Honey Cafe.
• Did 6 daily sketches and some other small sketches for Halloween pieces
• Started watching a series on Netflix
• 12 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 5 wendy b quilts blog posts

I had a great time going out of town for a day and overnight stay. Sometimes you just need to get away to clear your head and rejuvenate your creative being. Now I feel like I can rock 'n roll. Here are some sights from Hendersonville.

My friend Hattie was looking for antiques for her jewelry and artwork. I was the one who found some treasures. Cigar boxes for some ghoulies and Deliverance, the novel. Hardback even. I've only seen parts of the movie, never all the way through even though the river scene was filmed in North Carolina.

I've got some sketching to do, writing, and catch up on some sewing now that I have my sewing machine back! I have some plans for the month but left room to do other things. I hope you hang around to see what goes on in my wild and wacky life.

Merry March

Okay, I don't know how merry this month will be but one can dream. Most of the country is frozen solid and warmer temps are way into the future. But... we do what we've got to do. Keep on keeping on. Last month was a so-so month. At the end, I kind of got into a funk. The kind when you work hard and things don't quite turn out the way you want them to. You shed a few tears, regroup, lick your paws, crawl under a blankie, and prepare for the next day, the next month. I'm still getting out of my slump and looking a back at last month, it wasn't that bad. As far as being creative.

February projects completed
1- Gail Wilson doll kit (I finally got all four of those kits done, yee haw!)
2- Wendy B Quilts jobs
1- Personal quilt top done
1- Book read (out of 3, got to get that number up this month)
1- Day trip to the Fearrington Folk Art Festival
1- Machine applique design
10- World of Wendy Lu blog posts
8- Wendy B Quilts blog posts

For a grand total of 24 projects, goals, things to do. Ten less than in January.

So now what? Continue to get out of this slump. I am so ready for spring and need more sunshine. The days are getting longer. Until then, I will forge ahead. Practice stitching on Leonidas, keep blogging regularly, read more, and make something Halloweeny. Yes, I made that up. Here's to an early spring.

Lemony Snicket

Hello peeps!  I went to a Lemony Snicket book signing last night.  I have read all the books in his first series The Series of Unfortunate Events.  His second series is called All the Wrong Questions and book two just came out.  I was also able to get book one and he signed both.  I also got a t-shirt.

Me getting my books signed.

As you can see, he is quite the character.  He is very funny, loud, athletic, can be positive and negative in the same sentence and considers himself quite handsome.

He also likes gimlets.

Bookmarks

This past Saturday I went with a friend and her two daughters to the annual Bookmarks Festival of Book and Authors.  I was going to go, then I wasn't going to go, then I decided to go.  I'm glad I did because I saw people I hadn't seen in years, both writers and artists.  I sat in on two authors, saw a ton of books I wanted to get but didn't.  It was an all day event and I got to meet, get an autographed book, and a pic with Craig Johnson.  He is the creator of the Longmire series that the TV series is based on.  He is very funny, personable and not too bad to look at.  As usual, I have a lousy pic of myself but I had a blast!

Hello Monday

Monday again.  It comes around every seven days.  Last week was a pretty good week.  I think I will post my accomplishments for the week each Monday.  My week starts on Sunday but I will post on Monday. I'm still working on keeping a three post week going.

Last week I:

• completed my blue blouse
• wrote 7305 words spread over three different pieces
• got a special order for a doll pin and got body cut out and sewn
• almost have one book read, that should be done today (still 3 book per month deal)
• painted one painting
• 3 blog posts

I just received news that I got into the Krankie's Craft Fair in September.  New people in charge and they had a jury process this time around.  I will start on the doll for the Children's Museum today.  Full steam ahead and one day at a time.  It's going to be a hot one but I will push it today.

Take care of yourselves.

Writing

Been busy last week writing mostly. Very little work on dolls but that's okay because I wrote. A total of 3810 words. I'm working very hard to enjoy each moment and not think about what I hadn't done. That's easier said than done but I'm getting better at it. Any little bit I do gets me closer to where I want to be. And I haven't been that hard on myself last week. Also good. It's still a struggle being a creative type but I would not trade it for anything.

I am still working on Map Hunter II and three adult stories. I don't know whether they will be novels, novellas, or short stories. Right now I'm just getting the words down. I do plan on reworking a shorter kid story and will probably post some parts of that. I'm getting back to the point where I feel I must write everyday or I get a little antsy. I've also picked up on my reading by adding some kid books.

Goodbye April

Can you believe it? Again, the month has flown by. Unbelievable. Still working on giving myself some credit on the things I got done and worked on this month and not worrying about what I didn't get done or work on this month. A constant battle this is.

Here's what I did:

• Bless This House quilt top pieces have been put together, working on borders
• worked on blue blouse and collar is attached
• 2 out of 3 commissions done, one commission was pushed back until June
• 2 out of 3 books read
• nothing on edit 5 of Map Hunter I, letting it rest while I work on the next book in the series
• started rough draft of Map Hunter II
• no new dolls, but started painting faces for Day of the Dead ornaments
• fixed my socks and knitted the heels
• started mixed media painting

Now that I look at this list, not bad. Not great. But not bad. You have no idea how hard it is right now for me to say, not bad and be okay with it. I've been given another day. With luck, another month. Yeah. I'll keep at it. Hope you do too.

Been Slacking

Sorry for no new updates.  So here we go.  I had three commissions, one after the other and the fourth was postponed until June.  That kind of threw me for a loop because I was in such a 'go get 'em' mode.  When the adrenaline is coursing through my veins, you just wanted to keep going.  The postponement brought me to a screeching halt and the adrenaline took a nose dive.

Here we go again.  The doubts, fears, and other crap us creative types deal with on a regular basis, decided to body slam me.  Really?  So I told myself that it was time for a break.  That I had been working hard (which is a good thing) but I'm also allowed to take a break.  And I did.  And now, I'm back.  I have another commission to work on.  Two paintings, size 24 x 36.  Huge!  I haven't worked this big since undergrad.  Will this be a challenge?  You bet.  And I'm ready.  I'm getting excited about these paintings.  I got my first degree in art, specializing in watercolor painting.  These paintings will be in acrylic.  Something new to me but I'm raring to go.

I'm back to working on dolls and hope to have pics soon.  Been working on my latest quilt and I'm almost done with my blouse.  I've been working on my kid book series, book two actually.  I thought I was ready to send out book one but when I started working on book two, I noticed that I needed to add some bits to book one so that book two would flow better.  Now I've decided to hold off on putting the series out there until I've got more written.  In the meantime I will work on some shorter stories and put them on a writing website for me.  Stay tuned.

I'm still working on my second pair of socks.  The heels are giving me fits.  This is what I get from not continuing knitting on a regular basis.  That will be remedied too.

Carry on people!!!!!

A New Month

We are almost a quarter through a new year. Can you believe it? Amazing. I really feel like I'm so behind. I know I always say this but, didn't we just have Christmas? Come on now! I'm back in the coffee business. My mom sent me her French Press and I have coffee in the morning. Yay! You have no idea how loopy I've been for lack of coffee.

The first three days this month were great. Writing new material, designed two new dolls for commissions and got them started, trying to keep abreast of doing more reading for the month, and started sewing a blouse for me. I also rearranged all my writing into folders. Main folders for short stories kids, short stories adult, screenplays, long books kids, long books adults and within those folders a folder for each story and the different files under those stories.  My document page looks so nice and neat now and I'll be able to keep track of different drafts and edits for each story. Yes, I'm still a crazy lady and have signed up to do Camp NaNoWrimo for the month. My goal is 30,000 words for Map Hunter II.

I wasn't going to write down which projects I will attempt this month because it usually changes and I get other things done. So I guess I'll give it a go for this month.

• Finish Bless This House quilt top
• Finish my summer blouse
• Finish three commissions
• Read three books
• Get through edit five of Map Hunter book I
• Rough draft of Map Hunter book II
• new pieces for an art show the end of the month
• Finish my second pair of socks

Nuts?

Yes, but this is me. The commissions will most definitely get done. You know, those pesky things called bills just keep coming in. I'm also getting things prepped to start a writing website. I'll talk more about that in the near future. But you've seen the list and you can ping me and make a comment if I slack off.

Cheers!

What Month Is It?

Jeepers! It's finally here. Another month has gone the way of the Dodo. Part of me wants to say it sucked, February that is, because I didn't get done what I wanted to get done.  Then I smack myself once I realized that February was a rocking month.

Accomplishments- I got all of my dolls made for the Loved Through the Years: Three Centuries of Black Dolls exhibit. They look great, the show has been well received, I was interviewed on the radio, and got into the paper again. How often does that happen? I talked about dolls and my creative process to a group of 5th graders, I got invited to  my first art show (where I'll be in a booth selling my work) of the year, I've scheduled several doll classes and a doll camp and I managed to finish reading one book. I wanted to read two for the month but I'm happy with finally reading and finishing one. I even heard my name mentioned again on the radio, advertising the exhibit at Delta Arts Center again.

I know, I know, I'm so hard on myself. Did I not get a lot done this month? I'm surprised my head hasn't exploded. Yet, I want to beat myself up because I didn't get more done. What a silly. I only got nine dolls finished last month. I was working towards thirteen but there's always this month. I like the number 13. One and three. I really like it when Friday falls on the 13th. I tease my mom a lot when her birthday falls on a Friday. Yes, I am like that. She gets a serious card and a hilarious one. Got to keep her guessing.

Back to February. It was creative, fruitful, and challenging. I have to remember to cut myself some slack. Have a cup of tea and be nice to me. I worked it last month. Now for March. I tell you, time waits for no one and I really want to start enjoying my time more. Being with friends, going on hikes, weekend traveling... me time. I have started to schedule some doll making classes and doll camps for the summer for kids. That should be fun. More shows too. There are also the shops I have to restock. So a lot more planning is in order and I will remember to have fun. Because life is too short not to stop and smell something sweet.

Books and a New Kid

Here's a picture of the stack of books I'd like to read this year.  I used to be a voracious reader but things changed. Life, finances, time, you name it. I like to read and I really want to get back into it. I don't have a Kindle yet, so these will have to do. There's history, mystery, travel, ghost stories, classic, and kid's books. There are about fifteen books, so one a month at least. I love this. Like I've got so much time in the world.

This little lady is my new kid. I got her for Christmas and I haven't had a store bought doll in ages. She's a Little Miss Matched doll by Robert Tonner. I have no ties to that company but I really like her. She's very cute, nice coloring, and she wears glasses that can be altered. She needs a new wardrobe and I will be doing some Civil War things for her as well as some Steampunk. Maybe even a little Westernpunk. I already have fabric for her first outfit, so stay tuned.

Oh, and her name is Greer Olivia Wynter Greenwood because that's where she's from. A green wood. With a stream and a lake. The rest of her story is coming too.

The Reader

I aided in a workshop with Akira Blount and created some lovely faces. One face in particular was quite lovely and I wanted to finish her and call her the Reader. I wanted to make a series of readers because I love to read and I think that everyone else should partake in the fun. Since I'm working in a new medium and need as much practice as I can get, I thought I'd do her in wool instead of cloth.

Here is the cone that will be the base of her skirt and a papier mache fake book that will be part of her stand.

My friend Katie was nice enough to pose for me holding a book.

I like the position of her free hand and the curve in her stance.

A close-up of her hand with the book. She is quite unusual in the holding of books when she reads. She apologized for it but I think I might use it. We readers are unique individuals anyway.

A different view of her hand and book.

And I like the tilt of her head. I've gotten started with the armature but haven't uploaded the pics yet. I'll probably start needle felting tonight too. Thanks for stopping by.

I Won!

I usually don't win anything but I put my name in a giveaway over at Flowers & Art by Kim. I won a wonderful journal she had made. It's so pretty I don't want to use it but I'm almost finished with my latest journal. Hey Kim, you didn't sign it! Anyway, thanks so much Kim. I will most definitely treasure it, especially that things are getting exciting around here.

I'd like to also welcome Renee to my party. I don't see a blog or site. Hi Renee!

My Tiny Tree

This is my little Christmas tree.  It's got handmade ornaments (by me and others), some that were given to me, and mini lights.  Love the mini lights.  I keep them on the tree all year because they're very soothing to look at after a long days work.  Creative or otherwise.  The little porcelain doll I got from the dollar store some years ago.  I thought she was cute.  One day she'll get a new outfit.

I got a few gifts this year so I could actually put them under my tree.  I'm so excited!  One is still unopened.  The two books are from a friend out in California.  One is on Queen Nefertiti and the other Grace O'Malley, the Irish pirate queen.  Love those pirates.  A few more gifts have been added since I took this pic.  Wow!