May Wrap-up

Happy belated Memorial Day everyone. May has come and gone bye bye. Wow! This year is just flying by, full speed ahead. Not waiting for anyone. What I got done wasn't all that was on my list but I'm satisfied never-the-less.

Done: 4 pieces for the film, a Skele Lady for me, a mini quilt, an unfinished project completed (Cassa)

I worked on another UFP (Sage) and my manuscript.

May was a strange and unusual month. In a way I'm glad it's over. It didn't start off right and ended with a serious event. I am looking forward to June though. My birth month. A new beginning and another year to look forward to. There are many new ideas on the horizon and of course other UFPs to finish. On the docket: increase my editing and writing, getting more work done and out into the world. The Expo is looming. Things are just starting to get interesting.

Fran's Mini Quilt

Here's Fran's mini quilt. It's 9" x 13" and signed on the back. It will be placed with her before the family viewing. It's a smaller version of the one I had planned for her. I believe she would like it.

Frances

I don't know if I'll be posting a lot. My step mom Frances passed away this week. We were very close, she wasn't the scary step mom. In one of our past conversations she told me that she fell in love with me the first time she saw me.

She has always been encouraging, caring, and understanding when my mom wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom. But Fran was my other mom. I'm so grateful that I was able to speak to her a couple of weeks ago. I told her I was trying to get home in July to see a friend who would also be home and that I would get over to see her. She said that she knew I would be busy with my friends and not to worry. I told her that even though my trip would be short, I would make it to see her.

She took me to my first restaurant where I got my first alcoholic drink when I was 18. Yes, I'm dating myself. I felt so adult and she taught me how to accept a drink from a man at the bar who said we were two beautiful ladies. I giggled and I remember her smile. I felt so adult and cosmo. Back then it was really nice when a man could buy you a drink and not expect anything. There was 'class' back then.

She was very supportive in my move down south and always told me not to give up, that very special and wonderful things were coming my way. She listened to me while I cried in frustration and told me that it was okay to cry but always look towards the better future.

Fran had asked for a quilt to take with her to dialysis. She said that she knew I was busy but if I could make her one that would be nice because they didn't always have enough blankets. I said yes and I had just cut it out when I got the news of her passing.

I was shocked. I was angry. I thought about throwing the pieces and fabric away. I cried a whole day. I talked to a friend about the quilt and asked her what she thought about a miniature quilt that I could place in her casket. She thought that would be a good thing. I will cut some of the pieces down and make a miniature quilt for Frances.

I know some people don't get a chance to say 'good-bye' or 'I love you' to those they do love and admire. I am so happy that the last words we said were, 'I love you.'

She will always be in my heart and I have the many fond memories of our time together.

I love you Frances. You are with the angels.

Foil Madonna

This is another foil doll. I'm really liking this process and I can use all my scraps to wrap it with. I took a t-shirt quilt class on Sat and I'm using the backs of the t-shirts for this project. Just cut the remaining pieces into strips and I'm ready. You can see how tall it is, Cassa is 8".

I will make her face, hands, and feet out of fabric. The baby will be out of foil too. Their faces will be stylized and I have wonderful blue print fabric for her. Haven't figured out how I will represent the halo. This piece is for the film. Ha! You can see Sage peeking from behind the paper.

UFP: Sage

I had started Sage many, many moons ago. It was when I was trying out polymer clay. I did these funny old faces and this was one that I liked, so for that reason, I kept it. I still need more paint detail on her face, but I'll wait until she's got hair and is dressed.

I like her size. About 8.5 inches. I do have to work on hands. I was getting pretty good at them but I guess if you don't keep up with it, the skill goes away. She is a stump doll and guess what? Her base is already painted. I've got the fabrics for her clothes picked out and ready to go. I believe I've got some mohair left hiding somewhere.

I put a mole on because I thought she would be a witch. She informed me otherwise but still got the mole. She will also get a staff and medicine bag necklace.

I like her face a lot. I can see why I don't do polymer more often. You need patience, which most of the time I struggle with. Plus the baking and the mooning and worrying because I don't know if I cooked it long enough. I do like the skin tone look of it though. Maybe I'll give it another try after the Expo.

Priestess and Seer Woman

I finished them. Two more pieces for the film This one is Priestess and when I move her, the little silver danglies ring. Way cool. The head piece took some maneuvering but I got it stuck on her head.

I just love upholstery trim and fancy yarns.

Seer Woman, not quite a conjurer. I love working with layers. I'm going to really have to explore this process, 'cause I'm loving it. I've opened another file in my already over packed brain. These two were finished today. I gave myself today for one and tomorrow for the other but I turned into Speedy Gonzales today. I start a new piece tomorrow. I still have time to work on other things and get some editing done. Woo hoo!

The sun had disappeared by the time I tried for a close-up for Seer Woman. Pic didn't come out so well.

Voodoo Warrior

My Voodoo Warrior. Kind of smart looking isn't he? I was just going to call him 'Warrior' but a friend saw him this morning and said he looked like a voodoo doll. So he became Voodoo Warrior. I'm easy. He's got suede leggings on and the feathers are from a friend who has a friend with birds. Confused? Ha, ha! Sometimes I'm way confused.

This isn't a bad process at all. Actually, I kind of like it. Make a foil skeleton and wrap the heck out of it with strips of fabric you don't like but really don't want to throw away. The top layer is fabric strips to match the outfit. Now the doll that I saw had a separate face attached but I thought I'd let a person's imagination go wild and not do a face.

So here he is. I've got the two females to finish. I'd like to continue with this type of doll and see what else I can come up with. After the Expo. Trying not to count eggs before they're out of the hen house.

Cassa

Here is Cassa. In a previous post, she was 'No Name' because I just didn't have one for her. But now that she's done, I've blessed her with the name Cassa the Elf Seer.

Many moons ago I carved. I took a workshop where I designed her, she was cut out on a band-saw and then carved. She didn't come out like my drawing but I liked her enough to have kept her. I've carried her around for four years and she's finally done, with a marble for her 'seer ball'.

I knew I wanted her to be a red head and her gown was to be green. I was thinking at first a dark, forest green but then went for a more olive color. I think it works. She's happy and so am I.

The dark spot by her shoulder is wood grain.

I remember when I was carving her, she almost lost her pony tail. She is just the right size for 3/4" scale. Right in between Barbie/GI Joe size (11 1/2"- 12") and dollhouse size (1"=1'). I really wanted to get to doing some dollhouse size pieces but with the older eyes, it may not be possible. Then I discovered 3/4" size and may go with that.

A grown female would be 8", like Cassa, and a male would be 9". She will make a great to scale model.

Skele Lady II

Here she is! Isn't she gorgeous? This one is going in my collection. I had fun making her and the first one.

I love the beads and bow tie. She's ready for her close-up and ready to party the night away.

Two friends, stylin'. They make me laugh.

I wonder what kind of trouble they're going to get into? Do you think the town will be painted? Will they set off an international incident going after guy skeles? Or find a dark booth and sip something blood red?

Foil Dolls

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. I feel like that rabbit in that wonderful story about some girl who falls through a hole, drinks some stuff, shrinks, grows, and meets unusual characters along the way. My adventure seems to be going a different way. Haven't met any rabbits or caterpillars, a lot of strange people though. I digress.

I saw a doll by a lady last year and she told me this process of using foil as an armature. I filed it in my head. I'm surprised I was able to dig it out but here are three armatures. These will be able to hang on the wall and will be for the film.

They are wrapped with strips of two old nightgowns that had seen better nights. Stretchy, t-shirt fabric, I cut into strips and saved because I had filed this idea in my head. And I need the container the strips are in, so what a better time to get these guys done.

They will be sort of tribal types. A neighbor, before he moved, gave me some beads. Very nice guy and I will use some of them on these pieces.

At first, all of them had legs. Well, that didn't last long and only one has legs. At first I thought the foil wouldn't work. Dollar Store foil. I got the three dolls out of a 25 ft roll. But once they're wrapped, they're very solid.

Of course this will be the male version. I have fabric picked for all three. Will work more on them tomorrow but Meredith was expecting an update. For the next two weeks I will finish up the dolls for the film. It's been a very big project, over a year in the making and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to do this. But I've got another big project coming up and need to have a clean slate. Onward and upward.

Skele Lady I

Here is the first Skele Lady. One down, one to go. I think this one will be for the film. I may add some more trim but right now, she's done. Yay me!

She's got this beaded collar thing going on and metallic gold and silver ribbon. Good thing I saved that stuff. I had no idea what I was going to use it for.

She's got a secret.

She looks great on the wall in my studio. I tried to take a pic but it's too dark. Batteries need to be recharged too. Maybe the sun will really come out tomorrow. Another project off my list.

I also was able to get all Wandi arms stuffed and attached. I made the bloomer pattern for the Wandi Beach Gals, sewed them and they are pinned to the dolls, ready to be stitched on. I have some cool ideas for head gear. Right now I'm into buckey hats. I got one when I was in New Brunswick, Canada. Maybe I'll add a little book to some or a towel. I'll have updated pics of them tomorrow.

I'm doing stuff....

This will be a quick one. Here are my 2 skele heads on the decorative rods I saved from disposal after a fair. I've picked out some fabric, ribbons, and have some cowrie shells. Need to get some large beads. I want to have them done by the weeks end.

This isn't the greatest pic. I am known for not so great picks but my friend Meredith gets after me if I don't post at least once a week to show that I've been productive. Kim has been awesome too because she's just as excited as I am to see the end result.

The four on the left are Beach Gals and the ones on the right are witches. I've just about run out of the brown fabric and will have to get more to be able to make Wandis in old fashioned swimsuits. Thanks for checking back.

Before I Go

I want to welcome a new follower, Allafosca at http://altafullaminiatures.blogspot.com
I love your little rat with the scythe and his lady friend.

I have an editorial in DOLLS digital online magazine for the Doll & Teddy Bear Expo that will be in May. Once I can figure out how to link it up, I'll put it on here. It was very exciting to see Marlow and Jesserina the Rat in there as well as a pic and write-up of me.

I'm off to get something to eat and tackle more dollies. Way too many ideas, not enough time.

More Parts

It's May 8 and I'm a bit behind. I don't know why the past couple of months have started off in such a sour way. My project board decided it didn't want to be on my wall anymore. Poor dolls hanging on for dear life. I don't know how I will get it back on the wall. Maybe some type of picture hanging device. I liked having my dolls on the wall. Then I can see what I've really done.


I'm rallying to get back on track. The last of the mermaid tails are stuffed. All 42 of them. What was I thinking? I must have really been in a zone when I was cutting them out. The other bodies are Wandi dolls and the two heads are for Day of the Dead creations. Or Halloween. It's always time for Halloween.

The top four bodies will be sunbathers with short bubble pants on and the lower four will be witches. The purple one has spiders and cobwebs and the orange one has spiders.

Here are my two ladies. Of course I procrastinated a bit before pouring out paint and just doing it. The one with the closed mouth, is closed on purpose. Her lips are stitched together. I don't know which one I like best. Other colors of paint will be added. One will be for me, the other for the film.

Happy May 1st!

Totally amazing. It's May 1st. Where is the time going? Okey smokey. I think I'm off to a good start for May. Here is what I'm working on.

-20 mermaid tails stuffed (they look so cute when I have them in a small container)
-2 large skeleton heads sewn and ready to be stuffed, then painted
-4 more Halloween Sprites cut out, sewn and ready to be stuffed
-4 new Wandi Witches cut out, sewn and ready to be stuffed
-9 pirates started, those round things are the wet felted bodies
(everything but the pirates was done yesterday, it was a rockin' day)

There are more things in queue: Wandi Beach Gals in summer wear, needle felt mermaids to hang on the wall, standing pirates, and things in sailor outfits. Crazy? Of course. I wouldn't be me if I wasn't a little off.

I want to have 20 dolls by the end of the month. We'll see how close I can get. And that's just for the Expo. I also have Etsy and galleries and shops to tend to. I am bold enough to claim the life that I want. Ready for the May Flowers. Are you?

April Wrap-up

Alrighty then. April is gone and I can't believe it. As I look back, I was quite productive, and I'm working really hard not beating myself up for not having more pieces finished. I was creative 30 out of 30 days with writing, and dolls. Woo hoo!

What got done:
-53 pages of script for Script Frenzy, even though I didn't make it (other pressing things called)
-3 Wandi Spring Sprites (just in time for the Gallery Hop, the pressing thing)
-4 Halloween Sprites (As soon as I get decent close-up pics, I will open an Etsy store)
-pics of several dolls made for the movie to be used on a poster