See ya March!

It's the last day of the bloody month. Although it was saved by two doll sales, still... I don't know what the glitch was. Whether it was the change of the season, time change, the teasing by Mother Nature with early extra warm temperatures, getting sick (again), that super moon... what? I just don't know and it's over. Done. In the books. It's a wrap.

My list, well, we won't go there. Barely scratched it. I got four dolls done this month and that's sad. I did a lot of reading, finished two books. I even got back to writing, working to get into a daily habit of putting pen to paper. Yeah, that's old school but I've been doing it. I completed another quilt block that I've been getting rave compliments on. I made five postcards.

How many new projects did I add not doll related? One. A quilt. Yes, I'm more batty than bats in a well lit attic. A quarter into the year. At least right now I'm laughing. I can't explain why March was a failure. Something went haywire and I feel as if I'm coming off a bad carnival ride with a demented clown sitting next to me. Is that image burned into your brain? Good.

I really, honestly don't know what happened this month. I've neglected so many things. I think when I got one disappointment, and then the next, I started to unravel. It all took me by surprise and I kind of gave up. I think I need to burn some sage in my apartment to get rid of the negative energy. I used to do it on a regular basis and then I stopped. Well, will be getting some more sage tomorrow and have a creative blessing.

I've got nine more months in this year to go. I can still rock it. I know that there will be down times and I have to remember to take care of me. Because I'm important. So....

GOOD BYE MARCH!

Hop To It Block I

Okay, I thought I had posted a pic of block I but I only posted a pic of the beginning of the piece. Here's the finished block. Yes, I'm a goof.

I'd like to welcome "E" Ambassador d' Utopia to the crowd.

Vonna and Vlad

Meet Vonna and Vlad. They are voodoo pin dolls and about 6" tall. They are the first of my voodoo designs and they each have a pin and a voodoo scroll. I'm still working on the incantation. Their friends will be available through Etsy by the end of the week.

You can barely see her button eye. Of all the gazillion buttons I have at my disposal, you'd think I'd have a tiny dark one. Oh no! Shopping trip! I think I'll get black and red. Gotta have bloodshot eyes. They both have hearts of dyed wool.

Yeah, that is a rope around their necks. It's been a rough month, okay. Vlad's pants are being held up by another rope. While I was adding the final touches on him, he happened to get into some blue paint, so I added more in several other spots on his body to make it look like I did it on purpose.

More legs. Aren't they cute? I could go in so many different directions with these things.

Hop To It Block 2

I mentioned that I was nuts enough to start another block of the month type quilt. I know, I know... I need another project like I need another hole on my person. And I don't have a lot of extras. But here is block 2 of my Hop to It quilt.

All pieces have been appliqued. I really like to applique, it's very soothing. Once I get started.

I would like to welcome Lady Jane, and Mrs Goodneedle at www.strawberrypatchquiltworks.blogspot.com to my wacky creative party.

Mavis has a new home

SOLD!

Mavis has a new parent. It was sad letting her go but I know she will be loved.

Postcards

I have spurts of 2D creativity. A good friend out in California sent me a St Patrick's Day card. Loved it! Believe it or not, I'd almost forgotten that day was coming in for a landing. I looked at the calender and I had a few days to make her something and send it to her. So in less than an hour, I made this for her. She is truly Irish by-the-way.

There is one four leafed clover in the bunch. The yellow circles represent good fortune. I used re-purposed cereal box, cut paper, acrylic paint to make this little gem. I had a blast making it, then quickly got it into the mail.

I really like making postcards. These are mixed media. I've used paint, colored paper, rubber stamps, and the wonderful cereal box cardboard. They are on their way to destinations across the US.

Wow! It's Finally Spring

Three months into the new year and it has been a roller coaster ride. Just when I thought I was getting back on track, I'm blindsided by something else. I felt like an old Model T car trying to start up but coughs and sputters made it difficult to get going. I could not figure out what was going on or rather, not going right. I'd have good creative days, excellent creative days and then nothing. I couldn't figure out what was going on.

Well, I came up with this.

Old Man Winter just didn't want to let go. What happens when he doesn't want to get the boot? All things are dead. You start to shed old skin, old hair. You start to wake up from a cold season's slumber. You try to emerge from the heaviness of being dormant to becoming alive again. Like a beautiful moth or butterfly, you struggle into a new world. Just like they force their way out of a cocoon, you force your way out of wool, down and knitted pieces. Blankets used for warmth are now tossed aside.

Spring! That's what it was. Winter was holding onto dear life in my brain as spring and everything new was making its way to the fore of my life. During the winter, I hunkered down to stay warm and had to create because bad weather prevented a lot of doing anything else. Now, spring is here. The need to finish old projects is great because new ones are ready to be embraced and birthed. Colors are changing from dark blues, greys, browns to bright yellows, greens, reds, pinks. Colors of being alive again.

For the past couple of weeks, when things weren't going well, I was in the process of waking up. Shaking off hibernation. Breathing in new air, moving muscles and old joints, to be ready for a new season.  I get it now. Out of the old and into the new. Time to really create.

Welcome back spring!

Works in Progress

Here is a spring Wandi Doll that I've started. I have to finish her face job and dress her. Her undies are cut out and ready to be sewn.

Three dolls for the film. They are dish soap bottles covered with fabric. They have foil heads that will be wrapped with strips of fabric. Some will have feathers and other embellishments.

You can really see a part of my messy art table. These two are the forms for my Mardi Gras skellies.

A closer look at those skellies. They just look like plucked quails. They crack me up.

The two Koji Bears that need to be covered with brown wool. The pink was used to help pad his belly. It won't be seen. I try to use up scrap wool as filler.

And finally, faerie parts, also for the film. I'm still trying to figure out how to make their wings. There are so many different ways to do them. Those are things in progress that need to be completed this month.  Along with the 'list'. Ha, ha, ha!

March List

Grab a cup of tea or coffee and have a seat. Are you ready for this month's list? Here we go.

Quilting
Hop to It block #2
1/4 more quilting of bunny wall hanging

Writing
Polish Map Hunter manuscript, send it off
Set up Kitchen for Script Frenzy

Reading
Beyond Positive Thinking
Changeless
Ireland's Pirate Queen

Art
5 Postcards
1 Painting
Rough sketches of Halloween paintings for Oct show
Design Halloween mug rugs

Dolls
3 Ghostie Girls
1 Creative Mojo Man
2 Koji Bears covered
3 Koji Bears dressed
2 Mardi Gras skellies
6 Wandi Dolls finished
6 Wandi Mermaids
10 Day of the Dead ornaments

Not included are extra pieces for the film. I may be ready for a padded room with a view by the time this month is over. But if you're ready for a fun ride, join me.

Hello March!

This one is going to be quick and short. I just want to wish everyone a happy, prosperous, and enormously creative March. I have my list made up and will post it tomorrow. If you thought February's list was large, March is humongous. Well, maybe not that big. But I've got to get ready for that show in May and my one woman show in Oct. I'm also trying to book a show in the summer on the coast and apply for a grant. Then there's still the writing. Script Frenzy is in April. I wonder if there is a medical term for what I have.


Stay tuned!