The Last Two for 2011

Here are my last two dollies for the year. The are number 109 and 110. Not bad for a years worth of work. I have so many more ideas waiting to be birthed. I am so excited.

Here's Hanna and Lara. They are my large Prim Dollie design. I will probably make a couple more to make a set. They will be in the exhibition in February titled: Loved Through the Years: 100 Years of Black Dolls. More information is coming in the next couple of days.

 The pic above shows Hanna's hair. I braided strands and then attached them to her head like cornrows. To the right, they are together. Little sisters. They are my take on dolls made by slaves. I couldn't get away with the eyes. You know these are my kids because of the way I paint the eyes. They turned out better than I expected which is always a good thing. I know, I know, I'm so hard on myself. One of my goals for next year. Be a little nicer to me on the creative front.

Clothes are really different for me. These are attached but there will be dollies where you can remove their clothing. Next year. Which is the day after tomorrow. Yay!

Lots and Lots of Buttons

A friend gave me a collection of old buttons. There are some pearl buttons, wood ones and others that will go well on new creations for next year. I know I don't need anymore buttons, but, these are really cool.

Prim Dollies II

I've started another design of Primitive Dolls. Loosely based on primitive dolls. These will be for my exhibition next year. Right now, they will be used as advertising. So they will have a photo shoot in the next week. I'm venturing out of my box and so far, at least with the first group of prim dollies, it's working trying something new.

I'm a bit further along than when I first took these pics. They have been stuffed and all limbs are attached. They now have their faces painted. Today I will work on their outfits and they will probably have felt boots.

Last Voodoo Doll Pins for 2011

Here are dolls 107 and 108. Vega and Vesta are the last Voodoo Dolls of 2011. Yep, I've made 108 dolls this year. I'm working on two more and they should be done tomorrow. So that will bring the total to 110. Not bad for a person who didn't think they were being productive. I have so many new ideas for more of these gals. After all, we've got Mardi Gras, St Patrick's Day, and Easter coming up. *Insert a cackle here.*

Wow! Christmas.

For all who celebrate it, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I did. It's been many years since I had a Christmas. My friends decorated my apartment, I got a couple of gifts even, and I was invited to a Christmas dinner. After dinner I learned how to play Canasta. I hadn't planned on going anywhere for Christmas but it was nice to get out of the house.

I had a lot of fun. Being with really cool people, being loved, and returning it. I can't wait 'til next year.

Here's the wreath Maya made me. I made the skull ornament.

Here's my door with all my holiday cards received through the mail. I think I will have to get one of those brown twig type wreaths so I can decorate it for each holiday and season.

Prim Dollies

Here are my new dollies. A brand new design. They are leading to other primitive designs for an upcoming exhibition in February 2012. The exhibition is called Loved Through the Years: Three Centuries of Black Dolls. The first part of the exhibit is a collection of dolls made by slaves, the second part are dolls made after 1900 but before plastic, and the third part is for me and my take of the styles of dolls of the previous centuries.

This is Periwinkle.

This is Pansy. Her shawl is a piece of antique crocheted work.

This is Petunia. She has an antique lace mob cap.

Here are some before pictures which I didn't post when I was doing them. So here they are now.

The bloomers/pantaloons are way too cute. It looks like I will be in cute mode for awhile.

Before and After

This is how my studio looked after the Krankies Fair. Yep, it's trashed. Stuff on the floor, can't find an empty spot on the art table. I get a headache just looking at it.

I'm laughing as I'm writing this because it was a wreck. There are times when your work space is so junky, you can't do anything. Creative juices cease to flow, you can't find anything, and you just want to cry. So what do you do? You take time out to straighten things up so you can mess up again.

It didn't take as long as I thought it would to straighten up a bit. I can see the floor now and I can see the top of my table. I need more storage though. Next year. Now I can get started on some more dollies.

I've got space to work on the table. And the unfinished dolls too.

Holiday Ornament

Every year in my applique class, we make an ornament. Here's the one for this year. I really love make it and take it projects. He is missing an eye but I put a bead one on this morning. His body is velveteen and the rest wool felt. The buttons simulate snowflakes. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Krankies Holiday Craft Fair

My table at the Krankies Holiday Craft Fair a few weeks ago. Yeah, I know, I'm a bit behind with posting. It's been busy. Really. The lovely felted flower pins are by my friend Shye Mendelsohn.

The only thing new from me were the skull ornaments and more of the Demon Voodoo doll pins.

I also redid a snowman pin I used to make years ago. They sold out the first day of the fair.

Demon Voodoo Doll pins/ornaments.

Another chorus line of Voodoo Doll pin/ornaments. All of my Voodoo Doll Pins can double as ornaments. There's a small string for hanging on the back of their heads. I keep telling myself that I will be better at posting. Let's see if I can catch up a bit.

My Halls Have Been Decked

Here I am in my penguin hat. I've discovered that a lot of creative thinking can come about with it on my head.

My friends Maya and Amanda came over to bring some holiday cheer. Whether I wanted it or not, they were going to decorate my place.

I had bought some skellie garland after Halloween. I had no idea I could incorporate it into Christmas.

The ghost and monster are bells. Isn't that great? I love it.

Maya made the wreath out of real greenery. I have to remember to spritz with water. When I do, it smells wonderful. Just like being outside in a fir forest.

My first gift by my little tree. Can't wait to open that.

This, I really love. A candelabra with a spider, web, and gold bow. This is so awesome!

Amanda putting up balls around the curtains. It was great.  I didn't have to do anything. Those two were like little holiday elves.

Skellies in wire ribbon kilts. Love it!

Skellies in a row.

Ha, ha!!! Reindeer skellie farts.

Another view of the Halloween/Christmas garland.

Pretty balls.

They even wrapped my bathroom door. It's great having friends who think of you at special times during the year and they want you to feel special. Thanks guys! Love ya much.

I'm in a local paper.

Okay, I don't know how to get the picture to show up but the following link is to my interview in Relish, a local paper. Please check it out.




http://www2.relishnow.com/entertainment/2011/dec/01/wsrel04-doll-creations-on-exhibit-in-the-movies-ar-1663091/

Items On Etsy

I now have some items listed on Etsy. Still working on the link thing but if you click on the Etsy circle, you'll go directly to my shop. I'm trying to figure out how to get a pic of my own work on that little thing. Bear with me. Thanks!

Happy December!

Wow! Can you believe it? Another month gone by, a new one beginning. I just can't believe how fast time is zipping by. With so many things to do.  So many things I want to do. So many places to see, people to meet, friends to hand out with. As this month and year winds down, I am reflecting on a lot of things. My artwork, my place in the world wide scheme of things. I am grateful for so much but this season, this part of my life is ending and a new one beginning. It's a bit scary but so many wonderful things are coming.

Life is way to short to be miserable. I've apologized to people. I've forgiven others. But this is my life. I will continually work on my happiness. I will help others who want it along the way. I will also do my best to convert those to the ART SIDE.

I am wrapping up projects for this year. I have one last craft show next week. Then the plotting and planning for 2012. A show and an exhibition in February, a show in May. That will keep me busy. I'm giving myself six months for a final edit of my kid's adventure book. The list for the month is short. But the list for 2012, oh my, that's going to be a challenge.  Now of course there are my UFPs or unfinished projects. That list is ongoing, somehow growing. I will tackle that too. I will have that list soon and we can chart my progress in 2012.

Here is my first project finished this month. It is an applique ornament that we started in my applique workshop. Two friends are going to help me deck my halls for the holidays. I will tell you that this is the first time I've wanted to decorate for Christmas/Winter/Holidays, everything to celebrate this past year. It was a good one.

Have a great December. Live, Love, Celebrate, Laugh, Enjoy friends and family.