Here's a Something

Working to get back on the creative track. I've gotten my next block-of-the-month done. Block #9. I am quite pleased how it turned out and I love the colors. Very different from what I am used to working with.

I've also been writing new words. Not up to the amount that I want but doing it. And below I'm ready to start covering the styrofoam eggs.

WIP

Here's my Bless This House block #9. I'm doing well in keeping up and I am really looking forward to having the top done the first of next year. This is the last block for the bulk of the quilt. There's a long rectangular panel at the top with a lot of stuff going on and four borders with sunflowers. Almost there.

I'm a bit further along than this but this is the only pic I've got so far. It was a challenge to stitch it onto the block fabric. Not only did I have basting guide lines, I also had two ironed in guide lines.

Slowly I've been straightening my living room and studio. At times it seems like a lost cause but I'm also clearing out my closets of things I no longer wear, or use and take them to Goodwill. I've had one bag in my truck for a couple of years. I guess I should finally take that in too.

I'm Still Here

I just don't know where to begin. I do hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did. I enjoyed good food, conversation, a couple of practical jokes, lights at Tanglewood Park, an after dinner Starbucks run, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the tube, the Purina Dog Show, part of a football game, and a couple of episodes of Shaun the Sheep. It was my first gluten free dinner and it was very tasty. I did re injure my thumb. The pain shot all the way up to my shoulder. It's at about 80% and continues to ache and not want to do what it's supposed to do. But I have got to get busy for the two craft shows I have next month. So I will suck it up and get back to work. I'll keep icing and heating it but it's getting to be a bit annoying.

I was able to make it to the NC Renaissance Festival. Maya, Amanda, and I are trying to make this our tradition. Still didn't dress up but there's always next year. It was the last day of the festival and oh so cold. It was really nice being able to see the village without a sea of heads and bodies. I would love to see the place at first snow. That would be so awesome! I did get to see some men in kilts.

Next year... next year.

I'm way behind on my NaNo this year. I won't hit my 50k words but that's okay. I am going to continue to get in 1000 words a day, edit one page of Map Hunter so I can get it out there, and continue to finish up my screenplays. I also have to work on a commission. Here's the first pic.

I have re purposed a cereal box. These two will become masks. Day of the Dead Masks. I do hope you come back to check out their progress.

Yes, these are styrofoam eggs. They will be turned into ornaments. Alien heads. That's all I'll say right now. Take care all.

Yes, This Year Is Almost Over

Eek! What was I thinking? That this would be a good year. It's the end. Again. Didn't we just have 4th of July? Not only was I sick for two weeks and the stupid cough is still lingering, I now have tendinitis of my right thumb. That's been going on for about a week too. Feeling a bit defeated but I'm too stupid to stay down. The thumb is feeling better and getting more movement but it still hurts when I try to grab things. I can hold some things, thankfully, but it's not 100%.

Being sick and incapacitated with the hand put me in a bit of depression. I had lost three weeks of work time. I know, I should not be hard on myself but it's me. This is the busiest time of the year for me. I was extremely hard on myself and there wasn't much I could do about it. I was sick. I had to get better. The thumb on the other hand, came out of left field. Again, I thought I was being punished for wanting to be a creative person. One who was doing more than just barely surviving. The head was saying quit. Life is too hard. Life sucks for people like you. But the heart...

The heart says 'NO'.

At this point in time, quitting is not an option. To create is to live. I am allowed to cry buckets. I am allowed time to heal. Then I will continue on that fantastic road. There will be no name calling. I will be nice to me. I have many ideas and characters waiting for me to give birth to them. They are waiting for me to show them to the world. This journey I've started is still in its infancy and there is no giving up. Not now.

I have a commission to do.  I have two shows next month to prepare for. I am back in the ring.

The basic shapes for two Day of the Dead masks. The jaw may be too strong but this is the start of them. I will work on them today along with catching up on NaNo. Thanks for checking in on me. See ya soon.

Ornament Swap

Here are the ornaments I got from the wonderful doll artist Karen Michaels. I sent my angel ornament to another artist. This is with the group Art Doll Artists. They can be found on Facebook. This is the first time I've done a swap. And it's nice getting cool things by other artists in the mail.

In Progress

It's a pain. Catching up, still working on feeling better, getting mentally back on a creative track. It's been tough. I'm working hard on not giving up because I'm so far behind. But then a part of me kicks me in the backseat to do one thing. One little thing. Because there's nothing else I want to do.

Saturday was tough. In my crazy little head, nothing seemed to be going right. Yet in between beating myself up, I managed to get something done. Too bad I can't have more days like that. I started out with this...

The core is a wet felted egg shape that I made for another project that didn't get done. Instead of tossing the egg (there are more) I decided to make something else. And I ended up with this.

He's still in progress. He will have a green cap with a brown stem and probably a red bow tie. Why him? I don't know. He spoke to me and he's determined to get done.

Block 8 of Bless This House quilt. I did change the wreath and am trying to do a little bit each day so I can stay on track.

I added some of the flowers and the heart. Now I've got to cut out bias strips to make two stems. One little bit at a time. Right?

Once again, this year will be the season of the ornaments. They're easy to do and they sell well. They make great stocking stuffers and they're cute. Here's my latest batch of angel ornaments.

I'm also involved in doll swaps and here is my doll for the Stitchin' and Switchin' USA fall swap. She will get a knitted or crocheted hat (because she wants one), a jacket and probably a scarf. Her design is based on a Penny Wooden doll. I love her curly hair but she still wants a hat. Then she'll be off to her new mom.

And wonders of wonders, I finished reading a book. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I really liked it, especially the black and white photos of the peculiar children. It is obviously a two book story and I hope he's working on the second book. It's got unusual kids in it, monsters, time travel and it's about friendship and adventure. I guess I'll have to check out his website to see what's coming up. I do recommend this book.

Bouncing Back

I'm having a tough time bouncing back from my illness. I have so much to do and catch up on, I'm trying not to panic. I am getting back to things slowly because I don't want to have a relapse and get sick again. So I've been taking midday naps because I'm so tired. I guess that's what happens when you're coughing and blowing your nose for two and a half weeks. Non-stop. You get tired. I am starting to get my appetite back, so I guess that's a good thing.

I have two art fairs next month and need to restock the shops that carry my work. Tonight is my last English Country Dance session for the year. I will go for the first part to see people, maybe dance a jig or two then head back home and rest. Lots to do this weekend, along with seeing some gal pals. Next week I'm in the Olde Mill Eclective shop.

Still behind in NaNo but my screenplay is coming along. Here are some things I've got going. Have a wonderful weekend.

This is the start of my latest Bless This House block. I modified it a little, the original had way too many squigglies.

This is the beginning of a stogie chewing pumpkin. He will be needle felted. I did manage to get my art table cleaned off and filed doll patterns I'm not using at the moment. And I've posted a blog. I will try to be a little more consistent. Especially now the holidays are coming up. Take care everyone.

It Sucks Being Sick

Yes, it does. I'm just now getting back to business after being sick for almost two weeks.  I had a very bad head cold which turned into a sinus infection. It wasn't pretty at all and I won't go into details. But I'm doing a lot better now and working to get the creative juices flowing again because....

The Holidays Are Coming!

Yep, I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It's another month and just one more after this one. Really?  What the heck? As they always say, time waits for no one so you might as well have a blast. I have the Krankies Craft Show to work towards and I need to get more work in the shops and back on Etsy. I'm praying that I stay well as I've way to much to do before the end of the year. Oh, did I mention I was also doing NANOWRIMO this month? Yep, I'm a crazy gal.

Have a nice November and I will be getting pics up shortly.