What a Dreary Day

It's been raining, sleeting, and snowing all day. It's cold and grey and well, it's not spring yet no matter what it says on the calendar. Anyhoo, things are moving along. I sketched a few dolls and I like the basic design. I believe I can use that basic design to make different dolls. So happy that I have access to a printer that can enlarge things. Now I will refine the basic drawing and make a final pattern for new doll 1. The other little creepy dolls will be small pins.

I drew the Day of The Dead face directly onto fabric instead of using a stabilizer. This is my third piece of Redwork and it may get some other embroidery stitches. I don't know yet. It may even get some beads. We shall see. The previous two pieces had stabilizer and I didn't use a hoop. I also had a bit of a problem getting the needle through the stabilizer but it held the fabric well enough so I didn't need a hoop. On this new project, I will try it without the hoop. I think the fabric has a good weight to it to allow this to be done. I'm using Kona cotton and Valdani pearl cotton thread.

#redwork #embroidery #valdanipearlcotton #Frixionpen #dayofthedead #dolldesign #halloweendoll

Embroidery

I'm starting to get through my days and work on things. Some projects are almost done, some I've just started. I had taken a Redwork embroidery class last month before moving and I finally got done with my second piece. The workshop was put on by my quilt guild and Beth B. Dix was the instructor. The teacup is her pattern and I love how it turned out.

I've also finished the rough draft of a short story that I've been working on for awhile. And I was four days ahead of time. My first deadline I've met. I've been sketching new dolls to make and I have a new embroidery design ready to go.

I've also been reconnecting to friends I haven't seen in about six years because I've been in North Carolina. Still not used to the weather or the humongous amount of travel needed to get anywhere but I will get used to it. It's nice seeing the wildlife around the pond and have seen two muskrats along with the ducks, geese, and a hawk. Oh, and this mutant squirrel that's as big as a cat. Unbelievable but it is so. I will really work on getting more pics posted. Thanks for hanging around.

#embroidery #redwork #bethbdix #turkeyred

It's Been Too Long

Moving just sucks. And I think I have one more big one in my distant future, the last one for this lifetime. Until then, I'm working to get back on the creative wagon. No more excuses, dilly dallying, or whining. Back to work. The past two days have been productive but I usually can't get to all that's on my list. But each day, I do a little more and today, I made myself work on dolls in the morning. Which I did. Started three new doll heads, worked on three heads that I'd started ions ago, added a forehead and chin to Frank's monster, redid a box skellie, worked on my Beach Creep, and continued work on a doll I started from a Deanna Hogan pattern. I drove around the neighborhood and didn't get lost. Had lunch and now I'm doing my posts.

This is the step that always gets me caught up in doubt. I'm working in a new medium, not quite sure of myself or what the heck I'm doing, and I'm fighting not chucking everything. Why? Because nothing looks like anything that I have in my head. So I keep telling myself that it's just the beginning. Cut myself some slack, let the clay dry and do the next step. Let things dry? Yes... I can be impatient and I'm working on that too. I'm trying to remember what a friend told me to think of when I'm working on my projects. Make it Suck! That way if it does suck, I won't be disappointed but if it looks pretty awesome, I'll be surprised.

I also got back to my Redwork. It's a particular type of embroidery that started out using red thread called Turkey Red. The country, not the bird. Seems like they created the first colorfast dye for the color red. Now women could embroider things and launder them too. There are all sorts of designs out there. I took a workshop from Beth Dix of Primrose Lane in Black Mountain, NC. It took me a couple of tries to get the hang of it again but I really like doing it. Now you can use any color thread you want. My first piece was a leaf using a variegated thread.

The piece that I'm working on now has the Turkey Red and a darker overdyed red. I've gotten a little further but this was the pic I had available at the moment.

And here is one of Beth's pieces. As you can see, she used different colors for each thing and colored in the spaces using crayons. This piece has been set into a quilt.

Hopefully, I can say that I've gotten a good new start to getting back to making things. There's going to be a lot of pushing myself. And spring is coming. The calendar says it's here but the temps say otherwise. Stay tuned.

#redwork #turkeyred #paperclay #dolls #monster #embroidery #skellie

Northern Winters

Are different from Southern Winters and I'm not really having fun. I was born and raised here in Michigan but I got used to North Carolina winters and I like them a lot better. Because usually, the snow melted by noon. Here, it's cold. And when the wind blows, well, you can just forget it. Today it was a balmy 19 degrees. But hey, the days are getting longer and I know that spring is coming. Even if it is in May. I remember one Memorial Day it snowed. I like my new spot and can't wait until it's warm enough to sit out on the deck. For right now, I watch the pond and I got some new boots.

The pond last week.

The pond this week.

Getting Closer

You know how you notify businesses that you're moving? You try to remember everyone but forget those you only deal with every other month, quarterly, or every six months. Yeah, had to deal with those peeps today. Only two more boxes left to unpack. Fixing up the place, supplies, and other stuff will be an ongoing process for the next couple of months while I get back to making things. That should be fun. Find it when I need it. Art table has been cleared for work along with two other tables. One I will set up my sewing machine.

I finally got my books off the concrete floor and onto bookshelves. I still have magazines and other books to deal with but they aren't on the concrete.

Went through two of those boxes today. So happy to see the floor. I'll finish them up tomorrow. Now I can go through things to see if I want to keep them or not. See what supplies I actually have and get more drawers or containers for things. I know I will need another bookshelf.

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.