7/7

Okay, I mentioned that I was having a hard time creating in the past month. I don't know why I forget why it happens on occasion and what my remedy is. My work space has been a mess. Couldn't find anything. I knew I should clean up. But the procrastination pixies were running rampant. So instead of sinking into a pit of melted marshmallow mixed with peanut butter and crude oil, I decided to do something. About the mess. With the longarming of my own quilts, I had a pile of batting leftovers. I went through them, separated them, and put them into see through (that's the key) plastic bags and labeled them. The larger pieces I measured each piece, labeled, and nicely folded. They can be used for some nice size wall hangings. The next size pieces were too small for wall hangings but could be used to make some ornaments (I guess I should get going on those because you know what holiday is approaching), those also went into a labeled bag. The pieces that were too small for ornaments but too big to throw away, went into another bag. I will use those pieces to wrap doll bodies. That took about two hours of the morning but was very happy with the results. I continued to rearrange other things. I do have a few stacks of things to go through but they are neat stacks.

I practiced Esperanto, posted a blog, went to the library for more books, watched some paper mache videos, did not go on Facebook for the day (which was a bit difficult but stuck to my guns and was able to get things done), I got back to working on Verity (a pattern by Deana Hogan) and I was enjoying it. It's been awhile since I worked on a doll. I don't know why I'm so down on cloth dolls. Maybe because I've made so many of them that I want to do something different. That's fine, but I don't have to give cloth up forever.

The legs and arms have been stuffed. I now have to stitch the fingers on the hands and stuff the head and body. Her lower legs are out of a striped material to simulate stockings. I picked an olive green fabric for her dress.

I made a trip to Trailer Stash Fabrics this morning. Love that place. Got another Sashiko kit and a dress pattern. And I got into some more trouble. I signed up for a Quilt Top Challenge. We could list up to six quilt tops that we want to finish. The owner of the shop picks one of the numbers for us and that's the quilt we work on. It's not to finish the whole quilt, just the top. And the one she picked for me was my Halloween Cat wall hanging. I guess I'm going to have to get it done. I have a month. And I signed up for an open workshop that starts in the Fall. That one will be like a block-of-the-month. I can't wait to see the designs. I'm off to work on that cat and some other things. See ya later.

Birdie Quilt

Here's a quilt I've been working on for years. It started as an applique project. We were given a color for the month and had to make the bird pattern. Then we, the students, would switch birds to each other. Here's what I had in a pile, in a corner, in a bag. Some of you will get that reference. I have to put the border on and will then be able to sandwich it and put it on Leonidas.

Works on Progress

Ack! I'm failing already.  This has been a crappy start to a new month. I do suffer from seasonal disorder and we haven't had lots of sun in over a week and it's killing me. I'm just dragging around and it sucks. I've continued on some things but... okay Mother Nature, it's time for you to get back to work!

I finally got my heels knitted. Eegads! The first heel I had to undo three times before I could get it right.  The second heel I took out twice.  And I haven't figured out if I can do two heels at the same time because it just didn't happen this time.  I'm waiting for Maya to get to her heels and see if she can figure it out.  There's way too much turning and decreasing on the heels and my little brain just wasn't making it happen. But I got them done and I'm back on track.

Borders for my Bless This House quilt.  I'm being creative with my borders because of lack of fabric and funds.  These two will go on the sides of the quilt and I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the top.  I have started appliqueing the one border.  Probably the easiest thing I've appliqued in a long time.

I got the collar on my dragonfly blouse but it doesn't fit.  Sometimes commercial patterns are screwy. Now I have to take the collar off and re-cut a new one. Great.  I'll have to really get into a good frame of mind for that but I'm so close to getting the thing done.  Maybe by the time I do, the weather will have changed to something more appropriate for spring.  I think we should just do away with the whole Groundhog Day thing because this year, he was way off.  I totally feel for the people who still have a boat load of snow.

I continue to work on getting my creative energy and good vibes back.  I have a dollie to do for a giveaway. See ya!

May Day

May Day! May Day!

Okay, things aren't that bad around here. I'm getting my warped sense of humor back. I do have to amuse myself at times and get out of my apartment on a regular basis. I ventured out this morning to pick up groceries and almost forgot how to drive and get to said store. Not cool. I made it though and back home in one piece. I also finished packing up things for Goodwill (had started over a year ago) and made myself take them to a drop off truck. I can now say my apartment looks pretty good. And so does my studio. Of course, I'm asking myself why it took me so long to unload the stuff? Beats me.

Speaking of my studio, since my art table is big enough, I've decided to paint on one side and do other crafty/dollie things on the other side. That way I won't have to put something completely away to work on something else. Why did it take so long to figure that out? Good grief!

I've decided that this will be a challenge month for me. I will make it a doll month because I've been doing so many other things (creative things and those to pay bills) that I've put dolls on the back burner. I need to put them back on a front burner and cook like crazy. I do miss them but thinking too much about a new medium put the kabash on making anything new. So I'm putting it out there to you. I will have to make some new little people, witches, ghoulies, whatever. Why?
     One: because I have another challenge coming up.
     Two: There's probably an art show coming up and I need new material.
     Three: I need to restock the shops where I have old work.
     Four: The characters I've been dreaming of, thinking of, sketching are driving me crazy to get out.
and          
     Five: I will be having my first Giveaway at the end of this month to celebrate me being on my own. Details forthcoming so check back.

I will be updating my profile for this blog because I've changed. Things in my life have changed. I'm not techno enough to redo my whole blog to add on things I want to add. So I will leave it alone. I will be doing more sewing for me and hopefully be adding some costumes. For me. I have to make something for the Renaissance Festival this year.  And I even get to dress my little niece this year. I even get to make her up for Halloween. Awesome!

Another thing I will be preparing for is my writing website where I will be offering short stories with illustrations. Seeing that Map Hunter is still a ways off, I can entertain you with my other tales.

Now my list for the month, along with the dolls:

• Polish my first kid short story for a new website
• Write one page or 350 words a day, working on Map Hunter II
• Finish my dragonfly blouse
• Finish my Bless This House quilt top
• Finish my second pair of socks
• Read 3 books
• Do more sketching

A lot? Yeah, but I'm crazy like that. We'll just see what happens. It's a brand new month and all things are possible. Toodles!

Goodbye April

Can you believe it? Again, the month has flown by. Unbelievable. Still working on giving myself some credit on the things I got done and worked on this month and not worrying about what I didn't get done or work on this month. A constant battle this is.

Here's what I did:

• Bless This House quilt top pieces have been put together, working on borders
• worked on blue blouse and collar is attached
• 2 out of 3 commissions done, one commission was pushed back until June
• 2 out of 3 books read
• nothing on edit 5 of Map Hunter I, letting it rest while I work on the next book in the series
• started rough draft of Map Hunter II
• no new dolls, but started painting faces for Day of the Dead ornaments
• fixed my socks and knitted the heels
• started mixed media painting

Now that I look at this list, not bad. Not great. But not bad. You have no idea how hard it is right now for me to say, not bad and be okay with it. I've been given another day. With luck, another month. Yeah. I'll keep at it. Hope you do too.

Been Slacking

Sorry for no new updates.  So here we go.  I had three commissions, one after the other and the fourth was postponed until June.  That kind of threw me for a loop because I was in such a 'go get 'em' mode.  When the adrenaline is coursing through my veins, you just wanted to keep going.  The postponement brought me to a screeching halt and the adrenaline took a nose dive.

Here we go again.  The doubts, fears, and other crap us creative types deal with on a regular basis, decided to body slam me.  Really?  So I told myself that it was time for a break.  That I had been working hard (which is a good thing) but I'm also allowed to take a break.  And I did.  And now, I'm back.  I have another commission to work on.  Two paintings, size 24 x 36.  Huge!  I haven't worked this big since undergrad.  Will this be a challenge?  You bet.  And I'm ready.  I'm getting excited about these paintings.  I got my first degree in art, specializing in watercolor painting.  These paintings will be in acrylic.  Something new to me but I'm raring to go.

I'm back to working on dolls and hope to have pics soon.  Been working on my latest quilt and I'm almost done with my blouse.  I've been working on my kid book series, book two actually.  I thought I was ready to send out book one but when I started working on book two, I noticed that I needed to add some bits to book one so that book two would flow better.  Now I've decided to hold off on putting the series out there until I've got more written.  In the meantime I will work on some shorter stories and put them on a writing website for me.  Stay tuned.

I'm still working on my second pair of socks.  The heels are giving me fits.  This is what I get from not continuing knitting on a regular basis.  That will be remedied too.

Carry on people!!!!!

Quilt in Progress

I finally got my Bless This House blocks together and finally got a pic.

My classmate and teacher are holding it up. I still have work to do on it. Put on a zinger and do the borders. They loved what I did with the top portion, making it Halloween.

A New Month

We are almost a quarter through a new year. Can you believe it? Amazing. I really feel like I'm so behind. I know I always say this but, didn't we just have Christmas? Come on now! I'm back in the coffee business. My mom sent me her French Press and I have coffee in the morning. Yay! You have no idea how loopy I've been for lack of coffee.

The first three days this month were great. Writing new material, designed two new dolls for commissions and got them started, trying to keep abreast of doing more reading for the month, and started sewing a blouse for me. I also rearranged all my writing into folders. Main folders for short stories kids, short stories adult, screenplays, long books kids, long books adults and within those folders a folder for each story and the different files under those stories.  My document page looks so nice and neat now and I'll be able to keep track of different drafts and edits for each story. Yes, I'm still a crazy lady and have signed up to do Camp NaNoWrimo for the month. My goal is 30,000 words for Map Hunter II.

I wasn't going to write down which projects I will attempt this month because it usually changes and I get other things done. So I guess I'll give it a go for this month.

• Finish Bless This House quilt top
• Finish my summer blouse
• Finish three commissions
• Read three books
• Get through edit five of Map Hunter book I
• Rough draft of Map Hunter book II
• new pieces for an art show the end of the month
• Finish my second pair of socks

Nuts?

Yes, but this is me. The commissions will most definitely get done. You know, those pesky things called bills just keep coming in. I'm also getting things prepped to start a writing website. I'll talk more about that in the near future. But you've seen the list and you can ping me and make a comment if I slack off.

Cheers!

Works in Progress

Here's something quick. The piggy is coming along. After adding more Paper Clay, I stuck him in the oven on warm all day so he could dry. What a concept. Now he's getting a paint job.

You can see his little squiggly tail.

I finally got back to my Bless This House quilt top. I'm working on the top panel. The two black looking circles are going to be a huge spider. My theme is, you guessed it, Halloween.

These are going to be sister bunner dolls. I've got to get more Paper Clay and fix up two wood bases I have that were going to be for something else.  I also, finally, fixed my sock. Silly me decided to work on it at night, when I was tired and I messed one of them up. Then I tried to fix it and made it even worse. So I put it away for almost a month and now, it's fixed. Time for the heels this weekend.

I Has a Quilt Top!

I can cross a project off my list. Woo hoo! I finally have a quilt top done. After two years in the making, lots of appliqueing and I have it done. With my wonderful one inch purple zinger and mitered corners. Which took me awhile to remember how to do even with instructions. Yay me!

I did make a boo boo and cut part of the border. Good thing it's quite wide and can be trimmed all the way around. Never cut when you're tired!

No Pics

At least not yet. Last week was not so good. I hit a couple of speed bumps, fell into a pot hole followed by a sink hole of WTH. The two weeks before last were great as far as getting things worked on. And then... the glitch. I don't know what happened and I will not spend any time analyzing why it was a fail. Not an epic fail but one nonetheless.

Getting back in my creative saddle and back to talking to my muse and genie. Yep, I've got one. Yesterday was a good day. I've changed my strategy a bit and will use the bulk of the day to write and/or edit and make things that I can sell. After dinner will be time to work on other fun things. I am still adamant about getting my quilt tops completed this year.

• I worked on things for St. Pat's Day, which for some reason I thought was next month. I'm going to finish those pieces now so they will be ready. Boy that's going to feel good. Having something ready way ahead of time. 
• I edited two more chapters of Map Hunter. One to go and then I can retype and print off those chapters for another edit. I've seen some things that need a little padding. 
• The two Day of the Dead masks are finally taking shape. 
• I started a Celtic knot design and I think I'll put it on a pillow.
• Continued prepping applique pieces for Bless This House.

Not bad for a day. I have three more days left in this month and I'll see what I can make happen. Have a great day!

My Do Day

One thing I've noticed about myself is that sometimes I think too much. So much so, that I don't get anything done. I'm working on changing that this year and today was a 'do day'. No thinking, just doing. When I have so much to do and want to do and I start thinking, I panic. Ending up not doing a thing. I really want to get my quilt top finished. At least one of them. I have several. Today, I finished the block from hell.  Number 12 block of my Hop To It quilt. Yes... it took me a year. Why? Who knows. Maybe because I just didn't like this particular block. I was going to ditch it but had most of the pieces already cut out. Here it is.

Yes, I am happy. Relieved and pleased. Now I have to starch each block, square them up, and sew them together. The top will have a border but nothing fancy because I WANT THE DARN THING DONE!

Long live Jombi.

Almost A Week In

I can't explain it but this year didn't start off as planned. That's what I get for being excited about something. Cow patties hit the fan and you just don't know what happened. So, one day at a time. Looking back on what I was to accomplish last year, well, that didn't go as planned either. Other things did get done and were created from scratch but many unfinished personal projects didn't make the cut. But I am bound and determined to get my quilt tops together. Again. That's one of my plans. I'm not giving up.

So, for right now, this is what's going on. I'm working on a commission that I want to get done withing the next two weeks. Bills are rolling in. I want to finish the last block to my Hop To It quilt so I can put all the blocks together. I'm doing quite well keeping up with Bless This House and by the time we get to the last pieces, that will be together. I will do my best to keep up with Sketchbook Challenge challenges. This month is artist dates. Seeing as I just read the info, I'm behind a week but that's okay. I will figure out what I want to do and start this week. I really want to start sketching again.

 The last block for Hop To It. I'm finally working on it. It's not my most favorite of all the blocks and because of that, I hadn't finish the top. Now, I'm just tired of having loose quilt blocks laying around, so I'm working on it.

This is the beginning of the top panel to Bless This House. I still have to applique the trees down.

Sorry this pic is horrendous. I took it with my cell phone and not able to fix it. I can't get pics off my camera card and will be begging for help from a computer friend. But it shows the floor of my studio. I can see it and get around the room. Three trash bags of junk. I do need to make a trip to Goodwill. I can also get to my sewing machine.

I still need to straighten some things but now I can work while doing so. The creative juices are flowing again.

Here's my jar and felt pieces to cover it. It's going to be my 'Good Things' jar. I will write down when good things happen to me and place them in the jar. On New Year's Eve, I will read through them so I can be reminded of some of the cool things that happened throughout the year.

I still have lists. We'll see what happens.

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.

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.

I'm Late, I'm late!

I know, I know. I'm late with a post. I was really trying keep up with my posts. My finger is much better but still aches late in the day/early evening. My kitchen sink had a leak, again. The faucet was finally replaced. Yay! I'm still hoping October will be good to me. It's only four days in but two of those days haven't been the greatest. I could use a break from all of these life tests.

I have been slugging it through though. As much as I would like to crawl under a blanket and sleep, I push myself to do something. Even with that, a blanket would be too hot because we're still warm and muggy here. So I take a deep breath and suck it up. I'm not giving up. I will be doing NANOWRIMO again this year. That's National Write A Novel in a Month. I'm prepping for that, along with two different doll related swaps online. It's my way of getting some pretty decent doll art without paying. They get a piece of my art too.

I've had to go back to the familiar, cloth dolls, because having been in the shop, times are still tight for a lot of people. I have to continue to make some inexpensive pieces to sell in order to be able to make the nicer pieces I want to make. People will spend up to about 30 bucks for something that isn't necessary. And that's here in my neck-of-the-woods and my experience. It's all good, as long as it helps to pay the bills. But starting next week, I will be doing my art pieces.

Here's my list for the month. It's long but it's my guide.

• blog at least twice a week
• put more cloth dolls on Etsy
• restock dolls in shops
• work on my kid story edit
• sketch every other day, preferably new dolls
• finish one commission
• start items for Krankie's Holiday Craft Show
• sew my pirate vest
• finish my short stay
• finish my last Hop To It quilt block
• prepare for NANO
• create website

I will copy and repost this at the end of the month to see what I got done. Yes, I'm a bit touched but that's okay. I like me.

Bless This House

Block 7 of my block-of-the-month quilt for this year is done. Ahead of schedule. Now I have no excuses to work like the doggies after a bone until the end of October. I am bond and determined to get this quilt top done on time.

Catching Up

It's been a rough summer and I'm glad it's ending this week. I'm so ready for fall. I don't do well with hot and humid temperatures and it makes me sluggish. Creativity was at an all time low. Now it's getting cooler and I am ready for that to be a bit more consistent too. I am working on projects that are almost done and finishing up others before starting new ones. It's like keeping my studio and apartment straightened to keep creative energy flowing properly.

My latest Bless This House block, #6. Done on time. Here's my quilt/applique list for the rest of the year.

• complete all Bless This House  blocks
• finish the last block of Hop To It from last year's quilt and put all blocks together
• buy fabric and finish my flannel Trip Around the World throw

 I'm also working on my latest batch of voodoo doll pins and I will show a pic of them in the next couple of days. I had started two zombie bunnies and they will get done by the end of the week.

I am going to be featured Artist of the Month at Olde Mill Eclective next month. I am the go-to person for Halloween. I am working on pieces for that too. Not a lot of little pieces but nicer one-of-a-kind pieces. Something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I have been sketching and now it's time to have those sketches become something 3D. And I'm almost done with my short stay. Eegads! I have a skellie pirate vest I want to make too. October 1, I pull out the Halloween stuff. Well... I have some of it out already but it will be time to bring it all out. Have a great week all!