My Mini Muse

Bailey Magoo Bear is turning out to be a great help in getting things worked on. He assisted with the first paint and embroidery job on the voodoo doll pins. And then approved the short pants and skirts to go on said pins. I know I'll keep him around.

They're Alive, Alive!!!

Well, almost.

Bailey Magoo Bear is overseeing the completion of the monster doll pins. They now have their hair and just need their hearts. I love the added touch of the light yarn for the girls.

Better Late Than Never

I almost have a batch of monster doll pins done. Almost. It seems I get to the end of something and stop. Not a good habit. Maybe I lose my faith, or nerve, or whatever. I tell myself that I'd rather clean the bathroom or do laundry than add hair and hearts to these little darlings. It's amazing how our brain tricks us into doing what we don't want to do and not what really makes our hearts sing.

I did manage to finally get the September front page for my Bullet Journal done. Yeah, yeah, same old thing. A day late and a dollar short. I kind of knew what I wanted to do then scrapped the idea. So I did that wonderful yearly rite of passage. The first day of school. I used oil based color pencils. Walnut Hollow I believe. I do like those pencils and years ago I was getting pretty good with them. Then I stopped. Now it's back to square one. But I shall continue because now I think I have a pretty decent pencil sharpener. One that won't crack the leads or eat up the pencils.

I think I would like to try this drawing again. Add a few more things. Then I drew some pumpkins. I was going to make them jack-o-lanterns but I'll have plenty of time to do them next month. I used Tombow markers on this one and a Tombow brush pen which I truly find amazing. You can get a fine line and with a little pressure, get a wider line. Like using a paint brush. Gonna have to work more with that too. I messed up on both with the lettering. I guess I wasn't paying attention but for right now, I'm pleased with both. Because it's fall. Not technically but for me, fall starts right after Labor Day.

Until next time. Have a nice day.

Working

Lots on my mind. Lots on the worktable. Lots still to do. Working on keeping up with blog posts. Been working on micro wins. Small wins that will lead me to big ones. I seem to only think about the big goal, even, plan and not about the little things that will get me to the big things. So I've started a list of micro wins. Got that from Lisa Nichols. So that when I start to beat myself up over not doing enough or being closer to my goal, I can read my list of tiny steps in the right direction.

I had the past couple of days off from the other job and got busy creatively. On the first look, I didn't think I did anything but I finally caught up to where I wanted to be by the end of this month. A batch of dolls are ready for their paint job. Next week they will get clothes.

I have voodoo doll pins, male and female monster pins, prim dollies, and my new long legs dolls. It's going to be a stretch to get them all done this month but I will work on it. Have a great day.

Done

Finally getting some pieces done. A new batch of voodoo doll pins are ready. I forgot how I like to make those little guys and gals. October is going to get here way too fast. So on the docket for this week are my mini witches.

Slowly...

Moving along. One of my mid-year goals is to post on my blog more often. Even if I don't post pics, I can talk about what's going on in my crazy little mind. My creative crazy little mind. I'm at the bad point of most of my projects. Finishing. I don't know why I don't like to finish things because I know that if I do, there's a good possibility of me selling the piece. Maybe it's because that's a scary thing. I tell myself that if I finish it, people will expect more. Oh, what a wonderful loop that is. No, it isn't. I'm running out of room and I've got so many more ideas floating around and just sketched out on paper.

One project has a deadline and it must be finished today. That's scary in itself. To release something that I've created. What if they don't like it? But they will. You were recommended to them, so someone likes your work. To some this may sound silly but to other creatives, you know what it feels like to not trust yourself, your work, your own creativity, your passion and you just start beating yourself up over it. Well... for me... today is not that day. It will get done and in the mail. Because I have so much more to do. Oh my gosh! You wouldn't believe the lineup I have of what to do and as long as I can stay out of my way and put fear in the backseat (because it will always be there), I can step on the gas. And my creative dungeon, um... work space is a total wreck and that is also jamming my creative frequencies. Ugh!

One... thing... at... a... time.

So, for now I show you the voodoo doll pins that I have been working on for a very long time. The finally got a little paint, their faces on, and skirts and short pants ready. They are the second project that will be done on Sunday. Next week is my birthday and I'm taking off from the other job to have time to bust out some new work and finish up some old work. I've got eight days. Yeah, I'm laughing now. It hasn't turned maniacal yet but I feel it building. I guess this is a good time to see what I'm really made of. You with me? I'm doing the virtual hand holding right now.

I'm off to a great start today. I think I'm going to need more coffee. Yesterday was the longest day of the year and now they are going to get shorter again. Isn't that crazy how that works? My countdown has begun. 130 days and 14 hours. That shouldn't be too difficult to figure out.

Have an exciting day y'all!

Arms

Yes, after a horrid last week, I'm finally getting back to making things. My voodoo doll pins finally have arms and started painting their faces a bit (next pic) so I can do embroidery work. I'd forgotten how I enjoyed making these little guys and gals.

I continue to tell myself that I am a work in progress. That I do have to work. My ideas won't come into fruition if I don't put the work in. Easier said than done but it's another start. I just love falling off that tractor and getting back on again.

Onward!

Oh Life...

Sure. Right when you think things are starting to go a little bit better you trip over a pebble, get a water balloon to the head, and Thor's hammer to the gut. But hey! You get up and keep moving right? So look, no arms!

My latest batch of voodoo doll pins. Some are for an order. The rest will be for sale. They will be done this week. I still have crazy witches staring at me, waiting for their bloomers and dresses. Continuing to rebuild. See ya soon.

Moving Forward

Slowly.

This hasn't been the week I was hoping for. I know, it's only Wednesday but I have been chipping away at things. Finally got some hair on my lady doll pins, prepped some fabric for my next embroidery project and got some sketching done. One step at a time.

More Wendland Witch sketches. I'm trying to keep up with a sketch a day. Once I get three projects out of the way, I can start making these.

Working

Finally. I just had a short staycation and I didn't do anything. I was able to just sit and think and plot and plan out things with no one around. I watched movies, read some books, and basically took stock of things. And started a new plan. A two year plan. I've a couple of creative opportunities right now and a new one that may be coming up. So today was get to the grind stone and start turning it. I finished painting doll pin faces, found mohair, and pulled dress fabrics for the full body pins.

I also made Raggedy Ann some new legs. They turned out okay considering I didn't have the original pattern. She'll get bloomers tomorrow or part of a new face. I don't know which just yet.

I enlarged some drawings that will become part of a larger embroidered piece. Haven't sketched for the day yet but that will happen and post those pics tomorrow. And I've got to work on a short story. Added another part that may clear some things up. Just moving right along.

Tiny Faces

Yep, some things are getting worked on. The full body doll pins have faces. They are pretty tiny but I think they are cute. Tomorrow I look for hair and start dressing them.

#wendyluane #clothdollpin #clothdoll #dollpin #originaldesign

Ugh!

At some point, hopefully, I will get things at full speed ahead. Right now, it's starts, stops, and bumps along the way. I've been having a rough time at getting creative again but hopefully I'm on the right launch pad this time. Here I've started painting the doll head pins that I started a couple of weeks ago. Eegads! They should have been done by now but I'm a big goof. I'm working on changing that, really, I am. I put down the basics with acrylic paint. The eyes and lips. Next I'll go in with color pencil to do a quick makeup job, finishing off with permanent pen.

For the full body pins, I used clothes pins to keep their legs separated while I painted their shoes. For larger dolls I use the toe separators you use when you paint your toenails. Those things hold and separate doll legs quite well. And as you can see, clothes pins work for smaller pieces. You use what you have.

Below you can see better the beginning of their paint job and how the pins are holding their legs.

And We're Off

Now that birthday celebrations and the summer holiday are over it's time to get back to some creative business. I have doll pins in the works to ship off to a shop and did some sketching along with working on a couple of short stories. Was getting back to my daily walk too but today, a very loud thunder storm ran me inside before I got to finish. And it's been raining all day. The plants need it. So I'm good. Sketches for doll hat pins.

I've got doll hat heads and full doll pins ready to be painted.

Here are some other sketches of heads that may or may not be turned into 3D figures. We shall see. The week is still young and I've got a lot of catching up to do.

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

I'm Here! I'm Here!

Yeah, yeah. Running errands, paying bills, grocery shopping, and doing laundry... yeah, I think I'm good for awhile. I got something done! Woo hoo! 20 voodoo doll ornaments/pins. Everyone has been signed and dated and I only have to do hang tags. Tomorrow.  I'm behind on my 31 DOH but will catch up, tomorrow. I guess this could be a part of my 31 DOH. Yeah.

Hello

I've been trying to do better with posting but it's not happening. So I shall continue to get better, which means I will have to get better at working on things. So, here we are, and I have pics of doll pins finally stuffed. I also started a new Sashiko piece. I have gotten back to Esperanto and I'm almost done with my short story. I had to hook up my tower again because I can print off my work on an old printer. I won't have to go to Kinko's every time I need to have pages printed off. Now that I have it hooked up again, no excuses. I mean, I'm just about done with the rough draft. Geesh!

The doll pins are about 5 1/2" tall.

And here is my second Sashiko piece. A bit more complicated design but I like doing them. They are very soothing once you get into a rhythm. I still don't know what I will do with them once they're done. I've seen these pieces turned into little purses. That's an idea. Time for breakfast, some coffee, and get busy. Have a good day.

Hello August! (post dated)

I wrote this the day my laptop crashed, so I'm posting it today.

This is late.  I didn't do an end of the month blog (July) wrap-up because my computer was on the fritz.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  Life just keeps throwing things at me (pies, greasy piglets, engine blocks) just to keep me on my toes.  I couldn't believe it.  I tried to be positive after crying myself to sleep the night it decided it was going to mess with my mind.  I told myself that crap happens.  They call it life.

I decided to let it go.  August 1, I had to run errands.  That's a great way to suck the creative juices from you.  Got home and tried to reinstall Windows.  Nothing.  I had lunch and read a book.  Loamhedge by Brian Jacques.  One of my favorite authors and I've been blessed to have met him before he passed away.  He writes the Redwall series, and I still have a few more books in the series to read.

I worked on my Google+ introduction for when I get back on my laptop.  For the rest of the day I wrote and worked on a doll.  I'll also add some sketching.  Halloween is approaching and I've got to get busy.

What I accomplished last month (July):

• Bless This House quilt top
• six doll pins, one a special order
• four short story rough drafts
• Map Hunter II rough draft, finished two days ahead of schedule
• finished my short stay for whenever I get to make a Regency gown
• finished my blue dragonfly blouse
• read two adult books, one kid book
• one landscape painting

I did okay giving up TV for the month.  I fell off the truck four times but as the month went on, I didn't miss it.  I did get the weather in the morning before my walk and I watched Under the Dome every Monday night and Sunday Morning for three Sundays.  I think that's pretty good and I don't really need TV.  I will continue to listen to my music during the day and watch movies.  I plan on giving up sitting for so long at a time and do more stretching and drink more water for August.

For this month, and it will be a bit crazy, I will attempt:

• finish one more quilt top
• make another blouse for me
• read three books
• Map Hunter III rough draft
• two short story rough drafts
• finish my socks
• goo gobs of Halloween stuff
• a painting a week, does not include sketches or practice pieces, yeah that may be harsh but we'll see
• finish my mermaid

I am off to do, something.  Hopefully my laptop can be saved.

Special Order

Once again, I get to having 90% of a project done and nothing.  Some strange psychological un-creativity going on.  I only had to do his cap and put his belt on.  So I finally sat down and finished him and delivered to the shop.  What the heck is wrong with me?

Yes, I made him a baseball cap.  The new owner wanted a male Day of Dead doll pin with a blue cap.  So here it is.  I did manage to get somethings done last week.  It's been one heck of a week too.  We finally got a break in the humidity and I didn't want to do anything but enjoy it.  That won't be happening today.  More stuff on the list to do.  I still have four more days in the month before putting it in the books.

Hello Monday

Monday again.  It comes around every seven days.  Last week was a pretty good week.  I think I will post my accomplishments for the week each Monday.  My week starts on Sunday but I will post on Monday. I'm still working on keeping a three post week going.

Last week I:

• completed my blue blouse
• wrote 7305 words spread over three different pieces
• got a special order for a doll pin and got body cut out and sewn
• almost have one book read, that should be done today (still 3 book per month deal)
• painted one painting
• 3 blog posts

I just received news that I got into the Krankie's Craft Fair in September.  New people in charge and they had a jury process this time around.  I will start on the doll for the Children's Museum today.  Full steam ahead and one day at a time.  It's going to be a hot one but I will push it today.

Take care of yourselves.

On My Worktable

Oh my gosh! This month has flown by. Did you get to see the Super Moon? I saw it, but it wasn't way big like in some pics online. It was very bright though and it made me smile. Still working on things. I apologize for not keeping up. I've fallen short on the celebrating this month but there are a few cool plans in the works.

Here's what's on my worktable right now. Still working on my Bless This House borders. I now have the sunflowers in place. One has already been appliqued on.

More Day of Dead doll pins to finish and a large doll for a group swap that needs to be done by the end of the week. Been writing too. And that's always changing. It's going to be a scorcher this week and I'm hoping I don't have to go out much if at all. Have a good one. It's finally summer and the days are getting shorter.