Been Busy

I think that's a good  thing. Or, the realization that my doll show is in a little over two months has stoked the fires under my creative butt. More go-to items cut out and ready to be stuffed. One older design doll; I cut out and sewed more of them for the show. I designed a new doll today and cut out two just to see if the pattern will work. And I finally got a top pattern for the mini witches made and their fabrics ironed and ready to go.

The new pattern is the long doll with the stripe legs. I love, love, love that fabric and bought what I could when it was around. I don't know if I'll ever find it again or anything like it. But I will search. the little doll next to her I've made before and sold most of them. They are cute little primitive dollies at a very nice price. Have to have something for everyone and in different price ranges.

The mini witches have their selection of fabrics ready. I still haven't gotten to any clay dolls. Cloth dolls are so much simpler and I know I can do them. Ugh... it's a creative mental growth block. I mean, I've done dolls in polymer and air dry clay before but I have a design in mind and I don't know if I can pull it off. Fear is not my friend.

Okay, gotta go turn some bodies and get to stuffing. Gotta go to the other job in the morning, switched with a co-worker who nabbed a doctor's appointment. You know how precious those appointments can be. Take care!!!

Well, what do you know?

We're still here.  Those Mayans... what jokesters. Hardy har, har.

Well, I'm glad I'm still here.  Got lots more creating to do.  I'm glad you're still here too.  Welcome.  Yesterday Maya and I painted a mural on a friend's nursery wall.  It's for Amanda's baby who will be here in March.  It was also Amanda's Christmas/Birthday gift from me and Maya.  This was planned back in November, on Thanksgiving Day between me, Maya, and Dennis (Amanda's husband) all while Amanda was in hearing distance.  She didn't have a clue.  Maya had an idea and told me and then I came up with some ideas.

I got up stinking early to get myself over to Maya's so we could get to Amanda's. We had to make a coffee stop or were just weren't going to be any good that morning.  We got to the house, pulled out our supplies and Maya had forgotten her sketch. It didn't matter. But then the wall she was going to put the mural on was packed with baby stuff. Dennis had moved everything over so that we could make use of the largest wall. Even better.  We were about to start drawing and Maya couldn't remember how they were spelling the baby's name. I said no 'h', so Maya called Dennis, again.  Then we got going.  Giggling all the way.  Both of use injured (she had burned her hand and my thumb is still bothering me) and trying not to elbow each other.

I did the people and fairies and other items.  Maya was the flower Queen.

We incorporated things that mom and dad liked.

This could be Zanna Joy reading.  Her mom loves to read.

Amanda loves bats, and she and Dennis love UFOs and aliens.  The lady bug is sporting sunglasses and is attached to a balloon.

Dad Dennis loves skulls.

We both signed our masterpiece.  And I put the date before the end of the world.

Here is the final.  All of this done between 9:30 AM and about 3:00 PM.  We did break for lunch and it was all freehand.  Dennis almost cried because he wasn't expecting what we did.  Amanda, when she finally saw it, was just in awe and it was great watching her pick out the details.  Already she's planning on asking Zanna to make up stories from what's in the mural.  She's planning a story a day.  That is so awesome!

No Pictures

I was supposed to do this yesterday but I didn't. So here it is today. Just when I think I'm getting back on my creative track, I get derailed again. Seriously. The life tests continue. I don't think they'll ever go away, they'll just be waiting around a corner, ready to pounce at any time. To keep me on my toes I guess. I think I've got enough character, maybe I don't. I'm still waiting on that big break though and my angels, guardian faeries, and muses are still at the pub.

Monday night is my applique workshop and we had a wonderful storm. Got to my truck and it would not start. It was a good thing my instructor was still in the shop. She was so sweet to wait for road service with me. She was calm and appliqued. I was a wreck because I didn't need this. Yes, my truck is old, being held together with Michigan rust, dirt, dried leaves and cobwebs. It was doing the same thing it did last year when I had to get a new battery. My instructor, bless her heart, said not to worry that it's probably something simple. She doesn't know how old my vehicle is and she does have a husband who can get her to her next destination if need be. It's difficult not to panic when you have to be somewhere the next day and you have no one to call. The road service guy came and gave me a jump. At least I got home and knew I would have to take the truck into the shop the next morning. Whether it started or not.

Not. It did not start. It was pouring and I called road service again. I think it was the same guy from the night before. He got it started and I got it to the car shop. Told the guy that something other than the battery was the problem. I was praying it wasn't the starter. I sat in the waiting area, soaked, and freezing from the AC. It was the connector thingies from the part of the car that goes around parts of the battery to get juice. Yes, there is a technical name for those parts and I forgot what is was. They showed me the parts that were very corroded and I wasn't charged because they put the battery in last year. Whoever put the battery in probably should have changed the defective parts too. But he didn't and that was good for me. While I was there, I did pay for an oil change which I've needed for some time now. Maxwell is now purring like a kitty that's been smoking for awhile but he's working. Yay!

I had to go back home and change clothes. I was chilled to the bone and was an hour late to Olde Mill Eclective. It was my turn to man the shop. I told myself that I was going to have a good day regardless of the vehicle snafu. I was able to work on voodoo doll pins, sketch the monster veggies for the zombie bunners, worked on answers to questions for being Featured Artist-of-the-Month in October, and I started knitting a throw. You can never have enough throws or blankets and I believe we're going to get it this winter.

Maya brought be a Wicked Mocha from one of our local coffee places, Krankie's. Oh my goodness! Friends are great when you're working hard not to fall into a mental hole. It's got three types of chili peppers and local chocolate from Contempo Chocolates. It was so good, I really wanted to lick the inside of the cup. It will be one of those special coffee drinks because it is a bit expensive. But to get one and go walking when the temps really dip would be awesome. I love supporting a local business that supports another local business.

I am back on my creative track, a little more secure right now. Lots of Halloween stuff to finish and more to make. I'm very excited about that. Stay tuned!

Works in Progress

Things are moving along. Still not where I think I should be but at least I'm moving in the right creative direction. These pieces are for an upcoming local craft show. Like two weeks from now.

More voodoo doll pins. They seem to do well. I do have ideas for new ones. They will be evolving in the near future.

Angel ornaments that are being transformed into faeries. Don't you just love the colors? They may also be getting a new design soon.

Something totally new. Foil forms for polymer dolls. Scary, yes. It's not like I haven't done polymer dolls before, I'm just not confident in doing them. I have sold two since I've been here in North Carolina, so this may be a good thing. I'm putting it out there so if you don't see any progress within the next week, you have permission to bug me.

I guess I'll go do something creative now. Have a great day!

Works in progress

I have a craft fair coming up in three weeks. I'm making easy things and things that aren't very expensive. It's summer time and people are on vacation. I get that. Enjoy the family and kids. I was about to lose my mind about what to make and Maya suggested I turn my angels into faeries. Now why didn't I think of that? I'll keep the angels for the winter holiday. I will make a few more voodoo doll pins, fish ornaments, some alien plushies, and a couple of hand puppets.

I'm back to having fun after a small disappointment yesterday when some kid's camp classes were canceled because of lack of interest. It was a small blow but I rallied back and told myself to keep going. I didn't break down and fall into a pit of despair like I could've done, I made faerie skirts, and cut out my next Regency project.

I will have 20 of these little ladies.

I'm making a mock up of my short stay. A friend was kind enough to let me use her pattern. Unfortunately, she's smaller than I am, so I've altered it a bit. Yeah, it's larger. I want to make sure it will fit before I make it out of the good fabric. This should be fun.

Life happens and I told myself that I will make dolls. Halloween is coming up and I have to keep going. Then later this morning I got a call from another place where I can teach classes. These would be scheduled for the fall but the kids will be back in school and gifts will need to be made. Handmade holiday gifts can be awesome. As a matter-of-fact, I should start my own. A friend has also told me that she is expecting. I get to make a baby quilt, and toys, and dolls, and bears, and stuff.

I like how I have this 'not giving up' attitude. That's not what the next 10 years are going to be about. I'm a creative crazy person and that's cool! Have a wonderful Independence Day all.

18th Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival

Well folks, I got my geek/nerd on this past Sunday. My pals Maya, Amanda, and I went to the Carolina Renaissance Festival. The sun was out, it wasn't too hot or too cold. A perfect fall day. I've been to festivals in Michigan before, Maya had been to this one before, and it was Amanda's first time. A virgin. We had a blast. We didn't gorge ourselves on the foodstuffs. I did have the fish 'n chips and a beer. Or I should say, ale. We laughed so hard at times, our cheeks hurt.

Enjoy the pics.

One of the many faerie ladies entertaining the little ones.

Check out those wings. Awesome!

The band for the aerial performer.

The aerial performer.

An archer taking a break, sketching in her leather bound journal. She did pose for me at first but I asked her to pretend I wasn't there. I like natural poses from people at the fair. Great doll references.

Pretty dresses. Lots of work.

The music group Maidens IV. The fourth one is in the corner playing the heck out of the drums.

A wonderful Steampunk ride for the kiddies. I guess some parental units were allowed on too.

A lovely lady in one of the many costume shops. Yes, I saw several outfits I wanted to own.

The Green Man.

Three silly Musketeers. I don't know how well they would do with protecting anyone. They were ready for the ale tent.

A guy in a kilt.

This lovely lady was smocking. I can't recall the term she used but that's what she was doing. I used to smock ages ago. No time or little people to do it for anymore.

London Broil, the juggling troupe. They were hilarious. And very good.

A lady harpist.

Like I said, I had a blast. It's been years since I've been to a fest. Next year... I'm dressing up. I've got a whole year to make my costume. What shall I be? A pirate? A Steampunk pirate? A Steampunk wench? A faerie catcher? Any ideas?

Flower Arranging

Here's another cool thing I did this month to celebrate a whole year 'til my next birthday. The gallery where I worked hosted a "How 2 Night" where guild artists and local businesses demonstrate their craft or show their wares. We've had clay artist Cindy Billingsley who is also a fantastic muralist but she demonstrated an elephant in clay. Michael Brown who is a wood furniture maker. He talked about how he makes his furniture, all by hand. I missed that one, it was on my birthday. He was paired with Foothills Brewery and they did a beer tasting. For the floral part, we had a demonstration by Lisa Schaner and her partner in petal crime from Imagine Flowers.

They wanted to show how you could use any shape container to display flowers from your yard. What they were saying makes sense but when they were in action, I just said to myself, "Yeah, of course. I can do that."  Not right away, I would need more lessons. They used some of the artwork in the gallery. We also had wine tasting from 6th & Vine restaurant.

 Here we have ideas for bud vases. These lovely glass pieces were done by Jak Brewer.

 Many people love Ikebana. I've always seen the holders but rarely have I seen anything in one.

Another Ikebana piece. The artist is Bill Hassal.

The lovely little orange balls are called Chinese Lanterns. Aren't they cute? Of course I've got tons of ideas for these babies.

Also in this arrangement were Pitcher Plants. I had no idea they could be dried.

They also showed what you could do with a fancy bowl. Like this one by John Geci. I love floating flowers.

This was the first one they did. One in a standard clay container. This one by the artists Mikkelson and Pope. They started with the greenery at the bottom and built their way up. They used decorative basil which smells awesome. You can eat it too. The flowers with color are Brown Sunflowers. They are so pretty. 

The little yellow bits are called Kangaroo Feet. I can't remember the names of other flowers in this grouping but the ladies assured us that we could use whatever was in our garden. If you have one. I'd love to see Lisa's garden. Sit there and paint while on the lookout for faeries.

This container is by Jim and Shirl Parmentier. It's a triangular vessel and the ladies at Imagine Flowers want to show what you could do with something that didn't have a normal shape.

I'd like to welcome G Goldman to the party. You can find her at www.garnetgoldman.blogspot.com