Swap Dolls

ADA (Art Doll Artists) recently had a doll swap.  A swap is when artists sign up for whatever the theme of the swap is, and they are paired with another artist to swap the piece they've made.  It's a great way of acquiring work by doll artists you really like.  This is my third time participating and I'm starting to get the hang of it.  First thing, start early.  It's good working with a deadline and I'm looking forward to the next one for the group, which is in October for a Halloween ornament swap.

This is the doll I finished for my partner.  She is a Moli Doll ready to celebrate for the Day of the Dead.  I love her stripe legs and I knitted her vest.

This is the doll I received from Mary Sanders Lazenby of Blue Goose Studios.  Her name is Maria Tasseltop and she is wonderful.  She's a big doll (almost 23") and I'm still looking for a great spot for her.

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.

In Progress

Working on getting out of this funk and back into the creative saddle. It's hard when you've had the rug pulled from under you several times in a row. You start to question and doubt things. But you get up, dust yourself off and keep going. Last week wasn't very productive because I was in that pity pool. Then I got sick over the weekend. I did manage to work on a few things.

Here's another Moli Doll in progress. She's screaming for a sweater and I've started two that haven't turned out. I guess I'll try again because she's not budging.

These are sunflowers for my Bless This House quilt. When I'm feeling low, I applique. The repetitiveness of the stitching calms and soothes me. I know that sounds weird but it does seem to help me get back into creative mode.

Another thing I've discovered about me and maybe other art types out there, is that I think too much. Coming up with an idea is one thing. Then there's prep thinking, which is okay too. But then you go into overdrive and start thinking about what might happen and you end up not doing anything. Or you start something only to look at it midway and say it stinks, when you haven't even finished the darn thing. How do you know it's not going to work if you don't finish it? At least when it's done, you can say what went wrong and where you can improve with the next one. But to not finish and then get mad at yourself because you started to think is a horrible thing.

Today, I'm not thinking. I'm just doing. I got up this morning with that in mind and right after breakfast I took these pics. Now I'm writing this piece on my blog. I will pick up a project and get going. No thinking until tonight.

Jeepers! I forgot the Doll!

Just getting a wee bit excited about my upcoming day and forgot the picture of my latest doll. She's the second in my limited edition of Moli Dolls. Her name is Tamarlyn and she's a goth hippie with an attitude. She's also on my Etsy shop. I'm getting more work on there. Slowly but surely.

I just love her belly button bead. And her mole. Don't mess with her.  Okay, I'm going now. My stomach is growling.

Wonderful Wednesday and a Doll

Hello! It's a glorious Wednesday and it's raining. Yay! Still gotta work on the humidity but it's a lot more comfortable in my apartment and studio. I may be able to be in my studio a lot longer today. That is so fantastic. I'm doing better at enjoying each moment of my day. I'm also getting better at enjoying what I do each day instead of what I didn't get to on the list that can go around the world. I now giggle when I think about what I've accomplished for the day. It's pretty awesome. That feeling of being in the moment.

Okay, today is going to be busy because tomorrow I'm going to a museum and movie with the gal pals. This will be one of the long days I'd been talking about. Remember? Have one or two knockout, creatively killer days during the week. Or at least one. I think this will be it.

• I've got to work on an applique block. Getting behind again. 
• Work on another Moli Doll, they seem to be happening right now after being unfinished for over a year.
• Post a blog, which I'm doing.
• Work on my short stay. I can't make the real thing until the mock up is done. Can't make a Jane Austen gown until I have a short stay.
• Continue on my latest collection of voodoo doll pins. Ran out of buttons and was going to go to the store today but patterns are on sale next week at JoAnn's, so I guess I'll wait. I will work on their skirts and red hearts today.
• Get my 500 words in.
• Play with some clay.

Yeah, sure. I'll check back in with you on that list. Ha, ha, ha! But I'm feeling quite happy and I'm ready to get going. Right after breakfast. Have a wonderful day all!!!!

Moli Doll - Peach

I started a group of dolls a million years ago when I was going through a stripe phase. I finally got one done and her name is Peach. The doll is an enlarged version of my voodoo doll pins. She had always wanted a hat and shawl and no matter how much I tried to put at least a vest on her, she protested. As you can see, she won and has a hand knit hat and shawl with a leftover Halloween candy button. I think she's cute. I know, still with the cute stuff.

She will be on my Etsy shop today. Have a wonderful day!

In Progress

This is going to be another quick post. I'm behind on NaNo again and will catch up today after two meetings. I feel like I'm a branch of Santa's workshop. Here's a sample of what I've been up to.

Finally getting some Moli Dolls dressed. As you can see by their colors, they were supposed to be for Halloween but didn't make it.  What am I talking about? Halloween is all the time.
The pink and black skirt is for another doll.

I made a ton of snowman pins years ago.  Each year I pull out the one I have left. I made a new pattern so I can take some to the Krankie's Holiday Craft Fair next month. They don't take long to do and I like them.

Here are new ornaments. They are going to be dressed in a primitive way. Some will have wings.

Another skirt for a Moli Doll. Although when I put it against her, it may turn out to be a dress. Have a good day.

More Works in Progress

I was trying to do better with posting here on my blog but other things have taken priority. Like finishing items for my upcoming, first one woman show. It isn't like a doll or craft show, which is what I have to continue to tell myself because I was driving myself crazy. I don't need a hundred pieces because I won't be manning a table. My artwork will be on display the whole month of October. I'm working on not making myself nuts with worry about this. It's supposed to be fun. I'm working on getting back to it being fun.

Enter the mom unit. She asked me about the artwork I'd been working on, once I told her that sent her into a tizzy. She said to just concentrate on finishing the dolls that are in process and almost done. That if I have time, then I can do the other things I wanted to have in the show. It made sense. Why didn't I think of it? Another brain is always good to have around. In a skull.

Anyway, I'm back on track. I will have my witch doll pins ready, another Ghostie Girl, four Moli Dolls (they're the new ones with the stripe legs) and one more head on a stick (candle holder). That still sounds like a lot but when I focus, it'll get done. Thanks mom.

Here are some Moli Dolls and the arms that needed to be attached. They now are and I've chosen black, lime green and red tulle for their skirts.

The one in the pantaloons is a Ghostie Girl.

This pumpkin trio is going to be a wall hanging. Whether I get it done for the show or not is another story but I will get it done.

This one is my bouquet of skulls.

This is my garden of skulls. Two of the worms may have hats on. I do think on a large scale.

I also have to continue to pat myself on the back for all of my accomplishments. I've worked very hard to get to this point in having a one woman show in my career. I've been able to work on new designs and try new techniques. It's all good. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day? I will post pics of finished dollies as soon as I can.

I'd like to welcome Tiffany O'Brien to the party. Didn't see a link but thanks Tiffany for joining.