Happy Halloween!

Oh no! October has whizzed on by. I had a health relapse but had enough energy to take a selfie. Which I don't like taking.

I'm trying to take it easy for the trick or treaters tonight. I'm so glad it stopped raining. Right now the sun is out and not too cold. So maybe, just maybe, the kids will have a nice time this evening. The sickness has set me back once again. I guess that's a part of life. I just want my head to stop hurting and not feel so tired. Plans for November are underway though. I think I'll first take a short nap.

Have fun and be safe tonight.

Happy New Year!

Day 1, page 1.

2018. A new book in my life. Right now, I'm feeling pretty good. I got on the scale this morning and was back down to the weight I had before Halloween. Last year I wanted to lose 10 pounds. Well, I lost 12. That's a way to get a new year started. The beginning and end of last year threw me down a hole of dead fish and I struggled to make sense of things. But there were some nice points last year. Yes, I shall start to write down the nice times and events and personal progress. Last year I:

• Challenged myself to read 39 books and succeeded. I read for fun. My goal for this year is 45 books and include more non-fiction.
• Visited South Haven with a friend. I really like that town and saw a great lighthouse and went sailing on a sloop.
• Got in touch with two young ladies I used to take care of. It was a great reunion. This year we plan on seeing more of each other.
• Reconnected with a costume pal from university. My new partner-in-crime.
• Discovered the town's wonderful library.
• Designed new dolls that I will start creating this year.
• Got into an upcoming doll show in the spring.
• Got a part-time job.
• Went up north with new partner-in-crime, saw more lighthouses and finally visited Mackinac Island. That was fun.
• Made some new friends.
• Saw an old friend from high school.
• Bought myself a new light box for myself for Christmas.
• Wrote 4 new short stories that will be edited this year so I can find an e-zine for publication.
• Got new glasses. I can see!
• Finished NaNoWrimo (National Novel Writing Month) with 50,411 words. I will be participating again this year.
• Made my Halloween costume and wore it to a party. Got 4th place. 
• Went to Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween art show with partner-in-crime.
• Went to a teddy bear show with another friend.
• Went to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) with a college friend who is one of my biggest cheerleaders. We sat in the Atrium and drank wine.

I'm sure there were a few other nice things, good things that happened but this year, I will write them down. Let's make that a thing to do in 2018. Let's remember the good things that happen to us and not give the bad things so much space in our heads. 

Have a great first day.

The End

Of the month. Yep, so long July. You haven't been good. That's okay. I've got another month coming up. We'll see how August goes with Mercury making an appearance again. Things just may get interesting.

Well folks. I don't know where to begin. I haven't gotten used to my new surroundings just yet and it's taken a beating on my creative mojo. The good thing is I haven't given up. There are still a lot of things I want to do, places I want to go, and people I want to meet. So here we are. Half the year over and I still like I'm in damage control mode. I won't even bother to look back on what I wanted to accomplish. But there's nothing wrong with giving it another shot. I didn't do too bad with a sketch a day. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad. Didn't finish anything but worked on several projects. That must change starting tomorrow. Because Halloween is right around the corner. And my two year plan starts in earnest. At the moment that's top secret. I may drop hints later in the year. So I am planning today for August. I may have to ask for your assistance at some point.

Until then, here's some embroidery I worked on yesterday. They are two separate pieces and will join two more in a table runner. I've got some Halloween fabric for the background. Have a good day today. Be kind to others and yourself.

Late But Still Here

Yes, life does some really unusual things to you. And you've got to roll with it. Still working on getting things together. I have a huge two year plan started and will be working like crazy to stay on track. So here are some more drawings I've done. I have a lot of these wood coffins hanging around. I told myself to either do something with them or get them out of the place. I'm getting back into a declutter phase. Downsizing once again. Rather, going through things I just threw in boxes when I moved four months ago. So I did some sketches. Plus, this will help me get ready for Halloween. Which isn't that far away.

A friend posted this bread pic and I just fell in love. I think I will have to start collecting bread recipes. I really want to learn how to make bread. Good bread. Healthy bread. As I get older, my tolerance for store bought is going down. The healthier the bread, the better the body feels. Doesn't it look yummy?

Let's Try This Again

Yeah, I was going to try to get posts done on a regular basis and last week that didn't work out too well. I did have a very good week though. It was the first week in a month of Sundays that I was actually happy about what I was doing. I didn't finish anything and I will work to remedy that even more, but I worked on things. Got some projects a little further. I'm trying to finish two projects a week. I'd like to do more but I'm just getting into the groove of creating again. I finished my first Redwork design, at least the embroidery part and now I have to think about how I want to complete it. I want it to be a small wall hanging. I think she came out quite well for my first time doing this.

Here's my other finished project, a bag, in which I will be getting paid for it. That's even better.

I'm also working on eating better and this was breakfast on Saturday. Homemade hummus. Yum. I didn't make it but maybe I should learn how. I've also lost 8 pounds I gained when I got back to Michigan. Greenery is starting to decorate the trees and bushes and the days are getting longer and warmer. I've started walking again and right now, everything hurts. I'm hoping that will change the more I do it.

Don't Know Where To Start

Things haven't been working out here in good ole North Carolina. Sometimes you lots of bunny hops, sometimes you have to take several giant steps back and sometimes you have to do a sides step to get you to where you want to go. I guess that's what it means to be a work in progress. I haven't posted recently because I'm in the process of moving back to Michigan. It's something that has been on the stove for awhile now and finally it's just time to do it. To take care of old business, regroup, and eventually, make my way back down here. I was sad because I had jobs lined up, and I had made more connections, and I would miss my friends but now I'm empowered because this is just another step to get me to doing what I want to do. At first I thought I was a failure because I had to go back but I'm not. There's so much more to life than just looking at it as only succeeding or failing. I have done so much in the past ten years here. From having my work in galleries; being featured in local papers; being in local shops, seeing places I'd never seen before; and meeting the most wonderful people. I have done a lot that I am proud of. And I continue my journey up north. For a small amount of time.

I am so grateful for the people in my life in this town and state. They have helped me out in so many ways. From job tips, to gallery help, to buying my work, to feeding me, to encouraging me, I am so grateful. At first I was very sad to say goodbye. But a friend said that it isn't goodbye, it's until I see you again. I did not realize how many people were upset that I was leaving. That they liked my artwork, my writing; that they liked me. As the person that I am. My laugh, my smile, my conversation. It makes it easier to be nicer to myself. Not only do I have people who are sad to see me go, I have others waiting for me to get back up north. The northern peeps will say, "Oh, sorry you have to leave North Carolina but I can't wait for you to get back up here." Old partners in crime are plotting day trips and other events. So I'm not just going back to cold weather.

I don't know how many more posts I will make before I hit the road. I will try and post again next week. Packing is... wow... Ten years of stuff. It's a good thing I did a huge purge over two years ago. But I've got books, art supplies, fabric, and my artwork. I tell you, when I move again (and I've got one more left in me) I will have someone pack it up and move it for me. I am planning things so that when I get to my destination, I jump right into working. For me.

So, that's my update. Sorry it took so long. The adventure continues.

September

Yes, it's September. A new month. Not even through with the first day when i get news that my apartment rent will go up by 30 bucks. I didn't take it well at first but I guess everyone has to make money. It did take me a couple of hours to think about and reevaluate things and I'm still here.

I've decided to be positive because we all know that stuff happens to throw you off your course. I have a new plan and will make it work because I believe that it will get me out of my present situation. I still have a few hours in this first day of the new month and instead of sitting around thinking that nothing is working out. Which is very easy to do. I will take action to get to where I want. Forget naysayers, namely me, and forge ahead. Become a bull in a china shop. It's my life. I want to live it well. First I believe. Second, I take action. Everyday. And once in awhile reward myself. I like this quote from Anthony Robbins.

Today is not like yesterday.

And tomorrow will be different forever.

I will keep going. A bit more focused now. And I will be a bit more nicer to me. I keep forgetting to do that.

This Month

June is flying by so fast!

What the heck! And I've been slack in posting. Will be working on that. So, for my birthday celebration month, I went to the Winston-Salem Ham (operator) Fest. One of these days I will practice and get my license. That was Saturday. On Sunday I went to see my friend's daughters (my play nieces) at their end of year recital. I was impressed with all the dancers. The studio even takes special needs kids which is great. The older kids, 18 years old, did special dances because they were aging out. The studio takes ages 3 to 18. The tinies were cute but I really like the mid-ages from about 6 - 10. They hadn't been jaded yet and danced because they didn't have a care in the world. They weren't thinking about how big or small they were. No hangups yet and they were great. I had fun and when the 18 year olds were doing their favorite time during their stint, there were many wet eyes in the audience.

I will go onto a local art museum's site to see what's on. That along with a movie or two is on my birthday list. A day trip to the mountains would be nice too.

Happy June!

It's a new month. My birthday month and I will be working to do some neat things leading up to my birthday at the end of this month. I'm excited. I haven't been excited about my birthday in a long time. I'm grateful that I've made it to this age. I've done quite a few things in my life that others may not get a chance to do. But let's wrap up May.

May

• Read 4 books
• I did some writing but didn't get my short story finished, I guess I'm going back to 100 words or one page a day for June
• I longarmed 5 quilts
• I planted a veggie garden and I've got flowers popping up
• I went to the One Way Art Show in King, NC
• I went on an overnight stay with two friends to Hendersonville and Flat Rock, NC; saw some lovely quilts at a quilt symposium, had dinner at Hubba Bubba Smokehouse and breakfast at Tupelo Honey Cafe.
• Did 6 daily sketches and some other small sketches for Halloween pieces
• Started watching a series on Netflix
• 12 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 5 wendy b quilts blog posts

I had a great time going out of town for a day and overnight stay. Sometimes you just need to get away to clear your head and rejuvenate your creative being. Now I feel like I can rock 'n roll. Here are some sights from Hendersonville.

My friend Hattie was looking for antiques for her jewelry and artwork. I was the one who found some treasures. Cigar boxes for some ghoulies and Deliverance, the novel. Hardback even. I've only seen parts of the movie, never all the way through even though the river scene was filmed in North Carolina.

I've got some sketching to do, writing, and catch up on some sewing now that I have my sewing machine back! I have some plans for the month but left room to do other things. I hope you hang around to see what goes on in my wild and wacky life.

No Picture Post

Gah! This month is cruising right along and I'm behind a bit. Truck had to go into the shop for a couple of days. The repair cost was huge but it no longer leaks and smell of oil and no more smoking from under the hood. That is a good thing. Poor Maxwell (truck) didn't want to start this cold morning. 9 degrees here in NC. Not normal temps at all. But I'm back to getting things done for the new business. Another scrappy quilt will go on Leonidas today, binding is being cut for the blue scrappy quilt and that will go on today too. Haven't been sketching but I have my sketchbook with me, so we shall see. Pics soon.

It's The End of The Road -no picture post

Goodbye 2014.

I am grateful that I made it through the whole year. Many weren't as blessed. But I made it. It wasn't the worst year but it wasn't great either. I was sick the first part of 2014 and then I seemed to just languish. I did learn some things so I guess I grew a bit. The one thing, looking back, that I see where the problem lay (at least a part of it) was that I had no goals. I don't believe in resolutions but I do believe in having goals to make my life pleasant. To have a sense of being.

I am a list maker. There are many who don't make lists and that's fine. I've discovered that I need lists. Lists of goals. 2014, I had no lists. Not even one, and I floundered all year. And that was pretty bad because nothing got done. I wasn't creative at all. I waited for things to happen and they didn't. I was miserable, I racked my head to figure out where I'd gone wrong. And it was the list (s). I had previous one's from 2013 on my wall. Really? I don't want a repeat of 2014.

SO...

I've got new lists. Quite a few lists. A list for things I need to do everyday. Without fail.

• write one page or edit one page
• read
• sketch

No ifs, ands, or buts about these. Whether it's for 10 minutes or an hour, these are a must.

There is a QUILT list, for all my quilting projects. My WRITING list to finish up stories and start editing my work. Someone else might like to read this stuff besides me. ART A MONTH list. Yeah, I'm still working on that one. February is 29 Faces where you make a face a day.

• January - I will work on a new character, Kid Medusa
• February - 29 Faces
• March - mushrooms (I like mushrooms)
• April - bears
• May - paint like a favorite artist

You get where I'm going with this. Some of these will be a part of the sketch a day. Kill two birds with one stone thing.

A list for my DOLLS/FIGURES. Yep, Halloween and Day of the Dead are still hanging around. With an alien or two thrown in. A list for COSTUMES I want to make for me, starting with corsets for every time period I like. That falls into my LONG TERM list.  That list is for projects that will take a year or longer. I've started a room box, miniature size. I've always wanted a dollhouse. Well... we'll see if I can get a room box done. One room. A long term project for me. Same with the costumes. For me. Not to sell. Not for anyone else. For me. Because, sometimes you need to think and do things just for you.

And dagnabbit, I'm going to finish my second pair of socks.

I also have a list to HELP OTHERS. I will be knitting or crocheting and sewing some items for the Merchant Marines. Those men and women who work on the huge sea ships that bring us things from other countries. I like to sew and I like to knit. I can do those things during my down time. I'm sure there are some other things I'd like to do. Like start my Christmas cards in January. Which is tomorrow.

Now, on the other side, I may not get to everything on my lists. That's okay. I have lists to keep me to task and on track. I also have specified down time for me. One day off a week. Or two. I can do that being on my own. I want to stay being on my own. I had a hiccup year with 2014. It will be remedied in 2015.

I'm calling 2015 The Year of the Creative Juggernaught.

I'm excited and I'm ready. Are you?

Come on 2015!

I'm Back!

It has been a long time since I last blogged. 2014 has been a very strange year and I'm glad it's almost over. This was the first year since the first year I moved to North Carolina, that I didn't create much of anything. And that's very sad. Very, very sad. I'm also still dealing with health issues and once again, car issues but I won't allow those things to deter me any longer. Because I hadn't been creating, I haven't been selling anything. Not very good for the coffers. The mental health started to go downhill because I didn't know what to do. So I stepped back, reevaluated things and decided to take a different direction. Sometimes you just have to do that. Seeing that office type jobs are not my forte (I like playing on my own playground), I had to think of something that would bring in a steady income.

I decided that I would try my hand at longarm quilting. I had thought about it years ago but was a bit chicken about the whole thing. Of course, I was seeing work by people who have been doing it for years and not thinking as a beginner who would have a learning curve. I have taken quilt making (piecing) classes and applique classes, so I know how quilts go together. The next thing to do was to research machines. I found a really nice machine representative who works for APQS. She helped me find a used machine and then I had to set up a business. Good grief. It was one thing after another. Many trips back and forth to downtown, filling out paperwork, not having what one person said I should have. I would get that information, take it back and another person would say I needed something else. I was about to lose my mind but have been so grateful and blessed to have a very special friend who helped me through the last bit of the setting up a business process. It was nice seeing the business license with the business name on it. It was nice getting my first batch of business cards. It was nice when I finally got the machine and it was set up. It was nice having my first class on the longarm, sew my first three sample quilts. It was not nice getting my first business bill before I even got the first quilt on the frame but it was nice to have my first paying job. It's all a process and I'm still learning.

This new venture will enable me to live and still make dolls and figures, and write. I will be starting a new blog just for the quilting and get back to posting on a regular basis.

Oh, my new business name is Wendy B Quilts. Because it will be all about quilts. See ya soon.

Makeover Dollies

Here’s an update on my redo babies. I’ve taken their clothes off, removed button eyes (felt like I was in the opening scene of Coraline), removed embroidered lips and fabric noses, took off legs and unstuffed them.

Here’s what the stuffing looked like after I fluffed the pieces out.

Now I’m ready to reshape the legs. I’ve drawn the old leg out on a piece of cardboard from a cereal box. I’ll draw a new shape for the feet, re-cut the old legs and sew back together. Should be fun.

Re-do Babies

I’ve had these babies for some time now and they haven’t sold. Instead of tossing them, they will get a new life with more of a Halloween feel. Thought I’d take a pic of them Before the transformation. I would like the large ones to be able to sit up by themselves while holding a small cauldron for candy. I will re-work their feet and paint shoes on. The smaller prims will be witches or voodoo women and will also have painted faces and shoes. I will make sure I take in process pics.

I have a total of four Prims. First I will take everyone’s clothes off and hair. I will un-stuff the large doll’s legs and reshape them. I don’t know what the shape will be just yet. Something with a little heel. The Prims boots will be a little easier to do and I can add beads for buttons. There will be distressing of the undergarments and I will gesso the faces for repainting.

It should be interesting.

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.

Silly, Sassy, Sweet, Swamped September

Silly because I feel silly in a fun sort of way. Halloween and fall are coming and I'm so excited. I will decorate my apartment this year for that wonderful time of year, even if I have to make my decorations using drawing paper and crayons.

Sassy because I've been losing weight and toning up quite well and I'm starting to like the way I look in the mirror. I'm almost ready to get some new clothes. I will also continue making period and fantasy costumes.

Sweet because I'm being a little bit nicer to myself. I have just about everything that I need and I'm saving to get other things that I want.

Swamped because... well you guessed it, I've got a lot to do. I have a month to get more Halloween items done and then Christmas is coming up too. They kind of go hand-in-hand. There's a Regency Ball coming up I want to go to and I need to get a gown done. I have one quilt block left to do and I'll have a quilt top done. That was on my list for the year. Planning shows and more product for next year. Next year! Four months away! Yikes! And the book. Map Hunter. I've got to get that final edit done. It's time for that. I know there are a lot of little girls who would love to read this, and big girls and boys of all ages. As soon as I upload pics of the opening of Olde Mill Eclective, I will post them. When I got home yesterday from the opening, which was a success, I almost fell asleep eating. I was about to crawl into bed a little after 6:30 PM and everyone decided to call me. Seriously? It was all good.

That's the skinny of it for right now. I've got to get busy today and work on my lists and I will report back directly so you can see the list. Massive, simple massive it will be. Have a wonderful holiday, stay safe and make your September a Stellar one.

It's August!

Happy August everyone. Yes, this year is speeding along like a bullet  train on rocket fuel. It's been two months since I left employment and I have great things in store for this month. Halloween is coming and I'm working in a new medium. Securely back in the creative saddle until the next pothole in the road. I did well last month. Not so much with my manuscript but there is this month.

I have the greatest friends who are there when I want to ball my eyes out because the world and the universe don't want to play fair on the playground. My good friend Sherry in New Mexico told me how talented and awesome I was and that I could do this. Just what I needed. A shot in the arm.

I ended last month by starting figures with a new medium. Creative Paper Clay is what I'm using right now. I've used it before in the past but never gave myself a chance to really get to know it. Some people like it, some don't but for me, right now, it's what I'm using because it's what I have. My pieces are turning out better than I expected. Photographing white pieces doesn't seem to work well with my camera but here's the beginning of my two guys.

They are going to be undead types. After all, Halloween is coming. Yay! They do have their bodies and I'm working on their limbs. It's been a challenge to figure out how I want to joint them. No cloth bodies. Scary. They are going to be a good size and I think I will make smaller ones that will be stationary on a stand or as ornaments. I also have to work on other ornaments. I will have more pics of these guys on Sunday.

I made myself get up and go for a walk in syrupy conditions. I am so looking forward to fall. Even though I was born in the summer, I am not a summer baby. I'm glad I can see that the days are getting shorter. My morning was pretty good. After the walk and breakfast, I edited another chapter of my adventure manuscript and wrote new material, 600 words. My goal is 500 a day. I didn't stop to think, I had lunch and went right into the next project. I sketched a doll. Forgot to take a picture but will get it to you soon. Then I sewed a mock-up of my short stay for my Regency Challenge. I'm so glad I did because the cup size that I used is too big. Imagine that.

The front part is where the eyes will go for lacing and there will be a little bit of boning. You can just see the little wedge panels (which will be smaller). The arm hole fit, as well as the back. I was quite pleased when I tried it over my chemise. I am going to eventually make another one of a finer fabric and make the front part a little lower. The one I have now will be great for a day dress and not showing cleavage.

I still have some appliqueing to do and get back to my figures. Thanks for stopping by.

Pictureless Post

Ack! Sorry that I don't have any pictures. I was enjoying the brief break in the heat this past weekend. Now it's getting cranked up again. Yuck! I am so looking forward to fall. But right now, it is what it is. Hot. Summer. I went to my local farmer's market here in town and picked up veggies to make Ratatouille. I've always wanted to try it ever since watching the animated movie with the same name. I found an easy recipe from a pal on Facebook and decided it was now or never. I do have to say that all the prep work and cooking time was so darn worth it! My apartment smelled oh so yummy. Now I just have to find an easy bread recipe and make my own bread. This will most definitely be added to the fall soup and stew line.

I will have things ready for the fair tonight and take pics for a post tomorrow. Once again, a teaching job fell through. I asked myself what the heck is going on? Yes, I cried. That was suppose to help out with bills in the fall. But I got over it. So for right now, I will put teaching on the back burner and concentrate on making figures. Just dive right in and do it. After Saturday. I am getting stronger and more determined to succeed at my art.

Oh, by the way, I got my second commission since quitting. Yay me!

Pictureless Post

As of yesterday, I am now self employed. It was a big decision to make on my part. I know many people think I'm absolutely nuts for doing so but at the end of the day, it's my life and if I don't at least try it now, I will always wonder if I could've done it. I have been miserable at my job for the past several years. Longing to be a full time artist, since I found out that it was something people actually did.

I am terrified. For now I wonder if this was the best decision. But I don't want to be in my rocker on my porch at the age of 90, wondering. So I'm going to suck it up, put my big girl britches on and give it my utmost. This is my life and I will live it well. I do have plans and they will unfold with future posts on this blog. I've also started another blog to document pics of my new wardrobe that will be functional and full of fantasy.

I have had time to straighten my studio (I can now see the floor), and my living room area is now livable. I now have time to create. I should be thrilled but I'm still dealing with the fact that I'm no longer on anyone else's time schedule. I get to make up my own schedule. That is just truly weird. But I'll get over it.

Let my new journey begin.

What Month Is It?

Jeepers! It's finally here. Another month has gone the way of the Dodo. Part of me wants to say it sucked, February that is, because I didn't get done what I wanted to get done.  Then I smack myself once I realized that February was a rocking month.

Accomplishments- I got all of my dolls made for the Loved Through the Years: Three Centuries of Black Dolls exhibit. They look great, the show has been well received, I was interviewed on the radio, and got into the paper again. How often does that happen? I talked about dolls and my creative process to a group of 5th graders, I got invited to  my first art show (where I'll be in a booth selling my work) of the year, I've scheduled several doll classes and a doll camp and I managed to finish reading one book. I wanted to read two for the month but I'm happy with finally reading and finishing one. I even heard my name mentioned again on the radio, advertising the exhibit at Delta Arts Center again.

I know, I know, I'm so hard on myself. Did I not get a lot done this month? I'm surprised my head hasn't exploded. Yet, I want to beat myself up because I didn't get more done. What a silly. I only got nine dolls finished last month. I was working towards thirteen but there's always this month. I like the number 13. One and three. I really like it when Friday falls on the 13th. I tease my mom a lot when her birthday falls on a Friday. Yes, I am like that. She gets a serious card and a hilarious one. Got to keep her guessing.

Back to February. It was creative, fruitful, and challenging. I have to remember to cut myself some slack. Have a cup of tea and be nice to me. I worked it last month. Now for March. I tell you, time waits for no one and I really want to start enjoying my time more. Being with friends, going on hikes, weekend traveling... me time. I have started to schedule some doll making classes and doll camps for the summer for kids. That should be fun. More shows too. There are also the shops I have to restock. So a lot more planning is in order and I will remember to have fun. Because life is too short not to stop and smell something sweet.