August

2020 has been a weird year. And it keeps going that way. But... but... I'm going to step out on a little faith and work on getting back on the creative track. The road. The way. All I can do is to work on keeping myself and my family and friends safe. Wearing a mask and not going out if I don't have to. I pray that we will eventually see the positive side of this virus that's going on. These times have been truly difficult on creative types. Not knowing what's going on, battling depression, isolation even though most like working on their own; it's the not being able to see anyone or talk to them or hug them.

Soooo... it's time to move on. Move forward, keep going. This is my month for getting back to making and completing things to have for Halloween. Working still on the confidence, the fear, and doubt. But I have so many other big plans coming down the way, that this is a must do. I can't wait to see what comes forth from my wonderful hands.

I did manage to clear up my bedroom floor. I broke down and bought one of those desk trays for paper projects. I got a 6 tier on and was able to get all my stories off the floor. It looks so much better and has cleared up some of my creative blockage.

New cat rat toy design. Because weaving fabric takes too much time. I have a box full of upholstery fabric I can use up.

I'm planning on this being a trend. Getting back to working creatively. Y'all have a great day. I'll be back.

It's Been Awhile

I've just began to get creative again. All through the lockdown, my creativity has been haphazard, discombobulated, ship shod, and non-existent. We are in strange times. I've been working on getting my creative mojo back again. One day at a time. Seriously. I have learned how to weave on a pin loom and finished a project. It will work for a larger project I have in mind. Getting back to drawing is still iffy. I do make small, very small doodles though. I've started knitting again with a free pattern from Dot Pebbles. And I'm itching to make dolls again. After all, Halloween is right around the corner.

Here's my July Bullet Journal front page I finished today. Used markers to color it.

My birthday pic. So many times around the sun. I am grateful though. Here's to another trip.

I finally got my woven rat cat toys done. Done on a TexaTurtle Loom, hexagon shape and free rat pattern (because it's the Year of the Rat).

My birthday cupcakes given to me by one of my nieces. They were oh-so-good. Moist, not too sweet... even the icing was lovely.

Knitted bunnies in the works. Free pattern and knitting videos by Dot Pebbles Knits. Gotta finish them.

And another free pattern by doll maker Jill Maas. I am further along on these two but haven't updated a pic.

These little projects have kept me somewhat going creatively. Now I really want to get back to business. As my friend Steven W. Dunn said, "I'm trying to look at this time as a new beginning since we know things will never be the same."

February 2020

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post. Working on finding some kind of balance in this one life I have has been daunting to say the least. Anyway, lots on the table this year. This decade. My knee is getting better from surgery last year. I'm back at the job and I'm looking for a new one. Which is another job. Wish me luck. Working on more exercising and eating better. That will work out when Lent comes. I will be able to focus on what I put in my body. I have finished up some projects and still working on others from last year. The last decade was full of heartache, turmoil, and frustration. So here's to the new decade and year.

So far:

• Submitted two short stories for possible online publication
• Finally tacked down the binding of my Double Irish Chain quilt that I started in 2016
• I've been doing little sketches on a regular basis, will turn some into better drawings
• I've been writing on a regular basis, working on editing a pile of stories
• Got a pin loom and I'm learning how to weave on it. I have other plans for the finished pieces. Don't know if it will work or not for what I have in mind but I've got to start somewhere
• Learning more ways to applique and embroider, also for future projects
• Participating in the art challenge 29 Faces for the month of February

From last year been working on some Frida Kahlo dolls.

Also from last year, Christmas ornaments for co-workers.

I bought myself a Wattle & Loop (out of Australia) embroidery/applique kit. I have lots of ideas but wanted to see their process.

Yes, it's the Year of the Rat. These two were commissioned after I drew and showed one for the front page of my Bullet Journal for January.

The mending of my favorite pair of pants that I've had since forever. Like almost 30 years. Cotton twill and they don't make pants like this anymore. Mending the holes, then covering them with hexies. I will stitch hexies all over the pants. I'm also going to work on one of my favorite sweaters that has seen better days. Going to try not to buy more clothes but get back to making my own.

First four of my 29 Faces.

And my Double Irish Chain quilt.

I have missed blogging. If only to keep my wits about myself. I don't know if anyone will read this. Or if they get anything useful out of this but I will keep going. Life is truly a journey if not a very wacky trip. Have a good rest of the week.

A Small Drawing

Still working on catching up on things. I drew this little setting earlier this month and just colored it last night. I like the characters and still haven't named them but the rat with the martini is my favorite. I've never been camping, so it's one of the things I like to draw. Ever since I was a little kid and summer would roll around, I had school chums who always went camping with their families each summer. I thought that was so cool but I never got a chance to do it. Maybe one day I'll get lucky.

The drawing is in my Bullet Journal. I'm trying to jazz it up a little with some color and drawings. I won't get as complicated as some but I like looking back and seeing what I've done. This is my third journal and I'm almost done with it. Looking back at the first one, it was more business like. Just what I needed to do. The second one had more drawings in it but that was to brighten it up a bit. This one has more drawings and some scenes.

I really need to get back to drawing on the regular. I can see where I need and want to improve. I used color pencils on this. But I like markers too. Ah... the learning curve. But if you don't use it, you lose it. I know I still have several sketchbooks to fill up. So I best get to it. Have a good Friday.

Holy Smokes!

Yikes! Two weeks into the new month and as usual, I'm behind. This month has not been kind and I know... it's just begun. The cosmic balls in the sky are playing croquet. Anyway, I drew my August cover for my bullet journal more than a week ago and I finally got it finished. I should probably name these characters as they are showing up each month. The rat is wearing sunglasses, the spider is too and drinking a drink and barbecuing a grub. What do you do for August but go on a road trip? There is a Transylvania County in North Carolina and a Hell and Bad Axe, MI. I had fun with it.

Moving Right Along

Yes, moving right along. When I started my latest voodoo dolls, I didn't like them. The fabric I got wasn't the greatest because that's what we get unless you go to the really expensive places. I would get to the next step and they still looked horrid and I was beginning to worry that maybe I shouldn't have taken on this task. But the little voice inside said to keep going and now they are beginning to look like something. I had made the Muddy Creek stamp but the ink that I used wasn't permanent so I painted the name following what I stamped. Looks a lot better and got eyes on.

And I have a new muse. His name is Mesmer Boris Ratchett. I got him today and he will be getting dressed up. His head moves and he's perfect for a huge project I started working on. Plus, he's my reward for sticking with the voodoo dolls. You have to reward yourself when you get to a certain point in a project and most definitely when you finish one. I've got to get into that habit. Reward myself with some chocolate or a magazine or something for a job well done. I deserve that.

#voodoodoll #rat #mesmerborisratchett

Rats

Did some sketching of baby rats. For a larger project I'm working on. Really want to get that going very soon.

I finally got a new voodoo doll pattern made and new minions started.

The first pattern was small and didn't think it would work. So I made it a little larger. Then I asked friends if I should make the small ones, the larger ones, or both. It was unanimous to make both. So I started the first batch.

Stuffed and ready to be painted. I have no idea how they will turn out but if I don't do anything, I will never know.

One Rat Done

I finally finished a needle felted rat. It’s not totally finished because he will be dressed and have accessories. So technically, he’s still in the works. I used Sara Renzuli’s technique and I will be tweaking it to make rats that look closer to live rats. Have lots of ideas for these guys.

Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Convention

I hadn't been to a doll convention in years but this year I participated in the Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Convention, Show & Sale in Essington, Pennsylvania. It was wonderful. If you are interested in dolls or bears or both, this is the place you should be next year. The talent was astounding. I did have a table of my dolls set up and have ideas swirling in my head for next year. It will be bigger and better. I saw an old friend there, met new friends, got lots of business information, networked, and had a lot of fun.

Here I am with the kids.

A view of my whole table. It turned out better than I'd hoped.

This is a needle felted bear by artist Stevi T of Alpaca Encounters. www.stevit.etsy.com

And this is her pirate Steampunk rat.

There were many panel discussions and this one was on How to Find, Create and Encourage New Collectors. The panel included Agnes Intellicato, Christine, Donna Nielsen, Debbie Weimert, Cindy McGuire, and Amy Thornton.

Christine Shively-Benjamin also gave a talk for someone who couldn't make it. It was called, Dolls in the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian.

Me and Christine. We've been friends for a very long time.

Lillian Alberti, Diane Troutman, and me.

Some of the wonderful people I met at one of the yummy meals.

Mark Dennis. Love his work. He won two awards the last night.

Here's Christine again. She's a lovely lady and avid collector. I'm going to have to do this in two parts.

Rats!

I have an acquaintance who used to have rats for pets.  I hear they make very good pets.  Well, I will take their word for it.  They are also very intelligent.  My pair of rats are the oh so cuddly type.  I got them from IKEA too.  They are my rat muses.  Maya named them Otis and Mildred.

The grey one is Otis.  He's got big feet.  Mildred is the one in white.  Or the one that is white.  Maybe I should make them winter sweaters.  They are going to be my models.  Won't be able to work on them until next month.  This month is Wandi doll month.