Day One

Of my next trip around the sun. Yep, it's my birthday. And so far so good. A couple of off-key renditions of that happy birthday song, which were hilarious. A long talk with a friend from another state. Lots of happy wishes on Facebook; a friend took me out to lunch. I had Salmon Ratatouille and a Blueberry Mule for a drink. Blueberry infused vodka with ginger beer. I wasn't driving.

Bella made it to North Carolina just fine. She picked up some reading once she got there and is ready for her stage debut.

A new year for me. Last year was, well, it was better than the year before so that's saying something. I now have a mission and a bucket list of sorts that I will be working towards. I'm going to do a personal challenge of a piece of artwork everyday for 365 days. The next trip around the sun. Could be anything but probably drawings or paintings. While cleaning up my mother's place (an ongoing process), I found a small sketchbook from when I was in undergrad at university. A... long...time...ago... I'll work on filling that up. It is 4 inches by 6 inches in size. About 30 pages..

Today is celebrating and relaxing and I'm about to binge watch some movies that have been on my list for awhile. Because tomorrow, it starts. The creative movement and that's because I have about eight days off from the other job. Nice huge blocks of time to make stuff.

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.

April!

It's April!

A new month. Another start or continuation of the previous month. At this point, I don't know yet. I've been back up north for a little over a month now and I guess I can say I've settled in. I am here for awhile and will deal with it. It's time to put the blankie and bear to the side and get back to work. I'm still learning my way around; I know that will take some time to get used to but I'm glad the weather is getting better.

So... for a new location and month, I've decided to try a new look for the blog. I don't know if I like it or not, but I will give it some time. I love the color of the background.

I'm still working on organizing my work space. It's starting to look like a studio. My studio. I'm trying very hard not to get hung up on not having some things at my disposal that will prevent me from creating. I tell you, moving just takes so much out of you and to get back into the groove of things is difficult. I'd rather sit on a beach. The pic below is of a plastic container full of ribbon and other trims. Yeah. They were separated into shoe box size bins but when I moved, I toss the contents into a box so that I could stack the plastic boxes. When I got to Michigan, I tossed them into this bin so I could break down the cardboard box for recycling. I continue to arrange some of my fabric and needed the container for it, so I finally went through this container and organized my ribbons and trims.

Now they are in their collective boxes, labeled, and everything is nice and neat.

And I also set up my sewing machine. No more excuses. I have a table to sew on, one to do wet things on and one to draw, paint, or finish things on. And I have more room to work with. That will come later. I'm also trying to figure out how to put plans, designs, and posters or paintings on the walls without damaging them. This isn't my place but as an artist, I need some inspiration. Stay tuned.

I have some goals for the month and quite a few deadlines. I never really had any, I just made things but now I want to be a bit more prolific so I've got to have some end dates. I did finish my first draft of a short story four days ahead of time last month, got my second Redwork practice piece done, designed some new work/dolls, and got back to reading. Last year I read about 40 plus novels. This year I want to add in some regular fiction and non-fiction. I've always liked to read and I'm glad I'm rediscovering that. There's so much out there. I also have to catch up on the movie challenge I'm participating in. I'm a bit behind but if I can get my goals met this week, I'll be able to binge watch some movies on Sunday. So I'm off until next time.

Have a grand day!

May Wrap Up

It's the end of another month. They just keep zooming by. I almost made it out of the month unscathed but that didn't happen. Just when you think things will be okay, you get knocked upside the head with a Sippy Cup full of ice cubes. Yeah. What did go right? Let's see.

• 6 books read- awesome
• 4 business quilts longarmed
• 1 quilt done for me
• 2 day trips- both to art/craft shows
• 1 Mary's Mavens lunch 
• 1 talk to a life coach
• 7 Netflix viewings
• 1 quilting workshop
• 1 project started- Blythe clothes, a big challenge
• backed up my photos on my laptop
• was head volunteer over 37 volunteers and 2 husbands for my quilt guild's bi-annual show
• worked on Halloween things 6 times
• 5 Wendy B Quilts blog posts
• 15 World of Wendy Lu blog posts

I started back on my challenge for Blythe. Day 11 and I will start another challenge tomorrow for the month of June. It's a 29 Faces challenge. It usually happens in February and we can do any face we want. The June challenge is strictly for the male face. And I need a lot of practice on the male face. So we'll see.

I did take two days off over the weekend. I did absolutely nothing. I read, lots. I watched series on Netflix. Poirot, Chowder, Keeping up Appearances. I straightened the apartment, tossed some things, and rearranged shelves for new projects. Because Halloween is just around the corner.

New Doll

I've been seeing on Facebook that Raggedy Ann is 100 this year. I thought I'd do my take on her. I sketched, made a pattern that I liked (the second one is a little larger than the first), cut out the pieces and sewed them together. I plan on stuffing the little thing today and maybe start painting her.

I will also get back to sketching. I've been slacking. I seem to do tiny things and I guess that's okay. Still working on getting over that everything has to be just so to get started. It doesn't. I am working on a five second rule created by Mel Robbins. If you think about something you want to do that will move you forward, within five seconds, do it. Don't think about it because if you don't do it, you won't do it. I've started reading her book Stop Saying You're Fine and of the many empowerment/self help books I've read, this one is different. She gets to that little voice buried deep in your head that tells you that new things are scary and difficult, so don't change. On the surface, it's like, yeah, I can see that but trying to get out of that being stuck is quite difficult. But I will keep working at it because there are many things I want to do, places I want to go and I have to make the conscious effort to get moving.

Another thing I will get to today, finally, is my Halloween Cat. I got the applique part done but have been procrastinating on the embroidery part. I want to get it done, even though I won't have a place to hang it just yet but at least it will be done. Have a good day!

#melrobbins #stopsayingyourefine #raggedyann

No Pic Post

Yes, no pics this time round. The quilts biz has been keeping me busy. The weather has been a little crazy too and we've had our fist tropical storm, Ana, a month before the hurricane season starts June 1st. Today it will be almost 90 degrees with lots of humidity. I don't mind the heat but the humidity makes my curls curl.

I've prepped two more canvas panels for painting. I will get back to my room box, I will get pics for that. I put in a floor and messed it up because I didn't stop when I got tired. I kept going and messed it up. I don't know if I'll be able to fix it but if not, I can cover it with a rug or a bed. Note to self: when working with miniatures, take your time and quit when you're tired.

I've started my list for some Halloween pieces. Been doing some tiny sketches, improving on them and take some pics. I'm still a little apprehensive about getting back to sketching, it was one of the things I didn't really like doing when I was in art school. But I really should get my ideas down and then I can see if they will work in the 3D realm.

I've been reading like crazy. Discovered mystery writer MC Beaton who does the Hamish Macbeth series. Like those a lot. And I'll be going to Scotland one day.

Happy May

Oh my gosh! Late again. Oh well, it's spring. Things are way green outside and the the flowers are blooming like crazy. My tomato plants have grown an inch after the torrential rains we had. Still working on being positive. But let's recap April. Oh April. Not as bad as March, but there is room for improvement.

This is what I did:

• 5 books read
• Only worked on my short story a little bit. I know I said I would have the rough draft done but life happens
• 1 business quilt done on the longarm
• 1 quilt almost done for me, gotta sew on the binding
• Attached binding and hanging sleeves on two of my mom's wall hangings
• 6 world of Wendy Lu posts
• 5 wendy b quilts posts
• 2 day trips: one to Pittsboro to visit a new doll friend and one to an art show in King, NC
• finally appliqued the pieces down on my Halloween Cat wall hanging

Not bad. I'm going to cut myself some slack. I have a whole new month. New pics are coming up. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

That Darn Engine

Still working on getting that creative engine fired up and running consistently. Eegads! March has not been the best month for anything. It isn't over yet. I did get some more down on my short story but I haven't finished the rough draft just yet. Maybe tonight. I have been reading though. Finished another book. I got it from the dollar store believe it or not. So far, it's my second pick from said store and I've enjoyed both books. I got a dollar! Death of a Prankster by MC Beaton and Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meijer. I like murder mysteries and have started several myself.

I helped a friend clear out his backyard, in prep for spring and he's going to let me take over his raised garden beds so I can plant some things this year. Tomatoes, cucumbers, bush beans, and herbs. It was good to be outside and smell the dirt but I was way stiff that night and the next day. I do feel the creative juices starting to flow again. Maybe that's what I needed to help me out of this funk, was to get outside and be in some sort of nature. Even though it was only a backyard.

I still haven't finished my two Halloween dolls and maybe I can add a bit to their wardrobe. Also working on being nicer to myself again. I am way to hard on myself. Rarely cut myself any slack. After all, I am human. Not even close to being perfect, I make mistakes, fall down (which hurts) and I always seem to pick myself up and keep going. It seems to take longer to get back to get going but I eventually do. I do have a couple of fun things in the works and I will give myself a little nudge to work on them.

I am okay.

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.

The Day After and a New Year

Okay then. I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July, whether you had to work or not, I hope you had a chance to spend time with friends and loved ones.  I did absolutely nothing except cook for the rest of the week.  My schedule is getting full and I've decided to make some changes.  I'm still working on being nicer to me and have decided that my time will be directed more to all that I want to do.  I'm stepping my game up several notches and moving full steam ahead on all things creative.  I don't know if I had an epiphany or what but my eyes have been open to the way I've done business.  No more.

What I am also doing is giving up one thing each month for the rest of the year.  It's a personal challenge I got from Zen Habits by Leo Babauta and I thought I'd give it a try.  It's A Year of Living Without, going a whole month giving up one thing I do regularly.  At the end of the month I will evaluate whether I enjoyed giving the thing up, whether it was worth leaving it out of my life, or do I need to put it back in.  The next month I'll give up something else.  It's an experiment to simplify one's life, finding out what's necessary and possibly making room for other cool things in my life. It's really nice because I can change my list as the year progresses if I find other things I want to give up.  At the end of the month, I will post what I've learned.  Leo is also doing the challenge which is cool.  I was debating on showing my whole list but I guess I'll do it in case you want to try to give up something in your world.  I'll start off with the first three months.

1. July - Give up TV.  Since I only have local channels that shouldn't be that difficult  But it also includes Netflix, You Tube and other video entertainment.  I've cut myself a little slack by being able to watch DVDs that I like because I work better with background noise.  I'll also be listening to a lot more music.  That's just how I roll.  I will replace it with reading more books.  We'll see how many I can finish by the end of the month.

2. August - No longer sitting longer than 30 minutes at a time.  Get up for 15 minutes and do something else. Replacement habit is to stretch more.

3. September - No dairy, that includes eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt.  Replace with more fruits and veggies.

Other things I will be doing as I move forward on this journey will be:

• Again, be nicer to me.
• Get Map Hunter II rough draft done
• Re-do my wardrobe (which is in seriously bad shape after losing lots of weight)
• Take more pictures of me
• Get going on my new Halloween pieces.
• Finish my second pair of socks
• Get that quilt top done 

That's it for right now.  Always a gazillion things to do and so little time.  Maybe I can change that around this month. Stay tuned.

Goodbye April

Can you believe it? Again, the month has flown by. Unbelievable. Still working on giving myself some credit on the things I got done and worked on this month and not worrying about what I didn't get done or work on this month. A constant battle this is.

Here's what I did:

• Bless This House quilt top pieces have been put together, working on borders
• worked on blue blouse and collar is attached
• 2 out of 3 commissions done, one commission was pushed back until June
• 2 out of 3 books read
• nothing on edit 5 of Map Hunter I, letting it rest while I work on the next book in the series
• started rough draft of Map Hunter II
• no new dolls, but started painting faces for Day of the Dead ornaments
• fixed my socks and knitted the heels
• started mixed media painting

Now that I look at this list, not bad. Not great. But not bad. You have no idea how hard it is right now for me to say, not bad and be okay with it. I've been given another day. With luck, another month. Yeah. I'll keep at it. Hope you do too.

In Progress

It's a pain. Catching up, still working on feeling better, getting mentally back on a creative track. It's been tough. I'm working hard on not giving up because I'm so far behind. But then a part of me kicks me in the backseat to do one thing. One little thing. Because there's nothing else I want to do.

Saturday was tough. In my crazy little head, nothing seemed to be going right. Yet in between beating myself up, I managed to get something done. Too bad I can't have more days like that. I started out with this...

The core is a wet felted egg shape that I made for another project that didn't get done. Instead of tossing the egg (there are more) I decided to make something else. And I ended up with this.

He's still in progress. He will have a green cap with a brown stem and probably a red bow tie. Why him? I don't know. He spoke to me and he's determined to get done.

Block 8 of Bless This House quilt. I did change the wreath and am trying to do a little bit each day so I can stay on track.

I added some of the flowers and the heart. Now I've got to cut out bias strips to make two stems. One little bit at a time. Right?

Once again, this year will be the season of the ornaments. They're easy to do and they sell well. They make great stocking stuffers and they're cute. Here's my latest batch of angel ornaments.

I'm also involved in doll swaps and here is my doll for the Stitchin' and Switchin' USA fall swap. She will get a knitted or crocheted hat (because she wants one), a jacket and probably a scarf. Her design is based on a Penny Wooden doll. I love her curly hair but she still wants a hat. Then she'll be off to her new mom.

And wonders of wonders, I finished reading a book. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I really liked it, especially the black and white photos of the peculiar children. It is obviously a two book story and I hope he's working on the second book. It's got unusual kids in it, monsters, time travel and it's about friendship and adventure. I guess I'll have to check out his website to see what's coming up. I do recommend this book.

Hello July!

This year is just zooming by! What's up with that? No matter. It was a good day today. Got two hand puppets with working mouths done as samples for kid workshops. I was bound and determined to do so. I also got my 500 new words in for the day and now I'm going to sketch. Lots to do still but off to a good start for the month.

I really like these guys. Aliens! And they are ready to enjoy the summer.

Yesterday I finished reading a book. Wonders are starting to happen. I started the book last year. It's really amazing and a good feeling. I'm working of finishing one for this month. I've got quite a few stacked up to read. I'd like to finish one a month for the rest of the year. We'll see what happens. I'm already laughing.

Hello June!

A new month. June! My birthday month. I'm aiming to make this a special month. Yesterday I read to the student's at Brunson Elementary, Ms. Overby's class. They were great. I read the first chapter to my mid-grade adventure story. They seem to be captivated and applauded at the end. They asked when it would be published and I told them my goal would be to wrap up the editing by the end of the summer. Another asked if I had a website for it. Well, I guess I've got a lot of work to do this month and the rest of the year.

I have the beginnings of a list for the month. Still working on samples for workshops I want to teach. Monday is the start date for business. It will be the first day of my creative life on my own. Yep, I'm self-employed now. Terrified, yes, but this is what I have to do right now.

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.

The Reader

I aided in a workshop with Akira Blount and created some lovely faces. One face in particular was quite lovely and I wanted to finish her and call her the Reader. I wanted to make a series of readers because I love to read and I think that everyone else should partake in the fun. Since I'm working in a new medium and need as much practice as I can get, I thought I'd do her in wool instead of cloth.

Here is the cone that will be the base of her skirt and a papier mache fake book that will be part of her stand.

My friend Katie was nice enough to pose for me holding a book.

I like the position of her free hand and the curve in her stance.

A close-up of her hand with the book. She is quite unusual in the holding of books when she reads. She apologized for it but I think I might use it. We readers are unique individuals anyway.

A different view of her hand and book.

And I like the tilt of her head. I've gotten started with the armature but haven't uploaded the pics yet. I'll probably start needle felting tonight too. Thanks for stopping by.

Hello, hello, hello!

I'm 6 pages into Script Frenzy. Almost on point with it and I am having fun. Also got two sets of Wandi doll legs stuffed along with arms and bodies. Stuffed eight pairs of voodoo legs too. Finished painting three new postcards that will go out in the mail tomorrow. Started reading a book on Scotland. Not bad for a lazy Sunday.

I call this my Geometric Series. Using basic shapes, square, triangle, and circle and the primary colors to do these. I have used cut up cereal boxes, acrylic paint, sponge. I had sketched them out sometime ago and finally got them done.  The blue one is on its way to Italy.

This one looks like a sun explosion. It's going to Alabama.

And this one is going to Texas. I started with triangles and at the last minute added the words square, and circle. They were fun to do. So I got my creative groove on today.

Hello April!

I am so grateful I get another month. Wow! I don't have any jokes or pranks, except maybe my new list, so I'm starting out the month on an almost even keel. Heh, heh, heh. Part of me doesn't want to reveal the list and of course it's a doozy. The other part of me says to just put it out there and see what happens. Hmm, sounds like Good Wendy and Bad Wendy. I should really make them. Creative Mojo Man's face is on my work table, waiting for paint.

All righty then. I'll give you a little of my list. If I surpass it within the next 30 days, great. If not, you'll never know I didn't. Sneaky huh?

I will be doing Script Frenzy this month. 100 pages of a screenplay in 30 days.
Get more dolls made for the trailer shoot of the movie.
More postcards made. At least 5.
One Halloween painting.
One Hop to It block.
One Southern Album block appliqued.
3 books read.
2 Ghostie Girls done.
10 Voodoo pin dolls.
10 faerie ornaments.
10 Skull ornaments.
1 Kilted Skellie.

That's all you get, for right now. I am so looking forward to beginning. Have a good one.

See ya March!

It's the last day of the bloody month. Although it was saved by two doll sales, still... I don't know what the glitch was. Whether it was the change of the season, time change, the teasing by Mother Nature with early extra warm temperatures, getting sick (again), that super moon... what? I just don't know and it's over. Done. In the books. It's a wrap.

My list, well, we won't go there. Barely scratched it. I got four dolls done this month and that's sad. I did a lot of reading, finished two books. I even got back to writing, working to get into a daily habit of putting pen to paper. Yeah, that's old school but I've been doing it. I completed another quilt block that I've been getting rave compliments on. I made five postcards.

How many new projects did I add not doll related? One. A quilt. Yes, I'm more batty than bats in a well lit attic. A quarter into the year. At least right now I'm laughing. I can't explain why March was a failure. Something went haywire and I feel as if I'm coming off a bad carnival ride with a demented clown sitting next to me. Is that image burned into your brain? Good.

I really, honestly don't know what happened this month. I've neglected so many things. I think when I got one disappointment, and then the next, I started to unravel. It all took me by surprise and I kind of gave up. I think I need to burn some sage in my apartment to get rid of the negative energy. I used to do it on a regular basis and then I stopped. Well, will be getting some more sage tomorrow and have a creative blessing.

I've got nine more months in this year to go. I can still rock it. I know that there will be down times and I have to remember to take care of me. Because I'm important. So....

GOOD BYE MARCH!

March List

Grab a cup of tea or coffee and have a seat. Are you ready for this month's list? Here we go.

Quilting
Hop to It block #2
1/4 more quilting of bunny wall hanging

Writing
Polish Map Hunter manuscript, send it off
Set up Kitchen for Script Frenzy

Reading
Beyond Positive Thinking
Changeless
Ireland's Pirate Queen

Art
5 Postcards
1 Painting
Rough sketches of Halloween paintings for Oct show
Design Halloween mug rugs

Dolls
3 Ghostie Girls
1 Creative Mojo Man
2 Koji Bears covered
3 Koji Bears dressed
2 Mardi Gras skellies
6 Wandi Dolls finished
6 Wandi Mermaids
10 Day of the Dead ornaments

Not included are extra pieces for the film. I may be ready for a padded room with a view by the time this month is over. But if you're ready for a fun ride, join me.