Here She Is!

It finally came through. Good grief.

I'm supposed to be participating in Inktober and here is my first one. Yep, I'm behind. But the month is still young.

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.

Saturday Post

Yep, weird week but I made it. Got back to sketching, prepped my next Redwork piece, painted in the sketchbook. Maybe I can fill it up this year. One can hope. And here are some flowers in the yard. Spring has sprung.

I was supposed to do this Krampus around Christmastime but didn't get to him. So here he is, ready for spring. Maybe I should do a series on Mr. Krampus during the off season when he's not harassing bad children. Maybe this is his end of the school year picture. Ha!

I got my fabric prepped for my next Redwork piece. I used a woven interfacing on the back to see if it's a bit more stable to stitch but not be overly heavy to get the needle through. We shall see.

#redwork #krampus #embroidery #woveninterfacing #pellon #dayofthedead

Mid-week Already?

Eegads! Time is marching on and I'm working to keep in step. Yesterday, went to the maternal unit's house to start clearing out things. She's getting older (so am I) and I don't want to wait until the last minute to clear out her house. We used to do doll shows together and so I started with that closet. Two trash bags, a pile for a future yard sale, a pile that she needs to go through. Three hours and it's halfway empty. I know there's a Christmas tree in there too. And ornaments that I will eventually go through. She had this really bad hand soap that I used in her bathroom. I couldn't understand what the smell was and she smelled my hands and said it was the liquid soap. She said she didn't like it either. I asked why she kept it and she said it was for people she didn't like. Gee, thanks. She said that she thought I would use the soap in the shower. Well... no. So my nose is clogging up, I'm coughing, and she starts laughing. It was kind of funny and I told her to get rid of the stuff. That on top of the dust from the closet, I and my sinuses were a hot mess when I got back home. I sounded horrible. She did feed me, so when I got in, I got a stiff drink, popped a sinus tab and went to bed. Probably shouldn't have done that but I couldn't breathe. Everything hurt, again. But at least I got a start. Because it's gonna take time to get through stuff.

The purse got delivered and so far the new owner is getting lots of compliments. A blue jean one is next. Went to the fabric store today because I finally had a coupon, got home and washed the fabric.

I've also been sketching this week. Bodies. Not dead ones. And sketched my next Redwork piece. I bought some woven interfacing to stiffen the back of the fabric a bit. We'll see how that works on this one.

I'm trying to work out a new doll, that's why the bodies.

My lady Day of the Dead needs a gentleman. He's a bit on the goofy side. I will pick out thread colors today. Get started tomorrow because my vision is a bit off because my nose is starting to plug up again and I'm feeling a bit awful. Breathing is a good thing ya know.

It's a gloomy day and I just want to take a nap but I can't. Onward. I've got things set up for a small painting in my sketchbook. Yes, I'm working on getting that back on track too. Later.

#dayofthedead #redwork #sketches #bodysketches #fabricpurse

Catching Up

Been a crazy week. My friend painted the bedroom I'm in and it's almost done. I've been sleeping on the sofa in the family room and all I can say is that she's almost done. My back, hips, and knees are killing me and I haven't had a good sleep in four days. I'm running on vapors.

Designed a new doll. I haven't adjusted the head pattern yet. Had to do the tax thing yesterday. But I did manage to get further along with my Redwork piece. I do have some lazy daisy stitches and used a backstitch in a couple of places. But I think she's looking good.

I know that once I can get a good nights sleep, I will be back to creating like crazy. Right now, I'm tired.

#dayofthedead #redwork #embroidery #originaldesign

Goodbye November

That's all she wrote. November is outta here. Unbelievable. I can sit here and wonder where the time went but I won't. It's gone and I keep moving on. I was able to get an apron made for my upcoming craft fair. I've always wanted one to put things in so I won't have to look for them on the table when I need them. I have pockets for my cell phone, pens, my credit card reader, and a pocket with a flap and snap for money.

Working on my witch doll and I took a poll on which hair color to use. Red or blonde. Believe it or not, I got more votes on using both. I've got to make her hat and add some embellishments.

I got the first part of some felt skull pins put together and now they are ready for some embroidery.

I have other pieces in varying degrees of being finished. Three scary cupcakes, three box heads, six holiday table pieces, three zombies with elf hats, and a Krampus ornament for a group swap. Pics coming soon.

A Painting

I finally got a painting done. I had started it a month ago and made time to finish it. I used Walnut Hollow oil color pencils on a canvas board covered with black gesso.

Here is my initial sketch and the transfer onto the panel.

I like how the colors pop on the black background. I didn't like the texture of the canvas panel. So for the next one, I sanded the panel a little to make it a bit smoother. I will then add on one or more coats of black gesso. Such a wonderful idea I got from another artist friend.

We'll see how this one works out. I have a series of mask kids because I have that many panels. Cheers!

3-29 Faces

Working to catch up on my faces. I finished this little miss last night. Petra is ready for the slopes.

I used watercolor pencils, permanent pen on watercolor paper. Yes, I like skulls and Day of the Dead stuff.

Not the Best Pic

Been sick for almost a week, a really bad cold this time with a dose of another infection dealing with kidneys and bladders. Ha, ha! Yeah, I went there. Anyhoo, feeling much better and I'm working hard to salvage the rest of this month. I finally got my pirate/skull vest done. Buttonholes and all. It looks way better on and I will have to get a pic of me in it. Until then, here it is.

It's lined and I just love the fabric. Feeling pretty good right now because I got something done, this year. I know, it's still early but this month was starting to freak me out because I had nothing creative done.

Close up of buttons.

I've also been back to writing and finally broke through a block where I couldn't figure out how to start the story. I've had many scenes written, lots of background info, and stories to fill several books, but I didn't know how to start the darn thing. Or where to start it in the main character's life. Before I got out of bed this morning, a scene popped in my head which led to the start of the whole story.  Book One. I am so excited, I jumped up and down for a bit. It's been several years since I've been working on this story and now I've got a beginning down. Amazing, simply amazing. Working on some dolls/figures and will get some pics up soon.

See ya!

Stay warm!

On My Table

Working hard to get this month off to a good start.  Heck, the whole year off to a good start.  After I finished my NANO story, I wasn't satisfied with the end, so it will be getting a little longer.  The crazy lady has to get crazier and mess things up for the love birds who thought they were going to have a happy life. Ha! I just love it.  I also re-did an outline for Zaylie the Zombie Slayer and I'm liking the story better.  I've changed the age of the main character, rearranged events which makes it way tighter.  Will be ditching lots of previously written stuff and I feel okay about it because it just wasn't working.

I'm working on some new doll designs.  Did two today and I may combine them to make one decent pattern.  And on my table as of today are heart ornaments made out of cotton and a batch out of felt; Frieda Kahlo ornaments out of felt; St Pat's Sugar Skull ornaments made out of felt.

I've decided to post once a week for sure on this blog.  If I can do more, I will but I've got to get going on things.  I want to add a new online shop site and get things on there.  I also have to have new things for the shops.  Busy, busy, busy.

Last Weeks Paintings

I did these last week.  I'm still getting used to acrylic paints.  And before I can buy new and a better grade, I will be using up what I have.  As you can see, I'm into skulls. Have a great day peeps!

Skull Garden, 9"x 12"

Skull Bunner, 5"x 7"

31 Days of Halloween #12

Yikes! This month is getting by me so fast.  But I have two big projects I'm working on that will keep me alive and well.  I still have almost two weeks in this month, so get ready to see some more stuff.  I'm also going to start working on things for my last two shows and get more work into some shops.  I love this time of year.

This is acrylic paint on canvas board. 9" x 12"

Vase of Skulls

31 Days of Halloween - Pirate Vest

This is part of my 31 Days of Halloween/Fall.  I've worked on this for two days so far.  One to cut out the vest and it is lined and now for today, I've started to put it together.

Here are the printed pieces.  Four of the pieces are now together.

Here is what the fabric looks like.  I've got a thing for pirates.  Old school.

31 Days of Halloween - Catch up

Yes, the month just started and yes, it's going by so fast and yes, I'm a bit behind.  Here are four drawings I did with an app on my phone.  I used my finger and I liked doing it even though it was a bit foreign for me.  Still working my way into this century of technology. LOL

I call this one a stitched pumpkin.

This is a... I don't know what this is. Part skull, part phantom.

I love doing skulls.  

This is a young lady who has seen way too much.

And I'm still behind one. Geesh!

31 Days of Halloween -2

I know, I know.  I'm behind on my 31 Days.  So here is a watercolor painting I did today. The paper is long, 9 2/3" by 4 1/4".  The paper was in a Sennelier block and I used Nicholson's Peerless Water Colors, the complete edition.  I guess I should have taken a pic of those.  That's on my list.  I don't have to go anywhere Saturday or Sunday, so maybe I can catch up.

I seriously have to save up for an editing program.  I took this on my cell phone.  I may do another one.  A female.  Thanks for stopping by.

Today I also cut out ten more Bat Santas and I basted the facing on my red blouse so I can put in the buttonholes tomorrow.  Yay!  I'll finally have something new to wear.

Ornaments

I finally got my button skull ornaments done.  I don't think I'll be making anymore like them.  I did go through my stash of buttons and now I have a bunch of medium to large buttons left.  Hmm...  Anyhoo, I got them done and two have been sold already.

I still haven't figured out a way to crop my pics.  I do so miss my old program that allowed me to do it right after I uploaded pics.  I haven't figured out how to do it in Picassa yet, my mind is on other pressing things right now, so please forgive the upcoming pics.

What I've Been Up To

Working hard on pieces for two shows. So far, this is what I have done. At least what's new. Angel ornaments and more Cauldron Critters.

These will be a different doll ornament. They are cut out and ready to be sewn.

I have to keep up on my pics. I do have some button skull ornaments I'm working on and some Figi Mermaid paintings that I've started. My list is long. I also have my Ghoulies stuffed and ready to be painted. Yikes!

Almost Done

Now for the details. I've been having a great time painting her. I will probably continue to paint after this project is done.  I still have the mate of this painting to do.

My creative, yet messy table.

29 Faces - 7

I really like this little lady. I used watercolor pencils along with Peerless colors and a bit of Koh-I-Noor opaque watercolors.

29 Faces - 5 & 6

Yep, when I realized that I could use these babes as part of my faces (I did finish them today), I was elated. They are a commission and will be delivered tomorrow.

Top of her skull.

I love his mustache.

Top of his skull.