Okay Then...

Yep, I thought I would be doing better at posting but this has also been a weird month. Heck, a weird year. The one thing I have been doing is keeping up in my Bullet Journal but the creative wheels are a turning. Since my last post I've:

• had 2 panic attacks
• took 3 days to clear out one room of my mother's house - still not done. Have to go through built in drawers and finish off the closet.
• got things together for an upcoming yard sale
• stuffed and put together 5 new dolls
• got a little knitting in - that kind of calms me down
• been doing some little sketches
• started making hexies for upcoming projects
• went on my first day trip of the spring/summer
• bought some doll supplies
• working on designs for a new doll
• figuring out which doll shows to do at the end of the year
• worked on a watercolor mermaid painting
• added my first piece to my wardrobe with a blue jean jacket (not new)

Okay, looking at the list, it hasn't been bad. There is always room for improvement. My blue jean jacket I got at The Michigan Antiques Festival and I love it. My first ever blue jean jacket. It was my first time going and there were also antique cars on display and I love the antique spinning wheels.

New Long Legs dolls.

The what used to be my art room. Knotted pine paneling. Those were the days. I used to pretend I was in a log cabin when I worked in there. I have to go through my books too. I washed the curtains, which I guess hadn't been done in awhile and when I pulled them out of the dryer, they looked like a tiger had gotten some claws on them. So... new curtains will be made. And a window needs to be repaired.

My version of Feegee Mermaids.

I'm making hexies. Using a template, they are made out of fabric. Because I have lots of scraps and some crazy ideas for these little things. I have seen some smaller than this and I'm seeking out those templates. Yes, that's a quarter next to them.

And this will be the second garment I add to my wardrobe. I read of one young lady who had so many different crafts she liked to do (sewing, knitting) that she decided to make one garment a month. I liked that idea and will try it. But the new garment will replace an old one.

So, that's my update. Will work on another post a lot sooner.

Ha!

Just a wee bit late on a new post. It's April. We got fooled a day early by more snow. A very bad joke.

I'm in the last stages of finishing up some pieces for the Toledo Doll Show on Sunday. I'm excited but I've also sold some pieces before the show. Works for me.

Finally got my Long Legs almost done. Sold. I will take them to the show for orders.

Mini witches are almost done too. Working on hats right now or at least after lunch. They turned out better than expected and I don't know if I will make anymore. I do have one and a half bags of stuffing left, so maybe I'll make more to use it up.

Some new things going on in my weird little life. New habits are being established and I've got lots of planning to do this month. The big girl pants are on and it's time to rock a few things. See ya after the show.

Moving Right Along

Still working on new habits. It's all about being consistent. So far, I can get to two of the three things I really want to do each day. Right now, I'm okay with that. I'll just keep going. Some mini witches finally have some clothes on. Next up will be hair and hats.

And She's Off

Got to the next step on my new pieces. Making things suck. That way, if they do suck, I won't be too disappointed. If they don't, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Already I'm figuring out how to do things differently the next time around. After dinner I will put in eyeballs.

I also started heads using a foil base. Because of drying time, I figured I'd get a bunch going at a time.

I also started painting two new dolls I created last year. Better late than never. I don't know if I'll make anymore.

So that's where I have stopped for today. At least until after I eat. My stomach is growling. Catch ya later.

One Tiny Step

At a time will get you closer to where you want to be. The past two days were horrid. Storm fronts passing by, temps going up and down to quickly, high winds just didn't like my body. Feeling a bit better today and finally got some things worked on. Painted some little faces and everyone got bloomers except Frida. Her's are coming.

It felt good pulling out and working with paints even though part of me forgot what to do first. That will change. But I'm liking my little group. It's supposed to get warmer as the week continues and I hope we don't get anymore storms for awhile.

Today

My first day off to be creative and I got a little ahead on my art challenge. Faces 9 thru 12. And I got the last batch of cloth dolls stuffed and ready to get faces on. Probably tomorrow. My goal is to have them finished by the end of the week.

#29faces

My Mini Muse

Bailey Magoo Bear is turning out to be a great help in getting things worked on. He assisted with the first paint and embroidery job on the voodoo doll pins. And then approved the short pants and skirts to go on said pins. I know I'll keep him around.

Bloomers, Bloomers

Who has bloomers? Why my latest batch of dollies have them. Finally getting somewhere. I knew I should have made a mockup of the long leg doll bloomers but I didn't after I made the first pattern. I just wanted them to have some pants on. If I make these dolls again, I will alter the pattern so that the bloomers bloom a little bit more. For now, they will do. The prim dollies have their bloomers too and I will look one more time for the bodice pattern I had made the first time I made a batch of these. If not, I will have to make a new pattern so I can get their dresses made this week. I have to go into the other job today so I won't have time to paint any faces until tomorrow.

More micro wins. Yay me!

Working

Lots on my mind. Lots on the worktable. Lots still to do. Working on keeping up with blog posts. Been working on micro wins. Small wins that will lead me to big ones. I seem to only think about the big goal, even, plan and not about the little things that will get me to the big things. So I've started a list of micro wins. Got that from Lisa Nichols. So that when I start to beat myself up over not doing enough or being closer to my goal, I can read my list of tiny steps in the right direction.

I had the past couple of days off from the other job and got busy creatively. On the first look, I didn't think I did anything but I finally caught up to where I wanted to be by the end of this month. A batch of dolls are ready for their paint job. Next week they will get clothes.

I have voodoo doll pins, male and female monster pins, prim dollies, and my new long legs dolls. It's going to be a stretch to get them all done this month but I will work on it. Have a great day.

New Dollies

I decided to get out of my way and my head out of my butt and do something. I have so many ideas and I freak myself out by them and I end up not doing anything at all. Which is kind of lame. I'm a lister, a person who makes lists. And I'm not ashamed. If I don't write things down, I will forget them. If I don't do random sketches on small sheets of paper of really cool ideas, I will forget the idea. So... lists. Now I'm putting three things on my list and giving each part of a project some love. I guess I will have to figure out how to use the timer on my almost new phone. That I've had for several months.

So this is what I did today. I have no idea why I waited so long since I cut the things out before I stuffed them and stitched them together. I'm glad I only did two because I think I want to make a slight change to the legs. Maybe. But I'm liking them so far.

I think they have long legs because I'm short. Well actually average height but I'm the shortest one in my family. I love those stripes. I will continue to work on staying out of my way, overthinking, and my procrastination. Which has a lot to do with the fear of trying new things. Have a goodnight.

Been Busy

I think that's a good  thing. Or, the realization that my doll show is in a little over two months has stoked the fires under my creative butt. More go-to items cut out and ready to be stuffed. One older design doll; I cut out and sewed more of them for the show. I designed a new doll today and cut out two just to see if the pattern will work. And I finally got a top pattern for the mini witches made and their fabrics ironed and ready to go.

The new pattern is the long doll with the stripe legs. I love, love, love that fabric and bought what I could when it was around. I don't know if I'll ever find it again or anything like it. But I will search. the little doll next to her I've made before and sold most of them. They are cute little primitive dollies at a very nice price. Have to have something for everyone and in different price ranges.

The mini witches have their selection of fabrics ready. I still haven't gotten to any clay dolls. Cloth dolls are so much simpler and I know I can do them. Ugh... it's a creative mental growth block. I mean, I've done dolls in polymer and air dry clay before but I have a design in mind and I don't know if I can pull it off. Fear is not my friend.

Okay, gotta go turn some bodies and get to stuffing. Gotta go to the other job in the morning, switched with a co-worker who nabbed a doctor's appointment. You know how precious those appointments can be. Take care!!!

Done

Finally getting some pieces done. A new batch of voodoo doll pins are ready. I forgot how I like to make those little guys and gals. October is going to get here way too fast. So on the docket for this week are my mini witches.

Arms

Yes, after a horrid last week, I'm finally getting back to making things. My voodoo doll pins finally have arms and started painting their faces a bit (next pic) so I can do embroidery work. I'd forgotten how I enjoyed making these little guys and gals.

I continue to tell myself that I am a work in progress. That I do have to work. My ideas won't come into fruition if I don't put the work in. Easier said than done but it's another start. I just love falling off that tractor and getting back on again.

Onward!

Oh Life...

Sure. Right when you think things are starting to go a little bit better you trip over a pebble, get a water balloon to the head, and Thor's hammer to the gut. But hey! You get up and keep moving right? So look, no arms!

My latest batch of voodoo doll pins. Some are for an order. The rest will be for sale. They will be done this week. I still have crazy witches staring at me, waiting for their bloomers and dresses. Continuing to rebuild. See ya soon.

FINALLY!

Oh my gosh! Okay, I'm no longer sick. For now. Fingers crossed. And I now have a part-time job, so I'm trying to get a creative schedule back on track. So today, I finally finished a piece I've been working on for ages. And ages. And... well, you get what I'm talking about. She is done. Doesn't have a name but that's okay. She is finished and I can cross her off the mega list. Yay!

I don't know where her close up pic went. Somewhere out in the cosmos. When I find it, I'll show her up close and personal. I do like how she turned out. Finally. In the end. Ha!

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.

Fabulous February

Okay... January is gone. I didn't finish much; read two of three books, and finished the fourth edit of my kid's book. The past couple of days I had a head cold so I wasn't much good for anything. I can actually breathe now, which is pretty amazing. Love that stuff, air. I have a new list and will get to it directly. But..... drum roll please.....

I has socks!

 I adjusted my pattern for four less stitches. I like a tighter fit around the foot and I think I'll continue to knit the leg until I run out of yarn. The second sock, of course, is better because I also worked on my tension. I've already started my second pair and I will be doing two at a time, toe up.

Last Voodoo Doll Pins for 2011

Here are dolls 107 and 108. Vega and Vesta are the last Voodoo Dolls of 2011. Yep, I've made 108 dolls this year. I'm working on two more and they should be done tomorrow. So that will bring the total to 110. Not bad for a person who didn't think they were being productive. I have so many new ideas for more of these gals. After all, we've got Mardi Gras, St Patrick's Day, and Easter coming up. *Insert a cackle here.*

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.

Voodoo Mummy Doll Pins

A little late but better than never, right? Here is my quartet of Voodoo Mummy Doll Pins. From right to left:

Merlot, Mo, Maeve, and Maurice. I made them little Egyptian type girdles with beads. They have the trademarked stripe legs and wool heart like my first Voodoo Doll Pins. I'm working on some winter ones. I think they're kind of cute and a bit worse for wear. Ha!

I'm behind on my NaNo so I don't have an updated count. Probably tomorrow. Plus more dolls. I've got so many naked babies lying around. I helped my pals at Butt Bros. BBQ this past Saturday at the Persimmon Festival in Colfax, NC. It was a success, we sold out of brisket, pork shots, and almost the pulled pork. We got so many comments. It was a beautiful day but oh so cold. I was frozen to one spot and didn't thaw out until Sunday evening. Off to write. Have a happy day.

I'd also like to welcome Hobbyaholic aka April to the party.