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!

Almost Ready

I did make it up to Michigan from North Carolina. I got all my things delivered and I'm almost through all my boxes. I have the basement sort of set up for working. Now  I have to clear off my art table so I can start creating again. I am so grateful for my friend from university who has opened her arms, heart, and home to me while I take a side trip on this adventure called my life. I finally got my car insurance taken care of and my car license changed, a new plate and tags, and have registered to vote. I'm still learning my way around my new town but spring is coming. So soon, very soon there will be some cool things coming.

Staging area as I unpacked boxes to find things.

Creating area. My big art table and two smaller white folding tables. I will probably put my sewing machine and serger on them.

Repaired the bookcase on the right and the new bookcase that I got on sale is on the left. Ready to get books loaded.

This area is where most of my boxes were. Now there is floor.

My daybed holds books, dolls, fabric, and quilts. It will take some time to get that situated but I now see all that I have and what can be donated. It will be a nice sitting area once everything is put away.

The area behind the daybed. Not many boxes left to go through.

The wall with another bookcase and shelves for supplies. I will need to rearrange those shelves too once I pull out my paints.

So I'm getting there and I'm itching to get back to making things. Glad the ideas are still running around in my head and I still have many little sketches to go through. Almost there.

Short Post

This will be short. I'm working on a huge t-shirt quilt on the longarm. 88 inches by 114 inches. I did the part-time gig and I can't keep my eyes open. I did manage two faces. Writing is going well, the prepping for NaNo in November is on track.

Challenge Day 29

Almost done with this challenge. I can't believe I stuck with it.

I also finished some mug rugs, pulled fabric for two preemie quilts, and did some more guy faces. The new AC is working in the studio. Thank goodness.

Plot Twist

There's a meme going around on Facebook that says something like, 'If life is not going the way you planned, call it a plot twist and keep going.' Not the exact words but that's how I'm feeling right now. I don't know what has been going on this month. My birthday month. The month I had such promise of nice things and it kind of went the route of a poopy diaper. After a month, the AC in my studio was finally fixed but now everything I'd been working on is off track and I'm trying to get things back on the rails. And it's been a slow month for longarming but I've been hanging in there with the 30 day challenge. I believe I can keep it up once the 30 days are up. We shall see. What was a 30 day challenge is morphing into a bona fide project. A large one that will be in progress for some time to come. The cool thing is that I'm ready for that challenge. Scary? Yes. But I'm feeling this down in my soul to keep going. I'm still working on details of the uber project, so I can't give out too much information at this time but stay tuned. It's going to be fun.

Grateful for my friends but one in particular who has been really great when the lave heat of life just won't leave me alone. She has kindly held the tiniest fan with the greatest breeze and with kind words of encouragement helped me through this month. No one can tell me I don't have determination and perseverance. I guess I have a hard head but my heart is bursting with creative things I want to make and show the world. Even if some don't get it. Because my light is great. I'm going to repeat one of my favorite quotes.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is out Light, not our Darkness that

most frightens us.

- Marianne Williamson

Get ready to put your sunglasses on.

May - Day 2, Not Bad

Yep, they keep ending faster and faster. Last month wasn't that bad. Each month gets better than the previous one, so I'm grateful for that. I'm really going to push the envelope for May. There is this saying hanging up in the break room where my studio is. I'm going to read it a lot.

It was a good day today. I got all April receipts together and tallied up, loaded an appliqued wall hanging onto the longarm for some custom work, made a doll dress, made a pattern for a cloth ornament, and started nine mug rugs. Not a bad start for the first day of a new month. More pics are coming.

The First Week

There's one more day, today, left in my week. I start my new week on Sunday. For the first week of the new year, I didn't too to bad. I want to at least write five days out of the week and I did just that. I got my first business quilt, I got the binding attached to two preemie quilts (I'll stitch those down today), I finished my last Sashiko piece and I'm ready for the next step of that project. I cut out and sewed two new dolls for Halloween and I discovered something else about me. I guess kind of an epiphany. Nothing will ever be perfect enough. My apartment, my work area, nothing. For so long I've been putting off doing creative things because of numerous things. Excuses really. Not enough room, I want a separate spot to make dolls or do paper clay or polymer clay. I don't have enough shelving unit space. The list went on and on. The clock continued to tick on and on and I would end up berating myself because nothing got done. I'd see others online who had a table in the corner of their living room, or were using the kitchen table in between meals. How were they able to get things done and not me? Everyone would like to have that cool studio space with all the supplies needed to do whatever at the ready. That's a great dream. But when do I actually make something?

I have a friend who is also in the same predicament. We talked this week and I saw myself in her. She said, I've got to get this section cleared out. I've got to arrange things for the 13th time. Things aren't quite right. I got it. But I didn't like it when I saw me. I was getting older and not producing anything. And that's when I told myself that it's okay not to have that extra table to work on or have that extra shelf to put more stuff on. I looked around my apartment and I have everything that I need to at least get started with something. I decided that I wasn't going to have those excuses anymore. The fear is real and it will always be there. I've dealt with it before. Now it's time to wrangle it again.

Be open to new things. A mantra for the year. You just never know what will come around. There are new tenants in the building where my quilt studio is. I can't do wet things there because of the carpet on the floor. That was one of my excuses for not doing anything in my apartment which has hardwood floors. Yeah. These two new tenants create apps for kids. They introduced themselves (it was very nice to have a man stand up to do so) and we got to talking. They had seen my longarm machine in my spot and I told them I was getting back into making Halloween things and writing. They told me what they did. And for a brief instant, a light bulb turned on over each of our heads. It was fun to see the wheels turning and we all smiled. They asked me about what I wrote and if I had any ideas that could be adapted to an app. I may have an opportunity to write and illustrate a game app for kids. They invited me to their office and I was able to see them tweak their newest app that should be out soon. How cool is that? I'll keep you informed of any developments.

So writing my new life script is starting to work. No more waiting for the perfect time to write or create. Do it now. No more beating myself up. Telling myself what an interesting and creative person I am and that I can do what I set my mind to do. To break big projects up into smaller pieces and work on those. One brick at a time makes a house. Or a castle.

Am I still scared? A little but I'm going to work with the fear instead of against it.

Onward!

Wow!

Yes, wow! When I talk to friends these days and we discuss what we want to do next year, next year is in like, less than three weeks. Three weeks! And we'll have another year to deal with. I still have this month to deal with and right now, today, I'm feeling pretty good. I will be back in the studio today to longarm a small quilt, someone will pick up their quilt and then I have my quilt guild holiday meeting tonight.

I won something in an online giveaway. I rarely win anything and I love this artist's work. Her name is Diana Rader Shrome. I got a wonderful little doll in a peppermint dress and bow and she through in some Halloween guys because she knows I love Halloween.

And another friend sends me ornaments she paints every year. I'm going to need a bigger tree. The table top one is filling up. She also send me a fountain pen (which I've wanted for a long time), and miniature items. A truck and pen set for my miniature roombox that I'm working on.

Nice, early gifts. I'm still debating if I will get myself something for Christmas. I don't know if I want to be in the crowds. Maybe if I go when the store opens, I'll be okay.

Fall Again

After two weeks of rain and weird temps, we've had late summer show up once again. Very weird. Yesterday was I think 72 degrees and today in the 50s. It was very pretty out and temps are supposed to dip the next couple of days. I really like fall, autumn. Sometimes it's a very long period of time and sometimes we get a week and then it's winter. I want fall just a little while longer. My new neighbors tried out their fireplace last Saturday and I love the smell of a wood burning fire. That's part of fall for me.

I took this pic this morning. I thought it was pretty. It prepared me for the day that was coming. Boy, did I ever need this pretty picture. Because people were crazy out today. I don't know if it was because it was pretty out, warm, both. Or because the holidays are coming up and they are upping losing their minds. Some were tailgating, not stopping at stop signs, driving 20 in a 35 at the busiest time during the day Go to a park or something. Then there was the young female who hit a mail truck. Really? Not paying attention. I mean, those things are kind of big, white, have flashing lights and she plowed right into it. And the leaf guys. Shutting down roads and not having a clue as to where to direct traffic. Yeah, I love fall.

But I made it. Got another t-shirt quilt on the frame, Ran lots of errands which included the grocery store. I'm grateful I had money to go to the grocery store. But what I needed I can't eat. You know, cleaning supplies. Gah! It's all good.

And fall is coming back.

Yee Haw!

Getting settled into the new studio. I've been busy quilting and you can go on over to www.wendybquilts.blogspot.com to see those quilts. I'm still thinking about decorating the place but that may have to wait until after the holidays. You know what? I'm feeling lots better. In most areas. One quilt was giving me the blues, so I took off Saturday afternoon and Sunday to not do anything quilt related. I refused to think about quilts. I watched a series from Australia on Netflix, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, worked on my mitten, and read. I went back into the studio yesterday and finished the unruly quilt. It turned out quite well. But... but, I did something else that I hadn't done in years. I did some sketching on some new zombie Christmas ornaments. It didn't stop there. I made a pattern, got fabric, cut out and sewed five of the little buggers. I stuffed them when I got back to the apartment and will attach heads today.

I can't believe I created something else in the studio that wasn't quilt related. It felt really good to go from sketch to actually putting something together. Usually I just sketch and put them away. Into a sketch purgatory. I should rescue them. So I'm still here. Got a busy day today. Lots of running around. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Work in Progress

Yep, I'm still working on catching up. Here is my warren of bunners and I cleaned off my art table so I could cut out a kid's dance costume a la White Queen.

The bunners will be stuffed to go into baskets and the smaller ones will be ornaments. They can also go in baskets.

Very seldom do I see my whole art table. The gown has now been cut out. See, behind. Ha! I have also been writing new material for the past couple of days. My goal is 350 words a day but I've been hitting 700+  a few times. I'm still working on the piggy and hope to get more pics of him up soon. Need to finish him so I can get paid.

I don't know what's going on but my creative juices have been going crazy. So many great ideas for stories and dolls. Only so many hours right? One day at a time and one bit at a time will get me to where I want to be and the wonderful things I want to make. Eek!

Wonderful Wednesday and a Doll

Hello! It's a glorious Wednesday and it's raining. Yay! Still gotta work on the humidity but it's a lot more comfortable in my apartment and studio. I may be able to be in my studio a lot longer today. That is so fantastic. I'm doing better at enjoying each moment of my day. I'm also getting better at enjoying what I do each day instead of what I didn't get to on the list that can go around the world. I now giggle when I think about what I've accomplished for the day. It's pretty awesome. That feeling of being in the moment.

Okay, today is going to be busy because tomorrow I'm going to a museum and movie with the gal pals. This will be one of the long days I'd been talking about. Remember? Have one or two knockout, creatively killer days during the week. Or at least one. I think this will be it.

• I've got to work on an applique block. Getting behind again. 
• Work on another Moli Doll, they seem to be happening right now after being unfinished for over a year.
• Post a blog, which I'm doing.
• Work on my short stay. I can't make the real thing until the mock up is done. Can't make a Jane Austen gown until I have a short stay.
• Continue on my latest collection of voodoo doll pins. Ran out of buttons and was going to go to the store today but patterns are on sale next week at JoAnn's, so I guess I'll wait. I will work on their skirts and red hearts today.
• Get my 500 words in.
• Play with some clay.

Yeah, sure. I'll check back in with you on that list. Ha, ha, ha! But I'm feeling quite happy and I'm ready to get going. Right after breakfast. Have a wonderful day all!!!!

Moving Along

The mind is a tricky thing. Seeing that my weeks don't actually have a beginning and an end, I thought that this week I'd start it on a Monday and see how that goes. Monday was a good day. A very productive day of quilts and applique which ended with going to my applique workshop. I love those ladies, they are hilarious. I know that once a month I'll get to see them and the awesome work that they do and we go crazy. Plus, it's good to get out of the apartment.

Tuesday morning, I got up and went for my walk. I'm still waiting to feel good about it but anyway... I got home, showered, ate and had coffee. I was feeling great. Then the brain decided to do a U-turn and wanted to take me for a ride. It was trying to tell me that I had a good day on Monday and that I didn't need to do anything today. My to do list is at least ten miles long, I chose three things to do. Edit chapter two of Map Hunter, work on my reticule, and cut out my chemise. Bad Wendy continued to plant seeds of despair and I was about to take an emotional dive when I said "No. I want to have several good days in a row. Beat it." But doubts started to sneak in and right when I was about to paralyze myself with fear, Good Wendy screamed, "DO SOMETHING!!!!!!". So I picked up my quilt block and finished appliqueing it.

One more block done and one more to go before I can put all blocks together. I'm on my way to one of my goals of finishing an UFP (unfinished project). Then I cut out my chemise. Yay me!

I just love having my table cleared off to do whatever but the floor and surrounding area is another thing.
I also edited chapter two of Map Hunter, my mid-grade kid adventure series. And...

I embroidered my reticule. I had drawn another design but because the bag was already together, an elaborate design wouldn't work. This one turned out quite well considering I worked in a very tight area. I even made my tassel. I want to continue to work on my schedule for each day. Eventually I will get to dolls. Being creative during the day is helping. I'm getting there. And I feel pretty good about it.

Working on 1960s Retro Dress

I won't be able to start my wardrobe blog until after the reception this Saturday. But here's what I have so far. First I had to clear off my art table to cut the dress out. I love having a clear table and will have to redo my studio after the dress is done.

It's an old art table from a school. Someone had tossed it, a friend of a friend picked it up and decided he didn't want it anymore. That's how I got it. I so love this table.

And it was long and wide enough to cut out a circle skirt. It's been a long time since I last made a garment for myself. I didn't know if I would remember all that I had learned. Once I got started, laid out the pattern, things began to come back to me. Like riding a bike. But that first cut into the fabric is always nerve racking.

Remembered how to do tailor tacks. My mom was very big on them.

Sewing the lining to the pretty fabric around the shoulder opening.

All the darts are done and the bodice has been sewn at the neckline.

The V shaped detail on the front of the bodice.

The skirt waiting to be joined to the bodice. There's also a lining hanging up in the closet.

I bought the beads when I was in Richmond. I made the necklace and my friend Julie did the earrings for me. Today, I finish the dress and make the petticoat. Stay tuned.

Here's A Quick One

Once again I missed my Wednesday post. Oh well, life goes on. I'm here right now. And life is good. I'm legal and ready for the Quinlan show. I've got my PA sales tax number. Woo hoo! Still in the thralls of doll parts. I can say that I'm having fun even though my apartment is a mess and it's beginning to freak me out. I will have to put all show things in one corner.

Yay! I was finally able to do something right and get it to where I needed it. Learn something new everyday. Back to stuffing. Have a great day!

Before and After

This is how my studio looked after the Krankies Fair. Yep, it's trashed. Stuff on the floor, can't find an empty spot on the art table. I get a headache just looking at it.

I'm laughing as I'm writing this because it was a wreck. There are times when your work space is so junky, you can't do anything. Creative juices cease to flow, you can't find anything, and you just want to cry. So what do you do? You take time out to straighten things up so you can mess up again.

It didn't take as long as I thought it would to straighten up a bit. I can see the floor now and I can see the top of my table. I need more storage though. Next year. Now I can get started on some more dollies.

I've got space to work on the table. And the unfinished dolls too.

Clean Studio

Finally! After three days of trying to post, I can now post. Hi peeps! When I had things to post, I just wasn't able to but now I'm back. After finishing the dolls for the film, and the teaser trailer is done, my studio was a mess. I was even afraid to go in it. So I blitzed it. Took everything out, dusted, cleaned baseboards, and mopped. Rearranged things back, got fabric collected in numerous bins, flowers are together as well as ribbons and other trims. I even cleared off the art table. It's so pretty, I don't want to go in there, again. LOL But I must. New creative pieces are waiting to be birthed.

So let's take a look see of the neat area before it gets trashed again.

I can see the table. It's so exciting.

And a clean floor.

Fabric is all nice and neatly put away. One container has fabric for dolls I want to do in the near future. I still have to go through a bag of scraps but at least I know where they are too.

Oh, I will work on getting the trailer link up soon.

Toodles!