Oh My!

We only have one Friday the 13th this year! I've got to do something special. Are there any monster drinks out there? I've got to look some up. My mom was born on the 13th of a month. I love it when her birthday falls on a Friday. I give her funny and/or creepy birthday cards because that's how I roll. Yes. I don't have much time to think up something weird or unusual to make for Friday.

My 30 Day Challenge has been challenging. the past couple of days I waited until the last minute to do something. That little voice (Bad Wendy) was telling me to go to bed. "It's okay, she said. "I can double up tomorrow." But the challenge voice (Good Wendy) said to just sketch one thing. Because it didn't matter how big or small what I did was, as long as I did something. That is the key. Especially for big goals or projects. Just do a little something everyday. It will get you closer to the finish line.

I got up this morning and started six head ornaments from the sketches I did last night. Doesn't have anything to do with the challenge but it has everything to do with Halloween which isn't that far away. I tell myself that doing a little bit at a time helps. Not to worry about the final destination but to enjoy the trip. The beat down of other negative voices continues. It's kind of fun, going after the negative Nellie's in my head.

Now that I've got the 'creative train' going again, I thought about my writing which I haven't done in a week and a half. I almost teared up. Almost. Because I stopped. Again. I was on such a roll. Today I found the rough draft of a NANOWRIMO success. I told the story to a friend and even though it isn't her favorite genre, it interested her enough that she wants to read the final version. And I value her opinion  and that she thinks highly of me and my writing. I blew the dust off  and was quite impressed by the stack of papers I had. I'll have to read the whole thing to see what I wrote and then break it down for the rewrite.

52,000 plus words in that stack of papers.

I'm also doing quite well on some of my UFPs. Unfinished Projects. I'm afraid to show the list. It's kind of scary. I have quite a few projects that are very close to being done it's ridiculous. Stay tuned.

My Work Table

It's been awhile since my work table looked like this. It was scary and exhilarating and fun at the same time. I hadn't felt that in a long time. How long? Three years long. Eek! Yep, I looked back. Way back. I'm grateful for my blog because I was able to go back and see when I was the most productive. What did I do differently? The time when I had a regular job, I got home, ate, and got busy. I designed and made things. Cool things and for whatever reason I lost that. Well now, I'm working my butt off to get it back.

I've made these critters before and I thought it would be the best small project to do to get back into the groove of things. Bad Wendy and the monkey were trying to poo poo my efforts. I told them to find a corner and be quiet. Sometimes you can't rush the really cool things you want to do after being away from it for so long. When I found out how long it had been, I cried. Three years gone; not creating anything. I mourned. Creating is like breathing but I guess I was underwater during that time. Now I've broken the surface. Doing the doggy paddle. And that's okay. Or maybe I was knocked out like Sleeping Beauty and Good Wendy threw paint brushes, paint, and maybe a sewing machine at me and I woke up.

For the past couple of months, I thought to myself that I've got to get back to making things. I've got to get that spark back. That it's okay to start back up, small. I gave myself permission to start small, with something I was familiar with. And now I'm ready for the next thing.

My St. Patrick's Day bat ornaments. I love bats and these make me happy.

And my bunner door hangs. I like them too.

There were plenty of times during the creation of these little guys where Bad Wendy was trying to get me off track. And I worked very hard at being in the moment. One stitch at a time. One little piece that goes next. I was so tired when I got done. My brain screamed at me. "What the heck do you think you're doing?" I answered back, "I'm using you." Maybe someone will buy them. Maybe not. But the creative floodgates have been opened. At least a bit.

One day at a time. One project at a time. One step at a time.

Update Post

I told myself that I would do better at posting on my blog. Well, I'm still working on it. My longarm quilting business is picking up. I received 5 quilt tops to do in one order. So I will be busy working on them. I had asked the universe for 5 quilts by the end of the month and I got them. I am grateful.

I am almost done with the rough draft of my first short story. That's been a struggle too. I don't know why I can't finish it. I know what the ending is but Bad Wendy is being a bear right now. I will get that done today. Seeing that I haven't been sketching at all, I will attempt to start today. One drawing or sketch a day. Today's may be very simple but I really want to get back to drawing well. Plus I need to sketch out some Halloween stuff. Halloween. So behind. I'm not going to get bent out of shape about it. I have been practicing on the longarm, making quilts, and doing applique. But I do miss making things; dolls, figures. It's only Wednesday and I've a good chunk of the day left.

I will paint the ceiling of my roombox today. Possibly stain the wood floor too. I will post a pick of my sketch of something later today. Have a good one.

No Pic Post

Six days in and only two posts. But I have been posting on my Wendy B Quilts blog. So by all means, please hop over and take a peek. I had to take apart the top for one of my Halloween dolls because it just wasn't working for me. I didn't like the print, it was too loud, so I finally took it off the doll and now she's just staring at me. Sorry kiddo. But... but, my creative mojo is coming back. It went away the last part of February and I ended up in a slight slump. Say that fast a couple of times. I am really working on my patience and business is slow. At that time I started listening to all the Bad Wendy voices ad nauseam and I finally told them to shut up.

I am okay. I've decided to live one day at a time. Enjoy my moments of quiet, creativity, just being. I am working towards something to better my life and things will happen. If I give them a chance. There are just some things that I cannot control and I need to stop trying. I am working on eating better because spring is coming and I'm ready. So far, I've lost 3 pounds. Yes, I jumped a little bit for joy. I've been practicing on my longarm machine (Leonidas) and I picked up two gigs today. Been reading on the regular and working on writing on the regular (in my journal and stories).

I have signed up to do an online doll challenge, so expect some pics soon. I have an idea and now I probably should sketch it out. The challenge is witches spells. It's a Halloween group. Get my two Halloween dolls dressed. Now that my slump is leaving me, I know why I was procrastinating with them. They are both going to be wearing hats. Hats are new for me. Nothing like a challenge.

Spring is coming. The days are getting longer. Hibernation is coming to an end. I like that. Getting a little excited. Have a good weekend!

I'm in Germ Magazine

This year hasn't been going like I had planned.  I didn't jump out of my creative gate and the procrastination ghouls have been appearing.  I was about to start pulling my hair out because I had so many plans and nothing was getting done. Not good enough, who will like my stuff.

Well...

Someone does. I really hope I can get this link up right.
http://www.germmagazine.com/loved-through-the-years-three-centuries-of-black-dolls/

I has a spot in a brand new online magazine for pre-teen and teen girls.  There's art, writing, music, videos, all that will help them be empowered.  And I'm a part of it.  At the beginning.  From the ground up.

THAT... is pretty awesome.

At first I didn't think so.  I found everything that was wrong and began to beat myself up.  All of those past demons of not being perfect, good enough surface from some stinky dark and gooey pit.  I called a friend because I should have been excited.  She said it was up to me to be happy about this and not worry about expectations of others or trying to be perfect or worry and be in a very sad state.

I have decided to kick Bad Wendy to the curb, again.  This is a good moment.  A wonderful moment for me.  I have accomplished something really cool.  Me.  This is where my hard works has gotten me so far.  I am proud of me.  After all, this is what I've wanted.  Or at least part of it.

Will I ever feel low again?  Maybe, at some point.  But next time, I will tell myself that I deserve something nice.  I deserve recognition for good work.  That it is good and okay.  Right now, I will not allow what has happened when I was growing up, or when I wanted to begin my art career when I was younger.  Today is a new day and I will embrace it.  I like me.  I like my creative growth over the past several years.  Great things have yet to come.  2014 will be my happy year.  I will make it so.  You are my witnesses.  As a creative person, what do you grapple with?

What the Heck!

Yep!  What the heck?  Where has this year gone?  My head is spinning and the world is upside down.  In thirteen more days it will be the longest day of the year.  And you know what happens after that... the days start getting shorter.  What?  The past couple of weeks have been a bit crazy.  I'm working on catching up on things, like wrapping up May.  That just totally slid by me.  Two commissions and an art show later, I can come up for air.  A bit.  So grab your favorite beverage, your favorite seat and get comfortable.  This may take awhile.  Where do I begin?

Okay, I'll begin with the end of May.  The last day, the 31st, when I realized that I had been out of work for a year and actually survived.  There were times where I did get help from some wonderful people but I didn't give up on my dream of being an artist.  Not starving but severely struggling and that could be a mind thing in itself.  My emotions were all over the place.  Happy because I took a chance.  How many other people do? With several false starts, I forged ahead.  Not knowing where I was going or how things were going to turn out.  Working out a schedule for me that would work for what I wanted to do.  I'm still working on that but I've found out that I write better in the mornings.  I work great with the painting and dolls after lunch.  That's a good thing.  I'm still amazed that I can do that.  Make my own schedule.  Some days I have to chuck it out the window, but it's my schedule.

Happy because I've been creating and working on new designs, even though most didn't work out.  But attempt was there.  I didn't know if they would work or not and the drama between the two Wendy's was epic.  I can't. I can.  I can't.  Oh, just do it and worry about the outcome later.  I even surprised myself when I had to do a cloth doll for a graduation gift.  With very little time to do it.  I couldn't find my old patterns because brilliant me decided to put them in envelopes and file them away.  Far, far away.  They are quite safe.  So, I did what any doller would do.  Made up a new pattern and doll in a day.  I really like this new pattern and I'm trying to figure out what else I can with it.  Got her painted and dressed in the second day.  I really need to figure out how to keep that kind of fire under my butt at all times.  Be able to turn it on and off.  Good Wendy was impressed.   Bad Wendy's head exploded.  For those of you not familiar with The Wendy's, they are my muses and alter egos.  They either encourage me, present bright ideas, or go totally AWOL.

Happy because I've have been in the zone so many times that is was a form of enlightenment.  Pleasure. Excitement.  There were times when I felt like I was flying and when  project was done, I didn't crash and burn like in previous years.  I stepped right into the next thing.  There were times when my brain actually hurt because I was thinking things through.  They say that your brain is a muscle and this past year I have stretched it.  I actually felt it getting stronger.  Neurons reconnecting.

Happy because of the many times I questioned myself and I just didn't give up.  I kept going.  There was always tomorrow.  I was blessed with new days.  Days to start over again if I had to and sometimes, I had to.  Days of being alone and stuck in my studio.  Working on a project through tears because this was my new job.  Something I've always wanted to do.

Happy because no matter how many times I got knocked down (and there were plenty) I got back up.  Sometimes I limped, was bruised, or totally shell shocked.  Always working on not comparing myself to anyone else.  Hard, very hard.  Battling the thoughts that I'm too old to do this or to be published one day.  Realizing that I just have to do it.  Write my stories, craft my dolls because I have to.  Work my butt off because I have to.  Because those things are a part of me, they make me.  To create is to breathe.  And when I don't, I feel a little ill.  Then I pick up clay, or fabric, or a paintbrush, or pen and paper and get going again.  I've painted, sewn, and written through tears.  Will it happen again?  Probably.  But I will keep going.  If anyone ever tells me that I don't work, I will tell them to try it.  And then eat rat turds.

Now the other side of the coin.  There have been times when I would freak myself out, asking if I should get a job.  Then I ask myself, what jobs?  I still beat up and drag myself over hot coals and mountainous terrain.  But not as often as I had been doing.  Am I still afraid at times?  You betcha.  I am getting stronger because this is my creative journey.  If I don't like one path, I can get on another one.  Am I wealthy?  Nope.  Will I be?  I don't know the answer to that either.  But I will have peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment.  No one can take that away from me.  So I guess in a sense, I am wealthy.  Leaving behind things that will make people smile or think.

Well would you look at that?  Not much to the other side of that coin.  I am very proud of myself.  Of what I've done in one year.  Last year I made a deal with myself to at least try.  The deal is still on because this year will be better.  The Wendy's have pushed their sleeves up.  The game is still on.

I'm Working!

Working on getting back on the creative wagon after being waylaid by a head cold. Good grief! Here are the things I've been working on the past couple of days.

I'm really going to get these masks done if it kills me. Hopefully, they won't. I was using some Rigid-Wrap and ran out. I went out, in an ice storm to get more but they didn't have that brand in a small package so I got Paris Craft Plaster Cast by Nicole. PCPC has bigger holes in it and doesn't smooth well like Rigid Wrap.
Once dried, I tried sanding the masks. PCPC would be great for kid's projects. So I had these masks and I was getting frustrated, yet refused to let Bad Wendy play with my head. I thought about putting a layer of crinkled up tissue paper over the masks with gesso. Loved it!

Not only did that process hide the imperfections of the PCPC strips, it made my skulls look like they have a paper thin layer of skin. Quite mummy like. I am so loving this because I wanted a little texture on the masks.

They are ready to be painted. Yay me!

I also got my Basket Bunners drawn to size and a pattern made.  The surrounding fabrics are what they will be made of. I forgot to take a pic of my latest voodoo doll pins that are in the works. See ya!

Oh, I also got a doll commission today.

Sorry!

Yes, I'm still battling some wicked anti-creative demons. They will not win. A friend suggested I do an 'Elephant Day' when things get really bad and the fear and procrastination set in. An elephant day, she said to get an elephant. Not a real one. But any kind of stuffed, or clay, or I could even draw one. Put him in the center of my living room and visualize taking a bite out of him. With each bite, I do something creative. Of course Bad Wendy stepped up to the plate and said we couldn't try it because we don't have an elephant. Good Wendy gave her the side eye. She also said that once I got back on track, to put the elephant away until next time I get a block or the battle seems dire.

Here are a few things I've finished and have been working on.

Finally got my mini plush monsters done. They will be for the Krankie's Holiday Craft Fair.

And I got another zombie head done. She could be a ghoul. I guess she'll tell me later. I have been writing too. Got another chapter to my mid-grade book edited. My goal is to finish this last edit and start looking for an agent. I have also been sketching and will try and get some pics up this week. It's also getting to be a busy time for me with Halloween coming up and then Christmas but I will try to do a lot better. I still owe you a list for the month.

I'd like to welcome Machelle Benson to the party.

Pictureless Post

Yeah, I know, another pictureless post. This month has been kicking my butt. Part of me wants to run and hide, the other part of me wants to continue to share. That maybe through my journey, I can help someone else. Or give them a good laugh.

Even though I had won a skirmish, doubt, fear, loathing, and friends queued up to give me a thorough bashing. I did go to that place of darkness. It was not fun. I don't know what was going on. Probably that damn meteor shower messing with my frequencies. I asked myself what I wanted and that was to be at a particular con next year. I asked myself what I needed to do to get there, and I told myself to finish this zombie couple for a friend. Then something happened. Good Wendy told me that my integrity was at stake. My word. I told my friend I would have the figures done as a gift for her husband. I care for my friend and I care for me. So I put my Kevlar underpants and bra on and got busy.

I'm working in a new medium, air dry clay. Yes, I thought that I was so wonderful that works of art would spew forth from my fingers. Um... sure. I had to keep reminding myself that with anything new, there is a learning curve. Unlike cloth, this stuff is wet when you work with it. You have to keep unused clay covered so it won't dry out. I had to figure out which tools would work and for what. Remember putting glue on your hands and then peeling it off? Like that but messier. There's something about starting with a piece of foil, mushing clay, and creating a face. Do they look like I wanted them to look? No. But that's okay because they have their own personality. They were very happy that I didn't give up on them. Are they perfect? No. But I like them. They are my new creations. I will grow creatively with each new piece.

The past two weeks are gone, as well as yesterday. I'm back on track. I am still afraid but that fear is now pushing me forward because I know what can be. I will work to have some pics in progress tonight. Thanks for reading.

One Step

I'm late, I'm late. So sorry. It's just been so horribly hot and the brain was malfunctioning a bit. Getting back into form though. Last week I had one step back and two forwards. The step back was one of the shops I have my work in isn't going to be carrying crafts anymore. It is what it is. She has to do what's going to get more business into her shop to stay viable. I get that. I didn't fall into a vat of poo or despair, or get upset, or angry. I'm getting a lot better with disappointment and deals falling through. I told myself that something else would come up, even though I really didn't believe it at the time. Bad Wendy.

Two steps forward. I was asked to put work in a new gallery in Rockingham County. I'll get a contract in the mail. I was told that they didn't have dolls at that particular store. Great! Yay me! I will have to come up with something unique for the holidays. The other step forward, I got Smitty's Notes 2012 Best Local Artist, Runner Up Award. I couldn't believe it when a friend told me. Yes, I jumped up and down and squealed. I hope I didn't scare the neighbors. Who cares, they have been known to be overly loud at times.

So, I am moving forward. Still working on a schedule of some sort but really working to enjoy the moment of creating.

I designed a new angel ornament for a workshop to be scheduled for November. It's larger than my regular angel ornaments and a bit more time was needed to get these little beauties done. But that's okay, it's for a class. Others will be able to enjoy making and giving these as gifts. They are about 7 inches high.

I love Egyptology and I'm going to get started on Anubis. Did some research and started sketching.

I'll work on his armature in the next couple of days. It should be fun to see how he turns out. If he is a success, I may have to add a few more.

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.

February Wrap Up

Remember that list I had for the month? Here's the wrap up of what I did accomplish.
Quilting
I did do my Hop To It block

Writing
Found writings for screenplay

Reading
2 books  -Think and Grow Rich 
                Chinese Emperors

Dolls 
2 Ghostie Girls
1 Small Art, Big Heart piece
1 Creative Mojo Man's face has been started
1 Mardi Gras Skellie (Yeah, I cheated a bit, that was for Small Art)
6 Wandi Dolls

Extra 
1 Painting
1 Greeting Card
2 Postcards

I didn't get to some things but I added a few more things. So not bad for following my big list. Now I have to make up one for March. Stay tuned.

A New Month!

Yep, a new one.  Another chance to do something cool, great, sincere, funny, goofy, you name it.  Catch up is the theme for the month.  Right now I'm a little goofy because we've dodged the snow rocket.  But I've got to get going.  Working on finishing dolls to make their way to the Outer Banks and possibly a new shop.

These are the first two of my Seaside Wandi Dolls.  They will have sailor type dresses on and hats.  Yeah, sure.  Okay, I do believe I will pull these guys together in a day and a half.  I ransacked what fabric I have left and would you believe I don't have any white?  White!  Fabric!  A basic color.  I so need to go shopping for everything.  Anyway, I have other Seaside gals in mind.

My chorus line consists of Spring Wandi Dolls ( the two on the left and the far right) and two Valentine Wandi Dolls.  I wasn't going to do anything Valentine like but I had the fabric, so what-the-heck.  The doll with the black legs is going to be a Spring Goth Wandi.  I'm looking for new hair.  What I had been using doesn't want to be found anymore.  It has become my big quest.

I really don't need any new projects but that's what us creative types do, have a couple hundred projects going at the same time.  I do believe I'm in good company.  I've learned how to quilt, only to do applique, which I just love doing.  This is the first block in one of those block-of-the-month quilts.  I know, I know, my mind has been kidnapped by aliens from some distant nebula.  I still can't remember how I got roped into doing this project.  My instructor is very good.  I've changed some of the colors from the original and my teachers project.  That's just me.  I'll see if I can get that pic up too.  I do have my bias strips made for the stems.  The quilt is called Hop To It.  There is a bunny involved.

I will post my list for February within the next couple of days.  At the end, we can see how close I get to marking everything off.  Creative Mojo Man and the Wendy's are falling over laughing.

He's Got Legs!

This will not be his final pose. He looks like he should be in a circus on a high wire or something. What we have here is a wire armature covered with wool batting. Not too sure if I like this brand but it's what I've got. Disregard the wire between his legs. Although he will be given proper parts. Yes, it's late but I had to post this. I have to start looking for a chest for him to sit on or a small barrel. He will be holding a tankard of rum. It's a given.

On the lighter side, I sewed some Wandi Witch bodies and arms to go with some of the heads. I don't want to count how many heads I have right now. I really do think they're multiplying along with the bunners. I also needle felted 3 sets of Koji Bear arms. Now I have to work on chapter 5 of my manuscript a little before bed. It was a good day considering I got a late start and I broke down and turned on the AC. We're going to be steamy the whole week. Fine.

I am feeling pretty good right now. Bad Wendy is becoming a whisper. Creative Mojo Man has his hood on and looking like an Art Deco scarecrow. Didn't take a pic because I don't know if I like it or not. He can't say anything 'cause he's got a hood on.

Working It

I got home from the job yesterday and wasn't feeling it at all. But around 8-8:30 on the pm, I asked myself if I wanted to be mediocre for the rest of my life? If so, do nothing. If I want to be on that beautiful beach in the Caribbean or on a New Zealand wine tour, I had to do something that would get me closer to that goal.

So I picked up my sprite pieces and closed up the seams. I had gotten into some sort of zone (could've been Twilight), when I stopped to look at the parts and thought that I had so many limbs compared to bodies. It began to unnerve me, that maybe I made a mistake in counting. Then my mind came back and I told myself (I know you know where this is going) that there are usually two upper limbs and two lower limbs per one body. Is that goofy or what? I had to laugh at myself. It was my Dr Frankenstein moment.

I will cut out their bloomers and sew them today.

I read on another blog that one should always have small achievable goals at all times. My 'believe' sign was one. Here is Creative Mojo Man almost wrapped. I think he will have some funky felt boots on and he's got to have wild hair. The fabric is scrap from a totebag a friend made me. The fabric was going to be a blouse but that never happened so it's now a totebag. I get so many compliments on that bag. Well, CMM is feeling very happy right now. The Wendys are getting a bit jealous and I'll have to start them soon too.

On the docket for today along with the bloomers:
2 more Koji Bear heads felted
3 sets of Koji Bear arms felted
complete torso of pirate formed
chapter 4 of Map Hunter

I'd like to welcome Lainie of www.lainieslittlethings.blogspot.com Love your fish tank with the not-so-little fish.

Creative Mojo Man

I have been in the dumps something fierce the past month and I'm starting to come out of it. I think. I don't want to count those chickens or put that horse where I think it should go at the moment. Any hoo, last week I had had it and went looking for my creative mojo. Good Wendy had him cornered so I decided to grab him and make him. It's a start. Got the fabric ready to cover him; leftovers from a tote bag a friend made me. I want to have him done by the end of the week. He's screaming for Wendys too.

I wrote about me changing my work table and that I should take a pic. Well here it is. Pretty cramped right. I've got Grim in the back for inspiration. He's waiting for buddies to party with. I told him that scaring old people wasn't a party. Maybe the neighbors. My writing books are at the ready as well as my needle felting implements.

Jam-packed Jazzy July

Yes, that title is a mouthful. I'm not going to list what I would like to get done but just do it and share with you. Another month, boy how time is flying, no, speeding like a jet plane by. I guess it's okay to have a down month. Life happens right? Only 23 creative days last month. But I got to see my little niece and her fat cheeks.

Creative mojo isn't on the blink and has been spotted lurking in corners. Good Wendy is trying valiantly to coax him out. I've rearranged my work table and now have inspiring past works on it and my writing reference books. I guess I should take a picture.

My 'believe' factor is improving. I read that one person wrote 'believe' in different ways and posted them all over her house, in her car, and office. It's one thing to say it but another to feel it. It is scary but I know what I want and it's coming. So I believe more now. I'm beginning to feel it in my heart that I can accomplish more to be able to live the life I want to live.

Let the games begin!

June

Happy June!
Yes, it's my favorite month of the year after October. A wonderful month to be born in. It wasn't always that way. When I was a kid, I didn't like my birthday month because it never got celebrated during the school year like other kids. No cupcakes for me in a classroom. I'm still a bit traumatized. A bit. I guess by the time I buy the creative spread in the sky, I'll be over it.

I'd like to welcome new follower Debbie. The creative ride has been fun so far this year. I'm going to shift it into the next gear. Hope you have fun too.

Seeing that this is the 2010 midway point, instead of listing what I'd like to do, I think I'll just surprise you guys and gals. Don't worry, I've got my list(s). LOL I'm learning that even with the lists, it's okay to deviate from it. That does keep things interesting when a wrench is thrown into the works. I will still post in progress pics and work to focus on a series this time.

I am so loving Halloween. I've pulled out all my itty bitty sketches and doodles and ideas I've written down through the flowing sands of the hourglass of my mind. Right. Okay, I'm getting back into my fantasy manuscripts. Did I mention I had a list or two or three?

The mermaid tails are flapping in their container, looking for their upper parts. Hmmm... goth mermaids. Oh the possibilities. I can't wait to use my black and gun metal like tulle, beads, and lace. We shall see.

I am also going to get serious about losing this last ten pounds that's been lingering around my middle regions. Eegads! Bad Wendy is laughing quite hysterically right now. I will have to do a proper introduction.

Last month I was creative 30 out of 31 days. Yeah, that shocked the heck-out-of-me. A new month awaits. I'm getting excited. I'm going to go for the 30 out of 30. Wish me luck.

Time to Make Some Pirates!

Okay, Spring Sprites are done and it's time to get to the sea. I'm feeling pirates right now and will attempt wet felting again. This time I will have access to a good washer with different settings for a hot wash.

Yes, you do see hot pink in that bunch of wool. Why shouldn't there be a hot pink pirate?

I'll also start stuffing mermaid tails. They're calling me too. Not so much a siren sound, more like a bunch of little kids and one big cardboard box. Both Wendys are getting a little impatient because the Spring and Halloween sprites are having a party with Oswin and his pals. They do make a great group. I'll have to take a pic.

Update Spring Sprites

I'm such a goof. I start a project and get halfway and stop. Why? Fear maybe. Self doubt. Something else. Then the pieces start talking, questioning why I haven't gotten back to them. The hard part is done. I want to get back to enjoying the fun part. The dressing, embellishing part. Yes, I would like more fancy yarns, more fabric, but I'm creative. I'll work with what I've got.

So I put the pants on my little girls. The blue pair looked stunning.

The other two, not so much. They looked so plain. I studied the blue, liking what I saw, looked to see if I had more print fabric to make new pants. The one in blue looks like she's got a shorts jumper on.

So I whipped up two more pairs of pants and they look lots better. So sweet!

Here are the first pairs of pants. I will keep them because other Wandis are on the way. This pattern will make great sailor pants. Maybe I stopped because the design I had in mind wasn't really what I wanted to do or what they wanted to wear. Bad Wendy decided to show up and tried to put a procrastination thought in my head. After all, things weren't working out, so put it away and go watch TV.

But I didn't. I continued on because they needed their pants, and once I worked through the pattern combination, the design took a different turn. Now I'm excited again. These guys were suppose to have a skirt on. Oh the creative process!

Here are the gals with the beads I've selected for them. Not the best lighting, I apologize. I found some cool beads that are striped and work well with all three doll's fabric patterns.