March!

I feel like I've received my marching orders.

Heck! Another month. Three months into a new year. Three months into a new decade. And I still feel behind. Even though I have been working on things, now is the time to really put the pedal to the metal. Step on the gas. Floor it. Time waits for no one and it's flying by. The older I get, the faster it seems to go. What's up with that?

I've been in and out of a weird funk the past two months even though some cool things have been happening and I've been working on being consistent again. Still waging a battle against not thinking what I want to do is important or good enough. Back to wanting to move again. Because things just aren't working out where I am. I can't change the place where I am, so I will have to find my own place. When I was younger, it didn't bother me to move. I was more fit. Now, the body isn't recovering as quickly. I have made that decision to at least attempt to find out a safe, less expensive place to live. A place to create.

I sent in my application to a local doll show. I have about 31 days to finish some pieces and start some new ones. I will have to do it. I have to move. No point in beating that dead horse. I have to make things happen for me. I deserve to at least try for me. So the sorting, giving things away, and packing will commence again. I've got new ideas on my platter. Stoking the fires. Also eating better and doing more exercises. With the way the weather is going to be this week, I may even be able to go for a few walks.

No pics this post. I don't even know if I want to list projects. Maybe I'll do a few.
Dolls:

• finish 8 Prim Dollies
• finish 5 Long Legs
• finish 2 aliens
• finish 2 Franken Babies
• finish 3 Frida Kahlo dolls
• finish 2 Day of the Dead dolls

Other:

• practice embroidery and applique
• finish repairing pants with hexies
• start a new doll series
• edit 2 short stories

31 days. Make it work.

Still At It

Yep, still at it. I finally got my wayward stash of doll and art ideas under a wee bit of control. It took me three days to wrangle all the pieces and slips of paper and napkins that had ideas on them. I ended up with several categories: regular dolls, Halloween, ornaments, manly dolls, skellie things, bed/boudoir dolls, drawings/paintings, witches, and fiber art pieces. Some may overlap but those were the leading units. The oldest sketch was from 2012. I've got to step up my creative game.

I'm glad that I finally did it and now I can see what can be done and what needs to stay an idea or cute sketch. I've started my list for the first quarter of 2019 and I will go through the stack of ideas I should tackle first. I also have more days at the store until after next week. Then maybe I can have a couple more days to make things for me.

The sun is out and it's feeling quite nice outside. Not really Christmas type weather. Although I hope it will hold out until next weekend so that I can spend some time with my mother. That's my update.

I'm Here!

Still here on this plane on Earth. Dealing with more hours at work, trying to stay healthy with so many ill people around me, truck is doing a lot better, working on getting my 'happy for the holidays' back. I tell you, retail can suck the happiness out of the holidays. Can't wait until the next week and a half is over. No snow yet. On the good side...

I finished two commissions. I almost talked myself out from doing them (Bad Wendy) but I told myself that this is what I want to do. Even though things are hard for independent business owners, artists, writers, this is what I want to do. So I did it. Them. And they are off to their new homes.

I also did a drawing for an online art challenge and I'm behind. Here's my mutant candy cane. He has issues.

I will work on getting some of the other prompts done. Now I have to clear up the art area, go through fabric to see what I have for the next round of dolls. 2019 is so close and there are so many things I want to accomplish. Continuing on the big plan. Until next time, be good.

Well, well...

Here I am again. Another month has gotten the best of me. First off, the weather went from this...

to this...

in 2.5 seconds. Michigan time. Yep, I didn't get a proper fall this year. I guess that's a thing of the past now. I'm glad I have some fond memories of how a fall used to be. Beautiful colors on the trees, crunching on the dry leaves on my way to school. Nice cool temps so you could have a window open for a couple of weeks after summer. Chilly for Halloween, a little snow for Thanksgiving, and then winter. And winter was after Indian Summer (which may not be politically correct these days), a time after a frost and then a week of warm temps. Nope, nada, it's gone forever. Now it's winter and daylight is short. Winter isn't official until December 21st but it's here. The only thing to do is deal with it and soon there will be fires in the fireplace.

November got away from me. Yes, I had some plans. I did do a doll show, it was okay. Made a little money and got some new contacts. I always like talking to the other vendors. I got sick. Oh boy did I get sick. Not flu sick but a really bad sinus infection. Usually I could kick it with an over-the-counter medication but not this time. I was having vertigo with this bad boy. I had to go to Urgent Care. I got a shot in the rear end so I could get some relief and antibiotics for ten days. I'm feeling loads better but then I had to take my truck back to the shop. And I didn't finish NaNoWrimo. Ugh! When it rains, it pours fish and frogs. Tackled again by the universe. But...

I'm back up. Still hanging in there. Looking for the silver lining of a whole lot of storm clouds.  This month got away from me. But a  new one starts tomorrow.

Catching Up

Yes, catching up, yet again. For the past three weeks I've been running around like crazy. After a sudden heatwave, we now have fall temps and the leaves on the trees are starting to change color. My favorite time of year.

So I will start with three weeks ago when I went up north with my friend Kristi and her friend Abbie who is probably my new friend. We started out at Spicer's Cider Mill. Got cider, fresh donuts, apple pie, and wine. Did I mention that this was a ladies getaway? Yeah... Then we went to Ossineke and saw the roadside attraction Jurassic Jesus, the one who protects the dinosaur park.

That's me in the green. And the next pic is of a postcard from the dinosaur park. We also got fudge from Joann's Fudge. Actually, I got truffles.

We then went to a small waterfall and onto Posen. We took a nice walk on the property and got pizza at the town's party store.

The next day we went to Mackinac City. We visited Fort Michilimackinac.

And this poor guy waiting for visitors to come around so he could talk to them. In the back you can see the Mighty Mac aka Mackinac Bridge over the Straights of Mackinac.

There were several large gardens (at the end of their days) that had to feed everyone in the fort.

My new new friend I met. We talked about costumes and costume books.

We left there and I went to Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. It was around closing time and I was part of the last group to go up into the lighthouse. 51 narrow steps and an 11-rung, eight-foot ladder through a narrow hatchway. I did it, I went all the way to the tower. So glad there were only 3 of us. Really got a chance to talk to the guide.

The original Fresnel lens is on display in the light keepers area. I also got a quick look at the Shipwreck Museum. Very interesting and continued my talk with the same guide. He was pleased when I started talking about Michigan shipwrecks and U-boats of WWII. It's really nice to talk to people who love and appreciate history and they don't make you feel bad if you don't know everything they know. I wish I had time to buy him a beer and just talk. So if you're ever up north in the lower peninsula of Michigan, go see the fort and lighthouse. The Mighty Mac and the Straights of Mackinac. The best time is off season. No crowds. A little on the chilly side but still very cool. The last thing we did before heading south was to have pasties for dinner. Yum. Pass-tees. Until next time.

Hey There!

Oh my goodness! My last post was some time ago. Geesh! Thanks for hanging around. It's been crazy at the other job. Assistant manager is out with a broken ankle, another co-worker had surgery on her shoulder, and another recently resigned. So I've been putting in more hours, which I guess can be a good thing. Trying to work on several things at a time and will have another update shortly. So here's a frog or toad. I'm not that up on my amphibians.

He was crawling up the glass of the living room window. He kind of looks how I feel right now. Mercury is out of Retrograde and I'm just coming out of a fog. Trying not to panic about the upcoming doll show and starting to think about shows for next year. Amazing that August is almost over. I am so ready for fall and cooler temps. Leaves changing colors. Fresh apple cider. And of course Halloween.

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!

I'm Back!

Grab your favorite beverage and take a seat because this is a long one.

Oh my gosh! It has been awhile since I've last posted. Life is very strange. You really do have to go with the flow, take on the waves, watch for those potholes... I could go on but you know what I mean. I've had my year anniversary being back in Michigan. Yeah... it's starting to come together but then again, the universe has a very strange sense of humor. Lets' see, where to begin.

1. I am going to be in a doll show next month, which is a week away. At first I was about to panic but then I asked myself why? It's not my first rodeo, I just haven't been on the circuit in awhile. But it's the beginning of some really cool adventures.  http://www.toledodollshow.com/index.html
2. For the show I'd been working on some new doll designs. The first one didn't work out and weird wendy told me to just stop. I did for awhile but it wasn't getting me anywhere, so I picked up my sketchbook and worked on a new design. After wasting a couple of weeks. I did beat myself up over that but wonderful wendy talked me off that ledge. And I think I have a better design. I may not have many pieces of this new design for the show but I'm okay with that. There will be more shows.
3. I have so many creative ideas floating around in my head. Surfing. Snowboarding and they can't wait until the show is done so I can get to them.
4. While I was going through things I brought from down south (yes, my third or fourth downsizing), I found a notebook where I had written down everything I had created and made. From dolls, to paintings, commissions, everything. In four years, I had created close to 300 pieces of work. I did start to cry. What happened to that creative juggernaut? I wanted her back. Then I saw a video with Lisa Nichols who was having a similar problem of doing what she wanted to do but was still depressed. She didn't want to go on medication so she needed to figure out what her problem was. Everything that she was doing was rote, she had forgotten how she used to be excited by what she wanted to do. At that point a light bulb turned on over my head. My creative juggernaut didn't disappear, it has always been there with me. I'd forgotten about her. I pushed her to the back burner, then the next room, eventually out of the house when other things in life started to happen and get me down. So now, everyday, I work on remembering that really cool and creative lady and I do one thing each day that makes me happy. I've picked up knitting again.
5. I am relearning that I am good enough. That my ideas matter because they came from me. That I am loved by friends and family and I don't have to do anything to prove that. I like me. I love me and I have some really cool things to say and tons of art I want to do. And I have to remind myself that I don't have to stay around negative Nellies whether they are family or not.
6. I know what I need to nurture my creative soul. There will be many day trips this spring and summer. More museum visits. I think there's even a bird watching group in this area. I didn't always like birds but we need them in our environment.
7. I finally renewed my passport. Yee haw! I have no idea when I'll be able to go anywhere but if the opportunity came up, I'm ready. I have started a travel fund. First place on the list is Scotland. Even if that's the only place of great distance I go for the rest of my life. That is the place.
8. Just when I thought I was getting finances under control. Paid off four new tires and working on my new glasses. I thought, oh yeah, I'll be able to save a bit more money. Ha! That universe, I tell ya, said no. My phone died. It wouldn't hold a charge, I'd get dropped calls, phone conversations would get cut off at 60% battery charge. Could not use any apps, not that I do games or anything like that. Couldn't take a photo or post it on Instagram or send it so I could use them here or on Facebook. A true nightmare. And with the doll show coming up, I wouldn't be able to use my credit card reader. So I got a new phone. A Google Pixel 2 XL. On special, got some money from turning in my old phone, and it's very purty. Still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles but it takes nice pics. And it's not cutting off on me. And it stays charged for the whole day. I am so excited. Yes, I spent more money but in order to conduct future business, I needed a new phone. I also don't fancy being stranded on the highway with no way to contact anyone.
9. I'm still working on the patience thing. No matter what, I will work on this year to be a good one.
10. Here's my first pic with my new phone. It's of my new light box I got for me for last Christmas. I love it. 
    

So that's my long update folks. Just haven't been posting because of phone issues but now that has been solved, expect to hear more from me. Have a great day!

Update - No Pic Post

I'm still amongst the living.

Been crazy busy at the other job. Getting a few more hours in by covering for co-workers. You know, illness, funerals, doctor's appointments and when that was winding down, others were off on vacations, spring break, and cruises. I am a bit behind on doll making but I'm getting there. There are a lot of bodies and parts hanging around. I was about to beat myself up over not being farther along but I will have what I have when the doll show comes around. I actually feel pretty good right now. Now that I've got a plan. Number 856. Or something like that. I will have pics of progress tonight.

The weather is crazy. It was raining so hard yesterday that it looked like it was just fog. Still raining like crazy today, so much that the snow has melted. The pond out back is over its banks and there are goofy ducks floating around. Um... aren't they kind of early? It isn't even March yet and I do believe we are in for at least one more snow. They're going to get their little duck butts frozen to the pond surface. A friend said that maybe they know something we don't know. I gave it a split second of a thought. Nope, it's Michigan. So I'll see ya later.

Yep...

Starting over. I've been sick all week and haven't been able to get to anything. I hate being sick. And it has taken everything out of me. I can breathe better but I'm still coughing and blowing the nose. It's a good thing my nose is on pretty good because at one point I thought it would be blown off. My energy is slowly coming back but can't say the same for my appetite just yet. I will be starting again today. See ya.

It Always Seems Like I'm Starting Over

But that's okay. One big commission out of the way. I cleaned up the work space so I can mess it up again. I really do need to go back through all my supplies and really see what I have and what I don't have. Nothing like running out and buying something you already have but you've put it in such a safe place, you can't find it. Went through my meager fabric stash and picked some fabric out for some Wendland Witches.

I also reorganized my downloaded photos. Nice and neat in files. The house got a new cable/internet provider yesterday. It took all day, so I read a book. My quota for the year is 39. I don't know why I chose that number. Last year I read 27 books. I have read 27 books this year so far and it looks like I'll meet my mark. I think this is pretty good considering just a few years ago I wasn't reading anything at all.

That's the update. Gotta go and finish a hat for a witch. See ya.

Ugh!

At some point, hopefully, I will get things at full speed ahead. Right now, it's starts, stops, and bumps along the way. I've been having a rough time at getting creative again but hopefully I'm on the right launch pad this time. Here I've started painting the doll head pins that I started a couple of weeks ago. Eegads! They should have been done by now but I'm a big goof. I'm working on changing that, really, I am. I put down the basics with acrylic paint. The eyes and lips. Next I'll go in with color pencil to do a quick makeup job, finishing off with permanent pen.

For the full body pins, I used clothes pins to keep their legs separated while I painted their shoes. For larger dolls I use the toe separators you use when you paint your toenails. Those things hold and separate doll legs quite well. And as you can see, clothes pins work for smaller pieces. You use what you have.

Below you can see better the beginning of their paint job and how the pins are holding their legs.

Doll Clothes and Stuff

I didn't know what to call this post seeing that I've been doing a couple of different things lately. I can't explain it but I've been feeling fairly positive this past week and I'm going to ride this creative wave for as long as I can. I got my daily sketches in and I worked on a doll dress pattern for my Goodfellas doll. I've had a main list of three items and that I should attempt at least one thing on the list. Three would be great but other things pop up and I'm supposed to be cutting myself some slack. I did enjoy the process of creating a dress pattern for this little doll. I don't know why I was shocked that I was having fun. Silly me, it's something I like to do. Before bed I will work a bit on my next Redwork project and get at least 100 new words on a short story done. I hope to turn the wave into a tsunami.

I forgot to take pics of the first pattern draft but here is the second draft made up into a bodice. I adjusted the neckline and shoulder. She's a bit chunky so I had to adjust for that.

I took the bodice apart, adding notes of what to do to the next pattern. I had to remind myself to throw away the old pattern and not the new adjusted ones. And I have to do that right away because they start to look the same.

Finally got a decent bodice pattern and made a sleeve. This is the third try and it works. I will make a better pattern and add a quarter inch for the sleeve hem and add elastic.

Here is the mockup of the dress. I will adjust the neckline again, I like the sleeve, I like how full her skirt is and I will have to cut off half an inch at the hem because it was too long. I've pulled fabric for the dresses and will start them tomorrow.  Yay me!

And here are my sketches. I love, love, love mini campers, vintage campers, campers period. One day I will travel around in one and see some National Parks. I'm thinking Halloween campers.

#wendyluane #goodfellasdoll #goodfellascharity #doll clothes #dollclothespattern #minicampers