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.

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!

No Pic Post

Yes,  a no pic post. Sorry about that. Last week was horrendous. Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain committed suicide. I didn't know of K. Spade but she was my age. I wasn't a Bourdain fan but started watching his programs again. His death was a shock. Then two days after his passing, a friend of twenty years died. I didn't even know she had been in the hospital. She drank herself to death. There were many days I cried last week and the weekend. So many talented people checking out. I was not in a very good place so I called a good friend. I woke her up. I apologized but so much was going on in my head, I needed her to listen. And she did. We were both laughing after an hour. It gave me time to look at things in a different perspective.

So....

Today, back to my mother's to continue clearing out my stuff. Geesh! I've got a lot of stuff. I found quite a few porcelain dolls I made years ago. And they were big dolls. I'm not into porcelain dolls much these days; I will keep a few but will probably take apart the others and sell as kits. Looking at the craftsmanship, I worked my little fingers off. But they've got to go. I found my first doll I saved up my allowance to get. I was maybe like twelve. Gonna keep her. And my Madame Alexander dolls. That's going way back. I even have a Hulk Hogan doll when I was way into wrestling when it was the WWF, World Wrestling Federation. One big bag of trash, brought back some fabric for my new witches, stacked more boxes to break down, started going through my old file cabinet (stuff should have been shredded ages ago), and mom gave me food. That is always a good thing. I also got a lot of my hair chopped off. No fuss summer hair. If I can get a decent pic I'll post it.

The month of my birthday and I won't be doing much because I forgot I had to get new vehicle tags. I did the last payment on a huge bill, so I'm thrilled about that but my birthday gift to me will have to wait until next month. For this new week I will finish my voodoo doll pins, get clothes on my witches, finish up some pen & ink drawings, and do a doll for someone else. That's it for now. Have a good evening.

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.

I'm Here! I'm Here!

Yeah, yeah. Running errands, paying bills, grocery shopping, and doing laundry... yeah, I think I'm good for awhile. I got something done! Woo hoo! 20 voodoo doll ornaments/pins. Everyone has been signed and dated and I only have to do hang tags. Tomorrow.  I'm behind on my 31 DOH but will catch up, tomorrow. I guess this could be a part of my 31 DOH. Yeah.

Moving Right Along

Yes, moving right along. When I started my latest voodoo dolls, I didn't like them. The fabric I got wasn't the greatest because that's what we get unless you go to the really expensive places. I would get to the next step and they still looked horrid and I was beginning to worry that maybe I shouldn't have taken on this task. But the little voice inside said to keep going and now they are beginning to look like something. I had made the Muddy Creek stamp but the ink that I used wasn't permanent so I painted the name following what I stamped. Looks a lot better and got eyes on.

And I have a new muse. His name is Mesmer Boris Ratchett. I got him today and he will be getting dressed up. His head moves and he's perfect for a huge project I started working on. Plus, he's my reward for sticking with the voodoo dolls. You have to reward yourself when you get to a certain point in a project and most definitely when you finish one. I've got to get into that habit. Reward myself with some chocolate or a magazine or something for a job well done. I deserve that.

#voodoodoll #rat #mesmerborisratchett

Project

My newest batch of voodoo dolls is coming along. They are supposed to go into the Muddy Creek Music Hall for Halloween. It looks like I haven't shown any pics along the way, so I guess I'll do that now. I found some fabric at a local fabric store. I hate it when I find something I like, use it all, go back and they don't have it, go back again and they have it but it's not the same quality. Such is life I suppose. I started by tea dyeing the fabric.

I drew and carved the name of the music hall and made sure I did it right. You know, drawing it backwards on the stamp so that it prints the right way.

The first one. It's a different pattern from my first voodoo doll. So far so good.

I cut out and sewed ten and stamped their chests. Not bad but not great, so I will probably go back and add more detail.

I cut out and sewed ten more for a total of 20 and they are ready to be stuffed.

I also made a britches pattern and sewed up 20 pair. They are tiny.

#voodoodoll #clothdoll #voodooornament

Hello August!

I was going to do better about posting but life seems to always get in the way. It's summer in the south and still hot. Even though the temperatures have gone down a bit the humidity has not. I have been able to turn off my AC (air conditioning) for the past two days and it would be nice if I could keep it off a bit longer. Not very hopeful about that because it's in the dead of summer now. The heat and moisture and cold breezes that come through are ripe for late afternoon and early evening storms. Rain is needed, so I'm okay with that but the sun dries everything up again. It looks like there's some storm activity in the Atlantic but we probably won't feel anything from it. Oh well, life marches on.

 I saw this  cute little plant at the grocery store. It was inexpensive, I love flowers (fresh), and I wanted something alive and pretty in my apartment. It's a chrysanthemum. And I got another preemie quilt top put together.

I'm back to writing after a few days off. I have one big story and several short stories. I've a lot to do by the end of the year and Halloween is in full swing. I got the first bit of paint on my creepy ornaments. They were supposed to b voodoo dolls but now... I don't know. We'll see.

Rats

Did some sketching of baby rats. For a larger project I'm working on. Really want to get that going very soon.

I finally got a new voodoo doll pattern made and new minions started.

The first pattern was small and didn't think it would work. So I made it a little larger. Then I asked friends if I should make the small ones, the larger ones, or both. It was unanimous to make both. So I started the first batch.

Stuffed and ready to be painted. I have no idea how they will turn out but if I don't do anything, I will never know.

Re-do Babies

I’ve had these babies for some time now and they haven’t sold. Instead of tossing them, they will get a new life with more of a Halloween feel. Thought I’d take a pic of them Before the transformation. I would like the large ones to be able to sit up by themselves while holding a small cauldron for candy. I will re-work their feet and paint shoes on. The smaller prims will be witches or voodoo women and will also have painted faces and shoes. I will make sure I take in process pics.

I have a total of four Prims. First I will take everyone’s clothes off and hair. I will un-stuff the large doll’s legs and reshape them. I don’t know what the shape will be just yet. Something with a little heel. The Prims boots will be a little easier to do and I can add beads for buttons. There will be distressing of the undergarments and I will gesso the faces for repainting.

It should be interesting.

Working

Here's what I've been working on.

Voodoo Doll pins for St. Pat's Day and Easter.

My setup for my latest face for 29 Faces.

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.

Artist of the Month

I am featured Artist of the Month at Olde Mill Eclective at the Bethania Mill Shops. Yay me! If you're in Bethania, NC, stop by and see my setup. It will be up until the end of October. There are other lovely shops in the mill and Muddy Creek Cafe is right next door. Yummy food and local beers. There's parking in the back, and if that's crowded, there's parking at the Bethania Visitor's Center across the street.

Olde Mill Eclective

in the 

Bethania Mill Shops

5455 Bethania Rd

Winston-Salem, NC 27100

336.813.3774

We are also on Facebook. www.facebook.com/oldemilleclective

Be sure to support your local businesses, shops, and artists this holiday season. Thanks!

Cauldron Critters

I love my little voodoo doll pins/ornaments and they now have company. Cauldron Critters, because they're in a cauldron.

 I wanted to put a pumpkin face on the cauldron but that will have to wait.

Some of these critters have a 'Y' incision.

 My latest batch of voodoo doll pins. The green ones are witches.

Here are my zombie bunners in progress.

 This picture looks like a bunner mugshot. They were caught with a carrot still.

There's more coming.

Bat Heart Ornaments

Something new for Olde Mill Eclective. I will put them in the shop this week for the Black Walnut Festival and will make more for the month of October. Need some things with a lower price point that won't take a lot of time to put together. They were fun to do.

Here are more ornaments in progress. Right now I'm calling them Cauldron Critters because they will be displayed in a cauldron. Makes sense to me. They are another version of a voodoo/zombie/undead thingy.
I have some fancy yarn for some of the guts.

I designed, cut out, sewed and stuffed these little guys yesterday. Got tired around 11 on the PM. I was going to stop around 9 last night but something, probably Good Wendy said to keep going. I really like how I can make my own schedule. I'm getting a late start today but I feel good creatively because I'm finally getting things done. I do have the rest of the day and night. Tomorrow will be different because I have to have a plumber look at my kitchen sink and who knows how long he'll be making noise. It's all good. Gotta have a functioning sink and I'm getting better at creating when things interrupt me or go wrong. That's a good thing.

Catching Up

It's been a rough summer and I'm glad it's ending this week. I'm so ready for fall. I don't do well with hot and humid temperatures and it makes me sluggish. Creativity was at an all time low. Now it's getting cooler and I am ready for that to be a bit more consistent too. I am working on projects that are almost done and finishing up others before starting new ones. It's like keeping my studio and apartment straightened to keep creative energy flowing properly.

My latest Bless This House block, #6. Done on time. Here's my quilt/applique list for the rest of the year.

• complete all Bless This House  blocks
• finish the last block of Hop To It from last year's quilt and put all blocks together
• buy fabric and finish my flannel Trip Around the World throw

 I'm also working on my latest batch of voodoo doll pins and I will show a pic of them in the next couple of days. I had started two zombie bunnies and they will get done by the end of the week.

I am going to be featured Artist of the Month at Olde Mill Eclective next month. I am the go-to person for Halloween. I am working on pieces for that too. Not a lot of little pieces but nicer one-of-a-kind pieces. Something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I have been sketching and now it's time to have those sketches become something 3D. And I'm almost done with my short stay. Eegads! I have a skellie pirate vest I want to make too. October 1, I pull out the Halloween stuff. Well... I have some of it out already but it will be time to bring it all out. Have a great week all!

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!!!!

Works in Progress

Things are moving along. Still not where I think I should be but at least I'm moving in the right creative direction. These pieces are for an upcoming local craft show. Like two weeks from now.

More voodoo doll pins. They seem to do well. I do have ideas for new ones. They will be evolving in the near future.

Angel ornaments that are being transformed into faeries. Don't you just love the colors? They may also be getting a new design soon.

Something totally new. Foil forms for polymer dolls. Scary, yes. It's not like I haven't done polymer dolls before, I'm just not confident in doing them. I have sold two since I've been here in North Carolina, so this may be a good thing. I'm putting it out there so if you don't see any progress within the next week, you have permission to bug me.

I guess I'll go do something creative now. Have a great day!

Moli Doll - Peach

I started a group of dolls a million years ago when I was going through a stripe phase. I finally got one done and her name is Peach. The doll is an enlarged version of my voodoo doll pins. She had always wanted a hat and shawl and no matter how much I tried to put at least a vest on her, she protested. As you can see, she won and has a hand knit hat and shawl with a leftover Halloween candy button. I think she's cute. I know, still with the cute stuff.

She will be on my Etsy shop today. Have a wonderful day!