Frances

I don't know if I'll be posting a lot. My step mom Frances passed away this week. We were very close, she wasn't the scary step mom. In one of our past conversations she told me that she fell in love with me the first time she saw me.

She has always been encouraging, caring, and understanding when my mom wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom. But Fran was my other mom. I'm so grateful that I was able to speak to her a couple of weeks ago. I told her I was trying to get home in July to see a friend who would also be home and that I would get over to see her. She said that she knew I would be busy with my friends and not to worry. I told her that even though my trip would be short, I would make it to see her.

She took me to my first restaurant where I got my first alcoholic drink when I was 18. Yes, I'm dating myself. I felt so adult and she taught me how to accept a drink from a man at the bar who said we were two beautiful ladies. I giggled and I remember her smile. I felt so adult and cosmo. Back then it was really nice when a man could buy you a drink and not expect anything. There was 'class' back then.

She was very supportive in my move down south and always told me not to give up, that very special and wonderful things were coming my way. She listened to me while I cried in frustration and told me that it was okay to cry but always look towards the better future.

Fran had asked for a quilt to take with her to dialysis. She said that she knew I was busy but if I could make her one that would be nice because they didn't always have enough blankets. I said yes and I had just cut it out when I got the news of her passing.

I was shocked. I was angry. I thought about throwing the pieces and fabric away. I cried a whole day. I talked to a friend about the quilt and asked her what she thought about a miniature quilt that I could place in her casket. She thought that would be a good thing. I will cut some of the pieces down and make a miniature quilt for Frances.

I know some people don't get a chance to say 'good-bye' or 'I love you' to those they do love and admire. I am so happy that the last words we said were, 'I love you.'

She will always be in my heart and I have the many fond memories of our time together.

I love you Frances. You are with the angels.

Foil Madonna

This is another foil doll. I'm really liking this process and I can use all my scraps to wrap it with. I took a t-shirt quilt class on Sat and I'm using the backs of the t-shirts for this project. Just cut the remaining pieces into strips and I'm ready. You can see how tall it is, Cassa is 8".

I will make her face, hands, and feet out of fabric. The baby will be out of foil too. Their faces will be stylized and I have wonderful blue print fabric for her. Haven't figured out how I will represent the halo. This piece is for the film. Ha! You can see Sage peeking from behind the paper.

UFP: Sage

I had started Sage many, many moons ago. It was when I was trying out polymer clay. I did these funny old faces and this was one that I liked, so for that reason, I kept it. I still need more paint detail on her face, but I'll wait until she's got hair and is dressed.

I like her size. About 8.5 inches. I do have to work on hands. I was getting pretty good at them but I guess if you don't keep up with it, the skill goes away. She is a stump doll and guess what? Her base is already painted. I've got the fabrics for her clothes picked out and ready to go. I believe I've got some mohair left hiding somewhere.

I put a mole on because I thought she would be a witch. She informed me otherwise but still got the mole. She will also get a staff and medicine bag necklace.

I like her face a lot. I can see why I don't do polymer more often. You need patience, which most of the time I struggle with. Plus the baking and the mooning and worrying because I don't know if I cooked it long enough. I do like the skin tone look of it though. Maybe I'll give it another try after the Expo.

Priestess and Seer Woman

I finished them. Two more pieces for the film This one is Priestess and when I move her, the little silver danglies ring. Way cool. The head piece took some maneuvering but I got it stuck on her head.

I just love upholstery trim and fancy yarns.

Seer Woman, not quite a conjurer. I love working with layers. I'm going to really have to explore this process, 'cause I'm loving it. I've opened another file in my already over packed brain. These two were finished today. I gave myself today for one and tomorrow for the other but I turned into Speedy Gonzales today. I start a new piece tomorrow. I still have time to work on other things and get some editing done. Woo hoo!

The sun had disappeared by the time I tried for a close-up for Seer Woman. Pic didn't come out so well.

Voodoo Warrior

My Voodoo Warrior. Kind of smart looking isn't he? I was just going to call him 'Warrior' but a friend saw him this morning and said he looked like a voodoo doll. So he became Voodoo Warrior. I'm easy. He's got suede leggings on and the feathers are from a friend who has a friend with birds. Confused? Ha, ha! Sometimes I'm way confused.

This isn't a bad process at all. Actually, I kind of like it. Make a foil skeleton and wrap the heck out of it with strips of fabric you don't like but really don't want to throw away. The top layer is fabric strips to match the outfit. Now the doll that I saw had a separate face attached but I thought I'd let a person's imagination go wild and not do a face.

So here he is. I've got the two females to finish. I'd like to continue with this type of doll and see what else I can come up with. After the Expo. Trying not to count eggs before they're out of the hen house.

Cassa

Here is Cassa. In a previous post, she was 'No Name' because I just didn't have one for her. But now that she's done, I've blessed her with the name Cassa the Elf Seer.

Many moons ago I carved. I took a workshop where I designed her, she was cut out on a band-saw and then carved. She didn't come out like my drawing but I liked her enough to have kept her. I've carried her around for four years and she's finally done, with a marble for her 'seer ball'.

I knew I wanted her to be a red head and her gown was to be green. I was thinking at first a dark, forest green but then went for a more olive color. I think it works. She's happy and so am I.

The dark spot by her shoulder is wood grain.

I remember when I was carving her, she almost lost her pony tail. She is just the right size for 3/4" scale. Right in between Barbie/GI Joe size (11 1/2"- 12") and dollhouse size (1"=1'). I really wanted to get to doing some dollhouse size pieces but with the older eyes, it may not be possible. Then I discovered 3/4" size and may go with that.

A grown female would be 8", like Cassa, and a male would be 9". She will make a great to scale model.

Skele Lady II

Here she is! Isn't she gorgeous? This one is going in my collection. I had fun making her and the first one.

I love the beads and bow tie. She's ready for her close-up and ready to party the night away.

Two friends, stylin'. They make me laugh.

I wonder what kind of trouble they're going to get into? Do you think the town will be painted? Will they set off an international incident going after guy skeles? Or find a dark booth and sip something blood red?