Lollipop ornaments

Well I am back, I not only got my snowgirl done today, but also these charming lollipop ornaments! They are both made of clay, wood dowels, paint, ribbons and lots of detail! They are finished off with a sprinkle of mica flakes for sparkle. These are not made from a pattern , so no two will be alike. They are quite large so not only will they make wonderful ornaments, they would lend themselves to that perfect spot on a wall. They will be for sale soon....

My inspiration for these charming ornaments came from a Better Homes and Gardens craft book. The snowman in the book is much like the one I did here, and is a Johanna Parker design, I simply loved it and could not wait to recreate it myself! I also thought this idea lent itself well to other characters, I came up with this witch, and may see about others down the line, we'll see how much time I have! I love how the clay swirls when mixed together, don't we all love those swirl lollipops, we all had them as kids. Here they are

If I were to guess what he is thinking by the expression, I would have to say he is ready to scream: EEEWWW, PLEASE DON'T LICK ME!!!!  Tee Hee....

very sleepy snowgirl

This is my new snowgirl, she is just finished as of today! She was so much fun to make. My inspiration for her came from a picture in one of my old tole painting books. I was particularly taken with the adorable snowman that was yawning and eyes closed, this gave me the idea to try it in clay and come up with my own version of a tired and sleepy snowman. Her head is  clay, body is stuffed and weighted, both body and arms are painted fabric. She is wearing her sage warm winter coat, this is adorned with pretty buttons and lovely trims, beads hand from the collar and coat bottom. She holds a candy cane made from the recipe I have posted here. She was dusted with Mica flakes for sparkle. She will be for sale soon and is a one-of-a-kind, no molds or patterns were used.

The almost 50 "thing"

I have been in a slump lately, it's this "thing" I cannot put my finger on, but this "thing" has been waiting for me , ready to steal my joy almost everyday, SIGH... I will get past it, but I have felt crippled to it for awhile now. Oh the joys of being female, and one who is 48 and pushing 50, I can feel the whisper of trying things to come breathing down my neck. I want to climb out of the hole, I have so much to be thankful for! I have been bad about posting here because of it. :-(  I am sure there are many who know what I mean, and have already met the "thing". We put on our pleasant faces, all the while we have a storm brewing just beneath the surface...

I have managed to be in my craft room, although the normal enthusiasm hasn't been there of late. My creating is wonderful therapy, losing myself in it is wonderful, and many many hours can slip by without my noticing. I really do want to share pictures of my three latest projects, and plan to soon.

 I am trying to figure out what my sleeping and yawning snowgirl will be wearing, I am playing with making her a coat, figuring out the trims and what she may hold. Her face is so so adorable, even I am surprised sometimes at my things as they develop. I perhaps will create a pail full of snowballs, or a tired day of shoveling, even an armful of candy canes might fit the bill!

My Fall and snowman lollipop ornaments turned out cute cute cute! I can see I will need to make many more! I promise pictures to come!

Misc. news and conversation...

I have three new projects in the works, I will try to get some pictures of them in the process soon. I have two ornaments and a snowman going. All three projects are OOAKs. I am always excited to see new projects come to life! The two ornaments are inspired by a picture I seen in one of my magazines of vitage looking lollipops with clay sculpted faces on them, so so adorable! The snowman is an idea born in my head, I got to sculpting the little face and got the notion to sculpt it yawning and eyes closed. Who says snowmen don't need a nap anyway!

Two new items will be for sale on PFATT tomorrow...

The other night I went out with camera in hand to perhaps get a butterfly, but unexpected blessings do happen! I turned the corner to find this darling racoon. I got many many pictures of him, and for those who love photography, will understand when I say I was giddy after coming across this photo op.

I am relieved and thankful that my Mother is doing as well as can be expected after her sugeries. Now the tough road of recovery awaits her, there will be much pain, but hope of healthier days ahead!

Blessings to you on a beautiful Saturday!

mixed feelings...

The fourth was nice, got to spend it with my hubby, son and a wonderful friend and his two kids, it has been low key and relaxing. I miss my family during any holiday though since I now live too far away for it to be convenient to celebrate together. I have so many blessings and can feel so sad at the same time!

I am thinking of my Mother today, she is enduring a major surgery, and another one Thursday of all things. This will be a hard road for her and the family, she will get through with God's grace and help, not to mention the many prayers from so many caring people, I am trusting that. Watching a loved one go through such difficulty is very very hard especially when that someone is your Mother. We need to hug our parents and tell them we love them, we just never know when things may go terribly wrong.

It is wonderful to see the gorgeous day and the sun shining so brightly, but at the same time it doesn't seem right that my heart can be so heavy, and the sun just keeps on shining as if it doesn't care. Life goes on regardless doesn't it... The world keeps on spinning, the sun keeps on shining.