More lollipops

I wanted to share pictures of  more lollipop ornaments in the works, these are so much fun! As you can see in the top picture, I have several started, I need to sculpt faces, paint wood lollipop sticks and finish, these little guys take longer than one might think. I started the snowman today, he is still drying here and won't get his personality until paint and embellishments are added. The magazine pictured here is where I got my inspiration for making these, it is an 2009 Holiday Crafts Better Homes and Gardens, so if you have one, pull it out and try it! I love taking the clay and making it swirl, and I really love how adding a third color made it even more fun! I am not sure yet what I will sculpt on the brown/green combo or the yellow combo??? maybe one will be a pumpkin face! I was even thinking about a gingerbread face for the yellow, still not sure, it has to hit me yet...

Okay, this is totally unrelated, but how is it possible for a picture to just appear in a picture file on my computer? I went into my photos today and there was a picture of a lady I have never seen before in my life, what in the world!! she was creepy too, made my skin crawl. Okay, so later I went in to show my hubby and son, and it had disappeared, I am completely baffled, and there is a definite creep factor here. Has anyone else had this happen?

Prim dolly

Here is a sneak peek of my newly finished doll. The rest of her will be revealed when I have better pictures. This little chicken goes with this sweet doll. This little doll has a round head construction, haven't done too many of this type, but I like the look. She is a paint over cloth doll, love the look and feel of this technique, on top of the paint job is an antique wash. Her clothes were aged with coffee, vanilla and some cinnamon, yes she smells like a vanilla cookie! She will be for sale soon...

 In other news..... 5 of my photos I entered into our local fair won ribbons. I had one grand champion!! 1-reserve which is just under grand, 2- firsts, and one second. Needless to say I was excited about that!! Happy Tuesday...

Too cute!

Yes, I know I am partial, but I can't think of anything cuter than my puppies and my son with his adorable girlfriend!

Kirsten And Tyler

Maizey and Ellie

Cookie Jar

Take a look at the cookie jar I found on Etsy today, I love vintage cookie jars and was excited to find this one. I had found one like this a couple years back at a second hand store, but it had a huge chip in it so I did not purchase, but this one appears to be perfect. I think it is a 70's jar. Do I need it??? well no, about as much as I need a hole in my head. I don't know where I'll find room in my kitchen, but gosh darnit I just had to get it, how cute is that tiny teapot on top of the big one???

Perfect weather

What a great day! the weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, not too hot, slight breeze at times, simply perfect. When I first got up this morning however, I did feel hint of what felt like a crisp fall morning, NOOOOO this is still mid August!! It was not my imagination, it was crisp and usually it is not, hmmm I am not ready yet... Maybe it was a fluke, we'll see tomorrow. I think the snorkeling, swimming and sun-bathing better get done now. :-(

I have a new doll started! I do wish the mysterious swelling in my right hand would go down however, it hurts and is keeping me from diving into projects right now. This doll is a round head doll, I have not done too many of this type, but wanted to try a different style. She is fabric, painted in gesso, then painted in acrylics. So far she is a brown eyed baldy, :-) and has a bit to go before the word "cute" will apply.

Happy August

Well we just got back from a week's vacation in Missoula Montana. We had a great time, and I absolutely loved Missoula, what a wonderful place! The town was pretty, clean and had a wonderful feel about it. We went into Hamilton Montana and visited the Daly mansion, loved that too! Went to many antique shops and had fun exploring and relaxing. The mountains with thier jagged peaks are so spectacular to see, Montana truly is beautiful.

My sleepy snowgirl and lollipop ornaments are officially for sale today on Pfatt. Be sure to check out the link to my August offerrings on Pfatt, I have pictures posted. Click on my Pfatt link to go directly to my selling page.

Going out today with a friend to take some pictures, we both love photography, so these outings are always enjoyable! I do feel a bit like this sleepy bear today however!!

 I can't believe that those of us who create really need to get in gear now and start sewing and crafting for the Holiday's, it comes way too quickly. I usually end up with bigger plans than actually happens!

Happy August All!!!

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.

May your day be...

Full of sunshine, friendship and relaxation!

Two newly finished votive holders!

Here are my latest finished projects, both are OOAKS and clay sculpted. Pumpkin still has a clay tag in the works I need to finish otherwise he is done. He is on a wood base and holds a votive. He is sculpted over a hollowed out foam ball with paperclay, hand painted and stained. He really makes me grin every time I look at him!

 This one-of-a-kind Teddy votive holder is sitting on a base that is an antique jello mold that I added my cinnamon recipe "found here" to prim it up. I sculpted him on a glass canning jar with paper clay, painted with acrylics. He has a cinnamon star I made "recipe here" on his hat. He has a stocking hat and calico neck bow. 

 I am reserving both of these pieces for my July Pfatt offerings.

I am finding it hard while the weather is nice to find the time I need to get anything done in my craft room! BIG SIGH... if I only had 48 hours in a day. I find it ironic that I was given the talent and desire to be creative, but also given the weakness of having tendon and arm troubles. If I do too much, I suffer and my arm is hurting to the bone. I have to rest it if I like it or not! I guess this keeps me more rounded because if I could just go at it, I would probably be in the craft room all day and that would present it's own issues if you know what I mean!

I  am not sure really what my next project is going to be, we'll see what pops into my head. I wish I had a couple of clones, I'd get one on snowmen, and the other making dolls, and mind you this would be in between cleaning up in the house. Ahhh one can dream.. now back to reality. Night all

Beautiful Visitors

I just got a weeping cherry tree, and every day these gorgeous birds visit this tree! I think they like the little red berries. I am not sure what type of bird this is. I have loved getting to enjoy these lovely birds, if only for fleeting moments through out the day. We should never forget to appreciate and really SEE the beauty around us every day!

Country Life...

Welcome to a beautiful Monday! we are finally looking at sun, mostly though, we have been looking at rain. This has been the rainiest June I can remember for a long long while, the upside is that everything is so spectacularly green.

Sometimes I forget just where I live! I am way off the beaten path, a neighbor scattered here and there, but mostly vast area. I know there is lots of wild life here, I have seen, turkey, deer, moose, coyote, raccoon, beaver, wolf and every other kind of thing.  Yesterday I had a reminder that there are those mysterious lurkers, those that we would prefer not know are there! I really do try to push it out of my mind that right here at any given time there are bear and mountain lions too.

I am okay really with all of the above, EXCEPT the mountain lions, it horrifies me to know they are HERE. We have many archery targets out back, they are life sized, and yesterday we discovered that a mountain lion had grabbed our big buck target probably thinking it was real and pulled it down. On the target are BIG claw scratch marks on the upper back and around the lower neck area. Okay, shivers..... I now refuse to go walking out back without my hubby and protection!! I love nature, but am not too fond of nature that may or may not want to eat me!!

Okay, now back to the crafts...

OOAK clay sculpted snow girl candle holder

Here is my latest finished project, for before and after pictures go to "what's cooking in the craft room", plus see the start to my newest candle holder

. Meet Francine, a happy OOAK sculpted snow girl candle holder. I know it is not snow season, but I was in the mood to make her after I got the idea. I know there are those who collect snowmen anytime of year.

She has a knit hat, bow and button, sprinkled with vintage looking mica and german glass glitter, the light in her eyes are swarovski crystals, she is on a sparkled base and surrounded by a feather collar. The candle holder is votive size, or a tea light would be nice too! The picture does not show how pretty all the sparkles really are.

 I am thinking about doing a whole series of these, perhaps a witch, a pumpkin, cat, ghost, scarecrow, gingerbread etc... Who doesn't love a cute way to burn a candle anyway?  



My furry kids...

These little sweeties are definitely not for sale! I just had to post my funny puppy pictures, I got them running after the ball! This is Ellie and Maizey, not quite a year old. I also have a 13 year old yorkie and another 6 year old Shima.

Thanks To Amy

I just wanted to say how thankful I am to Amy from Amy Bug Graphics http://www.amybug.com/, for helping to make my blog look like I wanted it too! She is so completely helpful and fixed the issues I was having. She went in and helped me set it up, instead of just leaving me to figure it out myself after purchasing this blog set. I highly reccomend her..... She has a wonderful selection.

My confession...

I have an addiction.... I am a supplyaholic, my love for supplies has been going on now for 23 plus years. I keep telling myself I will be better about this, yes even sell some on Ebay! Okay I tell myself, will I really use this??? I really should clean out my things. NO I WILL NOT stop at Michaels next town trip, and cetainly not Hobby Lobby. But why? why is there shame in having so so many wonderful and beautiful things?

 I have a small store's worth of arts and crafting doo-dads, everyone of them purchased with great anticipation of what one day it may become. I love finding these things, shopping for them, dreaming about what project they will help along. For those who don't completely understand us creative types, may find this crazy, this includes my husband who would love for me to pare it down. This I believe is part of being creative, not just in the making of the art, but in gathering the supplies and then dreaming.... Fact: I have so many gourds, that I have 5 huge blanket type moving boxes FULL of unique and gorgeous gourds. I have had to stop looking on Ebay at these, after all, each one is different, and surely I will need each shape for future use. I do get all warm and fuzzy inside just knowing I can at any time I want, open a box and grab a gourd to create on. Sometimes it is just in the knowing you CAN........ smiles.....

I love actually making my dolls etc.... but I get an almost equal amount of pleasure in sifting through my drawers, boxes and shelves of supplies. There is this happy place I cannot explain while being surrounded by craft supplies, just picking the items up, looking at them, admiring each thing for it's color and texture. I forget what a box may contain, and months later go back to it, and with delight had forgotten I had something. When I am stressed, upset or have had a bad day, no Excedrin is needed, all I have to do is go to my craft room, and there is a calming I cannot explain, just sitting there surrounded by fabric, paint, glue, thread on the floor, patterns strung out from here to there is all the medication I need!

I still have my boxes of doll shoes, paints, eyes and all the things associated with it from my porcelain doll days. I vowed I would put them on Ebay, BUT I still love looking at all the little shoes, patterns and things, I will, but not just yet.... WHAT IF I may need or use them someday???? Oh you should see the beautiful laces I have from the days of making all those fancy porcelain doll dresses!

I think instead of getting rid of things, I just need to organize better??? YES THAT MUST BE IT!! As I write, I have more supplies coming, that I definitely NEED, and more patterns, I am a patternaholic too, love them for ideas and dreaming.... Sigh... can't wait! The small guilt, "yes small" of yet buying more supplies is what got me to writing this I guess, but surely I will find room for a few more fabulous things!  I look with anticipation as the UPS man drives by, will he stop today with my priceless treasures?

Now you know a little something about me...

Monday...

Here it is Monday, heading to work, but the morning is beautiful, I REALLY just want to play today in my studio. :-( I guess I am going to have to accept the Monday blues...

I had a lot of fun working on my OOAK doll on the weekend, got a lot done! I may post a sneak peek of her head soon. She has sandy blonde hair, very curly, greenish eyes, 21" tall, sculpted head, hands and shoes, the rest of her is cloth. She is shaping up to be real cute!

 I am also working on finishing up an baby angel, she was poured with a air-dry liquid into a ceramic mold. She is then left to dry, cleaned up and now I am painting her. This is something I do very rarely anymore, my favorite dolls to make really are OOAK clay dolls and cloth.

Don't you just want to hug this fluffy sheep "I think that's what it is?" CUTE anyway!