Simply Me link

Oh man - Blogger changed and I couldn't figure out how to add this link .... Well Donna Downey's "Simly Me" blog link is now added over to the right - I hope you enjoy her - I think she is alot of fun.

Donna Downey

Well - I don't know if I am the last person to find this woman, but her blog is great. She has videos and classes and products to buy - all kinds of cool stuff. I think she is alot of fun and quite inspirational. She is also on Youtube - apparently been in the business for some time. I am SO glad I found her - It was thru the SandyArtDesigns blog link on the right - I have also added Donna's blog link - it is http://donnadowney.typepad.com/simply_me/ She paints with her fingers alot - how fun - not all gooey like finger painting when we were younger - I have to try this. Enjoy.......

Ta-Dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ta-DAH!!!! I FINALLY finished a doll! This is for my uncle. It is the Barbara Willis pattern Florabunda, with a hat instead of the flower petals on the pattern. His hat and shoes are made from grey wool and the hat trim is brown boa. I love soft fluffy feathers on dolls, they move with the air in the room. I used a verigated pearl cotton to do some straight sitching on the hat. The 2 buttons on his chest and the one on his hat are from my grandmother's button tin. He will like that. Oh- I just couldn't pass up the Monster High doll - this is Draculaura. Don't you just love her little outfit? The websites and blogs, on the side bar, have been updated with lots of awesome things, so enjoy!

I am still here! I keep changing the blog and think this will be good for a while. Now All I have to do is ACTUALLY post to the blog...... I have been in a funk this year. Nothing bad or wrong really, just really blocked. I have made 1 doll this year - ONE and it is not even done! I have to start the thing over because the nose did not turn out. SO frustrating. I watch you-tube videos all the time - do I go into the art room and do stuff? NO! I don't know what the deal is. I see from all by blog hopping that there are a handful of people i follow who have also been in a funk - so it kind of helps to know that even professional artists go thru this too - for long periods of time, like me. I hope to have items to post this weekend - perhaps an almost finished doll, possibly a blue sky, leaves, geese, something.... I will make a point of it, so you will know I am still here and kickin'!

snow and new round robin beginnings

We finally had snow here this weekend. Because of that I missed (2) doll groups, but was able to get alot done around here. I wish I had taken pictures, outside, just 2 hours earlier - the sun was actually out! You have no idea how little sun we get here because of the lake and weather. It was beautiful. These photos were taken about 3pm on Sunday. I love the way the snow sits on the branches and all the shapes are outlined. These are taken here at home. This is what surrounds my complex, woods and more woods - it is so nice.
Then - our new round robin for Time for Dolls - we will pass around a paper mache mannequin. I got the new Prims issue (second best issue to the premier issue) and was inspired by what I saw in there. I tried my hand at paper clay and it turned out pretty cool. I have a wooden dowl in the length of the entire mannequin, going up thru most of a Styrofoam ball. Gessoed the ball, then covered it in paper clay - giving her a neck too. I used acrylic paint, markers and pencils on the face. I am pretty happy with how she turned out - definitely will be trying this again. It will be very interesting to see how this turns out - there are 10 of us that all will work on each doll.

felt dollie

We made these sweet little felt people the other night. They are completely hand sewn, clothes doll and all. It went pretty fast actually. I love sewing by hand and especially with felt or wool. I think there will be more of these made in the future. They are a little addicting. Thanks Kate for the pattern.

"Collage Couture"

Today I went to a great collage class. I have been admiring Julie Nutting's artwork for several years in the Stampington magazines. Earlier this year she came out with her own book titled "Collage Couture". The book has lots of great ideas, but I am the type that needs to take a class and "make" the item - then I can take off with it. So here is what I made in class today. I LOVE it! It was so fun. I am a blog and youtube addict and should have a degree with all the art I have looked into and watched. I admire all the collaging and painting - but just could not do it myself - that is - until today! It was so much easier than it looks and I can't wait to try some more. It is hard to get a good photo of this without glare, because there are several coats of Mod Podge Hard Coat on it. It sure dries wonderfully and not smelly or sticky like the regular Mod Podge - it has the purple lable if you are ever looking for it.