2008 around the corner...

Hard to believe, but true. I found this photo while using a cool add on for Firefox called StumbleUpon. I thought it would be good to post it to remind folks not only to NOT DRINK AND DRIVE, but to watch out for those foolish ones that do.


I hope everyone had a great Christmas and wish you and your family a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year!

Beading Frenzy

My last few necklaces finished and ready to wrap and I have the sore fingers to prove it!

Christmas Tree Decorating

Just decorating the tree with my "own" personal elves ;)
Enjoy!..............

Don't send a lame Starring You! eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Christmas gift making...

Whew, I've been busy making Christmas gifts the past week or so and decided to show off a couple of the necklaces that I did. They are unusual in the fact that they are crocheted with jewelry wire and beads. At first I thought they were "not so pretty", but the more of them that I made, the more I ended up liking them. Your comments are welcome, by the way. Click the thumbnail for a larger view. Well I need to make about 3 or 4 more of these, then I am back to sewing, stuffing and all that good stuff!
Later...
(make your own crochet necklace here!)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This is a touching Thomas Nast print of Lady Liberty. The print is a centerfold from an original 1863 Harper's Weekly. The print shows Lady Liberty kneeling, in earnest prayer for peace. She is surrounded by inset images of the Nation in prayer. A group of slaves is shown praying for freedom. Another inset shows the inside of a church, the congregation praying for peace. In the lower right corner a group in the country can be seen on their knees praying. In the upper image, Abraham Lincoln can be seen on his knees praying for guidance. Two other insets show prayers by the Army and the Navy. The nations prayers were answered in about a year and a half, with the bloody conflict finally reaching its end at Appomattox Court House. This is a rare and highly collectible print. It shows a nation in prayer. Prayer for an end to its bloodiest conflict. Thomas Nast "Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1863" (Click on Image for Enlarged View)

Snow Queen on The Humble Arts

She will be for sale Monday on The Humble Arts. Please stop by and see her if you get a chance!

SOLD! Thank you Nancy ;)
However, Elinor the Elephant is still waiting for adoption...

Is it chilly yet?

We've started having some chillier nights here finally and it seems to have put me in the mood for snow (which we hardly ever get!) and created the above Snow Queen. Poor little Elinor crawled up in her lap looking for a Mommy. She has been for sale on The Humble Arts
since the first of November. Snow Queen provided a nice companion for now....but she too will be for sale soon. If anyone is interested in either, please email me or go the the above link. Snow Queen has many many details and I've only shown the upper half of her for now. Oh, and you can click on the photo and get a larger sized one :)
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.......later!

Halloween is over!

Actually I am glad it 's over. I realize this is a fun time for most kids and plenty of adults, but for me it signals that Fall weather is really here and we are head long into the holiday season. I am hoping this year will be time well spent with family and friends and no hectic rush to do shopping amongst the crowds of materialistic, greedy and often times rude people. I don't think it's a cop out on my part to hope for this, rather than a need for a more restful and enjoyable time of the year. Is that too much to ask? I hope not. Happy holidays to everyone and may God bless you and your family :)

What have I been doing?

Note: Each image is clickable for a larger one. Also, little Elinor at the end will be up for grabs on The Humble Arts website update this November 1st. For now, I still have another pincushion available until then. The English Teacup will be there for only a few more days...
English Teacup Pincushion

This is another example of a few of the makedo type of pincushions I've been working on...

And this is the finished collage that I previously posted about...

And finally, here is Elinor, a sweet little baby mohair elephant that ended up being my own idea. I had originally started out with a Japanese pattern, but didn't like how it looked so I gave up on it and drew my own. Voila! She will be available on November 1st at The Humble Arts website.

1816 The Year Without a Summer

Wow, only about 2 and a half weeks til Halloween, hope you'll enjoy this
mesmerizing little video that I found................

Preview

Click photos to enlarge!
Bottom corners of the transformation
of the mystery ladies. It is actually finished,
I think? I had to drill holes to make a wire
hanger for it yesterday and it turned out
better than I had expected, so I'm quite
pleased. This collage started out bare, &
ended up quite "busy", but it tells a story
and I hope someone can see what I had in
mind when I show the whole thing in it's
entirety. I'm not sure if this will be a keeper
or a for sale item yet. We shall see...

Mystery Ladies Tale

I've decided that these mystery ladies are older and younger sisters. One of them has lost their way. The other has taken the better path. Something dark looms over this lady with the glasses and an inner sense of peace is with the one on the right. Since this is what I've decided, they will take on these roles in my newest collage art. It is started with a small enamelware baking pan that has seen better days... all rusty, dinged and stained with age. It will now tell the story of the mystery ladies and send a message out to all at the same time. Bible verses somehow keep coming into play when I work on it and I've decided to call this piece where it came from. Simply: Joshua 24:15. That sums it up! A sneak preview of a corner or 2 of it will be posted soon, so stay tuned...

Mystery Ladies

Circa 1920, 2 unidentified ladies...to be transformed...

What does this mean? Stay tuned as I update!
Something about this pair says that they are probably related, although I have no idea. Also, the one on the left looks a bit masculine compared to the one on the right. No really big smiles on either one of their faces so the air of mystery continues to grow...
(wink)

Sleepy Red Heads

Just felt like posting a photo of my 2 dogs. They looked so cute together taking a snooze :)

AVA GRACE SILENT AUCTION!

http://www.avagraceangelsunaware.com/
Please look at all of the eye candy in honor of
sweet Ava Grace! It will run from today until
September 22nd.
Thank you :)
UPDATE: TOTAL RAISED $8441.
Thank you everyone who participated!

Wild Thing Table Dancer?

Did that get your attention? It's not what you'd think. This is a real living doll........ENJOY!
You might have to click the PLAY button twice for it to load.

In Loving Memory

Ground Zero Zoom - video powered by Metacafe

Rainy days and Mondays

Always get me down... Naw not really, it's actually quite nice. We've had so much humidity lately why not some real rain too? Only thing is, there's a flash flood watch. I think it's a nice day to cut out a bear or a doll, cuz the need to start something new is pressing in on me. I have created some nice little pincushions for my next offering on The Humble Arts this past week or two. So now I'm ready for more life-like things. It helps to mix it up for me so boredom doesn't take over. Now if I could only have another set of hands and maybe just a couple more hours in a day, then I'd have it made ;o)

My Ava Grace Auction Offering, coming soon

Information?

September

Oh wow, August is gone, so please point your mouse HERE and check The Humble Arts update!
Lots of wonderful offerings for you to feast your peepers on.
Speaking of feasting your peepers, have I got a treat for you. (I think?) It seems the Japanese craft craze has gotten a hold of me too. I didn't think it would, but found myself googling it over and over and reading blogs, etc. about it. I'm not sure what the deal is, but the fact is all of it is just darn cute. Cute, simple and fun! Anyhow, the treat I'm talking about is my newest find which is a book called The Cute Book. It is small and full of fun little animals and folks to create. Best part is that it is in English, which certainly helps me out. Most of the other Japanese craft mags and books are in Japanese, DUH! Since they are usually quite simplistic, the photo and or pattern is often easy to figure out. I don't have any Japanese speaking friends, so I'll rely on my eyes with those.I received a nice goody box in the mail from a sweet friend which will come in handy for making some of these little cuties, so I can't wait. Sometimes I need a break from the seriousness of details and difficult sewing demands. I think this is it....at least for a little while ;)

The Name Game

I've been tagged by my friend Cookie of Rolling River Prims for the newest game going: the Name Game.

The object of this one is - using your middle name, make an acrostic using words that describe yourself! If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your middle name game facts and then choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

HAH, this should be easy, my middle name is Lee! (or is it?)

L - levelheaded (at least I try to be)
E - experimental (at least twice a day, lol)
E - exhausted (especially lately..gotta fix that)

So now I'm to tag some others too.....hmmmmm, let's pick these:
Blondie, Dixie, and Jess
One for each letter of my middle name.
Interesting experiment, thanks Cookie!

Important News of the Day

School started back up again for my kiddos, YAY!!!

AND........
here's another update on the upcoming silent
auction for little Ava Grace in September.
Please click on the banner to see!

"H" is finally fully clothed!

Yes, she is finished as a complete doll. Now whether or not she is done as an item ready to sell or not is uncertain. I'm either giving her a wardrobe OR I have another idea which I'll keep secret until I do it for her unveiling on The Humble Arts. Here are some smallish photos of her little ensemble. They will enlarge if you click on them.

Notice her coral colored little necklace? In my studying about Hitty, it seemed she wore a tiny coral beaded necklace, so I made her one. It is removable just like all of her clothing. Those buttons on her back bodice have hand crocheted button loops so you can undress her! If you or anyone else likes tiny dolls or Hitty, please let them know she will be available soon!!!
:0)

Overdosing on Hitty?

Seriously folks, there is way more in my life than this Hitty doll I keep posting about, but it seemed appropriate to have a log of how she is coming along since I call myself a doll maker after all! Since my last entry about her, I've sewn her a little dress. The fabric looks great on her and it is 99% finished. I am making it removable, which is an extra difficulty factor. Oh it'd be much easier and quicker if I just tacked the back closed with a few stitches and used glue on the sleeve hemlines like others suggest, but not this one. I've machine and hand sewn everything so far and I'm glad. Just makes it more authentic and what I consider "heirloom quality" for future generations. Honestly, I've spent more time on this extremely small doll than any large doll I've made in a long time. I just hope that someone really believes that good things really do come in small packages! As soon as her dress bodice has button loops created, I'll take photos to update her progress. Hopefully she'll make her debut in September on The Humble Arts website monthly update at the first of that month. Whew....til then!

Hitty's Underthings

Hitty now has a set of unders. (click the pic for a larger detailed image) I used a nice gauzy type of fabric that I got from Sage of Goldensage. Her pantaloons are very basic with a drawstring waist. The slip has a tiny pin tuck above some old lace that I sewed on the hemline. It covers her bottom half, but the top half will have to stay bare until I finish her little dress. I found a tiny print that should look nice on her. It is rather darkish with teensy little reddish spots.....you'll see when it's finished!

Well here's Hitty with traditional black shoes, white socks and red garters. Plus, I think her bug eyed look is slightly diminished. What do you think? I also got around to making her underclothes. She has a basic pair of pantaloons and a gathered slip with hand made lace from my basket of sewing treasures that I thought looked just right. Perhaps I'll post a photo of them tomorrow......right now I have yard work to do and need to do some more on my Ava Grace Angel project!

Vintage Find

A few days ago I came across a wonderfully old sewing basket full of lace, threads, rick rack, buttons and various other sewing goodies. Some of the lace trim was obviously hand tatted and I have some set aside for Hitty's underthings and dress. I just love it when I find things like this! I mean wow, how long ago was baby rick rack only 15 cents a package? OK off I go to make tiny clothes...

Hitty's Progress

She looks a little bit surprised....something in those bug eyes ya think? Gosh do ya know how hard it was to embroider that face???? I am not joking when I mean hard either. My eyes just aint what they used to be, so that didn't help at all. Well besides a tad of shading with pencils for her nose and cheekbones, her hair, eyes and mouth are embroidered totally. Remember, her face is actually flat. I aged her and next I'll be making her some clothing. I am fairly certain that her shoes will be painted or penciled on. She's such a tiny thing! More photos to come...
UPDATE: I'VE FIXED HER BUG EYED SURPRISED LOOK (I THINK?) NEXT PHOTO I POST I'D APPRECIATE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IF POSSIBLE, thanks!

Who me, another award?

Are you sure Pam? Hahaha, well isn't this my week for awards that I never knew about! I'm a doll. How bout that? I thought I was the maker of dolls, but hey I'll take that. Thank you Pam of Soft in the Head for gracing me with this prestigious award. Now I am not sure who I'll choose to pass it on to......wait yes I do. It shall be Blondie of Vintage Primitives, Nutmeg of Magpie Feathers, Sage of GoldenSage, and Nena of Nannys Cottage Originals. Now that's a fine list of dolls if I ever saw one. Yes indeed!
Note: You can visit these fine dolls by going to the bottom of my blog and they'll all be there. That will be a treat in itself :)

Nice Matters!

Well imagine my surprise when I looked at my messages on this here blog and found that I'd been given the Nice Matters Award! Mostly because I'd never heard of such and well, I just don't usually have "nice" things like this happen to me. What a pleasant gift from Blondie Spence of Vintage Primitives. Thank you!
Seems that I'm to choose some nice people to pass this award on to myself. Wow, that's a hard, yet easy thing to do. Limiting it to only 5, this would be: (and in no specific order, mind ya)
1. Edyth O'Neill of Red Cape Rugs
Edyth is such a gem, so knowledgeable of antique dolls, repairs and a wealth of information, she's always ready to share - we need to meet in person since we both live in Texas for goodness sake! Thank you for being a friend Edyth!
2. Claralie Hall of Gaunchywhomperd Bears
Claralie is a sweet and talented lady who also lives in Texas. We've met in person several times. I have to say that she is also very willing to share and is actually a real person. So many fakes out there! She inspired me to create several bears and always has the neatest gifts for my daughter when we go to Bear Shows. I own some of her fabulous work and appreciate her keeping in touch and sending me special "finds" via email. Thanks Claralie! (no website yet?)
3. Pam Overmier of Kingfisher Farm
Pam is a witty and fun kind of lady. She has inspired me with her fantastic vintage style bear and mohair animal creations. Always willing to offer help and advice and just a super nice person to be able to call a friend. Thanks for being there Pam!
4. Pam Gracia of Soft in the Head
Pam is a down to earth super friendly, talented pattern and folk art doll creator. Gosh, she's famous for her work and you'd never know it, cuz she's not a snob, LOL. Very supportive of other people's work and caring of other's feelings. What's not to like about someone like that? Thanks Pam for keeping in touch and for making me feel special!
5. Elena Barry of My Primitive Sistas
Elena is a neighbor here in Texas also and while I've never met her in person, I feel like I know her as if I had. Elena is from Russia and designs patterns, dolls and bears. She and I have kept in touch via emails and share information regularly. She is friendly and a wonderful Mom and wife and I'm glad to call her a friend. Nice is an understatement really :)
Thank you Elena for being a really nice friend!

Good luck to you all with your creative endeavors, something that we ALL have in common.
No, we're not all perfect, but that's what makes us so unique and special :)
HUGS to all,
greenie

Ava Grace Angels Update!

Please check out the blog for little Ava Grace HERE.
We are readying for a silent auction to
help with her medical expenses.
Please keep this family in your prayers
if you are able. Thank you!

Taking Shape!

Hitty is stuffed and jointed. She actually stands alone and sits too. I see how this little doll could be lots of fun. Very tedious doing the turning and fray check is a must! Myself, I used Fray Block cuz I'm hooked on that product...just love it. I think she'd make a great companion for a larger doll and for bears she'd be fantastic! I'm thinking of making her dress from a vintage hankie, unless I come across a really small print in my stash that catches my eye. We'll see!

Sizzlin' in Texas

Well sure enough, the weather people say we're in for the hottest temps of the year this week. Lucky us huh? 100+ with the heat index and no relief in sight. Looks like we'll have to spend all day at the pool or close all of the blinds and stay cool inside. I dunno what happened. I used to LOVE these really hot days, but somehow in the past 5 or so years I can't tolerate it like I used to. Don't say it!!! (I know I'm getting older)....sigh....
OK, so today I decided to start another doll project. This one was inspired by a fellow doll maker and friend of mine named Dixie. She makes wonderful Izannah Walker type dolls and is currently working on creating a replica of an original antique "Izzy" doll pattern now. I envy her as she was able to actually hold a real one from a doll shop near where she lives. You can read about it on her blog. Myself, I've only seen one through a glass case in KC at the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City, but it was the famous Miss Mary doll (photo on the left) complete with her trunk of delights and she was magnificent!!!! Back to what I'm starting - she will be a cloth Hitty doll. Very small in scale of what I normally create, so the challenge will be in the up close, intricate details of her body, face and clothing. I'm up for it, but not sure how she'll end up. This pattern is supposed to be an exact scale of an original wooden Hitty. (barely over 6") It is available here if you are interested: Make Your Own Fabric Hitty.
by Sara Degroat Cole.

Sneak Peak!

Good morning on this sunny Sunday from Texas! Well, looks like all that rain that I complained about is gone and we're in for temps upwards of 100 F now for probably all of this coming week. I knew this would happen, hahaha. But that's OK. I can then appreciate Fall even more when it comes. Speaking of Fall...I've made up an unusual little item for sale on my page of The Humble Arts Falloween themed month that should appear tomorrow on Monday. This is a photo of it and I had a lot of fun making it. The construction itself was simple. It was the embellishing and fun of finding old sewing items to attach to it that I loved! We're getting ready to leave so I wanted to let those of you know who might be interested. Have a great day yall :)
UPDATE: Prim Pear Pin Keep is SOLD, YAY!!!

Thanks to everyone that visited my selling site!
Pumpkin Princess has been adopted and will be leaving
me tomorrow. I did a silly series of photos that I wanted
to share...and here they are.



Catcha later..........

My Doll is Finished!

And she's ready for the August 1st release of The Humble Arts.
Please mark your calendars for this exciting event! We are having
a Falloween theme and most of us will have brand new offerings at this time!
My selling page is here, please give us a look.
Thank ya kindly :)

Ava Grace Angels

I was recently chosen to create a logo for The Humble Arts group of women to use on an important upcoming auction. Well this is it! Let me tell you more about who Ava Grace is....
Baby Ava Grace was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She will need many corrective surgeries. The artists involved in our website are pulling our talents together to help this family and precious child and are creating angel dolls and art in honor of Ava Grace. These special items will be auctioned on eBay sometime this Fall with ALL proceeds going towards Ava Grace's medical costs. The auction date will be announced very soon and we hope you'll visit and bid when it all begins! Please check back for this very special time. I also wanted to tell you why I've chosen the color red in this otherwise plain black and white banner.
In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China and may be used to attract good luck. Red is power. A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colors. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure. Red letter day means an important or significant occasion! Red carpet treatment means making someone feel special, treating them as if they are a celebrity. I believe that this is an important reason for doing what we are doing, so red seemed very appropriate. More information and photos of Ava Grace here.
Please stay tuned for more information regarding this special little girl.

Doll Eyes

Well I spent a good deal of time yesterday embroidering eyes on my doll in progress. She looks a bit like a classic alien at this point, but she'll improve today with any luck. The fabric has been chosen for her dress and her mouth has yet to be decided, but for some reason, that always comes easy for me, so no worries about that. Not much else to say about her because of a lack of time. I'm lucky to even write about it now. Wow, where does the time go?
Later...

Whitewashed to Antiqued

Today the "doll" has been antiqued....but no photos for you. I have to keep some of this a mystery I think. When she gets her face, perhaps I'll show her then. I did however, stitch on a beauty of a nose...or is it a beauty? What I do have to show are some unique photos of our day trip that we took yesterday up I35 towards Austin, our state capitol. We went as far as Georgetown and RoundRock, which are on the outskirts of Austin.

Not as nekkid?

Cool, now I've given Nekkid Doll a coat of whitewash after a good sanding and talking to. She is giving me fits, since she is kinda tall and doesn't want to stretch out when I need her to. But being stubborn is a good thing in certain situations, isn't it? Anyhow, she has a nice cafe aulait (or however you spell it, since the spell checker doesn't even know, imagine that!) striping effect, which will be toned down in the next process even more. As you can now tell, this won't be the traditional orangey pumpkin you usually think of. She'll be a white one. There are many names for the paler variety of this particular gourd. One I've chosen is called the Lil' Pump-ke-mom. You might have heard of the Lumina variety or perhaps the Casper one as well? No tellin' which variety she'll end up looking like in the end. That's the beauty of creating a OOAK doll after all! More to follow...

Doll Progress

Here she is, hanging from my crepe myrtle tree.
"Nekkid Doll" now has a first layer of "skin".
Skin only means the first coat of staining paint.
She has many more steps to go through before
she's ready for her clothing. So, until then!..........

Baby Signing anyone?

Baby signing can be fun! For instance, did you know that your baby can talk to you before they can actually say the words? I've seen this work with 2 of my grandsons so far and now my granddaughter. It's just amazing to me how they can pick up so much in a short amount of time. I highly recommend the "Baby Einstein" videos that are available for infants and toddlers. They might seem silly or excessive for some parents, but now that I've seen them in action I'm sold! I worried that they might rely on signing and not ever talk, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. OK....my endorsement is done :)
Have a great day!

"Nekkid Doll"

Strange title, I know. But I wanted to show an "in progress" photo of my upcoming doll that will debut on The Humble Arts website for August 1st. Our theme will be Under the Falloween Moon. Most of us will have items with this Fall/Halloween theme in mind up for sale at this time.
I've made up this particular doll at least 3 other times. Each time she's been a little different and this time she'll be a OOAK too. Keep in mind that this is just a blank canvas of a doll that I've put together, with lotsa painting, aging and even more sewing ahead of me. Not to mention designing her clothing too. She's stuffed firmly and has a weighted tush. I've found that constructing a boxed bottom and adding steel shot before the final closing stitches makes for a really nice sitter of a doll and gives them a weightier feel so when you pick 'em up it's like holding a real person (almost?) Remember to click on the photo to see a nice larger view!

To sign or not to sign?

That is the question...
Here is a local gas rig, not too darn far from our home. We've learned that our whole neighborhood is a prime location for a gas pocket/well. This company is drilling oil and gas wells all over Texas apparently and so far they check out OK. (we hope) We have a chance to sign a 5 year lease for them to do drilling (offsite of course) and anything that they hit and produce we'll get a mere 20% paid to us. The thing is, this is split amongst some 1500+ other neighbors around us. Is it worth it? Do we give in so they can start? I feel pressured to tell the truth, but how else could we ever use our own mineral rights otherwise? Simple homeowners such as ourselves simply don't have the funds to do so or even remotely think about it. Worst case senario? We get blown off of the face of the planet. Simple, boom, gone!
I dunno, need more facts, figures and suggestions.
In the meantime, we wait for a response from
the company for more information. Oh yeah, we also are due a sizeable bonus check upon signing the lease too. It almost seems too good to be true, that's what I'm most afraid of...