Too busy creating to be blogging ...

mostly I have just been lazy ...

and yes, been making cool crafts too. Spending a bit more time knitting, learning some new techniques.

Sold a few crocheted toys (including my first Dooey Doll!) and have been making wintry items like socks and wrist warmers.

My goal is to get back into posting, at least on a weekly basis.

too much yarn, too little time

Trick or Treat!!

I'm getting excited for Halloween! Here are a few little treats I've been working on.


Cute little skull


Bloody Finger


A graveyard for the grim reaper to hang out in


A not so scary Jack-o-lantern and black cat

Dooey Dolls are coming!!

We do voodoo!

We're almost there - we've got t-shirts made and we're putting the finishing touches on our original doll (original idea and drawing by Jeremy, created in yarn and fabric by me) ... photographs and more information will follow later this week, dolls and shirts and more will be for sale on etsy!!

Coming tomorrow: photos of some of the Halloween goodies I've been making!

All this blogging stuff ...

To anyone who might be reading or following my blog: I apologize if you leave a comment or message and I don't respond .... I don't get many comments so I kinda forget to look and see it there are any. I will eventually see it and I appreciate all your thoughts.

I also read the blogs I follow but rarely comment. I do really enjoy what everyone has to say and the creativity that abounds ...

Meanwhile, my sweet hubby Jeremy and I are still at work creating our new product line. All will be revealed (with photos) in a week or less. I'll try to keep updating this place more frequently with interesting thoughts and ideas and plans so you all keep checking back.

Meanwhile I am working on about four crochet projects, our new doll line and I'm still trying to learn to knit with double pointed needles. I've done it but it's awkward and the results are less than good.

Since I haven't posted a photo in a while, I'll post some pet photos.

Here is one of my awesome chameleon Oozle. She's an adorable baby girl and more precious than a 50% off sale at the local craft store!



And can't forget the cats: The original naughty cat Merlin and his baby sister Nimue. We brought her home a couple weeks ago and she is his real baby sister (same mom) and every bit as mischievous as her big brother!

Coming Soon!!!

My awesome and creative hubby and I are creating a new line of dolls that we will be announcing soon. We'll also have t-shirts and other items in the line.

I'm keeping everything under wraps for now but check back soon for more information and photos!

back in the saddle again

It's been such a long time since I posted anything. It's also been a long time since I've been creative.

That's changed though, this week I've been working on several projects, including learning some new knitting techniques. Or trying anyway ... using double pointed needles is HARD!!! I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. Maybe I can find a video on youtube.

My next project is going to be sewing new curtains for the kitchen window. I don't have a pattern except in my head ... In my mind it's pretty simple. We'll see once I get started.

Getting back to a doll I'm working on now ...

LoveHappy

Just photographed a wedding ... will be busy editing for a while but hoping to fit in some time to pick up where I left off with my yarn ...

Oh no ... I found another creative thing to do!!

Scrapblog!!

Ugh ... it's just too hot!

Really not feeling at all crafty in this heat. It's supposed to be cooling off this week and I certainly hope so. I hate running the AC - it's a crappy little wall unit that either doesn't cool well or makes it completely frigid in here. Not to mention it runs the electric bill through the roof!

Anyhow, we are going to do a little shopping today then maybe I'll feel like a little painting or beading or something ... anything but getting out the yarn!!

Thinning out the stash!!

So happy that I've gotten rid of my extra yarn and fabric!! Have lots more room now, not to mention a little extra cash.

All part of my goal to stay organized, neat and and not become a hoarder!!

Below: A photo of my yarn collection AFTER getting rid of a huge garbage bag filled with 40 - 50 skeins.

The latest

I'm excited to start working with some clay to design some beads for beaded jewelry. I don't know what I will make yet but it seems like fun.

I'm also working on a mirror with Jeremy. I've put an antique, distressed look on the frame and he is going to add some tattoo style art on it, as well as create vinyl stickers for the mirrored part. He is using mirrored vinyl so it gives it a unique look.

As far as yarn goes, I'm crocheting a pair of lacy black gloves using a VERY tiny crochet hook. I have found that doing a swatch to determine gauge is very important for me as I usually end up with very large projects. I nearly always have to switch to a much smaller hook than what the pattern suggests. I'm not sure why that is but knowing it is helpful to my end results.

Some recently completed projects:

A scarf for buttheads.


Ballerina.


My crocheted purse. I am most pleased with the lining a created for this one. I had to create the pattern myself and it worked out perfectly.

We're heading out on a thrift-store expedition now. Hopefully will find some fun stuff for future projects.

Ready for the fair!!

Yay! Everything is delivered to the fair!! So relieved to have it done!!

I now have a scarf to finish, a ballerina to finish painting and then I am going to start a new project. Don't know what but I'm looking forward to it!

And, I'm excited that I've cleaned out my yarn and fabric stash - I've got a big trash bag full of yarn and a box of fabric for sale on craigslist - and I still have more yarn and fabric than I'll use in a year! More room to work and soon some more cash to buy more craft supplies!!

Arrrgh ... there be bears here

Yay! Finished my bear. All the kritters go to the fair today to be judged and displayed when the fair started in two weeks.

(Can't wait for all the food including my all time favorite roast corn on the cob and this year's new item: deep-fried butter!!)

Have much to do today and then I get to pick out my next project to work on!! So many ideas!!

The bear is almost there!

My pirate bear is started ... the head and body are done - including the face being sewn on. The arms are done but not sewn on, I need to make the legs next then it's just the little things, the hat and eyepatch and any embellishments I decide to make.

Next thing is making tags for everything then off to the fair on Friday!!

Love hurts zombie voodoo doll

Yeah ... I'll do anything to avoid starting my pirate teddy bear. I made this today - freehand, figuring it out as I went along.



I am going to make a cup of tea now and I AM going to start my bear.

hey, there's a blog here ....

I wish I had more interesting things to fill it with ... actually, I've been doing some interesting things and enjoying life in general, it's just that my crafts can take time so I don't have a fascinating post everyday.

I've put down the yarn for a bit and have been working on some other things. I just made a cool diorama/shadowbox and I've been painting figurines in a "day of the dead" style.

Here are photos:

My day of the dead figure. She was a blank from the craft store. I am currently collecting figurines from thrift stores to repaint in this fashion. I'm working on a ballerina now.


I had a hard time photographing this shadowbox. The glare was impossible to get rid of ... anyhow, I love this and am extremely proud of it. It's a collage of tombstone photos I've taken along with a cute little skeleton I found at a thrift store. I love how it looks in 3D. It's very cute and just a little spooky.

I'm enjoying the dioramas and have a couple more to start.

I do have to pick up the yarn again. I HAVE to start my pirate teddy bear for the fair. They are due one week from today. I'm going to have it done!!

Picture this!

What have I been doing with my time?

Well, trying to read more, housework, and I've been taking more pictures. Just got a couple new lenses and have been trying them out. Have a day trip planned for today for more photography ...

Also have been working on my shadow box. It's going to have a cemetery theme ... at least that is my current plan. Things can (and do) change.

Not much yarn work has been happening. This is not a good thing as I have to finish my pirate teddy bear for the fair. And before I can finish it I have to start it. I have two weeks to get it done ... I need to start it very soon.

I will post some photos (of something) in my next entry ... just to keep things interesting!

Getting ready for winter

Been a slow couple weeks for crafting. Between a trip to Vegas and continuing decluttering and cleaning, my artsy side has been neglected. We've given of a bunch of stuff to Goodwill (and still have more we are trying to sell.)

I have managed to knit a long skinny scarf and am working on crocheting a "novelty" scarf now. I think I prefer knitting scarves to crocheting them. It's easy to knit scarves. And the only way I can use the fun and funky fur yarn is to knit. I get lost trying to crochet with that stuff! And I have a lot of that fun fur yarn!

I make a lot of scarves considering I live in Southern California ... good thing we like to travel north for Thanksgiving and in the winter months.

I'm also starting a shadowbox. I took it apart and threw away the ugly stuff that was in it and am now painting it black. What will end up inside it is anyone's guess.

Reminder to self: I need to work on the pirate bear that I am entering in the fair. By work on, I mean "start." It is due at the end of this month!!

Alice is FINALLY finished!!

Months after tossing around ideas for what to do with the old cigar box that my dad sent me, it finally all came together as my tribute to Alice in Wonderland.

Alice has always been one of my favorite stories and once I had settled on that design idea it was easy - except for finding just the right illustrations for the outside of the box. I definitely wanted something edgier than the Disney version yet recognizable to everyone as Alice in Wonderland.

Fortunately, a recent version featuring artwork by Camille Rose Garcia just came out - and boy, is it ever awesome!! http://www.camillerosegarcia.com/

That artwork combined with some cool miniatures turned into a piece I'm quite pleased with and after much painting, cutting, gluing and arranging, my Alice treasure box is complete.


The top of the box.


The inside.


Detail of the key and bottle.


The door to Wonderland.


The outside - front.


I love the mad hatter!

Happily busy ...

Wow ... I haven't crocheted or worked on my Alice box in a couple days. I've really been focusing on going through drawers, my closet, and other crowded messy areas to de-clutter and clean. I've gotten a lot done - thrown stuff away and loaded up bags of clothes and shoes to donate.

Also had two photo shoots this week. (Yay!!) So I've been busy editing and getting the photos on a CD.

So all I have to show right now is this baby turtle that I did a couple nights ago. He's now hanging in Jeremy's truck cause he loves turtles. I want to make more and a momma too.



Planning to start a new crocheted toy this weekend. So many ideas ... so much yarn ... and yeah, I've even got some time!!