Friday, Friday!

Well today was rainy rainy rainy for much of the morning. Due to the rain, my workout buddies decided that today was a stay-in kind of day. I had planned to do a little Wii Fit workout this morning, but what can I say I really, really enjoyed the peace and quiet while Little Man was at Pre-K! So I spent the morning sculpting. I have a tray full of ghosties, candy corn, and pumpkins getting ready to go into the oven.

Well, gonna cut this short as hubby just called. He's helping a soldier move, so I'm off to go help them. Talk to you all later. =D

I am a terrible blogger!

Geez it's been almost a week since I posted, and the past couple weeks I have been kind of spotty with the posts! Sorry. =( I promsie to try to do better.

So let's see what have i been doing all this time; well a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a whole lotta nothin'! I had a couple swaps that I had been busy working on, they finally made it in the mail Tuesday morning, but other than that...well not really too much. I took my laptop into the living room to read email one night and it stayed there for almost 2 weeks! So I really didn't do too much at my craft table. But I am finally back in at my table and have my hands back in the clay. Sunday I received an email invitation to have a booth at a local BBQ event in November. Last year the crowds numbered between 8 and 12 THOUSAND!!! Hubby thinks it's a great idea, so I am definitely going to be doing this show. (gotta send in my registration fee and pics next week) Then our local craft fair has been announced as well...it's about 2 weeks BEFORE the BBQ fest. This show has always had a real good turnout as well. I am considering doing this one as well. Am I insane???? Can I, or should I do 2 shows almost back to back? I would love to know what y'all think, any tips or hints would be appreciated as well!

So in prep for at the very least the November show I started sculpting yesterday. I am working on some jewelry pieces using semi-precious stones as the bases with polymer clay additions. I did a little blue fairy clinging to a piece of turquoise, a gold dragon on a piece of (I believe) bloodstone,and a little turtle on, well I'm not entirely sure what it is! LOL I almost did some flower designs on some pink dyed turquoise, green jade, and cherry 'quartz'. Today I sculpted a tiny mermaid onto a disk of Mother-of-Pearl and a blue dragon sitting on a chunk of blue 'marble' (atleast I think that's what it is!) I hope to bake them this evening and hopefully can share them with y'all tomorrow.

I am also planning on making more of the Christmas ornaments I did last month. I have several ideas in mind for making several different sets, and am eager to work on them. Also on my list of 'Things-I-want-to-make' are:
---A full Nativity Scene
---Snowmen, Polar bears, and Penguins in different 'winter' scenes
---Miniature Christmas vignettes
---Glitter House Ornaments
---Fall items such as Scarecrows, pumpkins, turkeys and the likes. The November show will be the 13th and 14th, so I am going to try and work up some Thanksgiving items as well!

I am thinking that 'in-between' all these other things for the November show I want to throw in some Halloween goodies, that way I can have them on my Etsy shop as well as ready if I decide to do the October show. So I have tons of fun ghostly, ghastly & ghoulish ideas for that as well.

Well, tonight is Open House for my younger 2, so I need to figure out what I am making for an early dinner. Oh yeah and get back to sculpting! LOL

Oh and BTW if anyone is interested, I am still working out every morning. (well almost, but I have only missed one so far due to other commitments. I am super proud of myself! =D )

Well I'm off for now, until tomorrow.
Deborah

New Friends

You know I really don't think there is anything better than waking up, signing on and finding out you have new friends!!!
Today I would like to welcome to fantastic artists. The first is Richard Del Ponte, Richard is a painter out of Rhode Island. Please visit his blogs Faux Del Ponte and Del Ponte Art (the gypsy painting here is fabulous!)
The next new friend I'd like to introduce is Kate Arthur. Kate is a miniaturist who works in punch needle. She makes fabulous mini-rugs. She has 2 blogs showcasing her work. Punch Needle in Miniature has a gorgeous circles rug on it. Kate's second blog is Dollhouse Miniature and Hitty Art. More of her punch needle rugs as well as her needlework are displayed here.
I highly encourage you to go check out the work of these two fantastic artists. Have a wonderful Saturday.

New Friend and an Update

Sorry it's been a few days since I posted. I haven't really made anything new, so I didn't really feel like I had anything to say. =(
First of all I would like to welcome a new friend to my blog...Karin from Ontario, Canada. She has 2 great blogs.Orr Lake Musings is her main blog. And then Mini Tutes from Orr Lake is her secondary blog where she has links to dozens of tutorials for mini-making. I highly recommend taking a look at her great blog.
So today was day 3 in a row that I have walked and worked out with my friends. Monday we did a day at the gym and then yesterday it was back to our walking routine. Let me tell you I was SORE yesterday, not even a hot soak made my hips hurt less. I almost thought about not going today, but I told myself "Nope, I'm going, gotta push through the hurt and get moving." We did the same routine today with some additional stairs. And you know what...I actually feel BETTER than I did this morning! I am really feeling the burn but it's more the good kind of sore than the owwie kind of pain. I'm actually looking forward to going back out again tomorrow. =D
I finally finished up the 'coin' I have been working on for a couple weeks now. I had intended to finish it with resin, but I need it to be done by tomorrow night, and there just isn't time for 2 sides of resin to dry. I was kinda bummed as I really wanted the great raised glasslike finish. Then I remembered I have a pound container of ultra thick embossing enamel (UTEE)! So I need to get my oven warming up to melt it, but I think it will give me a great finish! I need to give the edging a another couple of coats of silver paint and then get it attached. That will give me a 'lip' to keep the UTEE contained. God-willing it will work and look great.
I haven't really made too many mini's lately, well actually I guess I have. But I can't show them off as they are for a swap due later this month. I promise to take pics though so I can share them after they have been recieved. One thing I did make just for fun was candied bat wings. I am thinking I might make a small 'spooky' candy display. I bought several of the Michael's $1 cabinet this past weekend, and can't wait to fill them. In addition to the cabinets, I bought several punches: 1 inch round for plates and such, an 8-petal flower, for well flowers, a tiny clamshell and a tiny 6-petal flower. These were only a dollar and unfortunately they punch like it! grrr. But since I generally trim my punchies anyways hopefully I can make them work!
Oooh I almost forgot, I started another figure last week. She was supposed to be an elf, but somewhere along the way one of her ears got broken, so I filed them both round and now she is just a pretty human. I have another smaller, younger elf figure as well, so maybe that one will stay an elf. This pretty gal has not given me her name yet, or what color hair she'd like. I am thinking either blond or red, but am not sure. She is wearing a green velvet dress and has brown eyes. Any ideas?

so here are some pics of what I've been doing the last few days.

Sorry I've been away for so long

Real life just seems to have gotten away from me. My laptop had been in the living room rather than on my craft desk, so I spent much of this last week away from my desk. But I am back in the kitchen again and ready to get rolling.
Today I was back to working out with my friend...it was pouring down rain so rather than walking we went to the gym. We did the Ellipitcal Machines, some free weights and then the Stationary bike. I think we are going to try going to the gym atleast once a week, and we are hoping to add in a day of swimming as well. I really do feel good now that I am working out on a more regular basis. Physically it feels good, but mentally too. Y'all have a wonderful evening, I'm off to mini, clay and paint! =D

And we're walking...

Today I started my 'get healthy' program...ok really I just started walking with some friends after dropping my younger 2 off at school. We walked for about 45 minutes...we did a paved nature trail with a couple of nice hills,(ok they weren't nice, but hills are good for the tush right?!?!?) then did several laps around the local stadium football field. Then what did my friend say..."let's do the steps!" So yeppers we hoofed it up and down the bleacher steps...I think there were about 6 sets of like 20 steps...maybe more...I'll have to try and remember to count them tomorrow. I am really proud of myself, I did pretty good, and I am even excited to go again tomorrow!
No mini's or clay today, but I gotta get finished with my 'coin'. Urgh I would just like to say that after this I am sooo done with painting for a while! LOL Y'all have a great Wednesday!

Painting, part deux!

Yep still more painting. I am finally working on the back side of the 'coin' I have most of the base coats done...this back side has alot more small gold and silver detailing than the front did...and wouldn't you know I seem to have broken my new paint pens!!! Grrr Anyone know how to fix them once they start dripping great big drops of paint instead of nice fine lines?
I don't have any pics of this side yet, but here is a little hope chest I made last week. I used bass wood, and tongue depressors. Oh and a couple of metal jewelry findings for enhancement. I painted the pieces with a matte black and then waxed it for a fabulous soft finish. Yes I actually used wax. I melted some candle wax, poured it on, rubbed it in and then hit it with my heat gun to clean it up. I just love the way it came out. Oh yeah and I checked the measurements on RL ones first and it's to scale! woohoo!

Painting, painting, painting

I couldn't figure out why my shoulders hurt last night when hubby and I went to bed...well I figured it out this afternoon. I spent all weekend and a couple hours today hunched over my craft table painting! I still have more to do, but this last piece I don't need to finish until this weekend.
I painted 6 wooden masks for Middle sons teacher. (well last years teacher, but she's a sweet heart so I don't mind helping her out!) She is planning on using them in her make believe box. I still need to finish the Skeleton Pirate...I painted the nose hole and eye patch BEFORE I painted the skull white...why, well honestly cause I had black paint left over from doing the other pirate so I figured why not! lol Well why not...because it would've been way easier to paint the white first and not have to cut in around. So well I didn't lol. I am also going to give the teeth a light coat of gray to age them.
The front side of the display 'coin' that goes with my dragon Kafa Avci is finished. I still need to do the back...this is most likely going to be a OOAK never-to-be-repeated project! It has been an adventure to say the least. Painting is soooooo not my thing! LOL But here it is next to the original.

Not too much going on...

I've been busy the last few days, but don't really have anything to share. I have spent much of my free crafting time painting. I am almost finished with my 'coin' backdrop...well atleast the front half of it. I will get started on the back half after I pick little man up from pre-k. I have also been painting some little wooden dress-up masks for a teacher at the school. So no mini's, no clay, no nothin' for now! But hopefully later in the week I'll have some new goodies. Got lots of ideas in my brain. Until later, have a wonderful Monday!!!

Welcome Friends!!!

2 new followers today. Meet Jen the artist behind JemJoop She is a wonderful miniaturist and paper artist who also sells her work on Etsy
Next is Vania from Florida, who has not 1, not 2 but 3 great blogs to check out. Art Dolls Only, Fantasy Whispers, and Going Out and About (which appears to be a new blog.)
So I hope you will take a minute to visit these fantastic artists blogs.

WIP...Backdrop Painting

I think I mentioned that the dragon I posted a few days ago is for a gift. Well other portion of that gift is a painted 'coin' In the Army, commanders create coins (about the size of a 50 cent piece or so) with a design unique to them. They then give them to soldiers to express their appreciation for going above and beyond the call of duty. Kafa is a gift from hubby and I to his out going commander. The dragon is based off out the unit patch, and the backdrop I am painting is an enlarged version of the commanders coin. The upper full color pic is an enlargement of the actual coin, the lower piece is my version. There is a design on the reverse side that will get painted, then it will get bordered by thin balsa strips painted silver. The balsa will extend over them sides so that I can pour resin over each side to seal, protect and make it look not 'coin-like'. I have a ways to go, but I hope to get it to the point of resin by the weekend.

Great Fabric Give-Away

I would like to share with you all a wonderful fabric give-away that was brought to my attention. Jen over at Reanna Lily Designs is celebrating being in business for a year, with a wonderful give away of 2 sample packs of gorgeous fabrics shown in this picture. Clicking on she shop name will take you to her website to find out about her contest. Click on the blog link on the left side of her website.
I personally would love to win as there are some fabulous fabrics that would make wonderful mini items!!!

Photo Challenge

Ok so I have gotten tagged in a Photo Challenge by Vicki over at NJD Miniatures. The challenge goes something like this...Open your Photos file and go to the 4th folder, choose the 4th photo, post it and tell about it. So here goes. Ok I gotta say initally I had no idea what this pic was. (I was looking at the thumbnails) But now that I enlarged the pic I know what it is. LOL Late this past spring hubby and I took the kiddos over to Providence Canyon, it's nicknamed Georgia's Little Grand Canyon. Decades ago it was farmland, due to poor soil management, erosion carved away huge chunks of the land, and continues to do so to this day. There is a 3-mile looping trail that winds it's way around the canyon rim. The views are absolutely spectacular!
But enough about the canyon...(if you want to learn more, there is tons to read about it at the above link. =D ) This photo was taken along the trail, being that it used to be a homestead, there are some remnants of life still here. This picture is a tree that has grown THROUGH the windows of an overturned, rusted out vehicle. I just thought it was really neat to see Mother Nature reclaim what is hers. I did take some full scale pics too, but enjoy taking a few artsy ones as well.

Vicky, thanks so much for a great challenge...I will pass the challenge on as requested!

Purses, Purses, Purses

Ok well technically there are only 2 right now complete, but the third is in process. I am also working on a red hat to match the large 'beach'-style bag that Orah seems to have fallen in love with.I am actually considering either painting or embroidering some tiny roses on the fabric before I make the hat. (although I just thought about it...using my ultra fine tipped Sharpies would work too! =D lol)
The tiny ruffle-y black one is a drawstring evening bag that matches the black hat in the previous post. I love these little bags in RL and this tiny one was loads of fun to do as well!

Lots of projects in the works.

Here is a little collage of what I have been working on over the last few days. I had a commision for the little black and white kitty, the black and blue hats go along with the white and coral one I made a few days ago. They are for a wonderful friend building a Vintage fashion shop. (I decided to add a little white piping around the edge of the blue hat, I'll snap a pic of it later) The owl was also a commission...he is going into a wizards shop. He is barely an inch tall, and about 2 inches from the tip of his beak to the tip of his tail feathers. His wings and tail have been individually feathered, and I flocked his body. He required a little more attention than I initially thought, but I hope the new owner will be happy with him.

I am also currently working on a bookshelf as well a hope chest. Also currently on my desk are some pet store goodies for a swap and as always more food!!!