Confused... What should I do today?

The problem with enjoying lots of things is that there is not enough time to do all the things you enjoy! And I don't edit very well. I've been working on a "night light" project for over a 6 months!!!!  I'll try to capture some images this week end.  In the meantime here's a second place photograph from contest that I entered:

I've also been working on some cards which I'm pretty pleased with.  Photography and digital manipulation is something that I can do while relaxing in the bed.  A great end of day activity.  It can even be done when I'm not feeling well.

  

These two are from my Fenix series.  It's been a lot of fun to develop. Primarily because this series allows me to revisit my many joy-full years as mom to an incredible little girl, who now lives in the body of a super woman!

And I'm still confused...  every morning.  What should I do today?

New Dolls!!

Well, I've taken a challenge and will actually be selling some of my dolls for the holidays. I've been working pretty hard and am just a wee bit nervous. Please have a look see and let me know what you think. I'll try to post some more as I complete them. I'd really appreciate your thoughts:

This is... Elfin




He's a goodies snatcher. You have to constantly check his hands for snacks. He has really been fun to work on. He's a one of a kind sculpted guy (head hands and feet). I just love his toes. His body is soft wrapped with a wire armature so he can be positioned.




He's done except for some finishing stuff. He's been begging for a hat. I need to work on it!









Would you like to Swing on a Star?

Another OOAK sculpted face , soft cloth body, hands and feet, and a wire armature. I just finished working on the star that she will be swinging from.




One Cold and Snowy Winter Night, Dianna...


This is actually a night light which I made from a lantern that I found. My wonderful husband took care of the hardware construction. It was challenging, but he got the job done. The light is an led which is in her body. There is a scene constructed in the bottom and I cut blue glass for the windows.

This is how the bottom looks with the light on and the door closed.

This is how it looks with the door open.

There is large glitter. Rox stuff on the back windows. A Tree made of air dry clay and lots more snow.

I think you can see where the night light is in this shot. It's actually embedded in her body at the top of her in her skirt.

Back On My Feet Again... I Think!

I can't believe that it's been so long since I last posted. Life has taken over. I'm
just trying to keep up. Sometimes I feel like I'm just treading water and can't get up on my feet without being overtaken.

but then...

everything seems alright, and there isn't much that matters. Except...

their smiling faces!

Artistically, I've been somewhat busy. Fenix(see previous posts on this daughter) needs a service dog. She has narcolepsy with cataplexy. It is really presenting some challenges for her daily life, and consequently mine. I don't think there is anything worse then to have your child challenged in ways that you cannot help. Although we have found an organization that might be able to provide a dog for her, it will be some time before we know. It's remarkable what these animals are capable of doing. Here's a link to give you some idea. This dogs name is Adele. Adele was trained by Canine Partners for Life, and believe me, these dogs and the people that train them make a difference in peoples lives. Take a look at their site.

So, what does this have to do with my art? Well, it costs about 15k to train a companion dog, and although most of the organizations provide dogs at no cost, Fenix and I are doing this fund raisers. I need to do something!



I've started making these small pins. Someone suggested that I also make them into necklaces. They are polymer and hand made. I begin each one with the basic heart shape and then build on it.



I have actually grown fond of working on them, and adding the detail to each one. Each one becomes special. This is how I have learned to let my hands do the work of my heart. This way I can contain it.



Something else that I want to bring to your attention is how difficult life has become for those in this country for citizens that suffer any type of disability. The conservative courts have obliterated ADA. Congress has recently held hearings on the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. This new legislation is an attempt by Congress to more clearly define ADA so that the courts cannot as easily use their on "judgement" in determining if they should hear a case. I have included a video of opening remarks of Rob Andrews (D.NJ) made during those hearings.





I really didn't think that I had enough energy left for another cause in this lifetime, but I guess I was wrong. I have begun to circulate a petition and am urging folks to contact there congressmen and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors of this important legislation. I'll be posting more about this later.





That's all for now. And I really think, I'm back up on my feet again,

It's time to dance at the Bloglandia Ball

The MOON is really putting on a show tonight
So that we can dance at the Bloglandia Ball...

And if we can't dance...
At least we can we sleep.

After waiting all this time for the Ball, here I sit at home with a migraine. Just my luck. And I even cleaned the house, rented a limo and practiced dancing. My dress was ready and I had found just the right shoes. Maybe I'll have enough energy to at least go over and peek through the window. The moon, the moon, the moon has come to soothe me. I'll sleep well tonight. Thank you.

New Dolls and A Mermaid almost done

Well, this girl is basically finished. She does need some sort of large shell or even an iceberg from which she can emerge. There are some things about her that I'm not quite settled about yet. Can't put my fingers on it. But when I do I'll feel a lot better about her. The blues have been quite difficult to work... together. I also never was able to find the hair that I wanted.. needed so we settled. One thing that I LOVE is how she sparkles.

Speaking of Sparkles, this little cutie sure does. Believe it or not the fabric came first. Found it in a new shop when I was looking for something else. (Isn't that always the way.) I'm still trying to remember what I was looking for. This was so lushes, I had to have a little bit. So we've been working together--to work it out. She is one that requires sunny days.

I got to try out some new tools. I used a textile tool to burn around the embroidery in the fabric to use for her clothing. I started off with scissors but they weren't as effective. I like tools anyway. This one has an xacto knife you can attach to the end. It gets awfully hot though. Guess how I know that? I'll post a picture so you can see it tomorrow.













And this is Fatima. Her story is still unfolding, but I know that it is about her feet. The miles that they have walked and how they have support her. So I'm paying a lot of attention to them. I had thought about making her a pretty pair of sandals. We shall see. Anyway it's real late now. I need to think about, thinking about sleep. It's been a challenging day.

It Really is Nice to be Nice

"This award will be awarded to those that are just nice people, good blog friends; and to those that inspire good feelings and are an inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support, or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!" I just was nominated for this award from by friend and fellow blogger Venus at Handmade by Venus. Venus is a very talented artist. She creates the most fantastic dolls. What I LOVE about Venus's dolls is that they are not only unique and beautiful, but her craftsmanship is perfection. What I LLOVE about Venus is her big heart. When you visit her blog make sure you read Here comes the Bride and She started as a Fairy. Anyway, Venus nominated me and I get to nominate 5 other bloggers. Thank You, Venus for thinking of me.



I have run across a many very kind and generous people here in the blogging world. People who share their time and talents to support and connect our very large communities. This makes nominating fun and easy The hard part is limiting it to 5 people. But here goes:

Sprite at "Sprite"

Belinda Spiwak at "Crazy Art Girl's Musings"

Marva Plummer-Brun at "Purple Thoughts-Purple Paint"

Sherre Hulbert at "Sherre's Art Zone"

Judi Wellnitz at "Art Dolls:A Journey in Fiber"

Challenging Week - Wonderful Week

Well, I suppose that says it all. But maybe a bit of an explanation might be in order. On Monday, I went with my husband (David) to have surgery on his hand. He has had this surgery before on his right hand, this time he had it on his left. For those of you who don't know David there are a few things that you need to know about him. First of all, he is a catcher (I'm the flyer.); and second he has a very, very, very high tolerance for pain (unlike me). We left the surgery center with a RX for pain medication, which he insisted he would not need (and didn't), so we threw that away!! Imagine a catcher with a hand like this

Add that to the fact that he is a cyclist and you got a caged cat!! I was really hoping to be able to practice my catching skills. But, other then slicing Lebanon Bologna for his sandwiches (not even making the sandwich), and not tightening the toothpaste tube, I wasn't able to do much. Oh well. Luckily the Tour de France is on. It suffices to fill some of the void. If you haven't been watching it is quite a sport. Try in catch it while they are in the mountains. Right now they are in the Alps. Next the Pyrenees Today, at one point, they were traveling at speeds in excess of 40mph on a bicycle. Can you imagine tooling through the Alps at 40 mph on a bicycle? Check out some of the photos. Or try to catch at least one stage of the race which began July 7 in London and will not end until July 29, in Paris. It is being carried live on Versus


I did get to finish my Roxanne doll from Sherry Goshon's class. She was quite a challenge. I ended up having to sculpt a head for her, rather then use Sherry's Luna mold. There were quite a few other little changes that I had to make in order for her to become. So, here she is. I really like her. I also like the technique of wrapping rather then stuffing dolls. It's easier on the hands.





Next week, I'll finish up daughter's collage. I'm waiting for some supplies that I ordered from Lisa's Heaven They are pigments, which provide more intensity of color when mixed with other mediums then things like Pearl Ex. Because I intend to use it with Paverpol and Apoxie, I think they will render a more rich color. I'm also going to try it mixed with Adirondack blending solution. I think that it will provide some interesting effects. I used that solution with some pearlescent chalk on Roxie's face today. I'll post a close up tomorrow. Forgot to take one today

Anyway my garden is becoming more plush. Butterflies have returned to the butterfly bushes and the goldfinch are perching and eating from the cone flowers(a new phenomenon). It's an absolutely beautiful time of the year. I'll also post some garden shots for you tomorrow.

Today was a PhotoShop Kinda Day!

Remember the photos of my garden beauties from the other day? Well today I did some playing around in PhotoShop Elements. And this is what I got. I think that I am going to make some cards from them. Or something. Maybe with some of my dolls...


I couldn't afford Photoshop, but found that I could still have fun with Elements. Layers still works as well as many other features, and it's less then half the price!

My Garden

I never noticed how quickly my garden changes until this year. I've almost missed capturing photographs of some of my favorite flowers. They have really come and gone so quickly. It seems like in years gone by I could enjoy them much longer. Maybe I'm just moving a little slower. My daughter bought me this awesome camera last year. I love it. It's really become an extension of my eyes as well as my memory. Take a look. at these, aren't they beautiful. Later, I'll show what I do with them!