Queen of Hearts - Work in Progress

Another mad dash in to say hi! I hope you have a wonderful day. Here's a queen of hearts doll that was converted from a flower head doll I wanted to do last year. I think I will get this one done.
Yes, I do have more than one project going on. It's too hard to get the easel set up in the kitchen. When I came home yesterday I tried to make myself available for chatting with my mother-in-law while I sculpted, but she has been reading a book she couldn't put down. I did make some progress on this though. So glad it's warmer today, so I don't have to be in my studio downstairs freezing my fandango off! Have a great day!

I'm on the Creative Paperclay Design Team!

I have been so remiss in making this announcement! I was chosen to be on the Creative Paperclay design team for the next few months, and there's been so much going on I haven't posted this as I should, so here I am now, sharing the exciting news! I am looking forward to testing new products, and challenging myself to new heights, or lows....lol. We shall see what happens, but what ever may come, I know this will be a fun and growth promoting experience. You can follow us at Creative Paperclay Blog to see the rest of the team, and the fun new projects for you to try out.

Monday's Mad Dash.....

 I only have a moment to run in, post and take off to do other "stuff", but the 3 queens are finally done! Once I put their little felt dots on their stands, sign them and carefully wrap them up, I can get them on their way to Australia where the Queen of Hearts is waiting amongst a bevvy of cats and I'm sure other delightful creations.

 I've already started on a fish sculpture for a gallery in Oregon, and need to do some catch up for other opportunities before I make my weekly run in to the in-laws. It sure feels good to get these ladies done.

You know that you should never say never, but I really would love to say I will never commission so many pieces at one time again, at least at this juncture in my life, but then I'm a glutton for a challenge or punishment, however you choose to look at it. I wouldn't mind doing another set of these, on my own time, as I can see some possibilities for changes. It's always that way though isn't it? You start on  a project, and before you know it, ideas are whirling around in your head while you are trying to focus on the task at hand. Well, now to the other things I've got to do....have a great Monday all!

Tonight's movie special wips.....

Sometimes I start a project, just to see if I can do it, and then it sits there unfinished like a story waiting to be written. Such is the case with the doll you see to the left. I created the head about 3 years ago, when I first started sculpting. I antiqued and crackled him to give him that aged look, and there he sat, no body, no limbs, no clothes....months went by and I would look at him and try to envision him with a Little Lord Fauntleroy style suit, or perhaps a little boy in bibs, and I just couldn't quite get inspired. He has a somewhat forlorn look to him, and although I know I had something in mind when I first started on him, apparently it didn't quite make the grade because I can't even remember what I had planned originally. Valentines Day has really inspired me this year, so much so that I can see this little man pining away for his lost love perhaps..... the rest of the story will be shared when he is finished....

So I had so much fun watching Ever After last night and working on my little fool that I decided to continue with him and an ornament while watching another movie tonight. What to watch is the dilemma hmmmmmm... Shadowlands? Maybe, but then there's The Other Side of Heaven, or perhaps The Shop Around the Corner, or maybe Silas Marner.... any way I go I can't lose....hope you're having a great weekend....taa taa!

Queen of Hearts Doll

 A new Queen of Hearts to start the new year off right. She's looking for a new kingdom to reign in as she has grown bored with her current location.

 She's asked her personal maid to get out her best gown, complete with dotted swiss, embroidered flowers, and layers of sheer tulle under skirt.

 Many of her elements are hand created, with careful attention to detail. We wouldn't want to make the Queen mad you know.

Stop by my ebay listing to learn more about her. Search AHA art.

Two Heads.....WIPS

I left my sanding block at home so these fellows will have to wait on that before I can continue with them. A Santa and a snowman that will have to make their debut another time. What's the delay? Baking, wrapping gifts, helping friends, dinners, and well.... just life can be the roadblock or the slight delay depending on your mindset. So I'm preferring to look at it as a slight delay, and thus perhaps turn them into more than I'd originally planned. These will both be dolls which is exciting for me. I've always wanted to create a Santa doll so I'm taking the time to do it. What are you working on right now, or have you set aside creativity for the holidays?

Traveling Doll WIP for PWGL

My second attempt at a cloth and clay doll. She has been a lot of fun to create, so I will have to make more.

I hand painted the petals on her so that she could have a two tone look. She will hang as well as sit. You can see more of her at our PWGL blog. She will be on her way shortly to be dressed and readied for our charity auction. As always, thanks for stopping by!
As an addition to this I really need to give credit where it is due. Annie of Chickadee Primitives created the doll body, and Susan of Prim and Proper Folks will be dressing this doll.  Take a moment to stop by and see what these talented ladies do. Thanks!

Two WIP's

The journey continues as I work on the traveling doll for PWGL. I have now finished the clay portion of my work. I need to clean her up and get the petals created for her head.

I'm trying something new to enter into the art show in Oregon. Doesn't look much like a horse head yet, but I am slowly getting there. I had no idea it would be so difficult, but this is a challenge I've wanted to do for a while. I've already made some changes to the sides of the cheeks, and created the nostrils, which was no small feat. Working with a plastic horse and photos as my models has been interesting. Check back as there's more to come shortly!

Traveling Doll WIP for PWGL

Sculpting is such a relaxing activity, I wish I had discovered it a long time ago.  I continue on with this doll nervously, because I've never been involved in a joint venture like this. As I've tried to make both eyes and sides of the mouth look the same, I had a bit of a vision of God or one of His angels sitting sculpting the next face to be born.

Have you ever considered that we came from a mold or a combination of facial styles that are part of a portfolio of faces? Has anyone ever said that you resemble a certain actor or singer or someone famous? Way back in the early 80's people used to say I looked like Melissa Manchester. When I look at photos of her now I see how refined her nose is compared to mine, her teeth are prettier, and well, we certainly didn't age the same.

I was also compared to Barbara Streisand lol!!!!! Really? Well okay, back then I had the same hair style she did. Well, it's off to fix a bottle and get some work done....have a great day...

Traveling Doll WIP for PWGL

The Prim & Whimsy Girls decided to create a traveling doll for charity so I signed up to be on the line up. I'm finding that dolls are a lot of fun to create! This doll came to me already put together and my part is to add the facial features and petals as she will be a flower head doll, plus paint those as well as the hands/arms and feet. I was so impressed with the body that Annie of Chickadee Primitives put together! Don't you just love the leaf hands? The next photo of my progress will show the boots with the curly toes.
I started my journey with this doll by mashing and spreading very wet paper clay onto the head. I did a thin layer so the clay would dry. Then to round out the head a bit I also added a piece of crumpled foil to the top and layered over more clay. This is the photo before the addition of clay on top so her head is still a little squat. I will share the next one soon. When this dries I will test for firmness and stability. If all seems good I will start adding the facial features. I think I will probably add one more layer of clay though before that just to make sure. Check back to see how this doll evolves.
Oh, the charity we chose was suggested by Pam Gracia. United Through Reading is an organization dedicated to to unite families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud together. Thank you for stopping by today. :-)