Fun with Senior Portraits

Yesterday it was finally nice enough (warm temps, ground wasn't wet, etc.) to go out and take my younger daughter's senior portraits. I am absolutely hopeless, no matter how much instruction, on taking indoor portraits, so I ironed a huge piece of black canvas and nailed it to the back of the house. At 3:15, the light's perfect, so, voila! My outdoor studio was made. I also had three yards of satin that she used as a drape.

We're not 100% happy with how the formals turned out, but I think this is my favorite. HER favorite is where her hair is hanging over one eye and completely obscuring it, of course, heh.




Back to the black canvas. If you play around with the curves in PSP, it gets rid of any wrinkles you may have missed when you iron. ;)



My front yard turned out to be the perfect carpet and background for this picture.


I took 108 pictures, and we picked out 16 for me to work on. All in all, I'm very happy with how everything turned out, and I saved a bundle of money!

I'll be back tomorrow with outtakes! :D

Mina and Marie Lefage

You will soon learn, as we take this journey through Miss Millificent's family, that many have met a tragic fate. Such fates were met by twelve-year-old twins Mina and Marie Lefage. I cannot speak of the circumstance-- so horrible that the imagery would forever be burned into your brain-- but let me just say it involved ropes with loops, and notes faintly scented with frankincense and sandalwood.




***

I had fun making these dolls. The dresses are made from an old toddler's dress, and the pendants are from some of my old earrings. They're nine inches tall. I'd planned on selling them together, but now I think they'll be sold separately.

New Cakes and Art News

New little cakes are ready for the "Dollhouse Minis" section of my Etsy shop.

Red Flower-topped 1:12 Cake:


Chocolate-Wrapped Cherry Cake: (This is already in my shop)


Petite Pastel Domed Cakes

Both round cakes are approximately the equivalent of ten-inch cakes. The domed cakes are equal to four-inch cakes.

Starting this weekend at Art and Invention Gallery, all my Christmas ornaments and cards will be on sale. I have mini truffles, as well as mini cupcake ornaments. My "Ladies of Leisure" series will also be on the wall, as well as other art. So, if you're in Nashville, stop by! And buy!

I'm also working on two dolls at the moment. Hopefully, they'll be finished on Friday, and ready for Miss Millificent's Mesdamoiselles on Monday. Stay tuned!

And also stay tuned for a very special doll that I hope to unveil after Thanksgiving.

Oh! And I'm very sorry, but those of you who liked my "Trio of Dead Dollies Altered Art Wall Hanging"-- it's on its way to Italy this morning.

November 20 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival: Gobble Gobble

One of the topics for the November 20 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival is: Most countries around the world have a day set aside to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Here in the US, it's Thanksgiving. What do you celebrate wherever you live and how do you celebrate?

It's a big ole honkin' meal- that's how we celebrate. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, biscuits.... the works. My biscuits are a James Beard recipe that I've been using for years. I make a mean sausage-pecan stuffing. My husband always cooks the turkey and green veggies. Usually, it's a midday meal, so everyone has time to veg and pass out in the evening.


This year, my middle sister and her two younguns are joining us-- the next day, they and my daughters are going on a trip to D.C. and NYC for a week, and they all need to be at the airport at about 4:30 in the morning. But I invited my sister for another reason, too. She is separated from her husband, and all through their marriage, she was never "allowed" to make Thanksgiving dinner. They always had to go to his mother's and eat. She always told me how she wished she could make a turkey, so this year, I asked her if she'd like to make the one for our dinner. I can't even tell you how excited she is about this one seemingly little thing. So, with Mr. Calm's help, she'll be baking a small turkey and turkey breast for our dinner.

We also go around the table before eating and tell what we're thankful for. Usually, it's a joking affair, as we aren't comfortable with praying aloud or anything like that, but this year... I don't know. It's been a hard one: we lost one of our beloved longtime pets; and Mr. Calm lost his first stepfather (really, his dad that he grew up with) and his nephew; a kid my daughters were very close to. I think this year we will be thinking about all we've lost, but at the same time, be very thankful for the good times and memories we have of them.

And on that note, I hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey Day. :)

Spring to Fall

Spring...


Fall...

The Bradford pear tree in my front yard, 2009. Taken through the viewfinder of an Argus Seventy-Five.

Monster Mash!

It's a parade of monsters! All the monsters in the Monster Under the Bed Swap are finally up at the Wild at Heart Art blog. A huge thanks goes out to Zan for hosting this. There are so many great monsters-- take the time to check it out.

For those who missed it the first time (I only posted a link back then), here is my monster: Frau Honkerbooger.



And here is the monster I received! This "lovely" was made by Georgina at La Llorona Arts: the Bad Banshee. She's on the old radio by the front door of our house, ready to scream at anyone who walks through the front door.

Introducing Adelaide Aylesworth

Adelaide Aylesworth is another relative of Miss Millificent's: her great-great aunt. As you can tell, her hair is one of her greatest treasures (as is common in the Soddyberry-Aylesworth-Lefage lines). Another is her deceased husband's heart, which is preserved in glass and hangs on a necklace around her neck. There is also a key to her own heart, but as she adored her poor dear husband (felled by an out-of-control hot air balloon one day while kiting), she died alone, despite many suitors.



With her hair, she is sixteen inches in length. Created from polymer clay, acrylics and oil pastels. Her stole and necklace are removable. She'll go on sale tomorrow at Miss Millificent's Mesdamoiselles.

I'll be making two new dolls (much smaller) this week, as well as working on a custom order. Four new little cakes! Have a good week, everyone. :)

Presenting Sally Soddyberry

Did you know that Miss Millificent has a last name? She does, and it's Soddyberry. She also has a large extended family. Her cousin's name is Sally- Sally Soddyberry. Like most others in the family, she marches to her own little beat.



She's approximately eleven inches (approximately because of the hair) high and made from polymer clay, acrylics and oil pastels. Her hair is made from chenille yarn, and her clothes are a combo of cotton and cotton/spandex.* Arms and legs are posable. She'll be on sale later at Miss Millificent's Mesdamoiselles.

*I had no idea until I walked into Goodwill on a dollar day what a wealth of material lies within that store! And the children's/baby clothes are perfect, because the patterns are just the right size.

A Graveyard Jaunt

Ms. Wednesday Wandered and I went on another photo-taking trip yesterday, and it couldn't have been a nicer day: around sixty degrees, sunny, just a little bit of a breeze blowing. Quite the change from the rainy weather we've been having over the last few months. We went to Mount Olivet Cemetery. I used to drive past this cemetery every weekday for about seven years- it was on the way to my daughters' schools. The grounds are huge-- I don't think we even hit a quarter of it.

First we had coffee and breakfast on the steps of a mausoleum. Of course.


I brought a couple of my dolls along for the trip: Melancholy Ballerina, and my Accident Doll from Beth Robinson.


The inscription on this gravestone struck me: A Model Citizen, A Noble Odd Fellow, A Christian Gentleman.


This was on the back stairs of the dilapidated old chapel.


I think this was the one where we said we were going to hell for draping the doll in the statue's arms.


This one probably counts, too.


This was in the section of the graveyard where the nuns are buried. It was so peaceful and beautiful, with a canopy of trees and a little bench for resting.



This is my husband's name... sort of. He actually has a hyphenated first name, but goes by this.


Inside a mausoleum.


I just like this statue.


Ms. WW and I have so much fun on these picture-taking trips. Can't wait to plan where we go next!

Melancholy Ballerina... and Cake

I finished my first fully "jointed" doll. Three days of work, and along the way I discovered the joys of Super Sculpey, which I'll be using solely for dolls from now on.

This is Melancholy Ballerina: with battered and bloodied feet, she is no longer able to dance.




Eleven inches tall. Hair is chenille yarn, and she has loose joints for posing. I'm happy with her- I think she looks like my artwork, don't you?

****

Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Cake with Pink Icing charms:


Chocolate Cake with Pink Icing earrings and charm:


Today's my and Mr. Calm's 18th anniversary. Unfortunately, it was his turn to hurt his back, so I don't think we're doing anything. Tomorrow's Halloween, and I have yet to figure out if we'll get trick or treaters. I'm taking these two days off to rest my eyesies and fingers. Have a good weekend!

Ornies and Dead Dollies

New things coming up for sale soon...

Twin Discarded Dollie Earrings


Snow Girl Ornament: glass beads for 'hair'; cheesecloth and lace ribbon dressing


Snow Boy Ornament


Medusa Ornament: chenille yarn hair; cheesecloth and cotton dress. Movable arms. I may add drops of fake ichor to her dress.


She Sees Stars Ornament: doll hair, cotton and lace ribbon dress, ribbon-wrapped arms. Movable arms.

The ornies will be in another shop...

Stop the Madness!

I had a conversation recently with my husband about all the things I've been doing in the last two-three years. It's a long laundry list: art, photography, loteria and art domino jewelry, bottlecap stuff, cards, ATCs, polymer clay goodies and photo jewelry; and now I've got four almost-completed art doll ornies on my desk and a solid idea for a beautiful art doll. I still have a ton of art that needs to be sold, and the first week of next month, I have an appointment with a local gallery to propose a show for my "Ladies of Leisure" mixed media series.

I guess I should feel happy that I've had so many interests, and that I can do more than one thing. But at the same time, as you can probably guess, it gets overwhelming at times. "I want to do this! But wait, I have to finish THIS!"

The conversation was based on a revelation of mine: I had my daughters young-- I was 19 and 21 when they were born. I spent fifteen years solely taking care of them, and writing. I don't think it was until 2004 or so that I started my Zazzle shop with a little art and graphic design, but it wasn't really until 2007 that I started all the handmade stuff. It's almost as if I'm twenty again, and just discovering what I'm good at. Perhaps now I'm finally living my college years, if that makes sense.

But now I feel I really must STOP with all the tinkering; with looking at craft supplies and thinking, "Ooooo... do I have the money to buy and play with that?" I will always love to draw, and even though I'm in a slump right now, that will pass and I'll come up with something again. I'm very happy with my bakery sweets jewelry, and my little dead dollies, and I can't even tell you the feeling that came over me when I completed my doll for the Monster Under the Bed swap. 'I made this???' I don't mind all the work that goes into them; to say that I don't even mind the sewing shows that I'm loving what I'm doing.

Have any of you gone through this-- a phase where you were trying everything and anything? Not that I'm (probably) going to stop, but is my plate still too full (I think I'm asking myself that more than anyone else)? Is it good for an artist to draw a line in the sand and say, "I'm not going to do anything else but these things!" because of time, money and sanity?

October Featured Etsyblogger: Made by Melissa!

This month's Featured Etsyblogger is Made by Melissa! An engineer by day, Melissa's shop is chock full of original creations at very reasonable prices. Check her out!

Made By Melissa Etsy shop
Made by Melissa blog

ArtDocs

Last Thursday was the ArtDocs Nashville fundraiser. My OD brought her camera (much slimmer and tinier than mine) along.

The entrance to the Arcade.


Whoops! Sideways picture. This is one of the burlesque dancers. I loved her outfit, and she was gracious enough to let OD take her picture.


Me and OD. I guarantee I was happier than I look in this picture. I'm just not particularly a fan of getting my picture taken.


Ha, revenge...


Silent auction items. A herd descended on our table when the auctions were over; thankfully, most people were well-mannered while they waited to be checked out, but one guy just had to "go get some DINNER!"

The doctor who founded ArtDocs had an artist friend who was uninsured. He had stomach pains for several years, but never went to the doctor because he couldn't afford it. When he finally had to go, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. And he died from it. Only 2% of artists actually make a living from their art.

This country is in a crisis. I'm gonna be blunt and say that many people need to get their heads out of their asses, stop listening to the rumormongers and those intent on ruling through fear, and start seeing what's best not only for themselves, but for their loved ones, and have compassion for those they don't know. There are too many people needlessly dying because they're uninsured. WHY would you WANT to deny everyone medical coverage? (that's rhetorical)

I hurt my back in December badly enough to have to go to the emergency room. Sunday, I finished paying off my doctor AND hospital bills. I did it all by myself, with my meager earnings, paying faithfully month-by-month. Guess what? Sunday's the night I hurt my back again. Thank God it wasn't as bad. Thank goodness I still had 800mg Motrin.

Irony's a bitch.

How'd You Get So Dirty?

If you're a cat, here is what happens when you sneak unknown into the fireplace, emerge later covered in black and your parents wonder over and over how you got so filthy (Me: "He looks... sooty!"), then make the mistake of sneaking in there again while your Momma's watching. You may think that putting on an utterly miserable face will save you, but uh-uh, you're gettin' cleaned.


Here is what the other animals in the house say as you're being tortured in the bath:

"SUCKA!!!"

New Website: Wanta Link?

I've been keeping busy and redid my website. I've done it so many times by now (I think this is its fourth or fifth incarnation) that it's pretty breezy, but this time, I really wanted a site that encompassed everything I do, yet keep it separate, and also sell my artwork (by the way, everything on the site is what I have on the walls of my house. I have my own art gallery, you could say). I also asked my husband, a web designer and marketer, for some marketing tips, so he helped out with meta tags-- which I ALWAYS forget-- and a few other little but important things, like easy-to-do galleries.

Anyway, on my Links page, I have the header "Other Etsy Sellers", but I think I'm going to change that to "Other Handmade Artisans", or something like that. If you're an Etsy, Artfire, WinkElf or Dawanda seller, and you'd like your link on my site, let me know in the comments (make sure you leave your address and shop name), and I'll add it!

Thanks, everyone. :)

Nice New Yummies

I hadn't planned on it, but I ended up making some new things for my shop. I actually made a bunch of Christmas ornaments, too, but when all was said and done, I hated them and am starting over today.

Butterfly Cupcakes Charm and Earrings Set


Pretty Pink Flower Cake Ring


Pink Daisy Cupcake Charm Set


Pear Cream Pie Charm

A couple of hints for those of you who might want to start playing around with polymer clay: the whipped cream is white silicone, the kind you can find in a hardware store. You don't even need a decorating tip to make a perfect tiny dollop of cream. And for tiny flowers and butteflies? Use craft paper punches. However, dust the paper punch with cornstarch or powdered sugar before you cut out the clay, just like using flour on cookie cutters. Otherwise, you either have to pick the clay off the punch, or it gets stuck (I found that out the hard way).

These charms will go on sale this week in my Etsy shop.

Etsybloggers October 12 Edition!

Welcome to the October 12, 2009 edition of etsybloggers.

Rainy presents September 25 Blog Carnival: My Studio posted at RainyDayArt.

HomeMadeOriginals presents Hello, this is me in beautiful Jackson Hole, WY posted at Home Made Originals.

PurrPrints presents Halloween memories (and a Halloween cat) posted at PurrPrints: Art, Cats, and Randomness

Jessica presents Hello Halloween! posted at Cut Your Heart Out.

Becky presents What Will You BEE for Halloween? posted at The Fab Miss B.

Melissa Sinisgalli presents Halloween Fun! posted at Made By Melissa.

kate presents EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival posted at Twinkle Toes and Gold Dangles

UberArt presents Blog Carnival: Halloween posted at UberArt Shop.

Vanessa presents Clowning Around posted at Designs by Vanessa.

Two Zany Zebras presents The Funky Pumpkin posted at Two Zany Zebras.

Lily Wrey presents Tulips Talking: etsyBloggers October 9, 2009 Blog Carnival posted at TuLips Talking.

agoodwitchtoo presents A Halloween Wishlist... Part One posted at The Copper Cauldron.

cindy devine presents Etsy Blogger's October 9 blog carnival:Writing for Relief posted at Devine Designs Jewelry.

Ricki Chambers presents Blog Carnival - October Halloween Decor posted at Plush Robot Art Blog.

Laurie Jackson presents Decorating for Halloween posted at Indulge Your Shelf.

Carol J Grand-Cowan presents Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival posted at The Grand Design.

lazytcrochet presents In the Spirit of Things posted at LazyTcrochet.

Beth presents Halloween Kitty posted at Sunshine Daydreamz.

Athena Workman presents October 9 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival: Halloween Decorating! posted at the weblog of artist athena workman.

Jen presents The H. H. and Other Halloween Preparations posted at Mama's Magic.

Linda Pruitt presents Unique Costume posted at Pruitt Handcrafts

Rainy presents Halloween Memories Blog Carnival posted at RainyDayArt.

HomeMadeOriginals presents Halloween Greed--An Admission posted at Home Made Originals.

Judy Nolan presents The best Halloween ever posted at Word Walks.

Now let's go visit our teammates blogs and read this edition of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival!

Little Things...

I was wrong in my last post. We finally got the kitten comfortable enough with us to turn her around, hold her up to the light... and find out she's a little girl YD was going on an erroneous quick peek before). Still no takers on a new home. Here she is last night with my older daughter, nestled into the crook of her shoulder. Other animals' update: Salem, our alpha male, is curious and calm; Ollie is simply terrified and will not get near her; and Pippi the Wonder Dog desperately wants to play with her, but she's having none of that lovin'. Still no answer on what the hermit crabs think.

We had to give her a drop of infant gas formula last night. I Swear, I want to rip my nose off when she lets loose most of the time. And they're audible! I have never heard a cat fart before Friday. And the others of hers are the true definition of SBD.


In other news, I will be finishing up my Christmas ornaments this week. I already have half done (half will be sold online; half in a gallery here in Nashville): very small "chocolate" and "white chocolate" truffles with Christmas designs on them. I also need to make new freebies, so I'll be making banana cream pie charms.

Monsters, Kittens and Awards- Oh, My!

Two days ago, I finished my doll for the "Monster Under the Bed" doll swap, hosted by Zan at the Wild at Heart Art blog. I'm pretty pleased with her. But since the person that she'll be going to occasionally stops by this blog, and I don't want her to see her until she opens up the box, I'll just post a link. Don't follow the link, Georgina! Monster Doll

Also two days ago, we began hearing this horrifically lonely and frightened crying around the neighborhood, on our porch, around our house. Turns out it was a teeny tiny black kitten that looks about six weeks old (although he's malnourished, and may be older). I put out mushed food for him and water, and he ate it, but he was too skittish to catch. We didn't see or hear him from Thursday evening through mid-afternoon Friday, and then we started hearing him again. It sounded like he was out front, but after a couple of hours, we found that he'd somehow gotten into the vent shafts beneath our house, and was directly under our dining room. I tell you, I had awful visions of the fire department coming and tearing out our floor.

We tried little pieces of turkey, and kitten food, and YD started meowing to him, and he began meowing back, and eventually came close enough so she could get him. I was afraid he was feral because of the hissing he'd done, but thank goodness he was just temporarily scared, and has warmed up to us VERY quickly. He loves the pettin' and snugglin'. He also loves our cats, but Salem's the alpha male and a meanie at times, and Ollie's scared of everything, including a tiny kitten that he could sit on and still have room for another cushion (Pippi, on the other hand, LOOOOVES him. Pippi would love my monster doll if it was alive). The best thing is that he's litter-trained.

So, here's the little booger. Looking at the photos, it might look like we're propping him up ala Bernie, but rest assured, he's alive. I was able to get pictures while Mr. Calm was petting him. We have him set up in our bathroom.



Right now, we're trying to find him a good home. I honestly think he was abandoned, and judging by how loud he was, if his momma was around, she would have been able to find him. I'm happy he's out of the rain and now has food and water and a comfy bed.

Lastly, I got an award from the lovely Sonia at the Dark Raven's Nest blog. Thank you, Sonia!



Here are the rules: Answer the questions with only one word, award six people the award and notify them that they won!

Where is your cell phone? desk

Your hair? choppy

Your mother? sad

Your father? sad

Your favorite food? potatoes

Your dream last night? unknown

Your favorite drink? root beer

Your dream/goal? respect

What room are you in? studio

Your hobby? many

Your fear? heights

Where do you want to be in six years? Pennsylvania

Where were you last night? home

Something that you aren't? effusive

Muffins? sometimes

Wish list item: :"Elephant House"

Where did you grow up? WV, FL, TN

Last thing you did: drank coffee

What are you wearing? jammies

Your t.v.? inanimate

Pets? yup

Friends? few

Your life? expectant

Your mood? level

Missing someone? yes

Vehicle? plum

Something you're not wearing? shoes

Your favorite store? nope

Your favorite color? green

Last time you laughed? last night

Last time you cried? Thursday

Your best friend? nope

One place you go over and over? jerry's artarama

One person who emails you repeatedly? alethea

Favorite place to eat: cozymel's

Now I'm supposed to pass it on to six people. I'm sending it with the caveat that you don't have to do the questions, although it was a little fun.

Theresa at TiLT Creations
Erika at NiCO Designs
Sonja at Very Verdant
Carla at Wednesday Wandered
Margaret at Splendid Little Stars
Kelly at busylittleelf

Everyone have a good weekend and hope that we find the kitty a home!