PolkadotToadstool

Find me on Facebook!

2011-08-08T16:18:00.002-05:00

Since I'm not good at writing blog posts but I am good at taking pictures of what I'm working on, I decided a Facebook Fan page to post my work in progress pictures would work better for me. So if you want to see what I'm currently working on, head on over and check it out. Thanks!!!!!

Facebook Fan page

Shelf Octopus

2011-07-13T14:51:00.002-05:00

Eight busy arm, my current work in progress - an Octopus.

Coming soon

2011-03-10T10:31:00.004-06:00

Here are some things I have done and haven't gotten the pictures and descriptions done yet in order to get listed. I find photography hard so it takes me a while to get pictures I'm happy with. I'm determined to learn how to do it well though and keep reading photography blogs etc. It just seems I get a different result when I try their advice. Hmmmm, what's up with that, it couldn't be me, right? LOL

Anyway... here's what's coming: A 1:12 poseable wizard doll, two 1:12 magic quill books, two 1:12 scale venetian masks, two square dolls that one can add things to, like a Mr. Potato head, and a flying key.

Faerie Collection

2011-03-06T10:15:00.000-06:00

Fairy Beautiful

Curated By: ShinyCatCreat...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

New listing - Owl Ornie and Dragon Bust

2011-03-06T09:03:00.005-06:00

Two new listings: An Owl Ornie and a Miniature Dragon Bust!

Go To: Owl Ornament Dragon Bust

In Work in Progress news: I need to get some new work in progress pics, because I have some other things in the works. I nearly have the 1:12 scale wizard done. The only thing left to do is to add a bit to his staff. I also started a couple Mini Venetian Masks, those kinds on sticks. And I made these square dolls. They are much different than the type of thing I normally make, but popped into my head one day. I'll get some pics and get them posted.

On the homefront: Lovin' that I'm seeing spring!

Miniature Creature Comforts

2011-03-03T17:43:00.003-06:00

Creature Comforts by the Artfire Miniature Guild

Jumpin' chihuahua

2011-03-02T10:49:00.002-06:00

My little foster chihuahua gets so excited while I'm preparing her dinner. I had to take a video. So cute!!!!! She was rescued out of a puppy mill and was so scared she didn't move for days. I love that she is enjoying life now.

Just had to share the joy! If you want to see her leaping about here's a link. The slow motion part is a must see :)

Eleanor Rigby stars in "Dinner Time"

A little somethin' for the weird at heart

2011-02-28T09:25:00.002-06:00

I'm in a fun treasury! Abby Normals Collection of Normals If you love the wonderfully weird and fun, check it out!

Christmas Past

2011-02-28T09:00:00.003-06:00

Here I am, always on top of my blogging. So much so, I wanted to show you something I made at Christmas time, LOL! I had done a commission job for Christmas ornaments. It was really sweet, her grandfather had handmade her cake stand and her aunt had made her cake. So she had me make ornaments to remember what they had made for her both for herself and as a gift.

Here's how they came out.

Doll who followed me home..

2011-01-19T15:23:00.007-06:00

well, she didn't exactly follow me, but there was certainly some kind of trickery going on from her little creepy cuteness. I was shopping in an antique store the other day and picked up this little doll, she's a bit of a mess (but so am I, I suppose, LOL) and her hair is half rubbed off, but I couldn't put her down. So home she came. I have her sitting with my tea cups and I just love seeing her little face as I walk past.

I added a pair of witchy legs to my Artfire shop and will have a pair for my Etsy shop as well as soon as I get their picture.

On the home front, my sweet german shepherd mix foster dog found a fabulous home. And I have a new foster family member who moved in. Her name is Eleanor Rigby and she was pulled from a puppy mill being shut down. She's a great little dog, and slowly but surely coming out of her shell and exploring her new world and new life.

Wizards and Dragons

2010-11-16T14:41:00.003-06:00

Got a WIP pic! Like little witchy Rockettes, I've got a batch of wicked witch of the East legs started. I need to line them up when they are in their stripy stockings and take a picture, it will be cute. I really enjoyed the Dracula bust so I'm giving another a go. This time I decided to do a dragon head bust. I still need to go back and add texture, but the basic form is done. And I'm coming along on a 1:12th scale wizard. His head and soft sculpted body is done, hands, boots and costuming and he will be ready to perform some magick. And last but certainly not least I sculpted a little own ornament. He's readying for painting.

My idea for a scale Stonehenge is still in the back of my mind, but by the time I scale it down, the little stones would be pretty small, so its moved to the back burner while I consider it.

On the home front: Found my foster dog a home, then he came back. He's a sweet boy, but couldn't get into enjoying the kind of attention that comes from a two year old. He's a little shy and that was a bit overwhelming, so now I know. Older kids only.

And my baby is turning 18 this week. Wow, I can't believe it, I did good, I'm very proud of her. (Patting myself on the back) Here she is, this is her latest video in her new vlog:

Dolls, Minis and Sculpture in red

2010-11-09T12:33:00.001-06:00

I made a collection of dolls minis and sculpture in red on Artfire, I'm slowly but surely learning my way around there.

Dolls, Minis and Sculpture in red

Curated By: PolkadotToads...

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

I'm in the November issue of American Miniaturist!

2010-11-08T17:48:00.004-06:00

Woohoo! I'm in the November issue of American Miniaturist. I know I already said that but this is my first publication, so I can't help but say it twice. It's the steampunk issue so they put this doll in it.

Ruby slippers and a Sale Game

2010-10-14T13:18:00.005-05:00

For starters, I posted a pair of Wicked Witch of the East Legs in my Etsy shop.
In the picture they are sitting on the start of an apothecary. A while back I decided the area I do my sculpting, was just utilitarian and boring, so I decided to jazz it up a bit. After thinking about it, decided I would like it to look like my corner belonged in Harry Potter. I don't know that I'll ever get it looking that cool, but it's already sooo much more fun and inspiring.

On to the sale. I love my Etsy shop even though I don't have tons of time to create new things, it still brings me lots of joy. So I got the idea to up the fun meter and have a sale. Not just a regular sale, but something more of a game. Each day I'm marking an item down by 1%. Today is day 4, so I've got it marked down 4%, not much I know, but tomorrow it will be 5% and so on. I've been having fun going in each day and making the changes.

The item I picked was the Flower with Faerie art doll.

Speaking of sales on Etsy. If you haven't seen it yet, someone came up was a website that posts Etsy items on sale. I wish it had a search box, but it's still pretty cool for a start. It's called Etsy on Sale if you want to check it out.

Blood suckers and sparkly feet

2010-10-04T17:31:00.003-05:00

The Count bust is all done and he is in my Etsy shop. I'm going to make more busts, that was really fun! Haven't decide of who (or is it whom?) yet though. I suppose "whom".... anyway...... I'm finishing up another pair of Wicked Witch of the East Legs. I'm so glad people are enjoying them. The idea came to me when I was looking an an artist rendition of a tornado on the Hi-Fructose Magazine website.

I'm also kicking around the idea of a miniature Stonehenge. My original plan was to do it to scale, but I've been reading to try to figure out exact measurements but I haven't found exact measurements of everything at Stonehenge so that's looking to be a bit of an unrealistic goal, unless I go out there with my tape measurer, so I may just have to come as close as I can.

Mini Dracula Bust - Work in Progress

2010-09-12T16:34:00.002-05:00

Here's a pic of my Dracula head so far. I keep changing him up to see what different things would look like, but I think I'm ready to finish sculpting, clean him up and get this handsome fella in the oven.

Chomp

2010-09-10T17:22:00.002-05:00

I got my Man Eating Plant Stake finished up and listed in my Etsy shop. There was a bit of delay caused by Hermine coming through with tons of rain. I needed some some better weather to finish up and get pictures and it was a beautiful day today.

In the meantime I started working on a miniature bust of Dracula. Didn't have a chance to get pictures of my work in progress today, but hope to get some tomorrow.

Man Eating Plants

2010-09-07T10:26:00.004-05:00

I took a couple pictures of my progress with the Man Eating Plant Stake. All I have left to go, is finishing up the colors and texture on the stake itself and blending into the back of the "flower". Then he will be ready to turn what is now a sweet, docile houseplant into carnivorous beasty.

Kitchen Witch

2010-09-01T15:29:00.004-05:00

On the dolly front, I got my kitchen witch finished up and listed in my Etsy shop. She's 1:12th scale, a wee pinch taller than I had planned since she is 6 inches tall. So she's a tall witch, good for her. :-)

I've been in the mood lately to do more carnivorous plants. It's a weird mood, but one I get once in a while. I'm fascinated by them. Kind of funny, I guess, since I'm a vegetarian. I'm currently working on a plant stake that can turn a regular house plant into a man eating monster! I think I will make another after this one that is small for an African violet. A vicious African Violet is something I can't go through life without seeing.

Other than that.... I'm on my last year of homeschooling as my daughter is a senior this year. It's been so much a part of my life it's going to be weird when I'm done. Been crazy hot here in Texas, but much better than last year so I'll take it.

And lastly, but certainly not leastly, my Foster dog Trump has had all three of his heartworm treatments and came through it very well, he goes in a couple weeks to have a blood test to make sure the treatment got them all, then it's time for that sweet fellow to find the family of his dreams.

Flying things

2010-08-10T12:50:00.004-05:00

Still busy wrapping up the summer activities, and oh my the heat this past week, wowsers!

I have lots of butterflies and set up an aquarium on the back porch for the caterpillars to grow fat and turn into butterflies. It's been fun watching them and seeing them fly away. I sent off a bunch, then I think they came back and laid their eggs because now I have a bunch more! I got some great video of them shedding their skin and turning into their chrysalis and when the butterflies come out. I just need to get it downloaded from my camera.

I've had a bit of time to sculpt and am working on a witch. Here's here head. Right now I have her all done, except costuming. Hoping to find some time this week to get her dressed. I haven't completely decided how I want to dress her.

Once upon a time.....

2010-07-19T13:02:00.006-05:00

I got included in this sweet storybook treasury on Etsy, it's so cute! It was created by Junnie Bug Vintage

Let's see what else. My foster dog Trump started his heartworm treatment and so far so good. He felt bad the first night but appears to be feeling normal, but I'm keeping his life quiet to be on the safe side.

I kept having black swallowtail butterflies lay eggs on my dill plant. I knew there was no way one dill plant could feed all those hungry caterpillars so I moved them into an aquarium to take care of until they are butterflies. So far they have gone through 5 dill plants, 3 fennel plants, and 4 parsley plants. But as of today most have turned into chrysalis. I got some great video of one of them shedding it's skin. It's really cool but a little creepy as well. I'll post it when I get it downloaded from my camera.

In the sculpting world, I've been making more witchy leggies. and starting another dollhouse scale witch. I'll get some pictures, when I have enough done, to show.

I'm baaaaaaack

2010-06-29T16:23:00.002-05:00

Long time, no blogging for me. Every year about this time, life gets a little crazy with trips and my daughter's theater and I just have can't keep up. But the suit cases are unpacked, I'm all caught up and caught my breath and am ready to get back to playing in clay. I miss you squishy clay!

In other news..... I took in a foster dog named Trump. He had been wandering around the countryside on his own until he found his way to Spanish Oak Hunt Club & Kennel in Thrall, Texas. He was very underweight and heartworm positive. He's put on 10 pounds and will be starting treatment for his heartworms as soon as I drum up the $$.

I made a short video of him

The aliens have landed

2010-06-03T18:05:00.004-05:00

Etsy Team MIDS (Miniatures in dollhouse scale) did a challenge last month to create a miniature alien. Come see the result and vote for your favorite. I have an alien in there, but it's secret which is mine until after the contest.

Team Mids Blog

My Mother's Day Gift

2010-05-15T21:23:00.009-05:00

For Mother's Day I wanted to finally get in all the doors and windows for my house. I ordered them early so they would be here for Mother's Day and I could spend my day getting them all installed.

Fortunately, the house's previous owner had cut most of the windows to the size I needed. I did have to cut a different size for the front door, the attic window, and I put a door on the third floor as I am going to add on a balcony.

I got them all cut and just stuck in there and the house is already looking so much better. I'm excited to see it with doors and windows. It gives it a whole new life. I got the kind of windows that could open and close and the attic windows swing out.

I started the painting, at least on the outside of the windows and doors, but not the inside yet. I have everything sitting there so when we are watching TV shows I like I can paint. I also realized I forgot to buy the door knobs and I'll need to go back and clean up the paint I got on the glass.

And just because ---- here's a picture of my little dog Tink sleeping in her hammock with her tongue hanging out.

I love toads

2010-05-07T13:39:00.004-05:00

For the last few nights the toads have been "singing" really loudly. Out looking for love I guess, because, today while cleaning my pond I found a happy toad couple and their strands of pearly babies.

One is the Loneliest Number Treasury

2010-05-05T20:21:00.003-05:00

My sad clown was put into a treasury about Loneliness. To me some of the loneliest times are in a big crowd. It's a beautiful treasury and I'd like to thank Creations by Eileen for including me in it.

Fairy and witch hand

2010-05-04T09:20:00.004-05:00

ADO's Spring Enchantment Challenge has come to an end and I made it in the nick of time getting my Fairy with the Caterpillar done. Next in my dolly world, I'm ready to get started on an Alice and Wonderland doll. I'm still not entirely sure what I want to do, I have so many ideas, I can't decide what to settle on.

In the mini world, I got in 12 windows and two doors for my big doll house which I'm excited about because then I start getting to the pretty stuff which is more fun for me than the building part.

Team MIDS (Miniatures in Doll House scale) is doing an Alien Challenge this month which sounds like fun so I'm going to make a mini alien. So far, I got his eye made.

Recently I inherited some minis from a family member and in there was a little red apple. So I made the witch's hand from Snow White to hold that little apple. I put it in my Etsy shop, but I really like it and am going to make one for myself as well.

Faerie and Caterpillar Update

2010-04-07T16:12:00.005-05:00

I've made it further on my faerie and caterpillar art doll. I'm feeling a peacock influence costuming for her. The timing for a faerie is good as this month the ADO (Art Dolls Only Team) is doing a Spring Enchantment challenge. I just have to get this one done before the end of the month.

The quarterly ADO is Alice in Wonderland. I've made a couple dolls with the Alice in Wonderland theme as it's one of my favorites. I just haven't decided which character or scene I want to do. There are so many good choices, it's not a matter of thinking of one, it's a matter of narrowing it down to one.

What do you wish to accomplish?

2010-03-31T09:16:00.003-05:00

It's Wishcasting Wednesday!
Question: What do I wish to accomplish?

Wow, that's a big question, my mind started with all the many many answers that I have. How could I narrow down such a list. There are so many things for my home and family, so many things for my art, hobbies and spirit, so many things for my dog training. Hmmmm... what to pick.

Then it came to me.... what I need is to accomplish is a plan. A personal calendar that has more then just my outside appointments, but a calendar for myself, where I can prioritize and block out time for those things I wish to accomplish.

So my wish this week is that I accomplish either finding or creating an inspiring calendar for my appointments with myself.

What do you wish to accomplish? Check out Jamie Ridler Studios' Wishcasting Wednesday

Monkey from my garden. Isn't he a cutie pie?

Who's in my back yard? Squirrels

2010-03-30T11:18:00.006-05:00

I adore the squirrels that come to my feeders. I know some people try to keep them away and I do see why. They completely ate through the ropes and destroyed the hammock my husband and daughter got me for Mother's day. However, I have to admit I enjoyed watching them turn my hammock into nesting material just as much as I enjoyed laying in the hammock. I think the squirrels that visit me are grey squirrels.

I brought in some wisteria that is blooming outside, it smells so pretty!

WIP and The Thirteeth Tale

2010-03-27T09:27:00.005-05:00

Still working on the faerie on the toadstool. I'm thrilled with how the toadstool came out. And I'm starting to get some ideas of what she is going to wear and how to do her hair. I'm thinking right now about sculpting the top part of her outfit right onto her body.

I also wanted to give my thumbs up to the the book The Thirteenth Tale. I'm a big fan of gothic novels and loved this book. If you liked Jane Eyre and other gothics with those dark family secrets give this book a try. For me it started out just a we bit slow, but in no time at all I had to know what was happening next. And best of all each time I tried to guess what was going to happen, I was wrong, there are lots of twist and turns and unexpecteds.

Follow blogs?

2010-03-21T12:27:00.004-05:00

..... and use Firefox?

I just discovered Firefox's Feedly! I love it! It feeds all my rss feeds, blogs, twitter etc. to one place and displays them in a pretty magazine format. And the best thing was that it was easy.

If you're looking for a way to read your blogs and such in a easier pretty way check it out. http://www.feedly.com/

Starting a new faerie

2010-03-17T10:51:00.003-05:00

I've gotten started on a new faerie. So far I only have the head done minus the ears and got started on a toadstool for her to sit on. I found these wood spindles and thought they may look cool as a mushroom base. So far I like it.

As for the faerie, I haven't entirely decided which way I'm going to go with her. I'm thinking about making a woolly caterpillar to go with her. But I'm not sure if I can get it to look right. I think before I finish sculpting her, I'll try making a caterpillar and see if that's going to work.

Construction zone

2010-03-16T14:22:00.010-05:00

Well it took me nearly a year, but I finally started working on my 4 story doll house. I had gotten it on Craigs list and the family that made it did a wonderful job, it's built out of heavy plywood and is a tank. At first I was going to add on to it because I was afraid I would fill it up to fast and not have any rooms left to play in. But houses are multiplying around here and now I have three houses to finish so that fear is no longer there.

Plus, I recently inherited some really pretty miniatures for the yard so I decided instead to build up the gardens. So on the side of the house where there was a window, I got a framed glass door that will lead out to some stairs down onto a patio.

One of the reasons I had hesitated so on working on the house was a fear that I would mess it up when I cut into it because it. But I got out my saw and decided to go for it. After all if I messed it up, I could just fix it, right?

And look I did it!!!! I have to admit that I was proud of myself. The door actually fit properly in the hole I cut! I did some damage to the siding but I'll deal with that little detail later.

Next step, making stairs and doing some shopping for some lattice and porch railing.

Easter Giveaway by Magical Holiday Artists on Etsy

2010-03-16T13:44:00.001-05:00

Check out this terrific giveaway that the Magical Holiday Artists on Etsy are doing. Just look at all those cute things. I'm entering to try to win, come and join me :-)

Here's the blog address:

http://magicalholidayartists.blogspot.com/2010/03/mha-spring-easter-basket-giveaway.html

The flowers are comin'

2010-03-12T12:28:00.004-06:00

Yay, I'm loving that spring is here! My pear trees look so pretty and I know the rest of the flowers are going to be coming soon!

Colors

2010-03-10T14:11:00.003-06:00

I found a website that I have to share. If you love colors and not only what "in" but what will be "in" in the future, you should check the Fashion trendsetter - color trends website.

What's for dinner

2010-03-07T10:13:00.006-06:00

Am I the only one who struggles with "What's for Dinner?" The question is in my head from the moment I get up in the morning until I've come up with an answer. All to often I give up and we go out to eat, which of course simply changes the question to "Where should we go?"

So I'm determined to make it easier - have a plan.So I actually made a list this past week and made only 1 trip to the grocery store, which is huge, I usually run there every day or two.

I actually love to cook and like my food better than most restaurants. However, I love to do lots of things so I don't always have the time or energy for much cooking so most nights I want something fast. My family is mostly vegetarian (not vegan) (hubby = meat eater). We eat fairly healthy, but not super healthy.

Anyway, here's the list I made for the week, just in case you need some dinner ideas, maybe there is something that there that sounds good to you and it can ease some of your burden by answering that elusive "What's for Dinner?" question.

* BLTs (Made with Morning Star bacon), chips and fruit

* Black beans and rice, plantains, and Avocado Salad

Used lots of Goya products here. To make the black beans, I just heat and stir
in Goya Sofrito, used the frozen Goya plantains, Avocado Salad: Avacado,
tomato, lime juice, salt, pepper, parsley (or cilantro)

* Pasta salad and fruit

Pasta Salad, add whatever you want to the pasta, veggies, nuts, cheese, toss
with a store bought salad dressing or something homemade like some olive oil,
red wine vinegar and salt and pepper.

* French Onion Soup with the toasted french bread and swiss cheese, and salad

I use the Lipton Beefy Onion Mix Soup Mix. Did you know there was no "beefy"
in beefy onion soup?

* Veggie fried noodles, fried tempeh, salad with Ginger Dressing

Since I already had rice planned this week I decided to fry vermacelli noodles
instead. I use peanut oil, fry and chop up some egg, fry some chopped up
veggies (I used red pepper, snow peas, and carrots) add in the cooked noodles
and I like to fry them until there are crispy area, add in some soy sauce and
a splash of cooking wine.

* Pierogies and salad

I was going through some of the recipes my grandma had saved and noticed she
had saved a lot of pierogi recipes so I decided to give one a try. The one we
tried was filled with cabbage and cream cheese. They came out good and
everyone liked them. These did take a long time to make and made a big mess
in the kitchen, but it was fun to try something new from scratch.

Now I'm off to make my list for next week and go to the grocery store - my reward - going out to dinner at Iron Cactus :-) (I have a Groupon)

I didn't take any pictures of food, so I'll post a picture of a doll I found at the Austin Antique Mall this past week.

Essie's dolls

2010-03-05T10:55:00.003-06:00

I am so fortunate to be friends and team members with so many amazing doll, miniature, and other artists that I decided to share some of their incredible work with you.

I'm starting with Vanessie because I was looking at her dolls this morning and there is something about them that makes me want to keep looking. I'm not sure what that something is, but I'm fascinated. Not only are they beautifully created but each has an untold story that one can see at first glance.

See more of Essie dolls on her website.

The General Store

2010-03-03T13:02:00.006-06:00

Long time no bloggin' for me. Things have been a hopping around here with our family activities and my parents coming to visit for awhile, but now I'm getting back to business.

When my parents drove down from Indiana they brought with them a 1:12th scale General Store that is being passed to me from another family member. She had done an amazing job collecting zillions of little items for the store, those are all boxed up and it's going to take some time for me to get that all sorted through.

The store is in wonderful shape, really sturdy and strong, it needs a few minor repairs, like the front doors have come off their hinges. And it needs some cleaning up from being in storage, but that's it.

The doll of the elderly gentleman that I just made looks so cute with the General Store, I think he is going to have to stay at my house and run it. I'm thinking of making him a wife and letting her have an area of the store for her own shop.

ADO Team Etsy Treasury

2010-01-10T17:51:00.003-06:00

ADO Team Etsy Treasury
"Rosy Cheeks - A splash of red from the ADO Team"
by An Angel at my Table

Dr. Suess and a Sweet Grandpa

2010-01-08T12:24:00.002-06:00

So, I discovered yesterday, that I have about 17 projects started. I'm going to try, yep, try, to at least get one of them finished before starting a new one. Here's the two I'm determined to get finished up next. One is a 1:12th scale grandpa type doll house doll and the other is a Dr. Suess inspired flower.

First try at half inch scale

2010-01-07T11:40:00.001-06:00

I did it! After saying for a year I was going to try a 1:24th scale doll, I actually did it. Geesh, it's tiny. But it was fun, I want to make more, but admit it's going to take some getting used to. I started making a half inch room / display box. I can certainly see the benefits if this smaller scale and the amount of space a display takes up, as the 2 (about to be 3) one inch scale houses I have take up a fair amount of space.

Here she is!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

2009-12-27T11:19:00.003-06:00

I'm not generally a zombie fan. Having had a baby sitter that enjoyed watching the Creature Feature on TV, and one evening of The Night of the Living Dead, had me fearing Zombies for a good 10 years. I couldn't dare having a bit of me sticking out from my blankets at night, even though I have no idea where I got the idea that Zombies couldn't get past blankets.

During my teen years, when the sequels for Night of the Living Dead started coming out, I did over come my Zombie fears and even enjoyed a good Zombie movie, however as I aged, I guess I outgrew Zombies...... until now.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was such a fun book. I enjoy Jane Austin's humor in the first place as she gently tells stories of all kinds of trouble that can come from the Victorian manners of her time. But when you add in the contrast of the Zombies, it was just too fun!

Imagine Mr. Darcy suggesting he take care of the zombies who broke into Mr. Bingley's ball and killed the servants who were preparing the desserts, and Elizabeth getting offended that he is insulting her warrior skills, when Mr. Darcy, in his proud way, advising her that he was merely considering her gown and that she may not want to go back to the ball with it soiled. Ha Ha I loved it.

I listened to it on audio, while doing my chores, and I have to say I loved the audio because the person who read it was good and her British accent was like the cherry on top. However, it did cause me to miss, what I understand, are some interesting illustrations in the book, so I'll have to go look at them the next time I'm in Barnes and Noble.

Christmas activities

2009-12-26T09:40:00.004-06:00

I guess we aren't a very traditional family. I was having a big craving for Egg Foo Yung, and when I mentioned it, the rest of my family said they were as well and we decided to make it for Christmas dinner. I had never made it before, but it was actually pretty easy and turned out yummy.

Then we went to see Santaland Diaries at Zach Scott Theater. It was funny.

When all the festivities were settled, I went straight to my art desk for some sculpting. I'm working on making my first 1/24th scale doll and a 1/12th scale elderly man. Here's the man's head. Nothing like a Christmas with heads baking in the oven. I think I like him bald and may leave him that way.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T11:32:00.002-06:00

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, that is just the kick off to a great new year! (Pic- my feline buddy, Matilda a/k/a Tilly)

Santa's got a brand new face

2009-12-22T10:41:00.003-06:00

Santa's got his new face and is back home with his family just in time for Christmas. After sculpting his face, I got him painted, and reattached his glasses and beard that came from the face that had gotten broken.

My Little Red Bird

2009-12-20T21:03:00.002-06:00

I want to thank Glenda (Etsy's WinterGarden) for including my Red Bird sculpture in her ByHand Spotlight

My sweet Amelia

2009-12-20T11:39:00.004-06:00

Meet my kitty Amelia. She's the sweetest girl ever. I adopted her from Central Texas SPCA several years ago. She's probably about 7 years old, I don't know for sure, and she just a tiny little thing weighing only 6 pounds. Before she came to live with me she lived outdoors and was found hanging out with a feral colony, so her ears are a little tattered and her teeth broken, but it doesn't take from what a beautiful girl she is. She so gentle in her ways, she reminds me of a little white bunny.

Santa Progress

2009-12-19T17:04:00.002-06:00

I have the face sculpted for the Santa I'm repairing. I used Paperclay. At first I was going to use polymer clay so it would be more like the original face, but than the nightmare of having to bake a fully costumed Santa came to mind. Since he was a store bought Santa I have no idea what's inside him and if he would melt into Blob Santa or be toxic when heated. I'm so glad I thought of it before I was having to remember this year as the once where I was having to scrape a burned Santa from my oven for Christmas.

My Chinese Lanterns

2009-12-17T10:17:00.003-06:00

Last year our family took a trip to Orlando and we went to Dr. Suess Landing at Universal, where it was like walking through the illustrations of a Dr. Suess book. I really liked the feeling of all the bright colors and shapes and decided my house needed a little Suessifying. Though not in a real Suess way, I set out to take home decor a little less seriously, and brighten my world with things that amuse me.

I found this little vintage table in an antique store and painted it orange, hung Chinese Lanterns from Pier One, and the bouquet in the vase is a button and puzzle bouquet from Etsy seller TracybDesigns. Here's the her picture of the bouquet I had gotten from her

Miniature Display Boxes

2009-12-16T10:25:00.004-06:00

Check out these little boxes I found at Hobby Lobby. I put hangers on the back and painted them white. Now I can display some of my minis while I'm waiting until I get my house done. I think they're cute and I got 4 total but only have two of them painted. They are in the unfinished wood area and cost $5.99, but don't forget most of the time you can print out a 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby's website!

Have yourself a mini little Christmas

2009-12-15T12:33:00.002-06:00

Check out Team MIDS (Miniatures In Dollhouse Scales) Christmas slide show on their blog or see the sugary goodness of the display of miniature gingerbread houses on their website!

Miniatures in Dollhouse Scales Blog
Miniatures in Dollhouse Scales Website

Ouch, Santa, that had to hurt

2009-12-14T15:51:00.004-06:00

A friend's Santa had somehow fallen from a ledge and had his face broken. I'm guessing he had a little help from a feline scrooge :-) I couldn't bear to see his busted out face still wearing his little glasses, so I took him home to sculpt him a new face.

The picture here is after I had taken off his beard and such and pulled back his costuming. At first I was going to use polymer clay and try to protect his costuming from baking, but later decided it would be safer to use an air dry clay, like Paper clay,

So after removing all the broken pieces of clay and adding some support to a crack across the back of his head with apoxie clay, I built his structure back out using tightly pressed foil hot glue.

I know the picture is blurry, but while I was working on him my cat, Tilly, was laying across my neck, which is where she often lays while I work.

ADO Elf Challenge

2009-12-11T13:08:00.002-06:00

ADO has just announced the Dec/Jan Mini monthly challenge as "Elves"

Through the rest of December and into the first part of January, expect to see some fun elf themed dolls from the Art Dolls Only Etsy Street team.

Some elves have all ready started arriving. If you would like to see the Elf themed dolls check out the ADO Squidoo page.

There are also pictures there from the Vampire challenge and the Foreign Objects challeng

Lil White mouse

2009-12-10T21:45:00.002-06:00

I guess there is something about Christmas that makes me want to make little white mice. I made one the same time last year. I sculpted him from polymer clay and flocked him with a bit of fuzz

Theater costuming

2009-12-09T17:20:00.005-06:00

I may have gone for a while without posting in my blog, but I've actually been hard at work. I had to take some time off from sculpting to do some sewing. My daughter is in two productions for Easy Theater Austin and I have been busy making costumes.

Here are her costumes for the play Beyond Tolerance which she will be doing in February. My daughter did all the costume designs and I did the sewing and mask making. Actually, I loved the mask I had made for her so much, I made another similar one to put in my Etsy shop.

I put in a little yellow arrow in the cast pic so you could see which was my daughter, but I also wanted you to see the whole cast together, because they really are great group of young actors and actresses.

Christmas !

2009-12-08T10:18:00.004-06:00

I just saw a reminder that there are only 16 more days until Christmas. I don't know how it manages to sneak up on me each year, despite my plans the year before to plan ahead.

The decorations are all up, and things are looking sparkly, and the cinnamon simmering potpourri is making it smell all yummy. So I'm well on my way

Here's my Christmas Tree, which I can't seem to get a good picture of, and that kitty you see in picture is Pip, he has great expectations. And it appears today he expects to bat at the tree ornaments. That's OK, always happy to provide him some entertainment.

Ker-splat to my Website

2009-12-06T20:23:00.002-06:00

Woops, I slipped on something of a computer banana peel. See... I had these ideas of changes to make to my website, and I did the research (obviously not enough), went in and made some changes, and.....well.... slip, plop, klunk! I broke my website! and, I have no idea how to fix it. I think it's fallen and can't get up. So, for now it's just going to be out of commission until I get it figured out.

Brrrrrrrr

2009-12-05T17:24:00.002-06:00

I guess it's getting me in that Christmas spirit, but brrrrrrr, snow in Austin, Tx so early is just crazy! Snow here is fairly rare in the first place, but this early in winter is even stranger yet, and I admit it was fun to watch. Since I don't get to see snow that often now that I live in Texas I was a bit mesmerized by watching it float and swirl through the air.

1:12 Scale little girl is done.

2009-09-11T14:16:00.003-05:00

Well, I was supposed to be going to Austin Dog Alliance's Paws in the Park event tomorrow and at one point doing a talk about calming one's dog down. But it got postponed due to rain. That makes me happy because after an extreme two year drought rain is a wonderful thing, even if it did cause a change in my plans. But since I had an unexpected change in my day, I was able to finish up and get pictures of my new little doll.

The Clowns are coming!

2009-09-10T20:29:00.004-05:00

I know for some people that's a scary thought, I guess they can be a little weird. But this is announcing the Art Dolls Only Team's September/October challenge to make a clown.

I started a clown a few months ago and this would give me great reason to get back to work on him. I've really enjoyed what I've gotten done so far, so the question is now - will I get him done before the challenge is over...... (cliffhanger)

Little girl

2009-09-05T14:51:00.003-05:00

I have been working this past week on my first little girl in 1:12 scale. I'm anxious to see what she looks like with hair. I think I'm also going to have her in a hat.

2009-08-26T11:46:00.005-05:00

I did it! I got my ADO Halloween Challenge projects done with plenty of time to spare. Woop Woop. The 1:12 scale dollhouse witch is borrowing the witches from MacBeth's cauldron which I made for the Shakespeare challenge. I will be posting them when that event is over.

Halloween House

2009-08-25T17:55:00.007-05:00

I got a used dollhouse that I want to turn into a Halloween House and after way to long deliberating on how to paint it, I jumped in today. First I had to pry off the hearts and flowers and take off some trim. I want to use the trim from this house on a different house, besides it seemed kind of large to me and certainly not at all halloweeny.

Sometime I don't what's wrong with me, when I grabed the steak knife to pry off the stuff off the house, I knew it was a bad idea. That little voice said "go get a screw driver, this is a bad idea". But did I? Of course not, even though I waited for months to start - at that moment, I felt like there wasn't a second to spare. Well, I'm sure you see where this is going, the knife slipped and I stabbed myself right into the palm of my other hand. Fortunately, it was the meaty part of my palm, so some Neosporin and bandages and I was back in business and on my way to the garage for a screwdriver.

This is what I got done today.

ADO Halloween Challenge Update

2009-08-24T20:30:00.004-05:00

Oh my goodness, some of the coolest pieces are coming out of ADO's Halloween challenge, I can't wait to see when it's all done.

I did get my ghost done, but need to try some more pictures tomorrow, the only picture I liked doesn't show the whole thing. And I got my poseable dollhouse witch put together and am in the middle of costuming. I hope to find time tonight to finish her dress.

2009-08-22T20:36:00.002-05:00

The ADO Team is having a Mini Challenge, regarding the theme of "Emotions"

I created The Queen of Hearts, screaming "off with their heads". So I guess my emotion is "crazed"

Halloween WIPS

2009-08-22T15:06:00.004-05:00

I have a couple of works in progress for Halloween, because of all the detailing of my Queen of Hearts doll I was in the mood to do something larger, so I started a ghostie. I'm almost done, just have some cleaning up, painting and details to get finished. It's also been to long since I made any doll house dolls so I started one that will be a witch. I'm still wanting to make some 1:24th scale dolls but this one is going to be 1:12th scale.

ADO Halloween Challenge

2009-08-22T13:26:00.002-05:00

Art Dolls Only is running a Halloween Challenge, I'm sure as they become available, work in progress pictures will be showing up in the ADO Blog

Teddy Bear

2009-04-15T22:20:00.004-05:00

This week I made this little Teddy Bear from polymer clay and flocked with with wool sheered from a baby alpaca. He's supposed to look like a flopped down much loved teddy bear.

My Mom saved my teddy bear from child hood, he doesn't look like this one though. He's lime green and yellow. I remember my Dad brought him home and put him in my bed while I was sleeping so I would find him in the morning. At the time (and still today) I was a big Winnie the Pooh fan, so I named him Pooh bear which eventually just got shortened to "P".

Here's my little doll house teddy bear:

Starting my new Blog

2009-04-12T13:24:00.001-05:00

I'm starting a new Blog here on Blogger to give me some more flexibility

While, I'm building over here, here's a link to my past blog:

http://polkadottoadstool.mycdhm.com/