Oye! Everyone! – It has been too long since I updated.  I’ve been doing more reading and watching of anime than crafting lately, so that’s my excuse.  But a few days ago I got a big burr in my side and decided to finish my doll.

Here she is! My husband named her Rosalind.  She is the first doll I have completed.  I hope all of you will tell me what you think!

She is hand sculpted from polymer clay – even the button eyes, body was painted several times, sealed and sanded.  Hair is wool roving.  Clothes are handsewn/stitched by me.  She is jointed at the hips, knees, shoulders and elbows.  ( I might give her a new pair of legs – these seem a bit short and don’t stick out from the dress at all – what do ya’ll think?)

This is a giveaway hosted on another person's blog site - but its so awesome that I had to share it with you all!! So go check it out

 http://www.sparklingreviews.com/2011/10/nook-touch-and-case-giveaway.html

Chance to win a Nook Touch w/ a DecalGirl Skin of your choice and a Green cover.

Hi Folks,
My post is so much weaker than I had wanted it to be – but life interfered with my high hopes to create an awesome post.  Instead – here is a WIP picture of my witchy doll with button eyes.  Her arms and legs aren’t attached yet but soon soon.  Hopefully I will make her a sister to sit along beside her!  See Giveaway info below the photos!!!
Practical Magic has always been one of my favorite movies as soon as I watched it.  I know that it’s a bit silly sometimes but I love it – and it displays the kind of fierce sisterly love that I have for my sister! So here is to some Midnight Margaritas!!

                                                                              

GIVEAWAY NEWS!! - while I am not hosting a giveaway this time around – my sister Rinni over at RINNI’S PLAYGROUND  certainly is! Just click on that big bold lettering and witchy your way over to her blog – that is the direct link to the giveaway post.  She has a super awesome Practical Magic Post going up tomorrow that she has spent a lot of time setting up the photo shoot for so I don’t have the link to that yet – but if you follow her then you’ll see when it does pop up.  I know she’s going to be doing another giveaway during Halloween!

Imagine Rinni the witchy witch brought back her precious pets and this is what they’d look like! Thanks for visiting and now go see Rinni! Or jump back to the main Practical Magic Blog Party post HERE.

Hello my dear duckies – yes, you read that correctly a GIVEAWAY!  My sister Rinni is hosting her very first giveaway of one of her wonderful creations.  They are the creepy yet adorable zombie plush bunnies you see below.  Please hop on over to her blog for your chance to win one!!  Just click on the Rinni's Playground link below!

Rinni’s Playground

I know I’m so slow sometimes getting things done – but I have several projects that are so close to completion!  I plan to finish my first polymer clay doll TODAY!  I was very unmotivated and mopey the few weeks that the hubby was away in Japan that I didn’t touch any of my projects.

Here it is – made with Choma Aetelier paints (that I bought on Dick Blicks - love them they are so workable for acrylic paint, supposedly good for someone who is used to working with oils), Shetland white wool roving for the dandelion fluff balls and some very light blue embroidery floss.  My favorite little guy in the picture is the kitty.  Each of the critters is someone in my family. =)

FYI - folks - Rinni and I are going to be participating in the Practical Magic blog party.  Rinni is going to have a giveaway on her blog.  So if you aren't following Rinni's Playground blog yet you should be! - I've added her etsy shop to my sidebar on blogger.  Perhaps someday I'll list something in her shop since I'm so doubtful I'll ever have time anytime soon to get my own up and running.

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon!

button designed by Tara @ 25 Hour Books

The Bout of Books Read-a-Thon is something fun I thought I'd participate in as my husband is off traveling for business.  August 22nd to August 28th.   Hosted by Amanda @ On a book Bender

So the goal is to read as much as I can whenever I can between 12:00am 8/22 and 11:59pm 8/28.  The pressure is on - eat, read, sleep, read, dream of reading, work, read, more work and read.  There just isn't enough time for reading! I won't even be able to craft this week!  Luckily whenever the hubby is away I tend to lose my drive to create.  I mean I have control of the house - I could make my crafting mess anywhere without being griped at to clean it up - and what do I do? mope around and watch anime and read.

• There will be challenges and giveaways for people that want to join in on the read-a-thon.  Sign ups are on her blog from the linky I posted above.

Books that I plan to read - I'm limiting it to 3 because some girl friends of mine are coming over saturday to hang out and have slumber party like we are 13 again. That is going to be awesome - vegging out, watching chick flicks maybe we'll even turn the whole living room floor into one big pile of comforters, blankets and pillows.  I should break out the ghost story book!

Books currently reading I plan to finish (maybe tonight) this week: (I keep that currently reading widget on my sidebar too)

• Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
• Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse by Ben Templesmith (graphic novel - yes I love comics)

I plan to read any of the following:  - *rifling through the piles of books for another likely candidate*

• Return to Exile by E.J. Patten (advance reader copy - just arrived today!)

• Something from the Nightside (#1) by Simon R. Green
• Fool by Christopher Moore
• Zombies and Shit by Carlton Mellick III (imagine The Hunger Games but with zombies)
• Act of Will by A.J. Hartley

Of course I won't actually be able to fit all of those in this week because I'm rather busy - but hey I'll give it the old heave ho.  I'll just update my progress via my Goodreads profile.  Sometimes I'll pipe up on twitter with the rest of the read-a-thoners with the #boutofbooks hashtag. If I remember I'll post comments to my own blog.

Read read read! Course I'll probably spare some time for my painting or plushies - since I have a view that are almost finished - and I keep promising to myself I'll finish "this weekend" - and I say that every week! But they are almost done I swear!!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2969988/pabkins-attention-deficit-crafting?claim=navn2r8fes5">Follow my blog 

Hi Folks - I know it has been awhile since I've posted an update.  That's because things have been so hectic.  My sister Richelle and my twin nephews were visiting for a few weeks.  The big news is that Richelle has finally opened her Etsy shop!

Rinni's Playground! - Etsy Store
(it is actually spelled rinnisplayground on etsy since they won't let you use apostrophe in your name silly huh?)

So, she was slaving away in the sweat shop while she was visiting, seems to always be the case when we are together, crafting til our eyeballs bleed? ewww and I was her slave minion assistant! So check it out - She has about 8 items up there right now - but there are a lot more that are going to be listed today and this week.  Some dolls and some crazy rats, probably a painting or two.  She is just all over the place.

Here is a photo of Richelle in the sweat shop haha.  The cute little unfinished guy I was holding in my hand is now in her Etsy shop.

We are planning on trying something fun in the upcoming weeks like hosting a giveaway.  Especially since we are both going to participate in a blog party that features one of our favorite movies - Practical Magic!  Haha yes we are crazy.  We are going to grow old and die together....on the same day! Hooray for crazy fierce sisterly love!

See now....This is what I mean by Attention Deficit people - I can't just focus and finish one thing at a time....

Yesterday, even though I posted my Doll Collection and the WIP of my dolls - I was actually pretty sick of the clay that day. I had messed up twice on the torso of the blue eyed larger one the day before and was just not in the mood for the molding madness again.

I wanted something quick and easy I could start - and I had been dreaming of paintings with dandelion fluff - several ideas of paintings along the dandelion theme have been just floating around in my head. 

I was also thinking about about my sister and how much I miss her, my bro-in-law Tom and the twins.  So I went to work sketching a new painting.

Click to enlarge and see it better!!! - Yes those are my toes!

I really should have laid down a nice base coat background before I sketched this - but I just wanted to draw - I didn't want to paint either haha.

I am going to call it - 'Daydreaming of When We'll be Together'
It is going to end up a mixed media painting by the time I'm finished.  Sorry if the picture is hard to see the actual sketch lines!

Each of the little critters catching a ride on one of the balls of dandelion fluff represent one of us. The girl is a self portrait.
Bunny = Rinni
Robot = Tom (her hubs)
Kitty = me
Horned monster = Brandon
Two mini robos on one fluff = the Twins - Ryan & Tyler

I'm so excited to start painting it - and added little embellishments for the floating starburst pieces of fluff that I haven't sketched in. 

*pardon the construction on the blog - I'm hoping to improve the general appearance of the thing! - its definitely a work in progress*

As promised - these are my lovely dolls.  The collection is quickly growing as I started collecting sometime early last year.  I have a tendency to pick up new obsessions and collect things with lots of fervor.

I love these little girls though - because its like having friends around me while I am creating.  I love having company to craft with, especially my sister - but unfortunately she lives two states away - and my other crafty buddy Gosia has a Charlie Monster to take care of.  Richelle and I still do craft together via webcam - its a funny site to see.

So here are the girls as promised - one of them made by Richelle!

Click to enlarge

You can't see it very well - but I love this little miniature couch.  When there is only a few dolls sitting on it - it is so gorgeous.  I'm sure I'll use it in a future photo shoot someday with less dolls covering it. haha.

On the top row from left to right:
CheekieBottoms, the Filigree x2, Evangelione, loopyboopy (sitting on the carousel horse)

Sitting on the couch itself, a knitted octopus made by me. (knitted toys pattern an Amy Gaines book)

On the bottom row from left to right:
Agatha made by Rinni's Playground (my sis richelle), The Doll and the Pea, loopyboopy, (oh goodness I forgot the name of this little troll guy's creator - I will update when I find her business card), SophiaLaLa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the progress I've made on my dolls thus far.  I have 3 "medium" sized heads - 1 small head (in ladoll). 1 head that i like in polymer - she's going to be a creepy button eyed girl.  One of the medium dolls has a funky skeletal structure on her for head wrapping around one eye - she has a torso thus far.  So does the smaller doll.  I'm definitely not exactly happy with these yet - but hey little steps.  I'm thinking Polymer might end up being my doll medium rather than the stone clay - we'll see how it works out.

In the upcoming weeks expect to see a custom doll made for me by Patricia of Papillon Bleu UK. We've named her Bitha and she is almost finished - we both think she ended up looking a bit like me hence the Bitha *chuckles*
Abi Monroe is also making me a custom doll! 

Dolls that I'm also waiting to arrive are:
Eliza made by Evelyn's Wonderland.
A rock my socks off! - Spider Lady made by CuriousBoudoirDolls
Another doll by Evangelione (i just HAD to have another - obsession yes)
A doll ornament named Emie by Karly Perez of CheekieBottoms

Chap lips beg to be licked – which just exacerbates the situation

So perhaps a self portrait (in oils).....and then....some poetry...by me? - sounds questionable to me.

The Ooo Ooo Ah Ah

Her words mirrored a different part of me
A part the weaker me wants to ignore
Truss it up any way you like
It doesn’t change a thing

We indulge those desires within us
That might be better left untried yet true
I can’t say I won’t make the same mistakes
Indeed it’s likely I will

Yes, I’m still young
And – granted - I might not know a thing
This world is so fraught full of potholes
There is no way to avoid them all –

Fall down. It happens, it can be great.
Do what you will but do it with conviction
Take that chance to find new and creative ways
Of picking yourself back up.

I change my mind constantly
About ‘All things are good in moderation’ – they are, they aren’t
No, life is not black and white
I prefer mine in sepia tones

But my thoughts run together at times
Though in this moment I recognize
I truly enjoy those dizzy moments full of unsurety
Any manner of pain reminds us we’re alive
The Ooo Ooo Ah Ah – and I do so love being alive

So pour on the pain – I take it like I take my water
Piping hot enough to scald away my skin
I feel the cleaner from it.
~Tabitha Jensen

--------
Then after the hair grew out....I still need to work on this drawing skills!

*Attention Attention!!*
First I'd like to thank all of you who decided to become a follower.  I'm so excited to have people interested in my blog and what future things I plan to create.  This Mad Tea Party - really encouraged me!

Later this weekend I will posting the lovely girls (dolls) I have collected thus far from other artists.  A few online friends have mentioned they simply must see them.  I love these little dollies and can only hope that someday my own dolls will be just as lovely.  (stay tuned for another WIP update for my dolls - still raw and naked *chuckles*)

I apologize for the late in the day posting - The cubicle work world was holding me hostage.  I hope all of you have been looking forward to it as much as I have!  Thank you again and again for all the lovely comments and encouragement!

If you didn't win this time - no worries there will be more give-aways in the future!

The lucky winner is - Cameron of Paint Myself Pretty.  Once I receive your mailing address I will get your mushroom as well as your additional goodies off in the mail straight away!

Off With Their Heads I Say, Off with their heads!! - in the Spirit of today's Mad Tea Party!!

Here is a few heads that I've sculpted in the wee hour of midnight the night before the tea party (maybe I should have slept instead!).  Except for the white one - that belongs to yesterday's post I just got in the spirit and took her head off her body.

If you have a few moments please visit my sister's newly created blog and consider following her - she creates the most marvelous things! She doesn't have much posted yet but she will be posting alot of her artwork up there in the following days, paintings, sculptures, furniture refinishing, and oodles of plush toys!

Rinni's Playground - Misadventures in Art and Life

Now for my tribute - since today is the Mad Tea Party Blogging Party - I thought it fitting to share pictures of the crafts that my sister, I, my husband Brandon, Gosia and Justin made for my wedding that just took place last month on May 7th.

So sorry you're late!...for what was our very memorable date!

...Be Drawn through the looking glass...to a wedding wonderland of glee...

Do come find your key....hung with hat pins by me.

 To the much awaited day....I'll squeeze through the door...

To such eat me and drink me galore!

We'll follow a mischievous kitty - made by my beloved sister Rinni...

To meet my Madd Hatter...

To the sounds of croquet balls ... click, clack and clatter?

With many a mushroom plumped and stuffed along the way....

We can enjoy our tea all through out the day.

While the caterpillar huffs and puffs...

We can rest and relax a while ....

Before we are sent off in style!

--------------------------------
Thank you for visiting! - and sharing in my special day - I'm still reeling from the magic of it.  I hope you enjoyed the shots of all the things my family and I created for our wedding.

2 Hats made by cousin Justin
2 Pillows by Gosia
a ZILLION! Mushrooms mostly by Richelle with assemblage assistance from me
Hat pins by Tabitha
Kitty by Richelle
booklets by Angie and Tabitha
Cake topper by Lisa Snelling
Caterpillar by Brandon, Grandpa, Justin, Richelle & Nick, Gosia
All Calligraphy items by Richelle
Name Seating board by Richelle and Brandon
Flowers by Jackie's Flowers in Elk Grove, CA

I hope you'll decide to follow and come back again!..

Those who leave a comment will be put into a drawing for one of the hand made plush mushrooms made by my sister and I!  I hope you decide to follow as well!  The Drawing will be held and announced on July 1st!

BONUS - if you decide to follow me and win - then I'll throw in extra goodies!
now now - I know this blog is bare now - but it will be rife with treasure in the near future!!

Beware the jabberwock....


You can jump back to the main party by clicking below.  But for now enjoy your stay! - and thanks for visiting my newly created blog!
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html

This is technically my first attempt at a doll with move-able arms and legs. It is also my first time working with ladoll clay.

I have to admit I was not a happy camper a few nights ago.  It is probably because I don't know all the techniques to working with it (like how to avoid cracks!)  Does one keep the hands more wet or dry? Definitely keeping a bowl close by to wet my hands when necessary. Oh the mis-adventures tee-hee-hee

So here she is.  I made the mistake of posting her on my facebook for friends to see and was greeted with a round of  "thats creepy"... my fault for posting it there before being finished - I'll stick to the blog.  If you are a fellow creator/crafter I'm always welcome to hearing some tips or advice  - because I really am such a newbie!!  None the less I'm having fun with it all.  Of course I still I scour the internet and purchase crafting books.

I have some heads in polymer clay that I'll post tomorrow for the party - I think I sculpt better features in that medium!

I have always loved this music video by Imogen Heap - I think in addition to posting my work I'll always try to be sure to include the things that inspire me.  I have always loved this song - and this video is so beautiful. Heck Imogen Heap is beautiful! This video also reminds me of one of my favorite movies from childhood - that's right folks - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  The scene where she is a windup doll - I have also included that video snippet after the music video.  Enjoy my lovelies!

So the doll based off of this will likely only have arms that move as I plan to attach her to the base.  Look forward to WIP posts in the upcoming future!

I'm often inspired by the drawings of other artists that I run across online.  I personally don't believe I draw very well...I think I'm more suited to bringing those things to the 3rd dimension? Alright maybe not - but I have fun at trying.

This little girl who I named Esme was inspired by a sketch I found online at Deviant Art by Kalta-the-Noble-Mind.

http://kalta-the-noble-mind.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=240#/d167vc9

Unfortunately, I didn't have the armature knowledge at the time to be able to achieve her spider legs (though I tried and failed once) so I just gave her several legs and lots of wiggly tentacle toes!
And here is Esme! - She sits on one of the shelves in my craft room...

So another reason that really kicked me in gear to start this blog - was so that I could sign up for The Mad Tea Party blog party hosted by A fanciful Twist.  It looks like it is going to be so much fun - and she has a beautiful blog and puts so much work into networking all of these wonderful people together.

Here is a link to her blog for all of you to have a look.


http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/

On the day of the Mad Tea Party - I plan on sharing pictures from my recent Wonderland Wedding that took place on May 7, 2011 - yes I only recently got the photos back!!!  Many of the items from the wedding were created by my sister Richelle.  We also had alot of help from my wonderful cousin in law/good friend Gosia, her husband Justin, my husband Brandon and my talented friend Angie.  Oh yes lets not forget Grandpa & Nick haha.

This sculpture / landscape is made from sculpey with some wire armature on the inside of the tree (a pain to make) and inside the little girl.  My camera is rather poopy - perhaps I can trouble Richelle for a better picture someday so you can see all the little details in there.  The porcupine has so many quills that I added one at a time. There is even scribble in the story book - yes its always story time here in my house.  This piece now lives in my sister Richelle's china cabinet.

Welcome to Opening Day of my first Blog!  Forgive me if its bare and not so beautiful to look at.  I am rather hmm...not exactly tech illiterate but definitely not tech savy.  I'm hoping it will improve over the course of the next month or two as I scour the web on ways to improve it.

For the time being I'm hoping to improve my crafting skills instead - they are definitely the priority.  The main purpose of this blog is to chronicle my adventures in crafting.  I definitely have crafting a.d.d.  I have alot of half started, almost finished, no where near finished, and some not even started just barely eggs in my brain projects.  Then don't we all.

I'm hoping someday to get up the nerve to actually post something for sale on Etsy - but I'm just...definitely not ready yet.

This blog also has another purpose!!! By me making this blog I am HOPING *coughs and points North* it will encourage my much more artistic sister Richelle to create her blog and start putting her art out there.  As soon as she does I will link this one over to her.  Heck I think I'll create it for her - blog-jack her so to speak instead of hi-jack.  Then she will have no way of refusing.

To start - here are some of the creations I've made in the past year.  I have some things that are in the WIP stages that I will begin posting as soon as I have more than one or two pictures.

Thanks for reading and I hope to see at least more than one reader *hopes hopes*