Hope in the Heart of Darkness

Happy Halloweeny Christmas!

2011-12-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of Holidays! I just couldn't get too far away from my Halloween-inspired art! LOL! This little ACEO is currently listed on eBay until Dec 30th. Click here to view all the details.

Tucker II

2011-11-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

I rarely repeat any of my creations, but a few years ago I sculpted the first Tucker, the tuckered-out angel, and felt it was time to create another. Just gazing at him is so calming. He makes me want to take a wee nap.

I will be listing this little guy on eBay right after Thanksgiving.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-11-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Reluctantly leaving Halloween behind for a bit, I have begun to explore some Holiday images. I will be listing ornaments like this on eBay soon.

Hello Winter!

2011-11-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

We woke to about 6 inches of fluffy snow this morning. Such a beautiful sight that I just had to share.
Enjoy!

BOOtique Updates are Happening

2011-08-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hello there! I wanted to share a few of my items that are currently in the Artistic Halloween Queen's BOOtique for August.
This a a great site for all things Halloween.

Check out all the artists' offerings by clicking here!
Happy Halloween!!

What's Up?

2011-07-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA for a while, that's true. For some time now I have known that I needed to work on my studio. I am blessed to have a large space where I can create, but after a couple of years it had gotten too cluttered and messy. So, this early Spring I decided that I would re-create the studio space into a fun & organized place.

I am happy to say that I have accomplished 85% of what I wanted so far. Of course, as the space came together I was itching to get back to creating art and it wasn't too long before I just couldn't stop myself. So, I have a little more to finish, but one of the best things added to my studio is this picture rail! My hubby made it out of some beautiful light colored wood. I had planned on painting it up (of course!) but the wood is so nice I just couldn't cover it. I just painted up the supports and made some knob medallions to customize & personalize it. I love seeing this wall with my Halloween art collection. It is the first wall you see when entering the studio. Perfect welcome!! Some of the pieces are mine and most are from other Halloween artists.

Oh, and yes!... that is a group of tutu crinolines hanging in the middle. I so rarely wear them anymore anyway!

Thanks for visiting!

Shark!

2011-04-03T17:07:00.001-07:00

Just when you thought it was safe to get back into sewing!...

This is another of my handmade pin cushions. Made out of hand-dyed wool, this one is large!

Current on eBay, click here to view all the details! Thanks for visiting!

Spring! Yea!!!

2011-03-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

I have been spending the Winter hand dyeing and felting wool. I love to work with wool -- it dyes the most beautiful colors and sews like a dream.
I have been creating pin cushions. Some with Halloween themes, of course, but lately they are definitely sweeter.

This one is called "Pond". It is made of hand dyed wool, a handmade dragonfly, and lots of embroidered bugs.
It is currently on eBay until Sunday, March 27th. If you are interested in my auction, please click here. I would LOVE to have you visit.

I am sooo ready for Spring! Winter doesn't seem to want to end here in my mountain valley. We have had snow this week and more forecast, but I saw a buttercup on one of the slopes 3 days ago! This gives me hope and fills me with joy!

Happy Spring Everyone!

The Winter Witch

2010-12-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I thought I would share a few pictures of my Winter Witch for this year. She is just over 12" high, costumed in wool, has a tiny owl on her staff, and holds out a lantern as she peers out into the snow. Brrr....

It's THAT time of year!

2010-10-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

Just to catch you all up on what I have been doing I thought I would show a few of my more recent Copic ACEOs. I do enjoy working with Copic markers, the key is to find the best paper(s). The color's hue and saturation is greatly affected by the paper used. If you find the perfect paper -- what a dream!

If you are interested is visiting the eBay auction for the top one here "Little Witchlet", click here.

Thanks for visiting my blog and Happy Halloween!

Okay... I HAVE been productive

2010-08-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hello again! After my last post, well... all my bent-up productivity broke free. I have been creating my little Halloween art.

Thought I would post a few pictures of the results.

Thanks for looking!!

Pardonnez Moi

2010-07-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Shame on me! I have been away from posting for way too long.

No excuses -- none -- but I do feel I should offer an explanation.

I took a trip to Europe and I fell in love with Paris. Thanks to the Icelandic volcano I got to stay a bit longer than planned.

Such a beautiful city... truly, stunningly magnificent. The Parisians were a bit unpleasant and haughty and so I decided to become one for a day.

I don't smoke, but to complete the transformation, I made little rolled up paper pretend cigarettes and colored the end and placed them in a discarded Galouse wrapper. The beret was borrowed from my sister, who joined me in adopting the Parisian attitude for the day.
Anyway, back to the explanation...
I came back from Paris a changed person and I don't understand why. I have been in a creative funk ever since my return. I just don't feel creative or inspired. My husband says my desire to create art will come back someday, but I wonder...
... maybe I need another visit to Paris to search for my muse. I think she left me, became a Parisian herself and stayed there. And, I don't blame her!

A Couple of Sneak Peeks...

2010-02-28T16:13:00.000-08:00

I, and a bunch of my very talented Halloween artistic friends, will be debuting a new Halloween Art marketplace around the stroke of midnight tonight. It is the Halloween Queen's Castle Bootique. This is my first venture outside eBay, I am pretty excited!

I am so excited that I just have to show a tiny peek at one of my two artworks.

I really hope you will join us in our Grand Opening tonight!

Thanks for peeking!

Copics - I can't stop!

2010-01-29T13:55:00.000-08:00

Hello, again. This is just a quick post to share glimpses of what I have been busy doing lately.

Yup, more Copic marker ACEOs. I really love these alcohol ink markers now. In fact, after I finish this post, I am going to try coloring on some fabric!

Truly, I cannot stop. Is there an Alcohol Inks Anonymous? ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Copics Witch

2010-01-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

I have been busy playing with my new Copic markers, again. I wanted to try them in my ACEO artwork, which is why I finally bit the bullet and ordered them last month. I am really liking them, especially since my last order for additional colors was the Original Copics -- these come with a fine tip instead of the brush tip.

So, in case some of you are interested in Copics, I thought I would share a few tips from me, a new user.

First, Copics are expensive. So before you buy, I suggest you go to YouTube and type Copics in the search box. I learned alot there about how to best blend and color.

Second, through trial and error I learned that Verithin Prismacolor pencils work well with Copics. They don't seem to be disolved by the alcohol inks so you can draw lightly first, cover with Copics (which are transparent color), and then add additional Prismacolor pencil on top. My only cautions are that you use only Verithin under Copics. You can use the softer Prismacolor pencils over Copics once they are dry (quick drying) if you do not intend to add additional color with your markers in that area. The softer Prismacolors will smear and could stain your Copic tips.

Third, I have found the paper that works best for my artwork. It was available at Paper Zone stores (not sure if it still is, sorry). It is called Conquerer CX22 Diamond White Cover Sub 118.3# 42.51M. It is super smooth, has a nice stiffness/weight, and is relatively inexpensive. I bought a box of 200 8.5"x11" sheets a few years ago for just over 15 cents a sheet. This box should last me a lifetime.

Fourth, I currently own about 30 Copic Sketch and 12 Copic Original markers. I have nearly every color I need, but there are about 5 more I wish I had. At about $4.50 each, you can see that this is a serious expenditure, so choose your colors wisely. A mix of very, very light and their darker shades in the primary colors, plus the same in earthtones and grays should give you a good starting set.

These are just my opinions/observations so far -- freely given, but not guaranteed :-).

My latest ACEO witch shown above is titled "Hobbles" and will be on eBay tonight. If you wish to view the auction... click here.

Channeling Cindy Lou Who from Whoville

2010-01-04T15:00:00.001-08:00

I headed out to shovel the walkways and decks this morning, but my hair wouldn't stay under my jacket hood. I gave myself a very high ponytail and felt just like Cindy Lou Who from Whoville (from How the Grinch Stole Christmas). This backlit shot shows it in all it's spikey glory. Now, I am afraid to take in down since it has become kind of set. Think I'll wear it this way all day. LOL!
Of course, now I see hairdos everywhere and felt that the walkway lights had on pompadours!

Hope you are having a good hair day and remember the lesson from Whoville...

it's not what you get that brings happiness, it's having friends and family.
Oh, and a good roast beast helps. ;-)

Exploring something new - Copic Markers

2009-12-17T16:10:00.001-08:00

It all started a few months ago.

I saw a YouTube video tutorial showing Copic markers. Copic are alcohol-based markers used most recently by Manga artists in graphic novels, but scrapbookers and stampers have been using them for a few years now.The above doodle is my first attempt at using Copics. I used the wrong paper, but finished the piece in less than 2 hours.

If you are at all familiar with my work, you know I like to work with colored pencils and ink. However, I frequently have wanted to be able to fill in areas with saturated color without having to apply many light applications of pencil and risk burnishing too soon. Even though I work small -- tiny really -- my finished pieces took many hours.

I have another order in for more Copic markers already. I really like them!

My Personal Holiday Card - Ho Ho Ho

2009-12-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

For the past several years I have been hand-making my holiday cards. Thanks to a super crafty sister, who introduced me to card making and to what materials to use, I have all the supplies in my art studio -- the most important one being GLiTtEr!!! I truly love to glitter, so every holiday card has some glitter added to it before it ever leaves my house.

This year I started with something different and very traditional.

I hand painted this tiny miniature of Santa. The painting is only 3.75" x 2.50"

I placed it in this vintage ornate metal frame.

Then, I scanned the completed assemblage and used my editing program to change the color of the frame. This was really fun and it was difficult to decide on just one color!...

... so (of course) I chose two.

The frame part was then finished with glitter in a tiny bit of gold and a lot of white-ish clear.

I think this is my favorite holiday card... so far, that is.

Happy Holidays!

It's True

2009-11-22T14:05:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! Sorry, I have been a bad girl... blog-wise lately. My only excuse is that I have been super busy with way too many holiday art ideas.

One of my eBay art groups, BWBA (Because We Believe - ART) is having a First Anniversary celebration and a big ornie giveaway drawing on their blog. I've placed a button to the right that will link you to the blogsite. There you can get the details and view all the ornies that will be given away soon.

Below, is a peek at the ornie I made for the giveaway. She is a tiny miniature original art piece that I have placed in a 3" diameter vintage ebony wood disk. I created a table-top stand for her, but she also can be hung if desired.**********

I also completed another bat ornie. He is currently listed on eBay. This one, a Chihuahua, is probably going to be the last one for this year. Too many other holiday ideas and not enough time to complete them!

Ay Carumba and Happy Thanksgiving!

I've gone batty...

2009-10-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

This Halloween season I have been stitching bats. Lots and lots of bats! I've shown you a few of the previous ones in prior posts here. This current bat has to be one of my favorites...

so far.

I call him Frank N. Bat. He carries a banner that says "BwaHaHaa" and he can be hung either from his little blackened toes or upright. Frank even has the required neck bolts that Dr. Frankenstein suggested might be helpful ;-)

He is currently up for auction on eBay. Click here if you are curious.

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I have continued to create ACEOs this year, too. These are tiny artworks and one thing I have discovered about myself is that I love working small. ACEOs are only 2.5" x 3.5" in size. Like I said... tiny.

I have 2 ACEOs current up for auction on eBay this week.
This one can be viewed by clicking here.

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Click here for viewing this one.

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Thanks for visiting! I need to get back to work, so bye for now!

Oh so busy!

2009-09-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

I have been stitching and drawing --- trying to get a few things created for Halloween.

Halloween is my most favorite holiday when it comes to making art pieces.

Recently, I have been making BATS! These are soft wool hanging ornies and true to their nature, most can hang upright or from their toes. I handsew them and even hand-dye the wool yarn I use to embroider and embellish them.

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And, then of course, I name them. You are looking at Mr. Cal C. Um here. He is currently up for bid on eBay. Click here to see more pictures and details.

Lastly, I got out the Prismacolor pencils, inks, and paper the other day and created the first ACEO I have made in well over a year. ACEOs are very small - they measure just 2.5" x 3.5"

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She is on eBay too. Click here if you're curious!

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Thanks for visiting.

I've been busy creating

2009-09-08T11:01:00.001-07:00

I have spending delightful amounts of time in my studio finishing some of the WIPs from previous posts. Feels good!

I even managed to list these finished pieces on eBay this week.

Please check them out by clicking on the links to see all the details.

The Madder Hatter

to see his details, click here.

My 1st ever witch sculpture from a couple of years ago. I decided to list her on eBay this Halloween season. For more pix and to read about her, click here.

And, lastly for now...

Hector the Spector.

To see him and read his sorry tale, click here.

*****

I am going to list this little guy soon. He is my Cheshire Bat, another from the Malice in Wonderland theme.

Sneek peek...

Now, back to work. Thanks for visiting!

A little Bat Ornie

2009-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I share a picture of this little bat ornie that I made for a Halloween swap I am taking part in. It is made from wool, Grungeboard, Lutradur, beads, paper, inks, wire, and embroidery. The bat body measures about 5" with a wingspan of about 7" -- the whole thing measures about 10" from the hanger attached to his toes to the bottom of his banner.

He was so fun to make, I have started on another. This next one is planned to be a Cheshire Bat for the Malice in Wonderland challenge, if all goes well!

Malice WIP Update

2009-08-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Just another little peek at my Mad Hatter. This time he has his paint job, but I am still working on him and it is still early in the process. Anything can happen!

Malice in Wonderland WIP

2009-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick peek at the Mad Hatter I am working on for the AHQU group theme for August. We are creating a slightly different version of Alice in Wonderland -- developing the characters' darker sides - for Malice in Wonderland. I am working on creating a sculpt of the Mad Hatter a number of years later.

This peek is just the beginning and very early in the project.

Enjoy!

Hector the Specter

2009-07-30T14:30:00.001-07:00

I am so pleased to introduce Hector-the-Specter. He has been a long time coming mostly due to the fact that I am incredibly slow with my artworks. I MUST have been a lady of leisure in a previous life because when I am creating, time has no meaning except for cocktail hour and dinner, of course ;-)

So, poor Hector was a disembodied face for about 4 months. He would occasionally gape at me from the workbench and grumble that I should get busy with finishing him.

Hector is about 12 inches long from the wisp of his noggin' to the bottom of his ectoplasm. He wears a heavy chain of regrets that keep him from passing-over.

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Now, this ornie just needs a hanger fashioned and Hector will be ready for an eBay auction in August, just in time for the Halloween season.

Time for a Make-over & Something New

2009-07-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately!

I have been busy, busy, busy -- and during all this busyness I managed to complete this punchneedle of a Pink Elephant. Hundreds of millions of tiny punches (okay, maybe just a bit of an exaggeration - LOL) with a floss-loaded needle are necessary to create these highly textured designs.

I created this design and worked this 4" X 6" punchneedle to compete in a challenge by one of my eBay art groups. It is a bit of a departure for me and a bit too cute for my usual creations of witches, Jack-o-Lanterns, skulls, bad birdies, etc., but it was fun just the same.

You may have also noticed that I changed my blog design and banner. I was only going to create a new banner that was more "generic" but I just couldn't stop there. Make-overs are good sometimes.

I hope you like the changes.

Time to share!

2009-06-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

I was given a blog award and I must share it with you!

Here are the official STEPS of this Award:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.Thank you so much, Susie Jefferson!
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.Done.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.Only too happy to do that for Susie! You will love her blog!
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.Okay, check below.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.They're down below, too.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.{hope I do that correctly! They are fabulous blogs!}
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.Yep, will do.

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7 Little known things about me...
*I'm ambidextrous. Draw and write with the left hand, do everything else with the right hand or both.
*I live in paradise -- not only my surroundings, but a state of mind.
*I ride a Catrike (the low 3 wheel cycle, not at all like the childhood ones).
*I love to play Scrabble and therefore, I know some pretty weird words.
*I don't have a television by choice. {I do watch some shows on-line late at night through!}
*I am a volunteer librarian.
*I eat rhubarb nearly every day - all year long.

7 Blogs I Nominate:

Witch Hollow Primitives
Heather is not only totally creative, but she is versatile and charming. Oh, and she is the nicest person ever and puts together a beautiful blog.

Skeleton in My Closet
Even though Josie would like to have an award-free blog zone, I am going to send this award her way. She is just too talented, a bit twisted, and very busy with her blogs, art groups, work, and sculpts. I couldn't leave her out, she is a major inspiration to me.

PieCaKe PRiMiTiVeS
Lorraine is one busy and amazingly quick sew-ster! She creates charming soft dolls for all the holidays with a definite personal style. They are sweet and her blog has the most lovely photos of her creations.

Octoberfarm
This is one of the most interesting blogs I have ever visited. Jaz not only posts the most beautiful photos of her surroundings, but she has an amazing collection of rare {and rarely seen} witch treasures AND she cooks, too! You will be transfixed and hungry after visiting her blog!

Paint_Misbehavin
Witty and wise and covered in paint -- that is our Paint {yep, that's her name, too}. Fairly new to blogging but not to creating some wonderful Halloween themed artworks. Her primitive paintings of extra-large moons set in the nightsky are simply breath-taking!

Lisa Lectura Creations
Lisa's blog was one of the first blogs I ever visited... and she got me hooked. Lisa is very versatile - working with fabric, paint, stitches, wax, and embellishments. Her blog will make you feel calm and blessed, I know that's how I feel with every visit.

Light and Shadow Studio
Tammy is a complete phenomenon! Her signature art pieces are the happiest beaming moons ever, but that is just the tip of her "iceberg". She sculpts and carves ornies that are highly collected and snapped up nearly before the paint is dry! Her blog is a wonderful showcase -- don't miss it.

I wish I could have listed all of my favorites, but that would have taken me all year!!!

Thanks again, Susie, for this award, your supportive and kind words, and your willingness to share.

with fondness, Karen

Happy 1st Birthday, Pink Saturday!

2009-05-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

What would Saturdays be like if Beverly, How Sweet The Sound, hadn't started and then invited others to join in to make our Saturdays PINK? She could have choosen any color, but PINK is the ultimate happy color - blissful, sweet, fun, and joyous - all together in one pretty tint.

Now, she tells us that it has been one year since others joined in spreading PINKdom. So I am posting this picture above from June Hoffman's book on Eggeury in celebration {PINKed up a bit for the occasion} and am pretending that the figure in the egg is Beverly!

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Next, I found this 1920's vintage sheet music recently. Just couldn't pass it up!

Words to wise.

Here are the lyrics, by Al Dubin & Irving Kahal...

****

People who gossip are people who lie,

so try to keep out of their way.

Many a girl saw her happiness die

'cause someone had too much to say.

Homes have been broken and hearts filled with pain

by stories that shouldn't be told.

Dreams have been dreamed and then shattered in vain

before a new scandal grows old.

chorus

If you can't tell the world she's a good little girl

then just say nothing at all,

who cares what she once used to be

as long as she's sorry she needs sympathy.

Don't give away what you know of her life

someday she may make a wonderful wife

If you can't tell the world she's a good little girl,

then just say nothing at all.
****

{Oh my, I sure hope she's sorry, or has a good attorney! LOL}

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Lastly, just a note of thanks to you for visiting and to Beverly our hostess.

Happy PINK Saturday, and many more!

It's good to be Queen...

2009-05-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

... and here is why!

I am so happy I joined in this swap. A small group of us decided that we would make personalized crowns for our swap recipient. Ooooo Lucky Me!!!

Jamie of Peach Street Primitives is a very versatile and talented artist. Jamie made this amazing crown for me. She worked very hard on it, using extremely hot tools to construct this beautifully regal confection using wire, glass, beads, images, and letters.

I have to say, it not only fits like a dream, but she captured my queenliness to perfection. She spelled out "Artful Queen Madame K" around the rim.

Humbleness is hearby banished! So, sayth the Queen.

Thank you, Jamie!!

I finished something!

2009-05-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

I am just so glad that I finished up the skull from a previous recent post. He came together rather quickly but his finishing touches took longer than I had imaged... way longer!

In case you didn't catch it from the two pictures, his eyes move and he has a surprise gag that was a simple idea, but took me forever to create. I thought I would be able to purchase something that would do this gag, but nooooo!

I had to engineer the whole thing because I just couldn't let the gag die. Kind of like this little skellie clown.
For more details and to discover what this gag is click on this link.

BoneZo the clown.

heheheheheeee

What We All Want -- Our Own Custom Crowns!

2009-05-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am involved in a fun swap with a group of talented women. We decided that we needed to make something that was fun, quick, used materials from our supply stashes, and would be relatively easy to ship. Why not make custom crowns??

The artist I was to make a custom crown for is Tammy Strum. If you are unfamiliar with this popular artist you can see some of her pieces at Light and Shadow Studios. She is well-known for her whimsical moon sculptures and ornies.
How lucky for me that I had such an easy assignment! Of course there would have to be a moon, stars, and sparkles. I even got to sculpt a moon for the front piece - in Tammy's signature style - and gave this little moon its own crown and rhinestone eyes. Then, got out my glitter, my sequins, my pom-poms, and tinsels.

After I made it I still had almost 2 weeks to "test" wear it - LOL - around my art studio. It fit me soooo well.

Of course, the time came that I had to send it on to Tammy for whom I had made it. She has let me know that it arrived, so I can now share pictures with you.

The artist that is making my custom crown has let me know that she is trying something different (after all, it is for me and I am a bit different!) and will be mailing it soon. Ohhh... I can hardly wait!

My noggin is feeling a little naked.

Things Don't Always Turn Out Like You Plan - WIP

2009-04-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Remember the previous post? How I mentioned that the buzzards were coming back and I just happened to have sculpted a buzzard head?

Because I was inspired to "just get on with it" and finish the little guy, I sculpted his body from some different clay - a new type for me. The next morning, I found my buzzards body had lots of deep cracks all over it!

****** YIKES! ******

A really good look at the cracks below.

My husband mentioned that the cracks were actually a pretty cool effect. Hmmm... he was right. With a different subject this would be really great.

So, I turned the body upside down and around. Voila! It was a perfect skull shape. The cracks looked good now.

I added some more of that good ole' cracking clay and sculpted the skull features. Oh yeah! Happy again.

Now, I am not at all goth or dark or creepy in my real life. A skull had appeal to me but only if I could give it a fun twist. A clown idea emerged when I stuck a red bead on his missing nose cavity.

He kinda looks like me, too. Oh yeah, happy again.

I will post some pictures soon of my totally finished skellie clown, Bonezo.
BTW, I understand some people are skeered of clowns. If you aren't too chicken, check back soon!

It Must be Spring... The Turkey Vultures have Arrived!

2009-04-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

So, okay... I know that most of you don't look for the return of the turkey vultures to signal that warmer weather is ahead, but in my little high country valley, they are a sure sign that Winter is over.

Now, this story gets a little eerie later on -- you'll see.

Just last week I had some Apoxie Sculpt left over from sculpting an element for a crown I was making for a swap piece. Without really thinking, I just sculpted this little vulture head. {side note: it appears that I am stuck on birds lately... Rocko Peep was my last sculpt before the crown}

Obviously, he is still in the WIP stage.

I think Mr. Buzz Ard needs a hat. Here are three options from my costume wardrobe. I am leaning toward the top hat at the moment and must decide before finishing the rest of Mr. Ard's body.

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Number 1... I call this the duffer or dude hat.

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Number 2... The top hat.

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Number 3... the wizard hat.

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Now, this is the eerie, weird part. About 5 days after I sculpted Mr. Buzz Ard's little head these three real turkey vultures showed up on my property. Never in the six years I have lived here have turkey vultures been spotted anywhere on the property -- they are down the road, usually soaring over some carrion in an open field. These are BIG birds, the cottonwood tree they are roosting in is over 90 feet tall.

So, I have to wonder... what were they looking at and why were they visiting me and Mr. Buzz Ard?

Hmmm............?

Just a Smiley

2009-04-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

While out for a trike ride the other day we happened upon this small guy on a fence post. Just about the size of a golf ball, made of styrofoam, with wild "hair", and having a few pock marks (thanks to the snowplow and sanding trucks), he could still give us his happy smile.

So, if he can do it - you can do it, too.

Have a Smiley day!

Flowers, Flowers Everwhere!

2009-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

Oh, I have been yearning for flowers and color! So much so that I have been obsessively making them myself - helping Mother Nature along.

Here in our snowy mountain valley we were still getting snow last week. But I can feel Spring coming.

For some reason I have been busy making Yo-Yos most of the Winter. Yo-Yos just make me happy, I guess. Not knowing what I was going to do with them didn't seem to matter either. I just knew that I would be using them in some joyful way eventually.

Last weekend I just happened into a wonderful quilt shop in Leavenworth, Washington. They had beautiful displays of finished projects and most of them had puffy fabric flowers appliqued on somewhere.

Oh my heart!! (I think I may have swooned a bit.)

I bought the template to make the 2.5" wide ruched flowers on the spot. This is such an easy project.

Now, all my many (many!!) Yo-Yos are keeping company with these ruched flowers. And, most importantly I have a finished project in mind for them.

Mother Nature - not to be outdone! - got busy around my house. Finally! The crocuses that used to be around an apple tree in my own Mother's yard last year, are blooming for the first time in my flower beds. They are just starting and I am so grateful for the color.

I think I feel another swoon coming on!

He was a bad egg...

2009-03-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

Yep, he was a bad egg and never got a break. Meet Rocko Peep - born to a single mother with too many chicks and to a father that was more interested in strutting around with the "ladies".

*******

Rocko is a sculpt that I just listed on eBay tonight. He is my entry into a challenge one of my eBay groups have for Eerie Equinox or Strange Spring. There is so much more to Rocko's story. I wrote a whole morality tale for this auction and I wonder if I had more fun writing about Rocko or sculpting him. My eBay seller's id is idrawpix if you want to check him out, read his story, and learn from his mistakes (lol). I am so new to blogging that I don't know how to make a link to the auction, yet. This may take you there... but I make no guarantee, sorry!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260381360972

Rocko was fun to work on, but I still have that bunny head staring at me from the workbench... now what to do with him....mmmmmmmm......what's that you say, Rocko? Oh! I couldn't!!

Another Pink Saturday

2009-03-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

I am loving these Pink Saturdays! And, even though I am still new to this feature - it's only my second Saturday - I am so much more aware of the Pink all around me now. If you want to learn more about this weekly confection, please check out the banner to the right. It takes you to Beverly's blog - How Sweet the Sound - and explains it all.

When I first spotted this vintage sheet music cover, I knew it would be perfect for Pink Saturday. Not only do I love that it is Pink, but the title - No Can Do - and her haughty expression are just my style... not to mention the Tutti-Frutti hat! As Carmen Miranda would sing... I Yi Yi Yi Yi / Chica Chica Boom!

Happy Pink Saturday everyone!

Renewal and Rebirth

2009-03-20T15:31:00.001-07:00

Just a quick post to wish everyone a very Happy 1st Day of Spring! I know I am ready for the change of season, the warming days, the renewal and rebirth of nature.

This is one of my favorite family photos. It is of my Mother as a young teen up in their apple tree. Sadly, we lost both of them this last year -- my Mother and the tree.

However, life goes on - renewal and rebirth - it will just be without them this year. I am comforted to see that nature shows us that we don't live in the past and that life keeps marching along... and what a beautiful march it can be!

Wishing you a wonderful Spring!

My First Pink Saturday!

2009-03-14T01:15:00.000-07:00

Oooo... I am so excited to be participating in my First (!) Pink Saturday. I'm still fairly new to blogging and just stumbled upon this weekly feature about a month ago. If you are unfamiliar with Pink Saturday, check out the button to the right and Beverly of How Sweet the Sound will fill in all the details. I can't be certain, but I think all that pink inspired me to rescue and revive this cast-off treasure into a fancy, french-ish pinkeep - which is also my first pinkeep.

Originally a brunette with a ponytail, she transformed into Marie Antoinette after a couple of hours on my worktable. I only intended to sew the pinkeep to fill-in her vase area with stuffing and fabric and ruffles.

Well, you know how it is... That saucy, sweet expression complete with fan! She just had to have a wig... and not just any wig, but one with flowers and birds and a wee blue streak. What is it about Marie that inspired her wig makers then and continues to inspired us today to spend way too much time on such whimsey? And, oh yes, this is a wig and removable. I just couldn't bring myself to glue anything.
She apparently had a hard life before I rescued her - poor dear - she is a bit fragile. I did apply some Hard As Nails adhesive to the inside of the vase to strenghten the old repairs done by her former owner. She does have all her parts, though, which the real Marie ultimately did not. She's not perfect, but that seems appropriate for this Marie (as does the Hard As Nails).

Thanks for visiting!

Still busy and getting nowhere

2009-02-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

I don't think the cat make-do would approve.

Geez... I just can't seem to get anywhere with my projects right now. The rabbit is still unfinished because I have become obsessed with making his hat and, maybe, some shoes. Poor thing doesn't even have a body or feet, but the hat & shoes seem sooo important!

The picture above is of a cat make-do that I created last year for a swap. I made it out of a small vintage strainer, various wire bits & thingys, a couple of buttons that I painted as eyes, a vintage rabies tag and ribbons. This came together rather quickly and was so much fun.

Why is the rabbit proving to be so difficult to work on?! Maybe a glass of wine will help.

Busy, busy, busy

2009-02-19T16:44:00.000-08:00

Thought I would post a few pictures of what I have been doing lately. Seems like I haven't been very focused on any one thing -- instead I have been all over the studio working-on or working-out details of too many things at once.

The headshots of the rabbit are of a work-in-progress. I sculpted the head about 3 weeks ago, and just today I got an idea of what the poor thing will be doing so that I can start work on the body. Spring & Easter are coming fast, so I better hop to it (groan.... bad pun, sorry!).

Just another view so you can see the size of the rabbit head as it is today. It will be under 12 inches when finished - as most of my sculpts are.

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This next picture shows one of the Thank You gifts that I will be sending to my sister in Boise. I live in a very small town - tiny - with the nearest art supply or craft store about 90 miles away. My sister, who is very crafty, artistic, AND loves to shop !! bought some cool new supplies for me. One of the things she included in the package was the magazine, Cloth Paper Scissors. In the issue they make handbags out of fused plastic grocery bags.

Now, that kind of craft really isn't my kind of thing, but just for fun I made her one. Before I stained it with alcohol inks, it was looking a bit like a disposable diaper - LOL!

I made the "bag" to hold the real Thank You gift - this tag shown below. I have just started doing these tags. They are a fun, quick project and gets me using a lot of different materials that I have packed into my studio. The strip on the left side is metal - just another of the new "crafts" I have begun to play around with.

Yes, I have too many interests, too many supplies, too many treasures, and not enough time... it's nice though & I am grateful.

Now, I am off to visit that rabbit head again before I lock the door on the studio for the night.

Thanks for visiting!

Hope your Heart is full

2009-02-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

It's here, the time to celebrate & demonstrate all that you hold dear in your heart. We should do this everyday, but few of us really remember how important that can be... often only after it is too late and we have missed too many opportunities. So, try to smile more often at those you care about. Touch them, hug them, and look them square in the eye & tell them that you love them. I believe these are the things we will never regret doing.

The cupid above was an ACEO (size 2.5" x 3.5") drawing that I did a couple of years ago and made into one of my greeting cards. The tag below I just made last week - using my new found love of metal embossing (I love you, metal embossing) and collage art.

Wishing you all a wonderful and heartfelt Valentine's Day.

XOXOX, Karen

The calendar says it's too early to ride...

2009-02-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

The weather has been so Spring-like in our valley these past couple of weeks. Much too soon for Spring, we usually have at least 12 more inches of snow and the roads are not this clear until mid March. My "other half" - slightly injured by a couple of falls while skiing last week - just could not sit around the house any longer. So, out came the trike and down the road he went! This is so early for a ride! The temps were around 32 degrees, but the sun is so warm already and with the snow magnifying all that sun it feels even warmer.

We sat out on our deck yesterday morning and had our breakfast. It was heaven to be out in that bright sunshine, get some natural vitamin D, and all that crisp clean air.

The forecast for the next 4 days is snow flurries... we'll see about that. They have been wrong most of our Winter and with this Spring-like teaser weather, it will be difficult to welcome back the snow and cold.

I've been Tagged!

2009-02-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Lectura and she said this is a very simple tag -- AND just a bit snoopy (my word, not her's) LOL!

I need to post the fourth picture in the fourth file in my artwork directory. So, the first one isn't the fourth, it is from the Fifth file, because this is the true 4 of 4...

The true 4 of 4 is a picture of suede that I intend to use for background effects. Not too interesting... and I didn't want anyone to think that I am this boring!

The 4 of 5 is a wip picture of my still unfinished first cloth doll. It is someday going to be a moon boy... poor thing!

Okay, I am also supposed to tag some others. I am still too new to blogging to know how to type a post AND find the blog names and addresses... so, I will work on that later, too.

Witch for ALL holidays

2009-01-29T12:01:00.000-08:00

My latest creative output is this crone-ish old witch. She was inspired by a challenge by one of my ebay artists' groups - AHQU - and her auction can be viewed through Sunday, January 31st.

The challenge was to create an art piece that depicted a witch surrounded by lots of holiday symbols. New Years, Valentines, St. Pats, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween (of course!), Thanksgiving, and Christmas all had to be included in the piece... plus any other holidays we wanted to add!

Well, a lot of us in that group were stunned by the enormity of the challenge. That quickly changed for some of us as the creative lightbulbs started popping. I already had this witch sculpt (body & head only) started from last Fall. She had been sitting in a rocking chair peeking over my shoulder. I would pick her up and wonder about her future from time to time. Originally, she was to hold a bowl of real candy in her lap - under that crone face - sharing her candy with any takers... if any!

I think she and I both like this finish better. It was a fun project and I even threw in 2 "firecrackers" for Chinese New Years.

Happy Year of the Ox, everyone!

Some calm during the storm...

2009-01-22T17:09:00.000-08:00

I am finishing up a sculpt here in the studio. The music is playing and the sculpt is lying on the worktable in pieces. So close to being done... just a little more paint and the final assembly. When I get this close, I get nervous. So, I thought I would revisit one of my most peaceful sculptures. This is Tucker, the tuckered out angel. While I was working on him last December, he made me sleepy just looking at him.

I wish I had a nice fluffy cloud to curl up on and doze.

Scoot over, Tucker!

Mother Nature's Ruffles

2009-01-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

We have been having the most beautiful frost fog this week. This morning, everything outside is coated. It looks like Mother Nature spent the night putting crepe paper ruffles on every surface and then, because she is crafty, sprinkled a frosty glitter on top. This frost is so delicate, a light breeze blows it away.

The twigs looks like those sugar-crystal stir sticks. They make me want some more cocoa.

How can I go through the door?...

2009-01-13T11:50:00.000-08:00

... when this is the view outside the studio door this morning? The clouds are hanging low over my little river valley, but there is a hole up there somewhere. The glow has me transfixed.

I feel this scene in my very core... but through the door I peacefully go.

Racing the Dark

2009-01-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

I seem to be inspired lately - and even though my sculpts seem dark or brooding, I really am in a completely happy state of mind. Hopefulness, wonder, and joy are all in these pieces. I see them and I hope you do, too.

This is the latest sculpt and has just been listed on eBay under my seller id idrawpix.

I don't feel like this today...

2009-01-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

... I am nearing the completion of a new sculpt that has my hair nearly standing on end! There is so much inner-ness in this piece that my heart is pounding. I was fearful I would ruin it... each step along its way... but, I swear it guided me - demanding completion.

So, soon.

Meet the Title Character

2009-01-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Thought I would introduce you to the "Character" that helped give me the final push into the land of blogs. This is my latest sculpt and is currently on eBay under my seller id - idrawpix. I call her Hope.

She has some undefinable quality to her. Sometimes calmness... sometimes fear... other times just pure Hope. The meaning is entirely up to the viewer.

Enjoy!

So happy...

2009-01-07T16:19:00.000-08:00

... that Iam learning how to blog.

I only discovered blogs about 2 months ago. To be honest, I was a bit afraid of them because I have never seen one before and they sounded too serious. You know how fear of the unknown is almost always laughable later?

hahahaha....

I have arrived in the blog-o-sphere...

2009-01-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

...and I like it here! I have been reading so many fabulous blogs from amazingly creative people. I hope to create a blog that will be fun, positive, and full of nutritious morsels to feed that light of Hope we all crave. I find it in art.

So, I have JUST started. I will add all the ** beauty ** soon.

Meanwhile, as I learn how to create a visually pleasing blog, here is a picture of my view from my art studio door. This is what I see just before I disappear into that far away place where creative ideas live - and what I see just after I snap back to my nearby bit of paradise.