Archimedes is finished!

The pin/ornament that I have been working on for the September swap on Pin Doll Alley is finished.  I think Archimedes turned out rather well - not quite as expected but then they never turn out as expected.  :-)

Hope you like him.  Have a safe and blessed day!

Working on my September PDA pin for Sword in the Stone

Just a quick post to show my sketch book and the beginning of the September pin.
Archimedes is one of my favorite characters and I love owls.  We'll see where it goes from here.  I'm thinking maybe some embroidery, paint, beading, shrink plastic, colored pencils, clay, jewelry findings - real multiple-media.

One embellishment complete

This is the completed project that I began last night.  I think it came out pretty good.  Not quite shabby chic and not quite vintage - kind of vintage fantasy?  I'm looking forward to then next two embellishments.  The only part that may keep me from actually participating is doing a video - not sure I'm up to it.  We'll see...

You tube challenge - maybe

I have gotten into the habit of watching You Tube videos.  I've subscribed to quite a few channels and have my own channel too.  I haven't created any videos personally.  I only created the channel to post a video that I took of my grandson, Zachary when he was starting to play the trumpet.  If you check my channel out it's still there - Zachary is 16 now and the trumpet is history but oh well.

Anyway, the point of this post is about a You Tube challenge that was issued by Rina Meyers.  She has reached over 4000 subscribers and is offering many prizes from several different sponsors for participation.  One way to enter is to just make a comment on her video where she announces and explains the challenge.  The other way is to actually participate is by creating three embellishments.  I didn't mention that this is craft related, but then for me what else would it be?

I don't think that my style is very like Rina's but hey - I'm giving it a shot.  As a doll maker, the first thing I began is one of my small Angel guardians.  I've got the face started but nothing to really show yet.  Then I had an inspiration for the second embellishment - it will be a kind of tag, maybe for a card or scrapbook page or some dec thing.  I started with a free clip art print - from one of several Dover Publications I've purchased over the years.  This one is from Fairies.  The illustration, as I printed it, is about 4 by 6 inches.  I then "sugared" it.  This is a Victorian technique where glitter is applied all over.  (Back in the day it was truly sugared though - and not terribly practical or sanitary now.).  I will be doing further embellishing with lace and beads - maybe buttons, bows and flowers - well okay, I'll try to not get too carried away.  Here's a picture of the sugared image - I really like it.  I have glitter everywhere now and needless to say things are mighty sparkly here.  Making a mess is so much fun!

It's late and the lighting in this room leaves much to be desired - I will post more photos as I go along.  

Have a great night!

Flounder - by Connie McBride Johnson

Good morning! I was finally able to download a picture of the cute Flounder pin doll that Connie sent me for the August Pin Doll Alley theme of "The little mermaid".  He is just so cute - thanks again Connie!

I am currently working on some polymer clay earrings - thinking of doing a Christmas craft show in Cambridge - hey you never know.  This month's theme for the Pin Doll Alley swap is "The sword in the stone".  I've found some ideas for this one - hmm, guess I'd better get busy - for every to there is a fro and for every stop there is a GO!

Have a great day!

Third time the charm?

Wow am I struggling with posting to this blog!  I am trying to get pictures to move from my phone to the computer so I can post from the computer instead of the phone.  I think I finally figured out an easier way.

Yesterday, Wednesday, September 3, 2014 was a pretty big day here.  Tree guys from Greater Heights,  out of Bennington, Vermont came and took down the two big Hemlocks and two overgrown Yew bushes from in the very front of the house.  Wow! does the house look bigger now - and in serious need of power washing.  The trees weren't only huge and over grown but also very, very close to the front of the house.

On the creative side, I also finished the face pendant that I started at the beginning of the week.  I decided that she looks like ISIS - Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Life.  She is all sparkly with Swarofski crystals.  The photo doesn't really do her justice.

I haven't decided if I will just do a pin back or if it will be a pin with a bale for a necklace.  I like to do viking knit chain to make the necklace and I think I will do that for ISIS too.  Stay tuned.

I also got back into the PIN DOLL ALLEY group through Facebook.  I used to belong to the group when it was on Yahoo Groups and it was always a lot of fun.  I had a great time making Ariel for the "little Mermaid" theme for August.  My partner was Connie and I received my Flounder pin from her today.  Talk about a cute pin - wow.  I will definitely put the pin back on him so that he can go out with me.  I enjoy wearing my pins because it usually makes people smile and that is always a good thing.  I can't get the picture I took to download so I will have to post his picture later.  Thank you Connie - he is great!