Another Ornie and Card

OK. I am sure you are getting tired of seeing these by now, but I just had to try a mermaid! I used the same pattern just modified the lower body. Again, all scraps.

I also made this card for my nephew who got engaged quite a while ago actually though we haven't seen them. I like to give gifts in person and we will be seeing them at Christmas. For the background, I used Tim Holts's technique on his Tag #2 of his 2009 Holiday Tags. He is so creative to say the least! To see his stuff (all amazing) visit his blog http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Another Ornie and a free pattern

Big thanks to all who posted such nice things about my ornaments.

I have finished another and also posted the pattern on my website. It is my gift to you since I can't make each of you an ornament! The instructions are very basic. The face on the pattern is actual size. Feel free to reproduce it but please give me credit. Please also do not use the pattern for other than personal use. Enjoy and share any you make. I would love to see them! My site is http://www.novasblossoms.com

More Angel Ornaments

These little angels are like peanut butter cups - you can't eat just one (or at least I can't)! I have made 5 more for a total of 6 and all are spoken for- none for me! I see to be working in pairs. I did another with overdyed lace. This one is trimmed in sheer flowers around the skirt bottom though they are VERY subtle.

The next two I started with ecru silk matlesse then started layering different neutral colored laces - many vintage. Love how these came out. Only sparkle is some gold in the wings and halo.

The last two are Crazy Patched. They are embellished with various trims, sequins and beads. I used fun fur yarn for the hair and it is a bit wild. Think I like the curly hair better.

Getting ready for the Holidays

First, thanks for all the wonderful comments about my paper purse and box and all the well wishes. I am feeling better every day and have been getting back into creating - working on Christmas items. I need an ornie for a swap and a hostess gift among other things so I thought these would be small items to start on. The first ornie started life as a clear glass ball. I saw this originally on Carol Duvall and always wanted to try it. The inside is coated with glue, then sprinkled with mica powders. Once this is dry (and this takes at least 24 hours! Ask me how I know!) I added white pearl paint to fill in the blank areas. Once that was dry (another 24 hours) then I did a bead netted cover.

The second ornie is a Victorian Angel using left over lace pieces from the purse and box. I also entered her in the Michael's contest so I would love it if you would vote for her by rating her. the link is http://www.michaelscontest.com/uploads/2224 I am making a few more of these. The face is from a pic I did of the Madeline Ragalia doll with a few modifications. I am finishing up another one and want to do the next in paper.

I also bought a new toy on Black friday. Joann's had the Cricut Personal cutter on sale for a great price. My friend has had one for quite awhile and I love what she was doing with hers so I figured I had to have one. I really wanted the one by Xyron that you can create your own designs with but it is about $300-400 - a bit out of my range. However, I have learned there is software made for this machine for about $75 that allows you to connect via USB to your computer and create your own designs. How cool is that!!!! Can't wait to get the software. Of course I started to experiment and decided to try my hand at making my Christmas cards. I really wanted a snowflake, but didn't like the ones on the Cartridges my friend loaned me but did like the wreath, christmas tree, and dove so made my cards - lots of them. The pic is a sampling: the snowflakes are cut from a Sizzix cartridge and the gold tree is hand cut from the scraps of the green paper then spray painted. I love the embossing folders too - mainly use the Cuttlebug ones. Lots of glitter and mica powders to add color.Can't wait to send them out.

Doll Club Library Display

Our club has been working on a display for the library where we meet as a thank you for allowing us to use one of their rooms for our meetings. All the dolls were delivered and the window set up at the October meeting (which I missed due to my surgery). They did a wonderful job setting up the display with the library. Here are some pics. Here are Maria, Margaret, Jane and Mary infront of the window.

Margaret did two dolls - Amelia Bedelia and The QuiltMaker's Gift. The next doll is by Diane and illustrates the book Alice Grace (I think. ) These dolls are right on depicting the characters. Just amazing!

Mary's The Dragon Rider. A must see! She created her own dragon! My doll illustrating The Secret Garden is partially behind the dragon and the last is Maria's Little Mermaid. These dolls are complete sculpts in clay and are of the little mermaid and her grandmother. Just stunning! What a wonderful display. Can't wait to see it again. My husband and I stopped in for a few minutes after one of my Dr appointments but couldn't stay. Friday is doll club and I intend to take LOTS of pics!

Working With Paper

Before my surgery, I started a project using a technique from the June/July 2009 issue of Quilting Arts. Jill Kennedy described her process for creating an embellished and embroidered patchwork paper collage from construction paper, crayons, inks, iron on interfacing and Wonder-Under. she also created embellishments using a sewing machine. I just loved her finished pieces so had to try a few myself. I created the background, started embroidering and planning and sort of hit a wall. Then my friend Colleen gave me Stitch with the Embroiders' Guild June/July 2009 (this is the magazine from the UK) and on the cover was a lovely piece that used collage fabric for the background and had lots of dyed lace and freemotion embroidery. I have sooooo much dyed lace, I thought the paper fabric would make a great background for a purse. I don't know how sturdy it is, but I really love the way it turned out. Embellishments include dyed lace, sequins, machine made lace and flowers, beads, charms, and a dragonfly pin. the top edge and handle were made from pony beads threaded with tulle with thread scraps stuffing. I also added ribbon to the strap to give it strength. I just love it. Infact, I loved it so much, I made some more background "fabric" in green and constructed a "Casket". It is embellished with lace, sequins and beads. It is lined with hand painted and dyed fabric that I treated with Paverpol to stiffen it and give it body. The "handle" on top is also stiffened with Paverpol. All the lace was hand-dyed and guilded. Much of it was vintage - like the pink tatting on the front. The background fabric was machine embellished with lots of bobbin work. the hinge holding the top on is made with beads.



I loved making the background so much, I have started some that will look like metal - hopefully! - when it is completed. I think I will be using it for a mosaic type collage quilt.

Life intervenes

I haven't been making dolls lately - or doing much of anything for that matter. I went for outpatient surgery on October 15th. The surgery was pretty routine and should have taken a little over an hour but I am anything but "routine" and it turned out to take over 4! I certainly disrupted the operating schedule that day! I did go home and after a few setbacks - like an infection - I am on the road to recovery. My surgeon told me it would take months for all to heal but I can drive and have started doing some needlework so all is well.

Some Doll Club members came to visit and brought lunch. They also brought a beautiful Journal that they made. The task was organized by Maria who also did all the planning and distribution of materials. I am still in awe of the beautiful artwork each one of these ladies did. I will treasure this gift always. Here is a pic of all of us with the journal, Dance of the Dolls. LtR: Maria, Mary, Me, Jane and Margaret. Maria did a page as well as the covers. Such talent! And I know how busy she is with her family so it makes it even more special. Here are the pages: First are the front and back covers, then Maria's page, Margaret's Page, Jane's Page, and Mary's page.