Toy guns…small scale weapons…so hard to find…

My latest doll is based on the fictional character featured in the Laurell K. Hamilton series that features Anita Blake, vampire hunter/zombie animator, who is known for being very well armed. The problem is have you every tried to find weapons that are 1/3 scale? It is very hard to do. I thought a few years ago you could find all types of toy guns, but I guess toy companies are now scared of them since kids were getting shot by police who thought they were carrying real guns. Problem is I really am not wanting to make my own out of clay, but guess I am not going to have much choice. I don’t mind making her knives and swords, but making a 9mm pistol and a pump action shotgun just doesn’t seem like a very easy thing to do, but we shall see. So, here is my vision for Anita, without her weapons. She is getting close to being done and I really am enjoying making her.  Till next time…

My newest doll…depression…

It has been a while since I posted, but figure it was time to let everyone know I am still here and am still working on my fiber art. I have posted one of my newest dolls. She is part of my series of dolls without painted faces. I wanted the viewer to be able to use their imagination to give the doll the emotion or meaning that they want, not what I was feeling. The thing is that for some reason 2011 has been a year that I have been really fighting major depression. It basically has had me bound, which when I was working on my doll that was what came out in her. At first I was going to make her a happy fairy or such, but she just needed to be my representation of what I was going through, which I guess that is what art is for, being able to express what you cannot say. Her base is decoupaged and then she has a tube in her one leg that slides over a wire coming out of the base.  I have also been working on purses and other artsy things and will be posting more of what I have been doing soon. Till next time…

 

What I have been doing…

Okay, I have been MIA for a while. I guess life has a way of getting in the way of having fun. I am entering the State Fair of Texas for the 5th year in a row and decided to post some pics of my entries. I entered 2 dolls and a crazy quilt purse. I had problems deciding what to enter my purse under, so the ladies at registration made the decision that it belonged in applique, as it is a conglomeration of fabrics appliqued on top of each other, so figure that was best. I have not placed at all with anything other than my dolls, so hoping this year will be a first, but will not know until next week. Here are the pics.

The sculpted face doll is called “Captured by the Moon,” as I decided to secure her to the moon with pieces of fabric and it looked like she was restrained or something, hence my name decision. The other doll has no name, as I couldn’t figure out what she looked like, so she will remain nameless. She was a remake of a doll I made a couple of years ago. Till next time…

Accepted in my first gallery show…

Hello all,

I have been away for a while. Between work and then having a total knee replacement about three weeks ago I have been away from the computer I guess for good reasons. I just found out before my surgery that three of my works have been accepted in the gallery show “Size Matters.” I am so excited. This is my first official gallery show.  One of my dolls and two of my small wall hangings were accepted. All artwork had to fit within a 12″ x 12″ square. If you live in Pennsylvania you ought to check it out at:  http://www.somethingslooming.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124

Here are my pieces:

Girl in the Gilded Box – 2011

Ladies in Waiting – 2011

Spirits are Looming – 2011

I have a few other shows I am going to enter this year, so wish me luck and till next time….

Happy, happy hippos and I’m back…

I have been on a bit of a hiatus from being creative, but I am back now.  Here is pics of the hippos I made my daughter and granddaughter for Christmas.  My daughter, who is 30, said on Facebook all she wanted for Christmas was a hippo, so she got one.  LOL.  My granddaughter is 2-1/2, so thought she would like one to play with.  I am also working on several dolls and some purses, so once I have them farther in production will post them.  Sorry for the long time between posts, but one of my resolutions in 2011 is to post more regularly so be sure to look out for new posts and new projects I am working on.  I hope everyone has a creative, prosperous and blessed 2011.  Till next time…

Not a commercial machine…but will work…

I have started making purses and I am into sewing several layers of fabric and thinking any machine should just chug along and make it work.  Well, when my nice computerized machine started flashing red lights and making a horrible  beeping sound I realized that I was asking too much of it.  I mean if I can fit it under the presser foot it should sew it, but I guess it had a different idea.  I am the same way though with vacuum cleaners.  I think they should pick up anything that is on the floor, whether it is dirt, little puppies, pennies, whatever, but after blowing up several vacuums I figured out that didn’t work either.  So, I was in need of a machine that could do layers of fabric, leather, whatever and could not afford a true commercial machine.  So, I sold one of my extra sewing machines I wasn’t using and bought this Singer for under $200.  I must say so far it is doing exactly what I am needing.  Of course I will never be able to do the extremely heavy sewing until I move into a true commercial machine, but once I am selling enough product to justify it this machine works just fine.  Now, I guess it is time to get my butt in gear and get some product finished since I have a machine now that can handle it.  Till next time…

Some of my newest dolls…

I have been busy cleaning out my UFO (unfinished objects) bag and am trying to finish up enough dolls to be able to set up later this year in some art fairs.  I still have to get accepted to a couple, but think that will work out in the end.  I am wanting to get all the dolls done and then focus on purses, as I have a pile of unfinished purses also that is  bigger than the stack of unfinished dolls, so have my hands full.   Be sure to check back and see what new items I have posted.  Till next time…

Finally finished state fair entries…

I am actually done two days before delivery date.  Woo hoo.  I am doing good.  I have my pictures taken and now all I have to do it pack them up and take them to Dallas Saturday.  I think my wall hanging turned out so cool and it lays flat.  I have a problem with some of my wall hanging that they pucker, especially when they have a lot of free motion embroidery to them.  Both my dolls turned out great.  I especially like the doll hanging on the flying bird.  I called her “Hang On.”  I think that is a bit appropriate.  She also rocks.  The bird has a spring at the bottom and you can push the doll and make her “fly.”  He he.  Grumpy lady in the metal basket I think just represents the funk I was in last month, but things are going better now.  Now it is just a waiting game to see how I do.  If my dolls

receive a blue ribbon for first place that will be four years in a row.  I have not been able to place in other categories, so I hope this year I can make it with my wall hanging.  Till next time…

I am almost ready for the Texas State Fair…

This is my fourth year to enter dolls in the Texas State Fair in Dallas.  I have won 1st place every year, but not expecting anything this year.  We will just have to see what happens.  The pictures are not that great, as I left my camera in the car and had to use my cell phone, but you should be able to get the idea.  I have finally finished the flat faced girl.  She looks a bit grumpy, but hey I like her.  Maybe she reflects the mood I have been in lately – LOL.  I finished the base for the sculptured face.  It is a dove that is attached to a decoupaged base and then the doll is going to be hanging onto the bird like she is fixing to fly off.  Once finished will get a good pic of that.  I am also making a wall hanging.  I have drawn/finished the face and have it fused to the background fabric.  I am then going to make wild fabric hair that will be enhanced by freehand embroidery.  I have to have it finished by this time next week, so we will see how that goes.  Well, I better get to working…till next time…

Sassythreadwork logo and making progress…

I just got my logo back from the digitizer and it looks good.  I can now embroider our golf shirts so we can wear our product and get free advertising.  I am also making progress on getting my full size girls done for display.  The girl I am working on now will be a standing doll that will be about 5 feet 5 inches tall.  She has built-in heels and is going to be very sexy…  You got to do what you can to get people to stop in your booth.  LOL.  Till next time…