Where has the time gone?

It's been almost 2 years to the day that I last posted.  I just don't know where the time has gone and why I haven't kept up on my blog or why I haven't started creating again.  Does anyone read blogs anymore?  Seems like so many artists have moved to other media outlets.  For me, I still like the blogs and I haven't jumped on the wagon to Instagram or Snapchat.  I know there are others that I haven't mentioned, but I'm sure you get the point.  I just feel there aren't enough hours in a day to keep up with what I already have going on.

So much has changed, yet I feel like I am practically the same person, however, I haven't created.  I now work full-time and need to make time to create.  I purchased a new home a little over a year ago and I am minus one child that has moved out and purchased his own home at the age of 20.  I am so proud of Jordan!  He moved out right after he graduated high school and is almost finished with college (he will graduate in May with an auto-body degree) and I couldn't be more proud of him!  My middle child, Courtney, is moving out in August. She is attending MSU and going to become  a social worker. I'm so proud of her as well!

Maybe if I delve back into my blog, it will spark some creativity!  I miss creating and I miss the connections that I had made with some of the fellow artists. Seems like so many artists that used to create, no longer create. What a shame!  There were so many talented artists out there during the time I was creating.  I miss the good old days with selling on eBay.  It was like an addiction, so to speak.  Now, my addiction is poking around on Facebook to unwind and looking at everyone elses life and how they want you to see them, through their eyes.

I need to get back to my creating and do what I enjoy, rather than scrolling through other peoples lives on social media. I would love to hear from you, if you still follow me.  So sorry I have been out of touch for so long. Starting over....or shall we say, starting a new beginning is a somewhat daunting task and quite an intertwining endeavor!  Until next time (which won't be 2 years), do something that makes you HAPPY!

Cheers, T~

Marked Down....S-A-L-E

I wanted to let you all know that I have marked down my ~Americana Snow Girl~ in my Etsy Shoppe. I haven't had time to create anything new, but thought I could mark Americana down, as I have an appeal to pay for. Yes, I am finally divorced, however, HE appealed it and now I get to go to court again, tomorrow! Wonderful! I just want to move forward with my life and I don't have money for this to continue on and on and on....I have so many attorney fees to pay for as-is. I wonder when this nightmare will end! Wish me LUCK!

Wynter's Queen Epattern...

This epattern can be purchased for a *SPECIAL* price through Patternmart. If you have not already signed up for Patternmarts newsletter, I urge you to do so. They send out a weekly newsletter and it has discounted patterns on each newsletter. Patternmart also archives the weekly newsletters...so go and take a peek! I do have some other epatterns on there, from the past, at a discounted rate.

Here is a link to purchase Wynter's Queen at $4.50. You do have to sign-up in order to purchase on the Patternmart website, but it is really quite simple.  Snow is gently falling here, this is the second day in a row that is has been snowing. It is quite pretty and now it feels and looks like winter. Enjoy the day ;)  Cheers, ~Tonya

~Scary Mary Halloween Doll~

***FINALLY*** a NEW Halloween Dollie! I should just say a NEW dollie in general. I think I have only made one other dollie this year and that was a dollie with bunny ears. This is my first Halloween dollie. Halloween is just around the corner. I have listed her in my Etsy Shoppe, but if she does not sell by Tuesday, I may move her to Ebay, we shall see...


Her name is Scary Mary, but she really does have a sweet side to her. She has tons of detail. I really enjoyed creating her. I have missed creating. I was so busy with my summer college courses and children, that I didn't have any time until now for creating. I do hope that you will stop by my Etsy Shoppe to take a peek at her. Have a wonderful weekend. ~Tonya

~Halloween Queen - Bella Bunny~

WOW - Where does the time go? I have 3 projects that I am working on at that same time (not normal for me), and have been dragging my feet a bit...getting lost in the details again. I had so much fun making Miss Bella Bunny, you have not idea. I love it when...you create something and when you look at the finished dollie, they make you smile ;)

Miss Bella Bunny is complete with so much hand stitched detail, sparkle and a little clay Jack-O Pumpkin that it did take a while. I made some different eyes on this lil sweetie and added some shimmer to her eyelids! No Queen is complete without her crown!

Miss Bella Bunny is one of my larger dollies. She is so sweet! I am getting into the Halloween spirit, because when August or Sept. start to roll around, I start making Autumn and Winter things and of course the kiddies are getting back to school...so who knows how much Halloween goodies I will get done then...

Look at that SWEET face and those eyes! Aren't they just so pretty? I love them and must make a regular dollie with them...she on the table. *smirk* I have Miss Bella Bunny listed in my Etsy Shoppe. I hope you enjoy your weekend! It has been pretty warm here, but not as hot as other places, so I will not complain. Have a Grand Weekend All! Ta-ta for now kiddies, ~Tonya

~Miss Raven Hollow~

This is the little dollie that I was working on last week, but never found the time to finish her. We have been so busy...but I finally went into the studio last night and got to work! I was up way late...but ~Miss Raven Hollow~ is soooo worth it. I think she turned out a little Sweet, a little Spooky and a little bit sad. How can you have all of those characteristics in one dollie? She is an everyday little Spook. I love these little dollies on the wood bases!

Miss Raven Hollow will be listed on Ebay this evening. She will list for 5 days and end on Monday evening. She has a little furry friend, that she takes with her - everywhere she goes...

Miss Raven Hollow has such a pretty up-do, with some fallen strands for sweetness. I have given her a pretty paper rose, dipped in black glitter for her hair. Raven has an antique rhinestone button, sewn in place on her high empire waistline. I don't have many of those buttons left and find it very difficult to use those ;) I have finished off her sleeves, dress, pantalets, and shoes with black metallic trim. I also hand stitched some vintage looking lace on her dress. Her neckline has oodles of lace on to achieve that look...so much fun in the details!

I have some new handmades in the works, but slow going. I thought about posting more pictures from the tornado hitting our area, but I am not. I don't think people need to see any more reminders of that destruction. People just want to move forward. Other then my kiddies keeping me busy and trying to stay cool, nothing much else going on. Have a beautiful day. ~Tonya

~Bethany BLOOM Bunny~

This was a little ~Sneak Peek~ picture that I set out with an email update. I thought it was so cute, with Bethany's little eyelashes. I have been playing in clay (as you might have noticed)! I made 3 dollies, one the pretty witch listed on ebay, this sweet bunny and one more in the works. With clay, I have found if you sculpt more then one at once, you don't become so annoyed, with the drying time...

I have listed Bethany Bloom on Etsy. I know some people do not like to wait for auctions, I am one of them! *smirk* I have even given Bethany Bloom some sculpted bunny-rabbit feet! Here tag and flowers are so neat, as is her bodice...

On the BLOOM tag, lots of detail...what is it with me and highly detailed tags this week? Having fun and getting lost in the moment, I guess. I love playing with paper and am learning more and more techniques all the time! I have added shimmer mist to the flowers and the tag. It is hard to capture in pictures, but in person - BEAUTIFUL!

Here are the flowers that go with Bethany. I made 5 of them, but made one into a flower, with a stem and wired it to Bethany's hand/arm. I used a Tim Holtz Tattered Flower die and I must say I think that die is my FAVORITE flower die EVER! I love how they are not your typical "cookie-cutter" looking flower.

Today it is a bit nippy out! We are suppose to get down into the 30's on the overnight tomorrow and possibly some SNOW ---------WHAT???? IN MAY!! I hope not! I was ready for some nicer weather and have only seen tulips bloom so far. The birdies are going to be freezing their lil feathers off. I hope it warms up. Just think, it was 78 degrees here on Tuesday....sheer craziness! Only in MN can it feel like Spring, Summer and Winter all in one week! Toodles for now, ~Tonya

~Quite BEWITCHING~

Not really, but I thought it was a "catchy" title! I have been playing with clay and finally finished up a dollie! I am very pleased with the way that she turned out. I had to "shake" things up a bit. I love to dabble in so many "mediums" that is hard to decide what to play in!

This is ~Sweet Sabrina - Witch in Training~ she is a bit of an "Elegant" witch, is there such a thing? I suppose there can be, remember the Witch of the East on The Wizard of Oz? She was quite a beautiful Witch...well, Sabrina wants to just be a beautiful lil Witch. I have tons of detail in her. She will make her debut this evening on ebay. She will be listed on ebay then and end on Sunday evening.

For those of you that follow my work, know that I have never offered a clay-faced dollie before...not a full dollie. I have made lil things to go with my cloth dollies, but that is it.

And look at the highly detailed hang tag that I made! Love it! It took so long to do, but I think is so very worth it! Lots of layers and layers and truly a OOAK, both the tag and the doll! I must get moving, I have lots to so and the day is slipping by.

It has been windy, windy here today! Not much has been going on here, I know I have been quiet, but I have been creating, just tooooo many things at once. Oh and I did re-list my Springtime dollie on ebay, she will end on Sunday evening too. No Reserve on here. Poor lil dollie...in person, she is so very sweet and I do hope that she will be adopted. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

When PIGS Fly!

For those of you that stop by my blog frequently, this is what I was working on and this is Penny! Lil Penny Piggy...She is just the sweetest and I never really liked pigs, well not adore anyways...but this one, I adore *smirk* Hubby helped me with the base...so nice of him!

A little bit farther away. I made the hanging tag on it from grungeboard, love that stuff. I also crackled it...it looks so aged. You can't really see it, but it says "When PIGS Fly". We have all said it and well, why can't pigs fly. You just have to use a little bit of IMAGINATION and ANYTHING is POSSIBLE! I will be listing Penny Piggy in Ebay tomorrow evening. I didn't get the best pictures and they will have to wait until tomorrow.

I have already started on another new handmade...boy, I must be on a roll. Mark it down!! Did some yard work yesterday and today we all stopped by Dairy Queen, YUM! Stopped in for a BLIZZARD. They are on SALE thru the 25th. They are Celebrating 25 flavors - 25 years...if you purchase one, you get the second one for 25 cents. You simply can not beat that! Today was a perfect day for it too. The weather here in Mn, has been ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have had the perfect day. Blessings, ~Tonya

~I am Honored!!

Spellbinders had a Call-Out for a New Design Team for 2010, it was at the tail end of last year. I thought about it long an hard. I thought it would be neat to try-out for the design team. I made my card, my altered art project, a 12x12 layout and a 500 word essay about Me....and then submitted them. I didn't tell anyone, I just kept it to myself and told my hubby and kids. I just waited for the announcement to roll around and that day was today!

I was contacted by Spellbinders today and was told I am among the 24 Finalist! I am so Honored. I never thought that I would be chosen from so many submissions....now the REAL, STIFF Competition begins! I have to make a 12x12 layout. It is a challenge and they want to see your best work. Spellbinders will send each of the 24 finalist product to completed the challenge. They will make the announcement on Feb. 27th. This is exciting and nerve-wracking all at once! I had to let you all in on my Good News. I know this is not about doll making, but most of you know how much I love ♥ paper! Yup, me and my "Paper Pretties".

I thought I would show you the card, the altered art project and the layout that made me a finalist. I had so much fun creating them.



You will not see much of me this week....I am DEEP in paper work....TAX TIME! No fun, but it must be done. We made our tax appointment for Thursday. We did this so that I had a dead-line and no excuses for any procrastination! *smirk* A girl has to do, what a girl has to do...to get it done! I hope you all had a fabulous day. As for here, in MN... it is snowing again. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

~OLDE Harvest MoOn~

I thought I would show you my latest Handmades and tell you that they are listed on TDIPT Mercantile. I love the way this wonderful pair turned out and had so much FUN making them...

I call them ~Moonbeam & Hoot~ and they are so full of detail. You will have to check them out on TDIPT Mercantile for all the details...

This is one of my "Paper Pretties", that I made just for the Mercantile. I have dry embossed the card, shaded it, burnished the edges of the die cuts and hand stamped the ribbon slider and then added some pretty ribbon.

I do hope that you will find some time to look at all of the wonderful handmades on the Mercantile. Have a wonderful evening. Me...I am just trying to keep warm, here in MN. Brrrrr it is getting down right COLD! I even turned the furnace on. Eeeeek! Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Vintage Halloween!!

If you have followed me in my doll making...well then you know that I love VINTAGE Halloween things. This is a NEW Halloween Handmade that I made and to me, it screams VINTAGE Halloween of the years gone by. I had so much FUN making this and I have just listed it on ETSY!! Go and take a peek on ETSY. I do have more then one available and if you purchase more then one, the shipping will be combined and reduced and refunded...

I glittered the CAT and the Set of 5 STARS in Real German glass glitter and the Silver, will tarnish over time. Love SILVER stars! Lots of detail in this. It is 6.75 inches across, so it is bigger then it looks...

I have added a vintage seam binding hanger for it. You can tuck it behind, if you are just going to set it about. I hope you will go and take a peek at ETSY. Today is a ho-hum day. Just been playing. Paper Pretties are so much FUN to make....but I do have a dollie calling my name that I have put on the "back-burner" for a while now.

Any questions, give a shout! Have a fabulous Saturday evening. Toodles for now, ~Tonya

Oh, how Pretty...

Oh, how pretty--I love them, is what Courtney said when she seen these 2 cards today. I made the cards, while my kiddies were at school and it is so neat to hear how excited the girls get, when they see a new handmade of mine. It does not matter if it's a doll, cards, tags, etc. they love to see them (so very sweet)...

They took me waaaay too long to make today, but I really enjoyed creating them. The pictures do not do them justice (I know, how many times have you heard that) and they do have lots and lots of detail. I love the vintage cats on this one. They have dimension, sparkle, vintage appeal and some velvet - glitter ribbon...

This BOO BAT card has an embossed tree and glitted bats. I also shaded the tree for an "eerie - spooky" look *smirk* This card looks a bit "busy" in some pictures, but in person -- so very neat!

Here is the inside of each card. I love the way they turned out. I left them blank, so that they can have a personalized message can be put in them. I have them listed on ETSY along with a set of CAT tags. I forgot to add a picture of them here...you will have to visit ETSY to take a peek.

Other then keeping myself busy and a picnic at Ninny's school this evening, not much else going on around the ol' homestead. I am having fun with my "Paper Pretties", but must sometime soon get back to my sewing for a bit. I have TDIPT Mercantile update coming up on the 1st and these dollies and such....just do not make themselves. Have a wonderful evening and Sweet Dreams, ~Tonya

Some where wondering --- ETSY!!

Some of you were wondering and I thought I would let you know, I have listed my OWL cards and tags on ETSY. You can stop by there, if you would like to purchase them or just to see them in greater detail and see all of their features...

These are the only sets available at the moment, so if you are interested in them, please do not wait. I want to add more PAPER PRETTIES, as time permits. I really enjoy working with paper. I know that the tags can be used for so many different things.

Time is not standing still for me, so I must get moving. Have a BEAUTIFUL Monday. If you should have any questions, give a shout. Toodles, ~Tonya

~Halloween Goodies~

This Wee-Witch is name ~Willow~ she is the Oldest & the Wisest of Witche's. She is so very sweet in person and much more muted. She is attached to a square candle stick base that I have painted and aged. Willow had a dear friend that she tote's with her, where ever she goes...his name is Whoot....

Here is all of my handmades, that I am going to offerning on TDIPT, this evening. Each sold separately, but I thought I they all looked so very nice together....

I used the chunky ric rac and hand stitched it in place, on Willow's dress. Under her dress, shimmer netting, for flounce. The Moon on her dress is handstiched to wool felt, a pin on the back and vintage seam binding finish it off. The Moon is removeable, if you choose...

The Halloween banner is made of wool felt, all hand stitched, glittered and backed onto grosgrain ribbon. Lots of hand stitching on these banners...Round rings in the back, for easy hanging...

The scalloped ovals are almost 2.5 inches tall. I finished each end off with a woolen circle, vintage style tinsel garland and a rusty bell...

Spooky banner is almost 17 inches tall. Made in the same way as the Halloween banner...

A close up of the banner. Well, that is it folks. I worked outside all day yesterday and am feeling it today! It was such a COOL day out yesterday, I had to take advantage of it and be outside. I love being out, when the temps are a bit cooler, without the nasty humidity.

It has been getting pretty cold here at night, already. Soon my kiddies will go back to school (on the 8th) and I will hopefully get to gear things up, for the up and coming holidays. Take care and have a BEAUTIFUL day. My lawn is calling my name. *smirk* and don't forget, these handmades will be listed on TDIPT this evening. Toodles, ~Tonya

B-I-N-G-O!!!

I have a little "treat" for you to look at....I have been playing and had so much FUN making this sweet lil altered art BINGO card. The card is vintage and I have been told not easily found anymore. I was lucky to stummble across some at a very old antique shop a couple of months ago.

I have this altered art piece listed on my "Sales Blog", if you are interested. It is my first truly altered art piece...

Other then Birthday Parties, a family grill out on hubby's side and I was at my sister's store all day today, not much else going on....I think that is quite enough. I am headed for a slow down, after this weekend. I hope you are having a wonderful week, thus far. Blessings, ~Tonya

~BOO Witchy Nodder~

I just finished up the ~BOO Witchy Nodder~ in the wee-hours and then.....I slept late. This sweet nodder will be on TDIPT Mercantile for Aug. 1st update, later this evening, my page will be updated. I really enjoyed making her....

I used Ann's (Crowing About Primitives) wonderful wool for her hair. Ann is having a sale on her wool starting tomorrow. She has some of the best wool and I love using her wool. I hope you all have a great day....now, I must get busy. My studio looks like a tornado went thru it and I have pictures to edit, descriptions to write ane the day is a-wastin'! It is a PERFECT day out. Enjoy the day. Toodles, ~Tonya

The BeWITCHING hours...

I have been staying up into the BEWITCHING hours again....working like a "mad-women" and have completed two of the things I have been working on. This is a Wee-little Witch and she is just adorable! I love her to pieces. The smalle dollies that I make, well they just have a special place in my heart...

I made her lil bucket and had so much fun doing that. She is chalked full of the olde-thyme charm that I love...I had to take pictures inside, the sun was just "blazin-on-fire" and was so bright, my picture looked "washed-out"...so there are shadows in this pictures...

Wee-Little Witch is just one of the pretties that will be up for grabs on TDIPT Mercantile for the 1st of Aug.

I finished up this sweet dollie a couple of evenings ago. I have been staying anywhere from 2 to 4 am in the morning...SHEER Craziness! Ya have to be, to keep them kind of hours *smirk* I find it so much fun to create when all is quiet...my time to get lost...

She is just so SWEET and could not be happier with the way that she finished up. I am going to call her ~Simply SWEET~ She has loads of detail and I think Sweets will be on the Mercantile too...but it is suppose to be Halloween things on there this month. Sweets was screaming and begging to be made thou.

I will say up burning the mid-night oil again tonight, because I am soooooo close to finishing another handmade or two....and if all goes as planned, I may just have something for ebay. HA! One can only do some wishful thinking. Summertime, summertime, where has it gone?

Have a grand evening. I must scoot, have to go and pick up Jordan from fishing and Courtney from a friends house. Ta-ta for now, ~Tonya