Still crazy.....

creating really little stuff! This is the little frog (3 1/2 inches nose to tail) that I created to put with the newest teddy bear......It wasn't nearly as hard to do as I thought it would be. Not that I want to make a whole lot of these, but for this accessory he's perfect. The next thing to do is a daisy chain necklace out of seed beads for the bear.

I have now finished the ruby and zoitzite pieces. They came out pretty well. I'm now going back to working on the Icon to try to get it finished this week.

Time to get moving, need to do some grocery shopping.....

ATC #4

And another one done......this one is a picture of a bear I did quite a while ago, and it just seems to call for this fancy Victorian design. Fun!

Spent a lot of time working on the web page, lots more to do, but its coming along.

Finally finished the bead work on the ruby and zoitzite piece. Today I will be stringing the necklace together then it will be complete!

Time to get to work!!

Under the catagory "did I do that?"

I did another Artist Trading Card yesterday, and it came out amazingly well....WOW, can't believe the first one was only 3 days ago. This on is based on a piece of jewelry I had done that I have already sold.

Also finally got the face on the bear that had been waiting.....also really amazing!! Isn't she just TOO cute!! Now I need to create the accessories, etc., to go with her....oh, and she needs a name!

Worked on but didn't quite finish the ruby/zoitzite piece....hope to get it done today.

But first I will have to put in some time on the website I'm designing....got some specific requests, which does make the work a lot easier!

Meantime, the DH is making wonderful smells in the kitchen, starting a pot of soup and some home made bread....good for heating the house on this cool, rainy day, and that will make a great dinner too.....Yuummmmmmmmm!

ATC #2

Did another Artist Trading Card yesterday! Isn't Shreddie cute? I think that this one is better than the first one, and I have more ideas for making future ones even better. Today I'm going to try one based on a piece of jewelry that I have already sold.

I finished the beading work on the ruby/zoitzite earrings. They came out pretty good. Today they will get glued down to the backing so I can do the edging.

I still have a large bear that I haven't finished yet, and last night in my sleep I had a couple of ideas about finishing her, so I hope to have a chance to work on that today too.

Hmmmm, sounds like it may be a busy day!

A really busy day.....

I finished my very first Artist Card! This is the first in a series titled "Snow Play" and features one of my sitting polar bears and one of my penguins. This piece is on a card stock and each of the critters is mounted on the sticky foam stuff to add dimension. The penguin wears a scarf and the whole bottom of the card is covered with irridescent glitter. This was fun! Now I have about 3 more to do in this series and some other ideas forming.....

Also finished the initial bead work on the latest necklace. The center stone is a ruby and zoitzite cab and there are 4 2.5 mm facetted rubies set at the bottom and 2 sizes of pearls around the edge. Next step for this piece is the backing. I'm going to be working on the earrings today. This piece is starting to get more exciting as it gets closer to finished!

Also worked on the web site for a local political candidate, so on the whole, I was busy!!

Oh yes, don't you love the new picture of me? This was taken in my booth at the show we did in Nevada City two weeks ago.

So, its off for some breakfast then back to work!!

And one more complete....

Here is the October block.....can't wait to do the embellishments on this one which will include vampire fangs! cute don't you think?

Spent some time yesterday with my dad helping him get his swamp cooler up and running for the summer.....he's moving around quite well, but we had to sort of "sit" on him to keep him from lifting too much. Sure is better than what he was like a month ago....

Working today on some stuff to load up on Ebay and some on the Artist Trading Card I started yesterday....watch this spot!!

Another block in the quilt complete.......

while we were away, I did get another pair of blocks done for the quilts I'm working on......cats in scuba gear anyone?

The coolest thing about this block is the fins on the fish are freestanding and can be moved.....this one will be a lot of fun to embellish when I get to the embroidery phase of these.

The week from H***.......

we're back from California.....on a borrowed wing and a lot of prayer.

The show was not good financially.....guess at this point I'm just not creating what folks are looking for (I know it's not that there was no money at this show, someone there sold 7 bears at $500.00 plus each!).

We could recover from that, but in addition, our car went belly up while we were out there and I had to borrow $$ just to rent a car to get home in. Have NO IDEA how we will be able to get a new vehicle. Right now the only answer I can see is that all shows are cancelled and I get some kind of job. In general I would say that life SUCKS!!!

Someone please tell me what I'm supposed to be learning now, 'cuz I'm totally baffled. Guess I just was having way too much fun thinking I was going to "make it" and actually get to keep doing what I like....should have known better

Another mom designed sweater

is complete! Finished this one for the DH yesterday in the car. Note the cool "Z" shaped rib pattern....fun to knit.

Who knows what new thing will next go on to the knitting needles....have to think about it!

Got to go pack the car now, we're leaving in the morning for a show in California!!

A Sneak Preview....

and now I shall know who has been reading the blog!

Have just finished up the bear that will be my traveling companion, convention delegate and erstwhile Roving Reporter for this weekend's 23rd Annual International Teddy Bear Convention!

He's so new that he doesn't even have a name yet (but the word "Hallzee" keeps coming to my head). He's quite different than any of the other bears we've done, and I'm thinking that the bow won't last long.....perhaps a plaid vest? Check out the close up of his feet.....I used a needle sculpture technique to create "toe pads" (a little stunt learned in my doll making days).

Do let me know what you think of him!

Today its off to do errands, take care of mom and dad's truck, and start packing. All of the bears are packed up in their tubs and ready to roll, so we're actually in pretty good shape to make the trip.....I'm getting excited!!

8 more complete......

and just a couple more to go!!

Today we will begin packing them all up and getting them ready to go.

Actually spent some time working on the last of the sweater I've been trying to finish for the hubbie.....almost there!!

Well, its off to the laundry again, only 2 more loads to go, then to the ironing (such fun).

For those of you that haven't heard otherwise, my dad is home from the hospital -- FINALLY!! It was a very long month, and he still has a way to go before anything resembling "normal" returns, but we're grateful for the small things. Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for him, and we ask that you continue to do so!

12 more down.....

and we're on the home stretch! A lovely assortment I think. Also you can see the new backdrop in this picture.

Now on to finish the rest of the group including having to remove and reinstall an eye on one because it broke as I was getting ready to put on the ears ... GRRRR!

ok, off to the laundry, have a buzillion loads to do to get ready to leave on Tuesday!!