Merry Christmas~

We're enjoying a white Christmas in Georgia this year! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year! Hugs...Susan

La Catrina

Well, I'm finally 'back in the saddle' working in the studio!!! Wow...it's been a heck of a summer and I, for one, am so happy to see Fall arrive. I love this time of year, don't you? I'm feeling very creative again and not only in the studio. I've been busy cooking and baking for the family and loving every domestic second of it.

I wanted to share some very exciting news with you...my Fairy Godmother art doll is going to be in the Show and Tell section of the Winter issue of Art Doll Quarterly!!



I don't know if I can wait until the November 1st issue date for my copy to arrive. I might have to shuffle down to the Barnes and Noble and pick one up. :-)

It's been ages since I spent any time with this sweet gal and I am so pleased with the way La Catrina finished up. She's available on Etsy tonight!



I am working on a couple of new patterns that I hope to be able to share with you soon. Until next time...wishing you many blessings...Susan

Ahhhhh...September is such a BUSY CRAZY month!

Well, Hello, my old friend! It's been AGES since I've been out here to share with you. September is probably one of the busiest months in our family, with birthday celebrations each week. Happy 22nd Birthday to our twin sons, Matthew and Patrick. Happy 23rd Birthday to you, sweet daughter Alyssa! Happy Birthday to my sweet Hubby, Roger and to our son, Stephen who just turned 24! Yesterday, we celebrate the 1st birthday of our Number 1 grandson, Sawyer. What a blast. Pat and Courtney did a GREAT job planning a party with the entire family and it was lots of fun reconnecting with everyone!!

Happy 1st Birthday to our Sweet Grandbaby Boy!!!



I have some new Halloween and Fall creations in the works right now in the studio that I will be sharing with you later this week.

Wishing you a blessed week....Susan

Wicked Willemena

After two long weeks of house painting, I finally had a day of fun playing in my studio! The finishing touches have been put on this wonderfully, wicked little Halloween witch and she is available in my Etsy shop tonight. If you would like to see more of Willemena, you can click here!

We have been enjoying a fantastic dip in temps (and humidity) here in Atlanta this week. It almost feels like fall out there...could my favorite season be right around the corner? :-) I actually spend more time in the kitchen cooking and baking when things cool off. I found my Mom's Zucchini Bread recipe while I was sorting through my old recipe card file this week. I remember my Mom making this for us when we were kids and it was the most wonderfully moist and delicious bread. I thought I would share it with you...I hope you enjoy it!

Mom's Zucchini Bread
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 2/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, beat eggs well. Add oil, brown sugar, zucchini, and vanilla; stir well. Blend in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into two greased and floured 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour.

Wishing you a wonderful, blessed week...Susan

What a doll!

I had the nicest note from my new friend LindaGJ, who writes articles on www.Indiesmiles.com The main feature on this site are articles that people write all about art and artists, and I was touched to know that Linda included my sweet Maisey Mae pattern. It's worth the visit to read Linda's article if you get a chance. :-) Blessings...Susan

Oh my goodness...choices, choices!

Well, hubby and I are knee deep in paint chips. Trying to decide on a house color has got to be at least #2 on my "Things I Do NOT Like to Do" list (second only to cleaning the bathroom).

How does one decide on a paint color that I will have to live with for at least 10 years? The last time we did this, we chose what we thought was a subtle gray. Our friend, John, got the first coat on and when I arrived home after work....it was more like a silvery blue. Not that there's anything wrong with blue, but when you're expecting gray...well, it was a bit of a surprise.

This time we took the time to buy paint samples and painted squares of each color in a shady spot and in a sunny spot on the house. It wasn't easy, but in the end we chose Stream Bed for the body of the house, Black Magic for the shutters and Pure White for the trim.



I'll keep you posted on the progress! Blessings...Susan

Working on something new...

Hi there...I've been busy in the studio this week working on a really cool Folk Art Day of the Dead "Catrina" doll. She is almost ready for costuming, and I thought you might get a kick out of her at this early stage.




José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure that he called La Calavera de la Catrina ("calavera of the female dandy") as a parody of a Mexican upper-class female.



Posada's striking image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead, and Catrina figures often are a prominent part of modern Day of the Dead observances.

According to Wikipedia, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

She is coming right along and I hope to have her costumed and ready to share with you in the next few days. Blessings...Susan

Cornelia is now available on Etsy

Hello everyone! I hope you are staying cool in your part of the world. It's been hotter than hot here in Atlanta. I wanted to share this sweet new Halloween doll with you. She's available now in my Etsy Shop.

I know I've been a bit slow at posting this summer. I promise, I haven't been slacking off. Roger and I have been busy working on home projects - some new and some long overdue. Here is a picture of one of our FUN projects - Roger built this arbor after finding a picture of it on the internet. I LOVE the diamond "windows" on each side.



I can hardly wait to get a climbing rose planted and growing over it. We decided on a yellow rose in remembrance of my Gramma Jean - these were her favorite roses! Look at this beauty...



I wonder how long it takes to get this full and GORGEOUS?! A neighbor suggested planting Clematis with the rose so that the bloom time is longer..hmmmm...what do you think?



What have you been up to this Summer?

Blessings...Susan

Prim and Whimsy Girls Charity Auction Begins Tonight

The artists in the Prim and Whimsy Girls have worked together across the miles to create a unique, one of a kind Flower head art doll. We would like to raise awareness (and a nice donation) for an educational charity - United Through Reading with an Ebay auction. The auction will begin tonight at 9:15pm est and end Sunday, August 8th at 9:15pm est. I hope you will have the opportunity to stop by...

Blessings to you...Susan

New Halloween Dollie listed on Etsy

I am so happy to announce that I finished Lady Raven...the first in my Halloween doll series for 2010! She is officially for sale and is listed in my Etsy shop!

I've been experimenting quite a bit this summer with clay over cloth and also listed two very sweet angels in my Etsy shop.

First, the Timekeeper...this angel has been busy keeping me company in my studio these days and will be a wonderful companion to anyone that finds they need more time in each day. I can't tell you how many times I have wished for just one more hour in the day so I could get everything done that needed to be finished. This is the inspiration for the Timekeeper...she doles out those precious extra minutes when needed.



Angel of Hope was inspired by the sights and sounds of all the new life that comes to us in Spring...helping me shake off the doldrums of those looonnngg Winter months. She carries a nest full of hope with a very sweet bluebird perched on her head.



I hope you'll take a stop by my Etsy shop and take a closer look at these ladies. Until next time, I hope you have a wonderful, creative day.

Wishing you many blessings....Susan

New Halloween Dollie is almost finished

I've been having fun in the studio these past few days, working on a new Halloween dollie to offer. She's coming right a long and I thought I might give you a little sneak peek....

I'm putting the finishing touches on her now and, if I can get some good photos tonight, she will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Blessings...Susan

Mmmmm...Chocolate Pound Cake

Our most wonderful and thoughtful neighbors delivered a homemade Chocolate Pound Cake this week...it was delicious!! If you would like to bake one for yourself, Peggy said it was alright to share her recipe with you...




Peggy's Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk

In a large saucepan, combine the cocoa and water until smooth; add butter. Bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking soda; add cocoa mixture. Combine eggs, oil and buttermilk; add to cocoa mixture and beat until smooth.

Pour into a greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Let cool and sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Delicious served warm with a little vanilla ice cream or cool with some vanilla whipped topping! YUMMY!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Father's Day!!

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it … Dad

~ Author Unknown

Home Sweet Home!!!

Hello, hello...It is so much fun to travel and visit family, but MAN...does it feel good to be home!



I just returned from a two week trip to Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh really is a very pretty city...so many parks, trees and lots and lots of things to do around town!

My sis and her hubby celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary with a Hawaiian cruise.

They had the best time and brought many, many photos, videos, souvenirs and fun stories to share with everyone. Since their children were still attending school, I stayed at their home with the kiddos. It's funny how fast I forgot about the busy schedule of a Mom and Dad with kids in school and taking karate and tutoring and baseball and life guarding and on and on... (smiling). It was absolute GREAT to spend time with my niece and nephews in their home and get to know their friends and cheer for them at their activities. I miss them already!!



I arrived home to a big box from Sheryl Parsons containing the Prim and Whimsy Girls traveling doll....she is beautiful! This sweet gal began her travels in Wales, Massachusetts, where Annie (Chickadee Primitives) designed and created her head and body, with her adorable leaf hands and curly tipped boots....so sweet. Then she made her way to Wendover, Utah where Sheryl Parsons (Mother's Dream Artworks & Collectibles) added her clay head and painted her soooo expressive face, hands and boots. Does this girl have personality plus, or what?!?!

Now she's here with me in Atlanta and I am so excited about dressing her. I can hardly wait to get out to my favorite fabric shop and find THE perfect fabric for her outfit. There will be more pics to follow, so please stay tuned....

New dollie alert: New dollies will be added to my Etsy shop next week...finally!!! It feels so good to be back in the studio again. I will give you an update as these cuties progress. Until then....

Wishing you many blessings....Susan

Memorial Day

In honor of our fallen soldiers...

TAPS

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.

Enjoying Spring and Celebrating a Graduation!

We celebrated our daughter's college graduation this week. She's our third child to graduate with three more to follow in the next year and a half! Phew...we are halfway there. {smiling} It's funny how fast these past four years have flown by...it seems like only last week Alyssa was a giggly high school senior trying to decide where she even wanted to go to college. Now, she's a beautiful young lady, ready to tackle the world and (keeping our fingers crossed) begin her career. We are so proud of you, Alyssa!!

We are enjoying beautiful weather here in the Atlanta area. Spring temps in the high 70's and just enough rain to keep all those flowers blooming. I hope you have enjoyed Spring where you live.

New dollies are in the works and will be available soon for purchase in my Etsy shop. I will have pics to share with you shortly...stay tuned...

Wishing you many blessings....Susan

Where does the time go?

Gosh...has it really been two weeks since I've posted? I've been infected with a big old case of Spring Fever these past few weeks. The weather has been GORGEOUS here in the Atlanta area. Hubs and I have been busy with our 'to do' list in preparation for painting the house this summer. We thought we would have a Let's-Work-Off-Some-Of-Your-College-Tuition house painting party since all four kiddos will be finished with classes in the next couple of weeks. :-)

Our daughter, Alyssa, is preparing for her college graduation in a couple of weeks. I can hardly believe our baby is finished with her undergrad degree! She will receive her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and a minor in gerontology. Now it's time to join the workforce and she's been busy sending out resumes and following up on job applications. It's a full time job, finding a full time job! Please keep her in your prayers as she moves into this next phase of her life.

I'm thinking of painting and re-working my studio...just so it flows better and is more comfortable to work in each day. Right now it is just a mish-mash of left over furniture and a large roughly made (though thoroughly appreciated Honey) work table. I found these work spaces that I really like. Ahhhhhh...to be this organized....



Wishing you a blessed evening...I'll chat again soon...Susan

A Little Cuppa Love

Available on TDIPT Mercantile tonight...sculpted, painted and glittered chicks in a cup. So cute and fun to tuck in just about anywhere you need a little 'love' to pick you up.

In remembrance of Penny McAllister

Wishing you a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Happy April 1st!

I wanted to share a couple of my vintage Easter postcards with you. Feel free to copy and share the graphics below.





Wishing you Springtime Blessings...Susan

101 Simple Pleasures

I just loved this list of 101 Simple Pleasures from Create and Decorate Magazine's Blog so much that I thought it was worth passing along to you. I hope it makes you smile.



I have come down with a big case of Spring Fever!! The weather has finally warmed up here and I find myself outside more and more every day. Yesterday I mowed the lawn and then sat on the porch for a while just taking in the sunshine and fresh air and daydreaming about what I want to put in the flower beds this year. I DO love this time of year. Here's to a change of seasons and all the possibilities of Spring....

Wishing you many blessings...Susan

Happy St. Patricks' Day!!

May your home be filled with laughter
May your pockets be filled with gold
And may you have all the happiness
Your Irish heart can hold.

Handsome Fella!

I spent the day with my grandson, Sawyer, last Friday. I can tell you, my mind has blocked out how much WORK it is to care for a 5 1/2 month old baby! BTW pressing an 18lb baby over your head several times in one day is a great workout for the upper chest. My chest muscles were so sore the next day.



I didn't sit down for more than 5 minutes the whole day on Friday, and somehow Pat and Courtney manage work, college (with excellent GPAs) the responsibility of home and family, including this wonderfully happy, healthy, sweet baby boy! Amazing!

The bunnies have taken over the studio...

hee hee...it's time for the TDIPT Mercantile update tonight. I hope you'll be able to HOP on over and check out the new bunnies I've been working on this week for you.

The Mercantile is celebrating it's 3rd birthday this month! The TDIPT artists have created some special pieces to give away too, so be sure to stop by and enter for a chance to win!!






I hope you have a great week....Blessings...Susan

What a difference a few days can make...

It's GORGEOUS here today...70 degrees!!! Cody pup was pacing at the front door this morning to get out and enjoy this beautiful day. I listened and out we went. He wore himself out playing in the sunshine and rolling in the grass. I was busy working in the studio and I thought I heard snoring....



hee hee...he's all tuckered out!

I have been busy working on some fun little whimsies that I just added to my Etsy shop. I am loving how these little dollies turned out and there are more on the way! I would love to know if you have a fav dollie that I created that you would like to see re-created as a whimsy!!!



I hope you are having a great day today!!! Blessings....Susan

The view from my studio today...

It's snowing in Dallas, Georgia...again! I think this is the most snowfall in one winter that I've seen since I moved away from NY in 1981!! Not to burst anyone's bubble, but we do actually get snow in the South. Usually one little snow flurry or two...just enough to clear out the bread and milk aisles in every local grocery store. But, this is way above and beyond this year. I know it's a pain for everyone to drive in, but it is soooo pretty! I prefer to see the ground covered with these clean white flakes over the wet mud we usually have any day!

Wishing you a beautiful day today...whatever comes your way! Susan

Isabella

Isabella is available on Ebay starting tonight and ending Saturday, March 7th at 9pm est.



Here's a close up of her little Spring Chick





I hope you'll stop by and give her a peek. A big THANK YOU to all my friends for your comments here on my blog and on my Facebook page. You really helped me ALOT naming this sweet little doll.