Art, Dolls & Wine

Letter Love 101

2012-02-15T20:14:00.000-08:00

I am taking a wonderful on-line class with Joanne Sharpe called Letter Love 101. It is
every day for the entire month of February. Tomorrow I hope to post something. So far
my work is just repeat letters in different ways and I hope to move on to something more interesting. I hope to create wonderful letter additions and have a collection of pens to help that concept.

Whohoo workshop in the Barn

2012-02-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=42879/*http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLORIDA-RenoIowaRetreat

Check out Jean Bernard's site for the Retreat. Also, I have posted several of my dolls from workshop's with Jean and Sherry.

Whohoo workshop in the Barn

2012-02-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Just have been talking to Jean Bernard and Sherry Goshon. They are going to do a workshop in my "Barn" next February. How exciting! No flying with three plus dolls in bag on my lap!

Valentine Exchange

2012-02-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

I belong to a on-line doll group. Sometimes we do a exchange, and I joined in this one as,it's nice to see or receive a handmade gift. This is my elf that I made for
my partner Jan.

Evening Time

2012-02-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

After a hard day in the vineyard, it's nice to relax on the porch of the barn with a glass of wine and watch the sunset. Of course, I have to add the hard working Smokey.

Time for Pruning in the Vineyard

2012-02-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

This is the time for pruning and it is a month long job. I have several dolls and a jacket under way and a exchange doll which must be in the mail for Valentine's day. After pruning, which is hard on your hand, I have been too tired to do the fun things.

Christmas in Florida

2012-01-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

It's a little late, but I just downloaded this picture and wanted to share the great
weather

Quilt Show Time

2012-01-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

My quilt guild has it's biannual quilt show coming up in March. Members are asked to donate articles for the show, besides showing quilts and in my case dolls. This is a
small quilt which I am donating to the mini-quilt auction.

Another Gourd Doll~WIP

2011-12-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

This week has been nice as parties and luncheons are over. Grandchildren will come next week, so it will be busy.
I have continued on my gourd doll and created fabric from sheer scrapes. Guess I will live with it for a while. The head is not the one I will use, but helps with over all
look.

Another Gourd Doll

2011-12-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

I love painting and using alcohol inks on gourds in creating a doll. I have stored these products long enough and now that the luncheons are over, I have two dolls I want to complete in the next few weeks. My quilt guild has it's bi-annual show the second week of March. The doll club will have a display of our art. When you say dolls, people are surprised and when they see them they are amazed. So much fun. OK, now my WIP.

Back to My Iowa 2011 Creation

2011-12-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

One more view of my embellished doll.

Holiday Ornament

2011-12-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have joined a Beginner's Polymer Clay Sculpture Group and they give such good information. We just had a Holiday Ornament exchange and I received an awesome ornament which I must take a picture of very soon.
In the meantime, I have a picture of my piece.
The shell was found on our local beach many years ago.

Close ups

2011-11-21T15:34:00.000-08:00

Well I forgot the close ups, so here I am again.

Back to My Iowa 2011 Creation

2011-11-21T10:07:00.000-08:00

I'm back to playing with embellishments for this doll. I sometimes can look at a picture and get a better idea of which way to go.

Getting Ready for Party in Barn

2011-11-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

I have been too busy to post lately. Trip to Outer Banks and returned for party for 60 people-no make that 75 in the barn

Iowa 2011 Doll Retreat with Jean and Sherry

2011-10-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Finally I have had some time to work on my Iowa 2011 doll. I am still playing with embellishments, but like new body and hands so much better.

Latest Doll~WIP

2011-10-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

I finally have had some time to work on my Iowa Doll. It's raining and cooler today, so I am waiting on parts to dry. At least here is a picture in it's present state.

Iowa 2011 Doll Retreat with Jean and Sherry

2011-10-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

The Iowa 2011 Doll Retreat was awesome. It was very cold but warm in friendship. The gourd doll was the inspiration to many creative pieces. Several great witches, and Sherry created a wonderful parrot. As usual, I started with a witch and changed in midstream.
I am sewing a entire new body as I do not like my hands. The material became puffy even with no extra batting on the back on each hand. I have done little embellishment as traveling home on a crowded airplane is hard enough. I am posting a picture, minus the gourd bottom. Wednesday I hope to post the gourd, which has another coat of paint.
Love the couple of masks I created and will be working on the new body later today. Tomorrow is a field trip for the doll club.

Sculpting these Days

2011-09-05T08:26:00.001-07:00

My heavens!I have not posted in a while. I have been busy with grapes and done some sculpting. Oh yes, working on my "White on White" for DDFA challenge due Sept 12th.
I am posting a picture on my very first set of hands. Not great, but better than I had hoped and still working on them

2011-07-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

I have worked some more on my CIFI project. This is from my third class with Jean Bernard and Sherry Goshon. Some really go in different directions and I have learned so much, which I usually try to use after class. 3-day classes are too busy to go far out of my box.

Just returned from CIFI in Albuquerque, NM

2011-07-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

My doll made the trip home from Albuquerque with very little damage. Yippee! It's still a WIP, but close to finish. I have several dolls as Diane Little states, dancing in my head. I plan to work more on completing these dreams this year.

Just returned from CIFI in Albuquerque, NM

2011-07-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Well, it has taken me longer to down load pictures and work on my doll then I realized.
I have more work to do, but here are some pictures

Just returned from CIFI in Albuquerque, NM

2011-06-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

The past week has been filled with Awesome Dolls, great people and great teachers. I arrived home with several dolls. One by Shashi and three by Diane Little. Also, my own creation in a class with Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard~two creative fun teachers. A will have pictures up later today.

Doll dressed in Sheers

2011-06-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

Recently I have posted about working with sheers and beginning a new doll. Now I have combined the two~sheers on a doll along with crazy quilts design. So here is another picture of my WIP. Back to work!

Getting Ready for CIFI

2011-06-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

In about two weeks, I get to go to New Mexico for a doll conference. Several good friends are going with me and I get to see friends that I usually only e-mail. Check out http://www.creationsinfiberinc.com/index.html. I will be taking a class with Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard who are so much fun. To past the time I am trying to complete a doll, which is still in pieces

Sheer Bliss: Layering Techniques with Sheer Fabrics

2011-05-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

After finishing my samples with sheer fabrics, I knew I must proceed to a project using my new knowledge. The picture I am showing here is still a WIP, but it helps me to view my work on the computer and live with it for a while. I used a white sheer on a batting and it looks like I worked on batting, so one lesson for the future.

Class on Sheers

2011-05-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last Monday Martha Wolfe treated some of the Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists to a class on sheers. She has created some awesome art quilts with this method and of course, we wanted to learn how to use sheers. Next Monday she will treat some others to the same project. Of course, we in the first class only got to samples and came home with the hope of completing a art piece with our new knowledge. Martha's blog is listed under my favorites as The Pink Ganeshji. This was so much fun.

Another picture of my Elf

2011-05-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, I posted a picture of parts of a elf from a pattern by Kathie Briggs. He is together, but need more embellishment. I think he is so cute and the next picture will have some hair away from his face.

Doll clss with Sue McMahon

2011-04-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

I tried to take some more pictures outside and show all my bling, but it still does not show. Maybe I will add more. This is the first doll head which I completely sculpted from foil to air dry clay.

Doll clss with Sue McMahon

2011-04-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

It has been so much fun to continue working on my doll from Susie's class. Now that I am home, I can see room for improvement~but I love her anyway.

Doll clss with Sue McMahon

2011-04-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy few weeks. I have tried to finish my doll from Kathie Briggs class, the usual doll meeting, quilt guild and annual wine guild picnic. I don't believe a mentioned a double gold medal for the noble wine from the state fair competition in February. Wow!!!
I just returned from a three-day class with Susie McMahon~which was held at Anne Hesse's awesome home. To tour Annie's new home in Sanford, Fl was a treat worth the class alone.
Susie is a wonderful teacher and I am so happy with my new creation. Still need to finish embellishment, but I am so pleased. All the dolls are so different and I met several gals who I had known from e-mail.

Another Art Doll

2011-03-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Barbara Bilbo, Judi Rutstein and I drove up to New Smyrna Beach, for the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Art Doll Class. Kathie Briggs taught from her doll patterns. Each of us created a different dolls with Kathie's wonderful guidance. The weather was beautiful and we watched many talented people work on their art, beside our class.

Collaborations

2011-03-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased with the many compliments on my tree doll. Also a beautiful ribbon for Third Place in fiber art. The ribbon is green and white and looks so good with my piece. I have added a picture of the chicken ~ which won First Place. It really was a wonderful piece.

Collaborations

2011-03-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

Collaborations is finally here. I have added a small elf to my tree. The elf is from a pattern from a class a took from Michelle Munzone. I did not make a fairy, as the elf is hiding and we all know wings are full of bling to show. My tree goes so well with the watercolor painting by Jo Ewald. This is so much fun!

Doll Street Postcard Swap-2011

2011-03-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

I joined a Doll Street postcard swap for 2011. We had 22 people join, so off to the races. Of course, I waited until the last minute to get an idea and begin.

Mother Nature

2011-02-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

I believe my tree doll is almost finished. Still playing a little, but may have to bling it up a bit more.

WIP

2011-02-04T11:40:00.001-08:00

It's still a WIP, but coming along. What fun.

Trees-real and created art part 2

2011-02-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

Unlike most of you, the weather has been beautiful for the past week. I wish I could send some of it your way. Of course, this remark will probably send bad weather my way.
While my DH has been hard at work pruning in the vineyard, I am working on my collaboration piece. It is getting to be more fun to work on, as it is starting to look like something in nature.

Trees-real and created art

2011-01-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

This week our Ornamental Pear Tree is full of flowers. This only last a week or so and very early, while it is still cold one day and beautiful the next. Many days it is lovely to play in the barn. I have added the second and third pictures of my latest project for March.

Project for new year

2011-01-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

It has been too cold to go down to the barn many days, but last Tuesday was beautiful for working on art media. My friend Martha and I put in several hours on our projects. She was finishing a baby quilt and I was working on a art piece. This picture shows the beginning, which was changed a few day later. I am much happier with it after several changes which I will photo in a day or two.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

We had the grandsons here for the days between Christmas and New Year Eve. Treated them to dinner at Long Doggers. Of course, Steve's cats loved the extra company! Happy New Year to all.

Iowa Retreat Doll

2010-12-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

I have worked on my Iowa Retreat doll most of the morning. I am still not sure about the head dress, so I have taken pictures and will live with it awhile.

Florida Weather

2010-11-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

This is shopping in Florida-come visit-for those in the cold north and west!

Annual November Playday

2010-11-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

November is our annual playday for members and some friends. There are several pictures posted on the DDFA site. This is my round-robin piece.

Still working on my Iowa Retreat Doll

2010-11-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

I have had some time to work on the doll from the Iowa Retreat. I replace her hands in cloth. The next one may be wire. I have painted her hair and played with clothing and head dress. Hope to finish her next week.

Fall at the Barn

2010-11-18T06:23:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy month at the barn. I have had several different groups for art (and wine) projects. The vineyard is our Florida fall time of year as the vines loose their leaves.

Workshop in the Barn

2010-11-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

I group of 16 gals came to the barn yesterday for a embellishment class with Linda Matthews. Linda, who is not a doll maker, created an art doll and embellished her for us. It started out as a cold morning, but ended up a beautiful cool, sunny day for Florida. Linda is a wonderful teacher and it was fun to watch everyone get into sewing, beading, stamping and just having a great time.

Halloween

2010-11-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

It was a small but fun party at our house Saturday night. Everyone was dressed for the night!

Postcard Swap

2010-11-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I finished my last three postcards for the swap and have mailed them

Postcard Swap

2010-10-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am doing a postcard swap with 5 other people. Each card must include a face and I have been working on creating a better face. I have a long way to go, but must say I have improved greatly.
I have two cards in the mail and hope to finish the others tonight.

Steve's Cats

2010-10-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

I now have two cats living in my home, which belong to my son. We had cats many years ago, but they were "barn cats". I had a picture of sleeping cats who purr when you come close. Otherwise, just look like a pretty ornament. Not true! I now could write a book (if I were a writer). I may have the only cats who love to play in water or take a bath. They love to chase each other and I never know where they hide as day they find a new sleeping place. Both have large bushy tails and sometimes I can find a paw or tail dangling in space.

College of my Mother at age 16

2010-10-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

When I went to the Iowa Retreat, I took a mini college class from Judi Atsma. I had a picture of my mother at age 16 and used that for my college. It was a wonderful class and I hope to repeat what I learned. The picture turned out good for my first attempt, but did not photo as well. The winkles are really uneven places where my background came together. Lesson 1 to watch for when creating the background. They are not as apparent as the photo makes them. The accessories are pale pink (my mother's favorite color).

Dirty Dozen Exhibit

2010-10-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

On Friday members of my DDFA group met to hang our art quilts for the year. This year we had a total of over 80 art quilts. Our challenge of Tall and Thin was a lot of fun and provided a variety of quilts. I also completed a new self portrait which was on the blog a few months ago. I ready liked several Tall and Thin quilts, but Martha's was awesome. At this time of year I always say next year I will start early and put more time into my work. And then a think "dolls"

Iowa Retreat 2010

2010-09-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a Iowa Retreat with Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard. What a wonderful group and awesome teachers.

Great week-end retreat

2010-08-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

Dirty Dozen Fiber Artist had the annual retreat this past week-end. Our Saturday meeting included all twelve members. Wow it was a great week-end. Our challenge was to create a flower from the sample given by Martha Wolfe. Eleven of us complete our sample which was sliced into four sections. We each kept one piece and received three sections from other members. We will sew these sections together, embellish, quilt and display at the exhibit in October.

New Self-Portrait for DDFA

2010-07-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

My fiber art group DDFA will be having the annual exhibit this October. The first self-portrait I made was in 2006. I have come along way and have begun a new piece.
I will add the next progress picture in a few days.

Mixed Media Doll

2010-07-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

At the wonderful conference in New Mexico, I completed a mixed media doll in my class with Sherry Goshom and Jean Bernard. They are a great team!

2010-06-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

I am taking a on-line class with Maggie Hunt. I have been dyeing fabric for the class and using dye from my Seaside Quilt Guild Dye class. The dye just keeps on going!

CIFI Conference

2010-05-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

I just returned from CIFI in New Mexico. It was great fun and I came home with four dolls. One from the auction, two by Diane Little and one from my class with Jean Bernard and Sherry Goshon. They were great teachers and so much fun.

Bride Doll

2010-05-31T08:50:00.000-07:00

My doll club just had a bride doll challenge and I finished my doll

2010-05-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

The lighting is not good, but here is my Pearl Red Moon creation.

2010-03-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

I finally have my Red Pearl Moon doll together. I may add more to her head dress, but what fun. I do love her.

This is a piece of her skirt.

2010-03-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

Seaside piecemakers have their Quilt Show coming up next week-end. I have made a Cat Bag from Michelle Verbeech design. Also a doll from Patti Medaris Culea workshop pattern.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

I joined a challenge with a doll yahoo group I belong to. I made three hearts which will be exchanged later this month.

Storm at the beach

2010-02-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

I visited a blog with a great picture of a porch with rocking chairs. It was titled looking back. Therefore, I have added my 6th picture from my 6th album.

2010-01-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, lets try another picture with more light

Saturday -Weather Perfect

2010-01-25T13:14:00.000-08:00

Saturday was perfect weather for a day in the barn. Linda Matthews was here to teach us photo transfer with the newest methods. There were 20 of us gals ready to learn. Linda was well prepared with a full day of fun and adventure.

A lunch and playday in the barn

2010-01-07T08:42:00.000-08:00

It's been too cold to go down to the barn. Next week should warm up. Central Florida may see snow this week-end. The week before Christmas I had four friends (doll makers) over for a day of play.
January 23th my Dirty Dozen group plus a few extras are coming to a class called "Imagery on Fabric". Linda Matthews is coming to teach the class. I am hoping for warmer weather as we have little heat in the barn.

Work in Progress

2010-01-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the things I am trying hard to finish in the next week. The first two months of the year are going to be very busy.

2010-01-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year ~ 2010

Dolls on Display

2009-12-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

Here is the picture from the other side

Dolls on Display

2009-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

My doll club, Daff-O-Dolls, showed off our dolls at the local library for the month of November. The theme was Circus. Next year it's Christmas and I am going to start on my project very early.

Playday at the Barn

2009-12-12T09:21:00.000-08:00

Here is another picture from our November playday at the barn

Playday at the Barn

2009-12-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

2009-10-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy few days. Between my fiber arts group and a doll class coming up with doll artist Jane Houck, I am very busy. We will be doing a frightening fairy. Just in time for Halloween!
Also, the Daff-O-Dolls will be filling the display case at the local library for the month of November. Our theme is Circus. I am still working on my doll so I will post one from Helen, a great doll artist, member and friend.

Photo Challenge for 2009

2009-10-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

Our challenge for 2009: The Swedish Cafe by Martha Wolfe.
Our pieces are so different.

DDFA Exhibit

2009-10-03T05:47:00.000-07:00

I spent most of Thursday with several members of DDFA,hanging 83 art pieces. It is so wonderful to see what everyone has done. Our challenge pieces are so different.

2009-09-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will be hanging for our DDFA Exhibit. I have worked all day to finish my last two fiber art pieces and can not wait to see what everyone has created. This piece began in a class some time ago, but I changed it and added my own touch, thread painting and some painted extras.

2009-09-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken in the morning sun, so I have some shadows. I have added more detail and may stop here. Our DDFA exhibit begins this week-end.

Mixed Media Play

2009-09-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

This morning was my DDFA meeting with all 12 of us there. That was great! We all turned or showed our completed challenge pieces for this year.
Later I came home and played some with two mixed media pieces. I have added textiva fusible film, free motion stitching, heat and now adding texture.
I also have a wine bottle which I am adding lace, trim, paint and anything to add texture.

Daff-O-Dolls at work and play

2009-09-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

My doll club meets once a month for a short meeting, a program and to work on dolls and related projects. We have some great doll artist.

Hands in Praise!

2009-09-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent a wonderful morning in church with friends and a service full of music and praise. There were many hands raised in pray and I related to my "Man in Blue", who I feel is showing joy. Blue is a calm color which makes me think of sky and water and peace. Later in the day I enjoyed lunch with 5 good friends. What a awesome way to enjoy a holiday week-end. I appreciate having good friends around me and hope to show that in my fiber art and dolls.

A day at a time.

2009-09-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

I have finished my "Group Therapy" piece from our DDFA Retreat. It is called "Man in Blue" and has techniques from the last two programs, which I presented to the group. Texture is so much fun. I have about three other projects under way and I took a picture of my kitchen where I am working. We have two primaries started for wine. The room is very busy!

A day at a time.

2009-09-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

Today I have picked more grapes to freeze. Most of the eating grapes are gone but we still have wine grapes.
I continued my sewing for the Dirty Dozen Exposed! VI. Our exhibit begins on October 2nd through October 31th. My challenge is due in one week and I am about finished.

Grapes in Abstract

2009-08-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our grapes and I have played with it in photoshop elements.

It's grape season

2009-08-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

This month is the hot, hot, hot time of year. Therefore it is time to pick the grapes.
Of course, that means time to make wine for another year.

DDFA 2009 Retreat

2009-08-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

My fiber arts group had a great time two weeks ago at our annual retreat.

2009-08-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Our Dirty Dozen Fiber Arts group had a great retreat this week-end. This is my fourth time and I am looking forward to the next one. It is a fun group and we learn all kinds of new information about each other over the week-end.

2009-08-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it is another day and another try at posting a picture.