A Clean Studio and Hopefully A Happier New Year

It's been a year of ups and downs for me. More downs than ups. And there are more boulders in the road ahead but I'll keep doing my best to climb over them. 

To try and start the New Year off right I cleaned and organized my studio. It was so cluttered in here that I fled to other parts of the house and made messes there too! I only have after pics cause you've seen messy photos of it before. Now I finally have room to spread out and work. It's not perfect but it'll work for me for now.

Stationery supplies and shipping area.

Main worktable, supply storage and

some of my many collections.

Computer desk or idea central plus more collections.

It will never be this clean again! 

 Scanner, art books, fabric & plush storage etc.

My mom is going to buy me an Ikea type storage unit 

thing for my birthday that will replace all of this.

 2nd work table, felt storage & bags of jewelry.

Ignore the mess behind the curtain!

So that's it! Not sure how long it'll stay clean but I promise to try! I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Box of Owls

If you've read my blog at all then you know I'm crazy for owls. My mom got me a set of TY owls from the movie Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole and my brother got me the DVD so I was a happy little hooter!

Christmas Fun and a Turkey named Ham.

The Girl (my daughter) loved the doll I made for her! She was so surprised, thank goodness!

Binks was happy with his present too.

Made Lita wear a wreath collar. She was not too happy about it but it was only for a while and she should be happy it wasn't the Santa suit again!

This is my 2 year old nephew Zach. He was fun but tiring. I don't know how women my age have young children! (My older nephew wouldn't let me take a photo-he's 10).

Baby, Lita and Binks each with their new toy. Fun was had by all until Lita stole a cat toy and got popped in the face by Baby. Peace was quickly restored.

The Girl spent last night putting together a Gingerbread House for fun. The icing that came with was terrible so we dug out the icing I saved from the roll outs and she went to town.

I discovered at the second day of eating the holiday dinner (my mom always makes enough for an army!) that what my mom told everyone was turkey was in fact ham! We had a good laugh over that! I may have to go to the store with her next year or at least open the package myself and see what it is. Wackiness happens everyday around here!

A Very Happy Holiday to All!

Thank you for reading, lurking commenting, passing along my link, joining in my giveaways etc! I appreciate your dropping by to see what's going on even if you don't comment. Have a Happy one!

Wordless Wednesday WIP

Finished Doll of and for My Daughter

She plays soccer on her College team and I wanted to make a special doll for her for this special time in her life. Here's her official College Photo.

 And here is the doll I made. Do you think she'll like it?

Not Christmasy at all.

I won several giveaways this Fall and just didn't have the time to share them with you. They are all so awesome so I'll show them now.

I won this awesome candle from Joni Nickrent of Pop Art Minis. She does wonderful whimsical drawings and makes candles too. I won this in a contest over at The Hive a new Creative Group. I have a button on my side bar you can use to get there if you'd like to check it out. There is always something going on there!
Anyway this candle smells awesome! I don't want to burn it yet cause it's so nice!

Next I won this amazing JOL from The Gourdqueen Linda Kennon. It was a prize from a blog giveaway. My photo isn't very good but trust me this is amazing and I will treasure it forever!

Last but not least. I won this terrific Day of the Dead Ornie from one one my favorite artists, Nicole Johnson of Mealy Monster Land. Her dolls are amazing but her zombies are my favorites!

This ornie is just wonderful! I adore Day of the Dead art!

I hope you enjoyed seeing these wonderful items!

Jack Frost Finished

I'm pretty pleased at how the doll came out. He's impish and slightly creepy...just what I wanted!

He's made in all winter blues with a snowflake patterned vest and hat.

Clear glass beads are sewn onto the middle of the snowflake pattern on his vest and hat. I also did some simple embroidery on the snowflakes fabric.

Curly elf shoes!

Jack has button joints on his shoulders, elbows and hips so he can sit and be posed. As much as I love him he's going in the shop and I hope someone else will love him as much as I do.

Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose and Other Things.

I had a sudden urge to make a Jack Frost doll when I saw the ones made for the ADO monthly challenge.  He's a wip but further along than the other 2 dolls I showed last time. They were rudely pushed aside for this doll and I've have to get back into their good graces again. ;0)

I finished the very LAST TARDIS I'll do this year and shipped it off yesterday. Had to take the listing down but will offer them again after the holidays.

My daughter asked me to make her a stocking this year but it keeps getting pushed to the side cause I'm trying desperately to finish her doll. 

 Hoping I can finish all the gift projects but sadly knowing I won't. Hand sewing zebra stripes on this may just blind me but it's what the Girl wants! I know I'll finish the Girl's presents but my mom is just SOL this year. Sorry mom!

Some quick WIP

Back to making dolls now that I've ended my penguin ornament craziness. (Sorry to anyone who wanted some. I ran out of stock quickly and was making them per order.) This first one is a present for my daughter (aka Snarky Girl). It's her and she'll be dressed in her College soccer uniform. I've been working on this in front of her and she has no idea it's for her! The problem will be getting it dressed, doing the hair and hiding it so she doesn't realize it is her. Wish me luck!

Because of so many penguin ornaments and Tardis custom orders I fell behind in some projects I really wanted to do so I am starting two of them even though they won't be finished till after the holidays. Not going to tell you who they are. How about everyone guesses? Here are some hints: They are a couple and they are a little on the heavy side. Hee hee!

Twitter Friend Finds.

As Christmas fast approaches like a speeding freight train I thought I'd share some favorite items from my twitter friends who are also etsy sellers. I hope you enjoy my picks and will check out these awesome lovelies!

Cozy Cat Bed

from @coloradocatnip

ColoradoCatnipToys on etsy

I want one for my Lita!

Solstice Bracelet

@PepperPaige

BadCatJewelry on etsy

So Yummy and Lovely!

Reindeer Felt Ornament

@lizzibooonetsy

Lizziboo on etsy

So cute!

Candy Cane Stripe Earrings

@FindingCharm

FindingCharm on etsy

Love these!

Tea Cup Chihuahua Bead

@maybeads

MayBeads on etsy

She had me at Chihuahua!

Mini Monster Plush

@ArtTalesLEFTZ

ArtTales on etsy

I have one, you will love it!

Little Snow Girl

@mykobocek

mykobocek on etsy

Adore this!

Crocheted Cowl

@handmadebysandi

HandmadeBySandi on etsy

Seriously need this now!

Maple Leaf Coasters

@CloverMeadow

CloverMeadow on etsy

These are so great!

Vintage Monogrammed Hankie

@iLaura

iLaura on etsy

So lovely and sweet!

Fox Art Print

@helloheath

HelloHeath on etsy

Gorgeous!

Cardinal Sculpture

@busylittleelf

busylittleelf on etsy

So sweet and special!

Vintage Hooters

@jenscloset

JensCloset on etsy

Perfect for my collection!

Penguin Holiday Cards

@earthtogirl

earthtogirl on etsy

Penguins! Love her style!

Free Printable Gift Tags

I offered some free gift tags last year and noticed that they are getting a lot of hits this year. So I thought I'd share the original post with everyone.
Here's a link to the post and it can also be found on my right sidebar under Popular Posts.

Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD TAGS HERE

SNOW!

The Girl (otherwise know as my daughter aka Snarky Girl) woke me at 7 am this morning to see the snow all excited. (Did I mention that she's 18?) So Lita (the dog) and I got up to see and wow! Lots of snow and it's still coming down now. It's close to 4 inches (10 cm).

Backyard.

Out the front door.

This will make going to the P.O. later not much fun! But the dog might really love running in it.

Slashed Prices in the Shop!

Reduced the price of just about everything and my blog readers get a coupon code: BLOGDISCOUNT for an additional 10% off your purchase.

New Ginger Pillow Plush in the Shop.

My initial thought for holiday plush was larger versions of my ornaments from last year. But of course I went the other direction with Holiday plush in the same style as my Halloween plush. I still had the urge to do my original idea so I made 2 Gingers.

They are a simple pillow style plush and I think pretty cute. I only have one boy and one girl.

Friday I'm going to put just about everything on a get stuff sold sale and if you are a blog reader I'll have an extra special discount just for you guys. So be sure to check back.

Winners of the Giveaway are...

Yoborobo wins the the 1st prize Owl

Wendy Wright wins the 2nd prize Reindeer

Lauren wins the 3rd prize Penguin

I'll contact you all later today or you can email me your address.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered! I wish you all could have won!

I'll have another giveaway in the early Spring for my birthday.