Update on Sassyland

I haven't blogged in a bit because my mom had knee replacement surgery and all I was working on was those 300 penguin ornament wedding favors. Kind of boring stuff really. Well the good news is my mom is doing really well after her surgery and is back to doing most things again so my time of taking care of her was short. The other good news is that I finally finished those darn penguins! And on time too!

After this project I was feeling really burned out. I have a directionless feeling. Not sure if the path I set myself on is the right one. Should I continue making my felt dolls? Should I spend more time doing paper clay dolls? Should I go back to making plush dolls? So many questions and no answers yet. Do any of you ever feel this way?

After sitting around resting for a few days I felt the itch to start making something. Luckily I had a doll body pre-made weeks ago so I could just dive right in. I set myself a goal to try and have one of my creations published so I grabbed on to that idea to keep me motivated.

Here she is in her glory. Her face is done now but I'm not going to show that yet. But I'll show her shoes.

I'm not a great beader so I'm just trying to give the idea of a.....well it's a moccasin. I hope it looks like one. It took me 2 days to do just this one.

I am still working on my Vintage circus piece too after setting it aside for a month. I made the trick rider for the horse and discovered that the weight of the doll was too much for the horse's legs to support. ARRRGGGHHHH!!!! I re-did the joints and the problem is solved. The horse now has his costume finished too.

Here is the rider WIP. She now has a head but I rushed doing it and she's a very ugly girl. I'm trying to decide if I should re-do her head or just go with it.

Anyhoo just in case you were wondering what I've been up to...there it is.

What's Happening In Sassyland?

I know I haven't posted in a bit. I've been so busy but I don't have much to show. I'm working on a 300 mini penguin project for a client. I have 150 just about ready to sew together and stuff. It's taking up huge amounts of time and is bothering my carpel tunnel but I'm plowing along.

I am still working on my Circus challenge piece. After some initial proportion problems with my companion piece things are moving smoother. Here's the horse. I need to trim her mane it's too Unicorn and and she is a horse. I originally started a horse soft sculpture back in January or so POST HERE that I never finished. I used that pattern with some modifications for this project so although I never finished the first one I did finish it with this one. Does that make sense?

I have 2 other dolls in the works but they are still in my head. I'm still working out the basic details before starting. The Wonderland piece is still bumping around in there too. I plan to start that in the summer. I have such an urge to start Halloween pieces too!

My studio was featured on ADA's Blog so if you haven't already seen my creative space or are interested in my rambling on about it, you can check it out. It's not pretty but it works for me.

Let's see what else. My mom is going to have knee replacement surgery in 10 days so I'll be Nurse Jen again and will have less time for everything I've got going on. My brother again will be of little help during our mom's recovery so I'm sure there will be friction there. I probably won't be posting much for a while.

What's Going On in Sassyland.

Well now that the Vintage Easter Challenge is done I can move on the other things. I have to make 300 penguin ornaments for the wedding due at the end of May and my hands are a bit sore from cutting out all those little pieces. Not much to see there yet just lots of little un-stuffed bodies. Trying to track down the ribbon I need to hang them, my store is out.

The next challenge I'm going to tackle is The Vintage Circus Challenge over at Art Doll Artists.com. It sounds like a fun one but as usual I've planned a huge design thinking I have enough time to complete it and I probably don't. So I'll have to scale back and maybe do the other pieces at a later date. (knowing me those other piece will never get done....sigh!) Anyhoo we need more people for this so sign up and join in!

There are a couple of smaller swaps coming up at ADA too.

Soft Dolls & Animals Magazine is doing a Native American theme and I'd love to do a doll for that. My children's father is Native American and I have an ancestor who was too. If I can get this done it would make a great 20th birthday present for my daughter. (but again knowing me...we'll see)

I've almost finalize my design idea for the The "Once Upon A Time Alice's Adventures" Challenge at Cloth Doll Artistry. I'm down to 3 different ideas and hope to pick one soon cause it'll take me MONTHS to complete this! Good thing I have until December 31st!

I had to bow out of the Steampunk Challenge there cause I overextend myself. ;0(

As always I'm looking forward to whatever Patrick has in store for more challenges this year at The Hive.  

I also hope to have a chance to make some of MY dolls sometime this year too. And yes I'll probably have some Plush dolls again around the Holidays. I just can't seem to shake free of them.

Do I have enough on my plate yet?

Is Anything Going On In Sassyland?

Well yes but not a lot. I have completed a paper clay piece that I'm just dying to show you all but I can't cause my camera crapped out. So since I've just paid my daughter's tuition and books for the Spring there's no money for a new camera. ;0(

My birthday is about 2 1/2 weeks away and it would be nice if some family members helped me out but I can't really count on that so I'm trying to borrow a camera for a while. We'll see.

Anyhoo as usual there are lots of unfinished projects sitting around. The last 8 months have not been good for my creativity. I feel like I'm moving through molasses. I decided to try and take control of my life and went to the doctor to find a solution to my socially isolating pain. I started 2 new meds for pain last month and all I can say is I'd almost rather be in pain then suffering the med side effects. They actually make me even more unpleasant to be around and isolate me even further. Sigh! I promised the doctor I'd try it for at least 6 months and see if the side effects smoothed out and if my quality of life improved. So that's where I am at this point.

Meanwhile I have to force myself to work on projects which doesn't make me happy or productive. I feel bad for not posting since you all came here for some reason, so I hope my telling you what's going on will keep you hanging on for a while longer.

An Update Of What's Going On In Sassyland

Unfortunately the same old things are still sitting and waiting to be finished. I've only made very small progress on these 4 paper clay figures. Not sure why really. Maybe it's all the other projects I have coming up that are making me feel rushed and when I feel rushed I can't work. I also have the attention span of a flea so that doesn't really help things either.

Here's a peek at my Goth Santa. My Facebook friends and some blog friends gave me great ideas for something I was stuck on with this. I HAVE made a DECISION on what he will hold in his hands, so thank you all!

I also got a great response about getting this soft sculpture piece done too. Several people offered to kick me in the butt so I'd get going. ;0) I have 2 swap pieces to do first then I PROMISE I'll FINISH this!

We moved my step dad into his new senior apartment at the beginning of January. He finally seems to be settling in but he's not really eating properly so I'll have to deal with that.

I've joined 3 challenges, 2 for the Spring and one that lasts the whole year. Nothing like a challenge to get the old brain pumping! The first challenge is an Steampunk Animal at Cloth Doll Artistry. Too fun! Can you guess which animal I'm going to do? The second is Patrick Gill's Vintage Easter Challenge at The Hive and it's a swap. The year long one is a Wonderland one at CDA also. I intend to do a fab showpiece that I can take to craft shows and have it be a portfolio piece. I can do that in a year....right? Well I hope so, there is that attention problem I have! Anyhoo there are lots more unfinished projects around but I'm pretending they don't exist. I'll deal with them later.

What going on in your little land?

Worktable Friday

Quietly sitting and painting on this gray and cold day.

A New Year and A New Me?

I looked back at my goals for 2011 and realized I only did 3 of the 6. Not too bad, better than none right? My biggest goal I didn't do. It was to be published. Basically to submit work for consideration to be published. It was completely my fault that I didn't make that happen. So with more confidence in myself and my work I put it back on my mental list this year. I'm not going to write down lists or anything like that this time around.

I gained a lot of confidence this year and feel really good about the direction my art is going. My long time followers will see the most change. I'm going to continue to show finished pieces with some WIPs. I love to see other people's WIPs so hopefully you'll enjoy seeing mine.

Update on my pup Lita. She's all healed up and her butt hair is growing back, no more weird pink butt. She's back to ruling the house like the Queen Diva she is. I'm very happy that she's happy and healthy again!

Update on my Step Dad. He's still with us. He refused to move to the Supportive Living place that we found. And because of his stubbornness he missed out on a great apartment in the regular Senior building. He wants to stay here. Well that's not going to happen for various reasons that I'm not going to get into now. He's been here 5 months and it's time for him to go. He doesn't realize what a strain his being here puts on all of us especially me. I've had to put my life on hold to care for him. Which I didn't mind in the beginning, I choose to do that, but I didn't realize it would go on so long. Now he mostly needs reminding of things because his short term memory is so bad. He's back to driving himself again. I feel like a bad person cause the constant reminding about meds and food restrictions, etc is driving me crazy! We finally found him another Senior building that's not as nice as the previous one but it's closer to us and he's finally agreed to go. We are waiting for the last bit of paperwork they need before he can move in. I'll still have to go and check on him but I'm hoping I can get back to my normal working schedule and my life. I'm still resentful of my brother's lack of doing anything for his dad, but that's another rant. We are also looking forward to getting the dining room that he's currently sleeping in back.

I'm not even sure where I was going with this post now...but thanks for reading my ramblings.

My Pup Lita Has Been Sick.

My poor baby had a bad infection that required minor surgery. She was sedated and knocked out which is always a worry for small dogs. She came through the procedure fine and her vet (who is the best btw!) made sure she could come home the same day and also blasted some plaque off her teeth while she was already out. Lita was in lots of pain and ended up having her butt shaved which she is very embarrassed about. She spent most of last week sleeping and laying around like this.

This week she is back to normal which makes me realize that she hasn't been normal for a while. I was just too stressed and busy with family matters and the upcoming holidays to notice. I feel like the worst dog mom ever that she had to suffer so long! I will not let that happen again! It's been quite the adventure here in Sassyland.

My Studio Tree Is All Decked Out...

...With ornaments from a swap on The Hive. I gleefully received my box and carefully opened everything. I love how every ornament is a different style and made with different materials and is handmade.

How fun are these? 

I really love them all. There is something fun and unique about all of them. I hope we do this again next year.

The penguin tucked away is mine. I had another ornament planned  just for this swap but my hated sewing machine broke and didn't have time to hand sew 12 of them so I dug in my shop stock and sent the felt penguins. Next year I'll plan better!

Monday In Sassyland....

...or peeks around and finally a finished piece. My brother finally got my shelves above my computer desk up for me. He has the height and long arms that I lack, lol. So of course I had to rearrange everything.

These hold my finished pieces and a few of my collections of other artist's pieces. I have an elf from Kaerie Faerie, a jointed paper doll from Honey Girl Studios, a doll from OCR Primitive Arts, A Bit of Whimsy Dolls Gnome and Patrick's awesome Prim Santa. The empty shelf above will hold my Christmas dolls.

 

Rearranged this set of shelves above my work table too. Yes I know I did it recently but hey things change...right? I really wanted a place to display the great but few Halloween pieces I have. I also filled out the shelf with a bunch of owls.

Patrick of Cre8tor's Touch made this wonderful witch on a moon piece that I got in a swap. She's the main feature of this shelf. I also have a tiny little paper clay matchbox goth doll from Moriah of MLBetterly, a sweet black cat doll from Cindi Meyers, an awesome pumpkin from Linda Kennon of Gourdqueen, Sherry Hall's pumpkin ornie, a Day of the Dead ornie from Mealy Monster Land oh yes and a great candle from Joni Nickrent of Pop Art Minis.

Here's finally is my finished retro, vintage, prim, goofy, whatever pumpkin head. I like him so he's been added to the shelf too.

In other news this fun plush couple has been sold and I'm so thrilled that they are off to a new home. The Vampire and the witch are both still available if anyone is interested.

WIP Wednesday

 Let's start with the Never Ending project. Sigh! I cannot make up my mind about this one and keep changing things! One day I'll complete her and proudly show her off to you all.

Trying out some new head shapes. Blurry photo but you get the idea. I have a few more rolling around here...literally rolling around. Had to chase the dog to get one back from her.

Another never ending project. I can't even remember when I started these nor do I know when I'll finish them. A zombie child and some other children who may or may not be turning into zombies. They haven't tried to bite me yet so who knows?

Of course in the midst of all my unfinished work I decide to start something completely new. It's a folk art doll the kind with the big round heads that I love so much. I actually bought a pattern and am doing it in my own Sassy Pack Rat Studios Style. My ADD isn't letting me focus on one thing lately.

I have some styrofoam bodies standing around waiting for clay that I didn't take photos of yet. I'm following Moriah's tutorial on youtube. I'm also getting ready to make my ornaments for The Hive Christmas Ornament Exchange. I still need to work on the Bigfoot plush too. Sigh!

Update: My step dad is doing better. He's off the walker and the oxygen. We are looking into some assisted living for him cause he's going to have a long recovery and needs help with medications, has some memory problems and tends not to eat if you don't put food in front of him. He's on round 2 of physical therapy and has a crap load of doctors visits.

So that's what going on in Sassyland. Hope you are all doing well.

Zach in Sassyland.

This is my almost 3 year old nephew Zachary who runs rampant around my house on the weekends. He's so adorable. He always yells "Auntie where are you!" "What ya doing?" "Making dollies?" I just love him so much!

Here's the free falling doll from my other post with limbs attached. Zach says she needs clothes and I agree. So once I can make a decision she'll be dressed and get hair.

I finished my last custom Tardis order for a while.I plan to have in stock ones for the holidays instead of made to order. This one now resides in Singapore of all places.

My paper clay order has arrived and super fast. I'm itching to finish the little dolls I started so long ago it seems now. I have 4 felt dolls to finish first then it's a messy clay free for all! Whoo Hoo!
Oh and I might be making a felt Yeti for a friend of my son's. So it's busy, busy, busy here in Sassyland!