Tuesday, November 24, 2009

My Peppermint Girl

This folk art doll sculpture was made for a PWGL challenge entitled "Enchanted Christmas." However, so many hours went into her that I missed the entry date completely. Like, swoosh, completely flew over my head!

She has just come back from the factory, conveniently located in the North Pole, because really, that's where all the enchanted Christmas people live right?
After spending her day making sweet confections, she's getting to do what she's been thinking about all day- decorating for Christmas! See that pinkalicious garland? It's about to go on her fireplace! Right next to her tree of ooey gooey gumdrops!


This challenge really was a challenge for me...just not used to making such a whimsical face. I debated a lot with myself, but figured it would be more fun to eat a peppermint if someone like this actually made them!


She's on ebay now until Thanksgiving night. If she doesn't sell, I'll be taking her over to Briar Patch on Friday.
It does make me curious though, what is your favorite Christmas candy? Without a doubt, mine is peppermint bark...YUM! :)
Best of luck to you all as you get ready for Thanksgiving!! :)

Monday, November 23, 2009

Peppermint Bliss

Well, hello ladies! :) How is everyone today? I can't believe it has been so long since my last post! I've been working like crazy to get ready for Briar Patch...it is this FRIDAY!!! Time has just flown by!

But first, Bliss Fest!! This event was put on by the store Domestic Bliss in Mesa- a store that is full of eye candy! Allow me to introduce to you a few of my favorite bloggers/artists. First, there is Tricia, from Vintage Bliss. She makes wonderful items and has great little vintage items too! :)Next up is Julie Haymaker Thompson...she is one of my all time FAVORITES!! I am so glad she moved to Arizona and I can't wait to take one of her classes. Seriously folks, check her out- she rocks with a capital R! And now I have a piece of my own! :)Ironically, another one of my favorites is her cousin, Beth Quinn! Creativity and talent must run in the family! I admit to not being a big fan of jewelry, but that is just NOT the case when it comes to Beth! I had been drooling over her necklaces long enough and finally got one of my own! She has the best sayings right in her pendants. Mine says, "She loves her journey." How perfect is that?! Such an optimistic sentence...one you can believe when you are happy with the way things are in your life, but also when things are hard because it is the hard times that gets you to the good ones...it's all part of the journey! :)I also got to visit with Michelle of Mosaic Cottage. I have definitely talked about her before! She is putting those antique doll heads on her cupcakes now...pure heaven! Each artist was just as sweet as pie...it was a such a treat to go! :) I mean, really, how lucky am I to have all these artists right here in my part of town?! It's like Esther Smith being excited about the Worlds Fair being in St. Louis! Don't know what I'm talking about? Watch this!

Our little outing also served as a Mommy-Daughter date. So the icing on the cupcake was that I got to share it all with my little girl who is not so little anymore. Can she be eight already???Now to what has been consuming all my time lately...the show! The sad part is, I have no plan. What I make anyway is so random...I have so many WIPs I'm just trying to finish them all and throw some paintings in with all the cupboards and scrap wood I've been hoarding. It has been very satisfying to go through my stash...which is way too large even though I've been extremely thrifty in how I have gotten it, and using only what I have. I really want to get some sewing done...I have an antique red velvet bedspread that is just amazing and patiently waiting to be turned into something else. I know I'll never get it all done in time, but I'm still determined to try! :) I may never do this show again and want to make the most of it!

In searching for ideas, I remembered this photograph that I love. These are Dave's grandparents, Florence & Pete. I hear they were a very cute couple....looks like it doesn't it? :)
Pete died when my hubby was just a newborn, but Florence is just as devoted to him now as she was then. I wanted to do a folky version of the photo and here it is: Not my regular face, I know! It wasn't planned, but I liked how it looked and decided to stop. Kind of funky I think!
A Goodwill makeover: I would love to live in white and weather house in the country like this!
I'll post tomorrow about my Peppermint Girl...this post has gotten a bit long. Thanks for sticking through to the end!
Have a happy day!
Mere
P.S. I posted this on my facebook, but through this process, I have noticed that I have an art quirk! I have to work on three things at a time in order to be happy when creating. Sure it gives things time to dry, but why three? Don't know! It made me curious though, as to what other art quirks might be out there....what is YOURS? :)









Monday, November 09, 2009

Busy as a bee and...


...I have so much to tell you!! :)
First off, I was interviewed this last weekend by one of my favorite bloggers...Jennifer Rizzo of Sanctuary Art for her Women Who Create series. If this is your first time visiting me, WELCOME!! :) If not, thanks for coming back! :) If you have not been to Jen's blog yet, you must go see what this wonderful woman can do with discarded furniture and a gallon of paint! Her blog is full of great tutorials too! I want her home, I really do! :) Thank you for such an honor Jen!

Secondly, I'm sorry for being MIA, but that show wore me OUT! In two days, I had 1.5 hours sleep! It went well, but I'd have to say it is a lot easier to sell online than in person. I'm still glad I did it though!

It was so much fun to meet so many people and see their reactions to our booth. One sweet lady even sat down with us and we enjoyed a nice long talk! Here are some photos from our booth.
My friend, Jeri, did the landscapes and abstracts, and all the little nifty home decor items. She has a blog now...finally! :) She is one of my best friends, and we have a blast on our designated art day that we have once a week! We are now getting ready for our next show, Briar Patch, on the 27th. Come and see us if you can!




Here are some of my latest pieces. I'm also busy working on a peppermint candy girl for a PWGL challenge...it's been fun! :)


A Good Laugh is Sunshine in a House



She Has Stolen His Heart



This is from a photo I took of a birdhouse at a round barn in Frederickburg, Texas. The barn looks like the birdhouse!


You have to love Jodi Messina! :)



The Late Rabbit's Portrait



My first Christmas angel for the season. Real glass glitter on her wings!



Lastly, I'm so excited to tell you that I heard back from Stampington! They want to do a feature on Alice for Art Doll Quarterly!!! The owner of Alice was even so kind to drive her over there for her photo shoot! Thank you Suzan! It sure makes a girl feel lucky and blessed, that is, once I got over the shock! lol


Thanks again for stopping by...my next post will be on our Mommy/Daughter date at BlissFest!


Have a great day all!