Feeling Sheepish

   Emerging from my common cold coma of the past week I realized I had spent most of my couch time counting sheep.  Suddenly the work basket was full of fat forms with tiny faces begging for final touches. Feeling better now, I kindly obliged.

 

Made from an up-cycled wool/mohair sweater, Sherman Simpleton has rented out his side  for advertising.

His face is a fingertip of an old leather glove.  Vintage gloves have been one of my go-to faves for years due to their versatility and expert craftsmanship.  

A new Sherpa fluff was born while I was resting.  Wanda proudly wears her full coat knowing it will be the talk of the spring county fair! 

Wanda's face is made of distressed leather and her tie is a simple scrap of Americana calico.

Rounding out the common cold collection is the sheep trio "Baa, Baa, Blacksheep".  These wee guys are made from up-cycled garments, garden sticks and wool roving.

The beige Baas have a face of painted cotton distressed just so, whereas the black sheep has a leather glove tip face.

In addition to sheep- pigs, mice, and bunnies were found all in stuffed and ready to finish condition- just littered all over the house.  Makes me wonder if I was actually productive in my coma- or were other wee hands at work?

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Guess we'll never know!

 

LOVE  &  GOOD HEALTH!

 

Bagging The Birds

Festive feathers are flying here!  Though spring is cracking the winter cold, pastels are ruling the day, and autumn is almost a bad word- it is time to send off some birds in high hopes of earning a spot in upcoming holiday publications.

 

 

Last summer I sent my first submission to Somerset Studios and was floored when not only was my work published in Prims, but I was asked to write an accompanying article. (Smelling salts have since been a staple in my supply closet!)  The seashore primitives have returned from their grand journey with stars in their eyes and tall tales on their tongues, whipping up a whirr of excitement in the studio.

First to raise a wing and shout, "Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!!" were the scrawny turkeys.  So happy to be out of the sleepy storage bin, the Drumstick brothers, Edgar and Earnest,  have packed their credentials and jumped in the shipping box; showing off their up-cycled woolens and making the Up-cycle Nation oh so proud!

Joining the Drumstick brothers is Buzz the Vegan Vulture.  He is labeled, bagged, and ready to roll! In recycled wool, cashmere, and vintage fur, Buzz proudly represents the Up-cycle Nation as well.

Hopefully, their dreams of fame and fortune in the big city will be realized- and in time they too will return with magical stories of their own.

 

LOVE  &  OFF WE GO!

 

Goal Power

Reaching a goal is an instant ego boost, but reaching a goal earlier than expected is like a thousand smiles burning into a permanent grin.  Chariots of Fire music plays in the back of my mind as I mentally burst through the finish line tape!  The choir sings a fast paced hallelujah and I am clapping and stomping in time!  Then I am ushered out of Barnes & Noble for the 5th time in a week..........

 

 

Ashlie Blake, of Painting Bliss, and I have mastered the art of goal setting and continue to see our dreams coming true.  Last year we set a goal that 2013 would be our year of publication.  Ashlie has many publications under her belt and it took me a while to conquer my fear of rejection.  But as Ashlie was claiming her third time in Somerset Studios, I knew I could no longer sit on the sidelines. Having both been published we set a new goal of being on the news stands in the same month.  This week that goal got a check mark when the Somerset Studios hit the rack! 

 

 

I have notebooks full of goals, because let's face it- I have A LOT I want to accomplish in this life.  Writing down goals, action plans, and dreams is a mental exercise essential to accomplishment. It is like putting in an order from the menu of achievements. Looking back at my earliest goals, I am amazed to see how far I've come.  And how far Ashlie and I have grown as artists.  There was a time when we felt we couldn't call ourselves artists but now we wear that crown with flashing lights!

 

We will have all of 2013 to enjoy our publication goal as we each have commitments from other magazines coming up.  But those shall remain secrets until the printed page hits the stands and I will again be asked to leave Barnes & Noble due to excessive celebration.

LOVE  &  THE HAPPY DANCE!