Well...I like it.

I have been on a fashion discovery trip for a while now. I have been looking at everything from steampunk to various lolita styles. There are elements here and there that I have been latching onto and making my own. The outfit I posted in my last post is a really good example of  what I mean.

So here I am- in my latest bliss. Something fun... "What is it?" you ask.

Well they are falls- Yarn falls to be exact.

They may be goofy, or eccentric but I think they are nothing short of fun. I don't like that they leave all kinds of fuzzies floating about though. I am not sure how to cure this but I am gonna work on it. I think it is this particular crinkley yarn that does it most but it is also the cutest yarn to use.

My husband just looks at me and smiles real big- I think he is stiffling a snicker or two. Then my cousin's husband asked me "What the heck did you do to your hair?" I just told him it was permanent. LOL

 A while back, I wore a plaid jumper with spats made of the same fabric and he asked me if it was "clash of the tartans, or something". Being a smart- aleck is a requirement to become a part of my family so this is normal behavior. If you don't have a sense of humor, then you might not want to hang around us.

Any how- I made these falls because making the Dreadlock falls are a long process and I only have 8 or 10 of them done so far. I wanted instant gratification to make my Friday a much snazzier one. "Nailed it!"

 NOW, I am going to go knit, eat chocolate and watch tv- all at the same time!

I pray that you have something that blesses your socks off today.

Ephesians 6: 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose... to encourage, console, cheer and strengthen your hearts.

Housing progress!

Here is the pretty little stove my husband and I drove  2 1/2 hours (one way) to checkout. The circles will be fitted with the "Lone Star" emblem. I asked my husband what the deal was with the stars, his reply was "Its my new thing, it all started with that door at Lowe's." He has plans to put a star on the floor at the entry too. I will just have to humor him because if I don't there will be a million of them. He put a lot of love  into cleaning this jewel up. It is already keeping the new house warm while he frames up the walls. 

This is the master bedroom/ bath and office end of the house. You can barely see the door with the beveled glass star that started it all.

This is the same wall, I just turned around and backed up so you could see my new sewing area. On the other side of the wall is the safe room(storm cellar underneath) and office. You can also just see the edge of the back door.

The other end is the one I will be avoiding- it has the kids' rooms, a bathroom and the laundry room.

While he has been framing up the house I have been working on this little number. I have to say I LOVE every part of this ensemble.

It didn't take me near as long to make this as it took my honey to build those walls. He works so hard- God must really love me to have blessed me with such a dedicated, hard working man.

Winner!

I want to say a big CONGRATULATIONS! to Dot Lewallen. A sweet lady I have come to know through a yahoo group (which has closed) and extended a warm welcome to me for a new  yahoo group "A Bead Story". She was  the runner-up in the Land of Odds Beaded Art Doll Competition this year. Here is a picture of her entry. (I stole it from the website but I am sure she won't mind and neither will they. I have asked for their permission before.)

My own submission ranked fourth, and while it was a tad dissappointing, I am still profoundly moved by her grace and beauty. I am still trying to come to terms with how my hands were used to create her and what she means to me. I am so very proud of her and I have heard from many people that they adore her. It is difficult for an artist to not like a piece of their work that has hit on so many personal notes as Willow has. The only thing that would have made her better where if my Mom were here to see her. For me, she is as good as it gets. It will be hard to ever make another doll that compares, but there will be other dolls.

Have a blessed day-- I have some kids that need to be doing schoolwork now.

That funky feeling of anticipation!

I have such butterflies in my stomach-- I cannot wait until the Land Of Odds announces their winners. I am going to leave my computer and go to town- maybe that will help pass the time.

Maybe I will fly there....

Exciting update...

I have so many other things this week (and last week) that I have neglected my blog. Seeing how I have plenty to share I had better not let it pile up or I could get really long winded.

I hosted a choir of angels before I taught the Dallas Bead Society how to start on all those forms. A big thank you for your financial support (LOL- I still have more dolls to make). I am going to find it interesting to see what kind of craze this has begun as many of them already have more than one doll they are planning.

This lady has already found her new home and I am in the process of sewing two more. They should be mailed (hopefully) tomorrow.

Here I am takin' a silly picture of myself to post on the Threadbanger's forum thread "What are you wearing today?" I have been stalking their forums and have been so inspired and encouraged so I thought it only fair that they "see" me. I am thinking this would be a great profile pic. And I am not even wearing make-up, not even lipstick (which I almost always wear). I need a few more of those hats in different colors so I can have more bad hair days LOL.

This is the last week to vote on Willow. The winners will be announced  after the poll closes (Jan 15th). Maybe not the same day but very soon.

God bless you and your families!!!

The big reveal!

I have been working on a recycling project for quite some time. Here is #2 of a 3 part collection. I bought the rivoli's from Beki.  They are so yummy to look at.

All three are different sizes and colors.

The hot pink doens't match but it is what she is wearing today (my poor form doesn't have a name- any suggestions?)

Sapphire montees- they are a pain to sew on- or I was all thumbs everytime I tried!

Here is the back- it looks a little bare but I didn't want it to get uncomfortable to lean back- or take away from those pockets.

I had a really hard time deciding what to do with this insert. I knew it needed to be pretty but not bulky. This is what I came up with and I may still add to it at some point. I am just burnt out after working on it for so long. I am ready to move on.

I love it and am very pleased with how it turned out. I am hoping to send this and two other peices as a collection to be published.- It could happen.

After all this is the Year of the Lord's Favor for me.

He loves everyone but he Favors those who trust Him.

That silly story...

I have these cats that just keep me hopping- they can really be a challenge but I dooo love them so. I considered myself a good mommy and bought them a great little stocking with toys in it. I saw a little mouse in there and had to have it for myself- is that still being a good mommy?? Oh well, who cares, I had to  have it LOL. There were two of them- one suitable for beadingand one not-- you know which one I have.
When I swiped this mouse I was working on my challenge entry for the Dallas Bead Society's Winter Challenge. It was a little snow puppy that I saved from the dump- my son begged for him last year everytime we went to Starbuck's. I caved and he got the snow man and his snow "buddy", as my son called him. Somehow he made it into the trash bag (I always sift through them to make sure nothing valuable goes missing- my boys will throw anything away to keep from cleaning it again.)

I named him Pearl because of the M.O.P cabs I started out with. He was sitting on my desk as I began working on the mouse. My little kitties never grab my dolls so I didn't think anything about it once I had begun the mouse. I did have him hidden from them before I began adding beads to him. Well after a few beads and gears my husband decided he was super-cool and claimed him as his own. There are four things my husband has claimed in over 15 years. So this was super-- and such a compliment to me. I wanted my hubby to name him but.... he wasn't thinking clearly enough to name the critter. He was busy making wise cracks with his buddies. ( A good thing for him to be doing- he is so serious all the time.) We decided to call it a night at 1:00 am. It was great to spend extra time with him without the kids. Without thinking- I left the little mouse on my sewing table. When I woke up- He was no where to be found. I turned my house upside down looking for it. I forgot it was in a package with catnip! I kept looking- post poned the start of school-- and my hubby kept coming in from other rooms or outside and grinned and would ask if I was still looking for it. Of Course I WAS! He even asked why the kids hadn't started school! As If He didn't KNOW! I kept asking myself- if I were a little mouse tortured by 3 cats where would I be? Where did I finally find him?

Under the stove! Do you know what is really under your stove? I had noticed that I hadn't found the little mouse toy that I did let them have. Well I found it along with the beaded one and another little toy they enjoy batting around. I really need to clean out from under my stove--what a mess. It is not like the stove isn't 30 years old too.... Why couln't they just keep catching the real ones that keep trying to come in from the cold?

 I was so excited- it was undamaged and it was found! If my hubby had named it, it probably wouldn't have run off in the first place or so I tell myself. He is almost done---

This is the first time I have made anything that would be classified as steampunk and I think he is "the cat's meow". I have named him "SteamSqueek".

I can't believe hubby swiped him.... I am going to have to make another one for myself without the catnip smell on it!

Any how my entry will be SteamSqueek and Pearl.

My kids did enjoy the 2 hour delay but it took alot of energy out of me!