Thoughtful Thursdays: I See Stars!

For me, inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime and from anything. And since I watch TV, listen to the radio, and love going to see plays and movies... sometimes it comes from the stars of stage, screen and sound! Many times it's influential in a teeny-tiny way, like the stars on this woodburned piece here. This particular (and literal) addition of stars was influenced by Kat Von D of LA Ink. Kat has a collection of small stars tattooed on her left temple.

This tree-like assemblage was influenced by the band They Might Be Giants and their song Build A Little Birdhouse. In it, they have a line that says, "make a little birdhouse in your soul".... so I did!

And, well... you may recognize this little troublemaker if you saw the movie Coraline! She's my very own Little Me — inspired by the movie character's scary little doll she found in her own likeness. I practically ran home and started making this after seeing the film. I think Coraline is going to be one of those Cult Movie favorites, for sure.

So there you have it... a little bit of star-inspired inspiration. Are there any stars that have influenced your art or creativity in big ways or small? I'd love to hear about it.

Thoughtful Thursdays: Big-Eyed Dolls!

So what's with my obsession over big-eyed dolls, cartoons, and other miscellaneous characters? I've always been drawn to them. Oh, and juxtapose a big giant head with big giant eyes on a tiny little body... well, then I'm in love!

Perhaps it's that eyes just draw you in (pun intended!). I mean... there's so much emotion that can be read from looking at the eyes, even if they are drawn in.

Maybe it's because in addition to being adorable, they just happen to be a little scary. Cute and creepy... that's definitely me!

Or maybe it's because they look so sad. You just want to scoop them up, tell them it's okay, and make them feel all better.

But whatever the reason... I am inspired and amused by these wide-eyed wonders every time I look at them. And what could be better than that?

Yay... I'm Stuffed...

Yay! My Coraline Little Me doll made it into Stampington & Company's Stuffed magazine. I am excited and honored! I hope it will inspire other softie fans to make a "little me" doll of themselves. The issue... Summer 2009... will be on newstands July 1st.

If you would like to make your own Little Me doll, I have the pattern for sale in my Etsy Shop!

Cotton Candy For Coraline...

Oooooh... I almost forgot! I meant to make my "Little Me" some yummy cotton candy. It's her favorite. I made an aluminum foil base, glued an unwrapped cotton ball around it, and sprayed with a paint/water mixture. Nice and fluffy! The cone is out of cardstock and I painted red stripes on it. I'm letting it dry before I assemble it.

Little Me... Fini!

Here I am... in all my Little Me glory. Want to come and play with me?

If you would like to make your very own Little Me, I have this pattern for sale in my Etsy Shop!

Can Little Me Come Out To Play? Patience, Dear... Just One More Day...

So, I wasn't happy with the tea dye color of my Little Me, so I re-tea dyed the whole doll. But all I had was Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger... and it made her pink! Too funny, but not my intention. Serendipity, perhaps? I painted on some lips and freckles...
Fashioned a skirt and hand-dyed peek-a-boo crinoline...
Added the arms and made a cute pink sweater from one of my own sweaters...
Added a darling vintage pin as a barette... and tomorrow I shall reveal my Little Me finally completed! This doll was so much fun to make. Having sewn it by hand, I really felt like a little girl in the Colonial days... making her own little dolly. Until tomorrow...

Coraline, Coraline, Coraline...

Okay, so being inspired is quite addictive! It's been a real Coraline "Little Me" weekend. I realized from my original pattern (already cut out), that I forgot to add her ears! So I was able to sew them in while sewing the entire doll by hand...
To age the doll, of course some tea dying was in order. I do like to get messy when I create. I used the tea bag "direct-to-surface" for optimum color, but rinsed a little of it out. I think I might want more color, but I'll wait and see...Stuffing is fun and therapeutic! And, as you can see, the "creative juices" are flowing...
Until next time....

Nice To Meet Me...

Inspired by the movie Coraline, I have decided to make my own "me" doll. In the movie, a neighbor boy Wybie brings Coraline a doll he found in his Grandma's attic... and it looks just like her! So I'm making one that will look like me. Since I don't have a sewing machine, or much experience sewing... it may take a while. But I want it to look hand made, so it's all good. So happy to feel inspired again. It's been too long! I'll take you along the journey as my doll makes progress...

(if you'd like to purchase this original Coraline Little Me pattern, check out my Etsy listing here!)