Play... Work... Play... Work... Play...

With the holiday (happy belated Thanksgiving!) this past week... I decided to take the entire week off for some much needed rest and relaxation (Romeo is taking my lead). I wanted to take some time to make art... but there was also a lot to do around the house. So I took a new approach and alternated "play" days and "work" days. I cleaned the entire house... put away most everything that wasn't tied down... did a little shoe shopping... which means a new "bed" for Juliet...
Had a few yummy meals out... changed some lightbulbs... a visit to Home Depot... some clothes shopping... lots of Suzi Blu style drawing (my new favorite is the one on the bottom right!)... a visit to the craft store... a little Christmas shopping... laundry, laundry, laundry... sweeping, vacuuming and dusting... oil and filter change for the car... lots of crafty painting... kitty kat petting and brushing... visiting family and friends... get the car inspected... and all that stuff. It was a really great week and I feel well rested and properly nested... for the coming winter months!

Ooooohh... Pretty, Pretty...

Went to the Innovative Beads Expo this weekend with my mom. She's retired and makes jewelry on the side... so she's a good one to have along. Mom has been to this show so many times that she's an expert on who to buy what from. With my newfound inspiration from the Fall classes I took at Squam... I had a strong desire for lots and lots of pearls. Aren't they beautiful?! Love the robin's-egg blue...

Drawing From Life...

Played around a little more with my Petit Dolls I learned to draw with Suzi Blu. Even though it's past Halloween... I really wanted to try drawing costumes... and I pleasantly surprised myself. I liked it so much I even gave her a little companion mousey...

But... I must confess... after this, I tried to practice some more... but did not like what I had drawn. I tried a little harder... and changed up my technique a bit. But sometimes you just have to step away. And I'm learning! Learning to let go of preconceived notions... of outcomes... of perfectionism... and of being my own worst critic! Doing something new and having it take time to get right is the perfect kind of therapy for me at this time in my life! And I'm embracing it...

Hitting The Reset Button...

A 50-minute massage... a good meal at a favorite restaurant... and some White Zinfandel (with a side of gummy cherries)... This is how I spent my Friday night. Sometimes you just have to take yourself out and show yourself a good time. I deserve it! Relaxing, rejuvenating and restful. Ahhhhh......

It's All In The Details...

Bringing clarity to the eyes. I originally had them as a teal green... but wanted more of an ethereal look. So I chose this soft, seafoam green. and added some Stickles glitter glue... because Suzi Blu said to make the eyes sparkle...
Added some delicate lace to the bottom of the dress. And pink striped stockings... of course!
And a little tiny pair of red shoes. Gotta have red shoes!

After gluing down the doll, I did a little more "dirtying up" of the entire collage with Studio Paints, Distress Inks, and a bit more pencil work. I'm really having so much fun and I'm learning too. Things that work and things that don't... let's just call it research and development!

It's ALL good...

OMG... This Is Way Too Much Fun...

Just over a week ago... I could not even draw a face. And now... I can't stop myself! I find that when I have little snippets of time... I'm practicing eyes and mouths and such. Although I excitedly managed to draw an entire doll and begin shading. I forgot how much I love pencil shading!
Then it was on to layering papers and paints to create a collaged background. I got so excited, that I neglected to take progressive photos... but here I am seeing how the doll works in the near final composition.
I was going to leave it at that... but of course I couldn't help myself... I had to start coloring the dress and more! I'm addicted. Painting select areas of the doll... more collage... and beeswax come next... can't wait!

Feeling Blu...

So, I finally broke down and said... "I'm gonna do it!" and signed up for Suzi Blu's Les Petit Academy. I'm learning how to draw faces which will later be shaded and colored... put on cute little bodies... and then collaged into a marvelous mixed media background. I'm having a lot of fun so far and am really proud of the results! I've always had trouble with faces and was seriously intimidated. Now... I can't wait to draw tons and tons of them! Taking the leap...