Checking in / Paperclay Anyone?/ Someone Sweet

Hi All!

Wow! ... Some time has past since I  last blogged.  Sorry about that.  No ... I'm still alive and the house hasn't fallen on me yet.  Hee! Hee!

Wanted to share some news!  A few posts back, I had mentioned that I was trying to get on the Creative Paperclay® Design Team.  (This is one of the types of clay I use in my art.)  They have their own blog and a team of really talented artists that make up tips and tutorials for anyone and everyone, every month on their blog site.   In addition, you can find their tips and tutorials on the Michaels, Joann's and Hobby Lobby Facebook pages too!

Well, I am so happy to announce that YES ... I made the team!!  (Hard for me to even believe.)  When I sit back and think about what to do or what direction I should go in on my artistic journey, I never thought that something like this could actually fall in my lap.  I'm thrilled!!  Just goes to show you all ... You've got to GIVE IT A TRY!!  The worst that can happen is they say no and you are right back where you are today.  Nothing gained, (but most importantly) nothing lost.  So be brave, my friends and reach out through your art ... and go for it!

I hope you will pop on over to the blog -- www.creativepaperclay.blogspot.com and sign up to follow it.  Even if you don't work in paperclay, some of the tips will work on polymer clay too.  (I've worked in both.)  If you have never tried clay and always wanted too -- Now is the time!!  You might even find you have a hidden talent for it!  :)

I will be posting tips and tutorials every month for 6 months (along with the rest of the team).  I will start out easy and progress over the months.  Please join me and lets create something together.  It will be fun!  You can do this!!  Plus, I could use a few friends along the way.  :)  I sure hope to see you there!

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Today, I received a wonderful message from Brenda of Pumpkin Hollow Primitives.  Brenda won my sweet Spider Bite in the Witches of Giggleswick Blog Hop last month.  She was so incredibly kind to post something about her winnings on her blog.  I was truly touched by her thoughtfulness.  Brenda is quite the Artist herself creating incredible graphite drawings.  WOW!! I was truly impressed.  How can anyone draw something and actually make it look real is beyond me.  She is a really talented painter too!  You need to see her Prim Artwork! Below is a link to her blog site.   Go check it out and give her a shout out.  (Thank you so much, Brenda!  I am a new followers of yours!  Hugs)

http://pumpkinhollowprimitives.blogspot.com

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Well, that's all for me right now.  I will keep you posted on upcoming artwork, tutorials and then some.  Posting some new items in my Etsy Shoppe soon! 

Hope you are all ready for Halloween.  Jake (my sweet doggie) and I are almost ready with our costumes!  Stay tuned for pictures and remember this month it's ok to be a little wicked.   :)

Until next time ... 

Sneak Peek of my 1st Publication!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all doing great out there in Blogland!  It is a HOT day here in California.  I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying the weekend and staying cool.  
Speaking of HOT ... this is hot off the sneak peek press!  Charmed Confections 1st publication!  

Look at this beautiful cover - a lounging skeleton lady by the super,
talented Scott Smith of Rucus Studios.
Amazing artistry!

I can hardly believe it ... a dream come true ... my sweet Charmed Confections artwork will be published in the upcoming August 2013 issue of Art Doll Quarterly Magazine.  Five of my pieces have been selected for publication.  I remember reading this magazine as a teen-aged girl and dreaming about creating something magical.  Funny how things come full circle.

Stampington.com / Art Doll posted a sneak peek of 8 of their pages.  I was shocked and thilled to see my sweet Cyclops Ghoulie-Cake smiling back at me from the table of contents page - an unexpected surprise!

My sweet, dear friend Carly Smith of Boggy Bottom Bayou is also listed.  She has a darling Halloween frog (see top left-hand picture) and her fabulous cage doll, Marguerite, is pictured right above my cyclops picture - a must see!  Carly has also written a wonderful article called "The Bling Factor" which will be featured in this issue.  Congrats to you, Carly, and thank you for cheering me on too!  Can't wait to hold the magazine in my hands!  Another month to wait ... Ugh!

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Well, things have been busy here in the workroom.  I have about eight different projects that I am currently working on.  Really excited about them too.  I will be posting again early in the week to give you a first glance at my upcoming offerings for Pfatt Marketplace and SpookyTime Jingles.  Feel free to post a comment and let me know what you are working on.  I would love to hear from you.  We'll cheer each other on.

I recently joined up with a wonderful group of ladies from the FolkArt and Primitives group (FAAP) on Etsy.  (Brenda from The Rusty Thimble is our Fearless Leader!  We all love her art!)  You can find FAAP offerings on my sidebar - click on the Etsy link and it will take you to a list of everything that is available.  Lots of talented artists in this group with wonderful offerings to purchase.  When you have time, check it out!

So much to share with you on all the happenings going on, but I will close for now and blog again later.  

p.s.  I still need to take photos of my darling snowman I won on Lisa Ammerman's blog giveaway.  Lisa is the talented artist behind "A Piece of Lisa".  Her blog link is in my favorites!  I love my snowman and he hasn't melted yet!!

Until then .... xoxo

Oh Happy Day for Jody of Sweet Bear Creek Whims!!

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to share some wonderful news about my dear, sweet friend, Jody Johnson of Sweet Bear Creek Whims.  She has been published in the May issue of Prims Magazine!!  Below is a picture of the issue she is in!! Run --- don't walk to get your copy!!  This issue will definitely be a KEEPER!!

Jody's art dolls are loved by so many people (including me).  Her work is just OUTSTANDING!!  It is about time she graces this magazine.  (I can say that on my blog.  Hee! Hee!)  Anyway, I am so incredibly, happy for her.  Couldn't of happened to a more deserving lady.  Her talent is endless!  This is her first time being published, but definitely not her last!  Way to go, my Little Star!!! 

Pop on over to her blog to see all her wonderful creations and to wish her well.  Here is the link!

http://sweetbearcreekwhims.blogspot.com/

YAY!! You're in there Jody!!!  Stop pinching yourself - it's REAL! 

XOXOXO

Custom Skelly Ornie & Dreams Do Come True!!

Hi out there in BlogLand!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was really nice and quite productive.  Wanted to share my first Halloween Skelly Ornie of the year.  I had a customer that loved my "How Do You Boo" Skeleton Shelf Sitter, but didn't want a doll.  She wanted an ornament.  So, I set out making her one that was similar, but different, as I like to keep all my pieces somewhat original to the collector.  Her favorite colors are silver and purple.  This is what I came up with.  I do hope she likes it, as I am mailing him off tomorrow.  I think he will look wonderful on her Halloween Tree.  Just wanted to share a simple photo with you all.  I will be making more ornaments in the next few months if any one is interested.

As far as my good news .... in my last post, I mentioned that I was recently at Disneyland.  Well, when checking my emails at Disneyland sitting having lunch with my Husband in one of their fun restaurants,  I received an email from Art Doll Quarterly Magazine.  About a month ago, I sent them five pieces of my art in the hopes of being published.  Well, I am happy to say that when I opened the email from them, it said that they would be publishing all five of my pieces in their upcoming August issue!!  Of course, I teared right up at the table and I am sure the waiter thought my Husband and I must be fighting.  LOL!  They were tears of Joy!

I am sure a lot of you can relate that as a wife and mother or even husband and father, you tend to put your goals to the side for the sake of others.  It has been a long time for me to finally put my artistic goals in the forefront.  I am so thrilled and really just can't believe it.  Dreams really do come true at Disneyland!!!

I hope this year, you are doing what you love - and if not - what are you waiting for?  Be kind to yourself and reach for whatever dream you are dreaming.  In fact, DREAM BIG!  You have nothing to lose and you just might make them come true!

Have a terrific week everyone!