Awards Sunday

In the last month or so, I was given two awards, but with the increasingly hectic pace of my life, and the holidays, I've forgotten to post about them until now. And let's face it: I'm just more forgetful, period. You should see all the notes I leave for myself!

Sonia at Dark Raven's Nest gave me this award. It came a little bit after my nephew died, and actually made me tear up. I think reading the words "hope, faith, courage" got to me, because we all need that after we lose a loved one.


I am passing it on to all my Etsybloggers friends, who were so supportive in the Etsy forums after N's death; to Theresa and Duni, who saw my post here about it before I took it down; and to Miss Wednesday Wandered, who has become a dear RL friend this past year, and listened and talked to me about it.

This next award was given to me by Izile at Izile's Oddities. I'm pretty sure I found Izile through Entrecard, and she makes the coolest little oddities (you can find her things here at her Etsy shop). The rules, besides linking back to the blog you got the award from, are to pass it along to fifteen other blogs that you've recently discovered and think are great. But I've only recently discovered two!


So, here they are:

Wild at Heart Art: http://wildatheartart.blogspot.com. Zan makes beautiful dolls, and she's also the coordinator of the "Monster in the Closet" swap.

harem6: http://harem6art.blogspot.com: I think they found me through flickr, then I found their blog. A really wonderful mix of art and dolls.

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And now, for some shameless plugging: only two days left of my sale at Miss Millificent's World! Take 15% off ALL items in my shop! You know you want some faux sweet treats, or dead dollies...

Holiday Sale! Come Get Your Treats!

Yay, a sale! The Etsybloggers Street Team is having a sale, and I'm part of it! Today, Friday, through Monday, 11/30/09, you can take 15% off EVERYTHING in my shop, Miss Millificent's World! Refund will be issued after checkout and payment. There is 60 handmade items to choose from, so get shopping!


There are also many other shops on the street team that are offering some kind of sale or special this long weekend. Check out the Etsybloggers Street Team page at Etsy for a list of participating shops. :D

Happy Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving. What a day to enjoy with family...


Gobble, gobble!


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And as far as this blog goes, I am thankful to everyone who comes here and leaves comments. Ya'll all encourage me to keep on going; you put up with my ever-changing interests and endeavors ;) ; and I am thankful that I'm not always talking to myself here, heh. I hope every one of you has the day you want today. :D

Lorana the Creep... art doll

Far beneath the turrets and pillars of the Soddyberry house, the vast rooms and vaulted ceilings; within the cellar and behind a quadruple-locked door live The Creeps. No one is sure how they came to be in that endless, dank room (although rumors and bedtime stories abound), but it is known that they are soulless, lost creatures... some full of anger and vengeance, banging against the steel door and flinging ancient incantations; others floating aimlessly, forgetful of their previous lives, hopes, dreams.

Never let them out.

This is Lorana the Creep. She is one of the lost ones. While she was alive, she was subjected to various unspeakable surgeries by a terrible, nasty experimental surgeon. She makes soup from dirt, eye of newt, and worm hearts. The song she murmurs-- wordless, nonsensical-- would hurt your ears and heart.



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I have family in town for Thanksgiving-- my sister and her little ones. Friday, they, along with my daughters, are off to D.C. and NYC for a vacation with my other sister, her husband, and my parents. My husband and I are having a stay-cation (ugh, what a word). Everyone have a happy Turkey Day! :)

November Featured Etsyblogger: The Fab Miss B!

November's Featured Etsyblogger is The Fab Miss B! Her shop is chock-full of vintage goodies. Check it out!



She also has another shop, Becky Kazana, in which she sells really cool chenille pipe cleaner ornaments. Very cute!

http://thefabmissb.etsy.com
http://beckykazana.etsy.com
http://thefabmissb.blogspot.com

Happy Looking!

Fun with Senior Portraits

Yesterday it was finally nice enough (warm temps, ground wasn't wet, etc.) to go out and take my younger daughter's senior portraits. I am absolutely hopeless, no matter how much instruction, on taking indoor portraits, so I ironed a huge piece of black canvas and nailed it to the back of the house. At 3:15, the light's perfect, so, voila! My outdoor studio was made. I also had three yards of satin that she used as a drape.

We're not 100% happy with how the formals turned out, but I think this is my favorite. HER favorite is where her hair is hanging over one eye and completely obscuring it, of course, heh.




Back to the black canvas. If you play around with the curves in PSP, it gets rid of any wrinkles you may have missed when you iron. ;)



My front yard turned out to be the perfect carpet and background for this picture.


I took 108 pictures, and we picked out 16 for me to work on. All in all, I'm very happy with how everything turned out, and I saved a bundle of money!

I'll be back tomorrow with outtakes! :D

Mina and Marie Lefage

You will soon learn, as we take this journey through Miss Millificent's family, that many have met a tragic fate. Such fates were met by twelve-year-old twins Mina and Marie Lefage. I cannot speak of the circumstance-- so horrible that the imagery would forever be burned into your brain-- but let me just say it involved ropes with loops, and notes faintly scented with frankincense and sandalwood.




***

I had fun making these dolls. The dresses are made from an old toddler's dress, and the pendants are from some of my old earrings. They're nine inches tall. I'd planned on selling them together, but now I think they'll be sold separately.

New Cakes and Art News

New little cakes are ready for the "Dollhouse Minis" section of my Etsy shop.

Red Flower-topped 1:12 Cake:


Chocolate-Wrapped Cherry Cake: (This is already in my shop)


Petite Pastel Domed Cakes

Both round cakes are approximately the equivalent of ten-inch cakes. The domed cakes are equal to four-inch cakes.

Starting this weekend at Art and Invention Gallery, all my Christmas ornaments and cards will be on sale. I have mini truffles, as well as mini cupcake ornaments. My "Ladies of Leisure" series will also be on the wall, as well as other art. So, if you're in Nashville, stop by! And buy!

I'm also working on two dolls at the moment. Hopefully, they'll be finished on Friday, and ready for Miss Millificent's Mesdamoiselles on Monday. Stay tuned!

And also stay tuned for a very special doll that I hope to unveil after Thanksgiving.

Oh! And I'm very sorry, but those of you who liked my "Trio of Dead Dollies Altered Art Wall Hanging"-- it's on its way to Italy this morning.

November 20 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival: Gobble Gobble

One of the topics for the November 20 Etsybloggers Blog Carnival is: Most countries around the world have a day set aside to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Here in the US, it's Thanksgiving. What do you celebrate wherever you live and how do you celebrate?

It's a big ole honkin' meal- that's how we celebrate. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, biscuits.... the works. My biscuits are a James Beard recipe that I've been using for years. I make a mean sausage-pecan stuffing. My husband always cooks the turkey and green veggies. Usually, it's a midday meal, so everyone has time to veg and pass out in the evening.


This year, my middle sister and her two younguns are joining us-- the next day, they and my daughters are going on a trip to D.C. and NYC for a week, and they all need to be at the airport at about 4:30 in the morning. But I invited my sister for another reason, too. She is separated from her husband, and all through their marriage, she was never "allowed" to make Thanksgiving dinner. They always had to go to his mother's and eat. She always told me how she wished she could make a turkey, so this year, I asked her if she'd like to make the one for our dinner. I can't even tell you how excited she is about this one seemingly little thing. So, with Mr. Calm's help, she'll be baking a small turkey and turkey breast for our dinner.

We also go around the table before eating and tell what we're thankful for. Usually, it's a joking affair, as we aren't comfortable with praying aloud or anything like that, but this year... I don't know. It's been a hard one: we lost one of our beloved longtime pets; and Mr. Calm lost his first stepfather (really, his dad that he grew up with) and his nephew; a kid my daughters were very close to. I think this year we will be thinking about all we've lost, but at the same time, be very thankful for the good times and memories we have of them.

And on that note, I hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey Day. :)

Spring to Fall

Spring...


Fall...

The Bradford pear tree in my front yard, 2009. Taken through the viewfinder of an Argus Seventy-Five.

Monster Mash!

It's a parade of monsters! All the monsters in the Monster Under the Bed Swap are finally up at the Wild at Heart Art blog. A huge thanks goes out to Zan for hosting this. There are so many great monsters-- take the time to check it out.

For those who missed it the first time (I only posted a link back then), here is my monster: Frau Honkerbooger.



And here is the monster I received! This "lovely" was made by Georgina at La Llorona Arts: the Bad Banshee. She's on the old radio by the front door of our house, ready to scream at anyone who walks through the front door.

Introducing Adelaide Aylesworth

Adelaide Aylesworth is another relative of Miss Millificent's: her great-great aunt. As you can tell, her hair is one of her greatest treasures (as is common in the Soddyberry-Aylesworth-Lefage lines). Another is her deceased husband's heart, which is preserved in glass and hangs on a necklace around her neck. There is also a key to her own heart, but as she adored her poor dear husband (felled by an out-of-control hot air balloon one day while kiting), she died alone, despite many suitors.



With her hair, she is sixteen inches in length. Created from polymer clay, acrylics and oil pastels. Her stole and necklace are removable. She'll go on sale tomorrow at Miss Millificent's Mesdamoiselles.

I'll be making two new dolls (much smaller) this week, as well as working on a custom order. Four new little cakes! Have a good week, everyone. :)

Presenting Sally Soddyberry

Did you know that Miss Millificent has a last name? She does, and it's Soddyberry. She also has a large extended family. Her cousin's name is Sally- Sally Soddyberry. Like most others in the family, she marches to her own little beat.



She's approximately eleven inches (approximately because of the hair) high and made from polymer clay, acrylics and oil pastels. Her hair is made from chenille yarn, and her clothes are a combo of cotton and cotton/spandex.* Arms and legs are posable. She'll be on sale later at Miss Millificent's Mesdamoiselles.

*I had no idea until I walked into Goodwill on a dollar day what a wealth of material lies within that store! And the children's/baby clothes are perfect, because the patterns are just the right size.

A Graveyard Jaunt

Ms. Wednesday Wandered and I went on another photo-taking trip yesterday, and it couldn't have been a nicer day: around sixty degrees, sunny, just a little bit of a breeze blowing. Quite the change from the rainy weather we've been having over the last few months. We went to Mount Olivet Cemetery. I used to drive past this cemetery every weekday for about seven years- it was on the way to my daughters' schools. The grounds are huge-- I don't think we even hit a quarter of it.

First we had coffee and breakfast on the steps of a mausoleum. Of course.


I brought a couple of my dolls along for the trip: Melancholy Ballerina, and my Accident Doll from Beth Robinson.


The inscription on this gravestone struck me: A Model Citizen, A Noble Odd Fellow, A Christian Gentleman.


This was on the back stairs of the dilapidated old chapel.


I think this was the one where we said we were going to hell for draping the doll in the statue's arms.


This one probably counts, too.


This was in the section of the graveyard where the nuns are buried. It was so peaceful and beautiful, with a canopy of trees and a little bench for resting.



This is my husband's name... sort of. He actually has a hyphenated first name, but goes by this.


Inside a mausoleum.


I just like this statue.


Ms. WW and I have so much fun on these picture-taking trips. Can't wait to plan where we go next!

Melancholy Ballerina... and Cake

I finished my first fully "jointed" doll. Three days of work, and along the way I discovered the joys of Super Sculpey, which I'll be using solely for dolls from now on.

This is Melancholy Ballerina: with battered and bloodied feet, she is no longer able to dance.




Eleven inches tall. Hair is chenille yarn, and she has loose joints for posing. I'm happy with her- I think she looks like my artwork, don't you?

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Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Cake with Pink Icing charms:


Chocolate Cake with Pink Icing earrings and charm:


Today's my and Mr. Calm's 18th anniversary. Unfortunately, it was his turn to hurt his back, so I don't think we're doing anything. Tomorrow's Halloween, and I have yet to figure out if we'll get trick or treaters. I'm taking these two days off to rest my eyesies and fingers. Have a good weekend!

Ornies and Dead Dollies

New things coming up for sale soon...

Twin Discarded Dollie Earrings


Snow Girl Ornament: glass beads for 'hair'; cheesecloth and lace ribbon dressing


Snow Boy Ornament


Medusa Ornament: chenille yarn hair; cheesecloth and cotton dress. Movable arms. I may add drops of fake ichor to her dress.


She Sees Stars Ornament: doll hair, cotton and lace ribbon dress, ribbon-wrapped arms. Movable arms.

The ornies will be in another shop...

Stop the Madness!

I had a conversation recently with my husband about all the things I've been doing in the last two-three years. It's a long laundry list: art, photography, loteria and art domino jewelry, bottlecap stuff, cards, ATCs, polymer clay goodies and photo jewelry; and now I've got four almost-completed art doll ornies on my desk and a solid idea for a beautiful art doll. I still have a ton of art that needs to be sold, and the first week of next month, I have an appointment with a local gallery to propose a show for my "Ladies of Leisure" mixed media series.

I guess I should feel happy that I've had so many interests, and that I can do more than one thing. But at the same time, as you can probably guess, it gets overwhelming at times. "I want to do this! But wait, I have to finish THIS!"

The conversation was based on a revelation of mine: I had my daughters young-- I was 19 and 21 when they were born. I spent fifteen years solely taking care of them, and writing. I don't think it was until 2004 or so that I started my Zazzle shop with a little art and graphic design, but it wasn't really until 2007 that I started all the handmade stuff. It's almost as if I'm twenty again, and just discovering what I'm good at. Perhaps now I'm finally living my college years, if that makes sense.

But now I feel I really must STOP with all the tinkering; with looking at craft supplies and thinking, "Ooooo... do I have the money to buy and play with that?" I will always love to draw, and even though I'm in a slump right now, that will pass and I'll come up with something again. I'm very happy with my bakery sweets jewelry, and my little dead dollies, and I can't even tell you the feeling that came over me when I completed my doll for the Monster Under the Bed swap. 'I made this???' I don't mind all the work that goes into them; to say that I don't even mind the sewing shows that I'm loving what I'm doing.

Have any of you gone through this-- a phase where you were trying everything and anything? Not that I'm (probably) going to stop, but is my plate still too full (I think I'm asking myself that more than anyone else)? Is it good for an artist to draw a line in the sand and say, "I'm not going to do anything else but these things!" because of time, money and sanity?

October Featured Etsyblogger: Made by Melissa!

This month's Featured Etsyblogger is Made by Melissa! An engineer by day, Melissa's shop is chock full of original creations at very reasonable prices. Check her out!

Made By Melissa Etsy shop
Made by Melissa blog

ArtDocs

Last Thursday was the ArtDocs Nashville fundraiser. My OD brought her camera (much slimmer and tinier than mine) along.

The entrance to the Arcade.


Whoops! Sideways picture. This is one of the burlesque dancers. I loved her outfit, and she was gracious enough to let OD take her picture.


Me and OD. I guarantee I was happier than I look in this picture. I'm just not particularly a fan of getting my picture taken.


Ha, revenge...


Silent auction items. A herd descended on our table when the auctions were over; thankfully, most people were well-mannered while they waited to be checked out, but one guy just had to "go get some DINNER!"

The doctor who founded ArtDocs had an artist friend who was uninsured. He had stomach pains for several years, but never went to the doctor because he couldn't afford it. When he finally had to go, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. And he died from it. Only 2% of artists actually make a living from their art.

This country is in a crisis. I'm gonna be blunt and say that many people need to get their heads out of their asses, stop listening to the rumormongers and those intent on ruling through fear, and start seeing what's best not only for themselves, but for their loved ones, and have compassion for those they don't know. There are too many people needlessly dying because they're uninsured. WHY would you WANT to deny everyone medical coverage? (that's rhetorical)

I hurt my back in December badly enough to have to go to the emergency room. Sunday, I finished paying off my doctor AND hospital bills. I did it all by myself, with my meager earnings, paying faithfully month-by-month. Guess what? Sunday's the night I hurt my back again. Thank God it wasn't as bad. Thank goodness I still had 800mg Motrin.

Irony's a bitch.

How'd You Get So Dirty?

If you're a cat, here is what happens when you sneak unknown into the fireplace, emerge later covered in black and your parents wonder over and over how you got so filthy (Me: "He looks... sooty!"), then make the mistake of sneaking in there again while your Momma's watching. You may think that putting on an utterly miserable face will save you, but uh-uh, you're gettin' cleaned.


Here is what the other animals in the house say as you're being tortured in the bath:

"SUCKA!!!"