My Sweet Imaginations

Merry Merry, Achoo!

I've had a nasty head cold the last few days, so please let me finish that sentence...Merry Christmas!  Despite feeling ridiculously ill from my shoulders up, the rest of the family (and my body from the shoulders down)  is well and had a lovely Christmas!  I still managed to make Spritz, fudge, chocolate crinkles, cinnamon rolls and a lovely turkey dinner.  Even delivered gifts to friends and drank lots of spiced apple cider (good for sore throats!).  I took today off to be a blob on the couch while I watched movies all day long with the kids.  They got all their wishes and were spoiled rotten as usual.  I told Cam to please at least sleep until after 6:00 am this morning.  She showed up in our room at 6:01.  They are always so excited they can't sleep. 

Tomorrow I clean frantically all day long for on Saturday my mom and my 11 year old niece arrive for a week of shopping and visiting and Harry Potter Movie Marathon Watching!  Even have a pot of Harry Potter candies to break open with each movie.  A little nervous about the Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans...hope  I don't get bogey or vomit flavored!!! 

May your home be blessed with joy and love this holiday season.

I've had a nasty head cold the last few days, so please let me finish that sentence...Merry Christmas!  Despite feeling ridiculously ill from my shoulders up, the rest of the family (and my body from the shoulders down)  is well and had a lovely Christmas!  I still managed to make Spritz, fudge, chocolate crinkles, cinnamon rolls and a lovely turkey dinner.  Even delivered gifts to friends and drank lots of spiced apple cider (good for sore throats!).  I took today off to be a blob on the couch while I watched movies all day long with the kids.  They got all their wishes and were spoiled rotten as usual.  I told Cam to please at least sleep until after 6:00 am this morning.  She showed up in our room at 6:01.  They are always so excited they can't sleep. 

Tomorrow I clean frantically all day long for on Saturday my mom and my 11 year old niece arrive for a week of shopping and visiting and Harry Potter Movie Marathon Watching!  Even have a pot of Harry Potter candies to break open with each movie.  A little nervous about the Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans...hope  I don't get bogey or vomit flavored!!! 

May your home be blessed with joy and love this holiday season.

Last Ornaments and a Challenge!

I finished my last custom ornaments last night...these two are a brother sister pair for a cute little brother sister pair that live down the hall!  When Cassidy (age 2) saw her's, she wanted to hold it and kiss it.  "That's me!" she said.  When Vance (age 4) saw his and his mommy told him it was supposed to be him, he said, "THAT"S not me!".  I think I should have made a Spiderman outfit for his ornament instead!!! 

My friend Tracy has put up a clay challenge on our Ivylane blog!   You can use polymer clay or paperclay or any kind of hard drying clay you like!   Once you make something with your kids, share a picture of your completed project with Tracy and she will put your name in a drawing to win one of her amazing clay creations!    I can't wait to see what everyone makes!  Click on the challenge picture to go to the blog so you can sign up!

Ballerina Doll

A customer asked me to make a standing ballerina doll, so here is what I came up with!  I think she turned out pretty cute.  I wasn't going to put the felt skirt underneath, but the "tutu" skirt was too-too see through no matter how many layers I made, so decided she needed a bit more modesty!

A customer asked me to make a standing ballerina doll, so here is what I came up with!  I think she turned out pretty cute.  I wasn't going to put the felt skirt underneath, but the "tutu" skirt was too-too see through no matter how many layers I made, so decided she needed a bit more modesty!

One More Day...

...until our THREE week Holiday break!   This year we've been giving  friends and teachers  hot cocoa packages...our favorite Ghirardelli sweet cocoa mix, piriouette cookies (I'm sure I spelled that wrong...you know those long ones that look like straws?),  Whole Foods can of whipped cream, and homemade peppermint coated marshmallows!  Yum!  Cam decided to add some things to her teacher's gift... a box of her favorite chocolates (we grew a love for Lindt balls in New Hampshire...I miss that store that gave us so many free samples!) and a teacher doll for her teacher!  Cam picked out all the colors and design...and insisted the doll have an apple (that she sculpted herself!) and a messenger bag like Ms. S. carries every day!  We hope she likes her! 

Here's the doll all by herself...didn't Cam do a nice job designing her?

I'm all done with the shopping. Just need to start baking! Fudge, spritz, cut out sugar cookies with icing, and snickerdoodles are the requests of the year.  I also have lots of fun craft ideas to keep the girls busy.  Three weeks is a long time, but that last week is going to be the hardest to keep them entertained!

Happy Birthday, Lauren!

My sweet niece turns 11 today!  Hope you have a lovely day, Lu!  We are excited to see you next week!  (She's coming with my Mom for an after-holiday visit!)

Here's the wreath I made for our front door.  I really think it needs a big bow on top, but Jen says no.  But I think I'm going to make one tomorrow anyway!  Everything is pinned on, so I can reuse it all and remake the wreath for the next holiday!

Today was Cam's holiday concert and party.  Yesterday Jen had her holiday party.  We still have two more days of school...why no parties on Friday??? 

It's COLD here.  45 degrees.  Now, if we were still in New Hampshire, that would be warm.  But here it is FREEZING!  Our blood has thinned and we have acclimated to the SoCal temps.  Just last week it was 80!  Thank goodness for hot chocolate (with marshmallows and whipped cream and peppermint sticks!).  To my friends in New Hampshire...I hope you are all warm and safe and have power again!  Yikes!  

I'm working on spring things.  And Valentine things.  It will be nice to have lots to list as soon as Christmas is over!  I'll share as they are completed over on my flickr pages (that  photo box to your upper right that says, "ART GALLERY").  If you see something you like, just give me a shout!

My sweet niece turns 11 today!  Hope you have a lovely day, Lu!  We are excited to see you next week!  (She's coming with my Mom for an after-holiday visit!)

Here's the wreath I made for our front door.  I really think it needs a big bow on top, but Jen says no.  But I think I'm going to make one tomorrow anyway!  Everything is pinned on, so I can reuse it all and remake the wreath for the next holiday!

Today was Cam's holiday concert and party.  Yesterday Jen had her holiday party.  We still have two more days of school...why no parties on Friday??? 

It's COLD here.  45 degrees.  Now, if we were still in New Hampshire, that would be warm.  But here it is FREEZING!  Our blood has thinned and we have acclimated to the SoCal temps.  Just last week it was 80!  Thank goodness for hot chocolate (with marshmallows and whipped cream and peppermint sticks!).  To my friends in New Hampshire...I hope you are all warm and safe and have power again!  Yikes!  

I'm working on spring things.  And Valentine things.  It will be nice to have lots to list as soon as Christmas is over!  I'll share as they are completed over on my flickr pages (that  photo box to your upper right that says, "ART GALLERY").  If you see something you like, just give me a shout!

Happiness is...

...a really good stash of craft supplies.  I have tons more.  Tons!

Had to make a dash to Michael's Crafts today.  Got there right after they opened thinking it would be nice and quiet.  NOT!  Looks like many people had the same idea.  Plus it was Farmer's Market day nearby, so the parking garages were full.  I did manage to get in and out with a smile...everyone in line was super nice and we had fun chatting while we waited our turn.

Tonight Jen has her orchestra concert.  I have this annoying little cough, so will come prepared with water and lozenges...and plan to sit near the back in case I need to make an exit.  I've had it for over a week now with no other symptoms.  Odd.    Anyway, she is excited.   She is really loving everything about middle school this year, so that makes her momma happy!

Alrighty...off to dig into those craft boxes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

LOL...well, many of my clothing designer friends are already making Valentine's sets, so why not?  This little gal isn't for Valentine's, but is for a little stinker-binker's stocking...she will be peeking out of the top.   I gave her a doll face like my older paintings.  Cam volunteered her own stocking for a sample photo below...

I also ordered a new toy the other day...

She is going to make my life so much easier!  Now I can weigh my packages and print labels online so I no longer have to stress about going to the post office.  Los Angeles post offices are not known for short lines and empty parking lots!  Plus international shipping will now be down to an exact science!   My new listings after the New Year will all have international shipping options!  I love gizmos and gadgets that make life simpler. 

LOL...well, many of my clothing designer friends are already making Valentine's sets, so why not?  This little gal isn't for Valentine's, but is for a little stinker-binker's stocking...she will be peeking out of the top.   I gave her a doll face like my older paintings.  Cam volunteered her own stocking for a sample photo below...

I also ordered a new toy the other day...

She is going to make my life so much easier!  Now I can weigh my packages and print labels online so I no longer have to stress about going to the post office.  Los Angeles post offices are not known for short lines and empty parking lots!  Plus international shipping will now be down to an exact science!   My new listings after the New Year will all have international shipping options!  I love gizmos and gadgets that make life simpler. 

Some new girls...

I just listed three new girls at Etsy.  They have this new felt and fabric designed dress - my favorite so far!  Click here to see what's available in the shop! 

I just listed three new girls at Etsy.  They have this new felt and fabric designed dress - my favorite so far!  Click here to see what's available in the shop! 

New dolls coming this week!

I have many almost finished dolls on the work table, so hope to list them this week.  I'm not going to do a proper time and date, but simply list them as they are finished on Etsy...I work much better that way!  A lot of the doll ornaments I'm making this week are requests from family and neighbors, so I'll be a busy crafter!

Here is one peek of what I'm doing this week...she's actually an ornament, but can be standing if preferred.  I have not yet drilled a hole in her head for the ring hanger, so thought this would be a fun way to let folks pick their favorite.  My girls love hanging these dolls all over the place...in their room, on light switches, inside a wreath, on drawer knobs, etc.  I even have one hanging on my rearview mirror in the car!  I'm also working on getting better pictures - that's always a challenge! 

I have many almost finished dolls on the work table, so hope to list them this week.  I'm not going to do a proper time and date, but simply list them as they are finished on Etsy...I work much better that way!  A lot of the doll ornaments I'm making this week are requests from family and neighbors, so I'll be a busy crafter!

Here is one peek of what I'm doing this week...she's actually an ornament, but can be standing if preferred.  I have not yet drilled a hole in her head for the ring hanger, so thought this would be a fun way to let folks pick their favorite.  My girls love hanging these dolls all over the place...in their room, on light switches, inside a wreath, on drawer knobs, etc.  I even have one hanging on my rearview mirror in the car!  I'm also working on getting better pictures - that's always a challenge! 

Red Friday Shop Update

Hi everyone!

I was a little late starting the shop update this morning...there was the smell of smoke in the hallways and our staff was trying to figure out where it was coming from.  Turns out someone actually built a fire in their fireplace!  LOL!  That doesn't normally happen here!  With real wood, even.  Go figure.

Anyhoo...between trips to the post office, a parent-teacher conference, and a playdate, I was able to get several new things listed today!  I have more that are just not finished and am going to take my time and list them as they are done.  I really prefer that method.   Click here to see what I have listed and don't forget to check out other's Red Friday listings by clicking on that logo on the left side of my blog!

Off to retrieve my oldest from school!   

Hi everyone!

I was a little late starting the shop update this morning...there was the smell of smoke in the hallways and our staff was trying to figure out where it was coming from.  Turns out someone actually built a fire in their fireplace!  LOL!  That doesn't normally happen here!  With real wood, even.  Go figure.

Anyhoo...between trips to the post office, a parent-teacher conference, and a playdate, I was able to get several new things listed today!  I have more that are just not finished and am going to take my time and list them as they are done.  I really prefer that method.   Click here to see what I have listed and don't forget to check out other's Red Friday listings by clicking on that logo on the left side of my blog!

Off to retrieve my oldest from school!