Southern OOAKS

Morning Glory...Butterfly Faerie

2012-01-31T10:59:00.000-06:00

Tiny little butterfly fluttering about

tending the garden

with a bright morning shout

Morning Glories a opening

raising sleepy little heads

knowing that the morning

brings sunshine to their beds

Tiny little butterfly fluttering her wings

is in fact a tiny faerie

listen to her sing

She goes where she pleases

and pleases as she goes

Tiny little faerie

shhhhh...no one else knows

My sweet Li'l Morning Glory is now complete. I could keep on rhyming....just look at those cute little feet. Ok...I will stop or at least I will try. Once I start rhyming it's just so dang hard to stop. There...that last sentence didn't rhyme. Ha!!

Morning Glory is one of my partial clay sculpted faeries. Her body from waist down and her arms are part of her strong wire armature wrapped in a soft wool yarn. Her chest/bodice is made from clay to look like butterfly wings. As always, she is completely hand sculpted...no molds....ever!!! I used a vintage lace to make her Victorian puffed sleeves. (both at her shoulders, wrist and around the legs of her tiny wool jumper.) Her shoulders and leg cuffs are adorned with glass seed beads. She is hand painted using acrylic paints....even her tiny fingernails and toenails. Her eyes are tiny bone beads hand painted and her hair is made from feathers. The wings are one of my butterfly designs...made from silk ribbon and glass seed beads. Her flower she is holding is made from clay and then hand painted using acrylic paints. She sits at about 5 1/2 inches with her feathery hair. Hey...a girl's gotta have some poof in her do, even a tiny faerie!!

I used a vintage porcelain figurine of morning glories blooming as her base. I love to find these at estate sales and antique malls. I can remember my great grandmother, grandmother and even my mom proudly displaying their porcelain pieces. I want to find a way to bring them back to life so they can again proudly be displayed.

Without any more words I will just let the photos show you more. Thank you for stopping by to visit...you are always welcome here under the old oak tree. Please come again and again and ..........ya'll get the meaning!!!

Until next time............Hugs, Regi

Relaxing weekend with inspiration!!!

2012-01-30T12:08:00.001-06:00

This was one of those....just sit back and relax....kinda weekends. Nothing planned (limited budget ya know) and not really anything happening around town. We decided that after the Chazman and I slept most the morning away HEY...it was a Saturday....AND....apparently we needed the extra sleep!!! So sweet to sleep in late every once in awhile. Now, where was I? Oh yes...our relaxing Saturday. We decided that we would go back down to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. I love this area...it's the way the beach and surrounding areas were before anything was built on the beach. I know that I have told you about our beach walkabouts there but I don't think that I have really told you about this amazing "natural" area.

I'm not talking about a small area either....well...if you look at our complete coastline then perhaps it would be. It covers 7,000 acres of natural beauty. It stretches from Hwy 180 (Ft. Morgan Road) in Gulf shores all the way down to the opening of the Fort Morgan Historical site. This stretch of road is a wonderful drive, since it is a peninsula....that means most the way down you can see the ocean.

See what I mean....surrounded by the ocean. At the very top or the end, however which away you look at it, is the historical site of Fort Morgan. I promise that we will go and visit there soon and take some photos to show you. It's a really awesome place and the last time we went we had someone following us around. Not someone that could be seen either. BUT...that's for another day.

The wildlife refuge not only has a wonderful beach area but it also has some amazing hiking trails. Trails that run through some amazing saw palmetto trees as well as magnolias and our famous big old oak trees. All are natural to the area and none were planted, although at times when looking at them you might think that someone did plan the trail out and plant them. Mother Nature was this trails designer. There are some raised wooden boardwalks along the way. These trails take you over marsh land and we all know what loves to live in the marshlands. Gators baby...gators!!! Seems we may have another photo trip to take....down to the trails.

Saturday though, we went to the beach area only. Walked for about 2 miles and found some shells and feathers and something that we aren't quite sure what it is. It's bone we know and I have to admit that it has my muse singing up a store to use it somehow.

Most of the shells we find are broken pieces but that's alright. I can always find a way to use even those. Tell me what YOU see with this one broken shell and then I'll tell you what I see!!

Well...what do you see? Just a shell or something else? I see an angel wing. I'm thinking of doing a clay sculpt and painting with this one. Perhaps a small angel (clay) kneeling down on that small piece at the bottom and her wings being painted inside the shell. I just love that I live where I have so much inspiration just laying around waiting to be picked up and seen.

We found several more broken shells that are already telling a tale themselves as well as some seagull feathers. The Chazman is collecting them and wanting us to make something together with them. Perhaps some dragon wings??

I'm falling in love with the tiny odd shells or housing that is left behind by barnacles. We are getting quiet the lovely collection. I love these tiny ones attached to one of the shells we found Saturday. This shell would look pretty sitting in a bowl with sand and a few other small shells.

Now let's take a test...see who actually reads my post and who just looks at the pretty pictures...HAHA!! How far did I say we walked? No fair going back up to look. Of course I would have no way of knowing if you did...so go ahead!! ^_^ Yeepers....we walked 2 miles and me being the old ancient one that I am, we had to stop and rest a bit. The Chazman would tell you it was so he could play in the sand...such a sweet boy he is. So I think I will just go with that. We stopped to let the Chazman play in the sand...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! While we were sitting we took out the binoculars so get a better view of what was out in the water. Several oil rigs....I think the hubbikins counted seven in just one area. The lighthouse of course (I showed you that one in my last walkabout post) Pelicans, seagulls, sand pipers and those funny birds that look like big ducks that dive down and swim under water for at least a minute or two looking for a tasty fish or jellie. OMGOSH....he came up with one. Thank goodness for binoculars. After getting up and walking on for awhile longer and turning around to come back we got to see the dolphins. First it was just three of them.....slowly swimming along. Then about 5 minutes after them came a pod of about 7. One of them flipping his tail each time he came up. It actually looked like he was trying to get the one in front of him wet. Well, ok they are already wet but ya know what I mean....looked like to siblings playing. Each time we have gone on our walkabouts these characters have showed up about the same time. I could sit and watch these playful creatures all day. See why living on the coast is such a soul replenishing experience filled with inspiration.

Ohhh me...I almost forgot to tell you about another beach character that we had a bit of fun with. We were walking back to the opening to leave and I just happened to look down at a small indention in the sand. Remember, we are at a wildlife refuge so there is no telling what we might be blessed to see. I borrowed the Chazman's walking stick and gently poked at what I thought was a dead crab. OMGOSH...he so was NOT dead. He bounced up and up came those pinchers. I took the stick and gently started touching them and he would make this little chirping sound and "click click" at us. That was his indention and he was going to protect it. I would move and he would turn and follow me...the Chazman would move and he would turn and follow him. We started giggling and he started chirping again. We didn't bother him for long but it was amazing watching him....watch US!!

Until next time...Hugs, Regi

Li'l man has a muse all his own!!

2012-01-26T11:24:00.000-06:00

I'm so proud of my Li'l man and those that visit here often know that already...ri iight? He is more of a character than I am and just as quirky. That's a good thing!!! Really...it is...a....very....good...thing!! Since he is growing (and way to fast I might add) he is discovering that he has a muse all his own. Talk about EXCITEMENT!!!

He is taking art in school and loves it. Seems like he has a really cool teacher that might be a tad bit on the quirky side himself. I love art teachers...they always walk their own path but never mind sharing or taking others along. Last week they worked in water colors and salt. Yeppers...I said SALT!!! Chaz told me all about how they used it before he showed me his art. Very interesting.....very interesting indeed. They drew what they wanted in pencil and then painted it with the water colors and while the paint was still wet they sprinkled certain areas with the salt. It has really a cool effect and one that I want to try myself. OMGOSH...it would look awesome on one of my water color mermaid doodles. That's getting off track now...this is about the Chazman.

Chaz loves monsters and dragons. He has always loved quirky monsters and dragons...can't imagine just were he gets that love from though. (l@@king around) I really thought when he was explaining what they did that his art would certainly be one of a monster with crazy punk hair and four arms....but I was wrong. He did a dragon and what a magnificent dragon he did.

He loves all types of dragons but his favorite are the winged ones. Didn't he do a great job? I want to get it matted and framed. I just LOVE it!!! Can ya tell? ^_^ He said that he wished he had put more salt on the wings to give them more depth. OMGOSH...my nine year old talking about art and depth. So Proud I am!!

Here is a closer look at the wings. I really wish that they would show up better on here. You can see the difference in the coloration but what you can't see is the glimmer effect it gives them.

My Li'l artist with his own muse.....so proud....and happy!!!!

Until next time............Hugs, Regi and the Chazman

Blooms have been whispering

2012-01-25T08:05:00.000-06:00

Mother Nature really is throwing some curve balls at us. Some very strange weather for sure. I guess most know that I live in Alabama and am very proud to say that I am one of the true Southern GRITS. (girl raised in the South) Our state has been hit really hard with the weather in the past year. Those horrible nasty monsters (tornadoes) that hit Tuscaloosa and her close by communities in April and now the one that hit Birmingham and her surrounding areas the beginning of this week. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.

One thing that Mother Nature has done here that is far from any monsters she can throw at us are the beautiful flowers we have blooming. Some are breathtaking and right outside my studio windows. I have those large Southern Camilla trees and big huge Azalea bushes and they are full of shining little faces. (that's blooms people...blooms ^_^) While sitting here gazing out the windows this past weekend my muse and those shining little faces began to whisper to me.

Still in the WIP (work in progress) stages but she is getting closer to completely revealing herself to me. I hope to get her painted and dressed today. I attached her wings last night. Do you remember the beaded butterfly wings I was working on several months ago? Here...let me joggle that memory some.......

Ahhhhh...now you remember, ri iight? I did finish them and they are finally going to be part of a fae. Not the one I had originally planned for them but we all know that our muse likes to totally confuse us at times. At least my Li'l mischievous one does. If yours doesn't....DO NOT TELL ME!!! I would like to think that it happens to all of us quirky artist...it's a sanity issue. ^_^

Until next time...........HUGS, Regi

Beach Walkabout!!

2012-01-16T15:13:00.002-06:00

What a wonderful weekend this was. What an adventure in seeing what mother nature gives us each and every day to ponder, admire and be amazed by. I think we have started a weekend adventure theme...one that will fit perfectly into my New Year's resolution of getting healthier this year. (Treadmill during the week and beach walkabouts on the weekends....perfection...pure perfection)

Saturday morning we took a stroll on the Gulf State Park Pier. It's a whopping 1,540 foot long pier and one that gives you a nice little stroll. It was rather blustery here on Saturday but that didn't keep us from enjoying looking out over the ocean and smelling the wonderful salt air. The hubbikins had to keep his hoodie pulled up....bald heads get cold very easily apparently. There were even a few folks fishing but most had just gotten there so no luck as of yet. I was so upset with myself that I forgot my camera. Yep..the pictures above are borrowed. Next weekend I will make sure I have it. There was one pelican that seem to think the pier was his total domain and it well of course could be. You could walk almost close enough to touch him but I so wouldn't advise it. Did you know that they "clack" those big old beaks? I do mean "CLACK" as in "yeah yeah come stick your fingers close so I can clack and crack them". OUCH...no thank you!!! I have to admit though, the Chazman and I stood and watched one for a good bit. The Chazman would walk to the left and the pelican would turn his head and watch him....then the Chazman would go to the right and the pelican would do the same. This went on for a good bit and I so wish that we had the dang camera...then the Hubbikins said "I could take one with my phone". Well DUHHHHH honey..take it then...take it!!!! MEN!!!

Pelican finally had enough peek a seek and waddled his way around to the side of the pier. We left him alone for now but wait til next weekend when I have my camera...."Clack...Clack"..ummm I mean click click!!

It's fun looking over the sides to see if you can see any fish. One person told us they catch everything from string rays to sharks. We didn't see any of these ~~frowning~~ but we did see plenty of jellyfish. There are so many different types of jelly fish and we seem to get several varieties come visit our area...but these....I had never seen before. They are called cannonball jellies because when looking down on them they look like cannonballs bobbing in the water. I don't know if that's really why but that seems like a very plausible explanation to me. ^_^ Very strange creatures....they would come up to the surface and then go back down and drift away. Hubbikins camera phone couldn't pick them up good enough but at least he thought about it THIS time and tried.

We so enjoyed our time on the pier Saturday that Sunday afternoon we decided to go down to a part of the beach that most don't go to. It is located close to Ft Morgan and is so worth the small drive to get to it. A friend had told us about it and Saturday we went to try and find it...we did...and Sunday was the time we went back to explore. I took my camera this time.

Isn't it beautiful? It's part of the wildlife sanctuary and part of the historical site of Ft. Morgan....an actual fort. There were only about 6 people on the beach and yes I know it was a tad bit windy and chilly but I would have thought more would be there. They say it's quite in the summer too but to be warned, because of it's out of the way location there are some that enjoy the sun in their birthday suits. I guess I will have to walk out and yell "CHILD PRESENT..COVER UP PLEASE" LOL or better yet say even louder "OH YES GAME WARDEN....WE LOVE COMING HERE". Which do you think will get their dressed attention faster and before you ask..nude sunbathing is NOT allowed. (sorry guys)

We walked a long way and found a few interesting shells. They say that in the summer you can find some of the bigger shells right off the shore. There is a small sand bar about 5 ft off the shore and that has created a small pond in between so the shells get caught there. There might have been some there yesterday but it was to cold to even think about checking....even for this polar bear. I saw a few strange things I didn't know what they were so I didn't pick them up. Next time I will because in coming home and googling a bit I discovered that they were sea beans. I want them!!!!

This is a picture of something we found I so do not want. This is one of the cannonball jellies that we saw Saturday at the pier. I hate that the poor critter was washed ashore and not alive when we found it. We did put it back in the water hoping it wasn't dead but it was. A moment of silence was taken. While we were standing there in silence I had this strange feeling that I needed to look up and out. OMGOSH....I'm so happy that my muse told me to do it because right there about 15 feet out were two dolphins. I tried taking a pic but my lilttle camera just doesn't have the lens power. Here is my pic and one borrowed from someone that was lucky enough to get a good shot in the same spot on a different day.

These two were so entertaining. Apparently they were fishing and would come up just enough to see their fins come up out of the water but then all of a sudden they would JUMP up and you could see all of them. It was awesome!! We sat down and watched them and the Chazman and I giggled and clapped for them. I realized then that no matter the difficulties that we are going through right now...GOD has put us in a healing place and I'm so thankful and blessed for that.

While watching these playful creatures my vision was taken to a rather tall and slender "something" far off from the shore. There are several oil rigs off the point but I knew that it wasn't big enough to be one of those.

You really can't see it to well...the sun was shining so brightly and again I don't have the bestest (Chazman word) camera in the world BUT at least I have one. We did have the binoculars so I took a peek through them and this is what I was seeing. (yes another borrowed photo)

I never would have thought it was a lighthouse but there it was. I guess I should have figured since it is on the point of our island. I love light houses!!

Now I could go on and on about things we saw but I think this walkabout has been walked enough for todays post. Thank you for coming along.

Until next time...........Hugs, Regi

It's Friday the 13th!!!

2012-01-13T09:38:00.000-06:00

Evil Kitty with Zombie eye....RUN!!!!!!

Noooo not really...come back here...it's alright...I promise!! See..Ms Peaches isn't really a zombie kitty...she just likes to play like one..hehehehe

She was the first one out the door this morning when the Chazman went out to get on the bus to go to school. She usually walks with us down the driveway but today she just enjoyed sitting in the ivy and watching. Watching out for Zombies I'm sure...muahahahahahah....noooo wait...I'm kidding again. No Zombies here...I ~~gulp~~ hope!!!

I couldn't believe how chchchilly it was here this morning....29...yeppers...I said 29. I know for some that's nothing but for a place where flip flops are the norm....well....do you know how hard it is to wear your flip flops with socks? Ms Peaches was purrrfectly comfortable but then I would be too if I had a luxurious fur coat on. HA Wouldn't that be a pretty picture? Me in a fur coat (would have to be faux though) and flip flops with socks. I could start a new trend. Nahhhh...I'm weird enough as it is.

It seems that there are other "living" things outside that aren't being affected by our tiny cold snap either. My trees are budding out and they are starting to look marvelous darlins...simply marvelous!!!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful 13th!! Remember it's just another day....really....I promise. Wait...what's that sound.....I hear shuffling feet and moaning. OMGOSH....I can't believe it...it can't be!!!

It's Zommmmmmmm.....gotcha!!!

Until next time..........Hugs, Regi

Four little mermaids swimming on a......

2012-01-12T22:14:00.003-06:00

Well...well..well...I had planned on getting more things done that just four plates but at least they are complete. I guess I shouldn't complain...it could have taken so much longer I suppose but the ceramic fish really soaked up the paint and the layers dried much faster than say painting on paper...so really...I shouldn't complain!!! So I'll stop complaining...hehe!!

I think they turned out pretty darn good, if I must say so myself, but I surely hope I don't have to say so myself...hopefully someone else will say it too. Hopefully!!!

I do believe that these cute fish plates will make a perfect whimsical "beachy" theme decoration in any home. Sitting on a table by the door to catch those keys we all seem to ~~lose~~ misplace from time to time. A shout out to my sweet friend, Stephanie for that idea. She is a really fantastic artist...not a whimsy like me...click on her name and take a walk through her world. Now what was I talking about....ohh yea....the mermaid fishy plates.....they could also sit in a bathroom with some cute little nautical soaps or even sit on a dresser and hold that loose change. Perhaps even out by the pool to put your earrings or necklace in before you take that dip. I'm sure you could come up with some cute ideas too. So take a look and let your imagination soar!!!! Oh oh ohhhhh...if you click on the pic you can see it much better...so go ahead...CLICK!!!!

Each plate measures 7 1/2' from nose to tail and 6 1/2' from tip fin to bottom fin. Nice size...not to big and not to small. I sealed each one in an indoor/outdoor sealer. The mermaids are my own design and I'm planning on using them for several more "beach" theme items.

Now it's time to settle my muse down and start sculpting some mermaids before she has me putting her in a mason jar for awhile. I will poke holes in the top...she will be fine!!!

Until next time...........Hugs, Regi

Wordless Wednesday..

2012-01-11T11:09:00.000-06:00

2nd Fish plate with Mermaid

2012-01-10T16:07:00.000-06:00

I'm having fun painting my fish plates. That's what I have been working on...all....day.....long!!! HA With this dreary, wet weather it's taking the paint a little bit longer to dry in between stages. It's been really hard to resist the urge to go take a nap too because of this delay and of course the dreary, wet weather. (Yawning)

I hope you like this one too AND thank you for all the wonderful comments on yesterdays post. It's good to be designing and being busy again.

I think these will make cute and "beachy" change holders or jewelry holders. I'm putting several layers of sealer on them so they will be able to withstand either one or something completely different. Tomorrow it's on to another plate. ^_^

Until next time.....HUGS, Regi

Monday Muse singing!!!

2012-01-09T10:00:00.001-06:00

I just love Mondays!! Don't you? OK stop the laughing...I know most folks don't like Mondays because it means that their weekend is over. I do LOVE my weekends too.....always finding adventures for the Chazman and us to enjoy BUT I love Mondays because the house is quiet and my muse can sing til her heart is content.

This morning she was singing about shells and mermaids and then all of a sudden she was singing about a tea party with faeries. My muse has problems focusing at times (~~apparently..she is a good bit like me..hehe)~~ but at least she is full of ideas today...LOL!!!

With her songs brought some digging in my treasure trove of goodies. I really liked her song about shells and mermaids and of course the one about the faerie tea party. I'm thinking of doing something cute with the shells....perhaps a merfolk peeking out or a baby mermaid resting peacefully. The fish plate I do believe will have one of my mermaid paintings. The tea cup...well.....I feel a faerie coming to visit that just loves to sit inside the cup and have a conversation or two.

I think that my week will be a full one of designing and working. The above will surely keep me busy but I'm also working on some of my fabric critters as well as some fabric flowers. Busy busy busy...I LIKE IT!!!!!!

Until next time.....HUGS, Regi (ohhh yes....and my muse)

I completed one of the fish plates. Do you think it's to busy? Should the mermaid be smaller? Not sure I like this one. I need input people...INPUT!!!!!

I'm alive!!!

2012-01-05T12:36:00.000-06:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's beginning. We surely did because we stayed home..LOL!! Living in a tourist town kinda keeps us at home on some occasions...not all...just some. We will be getting out for sure next month to go to all the Mardi Gras parades. I love Mardi Gras...so festive and so much FUN!! I will be posting more about that later on in the month though. I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I am alive and kicking. Well perhaps not kicking but alive. (so much better than the alternative ^_^)

I am working on some designs and hopefully will be posting them soon. What are you working on....~~nosey~~ inquiring minds want to know? My muse is whispering so much in my ear that I'm a bit confuzzled on just what to do first. I just hate that...don't you? Well...I had better get back to work ummmm play...ohhh ya know what I mean.

Until next time..............Big HUGS, Regi

Chaz the Wizard!!!

2011-12-21T16:28:00.000-06:00

OMGOSH...I can't believe we pulled one over on our Chazman. Poor dear is as gullible as his momma. HaHa I would have loved to have gotten this on video and of course at the time...arrrggg...my batteries were going low. (Something keeps draining the dang things.....I guess it's our little ghostly housemate) See if you can guess what we were able to pull over on him by these photos.

Oh the games we play....on our kiddos..hehe!!! Did you guess what was happening? Want me to tell you? No!! Well, alrightie then....keep thinking. While you are thinking about what could be happening, here is what our cat thought about it.

Ms. Peaches would look at Chaz and the reindeer and then turn and look at us when my giggles turned into full out laughter. She was getting rather confuzzled I do believe. She finally walked over to me.

Meoooome...(that's what she calls me....really..it is) "Please tell me what's happening...I'm getting purrrrfectly confused over our human child's reactions out there". Have you guessed yet? Ready for me to tell you? It's really funny and we all laughed so hard over it....that is after the Chazman got over being very upset with us. You see, his daddikins was standing in the door way and every time Chaz would take the broom and hit the ground he would either turn the light switch on or off...that made the lights on the reindeer either be ON or OFF.....ROFL!!! The reason the Chazman got so upset is because he thought that he was doing magic. It almost made me not want to tell him it wasn't him but I decided it might be best to go ahead and fess up. I mean he might try flying next and that could really turn out bad. Once he got over the angry/mad/upset/I can't believe you would do that to me stage..he giggled and then laughed.

A memory can be built on the smallest thing. When you get the chance to help that memory be one that will be long remembered....make it!!!

Until next time...........HUGS, Regi

Three little Mermaids!!

2011-12-20T21:08:00.001-06:00

I don't believe it....I mean...I REALLY.....don't believe it!! Really....can YOU believe it? Can you? Huh Huh??Ohhhh, I guess I had better tell you what I can't believe. I'm sure you aren't going to believe it either though. I finished my niece's Christmas gifts today. I know....it's hard to believe, ri iight?? Those that know me....know that normally I am burning the WAY past midnight oil whenever I am working on gifts. What am I going to do with myself now? I already feel lost from not having to be busy at trying to get something done. WOW...is this what it actually feels like? To not be rushed? I LIKE IT!!!

Like....a word that we all want to hear when we make something for someone special to us. Well....LOVE would be better but with two of my nieces being teenagers...I will take...I like it!!! My youngest niece turned 7 this year and is such a little woman...really..she is. I sometimes forget when I'm talking to her that she is only a youngin but then she goes and does something completely silly and just like a normal 7 year old would do and I remember...LOL!! Since she is a young lady now...along with her sisters, I decided to make them each a jewelry box. Something to hold their precious treasures in. To guard their treasures there is none better than a true keeper of treasures...even if they are land ones and not from the sea. Each box is hand painted with one of my mermaids.

This one is for my oldest niece. She is a HUGE LSU fan and I do mean HUGE. One of those that probably bleeds purple and yellow. I wouldn't know because I run for the hills whenever I see blood. Ewww!! But I bet a dollar that she does. Since she is such a HUGE fan I painted her mermaid with a (yep, ya guessed) a purple and yellow scaled tail. She also has brown eyes and dark hair just like my niece. I also made the gift tag to go along with it.

This one is for my next to oldest niece. I know that I could have said middle niece but we don't say that. Have you ever heard about the middle child syndrome? She hasn't because we say next to oldest and that's the way we want to keep it..LOL!! She is a HUGE, ummmmm......that other university from Alabama...you know the one. I don't know what happened to her mom...she is one of THOSE too. We were raised that ________ was a bad word so I just don't know what happened. OMGOSH...alright...I will say it......auburn. There...are you happy now?? hehe. Since she does love Auburn so much I painted her mermaid with a orange and blue scaled tail. Her eyes are blue and her hair is red with golden highlights....yep...just like my adorable next to oldest niece. Here is her gift tag too.

Finally...last but by no means least, is the mermaid for my Li'l lady of a niece. She just loves everyone and everything so her mermaid I painted a purple tail with light green scales. She has light brown eyes and golden brown locks...yes...just like my little sweetie pie. Li'l miss was actually a mermaid last year....ohh yes she was. In the ballet "Peter Pan". She was, of course, adorable and nothing like her very shy aunt. She loves a crowd.
Her keepsake box has a gift tag too.

Now.....I hope to hear "I LOVE IT" but I will be just as happy with "I LIKE IT". We are looking forward to spending some time with them on Saturday night. The kiddos will get their gifts...then we will be eating some delicious red beans and rice (my BIL is a true Cajun and owww weeeeee one heck of a cook) then eat some yummy sweet goodies and probably watch a movie together or play a game. Family...is what makes this time of year special.

Now....what can I start working on now.....................................

Until next time......HUGS, Regi

Treasures Found!!!!

2011-12-19T11:20:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited that we found some of our treasures that I just knew had gotten lost. We found them by chance too. Joseph went on a search for a pair of coveralls in the storage shed and while he was ~~plowing~~ looking through everything he found them for me. Ohhhhh HAPPY DAY!!!!

Now I know that you are saying "HEY Reggikins....we saw your beautiful Christmas tree already". THank you for the compliment..HA!! It's not the big tree that's new in the photo. It's the small tree sitting on the stand next to it.

Isn't it a beauty in itself? This is a vintage Christmas music box. It dates back to the early 1900's and it completely and totally belongs to the Chazman. Yes..yes..when he is grown and moves out (which he tells me he is never doing) I will let him take it with him. I will...honestly...I will. ^_^ It originally belonged to one of my BILs. When Chaz was a toddler he would sit and just look at it. Never touching it...just gazing at it. He would point to the tiny snow baby and say "Babieeeeee". My BIL lost it at that exact moment. I don't mean lost it as in crying....I mean....he actually lost it. He gave it to the Chazman. Chaz was so excited when we found it and could set it out this year.

Now this is the one that I was happy we found. It's the Santa bear I made for my Dad and Mom about six years ago. Nothing fancy but he holds some precious memories for us.

It truly was a weekend for finding treasures. I was going through my art journal and found my directions on making acorn top ornaments. This is going to be a project for the Chazman and I this week since he is out on break.

Until next time........Hugs, Regi

"Party like a ROCK ....party like a ROCKSTAR"

2011-12-16T08:21:00.001-06:00

WOW....I can...like totally.....so understand that phrase now. I know you are probably in shock...go ahead...run around the desk holding your face and screaming "It can't be so...tell me it isn't so". Of course, it isn't so.....SO you can sit back down and relax. What I mean by the phrase is that I pulled an all nighter and I haven't done that in many many many (whew) many many many many...ok..I think ya get the point....years!! It seems that cutting all the different pattern pieces and then sewing 25 penguins takes a tad bit more time than I thought.

I will have to take another pic of one of the penguins when the Chazman gets in from school. Either my camera or perhaps even myself was a tad bit out of focus and the pic didn't take. I didn't make them exactly like the original one I showed ya'll in my earlier post. I didn't make them a hat but I did make their scarves out of real wool. I didn't get a chance to add my faux snow flakes or glitter either. I LOVE to ~~play~~ embellish with my faux snow flakes and glitter. I really do....even if I end up somehow wearing more of it than I should..hehe. DON'T ask!!!!

I did manage to get a few shots of the "BOX". You remember the "BOX"...ri iight?? The one I painted for the mummies to be delivered in. You do remember the "Mummies"...ri iight?? (why am I suddenly feeling like I'm in a very old detective story?) I took the same box...HA....I bet you thought I was going to type "BOX" again...didn't you? OK I need coffee to.....snap out of it....as the Chazman would say. Like I was saying..I took the package, removed the mummy info and touched it up a bit.

Why is it that the pretty twinkles of our glitter don't show up in pics.....arrggggg!! I guess I will have to just tell you what I'm talking about. Three of the corners I painted with white paint...to resemble snow of course. The package is coming from the North Pole. Once the paint was dry, I added a coating of Twinkles crystal glitter. HEY...I did get to play with some glitter but sadly not the kind that you can wear...ummmm...I mean the kind that accidently spills on you like faery dust. Wait...I said "Don't Ask" ^_^ so I'm not telling..so pfft ....there. My, my...please forgive...the rockstar in me apparently can't ROCK it all night long anymore...I am apparently delirious from lack of sleep.

I found these really cute tags online. I love the North Pole mailing label with the "ELF INSPECTED and SANTA APPROVED" stamped on it. The four little stamps really added to the.........package (gotcha) but I almost panicked when I went to print them off and discovered that my colored ink cartridge was empty. No worries though....I came up with an idea to use them anyways. Yep...I can come up with ideas when I haven't pulled an all nighter. I did the printing BEFORE the party!! I printed them off using my black only cartridge and then water colored them with my water color pencils. Love my water color pencils!! It gave them a vintage look...don't ya think? The big Santa tag is one that is appearing everywhere it seems. I really love it and knew it would add to the ........parcel.......so I printed it off in black only and painted it.There again..my twinklie, sparklie coating is not showing up. I covered Santa's beard, hair and eyebrows with it and it really looks awesome...not the dull color showing in pic. Could be the photographer though!!!

Chaz said he is bringing the box and the tag home this afternoon. The tag he is going to hang on the tree. I just love when my kiddo loves something that I have made. Ahhhhhhhhh....let me sit and relish in that feeling a moment. Nooo, better not...I might nod off ^_^

Until next time............Hugzzzzzzzzzzz

Hot Dr. Pepper...anyone?

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

I love vintage!!! Vintage photos....vintage images....vintage advertising.....vintage ANYTHING!! I have a nice little assortment of vintage and wanted to share this one with you today. Don't laugh...I see that smile. Have you ever tried Hot Dr. Pepper? Imagine one of those chilly, windy, blustery, cold winter days when you want something to warm up those bones...something different. I think this would be that something different. It's actually pretty good and just something unique to have in place of that hot cup of coco or tea. Easy peasy to fix. Just pour it into a sauce pan and heat til simmering. Place a thin lemon slice in the bottom of a mug....pour the simmering Dr. Pepper over it and then enjoy. It really will warm you up!! Of course, you need something to eat to go with it....so here is one of my favorite recipes for this time of year. So many different variations you can do with this simple basic recipe. What is it you ask? It's shortbread. "S' isn't just for Santa!!!

Basic Recipe (Tasty plain too, especially with a cup of hot peppermint tea or simmering Hot Dr. Pepper ^_^)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)

**Combine flour and sugar in medium mixing bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling together. At this point, the dough may look dry, but the next step will take care of that. Form the mixture into a ball and knead until smooth. The heat from your hand softens the butter slightly, that is what makes the butter become so smooth.

**To make wedges, pat or roll dough into an 8-inch circle on ungreased cookie sheet. Press with your fingers to scallop the edge. (FYI: According to Scottish tradition, the scallops represent the rays of the sun) Cut the circle into 16 wedges, this will keep the bread from crumbling or breaking when you cut it after baking. Prick each wedge in it's center with a fork.

**Bake in a 325 oven for 25-30 minutes or until bottom just starts to turn brown and center is set. Cut circle into wedges in the same place as before while still warm. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

**If you like you can make these into rounds instead of wedges. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface until 1/2" thick. Use a 1/2" thick cookie cutter to cut out 24 rounds. Place them 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Variations to try:

Cornmeal Shortbread (great with soups and chili)
Prepare basic recipe as directed, except substitute 1/4 cup cornmeal for 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and add 1/4 cup cheddar cheese...or 1/4 cup dried cranberries.

Lemon-Poppy Seed Shortbread
Prepare basic recipe as directed, except stir in 1 tablespoon poppy seed into flour mixture and add 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel with butter.

Oatmeal Shortbread (great for breakfast with a bit of jam, jelly or marmalade on top)
Prepare basic recipe as directed, except reduce all-purpose flour to 1 cup. After cutting in butter, stir in 1/3 cup quick-cooking rolled oats.

Spiced Shortbread
Prepare basic recipe as directed, except substitute brown sugar for sugar; stir 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon ground gloves into the flour.

Like I said...so many different variations. I hope that you try this recipe....it is such an easy and changeable recipe for so many treats. It would be a great item to place in a gift basket too...along with a pretty tea cup!!

Until next time...........Happy cooking HUGS, Regi

Make a Reindeer!!

2011-12-14T07:00:00.002-06:00

The reindeer itself is one of the Chazman's doodles....not one that I did for him but one he did for me. I just took that and made my pattern. If you don't have an upcoming artist in your household...no problems...just draw you a pattern for my "HOW TO" that I'm getting ready to do for you.

Supplies Needed:

Felt or Fur (in two different shades)

Black Seed Beads

Black Pompoms or red if you want to make Rudolph

Pin backings

Jingle Bell

Brown Embroidery floss

Black thread

Stuffing/Batting

Hot glue

Glitter or MICA flakes

Now keep in mind that these are simple, FUN pins to make..so you can design your head and antlers in any shape you want. Decide what size you want and then fold over the felt or fur....leaving the fold as the top of the head. (do not cut the fold) This what you should have once you cut out the head.

Next step is to sew on the eyes, nose and pin backing. I use regular black thread to sew these on with. I don't cut my thread after sewing the face but I do make sure I knot each one before I move on to attaching the next eye and then the nose. I add one line under the nose over to the side for a mouth. You can add one...or not. Remember..this is your reindeer. After face is complete then turn the head around so the back is facing you and sew the pin backing on. Here is what you should have after this step:

Next are the ears and antlers. Again...keep in mind what these look like on a real reindeer. Here is the design that Chaz did. The antlers should be a darker color than the reindeer and ears.

I sew the ears first. Just a few stitches...simply fold them in half and sew at the bottom...so they have what looks like a tiny ear hole in them. Open them up and then sew them to the bottom part of the antler. Then sew the two bottom corners of the antlers over the bottom of the ear. Here is what they should look like.

Now...let's attach those ears to the face. Take the face and fold over so the face is in front and the back is well....in the back ^_^. Take the ear and place right at the fold in between the face and back. I use a simple whip stitch with 3-ply embroidery thread. Once you have the front whip stitched then turn it around to the back and stitch the same way. When starting on the front I start at the bottom of the ear so that I am working my way up and around to the back and then I'm lined up to whip around the face. Now...whip around the face. When you get to the other side about half way...STOP...it's time to stuff that face ^_^. It doesn't take much....you just want to fill the face out a bit so it doesn't just lay flat. Our reindeer needs a bit of personality!! Here is what it should like at this stage.

Once you have the face filled out, place the other antler in it's space and stitch the same way you did the other antler. Just remember to stitch it to the front and the back. Don't want any little hands pulling Chet's (that's what Chaz calls his reindeer...LOL..yes we watched the Santa Claus movies this weekend) ear to hard and pulling it off. Now add a jingle bell or two to the bottom and your finished. Here is what the finished piece should look like.

Of course....all of you that know ME...know that I can't have a plain reindeer. I took all of my little herd and using my glue gun and some MICA flakes...I made it look like they had played in the snow. The possibilities are endless here people...honest...just use those imaginations. OK...you need some ideas..well..here are a few. You could sew some of those miniature strings of lights to his antlers and top of his head like he got all tangled up in em. Or perhaps some of those tiny plastic snowflakes that come in a string like garland...sew those to the antlers. Or maybe if you want to make him look "cool" you could make him a tiny leather collar....and owwwww maybe a little leather hat to go ummmm....HEY...I know YOU and I know that you have just as vivid an imagination as I do...well..ok..maybe not everyone but I know you can do it...so do it!! Then let me see what your reindeer looks like...I love to see when someone else has used a shared idea.

I hope that you have enjoyed this repost...yep..it's one I did last year but thought I would share it again for my new friends I've made since then. OMGOSH....and I'm so not calling those that were here for last year's post old...nope...not doing that. Besides..I'm sure I'm older than most anyways...so that would be the pot calling the kettle black huh? LOL

Until next time...............HUGS, Regi

I SEE PENGUINS!!!!

2011-12-13T09:44:00.002-06:00

25 Penguins to sew all the day

25 Penguins to sew

Finish one up

Toss it aside

24 Penguins to sew all the day

That's going to be my song for the day..ALL..THE..DAY..LONG!!! LOL I so don't mind though because these Li'l guys are going to the Chazman's Christmas party at school on Friday. They are so simple to make and only take a few supplies.

Supply List (if you want to make some yourself)

Felt (Black-orange-white-off white-Burgandy)

Black and White Thread

Black seed beads (for eyes)

Faux snow or glitter

Pin backing/Bobby pin/Hair clip/Embroidery thread

Pattern (feel free to borrow mine)

Body Cut 2

Face Cut 1

Beak Cut 2

Flipper Cut 2

Feet Cut 4

Medium YoYo

(for hat)

Small YoYo

(for snowball)

Scarf Cut 1

I think you can look at my already made penguin and see how to make it. I would do a tut but I just don't have the time....YIKES...these have to be done by Friday morning...on top of the other projects I have going on. Someone, remind me to start making all these wonderful gifts right after New Year's day..ppplease!!!

I can give you some tips though. I hand sew all of the penguin....they are small and it would just take to much time on the machine. Well...for me anyways ^_^ I use a blanket stitch on all the sewing. I'm sure most know what type of stitch this is but just in case.......

Of course on the YoYo hat and snowball you will just do a straight stitch and then gather it up and tie the ends together to form each one. I put a tiny bit of batting in both. Put a tiny bit of batting in the body too.

The face I just sew on when I sew the sead beads on for the eyes. On the beak you will cut two and sew just the tops together. I put two small straight stitches where the nostril holes would be. Why cut two of the beak you ask? It makes it look like the penguin has a real beak...hehe!! I also sew these on before I sew the body and stuff it. Just makes it easier.

I cut two of the feet (that would be four actually....two pieces for each foot so that penguin has 2 feet. Got it?) I don't stuff these but having the two pieces blanket stitched together just looks better. Gives it more strength so they will last. I sew these on after the body is stuffed and sewed.

Once you have penguin put together then you simply sew a flipper on each side....put a snowball in one flipper...his hat on his head and his scarf around his neck. I made the scarf for the above penguin out of a strip of felt but with the ones I'm currently working on I'm going to use an old sweater. Use your imagination..there are so many possibilities. I add faux snow flakes to the flippers and the snowball. Glitter works good too. Embellish yours how ever you want. I KNOW they will turn out awesome!!

You can turn these Li'l guys into pins to wear.....attach a bobby pin or hair clip....slide it on a headband or ribbon or just attach a hanger from the hat. Again...use your imagination and have FUN!!! Now let's start singing......................

Until next time.....Hugs, Regi

Oopsie and Tig!!!

2011-12-12T14:51:00.000-06:00

I have soooo much to get finished by Friday. Where in the world has the time gone to? Someone? Anyone? Please grab it and hold it for me ppplease!! So without rambling any more..hehe..here is the introduction to Oopsie and Tig. (Two of the cloth critters I have been working on) They are so happy to meet you!!!!

Oopsie and Tig

Oopsie is so excited to find out who will be his new caretaker!!

Tig is excited too but seeing that he is a CAT...he isn't letting on!!

Just look at that cute monkey face!!

Awwwww...who could resist those eyes?

Until next time............Hugs, Regi

OMGOSH..I forgot how much fun Barbies were!!!

2011-12-11T13:39:00.001-06:00

Yes...I admit it...openly!!! I played with a Barbie this weekend. What memories came pouring back to me. The Saturday night sleep overs with one of my best friends...completely taking over the living room for the weekend with all of Barbie's things. Believe me that was an honor too because Momma NEVER let anyone go into the living room unless they were special company. Getting off on a small tangent here about Momma and the "Living Room". I remember when I was about 7 and had been really sick and Dr. Hall (our preacher) came to visit. I walked in the room...took his hand and took him to the breakfast nook and had him sit down at the table. Momma looked at me and asked what I was doing. I patted Dr. Hall on the knee and told him I was sorry but the living room was only for special company. Can you hear the "GASP" from Momma? From that day on Lee and I could play Barbie in there anytime. (as long as she wasn't expecting any special visitors mind you) Now back to the present!! Man oh man....did we ever have Barbie things. I'm probably going to tell my age here (well heck and dang it all...I'm sure most of you know I'm one of the ancient ones already) Do ya'll remember the big heavy cardboard fold out Barbie house from the 60's? I HAD ONE and was so proud of it. My Daddy even made me some furniture to go with it. Ohhhhhh...to be young again...just for a little while so I could play with my Barbie. Oh wait...I did play with one this weekend. I almost forgot..hehe!!!

I know ya'll must be sitting there wondering just how far off the deep in I have stepped. Knowing that I have a boy and no girls....(Noooo...Chaz will not play Barbie...well..he will with his young girl cousins if they ask nicely and they have a Ken or GI Joe man. Shhhhhh..don't tell him I told you that. He is just such a sweet Li'l guy) I must have had a nervous breakdown......ri iight?? Nope..I'm just as sane as always. Well..as sane as I can be. The Chazman was invited to one of his classmates birthday party...which is this afternoon. When I called to RSVP I asked her mom what L liked. She said that I probably only needed to know one thing that would help. L is a big time "girly girl". Now to a mom with a son..what in the world does that mean? She told me the L really loves Barbie. That was all she needed to tell me. The gift just "POPPED" into my head. I had to find me a Barbie.

Saturday morning I woke up with a mission. To find that Barbie. I know I could have gone to Wal-mart to buy one but that wasn't an option. I wanted to make an outfit for one of the Barbie dolls that L already has. I can't believe it but the first yard sale we came to...the woman had a box full of ~~naked~~ Barbies. Thankfully, she sold me one and back home we came. I had a blast designing a faery costume. Nothing fancy but it really turned out so pretty. I even made her some attachable wings.

Notice the top of her head? She had the craziest hair....well....if you don't count my crazy hair. She had the craziest hair for a doll. I made a little scrunchy to match the outfit thinking that maybe L's dolls hair might have some bad hair days itself. I couldn't stop at just the scrunchy though. I mean what self concerning faery with her finery on doesn't wear her crown too. Yep...I made her a crown.

Isn't she purty??

Once I finished the outfit I decided that it wasn't enough to give L for h er birthday. I mean I wasn't giving her my Barbie....she was old and used. Besides, I might want to make more clothes and will need a model for them.....ri iight...that's the reason...not that I might want to relive my childhood and sit down for an afternoon and play with her again. Nahhhhhh) Since I have been on a roll making the fabric flower hair clips, I thought since L is a girlie girl that she might like one or two.

Now that I had the gifts made I realized that I needed something to put them in. Can you guess what I did? It seems once I get on a roll...I keep on rolling...LOL!!! I painted a box to hold all the goodies L will be receiving from the Chazman. Even made a sweet little tag to go with it.

I hope that L has a wonderful birthday today and enjoys all the gifts she will be getting. I do hope that (fingers crossed) the Chazman's is one that will always be special to her.

Until next time.....Hugs, Regi

I made my own gift box..hehe

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

I hope that you read about how to make your own box in my last post. I also hope that they were easy to follow directions so that you could make some of your own. I enjoyed making the "How to" post so much for everyone that I made some more boxes...ten to be exact....LOL!!! These were made for a purpose. Do you remember the flower garden I have been cultivating here of late? You know the one....don't you? The one that took up a weekend plus. Need a reminder? Just Click Here. I made the boxes to hold these precious flowers plus I made three more flowers to add to the bunch.

I do hope that the little girls that receive them Christmas morning will love them just as much as I loved ~~growing~~ making them. I just love the fact that so many people are coming together to make Christmas a special time for the families that need the extra help. I'm very excited to be one that is able to use my whimsical talents to help out. Paying it forward is a motto that all of us should take to heart. I know that I certainly do. Let's take a walk and see the newest flowers clipped from the garden.

I love using fabric and ribbon. This little beauty of a rose was made from a wired satin ribbon and has cotton fabric leaves. Not only do I love using fabric and ribbon but I really love buttons. The prettier the better!!! On this one I was able to use two buttons. The white one looked like the center of a flower. How perfect...ri iight?? I just couldn't resist using this little butterfly button to go along with it. It's attached to a large clip barrette.

Here is another rose from the same bush. No thorns either...that makes it nice. We don't want any ouchies from our sweet little ladies.....now do we? I used one of my flower buttons for the center of this one and instead of a hair clip...I attached it to an elastic headband. Can't you just see a sweet baby girl wearing this?
Sit and imagine....now let's all say...........Awwwwww!!!

This little beauty is from the whimsical side of the garden. I had these fantastic, colorful fabric scraps that a friend gave to me in a big bag of.......scraps!! HAHA They were just the perfect size to make these with. So important tip here.....never throw out those scraps you might think are to small to be keeping. I just adore all the colors in this one too. What do you think of when you see the colors? I think of ice cream..... Neapolitan ice cream and a scoop or two of sherbet thrown in with perhaps some peppermint. YUM!! I suddenly am in the mood for ice cream. ^_^ Hmmmmm...wonder why? Instead of raiding my button stash for these...I raided my vintage bead stash. Tiny, pretty pink pearls. The leaves surrounding the flowers are made from a ribbon. This one has a hair clip attached to it.

Now I have ten beautiful flowers in all to give away but I just couldn't hand them over to Ms Sue and say "Here ya go". I wanted them to be extra special so that's why I made the boxes. The box liked we talked about at the beginning of this post....the box that this post is suppose to be about. Sorry...I just had to wonder in the garden BUT at least I took you with me and you got to ~~smell~~ see the pretty flowers. For the boxes, I used white card stock......because I know that the box probably won't survive the opening process. I mean if they were big boxes...then they would be "priceless" but these are small boxes. I hope they do survive though because they are really cute and could actually be another gift in itself. For the top of the box, I found this cute vintage page from a children's book with rabbits....I love rabbits....don't you? Rabbits looking out the window at Santa and his reindeer flying over the snowy sky. I printed it off in black and white and then water colored it in to give it that vintage look for real. I applied a tiny bit of sparkle flakes to the rabbit tail....some red glitter by some of the holly leaves and even a teeny tiny piece of red glitter on the nose of the first reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh. RUDOLPH!!! Well....either Rudolph or the reindeer had one heck of a party the night before....but....that's....another......whole post entirely!!

Until next time.............HUGS, Regi

Making your own gift box!!

2011-12-07T08:51:00.003-06:00

I know that there are several of us that like to make our gifts to give to our family and friends at Christmas time. (or for any of the special holiday traditions that are observed this time of year) I know that I do. For those items that are not very large....like say.....jewelry pieces.....small photo frames and small figures, why not make your own gift box. Scrap papers work great.....perhaps you have a special printed paper you have been wanting to use. Scrap fabric can be used to cover your box once made to make a gift all by itself. I mean what gal couldn't use a special made box to place some of her earrings or rings in? Or perhaps a cute Li'l pin cushion box with sewing supplies inside. There are so many ways to use a BOX!!!

Now that I have talked about making a gift box...let me show you how. It can be made to any size that you want. All you have to keep in mind is that you need to start out with a square shape. Now..go look through all those beautiful scrap papers you have, grab a pair of scissors and a pen and let's get started:

Supplies Needed:

Paper (scraps or perhaps a pretty print one)

Scissors

Pen

Take your square and pull one corner up into the other so that you have made a triangle. Gently crease fold.

Now open it up and turn it facing you where it looks like a diamond (or a kite...that's what the Chazman thought it looked like) Fold the bottom corner up to the top one, like you did for the first fold and then gently crease it.

This is how it should look so far. Got it? Good...let's move on. ^_^

Take a corner and fold it up to the center and then gently crease. Do this to each remaining corner.

Now take a corner and fold it up to the top cease across from it. Do this to each remaining corner. Isn't it fun folding paper?

Up to this point, this is what your paper should look like. A quilt pattern. Now take a corner and fold it up to the closest fold. Do the remaining corners the same way and remember to gently crease your folds.

Hold your paper up so it looks like a diamond. Do you see the four little blocks that make a square in the center? Good...that is the size your box is going to be and the guide to making your cuts. If you look closely you can see where I made my marks to cut.

You want to cut up the sides to the square in the center...remember don't cut past the corners of your square. Do this on the opposite side as well. Just the two sides across from each other. Do not cut the other two opposite sides...ppplease!!

This is what you should have....oh yes...turn the paper around so that the arrow is pointing to you. That was another observation made by the Chazman..such an observant kiddo...now if we can just work on his selective male hearing....LOL!!!

Now take the paper and fold it up to the square box in the middle. Then take the next fold and fold it over the top of the first fold. The tiny fold at the point will be inside the bottom of your box.

This is what it should look like at this point.

Take the pieces sticking out and fold them to the inside of the square. This is how it should look. Do the opposite side the same way. Then take the short sides and fold them over to the center the same way.

This is what it should look like after the first short side is folded in.

TaDa......you made a box..
well the top of one and I'm so soo proud of you.

The folds will hold themselves in but if you want you can take your pin and turn the box on it's side and crease the folds a bit more.

To make the bottom of your box you follow the same steps with this one exception. You need to make it a bit smaller than the top so they will fit together. Take your square and fold one corner into the opposite but instead of meeting them corner to corner you will need to pull it back a few centimeters, then crease fold.

Now take and cut off the overlaying sides of the triangle and follow the steps you did to make the top of your box.

Here is your box...all completely put together.

(Purple and Blue papers.. Reminds me it's getting close to Mardi Gras time)

Now you can embellish your new little box however you want to. I hope this tutorial was simple and easy to follow. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away. ^_^

Remember in the beginning, I told you that you could use scrap paper for your box because it could be covered in scrap fabric. Well, here is one of my little boxes covered in fabric.

Keep in mind if you do plan on covering yours in fabric to take into consideration that the bottom will have to be a bit smaller than you would normally make it so that it will open and close easily with the extra bulk of the fabric.

Making a box can be used not only for this time of year but for Valentines, Easter, Halloween or just for a special birthday. Now....go make a box....and have FUN!!! I would love to see what you make...if you decide to do one.

Until next time.....HUGS, Regi

Christmas Decorations for 2011

2011-12-06T15:06:00.002-06:00

It's amazing how you use the same decorations year after year and enjoy them just as much as you did when they were new once you get them all put out and arranged. It's always such an exciting time when it comes to decorating at our home. I get to start the ~~mess~~ decorating while the Chazman is at school. Putting up the tree...stringing the lights. NO decorations go on it yet though. Our Christmas village is placed in the dining room. Such a ~~romantic~~ awesome way to eat at nights...with the twinkling and glow of the village lights. Placing all of our different Santa figures about. Most are ones that my parents had...so they hold memories. One is an original that I made for my DAD....that one holds a very special memory. Garland hung here and tucked there. All in it's new place for the year. Wait you say.....what about the tree? You didn't decorate the tree!!! Well sillies...of course I did...it's just the one thing that the Chazman and I do "TOGETHER". He and I have been decorating the tree since he was 2. I leave it for last and patiently wait for him to come home from school so that we can continue our tradition. I would like to share our Christmas home for 2011 with you. Do come in and WELCOME.....

He's holding mistletoe...Gimme a smooch!!

Santa made for Daddy...very special (hope you clicked on DAD above to read about why)

Joseph made this metal sleigh for me several years ago...so cute and HEAVY. Guess from all the gifts!!

Love my vintage mugs...the two smaller ones are over 70 years old.

Our Romantic dining room lighting!!

Chaz loves this...we made it about 5 years ago. He gets so excited to change the day each morning.

We have our kitchen decorated as well...with my collection of Christmas mugs...I do have a few...LOL!!! It's a rather dreary day today and that photo just doesn't want to be seen for some reason. I hope that you enjoyed your tour...we so loved having you. Come again...anytime!!

Until next time....HUGS, Regi and the Chazman

Repost of a FUN snowflake How To...

2011-12-05T11:57:00.002-06:00

I'm decorating today...YEAH.....I just love to decorate for Christmas. Since I'm going to be rather busy today I thought this tutorial I did last year would make for a great repost today. It's a fun project and you can decorate these so many pretty ways. So..while I'm busy ~~tearing up the house~~ decorating....have some FUN!!!

I thought with it being that time of year when most of us think of sharing and giving (which by the way... I feel all year long ^_^) that I would share my resyculbinz way of making snowflakes. It's a fun project that I think anyone would enjoy doing. These snowflakes can be used in so many different ways to decorate for the Holidays. Make some up for your tree...or perhaps to attach to a winter wreath....or as a pretty tag to attach to a gift...or make several to put together as a banner. I know that you will find a way to let this fun and simple project work for YOU. Let's get started:

Supplies you will need:

Empty toilet tissue or Paper towel roll

Ruler

Pen or Pencil

Scissors

Glue

Clothes Pin

Fabric or Yarn

Buttons..Beads..Broach..Embellishments

For the snowflake that we are making today, we need 15 pieces. Take your empty paper holder and mark off every 1/2 inch. This will give 16...one extra to get you started on your next snowflake ^_^.

Once you have made all your marks, take the holder and mash it flat and keep your marks showing on top. Take your scissors and cut your strips where you have marked. Actually, you can make your strips be as narrow or as wide as you want them. I just like the 1/2 inch ones...but you can decide on what size you want on the next snowflake that you make.

Once you have cut up all your strips, this is what you should have.....a MESS...no no just kidding. You can see from the ones on the left that I have pulled apart a bit that they look a little like petals. That's what we want...perfect. You did a great job!!

Choose five of the petals that look about the same size. I say this because, some of us, even if we have our project marked, we still can't cut to straight. Ri iight? Ohhh please say I'm not the only one. It doesn't count if you have one of those nice paper cutters...that's cheating.

Once you have the five picked out then we need to glue them together. It doesn't take a lot of glue but I like to use one that is fairly fast bonding. Put a touch of glue on the end side of a petal and stick it to another petal. Attach the clothes pin to the two petals and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. To speed the process you can do this with all five pieces at the same time...attaching each to the other. This will be the top part of our snowflake. Put it over to the side and let's do the bottom part now.

This is how the bottom part of the flake should look. Same process as the top, lay out five petals that are similar in size. Glue them together. Once it is dry then you are going to add the remaining five pieces. Place a petal in between the original petals. Glue those in place and let dry.

This is what you should have now that both the bottom and the top of the snowflake is dry. Wasn't that FUN?

Now is when you decide what you want your snowflake wrapped in. You can use yarn...there are so many wonderful kinds...wool yarns....sparkling yarns....twisted yarn...I think you know what I mean. You can also use fabric. Which is what we are using today. A white cotton fabric. Now remember this project is from my Resyculbinz file...which means I love to use recycled items. You know that the paper holder fits that category but your fabric can too. Old shirts...old sheets....old pillow cases, which is what I used for this project. Take your fabric and cut just enough down to be able to tear it. The snowflakes look great with a few of the fringes that tearing the fabric leave. I made strips measuring about 1 inch wide. I tear a few to start with and then do more as I need them. We all wrap differently so I think this is the best way not to tear to many.

To start your wrapping all you need to do is wrap your fabric around the center. I place the end at the back of the flake, wrap it over the front and then back under coming out to one of the petals. Now you simply start wrapping each petal.

It makes for a neater wrap at the tips of the petals if you twist the fabric once and then wrap down the other side. Continue this step until all of the snowflake is wrapped. Once the top part of the flake is complete put it aside and do the bottom piece the same way. When both pieces are complete, lay the smaller flake on top of the larger flake and you can either wrap a few of the petals together that are touching each other. Or you can put a few stitches to hold them together.

Now is the best part...well..I think so but you know how I love to embellish!! You can put a pretty pin in the middle....perhaps sew some beads on the tips or leave plain. Remember that each and every snowflake that is created by nature is a true one of a kind.

I hope you enjoyed this snowflake project. I would love to see your photos if you do try it. There are so many things that you can do with this basic idea. Enjoy..have fun!!!

Just to show that you can do more than snowflakes with this project. What do you see if you add even more petals to the basic bottom pattern? Let me give you a hint.....picture the center 10 pieces of this done in red and then the outer 10 pieces done in greens. A Pointisetta!!

Until next time.....Hugs,
Regi

Make it Monday

2011-12-05T09:06:00.000-06:00

Supplies you will need:

Empty toilet tissue or Paper towel roll

Ruler

Pen or Pencil

Scissors

Glue

Clothes Pin

Fabric or Yarn

Buttons..Beads..Broach..Embellishments

For the snowflake that we are making today, we need 15 pieces. Take your empty paper holder and mark off every 1/2 inch. This will give 16...one extra to get you started on your next snowflake ^_^.

This is what you should have now that both the bottom and the top of the snowflake is dry. Wasn't that FUN?

It SNOWED!!!!

2011-12-04T10:32:00.000-06:00

WHAT???? Snow in Foley.....our sweet little coastal town in the South? Nooo way....it actually snowed and I have the proof. Ready for a snowball fight? Well...ya had better be because the Chazman is aiming one right at YOU!!

Ok now...you know good and well that it didn't snow here. Although...we have had a few brrreezing days here lately. Stop laughing my northern friends...STOP IT!!! HeHe It has been cold to us beach folks...one day it only reached around 50 and when your daily attire is normally flip flops and shorts....that's COLD!!!

So if it didn't really snow...I bet your asking yourself....go ahead...ask...yourself....it's alright....I'll wait. "Where did all that snow come from?" It all came from the Kiwanis Club which each year has what's called "Snow in the Park". They bring in a huge ice blower that makes snow for our kiddos. (kiddos on this particular day can range from young to very old) The Chazman had a blast!!!

I think they are planning on doing something here...LOL

"Here let me help you make a bigger one"

Hey Hey Hey (mom yells..that's me) WHO threw that snowball?

Hmmm....is that the Chazman walking away?

Not only did the Kiwanis club have this awesome, FUN setup but there was a few bouncy/slides that the Chazman could NOT resist. Hmmmmm, wonder what the weight limit is on the bigger one? It sure did look like fun.

They have a cute little Christmas village set up that you can peek in the windows and see elves busily working away. I had my Li'l elf stand in front of some....he is just so darn cute. Love this kiddo more than I will ever be able to show.

Hmmmm, no Chazman!!

(someone called his name and POOF...LOL)

There was so much to do in the park yesterday....yep...there was even more. They had a creative area set up were the kiddos could make things, paint with glitter on cards and even get pretty little Christmas designs painted on their sweet Li'l faces. Of course, for some reason I couldn't convince the Chazman to do that one. He did however head over to the table with pipe cleaners and beads. That table apparently seemed to be "BOY" appropriate. HEHE He made a cute "ALABAMA" Christmas tree. Not Alabama as in our state but ALABAMA as in ROLL TIDE!! Such a smart boy I have.

It was a great day filled with fun....even with getting beamed with several snowballs. I think though..that I will stick to our nice, warm, squish between your toes sand. LOL

Until next time................HUGS!!!!

Boo Hoo!!

2011-12-02T11:11:00.002-06:00

Boo Hoo...Boo Hoo, what a sad sad day

It seems this artist has run outa of clay

My muse is whispering for me not to fret

She has an idea that is a sure sure bet

Some paper, a pencil and hearing my muse

it seems I have drawn a critter to use

I love to sculpt with my clay, as anyone that knows me, knows that to be true but it's not the only thing that I can do. OMGOSH...I'm still rhyming....sorry!! ^_^ Let me shake it off. (standing up....shaking my head all around) OUCH...ok enough of that.Now I'm dizzier than normal. HEY...no comment on that subject. I heard that!! It is true that I have used all of my clay and since the Hubbikins seems to be actually cleaning his pockets out before he puts his pants in the washer. ~~Dang it~~ So nice of him. My pickle jar is a tad bit low. (pickle jar...where I ~~hide~~ put any and all loose change I find...which use to be in the Hubbikins pants pockets that he forgot about)

Being an artist is what I am...and it's also how I keep myself grounded....as in...it makes for a great "THERAPY" session. Keeps me sane...most of the time. In thinking about some of my past ~~sessions~~ work, I remembered some of the fabric critters I use to enjoy designing, sewing and painting. In moving it seems I have lost my pattern folder so I just sat down and started doodling some new ones. I use the term "doodling" as I don't really think of myself as the kind of artist that can draw...just stating a fact!! Anyways, here are some of my doodlings so far.................

This one will be a monkey. I keep my designs simple....very very simple. Can ya tell? HeHe I'm thinking that I might even make a banana to go with him...attach it to a string to one of his arms. I mean..a monkey has to eat or he could go APE!!

This of course is a FROG. I love frogs and being the mom of a true ALL AMERICAN boy..it's a very good thing that I do!! Can't ya just hear him saying "Ribbet"? Thinking of frogs...I use to make small clay ones and give them as inspirational gifts to friends that were feeling blue. Now....I know what you are probably thinking. "Perhaps Regi has gone insane...what do frogs have to do with inspiration?" Well, let me tell you. On the bottom of each frog I would write the word FROG and I would attach a tag that explained why I was giving them a frog. Here is what the tag would say.....

Fully Rely on God

This smiling fella is a cat. I bet the body pattern looks funny to ya, huh? Well...it does on paper but once sewed up...it looks kinda cute. Kinda like this......

I have to get him or her all painted up and then I will show just what my fabric critters really look like. I really like this body design and I thought of another creature that would look cute with it. Can ya guess what it might be?

Why...it's PUFF the magic dragon of course. I think he will look so cute with this body...like he is laying around just waiting for some ~~mischief~~ magic to get into.

These make such cute gifts to give. You can paint them and leave them just painted. Perfect for a little boy to have a playmate for all those monster battles. You can paint them and then make cute clothes for them. Perfect for those little girls and their afternoon tea parties. Also, one of the things that I have done with them in the past is to let them become Tooth Faery helpers. Paint them and then make 2 small bags to go with them. Each bag is painted alike with a tooth. You place one of the bags around the critters neck with the lost tooth in it. They hold the tooth in the bag to keep it safe until the Tooth Faery comes to collect it. Then the Tooth Faery (that's you by the way) replaces the bag with the tooth in it with the extra bag with money inside. Just a hint too....a quarter won't cut it these days....believe me...I know...the Chazman expected at least a dollar..LOL!!!

I'm so happy that my muse sings so many different ideas to me......I would so hate to go completely insane and mistakenly squish her due to post traumatic artist syndrome. How do YOU keep sane?

Until next time.......HUGS, Regi

Wordless Wednesday 11-30-2011

2011-11-30T11:17:00.000-06:00

Weekend Projects

2011-11-21T11:29:00.002-06:00

The weekend officially starts on Friday afternoon...or at least around this old Southern Ooaks it does. I always look forward to the Chazman getting off the bus and as he is ~~dancing~~ walking up the front walk and singing "It's Friday...it's Friday, chachacha", I know the weekend has begun!! Silly goose...I know...but ya gotta luv him. Well, you don't have to but believe me...if you met him you would. Anyways, this Friday I was given a surprise by my sweet Li'l man. This AWESOME chalk painting!!! I do believe the artistic genes have been passed down. Isn't it awesome? He calls it day into night. I have it hanging right over my art desk. What better item to look at and have my muse sing a complete symphony.

As I stated in my last post, I worked on several designs and projects at once on Friday and continued with them throughout the weekend. You know that I'm making things for the Angel program and this weekend it was spent making for the little girls. I hope that they will like some of these. I mean..who doesn't like to smell fresh flowers. Of course these you can't smell but you can wear them. Some are clipped to barrettes...some to pins and some to hair clips. The hair clip ones you can slide the clip off and slide them onto a headband or even a ribbon and wear as a necklace. So let's take a walk through the garden.

Ohhhh, I almost forgot. I was working on some more painted shells on Friday. Another mermaid (a good friend was given the first mermaid one) a snowman and a penguin (look close at this one....you will see where the snowballs come from for the penguin's snow cones..hehe) and one that the Chazman requested (one with a snow scene and Ms Peaches, our cat) I think these will look pretty attached to a wreath. If anyone is interest in them, please feel free to email me or leave a comment here. I have several more that are just sitting here, staring at me, waiting for me to paint.

I have been thinking about painting some of the bigger ones that I have. I have to find a really strong glue that will hold against a shell so I can make a pretty hanger for them. Any suggestions on what type of glue? All suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance...I know I will get one or two...ri iight??

I also spent some of this weekend working on a medallion mold. I had designed one with a mermaid that will have natural shells attached. I finally after working the clay and "SQUISHING" the clay (several times mind you) got one that I liked. It's hard making molds.....everything is inside out. Did ya know that? Or perhaps I just make it harder than I should. But HEY...it worked out for me. Yea!! Here is the first baked piece using the mold.

So...that was my busy weekend. What creative thing did you do this weekend? I'm off now to start on some wrist cuffs and hemp bracelets...can't forget the fella's in the program. Hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Until next time..........Hugs, Regi

Sooo...whatcha doing?

2011-11-17T16:11:00.000-06:00

Sooo...whatcha been doing today? I have been working on several things at one time. YES...I said several things at once...can you believe it? I mean I hardly ever do that and for good reason too. I'm always afraid that I will combine my projects into one. That so would not be a good thing.....most of the time....trust me. It's actually a bit scary to even think about it. (shhhhh...don't let my muse hear us...she might decide it just might be fun to see what I do)

My first project of the day: I used the last of my clay to make a sleeping mermaid. I was so excited because I had made her base months ago. I wish that I hadn't glued the shells together though because I really needed the one she was going to be sleeping in to be able to go in the oven with her. Then I got to thinking..(that was my first mistake...hehe) I said out loud (yes..I talk to myself and actually answer myself at times but shhh don't tell) "Ahhh Ha..I'm sure with all the shells that I have that I had another shell that will be just the same size as the one on the base. So I dug into my big wooden shell box and found one. Perfect....I thought. I used it and NO....NOPE...NADA...Nilche....it wasn't the same. Oh bother!! The shell I used didn't let her lean enough and her tail didn't wrap under like the other. Sooooo..what did I do? I hate to tell you...cause it was dumb but then everyone knows I can be a ditzy doodle at times and today was one of those times...for reals!! (I have always wanted to use that phrase...I love when my firend Jingle does) I took the mermaid out while she was still warm....thinking (there's that word I shouldn't be using) and put her in the base shell and tried to gently..apparently not gently enough though....to make her "fit" into it. She slowly molded to the shell and I thought "WHEW" not so bad and then POP...off comes her tail. Arggggg....if I had a plank I would have so made her walk it....or hop it..which ever the case may be.

My muse...after her hysterical laughing fit....whispered that perhaps I should paint some more tiny shells. I'm working on two, one of a snowman with a penguin and the second another mermaid. I will post pics for you after they are all finished. I'm sure I will work on more than just two in a bit. My mind is still numb from doing something so dumb earlier.

I'm also working on some fabric flowers for some bobby pins. The Angel program is helping us this year with the Chazman's Christmas and I want to give back. I can't buy anything (if I could then I wouldn't need the help..ha) but I can make things. I'm also going to make some of my fabric corsages, some wrist cuffs, some hemp necklaces and some Bohemian bags. I will post pics as I get them complete.

So, as I asked in the beginning....what have you been doing today? I so hope that your day has been better than mine.

LOVE my Custom Jewelry tags!!

2011-11-16T10:49:00.002-06:00

I love designing my ooaks (one of a kind scultps) and my needle felt characters and even my ornies BUT my biggest enjoyment comes from letting my gypsy soul dance around free. One of the ways I do that is in making my fabric flower corsages. So many uses for them...really...there is!! I would never, ever fib to you. They can be attached to a cloth purse....I mean who doesn't like the Bohemian/gypsy look sometimes. They can be worn on a dress to give it a romantic look or even worn on a tshirt to just make you stand out as unique. One way that I love to wear them is when I wear one of my light wool shawls. I love shawls. They can dress up even the simplest outfit. I like to wrap them where one side is crossed over up high on my shoulder and then pin the corsage to keep the shawl in place. Here is my latest corsage with a matching pair of earrings.

**Notice the silver tag hanging from the leaves**

Well...we are going to talk about that now!!

I always get so many compliments when I wear one of my corsages and let's admit it...there is no greater way to promote oneself that to wear your own designs. I think mine as a bit different than some that you see but I like making sure that everyone knows which ones are mine. The way I do that is with a small silver tag.

If you come and sit under the old Southern ooaks from time to time then you know of the amazing company that I'm about to tell you about. It has some of the best charms, beads and tags. So many different ones to choose from that I can spend an entire afternoon just ~~drooling~~ looking at them. They are the place to go if you are a jewelry designer/maker or even one that just loves jewelry. The place I'm speaking of is the Charm Factory. The folks at the factory offer quality pewter as well as sterling silver charms and findings at probably the best prices around. *HINT HINT* FREE shipping in the U.S. for orders over $25. Some of the items you will find with them are, of course, the sterling findings, charms and tags along with alphabet beads, bracelets, Twilight inspired jewelry, Pave', and custom jewelry tags (my favorite) and some lovely European Lampwork beads. Now with already having said that the custom jewelry tags are my favorite, let me tell you why. They are a great way to distinguish your work....put your own unique mark on it. Can we say, advertise..advertise..advertise? What better way to get you out there than to have someone that loves your work be wearing it and showing it off to others and your name or logo be right there. Also, the Charm Factory makes ordering them so easy and they will always make sure that you love what you order. No waiting for long periods of time to receive your order either. They are FAST!!! So fast.

What are you waiting for....go and check them out. Just have that drool cloth ready....you are so going to need it!!

Until next time.....HUGS, Regi

Hidden Object!!!

2011-11-14T10:22:00.000-06:00

Somewhere in this hidden object puzzle is a mom....ME!!! Not really...just kidding witcha!!! HEHE Although, I am cleaning up the Chazman's room, most lovingly referred to as the "DISASTER AREA" as of late and if for some reason you don't hear from me in a day or two...well....please call out the search and rescue team.

Until next time....hopefully....HUGS, Regi

Tiny Shells from the sea......

2011-11-10T13:27:00.001-06:00

My muse has come back with a vengeance and I'm soooo happy!!! (wiggling finger to come closer....I'm making her a jar so I can put her in it at night so she can't disappear on me again but shhhhh don't tell her)

When I was making the sand dollar ornies and was going through our stash of seashells, I discovered quiet a few small ones with a natural hole on the top. Some of them I used for the cording with the sand dollars but I still had some left....just sitting here on my desk...just needing something done with them. So I did something with them!!!

I painted them....well....not all of them...some more will be painted soon though. I'm thinking these sure would be cute hanging on a table top tree or a wreath or perhaps a few hung from the center of a big ribbon as a grouping. So many possibilities!! I have a few more ideas for some...want to hear them? Of course you do and if you don't well you are going to hear about them anyways. That is unless you click off this post but now who would do that? I mean really....I'm entertaining...ri iight?? For those that are still here....hehe...here are the ideas...let me know what you think:

Penguins standing in snow

Snowmen standing in snow

Rudolph laying on the beach

Santa in swimsuit

Fish swimming with bubbles

Now I would love to hear some ideas and I might even use them....that is if ya don't mind. Do keep in mind that these are tiny shells. Let me show you........

That's what I'm up to today...well....one of the things. I'm also working on a fabric rose corsage to wear with my gypsy shawl. I just love that I'm being creative again. Soooo what are YOU doing today? ~~Nosey~~ Inquiring minds want to know. ^_^

Until next time.....HUGS, Regi

Sealife pieces for Trim A Tree event!!

2011-11-08T00:59:00.002-06:00

I had so much more I wanted to do for the TAT event but alas...my head is a pounding and I can barely focus so I think it's time to call it a wrap. I hope that some of my items will be a hit and sell. I know times are hard for everyone BUT I think with that being said...it's a good year to buy from local artist. Yep...that sounds mighty good to me. Doesn't it to you?

I made some of my mermaid tail charms and I didn't attach any chains or ribbons or cords to them. It will keep the cost down for me and for whom ever purchases one. It seems that everyone has a certain preference for what they like so I thought it a good idea just to factor that out and let the buyer decide later on.

Remember the WIP teaser of the three seahorses on my previous post? I was going to make a bracelet and earrings with them but just ran out of time to do one of my macrame bracelets. Well.......ran out of time and steam ..hehe) I made the earrings I had planned and in place of the bracelet I made a keychain.

I love working with my shells and doing anything with regards to the ocean. We have quiet the collection of shells from our walkabouts too. I have noticed when being out and about in town that some of the women are wearing the larger medallion necklaces. I thought medallion...shells...clay....yep....I can make one and I did. Hmmmm...actually I made two. Again...I didn't attach a chain or ribbon or cord to the medallion. The opening in the top will allow the buyer to use any of the three.

This kinda has a Chinese look to it,doesn't it? The red on the shell is not paint....it's actually colors in the shell.

I have had these sea glass beads for some time and have just been dying to use them. They just add so much to this piece...or at least I think so. Please tell me it does and I'm just not so POOPED that I just think it does..LOL!!

Now my last sea item is one that I was so afraid that my clumsy fingers wouldn't be able to do. Natural sand dollars. I sealed them and attached German glass to the front.....makes it look like someone just picked it up from the beach. Surprise..Surprise, I didn't break any of them. I really was worried. The sealer gave them some added strength. I attached a shell to the rope tie along with the legend of the sand dollar.

I know that it's hard to read the attached card so I will type it again for you....it's really a very unique legend.

The Sand Dollar

One of nature's most unusual shells.

The five splits in the shell represent the five

wounds in the body of Christ.

The Easter Lily design has, in it's center, a

five pointed star, the star of Bethlehem.

On the back is the outline of the Poinsettia,

the Christmas flower.

When the shell is broken open carefully,

five perfect replicas of a dove can be found,

These are the doves of Peace.

I love this legend and I do hope that folks won't try and break them open to see if the doves are there. Believe me...they are there!!!

I'm excited to have pieces in the event and I hope it's a good year for all the artist that have their works in it too. I already have my Alice characters and my Faerie Races series there. I'm also going to be taking Santa and Chester, the mermaid twins, the Man in the Moon by the sea, my needle felted mermaid and Gypsy the Fall faerie. If you are in our area anytime from November 10th through to the 23rd of December, please go by and see all the amazing and wonderful works by our local artist. I'm sure you can find something that just screams "TAKE ME HOME".

Until next time....Hugs, Regi

If you are new to the old Southern Ooaks and don't know about TAT (Trim A Tree) then click HERE to read all about just what it's about. Thank you so much for visiting and I hope you come back often. I LOVE my visitors!!

Football Mascots for the TAT event!!!

2011-11-07T08:29:00.000-06:00

I know that in my last post I said that I was going to be working on some penguins...WELLLL....for some reason...football mascots kept popping in my head. I'm sure it was my muse singing to me and we all know how ~~irritating~~ persistent she can be....so I put the one Li'l penguin aside and started working on some mascots.

I wanted them to represent the animal counterpart of each teams mascots....it gets confusing with some of them...mascot one thing but team called something completely different...but after some research (who knew there were other teams out there besides Alabama and Auburn...hehe... Of course y'all know that's not true. Who can grow up in the South and not know about all the teams. I mean really folks!!) I set out to do some sculpting. With the old Hubbikins being such a HUGE Bama fan I figured I would start with that one.

Now he and I don't see eye to eye every weekend. I do LOVE Bama but I also LOVE Auburn. I know...I know...you are probably saying the exact same thing that he does...."You aren't a true BAMA fan...you CAN'T like two different teams...it isn't done". Well guess what...I so can and I so do...so there!!! I have to admit that some of the time I do it just to aggravate him and it soooo works, but I do love Auburn. The folks there are friendly and it's just a great football town. I guess you know which ornie is next....AUBURN!!

I have some friends that are just the sweetest folks. I actually consider them so much more than just friends. They are family!! Deb is a big BAMA fan (probably more so than the old Hubbikins but shhhh I won't tell him that to his face..I'm not that brave hehe) but Sam, her Hubbikins is one of those Tennessee fans. I just had to sculpt one of their cute hounddog. His photo turned out a bit hazy because I couldn't keep Ms Peaches away from it. She so doesn't like dogs and apparently that goes for clay ones as well.

Now, with us living only about 25 minutes from Pensacola (that's in Florida ya know..the place with the 2nd best prettiest beaches....LOL) I just had to do a Gator. The Chazman has already put in an order for a Gator...not that he is a Gator fan but he thought it was "AWESOME" (his words...not mine). He also wants one that has a body and not just a head. He said his LEGO men could do battle with it. Hmmmmm, wonder just where he got that so vivid imagination from?? Psssstttt...come closer....his birthday is the 13th and I think he is getting LEGO's...he loves LOVES loves LEGO's. I guess I should make the Gator for him too...I mean the LEGO men have to have something to battle, ri iight? OK...back to the post and the Gator.

In researching, I discovered that the mascot for Georgia is a bulldog. OMGOSH...they are so ugly they are adorable. Now...I have a very sweet friend that I have known since we were youngins ( well I was a youngin and she was a wee sprout)and we just recently reconnected on Facebook. See...Facebook can be a good thing...LOL Anyways....her Hubbikins is a BIG Georgia fan so I decided I just had to make one for Georgia.

I'm hoping that those that come to the Trim A Tree event (starting this Thursday by the way) will fall in love with one of these. I mean what a great gift for that football fan that has everything. I'm going to tell Ms Bonnie that I will be more than happy to take orders. Fingers crossed!!!

I worked on these Friday and Saturday and when I had them finished and was taking photos I realized that I had forgotten to do one that I had designed out already. It might have been a good thing that I did forget at the time because I'm sure it would have ended up smashed into a gazillion pieces or thrown in the trash. I bet you can guess which one I forgot......

Yep....LSU...which by the way has been officially declared a very BAD word in this household. "Honey, it's just a football game." That's something I won't be saying to him out loud either...due to the FEAR factor.

In seeing all my ornie groups on the table, I decided that since I had six mascots then I needed 6 beach Santa ones and 6 Bear Bottom ones. So...here are the extras for those groups.

Santa with a natural shell

BB and his friend Polar, making snow chains

Now it's time to work on some jewelry pieces but before I go....here's two WIP (teaser) photos........

Good luck mermaid tail charm

Seahorse charms

Until next time....HUGS, Regi

Much Better Ornie Photos..YEA!!!

2011-11-04T11:30:00.001-05:00

I guess after a whole night of letting the batteries recharge....my camera took much better photos this morning. SO let me show you the Beach Santa ornies.....AGAIN!!!

Santa and Hank

Santa and the ~~Pine~~ Palm tree

Kowabunga Santa

Santa and his Rudolph floatie

Santa and his Cheeeeseburger

The following ornies are some of my Bear Bottom designs. I just LOVE bears....don't you?? Okay...not real ones...welll....actually I do like real ones but at a very far distance. They look cute and "cuddly" but I'm sure looks can be very deceiving so I'll stick to my stuffed and clay ones.

BB and pal...Free Snow Cones

BB and Sugar Plum Dreams

BB and Wreath

BB and old fashioned ribbon candy

Aubie and Al BB Caroling

(yep...I painted their scarfs and Al's cap Auburn and Alabama colors)

Now it's on to making some penguin ornies. I just love penguins...they are such comical characters ya know. Then I'm going to try and work on some natural sand dollar ornies....they are so delicate...we will have to see if these clumsy fingers can work with them...hehe

Until next time....Hugs,Regi

Argggg...technology can be a pain in the........

2011-11-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

I swanee...technology can be a big pain in the hiney.....at times!!! I finished the Beach Santa's today and started to take pics and noticed that they wouldn't focus and then "POOF" my camera shuts down. Batteries!! I just charged them two days ago. I think I actually heard a tiny giggle when it cut itself off and I started mumbling under my breath words that I really don't think anyone here needs to read. REALLY...you shouldn't and I actually am not sure what I said....I mumbled!!

Perhaps I can tease you with the fuzzed ones and then hopefully....fingers crossed...I can retake them tomorrow and you will get to really see them. Arrrggg...technology...so frustrating....although I have to admit, that most the time it's just simply the operator.

Santa and Hank

Santa and Rudolph floatie

Santa and Cheeseburger

Kowabunga Santa

It seems that the Santa and Palm tree is the one that the camera shut down on. (I have told ya'll about our ghost, ri iight?) Hopefully tomorrow I can get better photos of the Santa's and get ones of the Bear Bottom clan as they are completed too.

Until next time......HUGS, very frustrated Regi

WOW...Santa got a SUN BURN!!!

2011-11-02T07:30:00.003-05:00

The annual Trim A Tree Christmas event is just around the corner and I'm ~~frantically~~ trying to get some new things done. WHAT??? You don't know what the Trim A Tree (TAT) is? You must be new to the old Southern ooaks house OR you are as forgetful as I am these days. HEHE HEY...I did put myself in with that statement and if the shoe fits...well...Wear it!!!!! If you are new or just need a reminder simply click HERE to read all about it.

Since times are so hard for everyone I thought perhaps some of my ornies would be a good selling item. Simple to make and not expensive. I thought that since I do live in a coastal town that some of them should be of that theme. I started with these three yesterday. Keep in mind they are not baked or painted yet. I guess you could say they are NEKKID..kind of!!!

This is the jolly main old elf himself. (that's Santa for those that don't know) He is standing in the surf...in his old timey suit tank with his Rudolph swim ring.

Here he is again...standing on coconuts so he can reach up to put some Christmas decorations on a palm tree.

Here is Santa with one of our local beach dwellers...HANK!!! Hank is a Heron that loves to take walks on the beach in the early mornings AND have his picture taken. One of our local gents, Steve Jones...who by the way does more than just get up early and snap some amazing beach shots but also does so much for and around our community and is such a great asset to all of us....thank you Mr. Jones....and to Mrs. Jones for sharing you with all of us!!!! Steve gets up each and every morning and does a walkabout on the beach and WOW...you wouldn't believe the postcard photographs he takes. It seems though that HANK has become a favorite. Such a character....let me show you.

Hank and one of his buddies!!

A morning he was camera shy apparently!!

Enjoying the waves!!

So you see...I just had to do an ornie with Santa and Hank. It seems though that Hank had other ideas. I don't think he likes being included with anyone else. (Did you happen to notice in the photo with his buddy that Hank was walking away?) I put the piece in the oven to bake and checked on it several times. All was going great and then my last check as the timer went off and OMGOSH...Santa got a horrible sun burn and oven stripes. Argggggg....I so could not believe what I was seeing. Do you think that Hank tried to fly away or worse...pulled a Heron ninja kick on the old guy? I mean if I didn't know any better I would believe that he had completely pushed Santa off their sand base and in doing so pulled him right out of his feet and smacked him right on the oven rack. Poor Santa. There will be a moment of silence please............

Now....I'm going to do another ornie of Santa and Hank and this time Hank had better behave himself or I might just forget he is a Heron and cook him up like a turkey!!!

Until next time.....Hugs, Regi

P.S. Keep fingers,toes and eyes crossed that this one turns out...pplease!!!!!!

P.S.S. I just had to share this now. I sculpted another Santa and Hank early this morning and Hank totally behaved himself this time. (had to give him a serious talk before he went into the oven though)

I'm doing my ornies in sets of 5....not that they have to be purchased as a set...individually will do too. ^_^ So I also sculpted two more this morning so Santa and Hank could share their ~~sauna~~ oven time with some friends. We love going to the beach and watching the guys wind surf. Now doing a small sculpt with a kite above would make it to heavy to hang on a tree BUT a Santa on just a surf board...well... KOWABUNGA Dude....that would so work.

I also wanted to do one that could make you think of two things here in our area. First that might come to mind are those AWESOME FRG#2 (that's Fish River Grill #2 for those that aren't locals here...the best place to eat here in Foley) Hurricane burgers that Ms. Diana and her crew makes. YUMMY!!!! The second thought you could have might just be of one of Jimmy Buffet's famous songs "Cheeseburger in Paradise".

Now....on to my Bear Bottom ornies and then perhaps some real sand dollar ones....my muse is singing up a storm today. I just hope she is about finished with her 100th rendition of Cheeseburger in Paradise....LOL

It's Fall Ya'll

2011-11-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

Wow...just where in the world is this year going? Is it just me or is time flying by at super sonic speed these days? When I was a child, time seemed to just creep by....taking it's own sweet TIME so to speak. I guess I shouldn't complain though since I still have a young one at home and I can see things through his eyes. He makes each day such a joy but WOW....he adds so much more to the seasons and the Holidays.

Halloween was a fun time this year....okay okay, it's always a fun time...but since the Chazman and I worked on our mummy project together it seemed MORE fun. The kiddos in his class loved them and when I asked if they all ripped them apart to get to the candy he surprised me by saying that they all just poked holes in the tops and poured the candy out. WHAT???? Who would ever have imagined so much discipline in 3rd graders?

It's the 1st of November...can you believe that? Christmas is going to be here before we know it. Perhaps I should shhhhhush on that subject for now. (fingers crossed" it will take it's time in coming.) The Chazman said this morning that he would be sad to see all the Halloween decorations gone but he knew that he would come home and see the Thanksgiving ones up in their place. Was that a hint or what??? Soooo....I took all the BOO ones and put them away and pulled out our BEARy cute Fall ones.

These are decorations that I have been using...hmmmmm...longer than my Li'l Chazman has been around. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I have a HUGE love of bears. In my opinion NO ONE CAN HAVE TO MANY BEARS". They are cute and just put a smile on your face. Thank goodness that Chaz loves them just as much.

I did make a few outfits a few years ago to dress up some of his bears with....to fit in with the fall theme. Like the pilgrim bear sitting on top of the clock.

And these cute two little guys.

What would Thanksgiving time be without a pilgrim, an indian and a turkey? LOL Magically though our little turkey will come out of his costume on Thanksgiving day and remind us that he is a bear and NOT a TURKEY!! Wonder if he ever gets together with the cows and discusses chickens? Okay...I watch way to many TV commercials.

I hope that everyone has a very Happy Fall time during the month of November and is blessed with a feast for Thanksgiving!!!

Until next time....Hugs, Regi

Shipment of Mummies!!

2011-10-27T14:28:00.000-05:00

The Chazman had a ball helping me make the "MUMMIES" for his Halloween surprise for his classmates. It seems that the artistic genes are running amok in him as well.....that's a good thing!! He is already thinking about what he wants us to make them for a Christmas surprise. LOL

Since there are 24 Li'l Mummies that will be following the Chazman to school on Monday....I figured that I needed an easy way for him to transport them. I didn't want to just put them in a bag and say "Here ya go"!! Although (tapping chin) I do have an abundance of Wal-Mart bags under the sink. No No...they get used by the hubbikins to carry his lunch to work. Besides, I just said I didn't want to just put them in a bag, didn't I? So..I dug under the bed and found the perfect size box. I didn't want to just put them in an old box either so I decided to make it look like a delivery crate. A little paint here....some drawings and doodlings there and "PRESTO" an old shipping crate.

I am always searching for vintage items and when I find ones I think I might use then I print them off and store them away. In going through my stash I rediscovered the "special delivery and air mail" labels...perfect addition....don't ya think?? Then I found a sheet of vintage postage stamps and OMGOSH, yes YES YES..I had some from Egypt. Not sure what I thought I was going to do with them when I downloaded but so happy I did.

I also had the heading from an old Egyptian mailing label. I really wander sometimes what in the world my mind thinks of at times or what's being whispered to me and apparently just following it's directions not questioning WHY!! OH Well....glad I did......this time.

I used twine to wrap the box with and added a cute "BEWARE" tag with big googlie eyes. I mean....there ARE Mummies inside....ones with very stinky feet but we will let them figure that out when they open it and the Chazman gives them out..hehehe or should I be laughing Muahahahahaha (evil laugh) OK better just stick with the sweet laughing....I don't want someone running away saying "I want my Mummy". HA...I just couldn't resist that one...sorry!!!

Until next time.....Happy Halloween HUGS, Regi

Trick or Treat...Smell my feet

2011-10-24T12:25:00.002-05:00

I just love this time of year...Halloween is so much FUN!!! The Chazman's class is having a party on the 31st and he wanted me to "make" something for him to take. OF course, it couldn't just be cookies or cupcakes. I'm a good cook...I love to cook...cookies and cupcakes would be a good thing, ri iight?? He wanted me to come up with an idea that would be different and unique. One where his classmates would slap him on the back and say "WOW...Chazman...this is AWESOME". Hmmmm, after he made that statement he decided he might not want a slap but perhaps a shoulder tap or high five...that would work. He said some in his room could probably hit hard. OK I"m getting off on one of my tangents again...sorry!!! I sat down with my "idea book"...that's a big notebook that I keep ideas in...hehe...no...really....it is. Well...I can't keep ALL my muse whisperings in my head. She already has it so full that my body has expanded to keep some of them stored. ANYWAYS....several years ago (about 20 to be exact) I had made some candy containers for a friend to give as party favors at a Halloween party. They were a hit....well...who wouldn't like to take their "MUMMY" home. HAHAHAHA...I just couldn't resist...sorry...AGAIN!! The Chazman thinks they will be a hit this time too.

Isn't he a cutie? Soooo simply to make and I'm going to prove it to you. By request of a friend (one that doesn't want to be named...I think she plans on making them and wants her child to think she did it all on her own...LOL...I don't mind...I love to share) I'm going to do a tut for you. OMGOSH...a tut....on a mummy....get it???? Tut...Mummy.....King Tut!! OK so I'm quirky...ya knew that already...let's get started.

Here are the supplies you will need. Most you may have on your ~~messy~~ desk already. You will need.......

Card stock paper

Pencil

Fine point marker

Watercolor pencils (small brush) or crayons

Scissors

Crepe Paper (or creepy paper as the Chazman calls it)

Toilet Tissue holder

Assortment of Candy

Now.......... if you aren't one to save those empty toilet tissue holders (GASP...I can't believe that everyone doesn't) then no worries. You can make some using your card stock paper. A toilet tissue holder is a tad over 4 inches long...that makes a good mummy body....so here's what you do..

If you do have ONE toilet tissue holder then place it on your cardstock paper and mark the length or if not then take a ruler and mark off 4 inches.

Cut your paper and then roll around the empty holder or if no holder then just roll up until you think it looks like a toilet tissue holder. Imaginations people...imaginations!!! ^_^ You can tape the seams or glue them. Me personally...I would tape them...much faster!!!

Since this is a "Trick or Treat...Smell my Feet" mummy then we need some stinky feet. I like to do one original pattern on cardboard (that way I can keep it for future use) and just trace the outline and fill it in where I need to. This is if you are doing several of something...which I am in this case.....24 to be exact. You are more than welcome to copy and save my pattern and use if you like. Remember..I like to share!! To make your original pattern, take your holder and place it on the paper and trace around the bottom. Then simply add some toes. I go over my pencil tracings with a fine point marker. Then I use my watercolor pencils to add some "age" around the toenails. For the eyes I just do a bubble (make sure you measure on the holder how big you need to make the bubble) and then draw my eyes inside it. I use my watercolor pencils to add some color to them. Crayons will work just as well for this...especially if little hands are helping you.

After you have cut out the feet and bubble face....you place the feet on the holder. I like to add a small piece of paper under the feet inside the holder to give it some support for when you add the candy. Don't let it come out on the side with the toes...they will be enough support for that side. I then take a piece of the crepe paper and glue it across the feet and up the sides of the holder. Turn over and glue on your bubble eyes.

I know everyone has their way of doing things but I always like to give ~~the right way~~ suggestions and tips that I have come across. Do not open the crepe paper...I mean...yes you have to open it but do not take the wrapper off of it. It is easier to use if you cut the center and pull the paper out like a tissue box. I pull about 3 arm lengths out when making one mummy...seems like a lot but wrapping a body takes some paper. Even the small bodies..^_^ Also, if you don't just happen to have any laying around, I found mine at Wal-Mart in the party section for .97

Now back to mummy. Take the end of your long piece of crepe and fold into a triangle and put glue on it. Place just inside the holder off to the side.

Now place the candy inside the holder. I put about 4 different kinds inside...it's really all up to you but you don't want it to heavy. Once the candy is inside then you take the crepe paper and wrap it twice around the openings...start the wrapping at the bottom and going up the other side to the top and back over. You can pick up the mummy while doing this but sit it back down once you have it started so that you can tighten the paper some around it. Be gentle!!

Once you have wrapped the openings then you can start to wrap the body. I wrap one time all around the holder with the crepe paper flat. You will have to twist the paper near the eyes. We don't want to cover up his eyes...now do we? Once you have wrapped the body completely then you will take the crepe paper and fold it in half and start to wrap it again. The folding makes it look more like mummy wrappings. Keep wrapping until you get to a small tail that will hang over the top of the mummy.

Take some glue and apply to the top and then press the tail over and let it hang down the side. I like to cut it and make it look like old strips of wrapping.

Mummy should look like this...or close to it. Now he would be great to give like this but the Chazman wanted a tag with the saying "Trick or Treat...Smell my Feet" on him. So I sat down and drew out a tag...a simple one and you are more than welcome (AGAIN) to copy and use mine. I ran mine through my printer so it is two sided. One side with the saying and one side with the cute scrapbook Halloween paper print. (the one behind the finished mummy pic) I also aged the tag..well..it is going on a mummy!! I just tied it around the mummy and it's that simple.

Don't ya think it's an easy project? Ok ok...maybe if you copy and paste and take all my babblings out then it would be but I just have to babble. I LIKE it...hehe!! Now...if you will excuse me I have 19 more mummies to make. Have FUN!!!

Until next time.....Happy Halloween Hugs, Regi

This post is linked to a great spooktacular blog hop....hop on over and see all the other awesome artist.

Spiders..Spiders Everywhere!!!

2011-10-13T10:48:00.003-05:00

The Chazman and I just love this time of year....well....OK.... we love all the holidays but Halloween is one of the ones we really, really enjoy!!! Just a time to have FUN and an awesomely spooktacular time. We went to the storage shed this past weekend to get our box of Halloween decorating goodies and discovered it was way way WAYYYY in the back so we will wear appropriate clothing this weekend to go digging for it. That should be a scary time for sure!!!! I did have some things here at the house so the Chazman made me pinky promise yesterday standing outside waiting on the school bus that I would have our Haunted house up by the time he got home. Of course, my sweet angel added a BIG hug and a "Pleeease momma". How could I NOT do it, ri iight?

My tiny coven of witches enjoy this time of year because they get to come out of storage. Have to keep them dry and safe in case they go visiting another home ya know. They wanted to take front and center in the dining nook and would NOT be sat down any place else in the house. Li'l Ms.Vanity Voodoo would not hold her mirror in her lap any other place I sat her. I think their mischievous behavior was so they could keep an eye on the Chazman while he is doing his homework. Perhaps they say a little spell to help him remember what he is studying.

I love black feather trees for Halloween. I made 2 of them last year, one just being an extra. I'm so happy that I was able to use the extra one this year thanks to my sweet friend Wendy over at Bliss Angels. I was so lucky to have known the correct answer to a question she asked on her blog and this is what I won........

Isn't she just the prettiest Li'l good witch ever? Wendy makes some of the cutest ATC cards. Li'l good witch made a perfect tree topper too. She fits in perfect with our tiny coven, don't you think? Better say YES or they might just put a spell on YOU!!

My Resyculbinz town characters got to come out of hiding and Eton has been dancing all over the place. Of course, Mr. Felix is patiently waiting to "pounce" on the Chazman and take his Halloween stash once he has some. Hopefully, since Sabrina decided to sit with them instead of the coven then she can keep both of these characters in check!!

If you look closely you will see one of the "Spiders" hanging about. Chaz loves creepy crawly things so "gulp" that's the only reason that spider is there. ANNNDDDD...we couldn't have just ONE spider..ohhhh NOOO, there are several hanging about.

Another leggy guest decided to plant himself (hoping it's a him....we don't want no spider babies hopping about) in our Halloween tree. This setting made a great graveyard scene...so happy my whimsical side is useful..hehe!!!

It's great to be able to make things that your child finds amazing. The Li'l mummy I made for him several years ago. He stills giggles when we say what I wrote on the sign "Trick or Treat...Smell my Feet". The ghost faerie sitting on the tombstone with her black cat is one of my sculpts I made for myself about 8 years ago. My first attempt at flocking a cat...what a mess...a fun mess but still quite the MESS!! Most of you that come to visit here at the old Southern Ooak tree will surely recognize Goslynn the ghost child. (So much fun to be had with a old Christmas tree light bulb.)

Oh dear....it's more "SPIDERS" and I think this one will keep it's self in line a bit. Do crows eat spiders? Yes, I believe they do...so I won't worry about this one as much. Maybe!!!

I love gothic looking settings so of course I had to have one here in our Haunted House!! I have to confess that a few of these items are new ones. We made a trip to the Dollar Tree to get a few supplies for the Chazman to make a shoebox diorama for school and well mommie got a few things too. Well...I don't usually buy things for me but WAIT...they aren't really for me...they are for our decorations that we ALL enjoy, so that's not so bad. The tiny votive glass holders and purple candles are new and the crows. The Chazman said last night that I might have to move the one from a top the clock because he was "creeping" him out. He kept looking at him thinking he was going to fly down and peck his eyes. Silly boy...what ever gave him that idea?

I think it's a perfectly good fair trade that the crow stays just where he is. I mean really, look at all the spiders hanging about.

I had almost forgotten about one of my Li'l witches until Chaz reminded me he didn't see her about. How in the world could I have forgotten about Li'l Whoopsie Oopsie. You remember her...the poor little witch that got stuck in her spell pot. Chaz felt she needed her very own spot. I really think he didn't want the coven helping her out of her dilemma...he likes her being stuck.....thinks it's funny.

Yes...yes..there is yet ANOTHER spider web and spider. Aren't I a good momma....making sure Chaz has all his creepy spiders hanging about as he requested? I know they are only plastic but spiders really are one of my biggest fears. Funny ya think....just think about it....something so tiny can cause so much FEAR and I bet I'm not the only one. Matter of fact, I do have one friend that her fear of them might even be greater than mine. Her name is Jennifer over at Just Jingle and it seems that today she has been invaded by spiders too. Don't believe me...well just go take a l@@ksie for yourself. I can be brave about my fear...oh yes I can...I think...at least I thought I could....until.......Chaz and I were sitting on the sofa last night watching GhostHunters and he made the statement that our faux spider webs might bring in some real spiders. OMGOSH......now I have been walking by and counting the spiders to make sure that the count remains the same. I so don't think that I OR the decorations will make it if I find an extra one.

Until next time.........Hugs and "gulps" is that a new spider???

Regi

Still Here!!!!

2011-10-05T14:51:00.001-05:00

I do apologize for my absence as of late. It seems that "LIFE" is just getting in the way a bit as well as my muse has decided to go on a hiatus of some sort. Those that know me, know that I normally work on one thing at a time but here of late I have my fingers in several different ones at once. That could end up being very dangerous or at least some what interesting...ri iight? I guess as artist we all go through these times.....times where we doubt ourselves...times where it seems we have no support...times where our muse has just simply up and gone "POOF". I need my muse whispering in my ear...really I do.

I can prove that I have been working on a few things, as you can see from my messy work station. No comments about the mess either. I know some that keep theirs even messier....not pointing any fingers..hehe
I am working on several tiny mermaid sculpts plus some new gypsy jewelry designs.

I have finally gotten a nice collection of leather and fabric belts so that I can start working on some of my wrist cuff designs. A few of the fabric ones will have bead work on them....some of the leather will have some of my clay beads and or medallions on them as well as both probably having some micro macrame'.

Of course it's getting close to Christmas time too so that means several new Santa ooaks in the works. I'm really excited because I'm finally going to do two that I have been waiting to do. I needed the perfect props to go with them and I finally found them this past weekend. Not going to say what they will be but here are the props.....

Well perhaps my muse did leave me enough inspiration after all...that is before she took off to where ever it is that she goes from time to time. I want to thank all my friends that have not forgotten me and continue to come to visit here under the old Southern Oak tree. I love your visits and your comments. I promise to be here to greet you....always!!!

Until next time...........HUGS,

Regi

PS....one of my friends, Laurie over at Kottage Kreations, after reading my post here invited me to join in a Wednesday blog hop called "What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at Stamping Ground. I had never heard of it before this but am so happy that I know about it now. Why don't you go and check it out? I have to admit...it's fun seeing what other's are working on and "ahem" seeing that my desk is not the only messy one. Just click on Stamping Ground above and perhaps you will join in the fun too.

Remembering 9/11/2001

2011-09-11T11:22:00.001-05:00

9/11/2001....a day that will never be forgotten. A day that wasn't suppose to happen. A day that took so many from their loved ones in just a heart beat. A day that made HEROS. A day that made all of us realize that we are not out of harms reach. A day that made even those that might not have done so in years, get down on their knees and pray. Pray for those lost. Pray for those that didn't think about themselves and ran into the buildings to rescue whomever they could. Pray for those injuried, physically and mentally. Pray for those families that would be touched by such a tragic event for a lifetime. Pray that GOD would provide strength and courage.

9/12/2001....a day that awoke a Nation. A Nation that would not be told that it is weak. A Nation that would hold it's head up high and take ACTION against those that harmed her. A Nation that realized so many souls were lost the day before but not in vain.....those SOULS brought a Nation back together. A Nation that would stand UNITED.

9/11/2011....a day ten years later. A day that upon rising, I went to my knees to say a prayer for all those lost, all those families and individuals affected, all those brave men and women that will always be a Hero, all those working on the memorial so it will never be forgotten.

Today started with a brilliant sun rise.....a sunrise that reminds me that there will always be a new day. The footprints remind me that we never walk alone.....no matter what happens.

Until next time.....my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Regina

Thursday Inspiration

2011-09-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

Greetings Moe!! Just doing my morning walkabout to get some inspiration. Yep,yep...morning Elmo!! Just staring out at the vast blue ocean to get mine.

Hey wait up Elmo!!! I think I will join you on that walkabout. I need some inspiration. Slow down..will ya?

Whew...that Elmo sure can walkabout fast. I think I will just walk by myself for a bit. Whew...I'm pooped!!!

OK I think I will just stop and stare out at the ocean again. She always gives me inspiration...and a few other gifts..if I'm patient.

See....she left some sea floor beauties. Not much I can do with them but I know a human who can do amazing things with them.

As you can see, we have some very whimsical and comical characters that live here and I am always being whispered to when I see them.(or look at the beauties that the ocean does offer up to us) Now, I'm off to make a few tiny mermaids to go with these shell bases. What are you working on today?

Until next time........HUGS!!!

What a weekend!!!!!

2011-08-30T11:29:00.005-05:00

Those of you that visit my old Southern ooaks know that I sometimes write about more than just my muse and her antics. (that means my art for those that don't know about my "muse" and you should come visit more often if you don't because she can be VERY whimsical) ^_^ This post is about the wonderful weekend we had. Remember back in APRIL when we had stopped by the 100th+ celebration of our local B&B. (For heavens sakes...it hasn't been that long ago. I see you shaking your head. Just click on the word APRIL that I typed in that fancy type and refresh those noggins..hehe) We finally got to spend a night there and it was AWESOME!!! The Chazman said it best, "Wow Mom...if you don't look out the windows you would think we were in another time" and it was like stepping back into another time period. The place is a true Southern beauty.

High ceilings with all the ornate trim work, amazing chandeliers and antique furnishings that looked to be from the original 1908 period when the inn was first built.

All the rooms are decorated differently and all are simply breathtaking BUT we had the best room in the Inn...the Bridal suite.

Not that we used it for that purpose. I mean come on folks, we did have our 8yr old with us who INSISTED on sleeping in the bed with us (between us at that). It was a HUGE bed and under normal circumstances it would have been a good night's sleep. Well, it was a good night for ONE of us and to give you a hint..it sure wasn't the hubbikins or me. Thank the good LORD that I do not share a bed with my youngin every night and for who EVER he marries (in about another 20 years) I will have pity on her...really...I will!!!! I might even warn her ahead of time. Yeah...that would be being a good mother in law. Totally getting off the subject matter here. When the Chazman sleeps he is like a bucket of worms...the big ones that are all trying to wiggle to the bottom so they can't be pulled out and put on the end of the fishing line. This kiddo can squirm and wiggle better than any. I think a few times he actually tried to kick one or both of us out of the bed. It was still a wonderful time together. We walked around the inn and admired all the furnishings and photos. We even had a door leading outside to the wrap around porch (with a table and chairs) so that we could sit and just enjoy the breeze. It was a bit warm still in the afternoon or early evening but it was very nice Sunday morning sitting and drinking our coffee. Yes...while the Chazman snored away laying across the bed he finally had complete control of.

If you ever find yourself coming to visit our little "busy" town then make a point to at least walk into the Hotel Magnolia and take your step back into time.

Our weekend didn't end with our departure from the Inn....oh nooo...a great Sunday afternoon adventure began. We haven't gone to the beach much this summer and the Chazman has been wanting to go so we decided that we would go. I was really surprised that there weren't many folks at the beach (wait til this weekend...WOW..it will be filled to max capacity for sure) We found our little spot to set our chairs up in. (after all of Chaz's ouuuu's and owwww's from walking on the hot sand and having the nerve to say "Carry me mom, ppplease". OMGOSH..like I could if I even wanted to..this boy is getting BIG) After putting on our sunscreen, we walked out into the ocean. We had to watch in places as the seaweed was abundant!!! The perfect place for certain sea creatures to hide out in and wait for that unsuspecting human to put their foot down. OMGOSH.....I'm so happy that we saw IT before it saw us and of course we just had to chase it. Thank goodness it was more afraid of us than we were of it. Well, as long as it was running AWAY from us we were brave. ^_^ Ohhhh, what was the creature? It was one of these..........

Can you tell from this photo just what we were chasing and very thankful it didn't turn to pursue US? Here is a shot when it is on the shore...out of the water...and looking a WHOLE lot meaner!!!

Our pursuit stopped dead in it's tracks then. Yeppers...my momma didn't raise a complete fool and I'm not raising one at all. The Chazman said that we need to just let this guy go on it's way.....far.....far...away!!!! Now there were quiet a few of these lil boogers on the beach and do you know what other creature they tend to bring in closer...which we got a first hand up close look at. These guys.....

and these guys.............which were perfectly happy catching the small horseshoe crabs that were so enjoying hiding in the seaweed. Well at least they thought they were hiding. We had a few bigger feathered friends that joined in the seaweed buffet as well.

I have never seen so much nature in one place at the same time. It was overwhelming but in a good way. We definitely had some whimsical entertainment the whole afternoon. After we sat and watched these feathered friends the Chazzer and I decided to wade back into the water. YIKES....as soon as we walked out this is what floated by.....

Now I'm not that great of a photographer so my clear little friend we saw didn't want his picture taken so I borrowed this so you could see. A jelly fish. It's amazing so small a creature and one that seems completely harmless can hurt a person so badly. I didn't bring the vinegar with us (next time for sure I will) so we decided to get out of the water for a few more minutes and let it float on by or become part of the delicious buffet that was going on. While we were sitting in our chairs and eating a few crackers (and being laughed at and told "mine mine mine" by those pesky seagulls) a few more sea friends decided to entertain us. This is another borrowed photo as my little camera does not have a zoom lens and we actually have the smaller darker dolphins here with the exception of the albino dolphin that lives in the bay with a pod of the darker ones.

I could have watched these comical characters the rest of the afternoon. Apparently the seafood buffet was stretching way out there. They must have gone back and forth in the area we were in for at least 40 minutes. Jumping up in the air (and the more us that laughed and cheered the more jumping they did) flipping their tails and just having the best time. I have always been amazed by dolphins. So intelligent and curious...always smiling...no matter what. Chaz decided it was time to get back in the water...he wanted to try and get them to come up closer. I told him that they were having to much fun playing and showing off but at least in the water we could get a tad closer to them. Hubbikins decided he would get in this time with us. I think he thought that they might come a tad closer too and he didn't want to miss that opportunity either.

Have you ever had a seaweed throwing contest? Well we did and I discovered that hubby doesn't play fair. He would be looking at the Chazzer and the next thing I know I was getting whacked with it. That's ok though...he got his several times too. While we were ducking and dodging I suddenly had an electrical shock go up my leg. I mean it HURT!! Hubby started laughing at me because he said that I looked like something had just...completely...."OUCH" he hollers...seems he got shocked too. (snicker snicker) I looked down and to my surprise...it seems we surprised one of our local rays. Depending on size they can deliver quite a "shock" but thankfully these were small ones. Whew!!!

See I told you it was an adventure and one that I'm so happy that we were there for. Even if some of it was a bit "shocking". The Chazman is ready to go back this weekend. I'm not so sure though....Labor Day weekend....we will have to see!!

Until next time.............HUGS!!!!

Do you hear the Ocean ?

2011-08-29T10:10:00.001-05:00

A tiny shell

washed ashore

within a seaweed bed

Calls out to me

Shhhh...hear

the ocean's perfect harmony

Not only do I hear

the swell and crashing

of the wave

I hear a tranquil lullaby

that to my heart does save

The knowledge that

a mermaid's song

is trapped inside a shell

A tiny shell

washed ashore

within a seaweed bed.

I love designing my ooaks and when I can add several different medians, then my muse is extremely happy. (not to mention myself ^_^) As most of you know...I have been working on a mermaid. A mermaid that combined my love of needle felting, cloth doll making and beading. I finally completed her. Let me introduce, Harmony!!

Her head and torso were needle felted using a cream colored wool. Of course, I started with a white core batting. She needed that added strength....it's tough swimming all the time and racing with the dolphins. Her eyes and lips were painted using acrylic paints. Her hair is a great fringed wool yarn that was needle felted to her scalp. OUCHIE!!!! HEY....I promise that no mermaid was harmed in the designing and sculpting process.

Her beautiful mermaid tail was hand sewn using a cotton fabric and then beaded using tiny glass sead beads. Her tail fins and hip fins were made from sequin fabric and netting. Her waist trim was made from a vintage piece of fringe. (yes..it is a vintage piece...taken from a very old pillow sham) She stands at 8 inches. Part of her height comes from her beautiful but "poofy" hair. ^_^

Proof of "Poofy" hair

Front view

Side view (Vole Conch shell up to her ear)

Back view

Close up of bead work

Harmony has a fringe headband (made from the same vintage fringe around her waist) that has a small Capiz shell, Cockle shell and tiny crystal attached to the front. She has a tiny pearl bracelet and necklace. Her shell that was washed up in a seaweed bed and the one she is holding to her ear is a small Vole Conch shell.

Harmony loves standing against her Knobbed Whelk shell. She can also hide partially inside. Hmmmm, perhaps on some days she feels a bit "crabby" and needs to hide. We all have those days, ri iight??

Knobbed Whelk Shell

Feeling a bit crabby..hehe

Harmony will be available in my Etsy shoppe if anyone would be interested in having her come live with them. The Knobbed shell and another small fan shell (charcoal grey one in photo) will come with her. I can't very well send her off without a place for her to ~~hide~~ live in.

Until next time............HUGS!!!

BOO.....Did we scare YOU????

2011-08-18T10:44:00.002-05:00

OMGOSH...OMGOSH...OMGOSH!!!

I have bats,witches,cats,skeletons and spell books all flying around the room.

What's a gal to do?

Where's my fishing net?

I'll catch us one or two!!

I had so much fun designing these Li'l Halloween ornies. I hope that they don't SCARE you to much. Let's see just who might come out and say BOO!!!

One of the witches of Southern Ooaks. She is the biggest of the ornies. Well, I had to make one of them bigger so she could keep all the others in line. A gal can only be snucked (yea...one of those Southern words hehe) up on so many times and and hear BOO!!! From her ruffled collar to the tip of her hat she is right at 3 1/2 inches. (the others range from just under 1 inch to just a tad over 2 inches but shhhhh don't tell them..they think they are just as big as witchie poo. Don't want anyone having any issues ya know. The beaded holder on most is right at 2 inches. Perfect for hanging on your Halloween tree or even putting them on a black ribbon to wear.

Close up of Witchie Poo..she's watching YOU

Can't forget the witches most powerful item. Her spell book. Wouldn't it be nice to have a spell book? One where you could make the broom and mop work on their own. Oh WAIT....didn't someone else do that and it didn't turn out so well. ^_^

I made the book to look like.....well....a book. It's hard to get pictures of tiny things ya know but I tried. The clay pages actually are split to look just like paper in a book. Witchie Poo even has her favorite spell marked with her magical bookmark.

Sebastin is Witchie Poo's familiar and believe me there are some times that he so wishes he wasn't. Like the time that she turned him into a dog. What self respecting cat would EVER want to be a flea bitten mutt?

Hootie is Witchie Poo's messenger owl. It seems as though his message for today has left him in quite a shock. Just look at those feathers!!! NO wonder he has to wear a owl breastplate. Ya know the saying "Please don't ~~shoot~~ hit the messenger".

Look at that open mouth would ya!! Hmmmmm..wonder just what the message was.

Man in the Moon just couldn't resist peeking in to see just what the old ~~hag~~ witch was up to. It seems that he asked a few friends to come along too.

Jack the Jackolantern...and NOO he isn't mean. He was just made that way. Bahahahahahahaha!!!!

Ruffles, Witchie Poo's first familar. She WAS a dog!!!

The Count had to tag along too. Have no fears though. He won't bite your neck BUT he will eat all of your candy corn.

Even Witchie Poo's boyfriend came along, Capt. Skellie. Poor soul.....someone really should have warned him about PMS and not antagonizing the witch at such a time!! Perhaps I should make her tshirt to wear during those nasty times. One that says "I have PMS and a hand gun...any further questions?" I guess Capt. asked one to many questions one day, huh?

These are the wacky, whimsical BOOcreatures that are haunting my studio at the moment. Please..won't you help me and my sanity and take a few home with YOU!!! Remember to use my coupon code "2HOTDAYS" until August 31st to receive 15% off any item in my Etsy shoppe.

Until next time........................HUGS!!

Auction for Boobies!!

2011-08-17T09:33:00.001-05:00

Well....I figured since you came to read about boobies I needed to show you some. So NOT what you expected, HUH? Ya know how quirky I am but if you felt that this really wasn't what you thought the title was about....then you would be exactly correct. This is about a serious topic and one that affects so many women and actually some men as well.....so please read on and help my friend Jennifer over at Just Jingle help "Stamp out cancer".

This is the second annual Blog 4 Boobies fundraiser!! Jennifer is participating in memory of friends that have lost their courageous battle with this horrible disease and for some that are still battling (and will WIN) and for some that have WON their battle.

Here is how Jennifer explains how this amazing fundraiser works. (with her permission, I am using some of her post to be a messenger about this very important event. PLEASE after you read my post here..... go...... and visit her to find all the links and see what you can do to help)

This is day 3 of the 3 day blog bounce (hop) where EVERY CARD OR PROJECT is up for auction!! Last year with everyone's help Skipping Stones Designs raised and donated $1108.99 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It is their goal this year to raise $1500 so THEY NEED YOUR HELP!!!! There are 3 ways you can join in on the FUNdraising.

#1. YOU can help by going SHOPPING!! (and who doesn't like to shop?)
According to Jennifer for every stamp set that you purchase during August 15th til the 23rd SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Two dollars can add up fast peoples!!! Go to Jennifer's post to actually see some of SSD's amazing products. She has the links there for you, ready and waiting!!

#2 YOU can help by BIDDING!!
There are some amazing folks that have joined in on this blog hop for Boobies and they are offering cards and projects up for auction. All YOU have to do to get them is to BID on them. Jennifer suggest that you start your bid at $5 (remember...it's for a very good cause) Your bid not only includes the card or project but the shipping to your home as well. (that means free shipping peoples...FREE) To see all the details on how to place your bid (and you know you want to) .....go....to Jennifer's original post.

Last but not least #3. YOU can help by telling all your friends (and they can tell their friends and they can tell...ummm I think you get the idea) The more folks that know, the more money that can be raised. Jennifer will even let you copy from her post...or you can copy from my post....share it on Facebook...or Twitter...or Google+...just SHARE it PLEASE!!!

Jennifer, known to most of us as "Just Jingle" is offering some really cute items herself. She of course used one of her Skipping Stones Design sets, Cancer Schmancer and a small dress form that SHE created (she is very crafty...just sayin) and she also used the Bras set from SSD. Her highest bidder will receive all THREE of these cute...cute items plus the stamp set. Take a peak.....be warned though...YOU WILL WANT THEM!!!!

Now that I have you ~~drooling~~ wanting to bid, go take a look at some of the other participants in this awesome hop. (remember to click on Jennifer's name anywhere in this post to be taken to her original post) Let's all do our part to save the TaTa's!! (that's what we call Boobies here in the South...hehe)

Day #3:
Rae Ann Barthel
Karen Baker
Pam Hornschu
Jennifer Ingle -You Are HERE!
Ria Johnson
Mel McCarthy
Stephanie Mino
Kandi Phillips
Wendy Price
Julia Stainton
Taylor Usry

Be sure to check out the other amazing designers from the past two days:
Day #2:
Teri Anderson
Ashley Cannon Newel
Karen Christensen
Jodi Collins
Kimberly Crawford
Jen Del Muro
Katie Gehring
Vanessa Menhorn
Kryssi Ng
Taylor Usry
Sankari Wegman

Day #1:
PaperCrafts Connections Blog (Renae Curtz)
Deb Felts
Michelle Giraud
Michelle Gross
Wendy Jordan
Sarah Martina Parker
Becky Olsen
Barb Turpin
Taylor Usry
Brenda Weaver

Wednesday WIP on needle felted mermaid

2011-08-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

Pssst...I have another secret!!!

2011-08-08T15:40:00.000-05:00

WOW...I have done something that I normally don't do and that's have several different pieces going on at one time. I really hate to do it because....well...with my muse you never know when I might be enticed into combining some of those pieces together...hehe!! Hopefully she will behave herself while I work on each one idividually!!!!

I am working on some of my weebies/ornies and hope to have them listed in my Etsy shoppe by this weekend. With that being said...here is my secret....for the whole month of August anyone that makes a purchase gets 15% off that item. All you have to do is enter the coupon code 2HOTDAYS at checkout. How easy peasy is that?
Some of the weebies/ornies are some of my Halloween ones and some football ones. Go ALABAMA....GO AUBURN!!! If you have a mascot for a different team you would like made just send me a note and I will see what I can do for you. I do realize that there are other colleges out there...aren't there?

Happy Monday Hugs......Regi

It's the Halloween Gang!!

2011-08-03T18:31:00.000-05:00

Felix the Cat

Goslynn the Ghost Child

Eton..The Skeleton Man

Hagatha and friend

Vanity Voodoo

Whoopsie Oopsie

It's so hard to believe that it is August already. Where in the world did summer go? Ohhh wait...it's still here. Well, at least the triple digit temps are. A week and a half before school starts back. What happened to the time when the weather was cooler then. Ohhhh wait....I live in the South. It's hot until Christmas...LOL!!

I wanted to let everyone know that I have added some of the Halloween gang to the Etsy shoppe. The $10 off this week applies to them too. (After the 7th all prices are as posted) For those that are new to visiting the Southern Ooaks I have linked each photo with the original post. Some have a few WIP posts but I'm sure you can find those as you wander through the ooaks here. I love Halloween and I hope to get some more things made for the shoppe. Is there some spooky whimsical character you would like to see? I thought about perhaps some of my trick or treat mummies.

Or perhaps a few of my wee spell casters.

I have even been thinking about designing a few needle felted or felted characters. They can be used as pins, necklaces, or even attached to a head band. As you can tell my muse has been singing her wee lil head off these past few days. But that's a good thing...really it is!!!

Until next time..............HUGS, Regi

Quick Peek

2011-08-02T12:02:00.000-05:00

Finally...I completed the beading on one of the butterfly faery wings. YEA...ME!!! Today will be spent plucking more beads from the vintage dress that I am using for the black seed beads for this project. Hopefully (with fingers crossed) I will get to start on the other wing this afternoon. I really want to get this part finished so I can sculpt the Li'l fae that goes with them.

So...what are YOU working on today? Inquiring ~~nosey~~ minds want to know...hehe

Until next time..........HUGS!!!

I have a secret to share!!!

2011-08-01T12:59:00.000-05:00

Are you one of my friends that likes to "Stamp It"? I know there are lots of very talented artist out there that love to create with paper and stamps that come to visit with me and I have a secret to share. I'm only sharing because she told me it was alright to do so now...otherwise I wouldn't...or couldn't...I'm good at keeping secrets. ^_^

My good friend, Jeanne Kupsh, is one of those VERY talented paper/stamp artist and has recently become a Stampin' Up independent demonstrator with her own website. She is so creative with her art and loves to share with others. With her own website now, she can share and coach and teach all in one place. Plus you can order all the goodies you will need directly from her. No running here and there trying to find the items you will need. She will also let you know about all the new products coming out and she promises to let you in on a few special offers along the way. What are you waiting for? Go check out her site and begin a fun journey in stamping and creating. Ohhhh...it would probably help to have a link....silly me....just go to Stampin' Up.

Until next time.....HUGS!!

OMGOSH...Beads beads everywhere

2011-07-31T23:06:00.000-05:00

I think I am about to go cross eyed here....LOL I have been beading the faery butterfly wings all weekend. Ok well that's a lie...I have been beading ONE of the wings all weekend. I hope to have it completed tomorrow so I can start on the other one and then actually get to work on the faery sculpt that goes with them. I know some of you are thinking "Hummmmmm...Regi sure is getting old and slow" and there is a tiny bit of truth to that statement. A TINY BIT!!!! What's taking so much time is that I am removing beads from an antique dress and using them for the beads. I don't know if you know this but back in the day (and NOOOO I am not saying I remember it from experience, so shoosh) when a dress was sewn and hand beaded they put each bead on individually. I am not complaining at all....just explaining why it's taking some time to get my wings done. I'm trying to just take off the beads I need for this project for now. I want to take some of the fabric of the dress with the beads attached and make a witch's outfit with it....but that's a post for another day. So what creative endeavor have you been up to this weekend?

I also wanted to let all my friends that come to visit me here at the old Southern oak tree in on a secret. For the next week anyone that wants to purchase any of the items I currently have for sale in my Etsy shoppe, I will take $10 off the listed price. Just send me a note through Etsy before you buy and I will make the change for you and note that the item is for purchase by you only. I am doing it for this week only. The reason being (1) that I love all of you and (2) the Chazman seems to have gotten to big for his britches....literally!!! I need to buy him some school uniforms and the proceeds from any sells are going to go for that. Pass it along to all your friends. I would greatly appreciate it and so would the Chazman. Poor dear doesn't want to wear his birthday suit to school...hehe!!!

Until next time................Hugs, Regi (and the Chazman)

What happens on Saturday nights?

2011-07-30T19:41:00.002-05:00

My good friend, Jeannie, over at Jeannie's Happy World has this awesome post she does every Saturday. She calls it Caturdays!!! I so look forward to each and every Saturday knowing that I am going to get a real giggle out of her post. Today though I not only giggled but almost snorted by sweet tea out my nose and mouth. Yeah...Yeah...I know that's not a pretty picture and not very ladylike but HEY that's what almost happened. Honest!!

Most of you have seen our Ms Peaches in some of my past post and photos. Tell me that this photo does not look just like her. Not to mention that this is exactly how she looks when getting her bath. I always thought her holding up her tiny paw was to get a high five that she was taking her bath like a big girl BUT now I know that's not what she has been doing at all....LOL!!!

Until next time..........HUGS!!!!

P.S Thanks for the giggles Jeannie...you make my world happy too.

WIP it Friday

2011-07-22T11:55:00.000-05:00

Those that come to visit me here and sit under my old Southern ooaks trees know that I love going to estate sales, yard sales and antique/flea markets. Yes..I will openly admit that I am one that is very addicted to the "treasure hunts". On my adventures my muse is always looking for items to use as bases (and you had so better not get in her way when she is doing so because she takes her treasure hunting very seriously. Picture a female Capt Jack...hehe and be thankful that there aren't any planks around to walk)

In looking through some of my craft cubbie spaces, I found one such base from a past ~~estate sale~~ treasure hunting adventure. My muse started buzzing around and just couldn't get hold of herself. (she had better be happy I couldn't either...swatting at ear....pesky lil fae) I had completely forgotten about this one. It's a vintage porcelain piece of a hummingbird and a flower. My muse started whispering in my ear (yes I was still swatting at her) that a tiny lil fae would be perfect standing on top of the hummingbird trying to smell the flower. (ok..yes..she had a great idea so I stopped swatting at her.....for now) Here is the base that caused such a stir and swatting session:

I have started working on the wings for the lil fae and decided to do some of my fabric ones. I love making these. I have the sewing completed on one of the wings but still have the bead work to do on it. I designed a butterfly wing for this one.

I guess you know what I will be working on this weekend. It's a rainy day today so it's the perfect time to sit curled up in my sewing chair and finish the other wing. What are your creative plans for the weekend?

Until next time.......HUGS!!!

Opinions Needed!!! Please

2011-07-21T10:27:00.000-05:00

My muse has been whispering of late that perhaps we should design some small, wee creatures. (or as she actually put it..shrinky dink them.) What do you think? Would folks want smaller ooaks to display? Would collector's collect wee ones? What DO YOU think?

Wordless Wednesday 7/20/2011

2011-07-20T12:18:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday (Sunrise on the beach)

2011-07-13T10:46:00.000-05:00

Sweetly Singing

2011-07-12T11:27:00.000-05:00

I'm sweetly singing to my artist, Regi. Yes...oh yes I am...very sweetly!!! I know you are sitting there with your mouth open wide thinking "Oh no...you always hollar or consently whisper in her ear". Most of the time, that's exactly what I do. HEY...it's my job after all but for now she requires sweet songs. I promise that she will return and I hope that you will come and visit us often.

Sweet musings,

My...How time flies!!!

2011-06-17T12:26:00.000-05:00

To all my friends that come to visit me here often.....I want to humbly apologize for being away from the old Southern ooaks tree for so long. My...my...my...How times does fly on by. I hadn't realized that it has been almost a month since my last posting. I don't really have an excuse for it but perhaps a few reasons that I think most will understand. School is out...which means my Chazman is home with me everyday and I'm LOVING it. Summertime is here which means spending more time outside and I haven't found a way to drag this big old dinosaur along with us. My last reason being one I hate to admit but I know that I am among friends here so it's alright to tell...I have been having a few issues with my eye sight. No biggie and it seems to come and go and I'm getting a handle on it but...well...I have decided that it just plain old STINKS to get old....LOL!!!!

I had been working on a Man in the moon and mermaid sculpt which I did complete the Man in the moon and have him listed in my Etsy shoppe. Ok...ok..... I knew someone was going to ask the question.."Where is the mermaid?" I feel like a complete ding-a-ling and only because I love everyone here and I know that surely I'm not the only artist that has done this or in my case didn't do....it seems that I forgot to place the wire to attach the mermaid to the moon. Talk about a V8 slap to the noggin!!! So I decided that instead of the clay and fabric mermaid I was going to do with the moon that I would do a needle felt and fabric mermaid sitting in a shell. For those of ya'll that really know me and before you ask....YES...I have the box of band aides sitting close by. ^_^

So far only one stuck finger and it.....wasn't.....to.....OUCH....bad!!! I really love the paisley fabric for the tail and I'm thinking of doing some bead work on it as well. That piece of fabric had my muse singing mermaid before I even thought of it. So happy I have my muse....even if she can be quite annoying at times but shhhh..don't tell her...ppplease.

So what have YOU been up to while I have been letting time fly on by. I have missed you all and will be coming to visit with you more too....I promise!!!!

Until next time.......HUGS, Regi

The Moon is complete!!

2011-05-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

I finally finished the moon base for the "Mermaid and the Moon" piece I'm presently working on. I think he turned out very vintage looking. I just love the old worn look of a time long gone past. It takes a bit of time to accomplish this look but well worth every bit of it. Several layers of brown painted on and then washed off and once that is allowed to dry then several layers of gold painted on and washed off. Once the gold has been allowed to dry then a washing of a bright yellow is done and yes wiped off as the other layers were and then allowed to dry completely before sealing the piece.

The block base he is attached to was done in the same paint/washing effect. I think the waves crashing into the pier pylon he is sitting on adds to the piece. I couldn't quite decide what I wanted to go around the base of the wooden block. It looked so empty and was just crying out for something. I started going through my stack of papers and prints and rediscovered (yes, I said REdiscovered...I stick things back in a drawer and so totally forget I even have them. We all do that....ri iight?) an old vintage piece of sheet music I had. It was perfectly named "By the Crystal Sea". I applied it to the base using a decoupage affect. The bottom is covered with felt so as not to scratch whatever it sits on.

I am taking the rest of the day off and going to the State Park to a BBQ with some good friends that are down visiting and staying there. It's sunny, warm and just the perfect day to be outside and with good friends.
Maybe even a late afternoon or early night beach walk....I could use some new shells!!! Hope you are having a great weekend too.

Until next time.........HUGS, Regi

Update on Teacher appreciation week

2011-05-18T08:37:00.000-05:00

My muse has been driving me nuts (ok ok nuttier...LOL) about making a clay cupcake for the teacher...but at last she finally had to shoosh as she realized that I wasn't going to have enough time to make it. If you read my earlier post about what Wednesday's suggestion was then you know it's "sweet treat" day. The Chazman and I made some homemade chocolate chip cookies last night feeling that no one could resist that yummy treat. I mean.....Who doesn't like CHOCOLATE chip cookies?? Ri iight?? Thank goodness I put some back to put in Ms. Barton's box for today. No one wanted to fess up to almost eating them all. Can't imagine WHO but I will point no fingers....innocent until proven otherwise. Now being who I am I just couldn't only put cookies in her box. I mean those will be gone in no time!! I wanted to give her something that represented sweet treat day AND that would last for a long time. Ya know.....like a memory keeper sorta of treat. I had already swooshed away my muse because of the time factor but she did have a great idea (one I will keep stored away for another day as it would be perfect for a birthday keepsake) and then.....like a V8 moment.....I remembered some of my ornies that I still had...locked away until I needed them. I NEEDED THEM or at least one of them so out one came.

Do you remember the Ted E. Bear ornies I did a year or so ago? Don't feel bad if ya don't because to be honest I had forgotten about him too....until I NEEDED him. This little guy will make the perfect sweet treat keepsake for Ms. Barton. He doesn't have to be just for Christmas. He has a pretty silk circus collar around his neck and is holding an old fashion candy ribbon. He even has a few pieces to share. Thank goodness I got him in the box last night or "SOMEONE" might have tried to eat those too. HA!!! wouldn't he they have been surprised.

Of course I couldn't just stick the cookies and Ted E. into a plain old box. Ohhh Noooo...not me...hehe!!! I found this cute vintage advertisement on a new site I discovered a few days ago. It's called Vintage Ad Browser. I printed it off and attached it to the top of the box. Cute huh? Well...I thought so and hopefully so will teacher.

Tomorrow is supply day but seeing as we have limited funds (like everyone else) I'm thinking of perhaps making a small tote bag for her. Ya know...to carry some supplies in. That would work...wouldn't it??

I hope that you are having a great week and someone is telling YOU that everything you do is greatly appreciated. I know I appreciate YOU...thank you for being you and for letting me be...well....ME!!!!

Until next time..............Hugs, Regi

Wordless WIP Wednesday!!

2011-05-18T07:43:00.000-05:00

Teacher Appreciation Week

2011-05-16T13:44:00.004-05:00

It is getting so exciting around the old homestead as another school year is coming to a close. WOW...just where did this year go? The Chazman and I can hardly believe he only has 2 weeks remaining. Ohhh wait...if he was here he would be correcting me real fast like and saying "Mom...it's 1 week and 4 days...not 2 weeks". Heaven forgive me...I need to get my information correct. ^_^

We love our school system here and I really don't think there is one anywhere else that is as awesome. Ok.. I'm sure we all feel that way about our schools and where we live BUT ours IS better..hehe..just sayin!!! With that being said...if our schools are awesome then it is because of the wonderful teachers that are there helping to shape and mold our kiddo's minds. I'm very excited that this week has been dedicated to the "teachers" and they so deserve it with all the effort they put into each day. Each day has a special idea we can do to show that special teacher or teachers just how much they are actually appreciated. Here is the breakdown of the week:

*Monday: Give them Flowers or a small plant

*Tuesday: Make them a card or write them a letter

*Wednesday: Bake them some cookies or any sweet treat

*Thursday: Bring them some school supplies. Post it notes, copy paper, ect.

*Friday: Donate a book or a G rated movie to their class

I'm really excited about this week...it's a great way to sneak in some handmade gifts for the school year ending to let Ms. Barton know just how much SHE is appreciated. Hummm...wonder if they could move HER up a grade for next year? I know that the Chazman will have an awesome teacher next year too but I truly don't think that we could have asked for a better one this year. THANK YOU MS. BARTON!!!!!

Monday's gift....a corsage of fabric flowers.

I have gone ahead and made up Tuesday's gift as well. The Chazman wanted me to make it and leave room for him to sign. Ohhh..I make it way to easy for him sometimes!! He did tell me to put somewhere in the card that Ms. Barton was the Best....so he did help with the card too. Everyone that comes to visit with me knows that I adore faeries. I thought if I could find a vintage picture with faeries and children then that would be the front of the card. I knew right where to go to find one too. This blog is one that I LOVE to just look at all of her amazing graphics. Just looking can get my muse to singing. (and we all know how much she loves to sing and whisper to me) This blog has just about everything you could use when making.....ohhh.... let's just say....ANYTHING!!! Hummmm...I guess I could give you the name of it and let you see for yourself. Should I? Of course I should.....just teasing you a bit!! The name of the blog is "The Graphics Fairy".

See....I told you that she has soooo many wonderful photos and graphics and now that you are back from visiting with the her let me show you the picture that I used to make the front of the card with.

Perfect....right? I just love the vintage children story book illustrations. There is just something about the muted colors. All I had to do was add some glitter and "POOF" the front of the card was done. I also used one of the Graphics Fairy's background papers for the inside of the card along with a page from one of my old vintage books. I added a note to the top of the old paper and there was the inside of the card.

Notice in the upper right corner....the little faery with the tassle hanging down? That is one of my handmade paper corner bookmarks. So simple to make (if anyone would be interested in the "How to" just let me know and I will do a tut for it) I not only wanted to give Ms. Barton a card but I wanted to add a tiny "thank you" gift to it as well. One that she can use and remember the Chazman for years to come. Here is a closer look at the bookmark.

Now most would think that the card is complete...well...you would be so soo WRONG!!!! I wanted this to be a thank you card as well as a memory card so for the back I added a photo of the Chazman. He picked out which one he wanted to use.....my cutie pie lil man!!!

I'm so happy that the school is wanting the kiddos and parents to show their appreciation but HECK I would have done it anyways.

Until next time...........Hugs, Regi

Muse whispering that she thinks a tiny cupcake with a faery sitting on top would be a cute idea for Wednesday...we will see!!!