Sabrina....the year 1692

It was a cold snowy day in January, the year 1692. Several good friends had gathered to show off their new hats. They loved spending time together and they all loved making their hats. Some visits were spent sharing whatever new hat had been made but some were spent out in the forest gathering herbs and plants. On these gatherings you could hear them singing and dancing, enjoying their time together as a group.They were a very talented group that had learned to treat Mother Earth with respect and in return she had given them the gift of using her herbs and plants to heal and restore others. Village folks from miles around knew of the ladies and would come bringing them gifts if they would in return help them with whatever ailment they were experiencing at the time. The ladies gladly helped....they were pure at heart and extremely giving.

One of them suggested at the next weekly meeting that they should have a name for their group...something that reflected one of their loves. Hence....The Black Hat Sisterhood became into existence. Established in 1692 this sisterhood stood strong and is still in existence to this day. Just look around you....you might just know one of us them.

Little did these loving, caring women know that in the next month that terrible trials would begin. The famous Salem Witch hunts. How dare anyone think that things they did not understand make another a witch. If being able to do what they did for others and they were witches then so be it. They would continue to practice and help in whatever way they could but they knew from this day forward that it would have to be done quietly. Due to the witch hunts taking so many innocent lives as well as true witches, the ones that were able to go undetected were blessed with stronger powers. One of the original witches, Sabrina, of the sisterhood was blessed with time travel. And time travel she does!!

Sabrina is finally complete. If you have been following along then you see that something is missing. Yes, her goggles. I decided since she had the unique monocle that she would be quiet happy with that. I plan on doing several in this series, as the original was a group of ladies and will use the goggles with one of them. Have you been following along with the WIP post on Sabrina? If not then here are some past post to see just what went into designing and making her. Click here....here.....here.....here and here Enjoy!!

Welcome back from visiting those past post...hehe!! As you can see from reading that ideas can change on a whim. A muse's whim that is. Bahahahaha!! I start out with ideas and as I'm working on the design of the piece it will change. Most of the time, it's to improve it and some of the time I think it's just to irritate me. ^_^

Sabrina, as you know has a strong wire armature and recycled round light bulb as her base. Those were covered in clay and then her face, neck and shoulders were hand sculpted. Her face and eyes were painted using acrylic paints. Notice the clock pieces and numerals on Sabrina's face? That marks her as one of the time travelers. Her eyes and lips sealed with varnish. Her hair is wool dyed yarn....love the dreadlock look this yarn gives. Ya man...luv the dreads!! Her jewelry (necklace, earrings and monocle) are all some of my own designs. Steampunk is so much fun to do. Her hat was handmade and attached is a moon charm with watch pieces as well as a tiny glass potion bottle filled with.......magic!! (sand peoples sand) She sits on a pine wood base block that I washed in orange and black acrylic paints and then wood burned the letters into. This piece sits right at 11 inches from base bottom to the top of her black hat. I signed and dated the bottom.

Please keep in mind that these are collector items and not toys. They will keep for many many years if handled properly. My pieces are unique and truly one of a kind. I may do a series of some but never will two pieces be the same.

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

And HE thought dog was MANS best friend!!!

In a place filled with mist and the smell of the sea a very old, grumpy and cold hearted man awoke to a horrible realization. He sat up scratching his noggin and felt a terrible dread. Oh my....how could he even begin to understand what had happened to him. The last thing he remembered was being out walking with his faithful companion, Beau, his very large and handsome mastiff. Beau had been chasing the neighborhood cats. One of his dog's favorite pastimes and one he always allowed. They both really hated those cats. Nothing but smelly, lazy, independent creatures that cared for nothing but themselves. He really didn't like those nasty little powder puffs. No....not al all!!!

Godfrey sat for a minute more and stood and started calling out to his Beau. No response from the large mastiff was heard but in the distance he swore he heard several hisses and meows. He followed the sounds because he just knew there he would find his dog chasing those darn cats again. To his surprise though, once he walked out of the mist and closer to the sound he was surprised to be surrounded by thousands upon thousands of cats. Some stalking, some preening, some play fighting and some just looking at him as though they knew he was THE man that owned that obnoxious beast that plagued them for so long. Godfrey was in shock at the sight and slowly started to panic. He dropped to his knees and called out for anyone....ohhh anyone....to come and tell him what was happening and just where in the world he was.

After some time passed and no one answered his pleas, Godfrey got up and sat on a small stool he found and with his hands on his head knowing that he had somehow been doomed he felt a warm caress and then another and yet another until he was feeling warmer inside than he ever had in his life. He raised up and to his surprise there were several cats all which were giving him warmth to soothe him and calm his nerves. He was shocked...totally and completely shocked. How could these creatures whom he had help torment for so long be giving him all this love.

Out of no where an Archangel appeared. A beautiful being who walked directly over to Godfrey and touched his shoulder. Pain immediately began in his chest, shoulders and back. He just knew this was truly the end. To his surprise a warmth began to fill him. His heart became light and filled with strength and might. She spoke to him as she began ruffling feathers that had appeared on his back. Feathers....was she being cruel...was he to be a giant playtoy for these cats. He so wouldn't say he didn't deserve it after all his mean years but why give him such warm, strong feelings to only take them away and replace them with of all things....feathers!! She smiled at him and spoke "Godfrey, I am Ariel, the protector of the environment and animals, you fell and into the ocean you went along with Beau as your walk took you on to a bad part of the pier. Beau is where he should be now and you, I cradled in my arms as you sank further to the bottom. Once the bottom was reached I realized that inside a once grumpy, hateful old man was really just a man who had been hurt beyond reason and had simply closed his heart to all around him except for his dog. Now there is nothing wrong with loving a dog, as he is truly man's best friend as everyone knows. God made sure that each soul knew that....hence his name spelled backwards for the creature. That showed me that there was still love in that heart and I wanted you to become one of my guardians". Godfrey was aghast at what this angel was saying and trying hard not to sputter and stutter as he asked, What is to become of me now then....as a guardian and a guardian of what? The angel said that since dog was protected by his maker that she had to do a little extra protection of her some of her beloved creatures so when the right person passed from this world and showed her that they still had some love in their hearts she made them one of her guardians....to protect in his case....her cats. The feathers she explained were not a curse but strong wings to aide him in his flight when he was needed to return to earth to protect or even to return one of her cats that had spent their nine lives out in that realm. As she turned to leave him she whispered "Cats ARE very independent creatures but they are filled with unconditional love, so treat them with such and go and protect my sweet, hearted guardian".

Godfrey is one of my one of a kind sculpts. (ooaks)  He has a strong wire armature that was wrapped in tape and plushed out with fabric and stuffing. His head, hands and feet were sculpted by hand then detailed using acrylic paints. His feet are covered in handmade felt boots. His clothes are handsewn  His sweater and hat were made from a baby's booties. (I love repurposing once loved items) his vest from felt and his pants from...well...an old pair of khaki pants. His wings are made from natural feathers that have been sprinkled with gold angel dust. (that's glitter peoples..hehe) He is sitting on a covered wooden thread spool (well the cats have to have something to scratch on) that is sitting inside a ceramic cat bowl. He and his charges (four cats) are permanently attached to the bowl. The cats were hand sculpted and detailed using acrylic paints as well. One is giving Godfrey some loving, one is laying in his lap playing with a ball of yarn, one is climbing on his pants leg to grab the end of that yarn and one is purring and preening) This piece sits right at 9 inches from the base to the tip of his wings.

Before anyone ask....yes...I plan on doing a dog guardian as well....in the future. Until then...............

Hugs,
Regi

Dreadlocks....love making them!!!

Happy October 1st and Happy Wednesday peoples!! Wednesday really is the day to be HAPPY cause as a friend reminded me, it means we are going over the hump and downsliding to the weekend...WOO HOO!!! This is also the first day of Breast Cancer awareness month so let's put our pink on peoples (yes that mean ladies AND gentlemen. Like my Daddy use to say "Real men wear pink....proudly") and make sure to get those tata's taken care of. It's important because YOU are important!!!

I'm slowly working still on the old hag Glenda....hehe  Not so sure what's going on with this old hag either, still having some serious stomach issues and I've decided I don't like it. Not one little bit....nah ah...not at all. Enough whining though....thank you for listening. (like ya had a choice) I added another ruffle at the bottom of Glenda's skirt and got to work on her dreadlocks yesterday too. I LOVE making dreadlocks. I would probably make some for me to wear if I knew the old man wouldn't leave me. Hummm, there's a thought for later thinking. BAHAHA!! She also now has eyebrows and hairs coming out of her moles. She is looking rather "witchy" now. Here's Glenda and LuLu together.

Isn't she just BOOtiful? BAHAHAHA  HEY, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, yes? I'm going to work on her big witchy hat today. I like making witch hats for some reason. This one will even have a big flower on it.....with perhaps something hiding in it. ^_^

Before I start on the hat though, I'm going to work on painting their base. I'm thinking a faux stone path perhaps. I mean little Miss LuLu is totally and completely at that "Ohhhh sooo trusting stage" and isn't even giving it a second thought to walk up a stone path to what looks to her just an old house and a sweet little old lady dressed up for Halloween giving out candy. Poor dear!!!!

Looks like I might have some help painting, eh? Piwacket really is learning to be such a good girl when I'm working. I'm learning if I let her check things out first (and she decides she can't eat it or play with it) then I can work and she will lay to the side or curl up in my lap or push me forward in my chair and lay curled up behind me. Yes, those claws will make a woman move FAST!! So love this little purrrr monster ummm I mean kitty...hehehe!!!

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

Oak Trees and Witches....what a combination!! ^_^

Good, Happy Saturday morning peoples!! I hope today is going to be a good one for YOU. I'm helping out at Beach Reflections today. Love being there, meeting so many wonderful folks with a few funny and hilarious characters thrown in...hehe!! HEY...I'm one of those too so I can call others that......it's a compliment....most the time. ^_^

I was able to get some work done on Glenda Glitch yesterday and also on one of the (looking around) secret props that I haven't shown ya'll just yet. (and not going to show you now either...snicker snicker) Her pantaloons, peasant top and necklace are complete and she's one happy witch. I hope this afternoon when I get home that I can get her petticoat made and perhaps even her poofy skirt. Stop laughing....yes....the evil witch likes poofy skirts. She wants a poofy skirt.....she gets a poofy skirt. I don't want her to be turning me into a frog now. (Hmmm....there are a few others that I might like her to do that too though..HAHA)

It's hard to see in the photo but the bead on her necklace matches her shoes. Bahaha!!

Remember the oak tree medallions I made a while back? Well....they have been added to my Etsy shop. Look over on the right sidebar, yeppers over there and you'll see a link you can click on to get there. I'm going to be adding more new things in the next few weeks so visit there often. It's getting close to time to start buying those Christmas gifts ya know. All of my jewelry comes in one of my little paper gift boxes. Ready to give. (or keep..hehe)

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

Regi

BAHAHA...ever made bra and panties for an ooaks?

Good Morning Peoples!! Well, well, well.....it seems my muse talked me into doing something I don't think I have even done before. Yeppers, she talked me into making Glenda some unmentionables...hehe!! I guess even witchie poos like to know they are dressed pretty underneath their clothing even when no one else gets to see. Of course, YOU get to see...bahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Black is definitely her color. 

She even wanted her matching black socks on. 

In showing you these you can see how I do any joints that I leave non clayed. I needed to be able to bend her elbows so that she can be holding her props. I wrapped them in thin yarn so that it gives the joints a bit more strength. 

I LOVE how her eyes POP out at you. Green is such a good eye color for that. (secretly wish I had green eyes) Is she giving her crooked smile look or grimace look or is she talking outa the side of her mouth? Hmm, talking to someone or something? We shall see......we shall see.

I'm going to work on her pantaloons and peasant top this morning and hopefully get to her skirt and under skirt this afternoon. (maybe even get to adding her dreadlocks too) More WIP images to come so plan on coming back to visit under the old Southern ooak tree, please. 

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

Regi

Happy...what day is it? HeHe

Good morning peoples!!! Happy....ummmm....Wednesday!!! I was going to say the other but it's kinda been run into the ground, yes? I hope today is one filled with joy, love, adventure and HOPE!!

I've not been able to work on the Glenda Glitch as I've been helping out at Beach Reflections this week. Do YOU know about Beach Reflections? Well, if ya don't.....then where in the world have ya been peoples? HeHe  It's a great little beach themed gift shop in Gulf Shores, AL. Recently it's become two awesome shops in one. Beach Reflections and The Blue Mermaid. Some really awesome things to be found there and if you come visit their facebook page and see something you want that has been posted but don't live close by then you can simply send them a comment and they can send ya an invoice and then as soon as it's paid your item (ya know, the one you just had to have) will be shipped that day. Yeppers....we're that fast!!! Come visit in person or through Facebook. They just got in some really cute HOPE bracelets that would make excellent Christmas gifts. Numbers 1-15 are $14.95 and #16 is $19.95.

I'm hoping to work on Glenda some this afternoon after I get off from helping out at the shop and picking up the Chazman from school. I'm sure she is tired of being nekkid...hehe!!! I have plans for a pair of black pantaloons and peasant top. Haven't decided if she's going to have on a pair of black hose or not. What do YOU think?

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

WOW.....my muse has even been a changing.....ME!!!!

Good morning peoples!! WOW....Mother Nature has been in a tezzie here lately, hasn't she? In the past month we have had TWO computer monitors zapped by one of her serious leaking sessions. (that's a thunderstorm peoples...in case ya didn't know) I have to admit that the first one was a bit of a dinosaur and we were blessed that it lasted as long as it did AND the second one was WELL found at a yard sale for $5 and ya really can't beat that. (even if it did only last about two weeks) The mister and the Chazman went out yesterday to try and find another $5 one and OMGOSH...they DID!!! This one came from the thrift store and *giggle giggle* is exactly like our old original dinosaur but HEY, it works and that makes me happy happy!! Happy that I can once again thrill ya'll with tales of my muse. Plus, I have missed YOU!!

She has been a busy lil thing too in more ways than one. (shaking head) First, the newest witch ooaks where the witch WAS going to be a sweet Glenda (like the one from the wizard of Oz) has turned into Glenda the Glitch. HEHE....that suggestion came from one of my human muses, Johanna. Thank you thank you!! I'm not going to give to much away just yet as I want to make sure you come back to read the final posting of their story. Come back everyday to keep following along with their WIP images too though, please!! I will show some WIP images now to catch you up to just where I am at the moment. (so much can happen in a week..geez)

Apparently LuLu wanted center stage for this shot. Lil Diva!! Glenda seems to be wondering why she's in the back ground herself.

Notice Glenda's hand behind her back? What's up with that??

 Candy corn, candy apple, popcorn ball, Abba-Zaba candy bar (vintage candy...ya'll are probably to young to remember it. HEY...even I'm to young to remember it. hehe) and some peanut butter taffy.

Purrrrfect goodie stash in purrrfect bucket.

 LuLu stands from the bottom of her foot to the tip of her bunny ear at 6 inches.

 

Bahaha..looks like she has her tongue stuck out in this one but it's a piece of fur from her hood. She does actually have her mouth a little open and if you look close (in person) you can see her teeth and tongue.

Now you know where little Miss LuLu got her cute bunny pj's from at Christmas time. It was her Halloween costume first. ^_^   I'm really happy with how she turned out. I must admit it was FUN making the candy and pumpkin too. I found this design looking through some links of vintage candy containers. It wasn't a trick or treaters carrier in the images but an actual candy container. I think it turned out just purrrfect for LuLu!!

Today, I'm going to be working on Glenda and even though she has (looking around) turned out to be more like the wicked witch of the west, she's still going to be dressed in style. HEY...I already had my material picked out for her costume when Ms Muse decided to change her from good to ummm not so good. Oh well, even bad girls like to look good. (no pun intended there) WIP images as she comes along in future post.

Now....as for what my title means....that my muse has even changed....ME!! Most that have been coming to visit under the old Southern ooak knows that for several years I have been just letting my hair turn it's natural grey. Most thought it was actually frosted which was a good thing for me but I KNEW it wasn't so back to the grey issues. HAHA!!  Several weeks ago I decided that I didn't want to be grey anymore (or rather my muse whispered in my ear I didn't) so I colored it. WOW...what a difference it made and WOW...what a shock looking in the mirror every morning at first forgetting that I wasn't grey. It's back to what my color was when I was younger and I do like it but "THE MUSE" thought I still needed something apparently and we went and got a haircut. WOW again.....I look like a completely different person and I must admit that I really do like it. I now match my whimsical, quirky inside self. Want to see the transformation? For once I'm glad my muse was pushy. Well...she and my friend, Ricki but she pushes in a loving way not the bossy way. ^_^

We have a new member of the family now too which is why this post has taken me about 3 hours to complete...haha....when it shouldn't have taken more than thirty minutes but ya gotta luv on them when they want it. You know how cats can be. ^_^  Yeppers, we have a new little kitten and when I say little I do mean L I T T L E. Her name is Piwacket Jinx Purrsalot. (the Chazman helped name her. Can ya tell?) She will be called Piwacket though and is already coming when she hears her name. She is a black tortoise shell and has these HUGE ears and six toes on her front feet. I have already been warned that since she does have those "thumbs" that she will be able to get into cabinets, drawers or just about anything we can get in to. What FUN!!! Thank goodness I have my big glass cabinet to keep all my ooaks in. Even I have a hard time opening that and the handles are high up on the doors. She's looking at me right now and I can just hear her thinking "Yeah. right mom, just keep on thinking that. hiss hiss hiss".

Well....the little Pi has gone to sleep so I think now's a good time to start working on my witch. I hope that ya'll will come again and soon. So happy to be back under the old Southern ooak!!

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

Ahhh....story is a changing!!!

Good Sunday morning peoples!! I hope today is filled with sunshine, cool breezes, some sand between your toes and a treasure trove of Mother Nature's bounty. That means get out and enjoy the outdoors today. Vitamin D and vitamin Sea are good for a soul.

As ya'll know I helped out at Beach Reflections yesterday and I must say...I'm so enjoying meeting all the interesting folks coming in. (waving at my new friends from Mobile) I'm going to be helping out again tomorrow too so come on in and visit and SHOP...make me look like a good luck charm peoples. ^_^

While sitting in the shop yesterday my mind kept going to my newest sculpt and I must admit that I do believe this witch is more on the dark side than just a sweet little old hag giving away candy. I don't want to give to much away at this point but let's just say.....there is a twist to this piece and I don't just mean the twisted lollipop I'm using as one of the props. Bahahahaha!!! Once I got home I did a bit of tweaking on her face. A new snarl smile, a bigger nose (all the better to smell little children with my dearie), a pointed chin and of course a mole or two that will have a few hairs that need trimming.

Now....is that a snarl or is she speaking out of the side of her mouth at someone.....or something??

I'm going to get her hands done today and hopefully start on the trick or treater this afternoon. I want to get them baked so that I can get them detailed and their costuming started. Oh what a great day it's going to be and before you say "Regi....ya need to follow your earlier advice" be assured that I will at least enjoy some vitamin D throughout the day. Ya'll know I have to get up outa dis old chair and dance every now and then. 

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

Regi

WARNING: Nekkid images..hehe

Happy Happy Saturday peoples!!! I'm very glad that you stopped by today but I do hope that you will not sit in that chair all day. It's the weekend...GET UP and do something FUN!! WAIT WAIT....not just yet. Didn't ya want to see the NEKKID images....hehehehe!!

I worked on the witchie yesterday and YES YES as much as I truly wanted to, I didn't change her face. *Looking around* I was kinda afraid what she would do to me if I did....I mean...she is a witch. BAHAHA!! I think the rest of her turned out to be the old hag person she was meant to be. The Chazman even commented "WOW Mom....great job...she even looks old and wrinkly...how'd ya do that?" I smiled (and giggled) and told him thank you and of course did NOT tell him that all I had to do was look in the mirror....perfect old model.

HAHA..told ya she had the perfect hag old person body. Although....now looking at her....those are kinda perky tata's for a woman of her age. Think she uses a spell to keep them UP? I need to learn it myself. ^_^

How bout them shoes peoples? I can not wait (ok ok yes I'll have to wait but ya know what I mean) to get them painted and detailed. HEY...even old witchie poos like to have some style.

I'm helping out at Beach Reflections today and will work on her hands tonight. I LOVE to make hands..especially old folks hands. Yes...I look at mine as a model then too..hehe  Thank goodness there is some benefit to getting old. Do you like to make hands? I did a tut a good while back if you're interested in seeing it. Just go HERE and if you have any questions.....just ask away. I'm going to leave the area in between her shoulders and hands free of any clay and just wrap it in thread. That way I can bend the arms at the elbow for any pose I need her in. (still playing with perhaps making this a dark witch in some way...just haven't fully decided or as we all know the real reason being.....my muse hasn't told me yet..hehe)

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

THE CLAY has spoken....hehe!!

Happy Friday peoples!! This has been a fast week...fast indeed. I'm happy that the weekend is almost upon us as I'm helping out at Beach Reflections tomorrow and am sooo excited to see all the changes they have made. If in the area.....YOU...should pop in to see all the new items available. Easy peasy to find, 1210 Gulf Shores Parkway....that's on Hwy 59 and the shop sits right in front of our Little Zoo that could and has MoJo's on one side and Zooland mini golf on the other. YEAH....you could just make it a day of FUN and shopping, don't forget the shopping!!

I worked on Glenda yesterday and this morning. My muse had some serious debates with me on how she was suppose to look. I at first wanted a cutie pie witch (I mean really...Glenda from the Wizard of Oz was a beauty) but it seems that my clay (and muse) had some very different ideas. I let it sit overnight so I could ponder on just what direction I wanted to go with this one and after sitting here this morning and being stared down by the piece....well....this is what I'm going with....hehe. (yeppers...the clay won out)

She may not be a pretty witch but at least she is a sweet, smiling old witch. At least for the lil trick or treater I hope she is....we will see, won't we?? She's a sweet old lady offering a HUGE lollipop, what's evil about that?

I hope that you have an awesome day and do something FUN or relaxing or creative. Just do something!!

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

Now I hope my clay and muse let me keep my idea on the bunny costume....hummmmm!!!

Happy Happy...ummm..what day is it?

Ohhhh....I'm just kidding. I know what day it is cause I marked off my calendar this morning. (scratching head hoping I haven't missed marking one off cause then I REALLY don't have a clue what day it is..hehe)
Happy Happy Wednesday peoples!!

I have been working on a few things at once to get them finished so that I can devote all my time on my newest witchie sculpt....Glenda. (plus my muse is buzzing around and about to get swatted with the fly swatter if I don't) Don't ya just hate when yours does that? OK OK humor me and say "Of course it does Regi". Thank you.

One of the things I can check off my finished project list are some macrame ooak tree medallions. I had fun making them and will probably put them in my Etsy shop here in the next few days. Perfect jewelry piece for fall, yes?

 This is one has a hemp rope necklace that measures 24 inches. The medallion itself measures 5 inches, that's from top of medallion down to roots hanging down. Wooden beads along with bone beads are on the hemp rope with tiny bronze beads and caps (to look like acorns) are on the medallion.The next image is just so you can see the tree a bit better.

This one is on a hemp rope that measures 24 inches as well with the medallion being 5 inches from top to roots. The hemp rope has wooden beads and two large Tibetan beads. The medallion has wooden beads.

 This one has a hemp rope that measures at 18 1/2 inches with the medallion being 4 inches from top to roots. The hemp rope on this one has bone beads, wooden beads and Tibetan spacer beads. On the medallion there are bone beads and wooden beads.

This one has hemp rope measuring at 24 inches and the medallion is 4 inches from top to roots. The hemp rope has bone beads, wooden beads along with Tibetan spacers. On the roots are two bone beads and a tree of life charm. 

Now my second project that I can mark off my list is my ooaks "Godfrey the cat guardian". I think he and his little charges turned out just purrrrfect. Don't you? ^_^   I will do a separate post about him in a few days that will tell his story. I love writing my little ooaks stories. 

Now, I can get started on the newest witchie and make this muse shhhhhhush for awhile...hehe or should that be Bahahaha? I hope that you will come back to visit and follow along with this one as I'm working on it. Ya know I luv when ya visit!!!

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

Regi