What do you see when you look at certain objects??

Happy Wednesday morning peoples!! Ya know what Wednesdays mean.....it's getting closer to those three nights and two days that we all seem to love so much. The weekend!! I'm hoping that ours will include a beach walk cause heaven knows, I NEED more shells....hehehe!!

I finished the tree topper yesterday and Robin loves it. I love making special pieces and then having them loved as much as I loved making it. That's a lot of LOVE peoples!!

Pretty, yes? I really enjoyed making this piece. I had originally planned on using 4 of my oyster shell angels but it would have been to wide at the bottom to be a topper and also probably to heavy. Don't want a leaning tree that could topple over, now do we? I ended up using three angels and instead of the cockle shells I use on my single hanging angel I chose to use scallop shells. Turned sideways they do look so much like a pretty wing. I'm thinking of making a few of the hanging ones with both types of wings and even sculpting a few of the faces instead of using the moon shell. Still in the muse whispering stage at the moment though. ^_^

As I stated yesterday in my post, that I was going to work on the two projects, I actually got both completed. I think Santa turned out rather...........beachy.....hehe!! I love using items I find on my beach walkabouts. Every shell on these were found on walks taken in Gulf Shores. The moss is from a walk in the woods (in Wetumpka) from a long time ago that I dried out myself. So...all are gifts from Mother Nature, that were just laying around, waiting for someone to see what more they could be.

What do YOU see when you look at certain objects? I've always been one to see "hidden" objects in just about anything. A wooden floor, a rug, paint swirls on walls, clouds overhead and even shells. Santa just JUMPED out at me with these two. I must confess that I have more shells that have Santa peeking out of them as well.

Here's some I'm going to be working on today. Notice that some have additional oysters started on them? What do you see? I see some sweet kiddo faces or perhaps an elf. Who knows just WHO will pop out once I start with the clay.

Until next time..........LOOK,
Regi ^_^

Shells Shells SHELLS!!!

WOW....I didn't realize I had so many shells. Shells here....shells there....shells everywhere!! Shells, shells, SHELLS. Want to know something though? I NEED even more shells...hehe  ^_^

My muse is just a singing about all the things we can do with some of these shells. I've posted some "How To" projects in the past three days using shells and I hope you have taken a seat under the old Southern ooaks tree and read through them. I like sharing ideas and how to's with YOU.

I was contacted by one of my sweet followers and friends after she saw the projects and she wants me to do an oyster angel tree topper for her. I love when that happens. One post leads to getting a commission......to getting paid....for doing something I love to do. Thank you sweet Robin!!! I immediately started digging through my shells to find just the perfect ones for this piece. I'll post pics once it's completed. I'll give a hint though, it's not just one angel!!

Now most that know me already know that I'm one that can "see" things in different objects. My mind has always been somewhat ummm overactive we'll say and has only gotten more so the older I've gotten. While I was looking for the right oyster shells for Robin's angels, some of the shells just looked like they needed a Santa face on them. Yeppers, the jolly ole elf himself on an oyster shell. Yes, I know...overactive imagination. I couldn't sleep last night so I started to work on two of them. Here's a WIP (work in progress) of them so far.

I don't normally work on more than one project at a time but today well I do believe I'm going to be doing just that. Come back tomorrow to see what progress I've made. Love when YOU visit!!!

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

Yes Yes...I'm still working on my ornies. I just can't STOPPPP!!!

No time for many words today...I'm working working working...hehehe  Hope you're having a great afternoon. Thank you for stopping by...I so LOVE my friends coming to sit under the old ooaks tree.

Now....some pics to share and then back to work!! (my muse is such a slave driver these days....geez)

Quick...while the slave driver isn't looking...hehe...if you see any here you would like to have, they are for sale. One reason I'm so busy busy busy...I have some orders..YEAH!!! They are either $4 or $5 each (depending on some of the items used with them) I ship Priority mail (small box $5.80) so that there is a tracking number and insurance provided. Several will fit in a box!! OK slave drivers back...have a good one.

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

WARNING: Glue gun glue is HOT HOT HOT!!

YOWIE.....glue gun glue lives up to it's name...HOT HOT HOT!!! I think I get more on me than I do the project I'm working on. HEHE and OUCH!!

I worked on cutting out the rest of my vintage Christmas images (yes I found some more I had been hording hiding) yesterday and started putting some together. These are the simplest ornies to make and look so cute hanging on a tree or wreath or swag or whatever. If the Chazman would stand still long enough I might would even hang one off his ears!!

A few I made as pairs...I mean you can't have a snowball fight with just one and some snow people (that's the political way to way snowmen cause all aren't MEN..hehe) just look even better with Santa hanging with em.

Aren't these two just adorable? They are both armed with a big snowball (glass bead) and ready for the next round. I love how the little girl one is eyeing her opponent and he just has no clue that she has her snowball ready to fly!!

Let's all sing along with this one...."There she is.....Miss Snow person queen". ^_^  OK yes, I've probably had my quota of coffee for the week day. I just loved the snow woman wearing the pretty Christmas tree as a crown and thought of a story of she and Santa delivering gifts and trees to all the animals in the forest. Yes, yes...I know you are thinking "Hey Regi...there are already trees in a forest". I mean decorated ones. ^_^

Now every tree, wreath, or swag (giving you ideas of where you could use these sweet vintage ornies) needs an angel or two. I so wish that glitter would show up better in photos. Pooh and bother!!!! Both angels wings glitter so lovely in the light.....they really do!!

Now this Santa didn't want a partner...he felt he could stand alone all on his own. For some reason the song "I'm to sexy for my" just popped into my head. Yes yes wayyyy to much coffee!! For this Santa I made a felt hood and small felt cap. The wagon is one of my vintage images and it too has red and green glitter that isn't showing up in the photo very well but it's there. Honest!!

Now...I'm off to make some more. I'm addicted to making these and now I so remember why I haven't made any in such a long time. It's because once I get started I don't want to STOP!!! I could also make some for Easter.....St Patty's Day....Valentine's and ohhhh so many holidays more!! Muahahahaha!!!

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

Santa just LOVES those candy canes!!!

It's November and Santa loves this time of year. It's the time that he gets to take out of his busy schedule to go and let the children meet him and whisper to him what they so most want for Christmas. Nothing delights the jolly old elf as much as seeing the brightness in their eyes and catching the contagion of their giggles.  For years he has given each child a small gift after they have given him either their one wish for that truck or doll or have unfolded that almost never ending list of toys. HOHOHO  That gift is a specially large size candy cane that the elves themselves make at the North Pole. They are simply magical and none other taste as good.

This year Santa had a small mishap with one very giggly little girl and one big old sticky candy cane. Little Khloe was SO excited that she was going to meet Santa this year and get to tell him that she wanted a big cuddly teddy bear. That's all she wanted....just that bear....she could call all her own. Khloe already had a big soft bunny and a bright yellow tiger and she needed Mr Bear to complete her tea party group. I mean, what's a tea party without Mr Bear, ri iight?? Khloe giggled the entire time she whispered to Santa and squealed with outright delight when Santa said he felt sure "if she had been a good girl all year" that a teddy would be under her tree on Christmas morn. As Santa handed Khloe her candy cane, she took a lick and then stuck it up to Santa's face so he could get one too. Unfortunately, Santa was already starting to stand and nodding down at her and instead of getting a lick, his beard got it. Now you would think there would have been a moment of silence but like I said before.....giggles are contagious and everyone started to laugh.

Santa and Khloe are part of my 2013 Santa ooaks series. Santa has a strong wire armature that has been wrapped in wool white yarn. What I call his underclothing. His face, hands and feet were hand sculpted using clay without the use of any molds. He is detailed in acrylic paints and his eyes are bone beads that have been hand painted using acrylic and fine MICA powders. His beard and hair were made out of sheared lambswool. His suit was sewn using vintage fabrics and the trim used was made from faux fur. His boots were hand sewn using felt. Santa even has a gold wedding band on. Mrs. Claus would expect no less!!!

Khloe has a strong wire armature that has been wrapped in green hued wool yarn. Her face, hands and feet/shoes were hand sculpted from clay without the use of any molds. She was detailed using acrylic paints and her eyes are also bone beads hand painted using acrylic and fine MICA powders. Her dress was sewn from a pretty vintage embroidered napkin. I so love being able to repurpose items. Her hair was made out of sheared llama hair. Her candy cane was sculpted from clay and detailed using acrylic paints.

Santa and Khloe are sitting in a twig chair that has a heart back pillow and seat pillow that were hand sewn. The chair is sitting on a rug made from a piece of upholstery fabric. Again, I so love to repurpose items. ^_^
Both are permanently attached to a small wooden base that has this piece sitting at 13 inches. Santa and Khloe are permanently attached to the chair and to each other. We don't want a toddler jumping down and running off now do we....NO...I think not!!

Now if you have been following along with the designing of this piece then I bet you are wondering if I  have totally lost it OR did you even notice something changed?  HAHA...you didn't even notice. OK ok Johanna, I'm sure YOU did. ^_^  The lil girl's name was Sarah J but her name has been changed to protect..oh wait...that would be for another tale (tall tale...hehe) her name was changed to Khloe because one of my dear, sweet friends and collectors fell in love with her the moment she saw her. The reason was because she reminded her of her sweet, darlin great granddaughter...who's name is....YES....Khloe!!! Since she wanted to adopt this piece then I felt that I really should change the name. I want my collectors HAPPY HAPPY!!
My muse has already been whispering of another ooaks that lil Sarah J will definitely be a part of in the future.

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

Psssttt....one of Mrs. Claus recipes for using some of the candy canes that are left!! So so good!!

No Bake Candy Cane Cheesecake Bites

Ingredients:
1 pint chilled heavy cream
3 (4 oz each) packages of cream cheese softened to room temp
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup crushed candy cane

Directions:
*Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
*Pour heavy cream into a bowl and with the whisk attachment whip cream until soft peaks form. Gently transfer whipped cream to a separate bowl and set aside.
*Using the original mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla and with the paddle attachment gently beat until fluffy. Using spatula fold whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture.
*Divide mixture among the muffin tins and smooth down with back of a spoon. Sprinkle the candy canes on top and gently press down into batter.
*Place in freezer for 6-8 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, tap tin on countertop to release bites. Transfer each one to a small foil mini cupcake holder.

*Makes 24 (betcha can't eat just one...hehe)

Santa looks like a biker dude!!!

WOW...another chilly morning here on the suppose to be warm southern coast.  I'm not complaining AT ALL about it either. I do love chilly weather....in small doses. hehe

I have been waking up rather early in the mornings and this morning was no exception. The house was quiet and that's a great time to work on my projects. Ya know right now it's Santa. Yesterday I put part of his coat together, got the pearl buttons sewn on and trimmed around the bottom in fur (faux fur)  This morning I cut out his hat, sewed it up and trimmed it in fur. After I took a WIP photo for my post I thought to myself, "Santa looks kinda like a biker dude".  LOL  Hmmmm....that might be a future ooaks!!

I plan on getting  him completed this morning. Since the Mister is at work now and the Chazman has been taken to school...the house is again....quiet!! Well, as quiet as it can be with my two furbabies sitting here either snoring or dreaming of a caught mouse and licking their lips...ROFL  I was actually able to get a good one of Boo this morning. She normally turns away from me or hides when she sees the camera but not this morning. Gotcha ya!!!  Well not ya as in you but ya as in her. Ohhh ya'll know what I meant!!

Her fur is soooo black that it's hard to see her. Sooo black in some areas that it actually looks red. She is a love though and I'm so happy that she and her companion Callie adopted us.

Now....time for more coffee and work, work, work. I hope that your day will be a great one. Do something FUN today!!

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

WOW..where did my beach weather go???

It's a Saturday. The sun is out. A slight breeze is blowing the leaves on the trees I can see outside my window. The girls were laying on a cabinet watching a squirrel dart up and down one of those trees and let me know they wanted to go outside. .I open the back door......WHAT??  They take one step outside and then dart back in. Good Golly Miss Molly....it's 47 degrees outside!!! If two females with beautiful fur coats can't deal with it then I guess it means I will be wearing my flip flops with socks today. HEHE

I do love the brisk weather, when we do actually have some, and I'm going to fully enjoy it this morning. The house is quiet as the Mister and the Chazman are both snuggled under their covers like we live in the Arctic or sumthin...so that gives me some ME time. I'm going to use it to work on my current Santa piece. Here's what I have so far.

Their bodies are wrapped. Their faces are detailed and I even have lil Miss Sarah's dress completed. Well...it's not in this photo but it actually is now..hehe   I'm working on her pantaloons and then all I have to do is attach her hair. I made my little wisp last night so that they would have time to dry. What are little wisp, you ask? That's the sections of hair you make to apply to your sculpt. Makes it soooo much easier than trying to apply a bunch at a time. I found a really great tutorial over at Doll Makers Dream if YOU want to learn how. Matter of fact...she offers several free tutorials on doll making. Thank you Amanda!!

Thank you for coming to sit with me for a bit. I hope if you are new you will wander around and visit some of my other posts. I promise to be entertaining!! For my old friends (NOT that I am calling you old but that you have been visiting for awhile) thank you so much for stopping by. I so love visitors!!  Now, it's back to working or playing or OHHHH it's so nice to work at something that feels like playing. ^_^

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

WIP on Santa and his sticky beard!!

Good Morning!!! It's FRIDAY!!! WOOT WOOT!!!! I love the weekends and this is a long one for the Chazman. No school on Monday, it's Veteran's Day!! Remember to say "THANK YOU" to all those that have served in the Armed Forces.

I worked on Santa and the little stinker with the candy cane (hehe) and got quite far along with them yesterday. Wire armatures were made and then each one was wrapped up like a mummy. ^_^   I did have to take some time to redo lil stinkers left hand. Why you ask? Well....it's because I made two left hands. I could have possibly understood two left feet  but two left hands. Geez!! I can't believe I didn't notice it before I baked the pieces. Oh well, I got another one made and the extra left hand will go into the body parts box. Yes, yes...stop laughing, it's not the first time I  have done this. ^_^

I even got the pillow made for the chair Santa will be sitting in. I'm using a twig chair. I just love that kind of furniture. I would love some that WE could sit in to be honest. I love it that much!!

Now...off to work on these two some more. I'm sure Santa is sooooo excited about having a candy cane stuck in his beard...hehe

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

Teaser Post: Santa and his sticky beard!!

Good Thursday Morning!!! (it IS Thursday, ri iight?) Oh I know it is because I marked off my calendar this morning. That's the only way I truly do know what day it is. There have been a few times that me marking it off got me into trouble because....well...someone else had marked it thinking they were doing me a favor. Kinda like the Mister does from time to time and now that I think about it I bet he does it to be funny. HA!!

As you read yesterday, Santa and the ceramic sleigh are all finished which means I was able to start on the next Santa piece. Santa and his sticky beard!! Why does Santa have a sticky beard? Well...make sure you come back to visit and I will tell ya then. ^_^

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

Regi


Let's see who reads my post or at least looks at the pretty pictures...hehe!!  The 10th person to make a comment on this post will receive one of my turtle necklaces.

You don't have to jump through any hoops....just make a comment to let me know that you came to visit. Make sure you leave an email addy so that I can get in touch with you to get your snail mail. Just my way of saying "Thank YOU" for making my day a better one by taking the time to drop by and letting me know you did ^_^

Santa and the Vintage Ceramic Sleigh

Santa is getting on up in years or should I say centuries....many many centuries. His cape and hood keep him warm as he delivers the gifts on Christmas Eve in his old vintage sleigh.. Mrs. Claus, however, wants to make sure he stays TOASTY warm on that cold wintery night.  A deep rich burgundy lap throw she made just for him, hand stitched with one of her bright primitive snowflakes with magical ice crystals attached that will reflect the Northern lights in the sky as Santa flies by. Santa is so pleased with his own special gift that he waves as he begins his journey to deliver all the presents to the good boys and girls on this Christmas Eve night.

This one of a kind sculpt (ooaks) is hand sculpted without the use of any molds. He has been detailed using acrylic paints, lambswool (sheared) for his hair and beard and vintage fabrics for his cape/hood. He has a strong wire armature underneath a fully wrapped yarn body or underclothing as I call it. ^_^  The sleigh he is riding in is truly a vintage ceramic piece. The lap throw is crushed velvet with a satin backing. The snowflake is one of my primitive embroidered designs. Small prism crystals are attached to each point of the snowflake. His bag is made from the same crush velvet and holds a sweet little rabbit, a big book, a wooden ladder truck, a gift bag filled with tiny goodies, a flocked teddy bear a tiny wrapped gift box and a soccer ball. (I think he has both boys and girls covered, eh?)  He sits right at 9 inches. (the highest point being his fingertips on his waving hand) Santa and his bag are permanently attached to the sleigh.

I so enjoy designing and making my whimsical characters and I think Santa is my favorite. If you have been following along on my other WIP (work in progress) post of this piece then I'm fairly sure you are wondering why I made the sweater, pants and boots for him when no one will ever see them. Well...if they come here they can see them.....in the photos.  I make my characters fully clothed no matter if they will be seen or not because I know they are dressed. Silly I know but that's just me!!!

If you are interested in this piece please leave a comment with your email addy and I will contact you. The price for this piece is $75.oo plus travel fare. (that's shipping..hehe)  Thank you for following along with me and all my whimsical designing.

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

"Coz every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man."

Good Morning!!! Nothing better than starting your day off with a catchy tune, ri iight?? I just LOVE, love the group ZZ Top and their song  "Sharp Dressed Man" just seemed to fit Santa to a tee.

I worked on Santa's cape and hood most of yesterday. I think making this part of the costume is my favorite thing to do because it is a pattern that my mom and I designed some 25+ years ago together. It almost feels as though she is with me during this part. Oh Oh OHHHH...I was able to get my sewing machine to working which made making the cape so much easier and faster. I think I must have a group of pixies in the studio. I mean they could have let me get the machine running when I was making the fabric Tooth Faerie assistants, eh? Now that I have completely gone off on another subject, what were we talking about? Oh yes...the cape!!

I know I said in an earlier post that I was going to use fur on his cape but while hunting for the right color thread (ya know ya just have to have the right one...so it hides those seams..hehe) I found this AWEsome piece of trim. I was so excited...it matched perfectly...so I used it!!

After I finished with the cape part it was time to give Santa his signature head of hair and beard. This part I always get the giggles doing because....well....let's just say that I probably get more hair on my fingers than I do on Santa. HAHAHA or should I say HOHOHO!!!  I shake my hands trying to get the hair free and discovered that I soooo shouldn't do that because Boo thought I was wanting to play and she pounced on me. Yes, yes...I had to take a timeout and play with her so she would let me get back to work. Silly cat!!

Sorry about the quality pic.....tt was dark thirty at the time..hehe

While his hair and beard were drying (and I was trying to get all the glue and hair off of me) I worked on the hood part of his cape. I added the same trim around it and it really makes this probably one of my favorite capes ever. Momma would love it too!!!

Now that Santa is all ready to go, I have to work on his lap blanket and his toy bag today. I'm hoping to get those finished this morning so that I can start on another Santa ooaks. My muse has been whispering about either Santa with a child in his lap pulling his beard or one that has gotten his candy cane stuck in his beard.

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


Pssst....make sure you click on the link above (Sharp Dressed Man) because it will take you to one ROCKING station you can enjoy on here for free!!