Egg changed....so did dragon

I have been frantically working on the Chazman's gift today.  As you know from yesterday's post my muse decided to posses one of my kitties and broke the original egg I had made. That turned out alright because I really like the new egg much better. In fact, looking at the new egg I decided that it needed a new dragon hatchling to go with it.

He's in the oven curing now and I just have to hope that the Chaz will sleep in late tomorrow so that I can get him painted. Today is their last day until after the New Year. Keep those fingers crossed for me ppplease!!!

I hope that everyone is having an awesome day. Mine for some reason is filled with leaky eyes. Thank goodness these days are few and far between. My Happy Happy nature has a hard time handling them.

Until next time.....Hugs,
Regi

Gosh Darn CAT!!!!!!

My two old girls, Boo and Callie, are normally very laid back and never bother anything in the house. UNTIL this morning. This morning was the Chazman's Christmas program at school and I left Boo sleeping peacefully on the top of the piesafe in the back room. (where my art studio area is) Miss Callie went outside to enjoy the sunshine when I went to leave. I didn't have a care in the world and so enjoyed the program and getting to sit with Chaz during all the other classes doing their parts. I left the program with a smile, a big hug and thank you from my young man and I sang Christmas carols all the way home....so Happy Happy!!
UNTIL I walked in the house and went to the back to find Boo sitting on my desk and batting the egg part of the piece off the desk, sending it crashing to the floor and into a gazillion pieces. I could not believe what I just witnessed. My Boo wouldn't do that....she must have been possessed. Yes yes..that's what it must have been and that's what I thought. UNTIL.....she jumped off the desk and started batting all the pieces all over the place. It seems she made herself a playtoy and it seems she got herself booted (gently) out the back door.

I only have today and tomorrow to get this piece completely finished. Remember, it's a Christmas gift to the Chazman from me and I do NOT want him to know about it. I was so upset and frustrated until all of a sudden a thought popped into my head. Perhaps that wasn't the right egg to go with this piece, so my muse in all of her infinite wisdom possessed Boo so that I would have to make another one. Yes, yes that was it and so I designed a different egg.

This is the egg right before I put it in to cure. The lil dragon fits perfectly inside and I really like this one much, MUCH better. I guess the saying is true "Everything happens for a reason" but my muse and I are going to have to sit down and have a longgggg talk about my cats.

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

Dragon Hatchling

Happy Tuesday!! It is Tuesday, ri iight? I get so confuzzled sometimes..hehe  Today I'm working on the Chazman's gift from me. Last year he got a sea dragon and this year he is getting a dragon hatchling. This kiddo loves anything dragon. Hmmmmmm, just wander where he got that from? I already gave him one of his gifts and that was the money to get a book about dragons from their school book fair. He doesn't know anything about this gift. Yes...yes, I'm sneaky crafty like that. Here are some WIP photos for ya to see. I have the piece curing at the moment and hope to be painting it by this afternoon. I only have today through Thursday to get him finished because the Chazman will be home for the Christmas break after that. Sooooo, enjoy the photos and I'll see ya tomorrow!! (with hopefully a painted dragon)

Oh yes....Ms Boo supervised with this one. She normally lays on top of the pie safe soaking up the sun and looking down but today she wanted to be right there. Silly kitty!!! Her winter coat is in and just look at all the pretty red in her black fur. Pretty kitty!!!

Until next time.....Hugs,
Regi

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

Do you remember visiting Santa? Loveman's in Normandale, oh yeah!!

WELL...... it seems that the Mister must have dreamt that he was a mummy last night. I came to that conclusion due to the fact that  I awoke this morning with no covers and icicles hanging from my ears. Ok ok perhaps there were no icicles but it was purty dang COLD and I didn't have any covers. The Mister had
totally and completely wrapped himself up in them...like a mummy!!  I so hope that YOU don't sleep with a
mummy too....so so hope!!

I'm sitting here drinking my THIRD cup of coffee and not sure if I'm doing it because I love coffee that much or if I'm just wanting to hold the mug to warm my fingers up so that I can work on Santa some more...hehe
So far....Santa has pants!! YEAH...that's a good thing because it's to cold to be running around NEKKID!! He also has his boots on which is another good thing....keeps those tootsies warm. (HEHE...I actually have on TWO pair of socks. Do you know how hard it is to put flip flops on with TWO pair of socks?) I'm working on the trim to go around the top part of his boots. I'm using thin white cording and doing a twisted square knot. I think it looks really good...adds some "UMPH" to his boots.

I think Santa was trying to blow his breath on his hands to warm them up.

I'm hoping once my hands thaw out..HAHAHA ummm I mean HOHOHO...that I'm going to get this guy finished. I already have his coat and hat cut out. I just need to get them sewn up and on him. I haven't done a traditional dressed Santa in quite some time. Do you remember going to see Santa...sitting on his lap and whispering to him what you really wanted for Christmas? Yes..I whispered...I was soo shy!!  Loveman's department store in the Normandale shopping center was were the REAL Santa always came and I have some very fond memories and a few not so fond. Like the year one of my sisters SCREAMED the whole time she was sitting with him and the elf taking the photo just said "SMILE".  Yeppers, she took that photo with my face being very "What can I do" and my sister balling her little eyes out. Like I said....memories and why this Santa will be in his red fur lined outfit.

The REAL Santa at Loveman's in the Normandale Shopping Center.

I wanted to ask a question. When do YOU decorate for Christmas? I have always, always done ours the weekend after Thanksgiving. It's become a tradition but I have to say that after yesterday I'm having a very hard time fighting the urge to start decorating NOW!!!! It makes it even harder when the Chazman is begging me to do it now too. The reason is not that I'm working on a Santa...if it was then my house would stay decorated all year long...hehe!! It's because our sweet and loving friend, Janine, brought us some goodies yesterday. Thank you thank you Moma J (that's what the Chazman calls her...she is such an awesome adopted Grandmother) 

Can ya believe all the goodies? Chaz is really excited about the 4ft tall Santa. He isn't up to his full height sitting in the box...hehe  This Santa sings songs and dances and you can even hook him up to your radio and he will sing with that. AWWWESOME!!! There are two trees...one is 4ft and going to be sitting in Regi's B&B (the front sunroom) and the 5ft one that has fiber optics and turns is going in the Chazman's room. There are gumdrop lights (what Chaz calls color lights because when you look at them and squint they look like "Gumdrops") there are some vintage peppermint candy light covers, some cranberry/gingerbread men/peppermint garland and many more. I will show you more when I do decorate which might be soon. No, I will wait....umm....maybe. ^_^ 

 Now...I have a question, do you see the orb by the dresser? I took about three photos of this same shot and this is the only one it appears in. I have two friends that are "sensitive" to spirits and have made the comment that we have a few that like being here with us. I think one wanted to check out the decorations too, eh?  Ohhh and the fuzzy little thing in the bottom left corner, that's not a spirit...that's Callie. She loves having her picture made....such a ham. Boo doesn't like it so much!!

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 ^_^

"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!!

Santa? Where's your pants? hehehe

Happy Happy Monday morning!!! It's the beginning of a glorious new week and one that I hope for you is filled with many amazing adventures. Get that coffee going and get YOUR day started!!

Well well well...it seems that Santa can't locate his pants...hehehe. Thank goodness he does have his underclothes on. Silly Santa!!

It was a rather lazy day for the family yesterday (the Mister and the Chazman never got out of their pjs...that kinda day) so I worked on Santa all day. I just love how his sweater turned out and his pants and his boots. OK OK I love all of his outfit.  ^_^

I really like making the felt boots and so wish I could make me a pair to wear. They look so comfy!! I may just have to try it one day, eh? They really aren't hard to make....here...let me show you

The first thing I do is place Santa's foot on a piece of cardstock and trace around it...trying to keep the lines neat. Why neat? Because this is your pattern to cut the sole out and the piece that will give the bottom more support. Next I take the felt (usually about 4 inches long and perhaps 4 inches across. Don't ya just luv how I measure things..hehe) and place it on top of the foot and up the leg to where I want the boot top to be. Clip it at the top to mark it and then clip it on the sides. You want to make sure that you leave enough room that the toe part comes over the entire toe area and that you have the sides down to touch the bottom of the foot.

 Like this!!

You will want to round out the toe area...it makes it easier to work with. (or not...whichever is easiest for you to work with)  Place the tongue on the top of the foot and fold the toe area down and stitch it on either side then place the sole on the foot (be careful..sometimes Santa is ticklish..hehe) with the cardstock in between the sole and foot. You can also use glue instead of sewing but I'm REALLY messy with glue. REALLY!!! Start doing a blanket stitch from about where the ankle would be all around to the other side. 

For the top wrap section I normally use about a 7 inch piece of felt and wrap that around the leg. You do NOT want to wrap it tight..it needs to be loose. Once you get the size you need make sure you leave about an inch so that you can cut your angles on the sides. The reason for the angles is that once you put it on the foot over the tongue felt it will angle itself. Turn the wrap inside out and stitch up the back seam. Turn it right side out and place over the sole and tongue pieces. Let the front angle like a real leather boot does and then starting at the back seam do a blanket stitch all the way around. For the angled part in the front I normally put a few hidden stitches in to hold it in place. That's the one great thing about working with felt and the same color thread..it goes invisible!! Now you have a pair of boots. I know....you're thinking "Hey Regi...there is still a piece missing from the pattern photo" and you would be right. The boots will look good just like they are but I like to add a braided piece all around the seam areas. It just gives them more style!!

Now...on to making his cape and hood and hopefully his sleigh blanket. I hope that YOU have some wonderful projects planned for today. I would love to know all about them. Share a link in the comment section so we can come and visit you right back. 

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

Regi

WIP photos on the latest Santa ooaks!!

Santa is a Happy man!! He is getting his clothes today or at least a shirt and some pants. Good timing to because it was a chilly 48 this morning and it's still only 55 now. HEY...don't laugh...that's cold here in my world. I mean I do live in a Southern coastal town. ^_^

I love going through my fabrics and finding just the right Santa ones. I really need to go through my stash and pull out all the vintage ones just for him. A sweet friend gave me a just perfect for that chest of drawers. I know.....I have some amazing friends. She even put some fabric in the drawers for me. Now, let's talk about the pile in the photo, shall we???  The top one is going to be his pull over sweater. I know that once he is completely dressed you will only be able to see a small portion of it and I guess because of that I could just make a dickey BUT I like him to be "dressed". That's just how I roll though....I'm quirky like that!! The next is a  beautiful faux burgundy velvet and that's going to be his pants, britches, pantaloons..hehe. The next one is going to be his coat and hood. The faux fur I will use to trim his hood. Can ya see the little yoyos poking out next? I'm going to sew them on top of the burgundy crushed velvet to make a lap blanket. I will probably use that to make his toy bag too. I forgot to post the fabric for his boots. It will be felt of course. I love making Santa's boots!!

Now...I need to get busy. I think Santa is shivering...HAHA!! Have an awesome Sunday and thank you for stopping by for a visit.

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

Dragon is complete...YEA!!

I finally finished the last Tooth Faerie assistant.....the dragon!! I still have to make their little tooth pouches and hopefully will get those completed tomorrow afternoon.

While I was working on the dragon and waiting for the paint to dry in between applications I was able to work on the newest Santa ooaks.

Santa is clapping because he's just so happy that he has at least part of his underclothing on...hehe!! I hope to get the legs done tonight or in the morning.

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

Happy Happy Monday!!!

Happy Happy Monday ya'll. Yes yes, I know that most don't like Mondays but if we didn't have them then it would just be Tuesdays that got a bad wrap..hehe...so enjoy your Monday!!

I'm going to be TRYING to finish up the Tooth Faerie Assistants today but ya'll know how my muse gets tired of working on one thing to much and flutters over to another. I will try and contain her for as long as I can so (fingers crossed) I can at least get them all painted. I did get the rabbit, cat and monkey painted. I know that I said in an earlier post that I was going to make a dress for the rabbit but the Chazman said something that got me to thinking. He doesn't know these are Christmas gifts FROM Santa (he still BELIEVES) but he thinks they are just gifts I'm making for our sweet friend Sue to give out. He said what if Sue gives the rabbit to a little boy instead of a girl? Then he added "Mom....I wouldn't mind the rabbit but not one in a dress". Good point, eh? SO I decided that they would all go all natural. HEHE  I'm also thinking of painting a heart on each one and drawing little faerie wings on that...as their emblem. HEY, they are proud to be Tooth Faerie Assistants.

Now after they are all painted I still have to make their pouches. The ones that will hold the tooth for the Tooth Faerie to find a lot more easily and not get squished in the process of doing so. I'm thinking of a banana for monkey, carrot for rabbit, mouse for cat, lily pad for frog and I'm in a bit of a quandary about the one for the dragon. Any suggestions??? AND before anyone suggests this one...this dragon does NOT eat faeries. ^_^

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

Can ya see me now? (Santa thinks he is hiding..hehe)

Yesterday was a quiet day around the house. I know....I know, for a Saturday that's VERY unusual. The Chazman woke up not feeling well at all so we stayed in. Must have been a small tummy bug because this morning he says he is feeling "FINE". (have to say that in a very heavy Southern drawl and in a baby voice because he still has one)

I always hate when my lil man gets sick but it gave me some quiet time in my studio without the weekend guilt that can go with it sometimes. A few projects actually got worked on...YEAH!! I'm going to make some of the old fashioned chenille bump ornaments and yesterday I was able to cut out ALLLLL the little faces. So many many faces....there were Santa faces, angel faces, snowman faces, a little girl elf face and a sweet vintage couple that I'm going to make "Our First Christmas Together" ornament with.

The little tin is stuffed full of faces. I have been searching and gathering vintage images for awhile now and decided it was time to cut them out. Talk about time consuming...WHEW!! There are some great free sites to find these, like....Hubpages, Vintage Holiday crafts, and my favorite place to hunt for vintage images is The Graphic Fairy. Just remember when finding an image you like and want to use that you read the terms of use and make sure it's alright. Normally it is but just make sure!! ^_^ (I mean, it's the polite thing to do ya'll)

After I finished cutting and cutting and cutting AND CUTTING the faces out, I had time to work on my newest Santa piece. Santa is looking pretty spiffy so far and extremely weird. Yes, I said WEIRD. They always do at this stage.

See I told ya...hehe!!  Santa thought he was being cute and hiding amongst my craft tools but I caught him. It does look creepy though. I mean it looks like his head, hands and feet are just there without a body. YIKES!!

Santa finally came out and decided I could get a pic of him so you could see that he has a strong wire armature. Ohhh, look..he is even doing a dance for you. Walk like an Egyptian (oh-way-oh)  I'm hoping to get his yarn underclothes done today. Fingers crossed. As you can see his hands are completed and I even made him a pretty handsome wedding band.

His face is painted but I still have a few small details to do. Hmmmm, I wonder how long it's been since Mrs. Claus has seen Santa without his beard?

I also was able to paint on the vintage ceramic sleigh yesterday too. I'm not finished with it but it's looking so much better than it did.

 Before

Almost after..hehe

I hope that YOU have a great Sunday. Thank you for stopping by for a visit...come back again and soon!!!

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

Regi

Santa's strong hands!!

Good Morning ya'll....so happy you stopped in for a visit. Yesterday I told ya'll that I had started squishing the clay and it is continuing on through today. (if ya ever get really frustrated, just pick up some clay and squish it...it will do ya some good) ^_^

I'm working on Santa's hands today. I love sculpting hands and actually have the perfect pattern to follow when making Santa's or any of my old folk hands. MINE...hehe!!! If you aren't at that stage in life yet then find a good close up photo to follow...it so helps!! As you can see in the first photo, I do all the upfront work at the same time. Make the palms/wrist section, roll out the clay that will be the fingers then cut the fingers so that they will be the same size on each hand. Have my padding ball ready to go. That's what I use to give a bit more strength to the fingers and to add some bulk if needed. Next is the clear transparent clay to make the fingernails. Then I start working. Sometimes I do each finger on each hand one after the other. Then like I did with this set...I finished one of them before the other. It's important to know how your sculpt is going to be positioned too...before starting the hands. This one is going to be waving (with the left) and will have the right one laying in his lap or on the winter lap blanket. (ya know, the one I talked about yesterday that I still haven't decided if I'm going to do...decisions decisions)

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