And then there were................

Here are two more little Dotee Doll I made as gifts -- better late than never :-) They will hang out on our tree until the post office opens tomorrow morning.These little gals are now safely in their new homes. The one on the left is in NC and the one on the right in MA.

Family Fun at Christmas

Please note, the links below are audio only (no video) so have your sound turned on.
I just figured out tonight how to add music to the blog -- so even though Christmas is over for this year, here are a couple pieces you may enjoy. Daughter, grandsons, nieces, nephews, great-nephew -- may be missing a few -- got together in our living room right after Thanksgiving -- no rehearsals, just enjoying a musical afternoon together.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The family singers and musicians range from age 5 years to 72 years. What a joy to spend this time with the family. In this piece, you will hear grandson Colin play the zither for the very first time.

Silent Night

Gift Dotees ~~

Here are 3 more Dotee's -- these are little "I'm thinking of you" gifts.

The above little Dotee Doll has arrived at her new home and has been christened Beaujolais -- what a fitting name for a little doll with grape design body, beaded grapes and leaves for hair -- and for a "dangle" what else?? A corkscrew of course. I know she will love living in Southern California.
This little Dotee Doll is now happily living in a new home. She is as yet unnamed -- but looks like she was lovingly received.

Check out The Lone Beader's work.....

Talented American bead artist, "The Lone Beader" -- has her work "History Repeated" in competition for a place in the Saatchi Gallery in London. Below is a link you can click on the see this work and also vote. I wish you luck, Lone Beader, it would be wonderful to see your beaded work in this
prestigious gallery.

Click here to view and vote

Ice and Birthday

Do you think Geoffrey was pleased with his gift?? Isn't that just the cutest photo? Of course I am his Gram and not at all prejudice ;-)

Over night we received a coating of ice. If you look closely at the branches of the trees you will see the ice. Fortunately the interstate was free of ice by the time I drove to Chicago for youngest grandson's 5th birthday party. It is now early evening and I am safely back home having spent a lovely afternoon in the "City".

Puppies enjoying first "real" snowfall

Polly enjoyed her first measurable snow. Both she and Munchkin had a great time running around making tracks through the snow and just plain being "kids" in the snow

Birthday Doll Begun

A sort of "tradition" on the yahoo group, Beaded Art Dolls --- or BAD as it is fondly called, is making/beginning a doll on your birthday. Well, today is my birthday and I did get the face on the body and a bit of beading around the face -- that counts for a start on my birthday. She will be my pick up and work on when I can doll -- different shades of turquoise will be the main color with purple accents (and maybe another color too). Not much to show tonight -- but for the record, I did get it started on my birthday, December 1, 2007.
I was able to get a little more beading done on my birthday doll before midnight, December 1, 2007.

Pay it Forward

Pay It Forward!

A number of talented ladies have posted this on their site recently. Now it is my turn!

In keeping with the spirit of the PIF, which I was introduced to me by Aryd’ell Gypsy’s Ramblings), I am offering a handmade doll (design my choice), to the first three persons who respond to this post.

The only thing you have to do in return is to pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you’re one of the first 3 comments, I’ll send you a handmade doll! Once you sign up, copy and paste this information on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work. (Yours can be an item of your choice -- pins, bracelet, whatever you would like to make -- does not have to be dolls)

Please leave your email addy so I can contact you to get your address.

Even if you aren't one of the three, please consider this...it is a lot of fun.

And, please allow me time to create a doll for you.

Meet Monique

Meet Monique ~ the wonderful little bundle of joy that came to live with me today. Monique was created by the hands of Dot, creator of the wonderful Dotee Dolls. I was fortunate to do a one-on-one swap with Dot and my little Monique from her arrived today -- on the eve of my birthday -- now how special can that be? Well, very special!! From the moment I took her from the package and held her in my hands, I knew at once the love that was put into her -- isn't it something how you just feel special things by just holding a doll? I really love this little doll and will try to get a better photo of her -- right now, I am just going to give her a gentle squeeze. Thank you, Dot -- Monique is special -- as are you. And thank you for sharing your tutorial for your sweet Dotee Doll.
Now that she has arrived safely in Australia, I can post the photo of the Dotee Doll I made in a one-on-one swap with her (below). Inside her body is a slip of paper with my special prayers/wishes/blessings for Dot. What w fun swap this was -- thank you, Dot. I adore Monique.

Just as an aside, I was recently in a "Dotee Doll" swap on F.A.T. (Fiber Art Traders) and there were approximately 34 participants and 109 Dotee Dolls were traded. What a fun exchange that was -- I'll post photos of the dolls I receive when they arrive here in Illinois.

Once again, thank you Dot. Monique will always hold a special place in my heart.

CQ Spirit of Friendship Doll

Just finished my little Spirit of Friendship Crazy Quilt doll for our CQI swap. She was fun to do and I hope will be happy in her new home.

PHOTO BELOW, ALL 16 DOLLS COMPLETED FOR THE SWAP
Wish the photo did justice to these charming dolls
Click on photo to enlarge

~~~~~~~~~ No Beading, No CQ, No Stitching ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ But What a Wonderful Weekend ~~~~~~~~~

This past weekend no beading, no CQ, no items for FAT or BAD -- but what a wonderful weekend it was.We spent the weekend with our friends in central Illinois on their farm --the colors were still somewhat intact there --thought you'd enjoy them.

We were able to take our grandson, Drew, with us as he had Thursday off school. He was gone from sun up to sun down playing with the dog, walking the grounds and just having a wonderful time. He was also able to drive a tractor and help load and unload dirt.


The pig belongs to a tenant on the farm -- it is a "pet" and they take it for walks, it has it's own tire swing and is a big (over 400 pound) spoiled baby. Also has a fantastic "house of straw" made for him. Guess no one has told him the story of the 3 Little Pigs and what happened to the 'house of straw".

REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM

Dotee Doll #2

Just finished my second doll for the F.A.T. swap.
They sure are fun to do. Thanks to Dot in Australia for not only sharing her dolls but also a fantastic tutorial for making them. (See links to right or below for link to Dot's blog)
NOVEMBER 11, 2007
Finished Dotee #3 tonight (see below)

Another F.A.T. Swap Dolls

Below: Dotee #1 Finished


Another F.A.T. swap has begun. This is for tiny palm sized dolls. [Dotee Dolls] I started my 3 tonight -- they are pictured above in various stages -- none are finished yet -- sure are fun to do.These are such fun I have several more "bodies" ready to stitch and then embellish.

Bottle Cap Pincushions ~ F.A.T. Swap

I made these 3 little bottle cap pincushions last night for another F.A.T. exchange. These exchanges are so much fun -- they are quick, inexpensive, easy to mail -- and a delightful break from the 'larger' projects.

Prayer Pillows for F.A.T. Swap

These 3 tiny little pillows ( the largest 1 3/4 in square ) were made for the F.A.T. exchange. Inside each is a "prayer" for the receiver. The Dragonflies are charms and I used them because in some cultures the Dragonfly symbolizes new light and joy. Dragonflies are viewed as as a representation of positive forces, renewal and the power of life. The charms, along with the little personal prayer inside should cover a lot ;-)

Treasures From Missouri ~ Cabs and Beads

The picture shows the treasures I brought home from our trip to Missouri.I usually take photos of my "finds" so I don't forget where I got them.I am so thrilled with all these -- most were from one dealer at the Gem and Jewelry show -- I got a lot at the shop on Friday and more from the same people at the show on Saturday. I just love it all.
Click on the photo to enlarge it

Round Robin Beaded Doll

October 4, 2007
Finished up my part of Jo's doll for the round robin. The theme is, Summer Magic, so I added the green of grass, the flowers of summer and blue for sky and water. Now it is on it's way to Indiana for the next beader to add her interpratation.

I have started beading on Jo's doll for a Round Robin. The theme of the round robin is "Summer Magic". The blues I have beaded so far are representative sky and water -- a way to go, but I love these RR's The beaded 'hair' was done by another beader in the RR (Susan). Because the doll is laying face down, the 'hair' has separated. When she is upright it looks lovely.

Julia is finished.....

I finished Julia's back side last night. Somehow, it is sad when you finish a project -- but on to the next challenge. And what fun I shall have along the way.

Almost Finished

Only a bit more and Orange Julia's back will be finished -- then just a few embellishments here and there and she will be done.

Orange Julia ~~ A Little More Done

I can't believe how busy these last few weeks have been -- I did do a little more beading on Orange Julia. I decided that since Julia will be staying with me, and this is my first 100% beaded doll, that I would use her to try out different ways to cover the form with beads -- her back is getting there -- and I am having a lot of fun trying out different beads and stitches. Some beads do not photograph well (below her neck, for instance) -- this has really been fun -- just wish I had a little more time.

Heliotrope II ~ Crystals

This is a box of antique Swarvoski crystals I was lucky to get. The color is called "Heliotrope II" and as you can see, it sparkles mostly in the purple hues. These beads are all the same -- some are sitting upside down in the box -- the backs are really much more purple than they show. (Click on the photo for an enlarged view)

Another Bracelet

Finished the bracelet for my sister-in-law's birthday. This one is silver.
Now to finish Orange Julia and also work on a special project that I can hardly wait to begin.

Front Finished ~ Almost

I have finished the front of Orange Julia except for a few "danglies" that I will add when the doll is completely finished.

She's a hard one to get a photo of -- the lovely nailhead beads in the bottom half just don't show to their true beauty.

Now to the back half.

Comfort Doll Project

I have been wanting to make dolls for the COMFORT DOLL project headed by Pat Winter. Alas, I have been behind in my projects and then I remembered I had a little doll I had made a while back -- so off she went to Pat. She will be on her way to LA and I hope that whoever receives her will know my thoughts and prayers for that person are attached to the doll. This is a wonderful project and so far Pat has sent off 60 doll to 5 different shelters. I hope to make more now that fall is almost here and I have more time. Anyone caring to participate, contact Pat .

Progress on Orange Julia

Did get a little more beading on Orange Julia. Here she is, "In Progress".

Clear Sky ~ Full Moon

After last weeks storms it was a delight to look up into the sky last night and see a clear midnight blue sky and a gorgeous full moon.

Tennis Bracelet #2

Had to do a second bracelet right away so I don't forget. This one is made with Amber Gold Luster seed beads and Topaz Swarvoski crystals.

My First Tennis Bracelet

This is my first tennis bracelet -- I will have to try to get a better photo because it is really quite pretty. Made in RAW with seed beads and Swarovski crystals. I can't wait to make another one.

Stormy Sky

Severe storms have been going through our area for several days now. I caught these photos at a little after 8 PM tonight -- the sun was trying hard to come through after one line of storms passed -- didn't make it though, as another line of storms came through. We are lucky here -- still have power and a dry basement -- there is massive flooding in the area and many people are without power. Even in all nature's fury, beauty can be seen.

In Between Projects.....

Had a little fun between projects making bracelet #4. You will get tired of seeing these before I get tired of making them LOL.
This one is lovely gold beads.

Magia del Verano ~ Summer Magic ~ Beaded Doll RR

This is my addition to Susan F's doll, Magia del Verano (Summer Magic).
This is a 100% beaded doll round robin. When I received Susan's adorable little doll, she had her face in place, This is a very nice doll form and stuffed very tightly. It was a lot of fun to work on -- this is my first beaded doll RR and I really enjoyed working on Magia del Verano. Susan requested warm colors --- to reflect her Arizona summers -- I may have gone up a few degrees in my colors and ended up hot. From here the doll travels to Indiana for more beading.