I Can't Explain It!!!

This is my nephew, William. I got to see him while I was in CA this weekend. Incredibly handsome guy...and these are his teeth. Gold with diamonds and rubies. He let me rant for about 5 minutes before he popped them out and told me they were removable.

I love my nephew. But (Us) parents will NEVER understand!

It kinda qualifies for creativity...

Lezlei

Theresa...It Was A Good Day

Except for a few tears that threatened to fall because I had never visited her in Sacramento, it was a joyful visit. Her medication for pain had been changed the day before which enabled her to walk a lot better and to remember everyone.

Please remember Theresa in your prayers.

Lezlei

A Prayer Request for Theresa

My sister, Theresa, was diagnosed with cancer 2 1/2 years ago. Now what started as a spot on her liver is now pancreatic cancer. The DOCTOR'S prognosis is not good. I flew to Oakland on Wednesday and my older sister, Penny, and I drove to Sacramento to see her. Most of the day was spent setting up the particulars of her hospice care with her daughter. My Dad and brother also drove up from Bakersfield and Las Vegas. I am VERY glad that I was able to come see her now and spend some time.

Please pray. It is a difficult thing for a family to endure. I will be back home on Sunday and post more information.

Thanks for your prayers.

xoLezlei

Creative Every Day!

I am doing a few quicker pieces so I can feel a bit more productive. Today's offering is a vintage corset ornament. It is almost finished. The corset is based on a free pattern by Dirty Crow Inn that I kicked up a notch.
Stay Creative!

xoLezlei

UPDATE: I stumbled across this website (http://www.clothdollpatterns.com/) with great links to cloth doll patterns including some wonderful free patterns. This is where I found this Dirty Crow Inn "Victorian Ornaments" pattern. The pattern can be found here: http://clothdollpatterns.com/id75.htm

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all from little "Annie", a primitive and my Friday diversion. My boys are in other states. I miss them.

Be blessed and Stay Creative!

xoLezlei

Shakespeare Challenge Finished!!!

Well...submitted anyway. I will need to make Kate some bloomers and finish Petruccio's shoes. The quote that goes with the piece...

“And therefore, setting all this chat aside, thus in plain terms: Your father hath consented that you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed on; and will you, nill you, I will marry you.” Taming of the Shrew, Act II, Scene I

Whew! But that was fun! Take a look and let me know what you think!

Stay creative!

xoLezlei

Shhh...No Bloomers!

Here is my latest Shakespeare Challenge update...

Here is ridiculous looking Pettrucio. He still needs shoes and appropriate waistline treatment.

Here is tumultuous Kate. She still needs wigging and the decorative trim placed (glued) on the top of her bodice and sleeves. I made her dress without a pattern. It was kind of "sew as you go". I even managed to place some boning in the bodice. The bodice should be fitted much tighter. Next time I will do a cloth doll...it will be easier to fit this style of clothing.

Shhh...Kate doesn't have bloomers yet! Since her bloomers will not be featured in the photos I submit, I decided to finish them after I submit my entry.

Good news...I thought it was due on Monday. It is actually due Wednesday (tomorrow). I will submit this evening. Whew! I am glad I decided to participate.

Stay Creative!

xoLezlei

Impromptu Make It and Take It

I decided the beginning of the week to have the "Make It and Take It" craft class that I had been talking about for a year. The thought was to encourage my Mom who loved crafts and truly was doing something creative everyday until she had a stroke 3 years ago.

It was a small class...2 neighbors, Dennise and Missy, a sister-in-law, Trina, my Mom, Wilma, and my Grandmother, Mattie (Motherdear). Mom did an excellent job with VERY little assistance. With the exception of my Mom, all others "were" non-crafters.

We had a wonderful time! Here are our finished items. Didn't they do a wonderful job!

Here is a slide show of the students hard at work creating!

Stay Creative!

xoLezlei

Shakespeare Challenge Update

I am not finished with Pettrucio and Kate yet but they are coming along. I believe that I will be able to complete them on time.

Today's challenge was the ruff for Pettrucio. I scoured the internet and found a great site with instructions on how to make the ruff here. So off shopping I went to purchase some organza, some wire, decided I didn't need the horsehair braid for such a small ruff. While shopping, I passed the ribbon aisle. Duh..."just get some wired ribbon". Great idea...I can pleat that just like I was going to pleat the organza that I wired.

Got home...started pleating according to the instructions on the site. Pleating was not fun so after pinning a few pleats, I decided Pettruccio didn't need an authentic ruff that a gathered ruffLE. Time is of the essence!

I decided to fold the ribbon in half and take advantage of both edges of the ribbon and stitch on the fold. Why did I stitch with brown thread? Because that was what was loaded in the nearest needle...I mean, so you could see the stitches I made..hehehe.

So I stitched and gathered and DUH..."I can make the figure eights with gathered fabric!". Not bad, huh? I will fuss with them more later (when I have more time).

Stay Creative!

xoLezlei

Digital Grounds by GOLDEN

Well I looked and looked but could not find an art supply that was carrying Golden's new "digital grounds". So last week I ordered the "try me" package from "Dick Blick"...they arrived on Thursday. This package contains 2 oz of each of the 5 different types of digital grounds they sell. I love "try me" packages.

"GOLDEN Digital Grounds turn just about any relatively flat surface into an ink-jet printable surface, providing the control and freedom to create textures and surfaces at whatever scale and shape desired." Click here for detail information and cautions on this new products from Golden.

It will be a "minute" before I will be able to try them...Shakespeare challenge, Gwendolyn class, etc.

Stay Creative!


xoLezlei

I Need a MakeOver!!!

...for my blog! Things are not fitting properly (or I don't know how to make them fit)! Another task for the weekend!

Well my first artistic priority is to finish my Shakespeare challenge for ADO. It is coming along...but it is due on Monday. They also have a monthly challenge. It was announced yesterday...gotta participate...it is a great challenge! More later...

Finished Kate's head and armature. The head / face was a real challenge. My previous faces always looked like a guy with make-up on. I worked hard to try to create a feminine face (with Angelina Jolie lips).

I am working on completing the body today. I will post pictures this evening. I already have the costume for Kate laid out in my head (that always the hardest part for me). It's going to be simple and won't take too long.

Did I post pics of Petruccio? Don't remember...he still needs to be finished...hair, hat, shoes, ruff, pants. I will check to see if I posted pics...if not, I will post later today as well.

Have a wonderful creative day!

xoLezlei