Second Star to the Right

2010-09-19T08:21:00.000-04:00

Morning here I am! Got a wild hair last week and signed up for the Sketchbook Project. I need a good jump start, and kick in the butt to start drawing - anytime, anywhere - artist style! I let them randomly assign my topic - Secret Codes - imagine the possibilities! So my little brown book arrived and I sit this fine Sunday morning just contemplating those possibilities. Contemplation, the great procrastinator. Next a pencil, a pen... it's a mess in this kitchen.... oh look the floor needs vacuuming... and there I go... off to do a chore in lieu of cracking open this lovely little brown book. Seize the day. Oh boy.

The Sketchbook Project

Football Weather

2010-09-16T07:56:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for some football??!! Great weekend in Pittsburgh with my sis, hub and bro-in-law. What a town and we got to go to the Steelers' opening game. The colors at a football game are just awe-inspiring. Whether it's a sea of black and gold or orange and brown... my heart goes pitter patter!

Monday Morning Sun is Shining...

2010-09-07T08:53:00.000-04:00

Monday morning here I come. Big plans... to do list is the kind you pull out of your pocket, shake out and it falls to a length that hits the floor! Best to keep this post short, with so much to do! My sister and I keep talking about the tickle on your neck you feel, when something deliciously crafty or artsy is about to burst forth out of your heart. Now if only we can rope it in with the old brain and get to it! I think it's the approach of Autumn that does it... though we are Leo girls and fire signs, we are earthy girls to the depths of our souls! So let's get to it sister! Woooohooooo!

Inspiration comes at the strangest times...

2010-08-28T09:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday after taking a shower, I noticed that my feet had left a lovely impression on the bath mat. of a little pumpkin head girl in a long dress with curled up feet, sitting in a chair. Dripping, I ran for paper and pencil to sketch her out. Oh my... some days are so strange. Got me going though. Armed with said inspiration, I molded a little pumpkin head for a doll that has been sitting headless, for a number of months now! AND - got my primitive homemade backgammon board roughed out and a first coat of paint on it. I feel sooooo much better. Nothing like a good shower!

Garden Magic

2010-08-27T09:23:00.000-04:00

I took a walk in the yard today and once again was amazed at what a little rain and cooler temperatures can do. Magic. Wrote this poem a while back for a project I worked on for a charity auction... it fits the day today:

There was magic in my garden this past night, a spell was cast on winter’s gloom.

For how else does a seed, a spore, a root or vine so stealthily creep?

Flowers unfurl a scent so divine and trees are lush with shielding leaves.

The fruit don coats in brilliant shades and mushrooms ring the dewy grass.

Was it called upon the wind, or was the rain bestowed the honor?

Was it spun upon the wings of bees or sent as a song among the trees?

I know at last how it was cast. The Garden King and his dear Queen held court.

And there beneath the moon, my garden did so finely bloom.

Here We Go Again

2010-08-26T10:10:00.000-04:00

It's a little cool today... makes me think of the school supply list... pencils, paste, crayons, oil cloth for the desk.. oh my the smells. Time to head for my "art area" in the basement. Maybe I'll make my own supply list today... if you buy it you will build it? Does that work?

It's Good to be Green!

2010-01-27T17:15:00.000-05:00

Big day today it's my half birthday! Finally worked on some dolls after a long, long dry spell. These may be my oddest yet! I'm obsessed lately with the Green Man - and now he's worked his way into my dolls. These are still works in progress, so be kind! Behold the King and Queen of all that is Green....

A New Decade

2010-01-06T07:41:00.000-05:00

Well - as you can see - no posts since last September! Not a good blog start! Here I sit, "doing my New Year's dreaming" - hoping I'll have a flash about what to be when I grow up. HA! As if that decision will ever be made. Guess I should take a hint from this picture of Becka - put two feet forward and a big smile... bring it on New Year - I'm ready!

Spring is Gone... here comes Autumn

2009-09-14T14:45:00.000-04:00

Wow seems like just yesterday I was spouting off about Spring, and here it is almost Autumn! Maybe that creative mojo I was looking for in the spring will find itself coming my way now.

In the meantime, my sister Lesley has been making some beautiful Halloween dolls and selling them on ebay - er, well, that is scary dolls... Check it out!

Lesley's Loft on ebay

2009-02-23T13:08:00.000-05:00

It's getting to almost be Spring! My mind jumps to frogs - I love them! I've collected them for years and have hundreds! Not live ones, of course! Check out this stamp on Zazzle that is made from an ACEO card I drew of my favorite frogs, Pierre and Colette. They are part of the gang in my "home away from reality" - Frog Hollow. Wouldn't this make a sweet postage stamp for wedding invitations!

Stanley & Lulu Got Married by secondstar
Create custom postage stamps With Zazzle

Daphne - What a Doll!

2009-02-19T16:12:00.000-05:00

Speaking of Spring and daffodils, I just found this shot of Daphne - she was one of my cutest dolls in the "Garden Girls" series. She's just precious!

Time to get my creative Mojo a workin'!

2009-02-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

Today I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I've been surrounding myself with my past work -- or friends if you will -- for inspiration. I've been in a creative drought. But my creative being is starting to peek out from inside me, like the first leaves of the daffodils when they push out of the dirt on a warm February day! This doll is one of my favorites. Every time I see her, I feel inspired. So let me share a little bit about my friend Rogue and her sidekick, Bartholomew!

When magical beings are born they rarely know what they want to be when they grow up! There's a little known training school out there in the way beyond to help them find their way. And so at an early age they are enrolled at the Marvelous Abracadbra Gravitational Inclination College - better known as M.A.G.I.C.

Once in awhile a student is pulled into multiple career directions. So it goes with Rogue. Her tutors believe she has the makings of a fine elf - and so have dressed her in the colors of Christmas. But our Rogue has a wild streak! She always thought her raven black hair and green eyes were those of a witch!

Rogue always felt in her heart that she was born to fly -- and so it was on Halloween, the night when witches take flight, that Rogue escaped the hallowed halls of M.A.G.I.C on the wings of her friend, Bartholomew Bat. Together they fly through the night with Rogue’s laughter touching the hearts of all they pass over. Together they are a fine Halloween decoration, or, you can separate Rogue at Christmas and tell her to behave as the elf she is supposed to be!

Rogue and Bartholomew have been sewn out of muslin that has been painted with acrylics and sanded in most places to a smooth finish.

Rogue’s face is framed with silky, black hair that has been braided into pigtails and entwined with green embroidery thread. Her hooded cape is of purple velour and brick red silk. It is permanently fixed to her head and is tied at her neck with black canvas trim. Wee little jingle bells are sewn at each side. Her dress is of the same brick red fabric as her hood and also includes a length of gold embossed fabric. The bodice is of black silk ribbon that has been tied at her back. It is embellished with a red star, which Rogue always wears over her heart to show how she favors being a witch! Her leggings and gloves have been painted green. Her boots are painted red and match her top. Her legs and arms have been stitched at the elbows and knees to allow for posing.

Bartholomew has armature wire inserted across the top of his wings and along their veins, which allows you to pose them into various flying positions. He has a pocket sewn to his belly where you insert a portion of the stand he flies upon. This enables you to dismantle him for storage purposes.

Rogue has harnessed him with a black, braided rope that has been trimmed with large, black jingle bells… this way she can always hear him coming and going! Bartholomew’s harness fits over Rogue’s hands and slips under her legs and his neck to hold her in place. She may also be removed so that you can enjoy each piece separately, and for ease of storage.