{Postcard Swap}

I was so happy a friend told me about this postcard swap via Facebook because I got to see artwork from people all over the world.
If you want to see more great art via postcards check it out HERE and check out the other Artists thru the postcard blog hop found HERE

{ Yeah, I'm a Slacker! }

That's right, I'm a slacker or just too busy with life to write on my blog, but I am hoping to get this blog back on track. I just have to find the time to squeeze it into my already packed schedule, what with visits to the VA, home schooling my three very active kids (plus an extra kid 3 times a week too) and trying to keep a toddler entertained. My house has suffered since I started home schooling so I have to figure everything out and try to figure out a routine that works for me. 

Life is just crazy hectic for me right now, but I am trying to do better, I think I might actually have to use a set schedule, (I hate those things 'cause they tell you what to do and when, *sigh). 

So since I last posted I had pictures taken of my family by my very talented friend, Lauren, owner of Shady Lanes Portrait Studio. She took the images and I got to edit them. We had the best time! Look How big my kids are! Can you believe my oldest is 12!!! I feel so old.

I thought because I was the one NOT taking the pictures my kids would cooperate, I was SOOOOOO very wrong. The boys didn't want to take pictures at all and below are the images that were taken, ALL of them. Lauren only got about 15 minuets before my boys decided they had enough. Oh Well. I do know which one will be our Christmas card though this year and which one I will blow up big for my wall.

Can you believe it's already November!!! *sigh* It seems just yesterday it was the beginning of 2013 and now here it is almost the end of 2013. Why can't the time just drag on like it did when we were kids?

{What I've been up to}

I have been busy creating some "hinged" dolls out of paper clay. I have been trying different technique to do their hair, instead of gluing them on one small section at a time I have been sewing them, using my sewing machine to a little bit of felt. 


Making these dolls has been a bit of trial and error but I must say it's been lots of fun. I have also decided to hand paint on the eyes instead of trying to create eyes out of the clay, at least until I can get it the way I want. Since I first started I can really see where I am improving and what still needs improvement.

I think that I am finding my own "style" and niche. I am really enjoying using some of the vintage linens/fabric I have on hand to make these gals their clothes. I know they are simple but since I am not a great seamstress it has been helping me to learn my vintage sewing  (from the 60's)  machine.

I didn't take this picture but it is what my sewing machine looks like. It's a great little workhorse and my favorite color!! credit

Some of my dolls legs are hinged at the knee and some aren't. I am not sure which way I like better but until I figure it out, I guess I will continue to do both. 

I sold my first dolls over the weekend since opening up my etsy shop. It doesn't bother me if I sell anything or not but it's nice to know someone likes what I create and wants it. 

this is an "ornament" no legs, and can be hung anywhere, even in your car!

These are the hinged knee that I was talking about

This is just an example of the strait leg/non-hinged knee - this is one of my first hinged dolls

these are my newest hinged dolls. The one in white has strait legs and the purple has hinged knees.

{new project}

This gal has the face I made a while back...I have been staring at her head for some time now, trying to figure out what I was going to do with her and what she was going to look like. Today I figured it out and look at how she is coming along! I am loving her look.

I must say I am fond of a pregnant woman's form since I no longer can have kids and I am in awe of it's beauty. I also think it's been therapeutic to create these little mother's and helps me deal with emotions that I have locked away after each miscarriage I had.

Isn't she just lovely! I think I might make her an ornament since I love her look without arms or legs - what do you think??

Don't these images look great for being cell phone pictures....LOL

{Geese a plenty}

I took these during a photo session for my friend Carla at a local park in Boise earlier this month. I just now got around to editing them.

The water was frozen on top (enough that the geese could walk on but in areas even they would break thru the top - it was quite comical at times).

See the one upside down?

on the other side of the walkway the lake wasn't frozen and some ducks were trying to stay warm in the cold, cold wind.

{Ghostly Ruth}

I have been trying to figure out my "Workhorse" point n' shoot and testing out it's different capabilities and who better to test it on them my own kids, right?!

Below are some captures of my use of the different flash settings - I think I love the flash at night setting, it's pretty cool with it's slow shutter speed...makes for interesting pictures.

Every time I photograph my kids I notice how dirty they have made everything with their spills, including my foot stool

This was taken with the "No Flash" symbol on so any movement if not enough light got blurred because of the slower shutter speed

THis was taken with the "normal flash" on

this was taken with the "Night Flash" on

I'm going to get you Mommy!

Night flash on and because of it's slow shutter and Ruth's fast movements created a ghostly effect

Aaron wanted to try too...I got some ghostly kids!