Oh my goodness...choices, choices!

Well, hubby and I are knee deep in paint chips. Trying to decide on a house color has got to be at least #2 on my "Things I Do NOT Like to Do" list (second only to cleaning the bathroom).

How does one decide on a paint color that I will have to live with for at least 10 years? The last time we did this, we chose what we thought was a subtle gray. Our friend, John, got the first coat on and when I arrived home after work....it was more like a silvery blue. Not that there's anything wrong with blue, but when you're expecting gray...well, it was a bit of a surprise.

This time we took the time to buy paint samples and painted squares of each color in a shady spot and in a sunny spot on the house. It wasn't easy, but in the end we chose Stream Bed for the body of the house, Black Magic for the shutters and Pure White for the trim.



I'll keep you posted on the progress! Blessings...Susan

Working on something new...

Hi there...I've been busy in the studio this week working on a really cool Folk Art Day of the Dead "Catrina" doll. She is almost ready for costuming, and I thought you might get a kick out of her at this early stage.




José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure that he called La Calavera de la Catrina ("calavera of the female dandy") as a parody of a Mexican upper-class female.



Posada's striking image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead, and Catrina figures often are a prominent part of modern Day of the Dead observances.

According to Wikipedia, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

She is coming right along and I hope to have her costumed and ready to share with you in the next few days. Blessings...Susan

Cornelia is now available on Etsy

Hello everyone! I hope you are staying cool in your part of the world. It's been hotter than hot here in Atlanta. I wanted to share this sweet new Halloween doll with you. She's available now in my Etsy Shop.

I know I've been a bit slow at posting this summer. I promise, I haven't been slacking off. Roger and I have been busy working on home projects - some new and some long overdue. Here is a picture of one of our FUN projects - Roger built this arbor after finding a picture of it on the internet. I LOVE the diamond "windows" on each side.



I can hardly wait to get a climbing rose planted and growing over it. We decided on a yellow rose in remembrance of my Gramma Jean - these were her favorite roses! Look at this beauty...



I wonder how long it takes to get this full and GORGEOUS?! A neighbor suggested planting Clematis with the rose so that the bloom time is longer..hmmmm...what do you think?



What have you been up to this Summer?

Blessings...Susan

Prim and Whimsy Girls Charity Auction Begins Tonight

The artists in the Prim and Whimsy Girls have worked together across the miles to create a unique, one of a kind Flower head art doll. We would like to raise awareness (and a nice donation) for an educational charity - United Through Reading with an Ebay auction. The auction will begin tonight at 9:15pm est and end Sunday, August 8th at 9:15pm est. I hope you will have the opportunity to stop by...

Blessings to you...Susan

New Halloween Dollie listed on Etsy

I am so happy to announce that I finished Lady Raven...the first in my Halloween doll series for 2010! She is officially for sale and is listed in my Etsy shop!

I've been experimenting quite a bit this summer with clay over cloth and also listed two very sweet angels in my Etsy shop.

First, the Timekeeper...this angel has been busy keeping me company in my studio these days and will be a wonderful companion to anyone that finds they need more time in each day. I can't tell you how many times I have wished for just one more hour in the day so I could get everything done that needed to be finished. This is the inspiration for the Timekeeper...she doles out those precious extra minutes when needed.



Angel of Hope was inspired by the sights and sounds of all the new life that comes to us in Spring...helping me shake off the doldrums of those looonnngg Winter months. She carries a nest full of hope with a very sweet bluebird perched on her head.



I hope you'll take a stop by my Etsy shop and take a closer look at these ladies. Until next time, I hope you have a wonderful, creative day.

Wishing you many blessings....Susan

New Halloween Dollie is almost finished

I've been having fun in the studio these past few days, working on a new Halloween dollie to offer. She's coming right a long and I thought I might give you a little sneak peek....

I'm putting the finishing touches on her now and, if I can get some good photos tonight, she will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Blessings...Susan

Mmmmm...Chocolate Pound Cake

Our most wonderful and thoughtful neighbors delivered a homemade Chocolate Pound Cake this week...it was delicious!! If you would like to bake one for yourself, Peggy said it was alright to share her recipe with you...




Peggy's Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk

In a large saucepan, combine the cocoa and water until smooth; add butter. Bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking soda; add cocoa mixture. Combine eggs, oil and buttermilk; add to cocoa mixture and beat until smooth.

Pour into a greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Let cool and sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Delicious served warm with a little vanilla ice cream or cool with some vanilla whipped topping! YUMMY!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Father's Day!!

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it … Dad

~ Author Unknown

Home Sweet Home!!!

Hello, hello...It is so much fun to travel and visit family, but MAN...does it feel good to be home!



I just returned from a two week trip to Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh really is a very pretty city...so many parks, trees and lots and lots of things to do around town!

My sis and her hubby celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary with a Hawaiian cruise.

They had the best time and brought many, many photos, videos, souvenirs and fun stories to share with everyone. Since their children were still attending school, I stayed at their home with the kiddos. It's funny how fast I forgot about the busy schedule of a Mom and Dad with kids in school and taking karate and tutoring and baseball and life guarding and on and on... (smiling). It was absolute GREAT to spend time with my niece and nephews in their home and get to know their friends and cheer for them at their activities. I miss them already!!



I arrived home to a big box from Sheryl Parsons containing the Prim and Whimsy Girls traveling doll....she is beautiful! This sweet gal began her travels in Wales, Massachusetts, where Annie (Chickadee Primitives) designed and created her head and body, with her adorable leaf hands and curly tipped boots....so sweet. Then she made her way to Wendover, Utah where Sheryl Parsons (Mother's Dream Artworks & Collectibles) added her clay head and painted her soooo expressive face, hands and boots. Does this girl have personality plus, or what?!?!

Now she's here with me in Atlanta and I am so excited about dressing her. I can hardly wait to get out to my favorite fabric shop and find THE perfect fabric for her outfit. There will be more pics to follow, so please stay tuned....

New dollie alert: New dollies will be added to my Etsy shop next week...finally!!! It feels so good to be back in the studio again. I will give you an update as these cuties progress. Until then....

Wishing you many blessings....Susan