Annabel and Elly.....................

all done and listed on eBay!!
A quick peek:

 Follow the link to her listing:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230738564662?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
More photos can be found under Available Art Dolls tab above.

Hugs.................................Leanne

Weekly Workspace Round up..........

this is a peek at what is sitting on my work table right now:

Yes, that is a bear you see. Finally assembled this fellow over the weekend. Still needs the finishing touches ~ claws, antiquing and embellishing. His companion is in desperate need of some clothing :-) There is also the beginnings of another doll. I may be a little time poor this week with work, but it will settle down soon enough.
Hugs.....................................Leanne

Happy Mail...................

these arrived and were waiting at the post office when I finished work:

Finally professionally printed swing tags and stickers from HERE. Thank you to Kate Mason for blogging about MOO.
The quality is outstanding, the cost was minimal (and included freight from the UK) and the service was exceptional. I placed my order on 11th Jan.
I'm a happy camper. Now to photograph Annabel, attach a tag and list her for sale.

Hugs...........................Leanne

Painted....................

my shelf-sitter that is:

I have had a lovely day playing, made the most of my last day of holidays. Back to work tomorrow. Not too distressed, have missed the social aspect of my work and I feel like I have accomplished a lot these holidays. I was floundering creatively, but now I feel like I am flourishing.

Hugs...........................Leanne

Sculpting limbs................

revisited!! I had a go at sculpting hands for the Santa doll before Xmas, but I was a bit pressed for time, probably not the best situation to have a go at hands, and gave up ~ Santa got cloth hands. However, I want this shelf sitter to be a bit more delicate, so sculpted hands seemed obvious. After another net surfing session I found some tutorials and began sculpting. The result is far from anatomically correct, but I have made a conscious decision to make whimsical/fantasy dolls, as opposed to anatomically correct human sculptures. Here's my first set of hands:

and her legs:

The knees and elbows will be hinged, hence the 2 pieces for each limb and the holes. Not sure if she will have painted fairy boots or fabric ~ decisions, decisions!!
And the hands antiqued:

Hugs...............................Leanne

A challenge................

as a result of spending a few hours at work today in preparation for Friday's return I have rewarded myself with some crafting time tonight.
I have decided to join the Art Doll Quarterly Challenge via a group at Cloth and Clay Dolls
The current challenge is a Shelf Sitter doll. I decided to give polymer clay another go and am thrilled with the head I have created tonight:

So now I am thinking polymer clay is OK and I would like to experiment further. The huge advantage over paperclay is no sanding (or minimal sanding at the worst). This girl will be a fairy (I think) and I am going to have another go at sculpting hands. So, the plan is ploymer clay limbs that are hinged at the elbow and knees. Seems like a good plan in head..........................

Hugs................................Leanne

New Workshop...............

I have just signed up for Leap Year Lapin at Roses on My Table:

I can't recommend Christy Meyers as a teacher highly enough. I completed 2 workshops in 2011 (I never finish workshops, but in both cases I did) and learnt so much ~ I went from never sculpted to addicted to sculpting. The videos are fabulous and there are no "tricks" or "secrets" to work out yourself. An added bonus is the workshop forum which offers access to Christy for questions, as well as other class members. In both previous workshops the forum has been a highly supportive creative group.
Registration info can be found HERE. Come and join the fun!!

Hugs............................Leanne

Work Table Round up..............

welcome to this weeks peak into my creative space:

Lots of WIP here. The painted doll is nearly complete, but unfortunately I have to devote some time to getting ready to returning to work, so crafting time will be limited this week. On the upside, if I am ubber organised for work before returning my crafting time doesn't suffer once I am back at work, so a few days sacrifice is worth it for the long term benefit.

Hugs............................Leanne

I've been.....................

playing with clay :-) I have become totally addicted to sculpting and am continuing to develop my style. I am in a happy place ~ feeling very creatively satisfied.
So a quick rundown:
* I've sculpted a few more paperclay heads
* been working on completing a pair of dolls (they are nearly done, just need a few finishing touches)
* revisited polymer clay and sculpted a head and limbs
* spent way toooooooooooo much time surfing the net (guess that's what holidays are for!!) but I have found and joined some amazing sites:
Cloth Doll Artistry
Cloth and Clay Dolls
The Fairy Society Academy of Art
In an attempt to keep myself on track I am going to do a post each week showing what is on my work table. Hopefully each week will be different meaning previous projects are completed and I am moving onto the next.
So last week, my work table looked like this:

I am pleased to say that the limbs are finished and attached to the dolls, and the dolls are now just awaiting a few finishing embellishments. The styrofoam ball is now a sculpted head.

Okay, off to play and surf some more, my holiday is rapidly drawing to a close :-(

Hugs...........................Leanne

Finally......................

she's done:

I am really happy with the result. Still a little tweaking to do, but I am on my way.
Now awaiting the arrival of my new swing tags, and then I'll list her for sale.
Off to play with more clay

Hugs..............................Leanne

Big Plans...............

were in my head to get started on a doll today ~ to turn a vision into reality. Well, that didn't happen (luckily there is always tomorrow!! I got caught up in the cyberworld searching for vintage images to create a new swing tag ~ sure got the cart before the horse there!!
However, I now have a gorgeous swing tag ready to be printed, but no completed product ~ note to self ~ get sorted!!
Anyway, this is what I created today (spent some time reintroducing myself to photoshop)

Absolutely love this and am very happy with my efforts.
Now to get a doll made. I have made a start on the head sculpt tonight................................................

Hugs..............................Leanne

Happy Birthday...................

to my gorgeous boy ~ 11 years old today

I love you..........................

Hugs..................................Leanne

Been Playing....................

in clay.  I 've been buried away experimenting. I tried my hand working with polymer clay ~ jury is still out on that one. Think I prefer paperclay - it is more forgiving as it can be more easily sanded after curing. My first 2 attempts in polymer clay:

                                Ready to be baked

                                Painted and antiqued
Next I experimented with wrapped wire armatures

            The structure wrapped in batting

       Velvet ribbon and thread wrapping over the batting

     Polymer head attached to wrapped body. She will be a fairy soon!!
Back to playing with paperclay:

                        The painted sculpt

                  Antiqued. This girl will be a fairy soon also.
So, where to now ~ definitely papewclay for now.
I think I am ready to take the plunge and start an actual doll........................

Stay tuned...................

Hugs...............................Leanne

2012 ~ Bring it On..........

Click on the image to read the sentiments.
Better late than never.
A quiet New Years here. A time for reflecting and planning.
On reflection I am so very grateful for:
* being very settled, content and happy in our now not so new house. Totally loving living out of town.
* good health
* fabulous family and friends
* being happy and satisfied in my professional life. So many opportunities during 2011 that will continue in 2012
* an amazing boy who makes me swell with pride constantly
* a partner who understands that sometimes the need to create is greater than the need for houseloving chores
* freedom to pursue my create path

In 2012 I am planning on the following:
* developing and maintaining an effective self, family and work balance
* taking a new path in my creative journey
* pursuing promotion at work
* finishing the list of yard related tasks that is decorating the fridge door
* being the best mum possible

In line with Ali Edwards' One Word concept, I have decided my word for 2012 is going to be BALANCE

2012 is looking good, so bring it on!!!!!

Hugs...........................Leanne