First job.................

before I continue to work on my doll is to clean up this mess:

My workspace is cluttered and so is my mind, too many ideas, but I can't focus. 

A good tidy up first thing tomorrow morning should free up the creative thoughts.

Well, it's worth a try..................

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

WiP.....................

The last couple weeks post Xmas have been very relaxing, not alot going on, carefree days doing not very much, just what was needed after a rather hectic year on the work front.
Thankfully the motivation to create again has returned and I have a work in progress.
She is a cloth and clay (polymer) doll and her costume will feature a piece of handmade felt:

 Pre-baked head

Baked and painted, costuming underway

Limbs added. Felt made

Skirt completed.

Now for some hair, further embellishment of the costume and hat.....................

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

Xmas gifts.............

Each year the girls in my Faculty exchange Xmas gifts. The girls I work with are all Xmas mad and love to decorate for the season so last year I decided to make my gifts and created a sculpted Santa head for each of them. These little critters were such a hit that I decided to make gifts again in 2012. This year they each received a snow angel:

These heads of these girls, all 8 of them, were sculpted from paperclay, covered with fabric, primed, sanded, painted with acrylics and sealed. The body and limbs are from cotton quilt batting and they are filled with polyester and plastic beads for weight.

Really enjoyed creating these for the girls and have started pinning ideas for this year!!

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

2013

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

2012 ~ The Roundup.............

The highlights:

My gorgeous boy..................

He became more awesome each and every day. 2012 signalled the end of his primary school education and High School awaits.

Charlie Brown moved in.......................

totally adorable and the biggest time waster ever.

China was unbelievable.........................

~ climbing the great wall, visiting the terracotta warriors, cruising on the Shanghai River and the list goes on and on and on.

Working with this crazy bunch (dressed to kill at our staff Xmas function...................

 I am so lucky to spend my working days with this amazingly funny and supportive group.

These girls coming into my life..............

and getting me through the tough times and laughing hysterically the rest of the time!! Work has never been so much fun.

Felting............................

a new skill learnt.

A special friendship......................

love ya Jode, you are truly amazing and I am so privileged to work with you and so blessed to call you friend.

On the down side.....................
My grandmother went to a better place. A sad time, however the weight of the world created by a dysfunctional extended family was lifted from our shoulders
The tragic loss of a wonderful cousin, way too young, RIP Joshy, you are in my thoughts daily
My beautiful Millie went to a better place, aged 13 years. I miss you my girl xoxo

So, goodbye 2012, it's been a hell of a ride..........................................

Roll on 2013!!

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

Movie day....................

went to see Les Miserables today

 ~ absolutely awesome. Les Mis was the first live stage production I saw, 20+ years ago, and it was so powerful then and again today.

That was topped off with dessert and coffee at Sabor at Lovedale

desserts to die for. We shared a summer tasting plate and an Aveno Slice ~ yuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyy

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

Mmmmmmm.................

life just got in the way!!!To say that things were busy in the latter half of 2012 would be a major understatement.
On the work front, the pace was hectic. It has been an interesting year to say the least, probably the most difficult of my working life due to a couple of very difficult staff members, but also the best due to the arrival of 3 amazing colleagues and some fabulous opportunities that came my way. I am very proud to be a teacher in public education and at the end of the school year I was incredibly tired but immensely satisfied with the achievements of 2012 in a truly wonderful school. 2013 will present some difficulties with a few unresolved issues, the wheels of justice are turning slowly, but I have complete faith that justice will be done ~ karma is a real bitch and is going to bite hard!!
On the creating front, things have been moving slowly.
Dolls seem to fill my thoughts and Pinterest has become an invaluable source of inspiration. I have been continuing to develop my sculpting skills through online learning, and by doing and redoing and redoing..............................

Anyway, here's to hoping I am back in blogger land.................

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