Swap, Swap, Swap.....and Swap?

I'm excited about the start of Doll Quilt Swap 7...last night, I received the email with my secret swap partner's name and preferences. Now I can start "stalking" their blog and flickr photostream and hopefully get some ideas about what I'm going to make for them. The quilt is to be mailed by September 15th so I think that will give me plenty of time...famous last words?!

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A swap that I have finished and is ready to mail is the Itty Bitty Book Club "Children's Fairy Tale Book Swap"...




...2.75" by 3.5" cards, twenty two of them ready to send to Mary Ann who will swap them out with the other swappers' cards and bind them on the left side. I think it will be an adorable little book. The deadline for cards isn't until September 1st so I'll have to wait a while...but worth it!

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Here's a sneak peek at the mini quilt I completed and mailed today for the Swap Til You Drop "Summer Lovin'" theme...and how many times did I sing that song while sewing this little quilt?! (heehee)


Laura should receive it early next week so I'll show the rest of it then:)

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Finally, remember the mermaid I made for the Under The Sea Swap? She was waiting for my swap partner, Bairbre Aine, when she returned to California after holiday back home in Scotland. Bairbre Aine named her Mipsy.


Sadly, the little seagirl that Bairbre Aine made for me has not arrived yet :(
She was mailed from Scotland, so we are both hoping that she is just delayed someplace along the way.

Marilyn

Under The Sea Swap

This is the mermaid I created for the Under The Sea Swap. A mermaid wasn't my initial idea...well, actually it was, but I started thinking that maybe everyone would be making a mermaid and surely I could come up with something different. Even as I pulled out fabrics that reminded me of the sea, and then sewed them together randomly, and then top-stitched like crazy on them, I still wasn't yet thinking 'mermaid'.


But, as you well know, some projects create themselves! I began sketching out a pattern for my newly created fabric piece, drawing the tail fin first. THAT is when she became a mermaid and the rest fell into place.

I had a lot of fun with this lady-of-the-sea. There were parts of her that I'm not used to working with (like her hair) but the process of trial and error (and trial and error) was a good learning experience, and it's always good to stretch my creative self.


She made her way to my swap partner, Bairbre Aine, a couple of weeks ago and I hope she likes her! (I haven't heard from Bairbre Aine yet, but when I contacted her for her snail mail addy, she said her internet service at home wasn't working and she has to go to her local coffee house to log on.) I'm also excited to see how Bairbre Aine's sea creature for me turns out! (But the deadline isn't until June 28th, so I guess I need to settle down and relax for a little while longer.)

This is really fun too...Zan (Wild at Heart Art), the hostess for the Under the Sea Swap, has posted a A Parade of Mermaids on her blog where there are photos of amazing sea creatures made by several of the swappers.

Have a great weekend!

Marilyn

Wanna Sneak a Peek?

Today, I finished my creation for the Under The Sea Swap and it is now swimming its way to Bairbre Aine. Here's a little sneak peek...


I can show you more when it beaches itself at Bairbre Aine's. And, on June 19th, Zan Asha, the swap hostess, will be posting a parade of sea creatures from the swap on her blog. I had fun with mine and now I'm anxious to see what others have done. There are some big name doll artists participating so I think it should be a good show.
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Another sneak peek of something I'm not able to say too much about JUST YET...



It's difficult to be so secretive, but it's also impossible for me to not show you some of what I've been up to this week! So I guess sneak peeks are the way to go for now;)
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In other news, I joined another virtual quilting bee group on Flickr. This one is Stash Busting Bee International and is a little different from my other group.

It's the same that each month, we will all make and mail a quilt block to that month's person and by the end of the month she'll have enough blocks to make a whole quilt.

The difference is that instead of each month's person sending out a whole set of fabric for the others to make blocks with, she will just send out a scrap of fabric to each quilter and they will use their own stash to complete the block, incorporating the scrap that was sent.

I think it will be a lot of fun and a creative way to use some of the fabric in the closet and drawers and bags in my craft room. We start in July--I can't wait!

Marilyn

The Pink Artist Drawing, Day One

Today is the day! It's time to celebrate!
Starting today and all the way through October the 15th, you can enter The Pink Artist Drawing for a chance to win
The Pink Artist Doll!

Just click this think pink image for details:


Be sure to check in often with Monica (girl-gone-thread-wild) who has lots of things she's going to be sharing about
The Pink Artist Project and "Susan G. Komen for the Cure".

And...


it's
easy,


it's
free,

it's another way you can help!

Marilyn

The Pink Artist Drawing

Do you remember her? Of course you do! She's "Love Squared", the Pink Artist Doll that was created with two by two inch art squares lovingly made by 182 artists from all over the world. The project and the doll are devoted to raising awareness and donations for breast cancer research.


From August 1, 2008 through October 15, 2008 there is going to be a huge blog party. On behalf of the 182 Pink Artists everywhere, you are personally invited to join the festivities! During this time you will have an opportunity to make donations in any amount that will then be sent on to "Susan G. Komen for the Cure". PLUS for every $10 donation you make, your name will be entered twice into The Pink Artist Drawing for a chance to WIN the fabulous Pink Artist Doll!!! Go here for ALL of the details or click the "Think Pink" button at the top right side of my blog. Then get ready to party!!!

Marilyn

She's here...and she's BEAUTIFUL!

It was a long, white box that the mail carrier delivered--about the same size and shape of a box that flowers come delivered in (it's thanks to my sweetie that I know that). Same sweetie has been expecting a book in the mail and when he walked into the house with the long white box, he said (with that playful smile of his) "Look, my book came." "Uh-uh!" I squealed.

Upon opening it, we both oooh'd and aaah'd at her beauty and giggled with delight at her voluptuous shape--her creator Terisa, Running With Scissors referred to her as buoyant, heehee! I spent a lot of time examining every detail on this beautiful, 34-inch mermaid doll. I just love her!!! Oh, her name--it's Minnie--is taken from a song that Terisa talks about on her blog. I think it's perfect!
Terisa also included a box of embellishment-goodness for me to play with. How wonderful is that!

THANK YOU, Terisa, for making our Mermaid Swap so much fun! (Check out Terisa's blog for more GREAT photos of Minnie!)

Marilyn

"Love Squared" Revealed

Monica, on her blog "girl-gone-thread-wild", has revealed the COMPLETED Pink Artist Doll or "Love Squared" as she has been named!









And she is...










BEAUTIFUL!



Monica has posted tons of amazing photos. The ones I am showing here are but a few of the photos that her husband, Jeff, has taken and has so graciously allowed us, The Pink Artists, to share with you on our blogs. However, you really must go look at ALL of them, not only for the sheer beauty, but also for the emotional experience. There is an incredible amount of love, hope and dedication alive in this elegant creation!


By the way, I found my little square in one of the photos! It is located second from the bottom, on the right:

This has been, and continues to be, an unbelievable experience. I'm so thankful to be a part of it!

Marilyn

"The Pink Artist Doll Project" Update

I wanted to share my excitement with you about The Pink Artist Doll! Monica (girl-gone-thread-wild) has two posts on her blog with photos showing the progress of our girl. I think it is FASCINATING and Monica's comments are always a delight.

Check it out: The Pink Artist Doll Project

Marilyn

In The Pink Collaborative Project

Remember when I gushed about the enjoyment of online communities and how many wonderful people I've met? Well, as if that wasn't enough in itself, I've just recently participated in a couple of art collaboratives ("the pink artist" and Never Forgotten) and, again, I marvel at the extraordinary and meaningful things that are happening in those communities.

I find myself loving collaboratives. I don't know why, I just do. So, with that in mind, look what's going on over at PAPER CAT'S PAGE!


Remember recently when I was having a great time playing with paper dolls? (Sorry to sound so much like I'm testing your memory today 'cause it really doesn't matter if you remember what I said..it's just my way of bringing you up to speed.) Here's what I was doing...this is the page I sent to Jo Anne for her collaborative art book:


She said she loves all things pink! Hope I didn't go overboard but I do know, for pink-lovers, there is no such thing! :)

Jo Anne has already posted photos of the art that is coming in and will continue to post photos as more is received. Can't wait to see how it all comes together...I think it'll be a fun piece.

If you would like to join in the fun, you can sign up on Jo Anne's blog until MARCH 31st, 2008. She will need to receive all artwork by APRIL 30th, 2008. Come on, I can already hear you thinking PINK!

Marilyn

Aaaawwwhhh:)

On Friday, my friend Mithua (Crafts With Care) wrote to say she was giving me this award! How sweet...talk about feeling special (blush-blush).

Mithua is one of the nicest gals you'd ever want to know AND she's a very talented dollmaker. She creates one of a kind dolls, mostly cloth, but uses other media as well. Each one of them is full of personality and is definitely 'crafted with care'. Go to her blog and you'll see what I mean.

Thanks so very much, Mithua! Actually, it is your blog that makes MY day!

Marilyn

A Three Minute Tour

The signed, limited edition print that I won in the One World-One Heart giveaway on Jo's blog (The Cart Before The Horse) came in the mail on Saturday.



As is usually the case, it's even better 'in person'. It is such a sweet and whimsical piece. I framed it yesterday afternoon and hung it on a wall over one of the work tables in my craft room. That spot has been begging for something and the print works perfectly there! Thanks, again, Jo!

Since I had the camera out taking pictures of my new "Moon and Star" print, I thought I would show you a picture of Emma, my.....hmmm, my.....well, my 17 year old Siamese/Himalayan cat. I was thinking of calling her "my assistant" or "my helper", something like that, but she really isn't. She thinks her main job is to sit there looking pretty.



Now here, she looks like she's in a guard-cat position, but I seriously doubt her skill in that regard since she hides even when we have friendly company.



She is a good listener, and also a good talker at times. Hey, that sounds like a friend, a companion, a confidante---but, whoa! How about, simply, "Emma, my cat chum".

Next, is a picture of what I have been working on in the little 18" space that is left on one of my two work tables. The rest of the tabletop space is covered with piles of stuff and I am comforted to say that I know I am not alone in this affliction.



I've been playing with some really cool rubber stamps that I bought from Artgirlz and have been having the best time making paper dolls. I bought three different sets of rubber stamps and have been mixing and matching heads, arms and legs; skirts, pants and tops; wings, sunglasses, corsages, etc. I stamped them on different colors of cardstock and have been snip, snip, snipping away! I took some glitter pens to some of the pieces last night, ooooo!

OK, time's up. This concludes today's tour of the ol' craft room. I think it was kinda fun...thank you for coming along!

Marilyn

The Cart Before The Horse

Did I mention how excited I am about a signed, limited edition print that I won?! Jo (The Cart Before The Horse) was a participant in the One World-One Heart blogger event. I entered my name in her drawing for a moon and star 'mixed media collage-drawing thingy' (her words, he-hee) and was one of the lucky five to win! I suggest you hop over to her blog and take a look. You'll see why I'm excited...she is an incredible artist! Jo's dolls are fabulous, and coincidentally, she is in an art group with my dollmaker friend, Karen/Cookie (Curds-and-Whey), another amazing artist, who also happens to be a Kansas City gal like me. Small world, huh?

Thanks, Jo, for your generosity...I really am thrilled!

Marilyn

Back on Track

I can't really say that I haven't done anything creative since before Christmas. I believe day to day living offers many possibilities for creativity. What I can say, however, is not one piece of artwork has made its way out of my craftroom since before Christmas. Until now.....Ta-dah!.....Meet Monique, an art doll that I completed yesterday.

Monique was inspired by a "Party Hat Doll" challenge in the Art Dolls sub-group over at ZNE--VariaZioNE Mixed Media and Indie Artists. I have to admit that she was, indeed, a challenge. I hadn't tried my hand at an Art Doll before Monique, and the challenge was immediate...where do I start? When in doubt, blindly jump in! That's my motto. And that's when the fun started. Slowly, at first, she developed. I couldn't have been farther away from knowing how she would end up. Sometimes it's just a "wait and see" process. I've heard dollmakers (and other artists) talk about how the doll (painting, collage, etc.) "tells them what it will be". I totally believe this and can even say that I have experienced it. Such was the case with Ms. Monique. Some beads here and there...ribbon...lace...and suddenly I could pronounce her 'all done'!

So here she is, an introverted book-lover by day, currently dancing the night away with her friends in the ZNE Art Dolls group (and listed in my Etsy shop). The assortment of the other "Party Hat Dolls" was amazing. All shapes and sizes, materials and personalities, and some kind of party hat to bring them together.

What a fun way to get back on track!

Marilyn