WIP Update and My First Robin This Spring

WIP update...I'm gaining. Hats have been made, scepters sculpted, buckets pinched, faces added and second coats completed. I still have a lot to do to finish this group up, but I feel good about checking items off of my list. Speaking of list, I didn't use to create them. I'm finding now that lists keep me on track so they are now a part of my creative life. Do you create lists?

They don't look like much now, but I'm hopeful!!

This morning when I opened the door blind I was greeted by a robin (on the grape vine), a Eurasian collared dove (on the ground) and a group of house finch (everywhere). Why is this exciting? This is the first robin I have seen since winter started here, and the doves just returned to the yard the end of last week. I also heard them report that the first Sandhill cranes have arrived on the Platte River (just south of town) for their annual migration rest before starting north. We have about 4 good weeks of crane viewing and it is a sight to behold. They rise in groups off of the river in the morning and then return to the river in the evenings for overnight protection. The skies are filled in the morning and night and their ballet in the sky is something everyone should see at least once in their lives. Yes, there are crane fests, crane watch gatherings and the Rowe Sanctuary where you can have guided tours. Such a wonder of nature. Shhhh, I think Spring is coming

Have a great day all. I need to get back to this group of white clay misfits!!
Laurie

Ewing's Sarcoma

Recently, Janell Berryman received a note asking her for help from a good friend whose son is suffering from Ewing's Sarcoma. I contacted Janell last week and she gave me permission to pass this on.
Below is Janell's post:

Below is a copy of an email that I received this past weekend. Kenn is a dear friend of mine who's son has cancer. His son's name is Sam. Sam is battling Ewing's sarcoma. Please read and if you have any information to share in regard to this cancer type please email Kenn at the address below.
Thank you~ Janell

I am sending this to everyone that I know.
Sam, my son, has cancer. Specifically, Ewing's sarcoma.
It started with a tumor on his hip and has metastasized (spred) to the lungs.
He is being treated at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.Two different chemo protocols have been tried and not worked. Stanford is at a loss for a cure.

I am searching for anyone that may have an answer.
Do you know of anyone with this type of cancer that has been treated?
Do you know anyone in volved in the field that may have some insight?
Do you know anyone that may be able to help Sam?

Please contact me with any information at
sam@callahan-group.com
or 408-202-5800.
Please forward this to everyone you know because Sam does not want to give up! ...hope and faith are all we have.

If you know of anything that can give this family hope, please email them at the address above. I believe in miracles and hope you do to.
Laurie

Penny Tree Auction, and What I Have Been Up To...

Well, if you haven't read yet, the Penny Tree Auction was a wonderful success and I thank all of the PFATT members and the bidders for making it special for all of us that participated. A special thank you to Lori "Nana" Davis for spurring us on and putting the auction together and for donating that lovely feather tree. Also, a big cyber hug to all of the PFATT members that made ornaments, encouraged the project and acted behind the scenes as it all came together. Continued healing thoughts and prayers go out to Penny as she continues her battle against leukemia. Love those PFATTies!!

On a lighter note, this is what I have been up to...paper mache clay!! One rabbit fully sculpted (his bow tie is in his bucket), a cat head and body started, a pumpkin devil in desperate need of hands, a small pumpkin head waiting for detail work and lots of forms with the initial coat of paper mache. I worked on the list last night of what is left to do and it contains over 50 items left to sculpt to complete this group, which is in addition to sculpting the faces not yet in place.

I guess that means I need to get back to work!!! Clay, coffee, a diet-coke, a bowl of warm water and towels are waiting for me so I better get to it.

One other thing happened over the weekend...a third column has been added to my blog. Thank you goes to hubby for loving a challenge and figuring out which template change I needed and then making it happen for me. I love that man of mine!!

Have a great week all!!! (I get to play in the clay so mine will be good!)
Laurie

The Penny Tree Auction

The Penny Tree Auction has begun. Great works donated by the PFATT eBay artist group to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Alabama Chapter, in honor of our fellow PFATT member, Penny McAllister.

The auction includes a donated bronze feather tree covered with 30 ornaments by some nationally known artist....seriously, look at the tree, and then look at the list of artists below!! Click on the photo for a link to the auction.



The list of artist donating ornaments for the tree are:

Colleen Moody of Merry Wishes & Vintage Dreams

Christy Meyers of CCswhimsies

Johanna Parker of Johanna Parker Designs
Kaf Grimm of Oldecapeprimitives

Alice Foley-Kaf's Mother

Nancy Malay of Victorian*Whimsies

Lori Davis of Vintage Palette Art

Joyce Stahl of Enchanted Productions

Melissa Valeriote of Queen of Holidays

Karen Milstein of Lovella Ranch

Laurie Hardin of Monkey Cats Studios

Carolee Clark of King of Mice Studios

Diane MacNaughtan of Dianie Mac Designs

JoEllen Laurita of BeFruitful Kreatons

Brenda Ostrowski of Little*Dollings

Joanne Harper of Disgustedcats

Kathy Hunka of Kathysprims

Pam Gracia of Soft In The Head

Noelle Falvo of Trickystitchesprimitives

Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor of Gypsymarestudios

Rose Gilpin of Rosebabys

Zinnia Galligher of Zinniastreasures

Iva Wilcox of Ivascreations

Sandy Wood of Samiamcreations

Linda Kennon of Gourdqueen

Lori Rudolph of Retro*Rudolph's

Cindy Keim of Fancypantscreations

Debbie Garlam of Bittersweet Pastimes

Joan Sturtevant of Joandougart

Jo Ellen Dismukes of Lacey Jane Primtives

Susan Pilotto of Crowsnest Pass Primitive Folk Art

Annette Schwerdt of Confounded Concoctions
Arlene Taddei of Sweetthingsbyarlene

Janena Bartram of Antiqueannies

Amazing work for a great cause....now go place a bid!!!

Happy bidding!!!!!!!!!

Laurie

Bartholomew Bunny

Here is the last little fellow of mine for the update on SpookyTime Jingles this month, "Bartholomew Bunny." Bartholomew is a fastmache, paperclay, wood, German glass glitter and tinsel figure painted in acrylic paint and sealed with a matte polymer varnish. He is hand sculpted and painted by me and Elwood (that darn cat is getting pretty good with a paint brush....I will try to capture a picture for a future post!)


Bartholomew has a sweet little face, and unlike my Halloween boys, I think you can trust him with the small egg at the bottom of his tinsel wreath.

"Bartholomew Bunny" is a preppy little rabbit that loves his polka dot sweater vest, matching dress socks and glittery bow tie. He is shown carrying a green tinsel wreath with a coordinating Easter egg painted to match the design in his sweater vest....a little over the top? Bartholomew smiles, .... he doesn't think so!

Don't forget that SpookyTime Jingles Marketplace is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week....wink!!

Laurie

Bernhardt Bunny (alias Pinkie)

There has been pastel paint in my studio......oh my land!!!!! The little fellow below is "Bernhardt Bunny", but was given the nickname "Pinkie" last week by a very serious little boy. (Consequently, the name has sort of stuck with him.)

"Pinkie" is sculpted from paper-mache and paperclay, and has German glass glitter on his bow tie and gold tinsel surrounding the Easter egg carried in his paws. The body is painted in a highly decorative egg pattern with lots of circles, dots, horizontal stripes and diamonds adorning the surface. The same color scheme on his body is used to decorate the egg he carries, and if you look closely at his inner ear color, nose and eye color, you will see that the color palette continues onto his head. To tone down the pastels and give a more vintage feel the piece is finished with a burnt umber wash.

This little bunny will be on SpookyTime Jingles Friday night at midnight. (EST) Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!!

Have a great evening!!
Laurie

Count Bunnicula ..... Peek

Yes, another month has flown by and it is almost time for another SpookyTime Jingles update!!!!! Friday night at midnight this little character, "Count Bunnicula," will be available. (oh, and a special thank you to William Bezek for giving this little bunny his name!!)

"Count Bunnicula" is a sleepy eyed little character because he really isn't a very good vampire. You see, this little fellow is vegetarian and stays up late, but he does sleep at night...just not very well and that is the reason for his sleepy look. Also, his favorite feedings come from carrots, broccoli, kale, lettuce and a variety of other garden delights, and it has been said he faints at the sight of blood. Nothing but carrot and celery juice for this little fellow to sip in the evenings!! "Count Bunnicula" is a harmless bunny that just happens to have fangs and consequently feels it is never too early to look forward to his favorite holiday...HALLOWEEN!!! (Even his "Easter" eggs have Halloween overtones.)

I'll post another figure tomorrow so you can see what else is coming up on the update!! It looks to be another great month over at STJ!!!

Have a great evening!
Laurie

"Weatherby Wabbit"

I'm working on some more members of the "Wabbit" family this week. I finished up "Weatherby", and think he turned out sort of charming. It has been fun to play with the pastel colors and German glass glitter on these figures. I haven't worked in pastels for a year so it is always nice to have a change. I also noticed that my pastel tones of this year are somewhat brighter than last year's colors. Isn't it funny how are taste can gradually change over time?


I'm painting on a new figure today and it is dealing me fits. I plan my color schemes ahead of time so it doesn't happen to me too often, but the face seems too washed out, the color isn't working for me, so I needed to get away from it for a few minutes... hence the posting. A tiny speed bump in the grand scheme of things.

Here is wishing you a great week!! Back to the studio table for me!
Laurie