Happy Halloween 2009

Hope y'all had a Happy Halloween! Here are some pics of what greeted our guest trick-or-treaters tonight. The image on the front door is a last minute painting I did while still a teenager using leftover Day-Glo paint. (Anyone remember that?) The paint was almost dried up so I had to add lots of water. I keep it in one of my portfolios & drag it out every Halloween. Once in a while I think that I should paint another one. Hopefully my abilities have improved since then...but it's kind of fun to see the old girl. So up on the door she goes, especially since I'm still doing most things at the last minute.

If you can guess the secret behind the disembodied head & the ghost, leave a comment. If you answer correctly, I will put your name in the hat for a giveaway. The next post will show what you could win. Hmmm, what will it be?

Rosalita's on her way to...

This is a first for me. My little Rosalita is on her way to Australia! I don't usually ship overseas, but I had a very polite request & said yes. It's a bit more work to figure out the international shipping process, but my postal worker was very helpful. I didn't offer free shipping because I wasn't sure how expensive it would be. I ended up shipping First Class International which was the least expensive...although it will take up to 10 days to arrive. The buyer agreed. I also added on (at my expense) Registered mail, so I will get confirmation when it arrives. My postal worker suggested that. He said he had seen some instances where eBay sellers have had problems without confirmation. I didn't believe I would have any problems as the buyer was great with communication & very nice...but better safe than sorry.

Hope everyone has a fun Halloween! Next, on to Snowmen & Christmas.

Rosalita, Dias de los Muertos Girl

Here is Rosalita, my Day of the Dead girl. I had a great time learning about the celebration while I worked on her. I discovered that many countries have such a celebration (even in Eastern Europe), but I chose to concentrate on the Mexican tradition. It's believed that it began 2500 to 3000 years ago basically with the Aztecs, etc. When the Spanish arrived, they tried to impress Christianity upon the people, but couldn't eradicate the native customs. So now Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) coincides with All Saints Day on Nov. 1, & Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) follows on Nov. 2 with All Souls Day.

I like that they celebrate & honor their deceased ancestors in such a festive & colorful way. The old expression "Dead & Gone" hasn't any meaning for them.

So, Rosalita is now listed on eBay until Monday, 10/19. Check it out! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160369400629&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I almost forgot, I free-handed the mask of paperclay (no molds) & painted it like a sugar skull. I loved looking at the sugar skulls & other calacas & folk art. Amazing!

Baby Witch Wilhemina, Skellie-head & Fuzzy

Here is my new baby witch doll. Her name is Wilhemina with her pet spider Fuzzy & her dolly, Skellie-head. I listed them tonight on eBay. Check it out.

Pfatt Marketplace!!!

I am so excited to tell that I have been accepted into the Pfatt Marketplace Site! This little dollie is Raggedy Baby Hazel. I've come up with a new design for a baby doll & she is the first. I feel very privileged to have be a part of this group of wonderful artists. Check us out at www.pfattmarketplace.com The new listings start on the 10th of each month at 12:00 am.

Summer is great...but I love autumn!

Here near the lake the trees are still mostly green although the sugar maples are tinged with red. The sky has been an amazingly saturated shade of blue. The night air has begun to get chilly...sweater weather, but the sun is still warm during the day. The kids are back in school, still excited about new clothes, new pencils, new teachers & old friends. September holds the promise of picking apples & grapes & pumpkins! Halloween is just around the corner! As much as I like Halloween, I don't want to rush the season.

That said, here is my latest creation, Queenie Halloweenie & Her Cheshire. She's listed on eBay now. One note...she really isn't as orange as she looks. My camera doesn't seem to capture true color very well.

I'm finishing up my next Halloween dolly. She will be up on the Pfatt Marketplace site next week, Thursday, Sept.10th. I am very excited to have been accepted. I have long admired the artists there. Check it out!

Alice & Her Favorite Flamingo, Flavio

Some time ago I created Alice & listed her up on eBay. Lots of watchers, no bids. At the time, she felt unfinished to me, but I was anxious to get something listed. Now I'm really glad things turned out the way they did because Alice is finally finished. She & Flavio are together again. Well not exactly again...I just made him, but it's part of the backstory. So Alice & Flavio were listed tonight. Check them out!

Halloween is next! I'm soooo excited.