Calamity Kim

Paper Art Dolls: The Vintage Modern Mermaid

I am not sure what it is about the Gibson Girls that captures my attention so completely but I have several stamps with different faces from that genre and I really enjoy using them to make paper dolls.

I often use Kimberly Crick's templates and rubber stamps as well as Catherine Moore's Character Construction stamps. I love the combination of vintage and woodland themes together and am also working up some circus and steampunk designs. I used to make paper dolls quite often and it has been a while since I returned to visit them but I have set aside wool, fabric and spinning wheel to get my paper on for a while.

Paper dolls aren't just for kids and my dolls can be used for decorating trees, wreaths, packages, worn as pins, necklaces or charming wall decor. I use acid free glue and papers and I decorate and embellish them with glitter, paper flowers, hat millinery and tiny ephemera.

Today I visited Retro Rosie's in Bradenton to grab some vintage lace and old letters to use in new dolls. Rosie and Nancy have a lovely shop filled with vintage clothing, shabby chic decor, wedding dresses, kitsch and aprons- as well as sewing notions, barkcloth and lots of good paper ephemera like tintypes and photos.

I love to combine vintage photos with water colored tails and will soon have a batch of finished mermaids- once they get some arms!

I am going to do some that are valentine related and some for Easter- assuming that I stay with it I should get them done in time to list on Etsy. Let's keep our finger's crossed and say a prayer to our patron saint of persistence and consistency- can't hurt- might help!

I joined the Selby Gardens Nature Printer's this year and I hope to be printing some fairy paper dolls using real leaves and flowers for their skirts and wings. No pictures of that yet- just playing with the idea and getting it worked out in my head before I begin printing them.

Monday begins a new year and I hope to be back here blogging more and sharing my adventures. Thank you for the five years of readership and for sharing links to my blog and all the love. Blogland is a special place and my life would not be the same without it. Happy New and Wonderful Year Ahead to us all! love, calamity

Alpha Stamps Giveaway!

So....the big day is over and you're surfing the net looking for fun and something to do...

Go visit one of my favorite sources for stamps, ephemera and embellishments and sign up for their awesome giveaway (with a mermaid theme no less!) and tell em calamity kim sent ya! Here is the link for Alpha Stamps.

I am off for my daily walk and then I will be back to share some new mermaid stamped paper dolls of my own.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas celebration (or Hanukkah or Kwanza or Festive us).

Saturday Morning Inspiration

Waking mind full of holding a baby in my dreams I sit up and my husband puts the blue tooth head phones on my ears, music begins to play in the space between. I gasp and smile, mumbling thank you, my mouth not yet awake.

Seeking out the computer where I drink morning coffee I find myself at a site full of beauty. Tabatha A Yeatts has Art Thursday  with much to see and experience. Lovely images and thoughtful themes soon command me to stop treading water and dive deeper to expand my vision of artful expression.

Each summer I seek out water and it's cooling properties and this one is no different. So, naturally my focus has been on water creatures as well.

I've spent some time working on my mermaid altered box this week as well as spinning some new yarn from Batts in the Bellfry Batts by Kim Perkins. The altered box is a cigar box that I cut down with some advice from my teacher at the Venice Art Center, Joanna Coke. I used a coping saw and then painted it black and then cream and sanded it after it all dried. The shelf is made from the one of the side sections and I covered it with map paper and dry brushed it with the cream acrylic paint. I am attaching a large piece of mica today with rivets and will be gluing the mermaid and bottle in place. The letter inside the bottle is from 1932 and inspired me to find this piece's story.

"The mermaid had found a note in the bottle and fallen in love with the sailor who wrote it. She was falling more and more in love with the idea of him in her mind and soon found her heart had become chained to this mysterious man. Sadly, though she swam for many years in search of him she never found his ship or any sign that he was still at sea. Eventually her unrequited love gave her the anger and strength to break her chains of love and it was at this very moment that I caught her in my altered box theater to be able to share her story with you."

I've also been sketching out and water coloring some larger paper art dolls.

I work on them at night and am trying to get lots done for Atomic later this year. I may put some in the Etsy shop, I just am going slow with them and enjoying the process.

Here's a photo of the "tea and sympathy" yarn I spun from Kim Perkin's batts she made using wool, bamboo, silk, lace, linen and fabric.

Usually I just want to spin, but I can see this yarn in a bag with other browns and pinks and am going to knit it up soon.

Yesterday I gave my new Ashford Country Spinner wheel a few coats of polyurethane and am going to try to get it put together today.

It's made for spinning bulky art yarn and has a 2 lb bobbin! Needless to say I am dying to get it put together and it looks to be a nice day for it- the sun is shinning and there isn't any rain yet.

I am awake and ready to get busy- thanks for stopping by and sharing a morning cup of inspiration...

see ya soon,

calamity kim

some things should last forever

I was Googling French Circus Images and found this work by Kathy Ruttenberg. At first I thought it was paper but it is really made from clay. Check out her website and be sure to look at the Macy's Window- it will blow you away!

Isn't it funny how we put things in categories and then attach value to them based on their composition? Paper doesn't last as long as clay but I could imagine these "sculptures" as dolls made from cloth or felt just as easily. Why aren't they still sculptures then? Surely taking flat cloth and using it to create a 3 dimensional form is just as wondrous and magical as using clay and fire to bring about the same object. Cloth can rot and mildew. Pottery lasts so much longer.

I think that Kathy Ruttenberg has talent beyond any words I could possibly string together to lay a mantle of praise around her shoulders.

I am smitten.

oh, the calamity...

Dreaming of Mother Nature

Did you ever wake from a dream with an idea in your mind,
reach for the notepad to jot it down before it faded?
Was it a brilliant concept that haunted you until you gave it life?

Did you knead it like the pretzel maker does until it came together into a solid, concrete plan?

When you began working on it
did your mind start to sing and fizz with excitement?
How long was it before doubt, came creeping about,
 looking over your shoulder to plant seeds of insecurity and whisper "this isn't art",
making you wonder why are you wasting your time?
Until you told her to be quiet and continued adding this and that until finally your vision was born.
Like Pinocchio dancing with life; this paper doll spins in the breeze, flutters and sparkles and reminds us that you can't fool Mother Nature.
I used some pressed flowers, ginkgo leaves and those white skeleton leaves along with paper ephemera and a gorgeous Gibson Girl stamp by Stamp Francisco to create this paper doll mobile.
Whisper softly what you think...
I wasn't sure if I had the video going so please forgive my amateur movie making... 

things that bloom, with or without wings to fly

I worked in the guest bedroom yesterday, cleaning and sorting, making piles to toss, to give away, to keep.
It feels good to get organized and know where everything is.
I found the perfect cart with drawers at the office supply store and have moved all the wooden stamps into it.
 The clear acrylic stamps are in notebooks, inside plastic pages.
 I should go get another cart for the ink pads and accessories.
I found a small carrying bin at Michaels for the brads and grommets.
The possibilities are endless with stamps-depending on your choice of paper, inks and position, you can create all sorts of images or dolls in my case.
 I am hooked on stamps by Catherine Moore and Kimberly Crick and I am back in paper mode, or so it seems.
 I eventually want to teach classes with it, and need to make some examples and it is important to be organized and transportable.
Looking around my room in the early morning light I see birds and fairies and mushrooms.The faces seem to have a look of quiet expectation.
 All waiting for what the day will bring.
Flowers and buttons will embellish and bloom on fabric
and paper gardens growing in my mind.
I glance up and see more bright blooms outside. Focusing on the screen, then blinking to see the view. Letting the bougainvillea finally grow with rampant abandon- not trimming or containing it any longer.
The nature of the plant is to grow wild and bloom when it reaches the sun - necessary to heat the branches and engulf them with flames of brilliant flowers. They are paper-like and delicate to the touch.
Looking back down, I see more birds and winged things waiting to be used.
Paper dolls surround me and watch, as I stack, fold, gather, cut and create.
Symbols of tenderness and love are everywhere I look.
This is the stamp room now, at least until the next guest arrives.
The 6 foot table is set up and the fabric bins and wool piles are shifted back into the sewing room. It doesn't seem fair that I have so much space to spread all this out  but I could fill a warehouse if given the opportunity!
The light is lovely in this room and the birds on the lake coo and call to each other as the squirrels chase each other through the trees.
Nature surrounds me and I feel content for the moment.
There are not enough hours in the day to do all the things I want.
I feel that way Every Day!
Even though some days I feel empty and tired, worn down and sad there are
 other times that I feel alive with energy and joy and a need to translate that emotion into something beautiful.
No, I am not bi-polar!
That isn't funny! Really, I am trying to be serious here.
A thin aqua line caught unaware calls to me.
 I want to walk out and get on my bike and experience this day with the wind gently breezing by, sunshine warm on my arms as I steer toward more adventures.
But, I probably will just stay here, straightening and cleaning and getting ready to make more mess.
 Spring cleaning?
 It must be because I am dusting, washing, drying, cleaning and sorting.
I have a big pile for the give away table at the next Surface Design Meeting.
 missed the play day, sadly, I wanted to go but thought it was Next week.
I need reminders. I need a secretary!
Hell, I need a maid!!! Oh, wait- I am the maid!
well- at least once a week, anyway.
I should be getting back to it...
hugs
and
kisses
and be well, today, dear ones.
xo,
kim

what a calamity

What did I do this weekend?
What did I do last week?
What have I done this month?
What did I start this year?
I might be in trouble.
If I were to be honest, I would have to say, that I think I may have an addiction.
Here are my indications/symptoms:

I think about it all the time.
I am not happy unless I am doing it.
I will forgo food and drink and comfort for it.
I have injured myself physically doing it- bled for it.
If given the option of doing it alone or being with people who don't do it- I'd probably rather be alone.
It makes me feel alive.
My heart races, my blood pumps, I am energized- just thinking about it.
Everything I see makes me think of what can be done with it.
I will go in search of it at all hours of the night or day.
I cannot stop.
I don't want to stop.
I am out of control.
I can't sleep.

I have an Art Addiction.

Oh, that feels so good... to tell someone out loud...or on screen...out loud in my little room.
 I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't do drugs, I don't gamble or bet.
But I will spend my last dime on rubber to carve a stamp.
It is who I am...and I am lucky that I have this opportunity to create, everyday.
There have been times when I worked so much that I could only collapse into a tv dinner and bed by the time I got home. No energy or drive to create.
Now, I am constantly learning and growing through the internet and what I find there. New books, new tools, new techniques, all inspiring me to stretch and grow and dream and do.

I thought that I would try to have 3 things each week- a great plan- except that I can't reign it in- I have challenges and magazine deadlines for submissions and art shows and programs that I want to be involved in and I am willy nilly with the hours in my day- its too difficult to force myself to create in a structured situation, although, the whole point was to make me FOCUS.

Why is that so difficult? Are all artists/craft persons that way? Scattered with each new idea? Projects half started and abandoned by the next new thing?

I don't know about you but, I am going to try again- Except I think my year will begin in Feb. A small smile appears at the folly of my plan as I write this- knowing you'll laugh and smile and shake your head...she'll never do it I hear you whisper and I think- I will if I want to...does it matter? I can only succeed if I allow myself to.
I try to share 99% of my stuff here and yet, I have begun to have more friends and activities that pull me away from my cyber neighbors and I realize that as life is change, so it has once again.
 The growth is good and I am happy to be in the company of other creative women who allow me to be free to color outside the lines and struggle with the same addictions to color and texture and surface design.

Just rambling I suppose, as I sit and consume coffee and think about the day ahead- making more paper dolls...using new stamps...
I am excited and pumped with creative  juice to start!
That's all I want to do!
 (I have a few paper dolls from last Friday to show- a friend shared a pattern for a heart and I used it to make the body for a doll.
 I will scan it and have it here as a PDF soon-
I also need to get out the Marie Antoinette Advent Doll pattern for Valentines day and make that into a pattern and I still have the Witch from last year to re-size and get to my friend Kim who is going to test the pattern for me-
running in quick sand again-
no urgency with things that were done last year- )
I am forever looking to the next new thing-
I am sorry if this drives you crazy, or frustrates or disappoints you-
I have no excuse except it seems to be the way that I am.
I know that I need to straighten up and get organized and be more focused and I can't even say that I am doing the best that I can- because I don't think I am...
willy nilly, hither and yon...
floating with the currents...
flying on the breeze...

the only thing you can be sure of is change and at least it isn't stagnant and still here at calamity kim...

where I will be chasing the dragon again today...
wish me luck...
thanks for listening...
xo,
calamity kim

She's Come Undone

My week started off in the most wonderful way, with a field trip to the Ringling Museum to see the Kimonos on display and after a really nice lunch al fresco with two of my nicest and most artistic friends, I had a small accident while drilling some mahjong tiles and ended up wearing a bandage on my left thumb for a few days now.

It's fine- no need for stitches, (teehee) and it is healing nicely, but still sore-  my whole body is sore actually, from bike riding and walking and last week I shaved part of a finger with a brand new potato peeler- (its healed) so I feel somewhat shaky and accident prone and am wondering if I need to find a rabbits foot (gross!) or hide the mirrors and ladders?
I have sketched out a few Wizard of Oz inspired creations and they are patiently waiting to take shape. Please be patient with me as I heal and mend.

The reason I am focusing on 3 things each week is to help tame my chaos and have a format from which to Blog and also have more handmade products to sell when shows come around. It takes 30 days to change a habit and I may need a little bit more than that to get in the groove.

I learned some new things while viewing the kimonos and really appreciate the effort that it must involve to set up a show like that.
Sadly, no photography was allowed but in a serendipitous event- my friend Sara sent me a lovely package of JOY that included a Japanese doll-Katsuraningyo- with 3 wigs and a kimono and under garments. She is so lovely and it brought tears to my eyes at the thoughtfulness of her giving it to me.
How did she know I had always wanted a lovely Japanese lady?
ometimes the generosity and kindness of others just undoes me- it made me have a much better day...at least up until I got a hold of that drill...which we won't discuss...sometimes I embarrass myself doing such stupid things- I know how to handle tools but I forgot to bring the vise to hold the tile secure and whoops!
Anyway...so it goes...in the life of "Calamity" Kim.

Playing Lowers Blood Pressure

Go to ThinkGeek and get some toys and play!!!

a few stitches

a few stitches, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Morning has broken and I am still bleary eyed with sleep.
I grabbed the camera to shakily take a picture to illustrate what I worked on for a bit last night.
Just to get a little needle time.
I had gone to my friend's house for our monthly Paper Doll Play Time and it was wonderful.
We laughed, we cried, we pondered and perused.
When Arty chicks get together we do have fun and the energy is collectively creative and nurturing.
It has been a long Summer with most of them on the road, but we were all together yesterday and it was nice.I had missed that.The circle was closed so to speak and as we hummed along to the soundtrack from Mama Mia, we had a delightful time talking and working on our shadow boxes.
I had a roll of wallpaper border that I used for my background and added the ubiquitous sheet music to the inner sides and then I started working on my Santo Paper Doll using my new stamp from Invoke Arts.
I am not quite finished yet but here is mine so far.

She is Santos Of The Shadows.

I have a few more things to add to it- namely glitter and a little glass slide window.. I'll work on it later...

I have some things to get ready to mail and then I might get over to the beach today for a little walk in the sunshine...
Have a Happy Monday,
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Mermaid Week at Calamity Kim's!!! Wednesday is all about Dolls of the Sea

I am not sure if I have ever seen this site before.
I Googled Mermaid Images and it led me there.
It's called The Doll Maker's Journey and I put mermaid in the pattern search box and hit the Jackpot!
I just had to share some of my favorites with you- please go check out all the doll patterns at the site linked here.
 There were 63 different patterns so keep choosing the next 20 at the bottom of the page to see them all. I grabbed a few photos to share and I may have a difficult time not ordering a pattern or two.
 I usually draw my own but some of these are very well done. I think that the hands make all the difference and the face as well.

Scylla by Barbara Schoenoff
"This breathtakingly beautiful 17” reclining mermaid with webbed fingers is created with batik fabrics covered with fabric lace and exquisite embellishments."
The pattern is $12.00
I love the spiderweb embroidery and her face is serene and lovely. This has some great details and I think the tail makes it quite unusual.

Sea People by Susan Barmore "The texture on the tails of this fantastic 6”x9” undersea family is made by gluing string to the stuffed bodies before painting and antiquing them." This pattern is $ 8.00

 I think this is very cool in a Folk Art sort of way.I like to paint fabric- it gives it a very leather like look and I like how this is stained and grunged to look old.

Mermaid by elinor peace bailey Item # EB718
Colorful 28" mermaid with that special epb flair!
 The pattern is 9.00 Ya gotta love Elinor Peace Bailey! Her stuff is always colorful and whimsical!
Under the Sea by Cyndi Mahlstadt Item # CT301
 "This whimsical 20" mermaid is created with a combination of wire wrapped armature and traditional stuffed cloth techniques. Detailed instructions on creating her needle sculpted face, eyelids and fanciful tail are included. Dolskin required." Sailor Maid by Susan Barmore Darling 8” painted mermaid with sailor collar and cap.
This pattern is selling for $8

SeaFoam and RipTide by Donna Schramek
"This colorful 12" seahorse and his impish 6" rider are especially fond of ocean resorts where they nibble on the toes of bathers just for sport to see them jump and splash." 6 bucks for the pattern
Sirens by Karen Shifton
"The pattern for this beautiful 16” long mermaid includes detailed directions for making fully needle sculpted hands, a contoured torso and a weighted tail."
Minerva, the Princess Mermaid by Arley Berryhill
 "The pattern for this spectacular 20” mermaid features a wire armature for easy posing, wired hands and fins, optional mitt hands and detailed instructions for coloring the face,
 making the hair, the tiara and braided sash. You’ll also learn how to create a “seaweed” boa using a fabric burning technique along with a paper mache rock for her to rest on."  Now, I love her hands and her extra fins and she looks like she's had a few gin and tonics!  and finally this last one...
Pearl Diver by Julie McCullough
 "Fabric selection and embellishment choices transform this elegant 18" mermaid with quilted hair, fins and tail in to a spectacular piece of art."
There must be thousands of different dolls on that site!
 I have bookmarked it and will go back when I have time- I encourage you to do the same!
 Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Stella's new dress

Stella's new dress, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

She was overjoyed when she opened the box her Mom had left in her room that morning.
It was the dress!
The dress!
The dress she had wished for and wanted ever since she happened by Roses department store window one Sunday after Church.
She knew that with her new dress things would be different.
She would get the piece of cake with the icing roses instead of an empty corner piece like usual.
She would make friends and girls would want to come to her house to play paper dolls.
Just wait till they all saw her new dress!

Her shoes were pretty nice too!

These were the kind of shoes that made her wish her feet would never grow any bigger.
Mary Jane's with roses...
She couldn't wait to go to the party and see all the fireworks and sparklers!
What a wonderful 4th Of July!
Hip Hip Horay!

Happy Independence Day. May Freedom Ring

cake faerie

cake faerie, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Everyone here at Calamity Cottage is getting ready for the Big Mad Tea Party that Vanessa is hostessing on Saturday.
The faeries are helping me bake cakes and pies and whip the cream and sugar the violets and with all this glitter being sprinkled around~I sure am glad it's non-toxic!
I am working on a mask and my outfit today and hopefully can get Fred to stop laughing long enough to snap a few pictures.

If you have time and inspiration then stop by Vanessa's Blog and read all about the party and post something of your own tomorrow~ Look at all the Blogs that will be participating on her sidebar!!!! This should be amazing and loads of fun!
I know it's difficult to play along with a virtual game but sometimes just the thought of being transported to faerie filled Wonderland is enough to beat the blues created by the current realities of gas prices and war without end.
At least it helps me.
Beat the Blues...
I am compelled to see Wanted as soon as possible since it has my guy, McAvoy and looks to be right up my Matrix loving alley, so I better get busy!!!
Y'all have a nice morning!
xxxooo
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Another Paper Doll Party , and fun was had by all!

Good Morning Calamities!
I don't know about you, but I had a really nice and relaxing weekend!
Saturday I made chicken enchiladas and we watched a marathon of CSI that was saved in the DVR. Then yesterday some friends came over and we had another paper doll party!

We used some Catherine Moore stamps and some templates for mermaids found

here at The Enchanted Gallery.

She has 3 different templates that are free and usable with her angel policy.

You can sell items made with her stamps and templates but you may not sell her stamps and it's nice to give credit for the source if you do use the templates.

The face used for the mermaid is from her sheet of rubber unmounted stamps that Laura had purchased. She found the Enchanted Gallery by Googling mermaid stamp. I need to read the wealth of information she shares about stamping on dominoes and making buttons with her molds. If you have a minute to browse her site for the images of the finished buttons made with her push molds ~ it's worth the time.

Beautiful is the only word to describe them. I want them all! Next I'll be making buttons for heaven's sake! Where does it all end??

I am in love with all of the stamps and molds created by Kimberly Crick. I must finish some more aprons to make some stamp money!

The umbrella is one of Catherine Moore's stamps. I didn't even use the newest ones I bought recently. I still have everything out though.

Like some of my stamps and paper.

In fact Fred will be eating on the sofa or at his desk until I get the Craft Bomb

that exploded off the dining room table.

Thank goodness he is so patient with me!

It's messier than fabric I think, to cut paper.

I can't seem to do both in the same day, either. It's one or the other.

I did get the bird paper doll set from Invoke Arts.
 It came unmounted and Laura shared her supplies to adhere foam and then we tried some re-tack glue stuff and mine worked fine until I washed the ink from the stamps and the rubber separated from the foam and then the foam wouldn't come off the acrylic stamp block. Oh, the calamity!
Don't your fingers itch to get in there and start cutting and embossing and punching holes?
I am really in love with these paper dolls and it is so much fun.
First paper doll parties I ever had in my whole life! It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Next time I'm making cupcakes! Hear that girls? How about Carrot cake cupcakes? Or maybe the s'mores cupcakes? what's your preference?
 I am making her into a wearable by adding a pin back.

Ain't she cute?

Do any of y'all want some calamity seeds? Should I do some for the Etsy shop?

All right, I have to git!

I really need to finish Deb's apron! I'll condense all the paper doll stuff down to one small 4' table and maybe sneak over later and make some more girls.

Or Moore Girls. get it?

Oh, I crack myself up!

Have a Happy Monday!

Love & Stitches,

Calamity Kim

Everyone Needs A Little Time To Play

Well. well, well.
I wonder if I should apologize? I have been absent, called in exhausted, nothing to say, too busy,  unfinished with everything,  and just generally uninspired to write.
What?
Who?
Me?
Yes, I am afraid I just have nothing to say or share.
I'll give you a second to absorb that.
Even this very moment I get up to go feed my squirrels and ducks and birds. I can see them from this window as I write and I would rather go do that than to sit here and figure out what to say.
I think I need a vacation.
I just took one, you say?
Well, not really.
I have been having some fun with a few of my friends using Catherine Moore's Character Construction stamps to make paper dolls.
They are addictive and fun.


Cheryl, Barb and Laura from the Surface design Group came over yesterday and we played paper dolls.
Now, I can remember loving my McCall's paper dolls so much that most of the time I never cut them out, preferring to save them in my desk drawer.
I didn't know about adding a thicker chipboard to make them stronger and I sure didn't have 1/16th hole punches or any of the wonderful supplies that I now own to enhance the paper dolls.
I discovered Character Construction paper doll stamps by Catherine Moore last year and have been having fun with them ever since!

I may have mentioned that Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady is my favorite book to collage with.
 It totally encompasses the feeling of vintage, handmade, nature loving, old-fashioned look that captures the heart of calamity and keeps me content.
It is difficult to convince other people to rip out the pages and glue them down to watercolor paper or chipboard and start cutting. I think by using it in my collage art or in the paper dolls it honors the material and gives it a new life, Of course I have 4 copies of the book (lucky find at Goodwill) and so my  utilization is based on this. If I only had one copy or had paid more than 2.99 for it  I would never cut it up.
The one on the left is made by Cheryl and I did the one on the right. The oriental flavored one on the far right is by Laura.
A portion of the fun in having a paper doll party is watching everyone make utterly unique and original one of a kind paper dolls from the same materials and stamps. Because the variations in paper and coloring and embellishments make them all so individual.
The one on the left is made by Barb and she used a vintage image from a post card painted by Humphrey Bogarts Mom, Maud.
She has a soft, old fashioned look that is dreamy and sweet. Barb used her laminating machine to laminate hers before cutting them into paper dolls. She wants to use them on bags and  maybe make some into wearable pins.
The Body on the right is from a website with great templates for different paper products (boxes, cards, etc) called Ruth Ann Zaroff Mirkwood designs. Here is the link for that paper doll.
My spiderweb stamp made a great hat for these two girls- left by Barb and right by Cheryl.
I made the one on the left and the one on the right and the center girl is by Cheryl.
 See what I mean about using the same stamps and getting such different results?
I encourage everyone to invest in some Chalk Cat's Eye stamp pads and just run them around the edge for an old and aged effect.
 It helps to blend the edges of the papers on the side also for a more finished and professional look.
These ladies are also by Cheryl who gave one an apron and a hat from a vellum clockface and the other is sporting a flower attached with a brad created by using one of Martha Stewart's paper punches, which I also recommend.
 Sorry if this post is going to make you get a second mortgage!
It's more fun, the more stamps you have and Catherine has quite a collection to choose from.
 Here is the link to her website. These are the Clearly Constructed acrylic stamps.
 The benefit of being able to see exactly where you are placing your stamp allows you to remove the guesswork from how your finished stamp will appear like when using wooden/rubber stamps.
I love the mad tea party stamps and the Marie Antoinette inspired line is simply divine!



Needless to say, I want them all!
I can't wait to have another paper doll party with my girls.
 We talked and laughed and even cried a little.
 It is wonderful to make friends again.
I have moved so often and had all but given up on making friends outside of the internet.
 I find it difficult to connect with other people face to face sometimes.
 I am so creative and that is never questioned here- in fact, most of you read my Blog because I am a Crafty Chick.
You never ask me why I am making what I am and for that I am profoundly thankful.
 I need to create.
That is part of my personality.
I can't be any other way.
I am also a bit obsessive and that means that when I am doing something or reading a big fat summer book I can't stop!

After reading Stephanie Meyer's other books I was certain I wanted to try The Host, her newest book and am starting to get worried that I can't put it down.
 I force myself to only read a chapter at a time and look forward to my reading time each day. I am taming my compulsive urges and it is nice to read it slowly and savor the time spent doing so.
I am also pulling out some favorites and re-reading them and thinking about how to apply it to my collage theory.
Then I had to pick up Fons & Porter's new Easy Quilts Magazine because this little table runner caught my eye.
Not that I ever have any of the fabrics that they use in the examples.
 Mine are always just a bit different.
 This usually makes it even harder for me to make my own adaptation.
 I find I think harder and spend more time than I would if it were my own unique "seat of the pants" creation. Like a frozen Charlotte doll, my arms suddenly are suspended at my sides as I visually search through the shelves of fabric for just the right ones.
 UGH!
 Another half started, stymied project.
 I have a PILE of Aprons, waiting...for inspiration to strike!
Like this one with vintage red playing hide and go seek with that bad old wolf.
Pink haired Goldilocks and aqua and red color schemes make me smile as I scratch my itch to stitch.
 But the paper dolls cry out to me as I pass them on the refrigerator or in the bookcase, come play with me!

Oh, what to do!

 I am sorry if I neglect you, my cyber sistahs,
my calamities,
I might be off with my cloth and paper and scissors
and can only encourage you to do the same.
It is summertime and the heat is rising and soon we will be either indoors or at the beach.
 Often we rent series and sit in the dark and have marathons of our favorites or sometimes new shows.
 I will try to Blog more, like I used to, but I must spend time with my son while I can.
 He is home from college and it is a blessing to have him near.
 I feel lonely for the kids and grandkids so often and that is part of my compulsion to make things so obsessively- it fills the empty hours.
I hope you understand.
Please know that I miss you and think about my "constant commenter's" and hope I can catch up with you. Please email anything you are dying to share and I will get with it!
(I don't even recognize this Calamity who doesn't turn on her computer now for days at a time!
 I may need an intervention! Someone call the Paper Doll Police!)
I love you all.
 Now, go play!
Love & Stitches,
 Calamity Kim

seeing things. hearing voices.

I had a stack of fabric just begging to become an apron yesterday.
The apron that has been tumbling in my mind for months.
But I didn't start it.
Nope.

I heard something else.

A whisper from the muse.

I pulled out the osnaberg fabric and quickly drew a face and then embroidered it. I wasn't sure if I heard her say she wanted to be an appliquéd doll on the face of a quilt or whether she wanted to be a doll with arms and legs and a nice dress.
She ended up being a little doll.
I tried to listen to her story as she came together in my hands, but I was watching Marnie on Turner classic Movies and couldn't think straight for a very dashing and young  Sean Connery had me quite  distracted.
I kept trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with Tippie Hedren.
Not my favorite Hitchcock Film, I might add.
Anyway, I gave her small arms and legs and then spent more time making the dress than I had on the entire doll!
She whispered that she is really a Jane Austen Rag doll and has her own stories to write.
Maybe she can come live at your house while she writes them.
I am planning to list some things in my poorly neglected Etsy store this coming week. I'd like to say Wed but it might be Thursday.
I have more things to get finished like the Sweeney Todd Aprons and a few more other surprises.
I have lots of needles in my pincushion at the moment and I am feeling as Mad as a Hatter trying to get it all sorted out!
Order shall prevail and I will tame the chaos of my kitchen and laundry and studio and get it all ship shape and put to rights!
Or maybe I will start that apron, so the song will stop singing in my head!
I'm listening to the muse and she is loud!
Have a happy Sunday,
Love & Stitches,
Calamity kim

Valentine in her boudoir

Valentine in her boudoir, originally uploaded by Sara Lechner.

do you ever just fall instantly in love? This is Valentine- Created by Sara Lechner.


*sigh*

Waiting for the wings

Waiting for the wings, originally uploaded by Sara Lechner.

I just had to share this work with you! Created by Sara Lechner... click on the picture to see more... Oh! I just peeked in her Etsy shop! They are listed! Click here... ( Mother's Day is almost here!! hint! Hint! ;)

je ne sais quoi of Constance Muller at Rochambeau

Well, I am ready to leave.
I am packed and checking things off my list.
I will drive and Fred has been sweet and fixed up the lap top with all the bookmarks and sites and all things calamitous so that I can work and stay in touch with my peeps. I will take the train another time. I was looking forward to the rattle and hum and sway and being able to nap and stitch, but now must pay attention and drive.
Just in case you are bored while I am busy driving, I wanted to introduce you to my sweet friend Constance Muller.
She creates fantasy purses made in the Italian doll style.
They are visions of loveliness.
I wish she could get a spread in Marie Claire Idees- her work needs to be seen.
These are pictures from her online shop: Boutique Rochambeau
Ready?
Here we go...

She also has a blog: Rouchambeau Go give her some love and explore her site- there are many more lovely creations to dream over.
Someday I will get one of those doll bags...if only I could decide...they are all too lovely.

Hi! Welcome to Calamity Kim's Craft Round-up!

I am curious- All of you coming from The Cloth Doll Connection site- what do you think about my pattern?
What do you think about my Blog?
Have you made your own Advent Elf yet?
Can you leave a comment and say hello?
I assure you that I am very sweet and nice and happy that you are coming here to see my pattern, but, it really surprises and kind of disappoints me, when you don't say anything....So, don't be shy!
Say hello!
Show me pictures if you do make one- like my friend Amanda from Australia- she just started a blog called Needle and Spoon and has a picture of her Advent Elf here. It looks like she is making another nice doll too-its going to be red & aqua, my favorite colors!
Go see her and give her a little Blogger love- she's new, but so sweet!
Tell her you'd like to see more of her sewing /craft area and  her fabric stash... I am back to work- so little time! so much too do! Have a happy weekend!

I saw these lovely dolls on eBay- last night after watching the newest episode of Moonlight- I couldn't watch anything else- I had to leave the room for the video show full of accidents labeled as world's greatest idiots caught on film- or whatever he was watching...so, I drifted on ebay and did win a lovely sewing box -pink with a poodle on top! Have you seen the "Princess" sewing boxes? So lovely. So Shabby Dabby delicious! I didn't bid on any dolls, but I do enjoy looking at them. I will have several more to show you soon- I am caught up with laundry and cleaning today- then the Art Day is tomorrow- I will have pictures on Monday- wouldn't ya know it's a 50% chance of rain tomorrow? really...after months of drought...oh, the calamity!

Low Elf Esteem...or How my New Printer is Bamboozling my feeble attempts to create

I have been working on this Advent Elf for almost 2 weeks trying to get it all done in time for you peeps to make one for your dear kids.
Today I thought I had it finished and when I printed the PDF out the pattern pieces were too small. I don't know what's up with that.
Now, I have had my HP Photosmart 8250 for a while.
I named him Cassidy.
After David not Butch.
Because Cherish is the word.
Fred gave me an early Christmas present of a HPScanjet G4010.
I was going to name him Clooney because he is sleek, sassy and hip.
However I may have to change that name to Nixon, because it's just like Tricky Dick- changing sizes, being difficult and frustrating and not very forthcoming with details of operation.
It doesn't come with a booklet- well, it does, but it only tells you how to install it on your computer, not how the damn thing works- you have to go to some website for that!
Why are the scans of the pattern pieces coming out the wrong size???
Like a piece of cake that tastes like baking soda.
I feel cheated and mad and all I wanted to do was make a nice pattern for my little calamities to use and maybe be happy with.
I have to wait for Super Fred.
I am sorry.
At least its all finished.
I might need to re scan the pattern pieces
I dunno. I don't understand at all.
When I do figure this out I will be sending off PDF's to magazines for submission and be a big shot someday.
You just wait and see.
In the meanwhile I wanted to share with you this exciting news.
I joined a Group over at eBay and am tickled that I have found kindred spirits to sell my creations with.
Melisa from Coopermouse Dolls has formed a Group called:

I will be creating orphans for adoption and they will be living at Mrs Blathersby's until some kind and gentle souls take pity on them and they find new homes.
Sound like fun? The Group currently has 18 members and can always be found by putting MRSBO in your eBay search. There are a few dolls listed now from other members and I might have one or two in there before the end of December. No promises- I have so much going on- but I most assuredly will for next year!
To me, it does. The theme for December is "Disappointed Expectations". Now, who hasn't had those, at least once? Imagine the poor orphan dollies and how their dashed hopes lay broken like hearts smashed on the shores of hope.
Delightfully, deliciously macabre  for me to  drink deeply from the  cup of sorrows and contemplate  sad, lonely children whose parents have  perhaps  befallen unfortunate circumstances...  An opportunity to make the story revolve around the doll and  have fun with it. I haven't sold any dolls on eBay for a long while, I guess not since Etsy lured me over.
Speaking of Etsy...I did a tiny bit of shopping last week and was thrilled to purchase some goodies from Ullabenulla and Bitter Betty Industries.
Want to see? Let me go take some pictures and load them and then I'll share some more with you.

This is from the delightful Ullabenulla. I fell in love with a pin she made. It has a baby with "nuthatch" inside a small coffin shaped glass soldered box. I borrowed her picture as mine was fuzzy from my shaking fingers!

It came inside a baby shoe, a patent leather baby shoe.

I almost cried.

I also got a bag from Bitter Betty- its so lovely! Its a vintage wooden purse that she re-imagined and will be perfect to defend myself while Christmas shopping!

It gets pretty rough here during season!

Grocery shopping is like going for a Go-Cart Ride sometimes! Betty gave me some sweet treats also-a smell good lavender sachet and a wonderfully old fashioned pine cone ornament and a sassy handmade necklace- I love it! It's like...Christmas!!!!!!. They are both super swell gals and their blogs are always enchanting.

Sad News, Oh Susanna

Perhaps you have heard of Susanna Oroyan?
She introduced me to doll making with her books.
I want to take a moment to remember her here- she lost her 7 year battle with cancer and is gone to a better place. She leaves us with inspiring books and dolls that give joy and happiness to all who see them. Thank you Susanna.

art doll party hats for a bit of joy

a

It's hard to believe that we are half way through August. School is starting back. Soon, the frost will be on the pumpkins. Well, not here. We are happy to get rain and the daily thunderstorms are a welcome relief to the heat. It's a wet heat. The humidity makes my hair frizz and my temper short. You think you'll get used to it, but I am not sure you ever really do. If you have the time to go to the beach you can swim and relax and get wet and beat the heat. If not, then some suffering is gonna happen. I get snarfy when I don't feel well and compound that with the heat, I am just miserable. Nobody wants to hear it! I feel torn between deleting this and other posts and singing it load and clear and not worrying what anyone thinks. I sabotage myself. This Blog is for the Arts & Crafts Fun Make & Do Club. Not the whining, crybaby, boring, bull!@#%. Oh, man, snarf a licious. Pay no attention to that Cowgirl behind the curtain!!! She's still SNARFY!!! Maybe a few pictures will bring out the happy happy joy joy girl. We'll give it a try. If it doesn't work, just run! Run away! I made another art doll party hat while I was feeling yucky over the weekend. I didn't really get much else done. I cleaned my sewing room and moved the oak secretary into the sewing room and put my paints and stamps in it. Now I have room for the large cupboard in the living room. If I can stand the heat long enough to finish refinishing it. I will try today. It will be so beautiful when it's finished. Worth all the effort, I know. It will make a nice display for pictures this Fall. I plan on letting the Mr set up his GI JOE Collection on it also. It's only fair. I have all the other spaces allocated to my fluff and whims. I received my Art Doll Party Hat yesterday from my swap partner, Deb and it's Gorgeous!!! I bet you'd like to see it! I asked for a mermaid and I got one! The most beautiful mermaid with a glittered tail and a gorgeous gold net full of fish and a lovely stack of photo and wallpaper ephemera to create more dolls with. Here is a link to her Blog- HopHopJingleBoo and here are some pictures of my lovely mermaid hat... and all the cool stuff she added...wallpaper and vintage photos.   Below that is the mantle filled with art paper doll party hats and below that is the cupboard with painting supplies and stamps. Then a look around the sewing room. Up, down, and all around. Then my current wip.  I added a few things to the Etsy shop since I was cleaning up the sewing room- some stamp  organizers and  a few unwanted stamps and stars and I lowered some prices. You'll have to go see. Etsy shop I bought some watercolor crayons and am thrilled with them- it's fun to play!!

Party Hat Paper Dolls

Yesterday  I spent most of the day working on some more paper doll party hats. Last night, as I lay there listening to the rain, I thought about my brand new box of transparencies and how I could use them with the paper doll party hats.
EUREKA!!!!!

I scanned one of my vintage tintypes and then used brads to attach it to the hat. Sweet. I really like how it turned out. She is remembering the girl that she used to be.

Louise Brooks was the it girl in her day- I bet she'd be surprised to learn she is still "IT" to some of us. This one uses some Amy Butler paper I found in Tallahassee.After I finished The Butterfly Ball I realized that Tim Burton's Corpse Bride may have subconsciously inspired me.

This chick knows that a bird in the hand is worth two out on the limb. I am going to make some more and then ask my swap partner to choose what she would like and then I am listing the rest in Etsy on Friday. Which do you like? **** I forgot to mention- my swap partner is Debra of this fabulous  blog She does gorgeous paper mache!

The New Obsession- Paper Doll Party Hats

In preparation for creating the paper doll party hat project or PDPHP as I like to call it, I had to wrangle a few craft items curently not in stock at Casa de Calamity. For several days I had been on the lookout for large party hats. I assumed that the party stores would have a better selection. After driving all over town I found the largest ones at the Party Store and also picked up some cool paper party picks with umbrellas and flamingos. In the picture here you can see my big old chunk of beeswax sitting on the mini Crockpot.  Lisa from oceandreamer was nice enough to send me an email about melting the wax and I used my  Walnut Hollow  heat iron thingie to melt and drip the wax on her torso and face and arms and then smooth it out with the iron attachment. It melted into the Crockpot which was good. Not on the counter top like I would have normally done. 

This is the first time I have used my heat tool, I had bought it last year on clearance from Walmart and some attachments too- thinking I would burn some designs into fabric or whatever. It worked great by the way and I recommend it to anyone who wants to cut mylar stencils or burn the edges of tulle or silk flowers. I normally use the bar-b-que lighter and then there is a bit of smoke and sometimes I set off the smoke alarm. Then of course chaos ensues. So this was much better.

I also scouted about for some ink jet transparencies to print on. I had some laser transparencies but not for my color printer. I went to Staples and when the guy asked if he could help me I said sure- is this where they are and he said yes. I asked if they were always so expensive and he started telling me that they were because the art teachers who refuse to go digital/computer presentation wise still use the "old fashioned" over head projectors  and so because the market dropped now they don't make them as much. I said well I use them in Art. He assumed I was a teacher and said well- there ya go! I said no, in Art Dolls- Paper dolls and Mixed Media. He said, Oh, wow, that's really cool! So I paid my 29.99 for 25 sheets and when I got home and printed the first one on the wrong side I almost cried. Calamity! But wait, I then turned it face down on to a sheet of some scrap book paper and used my brayer to transfer the image to the paper.

The image on green paper is the rubbed on transfered transparency and the one above on top of the pink flowered paper is on a ink jet clear transparency sheet. I had read in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine about how to use acrylic gel medium to transfer the inked image to fabric or other surfaces and never tried it. I like the ghostly affect of the green girl. She looks like she was printed at the damn factory! Haha! Anyway, trying to find the girl image is probably the most difficult part of this whole hat business.

I have several copyright free image books and used several in these exercises. I print them on to the scrapbook papers and on to cloth and will try some different things. The image on the bird paper is just a test. I found some 59 cent place mats at Goodwill and cut them open- you know the old kind with the paper inside the plastic? The paper is white and fresh even though the graphics were printed in 1972. The ink jet ink ran a bit and the image is more ghostly than detailed but I wanted to see what would happen. I had 3 more so I wasn't wasting them all. Sometimes you have to stop being afraid that you'll ruin it and just give it a whirl!

When I took Sadie out I grabbed a handful of flowers out back and threw them between the transparency and the bird place mat paper and got the image on the right. Just playing around. I knew that the girls were too large in perspective to the party hat skirt so I was just goofing around. These will probably languish in the craft room until the Eureka Moment when I need just that certain thing and there it is! It never hurts to stretch your boundaries with new projects and methods of design.  Once you ask yourself what  are you afraid of and let that go then you are free to explore the  possibilities.  Art is Messy.  So is Life. Take that chance. Go make a mess!  

My first paper doll party hat isn't quite finished. She needs a hat or something on her head.

Here's how I made her:  I took the party hat and opened it up to make it lie flat. They are just closed with tabs- no tape even on the ones I had bought. Then I traced around it on to the scrap book paper. after cutting it out and gluing it down to the hat I used the brayer to flatten it and then let it rest a few minutes under a heavy book while I decided what to do next. I didn't want to get bubbles but I was anxious to start so I didn't wait long. The next thing I did was use a stencil with a swirl pattern to apply chalk from a cat's eye stamp pad. The chalk was really wet so I next added embossing powder to the wet chalk. I endured a phone call from my Mom while I spent the next hour searching for my heat gun and explaining stamping and embossing to her. I finally found it and got busy setting the embossing and then added blue German glass glitter next to the copper embossing. I stamped butterflies and then embossed the edges of the leaf skeletons with moss colored transparent embossing powder. Then out came the hot glue gun! I put the hat back together so that it would stand up and glued the edge. Then I started adding the leaves, the tinsel garland, the silk flower petals. [At this point the Mister came home and saw that the craft Bomb had indeed been exploded all over the kitchen and he said he needed a nap and went to bed. (!) Oh, no! Fearing for the worst ( a migraine) I asked are ya ok? and he said yes, just had a bad day. Aww, and me, just here playing!] So, anyway, then I had another 2 hours to finish her up while he rested. I went with it and worked some more. I got out the Walnut Hollow Heat Tool and put in the iron attachment and started melting the wax on top of the doll half. I used the iron to smooth and melt the wax to get a thin layer.

I forgot to mention cutting out the butterfly and stamping another butterfly and chalking the edges before gluing that to her back. I had some tiny fern garland in my silk flower drawer so I added it around her waist. I like the way the wax coats the paper, giving it strength and a nice finish. I think she needs a bonnet. Maybe a big flower on her head. Something. She isn't finished but I wanted to share the process so here we are.

Thankfully the deadline has been changed for mailing this off- I have a bit more time! I am going to go clean it all up so that I can drive up to Tallahassee tomorrow to visit Troy. Yeah! I am taking Sadie and it will be her longest car trip ever! I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well. I'll be back on Sunday with pictures of the state capitol and all it's splendor! I love the farms and the trees and the campus is beautiful. So, have a happy weekend and have fun, whatever you do.

Paper Doll Party Hat Swap!!! A Cool Way To Play

These pictures are from Art Chix where they have posted a tutorial about how to make Paper Doll Party Hats! Well!!! Makes me wanna yell a big YEE HAWW!!!!!!! Tiaras and party hats, oh my!!

Elizabeth Holcombe is hostessing a Swap and the sign up closes on July 16th.  Hang on- it's Amy hosting-
(Elizabeth is just a swapper- I misread-) Crafting By Candlelight is her Blog! Go visit her Blog and get the sign up info- Just email her your info- and then go read the tut at Art Chix and Get Busy!!!

Beth also just started a new Etsy Shop with the most gorgeous barkcloth Bags and pincushions with vintage china & porcelain figurines on them.
These hats shouldn't take long- an hour or two at the most- and what a Hootenanny!!!! That's a Hoot n' a Hollar for you city folk. Oops, sorry, my NC apron strings were showing!
Anyway, What do you think?
This the kind of swap y'all wanna jump on?
I am digging it!
I think it's a cool way to play!
Goodness knows we need to play and cool off! I declare I am near about to faint in this heat! Mercy, I may need another sweet tea to discontinue the sweat running down my sweet fair bodice. Land's a goshin! Let me get these gloves off- and this dang corsett! It's way too tight on the barrel!! teehee! Anyway- I can't decide whether to garden, thanks to Lallee or go shopping for party decorations because of a purple gypsy.

Maybe I will go find a belly dancing class like Amanda or start this new Paper Doll Hat...or wait- I know, I will put some finishing touches on( Go check out her new Mushroom's! they are so cool!) Miss Smoochie's aprons and finally get them ready to mail....so much to do!!

I love me some Blogs and I hope that there will always be time to visit! Actually, I make the time.

I am neglecting the garden, laundry and other chores to do this, but I have taken to sleeping less in order to fit it ALL in!! Who needs to sleep when there are Blogs to love?
Y'all have a great day!!
Get going- sign up for the Paper Doll Hat Swap!

Here's the button for your Blog if you decide to do it- On Elizabeth's blog it's near the top on the right. Click it to go to that post. You know that, right?

The Tale of the Menopausal Pixie

Once upon a time, in a quiet forest full of fairies and gnomes, there lived a Pixie Princess named Amanda Pandora Button-Bray. I always call her Dora for short or sometimes Princess jinx, because she says the same things as me- at the same exact time!!!! Oh, who am I? I am Calamity Kim, the storyteller and toymaker in our little village of cottages here in the deep woods. I am a fairy and not quite as mischievious as a pixie but I do like to make messes and hide pins and needles and fly around the dogs so they chase their tails. Enough about me. This tale is about Amanda and her wretched, cursed uterus.

It all began when Amanda was born and the curse fell upon her that some time in her future middle years the uterus would begin to cause her great pain and anguish. Up until then Amanda had led a very pixish life filled with creativity and tending to her family. Prince Darin and her son's Raven and Dylan watched her grow increasingly distraught as the pain increased and the horrible PMS seemed to never end, one week flowing into two into three with cramps, swelling, bleeding and crankiness to the extreme.

Instead of the sweet and happy Pixie Princess they had doubled-with-cramps- fist-shaking-at-the-sky-foot-stomping in her hobbit sized red polka dot pumps complaining of everything-in -a-bad-mood-Amanda.

One such horrible afternoon as she raised her fist to the stars and cursed again, she was surprised by a tapping at her window.Looking up she was alarmed to see a giant crow! As she opened the window to shoo it away it flew into the room and in a cloud of lavender colored smoke and glitter turned into a Fairy Godmother! As the cloud dispersed she could be seen to have a glistening gown of butterfly wings, each one still quite attached to a butterfly, softly beating its wings and shimmering like a mirage in some Arabian Knights tale. Amanda stepped back, as she cried out- "Who are you"? The Fairy Godmother said, "Be still child, I am here to help you on your journey into the next season of your life, not to cause you any more pain or despair". As our Pixie Princess took the strange woman's hand her pain started to lessen and as she was gently led to her bed made from twisted honeysuckle vines, she felt the most peaceful feeling come over her.

As if she were floating away on a raft in a lovely river with beautiful clouds above and a gentle perfumed breeze blowing by.

The Godmother raised her wand and as lightning clashed and thunder broke the sky opened up and wept tears for what was to come next.

The Fairy Godmother quickly went about her work and removed the cursed and defiant organ and deftly stitched her back and then as she looked around for the first time,  she twitched her nose and suddenly the vines on the bed spread across the bedroom- blooming with roses and bluebells and small twinkly lights entwined around every surface and birds softly sang a sweet melody that would keep Princess Amanda lulled asleep until her body could heal and she would awake feeling happy and healthy.

Amanda smiled lightly in her sleep and sighed.

Knowing her job was only begun the Fairy Godmother turned toward the window and with a shake of her head turned back into the magnificent crow and carried the uterus off clutched in her claws.

I have been assigned by the old Crow to make a list and bind it in a book of all 50 positive things to be done with that rotten uterus to break that evil spell and undo the damage the pain has caused to poor Pandora's soul.

 

One day the beautiful Pixie Princess will be back to her creative days- stirring up soaps and potions and making Skelly dolls and  sewing happily again.  I look forward to that day knowing that  Amanda will be bright and healthy  and  she and her family will live happily ever after....

 

click on any pictures to make them larger

Alice's Thimble Cupboard

This is a small cupboard that I have been working on for quite some time! So glad to have her finished...There are more pictures of her on Flickr too!
I bought some wooden cupboards from Michael's and then drilled a hole and used wood glue to secure a dowel. Then I glued on a styrofoam ball and used paper clay to create a head and face. Then It dried for a while. I painted it but didn't like the face so I decoupaged some pages from Alice in Wonderland on it. Then I felt no inspiration but continued to layer paint on the wooden cupboard- thinking about shabby chic style something. This morning as I looked around the sewing room my gaze fell upon her and I knew what I wanted to do! So now here she is! Sometimes I have to wait until I feel like it and then the dolls just speak to me! Maybe I've had too much of the Mad Hatter's Insani-tea!!!! Her tea cup hat is vintage and says made in japan on the bottom. Her flowers came from an old hat with net tulle. There is a bit of deer moss in the tea cup and a tiny, wee mouse and a pearl for decoration. Inside there is a red glittered hanging heart and a few shelves for your favorite thimbles...or teeny tiny doodahs!

This is the witch

This is the witch, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Evertime I go into the sewing room, she's there, looking at me.
Using her mental telepathy to say:"Finish ME!"

Her hair will be sheeps wool with some strands of white

Her hair will be sheeps wool with some strands of white, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Today might be the day she gets a dress on over her slip!

very witchy

very witchy, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I have dolls that need to be finished.
My WIP