Last Christmas Offering

My husband had a last minute "oops" and remembered that we didn't have a gift for his aunt.

Technically, we didn't need one, since we didn't draw her name in the gift exchange, but she always puts on a lovely Christmas dinner and it just seems right to honor her in some small way.

Soooo....since she collects bears, he thought I could make her a bear for Christmas.

I had a little mohair, so that is what I used. He is tiny, fully jointed and has glass eyes.

I almost used a glass nose, too, but his face seemed to ask for an embroidered one.

He measures about five inches tall, though he prefers to sit.

Merry Christmas to all!

Until next time, happy last minute creations!

Theresa

Merry Christmas Wishes to All!

My intentions are always good, but I know myself well enough to predict that the baking, wrapping, planning, etc. over the next few days will probably keep me from spending too much time on the computer.

Just in case I don't get here until the day AFTER Christmas, I wanted to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season!

God bless us, every one.

Until next time, happy family, food and festivities!

Theresa

Slow Sales But Happy Holidays

Hmm.

I was so excited to make things this season and even hopped on it early, but either my price point was too high or what I liked this season was not for everyone.

Que sera sera.

My commissions keep chugging along, so I guess I'll stay afloat!

Best wishes to everyone as we come into the full embrace of the holidays.

I hope you all have peace, fun and profits!

Thanks for stopping in!

Until next time, happy holidays!

Theresa

Look Who Arrived in the Mail!

Zan hosted a doll swap this year and I was lucky enough to be partnered with Helen Fern.

This is the sweet little doll that arrived in the mail yesterday.

Isn't her hair great?

She fits right in with our Christmas decor.

My pictures don't do her justice, so be sure to check out Helen's information to see the details! http://helenfern.etsy.com/
http://helenfern.blogspot.com/

Until next time, I wish you many holiday surprises!

Theresa

Elf Homes

Here are some hastily done photos of my two latest pieces of work.

They are cuter at night, since the windows in the homes light up as if someone tiny is living there.
Wintery fun!

Thanks for dropping by for a visit.

Until next time, happy creating!

Theresa

Winter Skies

This was the view from my front yard last night.

Winter in Southern California can be a bit monotonous, so when we have a sky like this, I definitely take note.

These are the sycamores of Sycamore Moon Studios.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Until next time, beautiful skies and warm family wishes to you!

Theresa

A Home for January

Here is the finished product.

January was created for a doll swap.

Rather than choosing a specific holiday, I chose to choose a "non-holiday".

The month of January always seems to be overlooked and underappreciated.

This doll is light weight paper clay with psuedo joints.

She is wearing a spun cotton shirt, a white mohair wig and has inset eyes.

I hope you enjoy seeing her!

Thanks for dropping in for a spell.

Until next time, keep on swapping!

Theresa

Look what came in the MAIL!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE a good swap, and baby, I just participated in the BEST swap ever!
There was not one barker in the bunch! Every single ornament I received was amazing.
It was so worth it!
And because the ornies were so noteworthy, I just HAD to share.

This sweet snowman came from the swap organization queen herself, Vivian Neroni.
Find her at http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/

Isn't he darling?

Check out the precious little chenille stem legs. *tee hee*

So cute!!

This snowman piece was one that my husband liked quite a bit.
I wasn't able to capture all of the fine detail in the photo, but it has quite a bit of pizzazz!

It was created by Kathy Lowry of http://countrychintz.blogspot.com/

This sweet clock faced paper ornament is really well made. The ruffles are WAY better than any I have tried to make. Gorgeous!

Look for more goodies like this at http://krislhurst.blogspot.com/

I love vintage graphics, so this little ornie just delighted me.
It has two little sled girls on the face, lots of glitter and great music graphics, too.
Did you see the little dangling beads at the bottom?
Such great details!
Jeanne Szewczyk is the artist on this one!

www.jeanneszewczyk.com

Thanks, Jeanne!

Who doesn't love a well made Victorian cone?

This one is fabric and lace and everything beautiful and old time-y and was packaged beautifully. Such a sweet little fairy in the top, too!

Look for Kimberly Laws' work at http://artjoystuff@blogspot.com/

I should have found a better backdrop for this one, as I don't think the true preciousness of this piece works with the tinsel tree as a backdrop, but I was a bit short on time.

These are tiny needlefelted acorns dangling from a retro-style bow.

It is a stunner in person and was created by Brenda Radzinski. LOVE it!

This one was a giggle and a half.
I thought it was cute while in the packaging, but you HAVE to look at the best part!

Tiny skate! Thanks to Elizabeth Andrus of Creative Breathing!

Look at the teeny tiny ice skates! How clever is that??

Created by Elizabeth Andrus of Creative Breathing. Perfection!

For all of the elephant fans out there, take a peek at Barb Burkard's creation.

It reminds me of a wind up toy I had as a child.
Ellie was one of my favorites as a child and I'm glad for the reminder this brings.
Thanks, Barb, for this sweet, pink cheeked ornie!

Blue Sky Studio sent this prim style stocking, but I have to tell you that the packaging on this one was as wonderful as the ornament.
It was enclosed in a pocket of sheet music that had been sewn and beribboned.
The presentation was so SPECIAL!
It made me want to step up my own shipping practices.

This was the first piece I pulled from my box when I got it and I have to say, I smile every time I pass it.
What a clever idea, no? And really well executed, too.
It is vintage-y and glitter-y and all of the things that make a great decoration.
Thanks to Natalea of Kandeland!
http://kandeland.typepad.com/

Last but not least, I have a super-glittered reindeer by Heather Rowley of http://www.speckled-egg.com/

Thank goodness, too, as I had a sort of "blah" wreath sitting in my home and this made it POP!
I used her glittered-goodness as the center focal point and it has turned my so-so wreath into a keeper!

Hope you enjoyed the Christmasy goodness!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, happy swapping!

Theresa

Almost done!

She finally decided to have white hair.

Gold was another possibility, but I feel this was the way to go.

The texture on the gold wasn't as curly.

How do you choose your dolls' hair?

Thanks for stopping in.

Until next time, happy wigging!

Theresa

Too Glittery?

I never thought I'd utter the words, but I think perhaps there IS such a thing as too much glitter.

This is my latest bit of wintery fun.

He is lovely in the candlelight, but do you think he is too glittery for everyday use?

I used a vintage glitter, which has a bit more "heft" than the more modern stuff.

What do you think? Re-do with modern glitter or leave him as-is?

Thanks for popping in!

Until next time, sparkle power to all!

Theresa

To Those in the States....

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for my family, warm home, the kind support and kinship of my friends, and my health.

What are YOU thankful for on this day?

Until next time, happy attitude of gratitude!

With all fond wishes,

Theresa

Glitter Houses by the Photographically Challenged

Wahhh!

The lighting in my house is sorely lacking right now and I have all of these fun glitter houses to photograph!

It is torturous, because the cuteness of the houses doesn't fully come through because I am not a skilled and clever photographer.

Alas, these must be sent to their new homes, so the poor photography will just have to stand.

Hope your winter is sparkly and sweet!

Thanks so much for taking a peek!

Until next time, glitter on!

Theresa

Glittery Putz Houses

Well, mine aren't THIS fancy, but they are why I have been missing in action.

They are also why every article of clothing I have worn recently is embedded with glitter.

Hey, there are worse things in life than being sparkly!

(Though I did feel I had to explain myself at the parent/teacher conferences last week!)

I'll post some pictures of my own creations on Monday.

Until next time, sparkle on!

Theresa

Brrrr!

Finally!

A morning at least a LITTLE bit worthy of a snowman!

Thanks for popping in for a peek!

This guy is now posted at my etsy shop. http://www.sycamoremoonstudios.etsy.com/

Until next time, happy weather changes!

Theresa

Retro Snow

Here are the latest snowmen to hit my etsy shop!

They are of the same style as my Halloween ornies from this year.

They are silly-sweet, I think.

I'm not sure how well the tinsel tree works in the photos, but I feel that the snowmen are easier to see than they were when I used my newly made white feather tree.

I'll be posting some new figurines and my latest dark green feather tree next!

Thanks for stopping in to see the "guys"!

Until next time, happy fa-la-laaing.

Theresa

I made a feather tree...

..and staffed it with a gaggle of snowmen! (Or is that a passal?)

I really found the making of the tree relaxing.

I may have a new "thing"!

(Don't tell my husband!)

My next tree will be as small as this one, but I think I will use smaller berries on the tips of the branches.

These seem waaaay to big to me.

I also think that I will do a brown trunk, too.

Variety is the spice of life!

Tomorrow I'll share some of my new elves. I have some retro style snowmen that will be coming up for sale soon, too.

Until next time, happy learning!

Theresa

RIP Crabbie

I am so sad. I accidentally committed spider-cide last night.

This pretty crab spider has been an outdoor companion for over a month. I loved going out and trying to find where he was hiding. He seemed to travel from the roof to the little yellow flowers on our porch. My kids liked to make a careful check prior to running outside, as sometimes he would be a little too close for comfort, in their opinion.

Last night, I went out into the backyard long after the sun had gone down. I like to leave the lights off so as to enjoy the night skies and find a little peace. I never gave him a second thought.

I went to open the screen door and IT happened; as I pushed the thumb button that opens the door, I felt a little smush. Yikes!

*sob* I loved that spider.

Until next time, don't forget to look!

Theresa

October Skies

O sun and skies and clouds of June

And flowers of June together,

Ye cannot rival for one hour

October's bright blue weather.

Helen Hunt Jackson

October skies are my favorite.

Here are two examples of why that is true.

Enjoy!

Until next time, happy sky gazing! Keep looking up!

Theresa

Snowy Crispness

If I can't get snow outside...

...I guess I'll have to make some inside.

Lack of weather makes it harder to feel "holiday-ish", but I do what I can.

The holiday tunes are on and I'm making Christmas in wool, cotton and paper.

Thanks for stopping in!

Until next time, happy snow days!

Theresa

Glitter

In my hair, on my shirts, all over the tablecloth.

This is how everyone knows I am "making" Christmas.

Hope to post some of my shiny things on Thursday!

Until next time, what do YOU glitter?

Theresa

Hear that sound?

It's Christmas sneaking up on us!

That is why my blog posts have been a bit, well..., minimal lately.

I have lots and lots of wonderfully fun work to do.

I LOVE my job!

Thanks for popping by.

Until next time, happy working!

Theresa

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I know I am a season early, but I am trying to get in the mood.

I am finishing up my last batch of Halloween ornies (per special order) and need to get my head thinking about the winter.

Snow...frost....crystals....

If you pass by my home tomorrow, don't be surprised if you head some Christmas carols!

Thanks for stopping in!

Until next time, happy season jumping!

Theresa