Making

I finally sat down in the sewing room to make something. It has been months since I created anything at all. (with exception to Freckles birthday gifts) And it felt good to make again. She is a work in progress, but just about finished. I have more Hallows Eve creations swirling around in my head...To get them out....I will certainly try. Our home school year begins next week too....So a lot of my time will be devoted to educating my daughter. With good intentions, I will work on making more.

 

I am really happy with how this pumkin gal turned out. There are several different things going on with paint, sewing, hand stitching, using wool, felt wool, vintage fabrics, old buttons and cotton fabrics...Let's just say there was a lot of love put into her. She is fun, festive and sweet all wrapped in one. Can you believe Autumn is just around the corner? Whew, this Summer flew by. Okay, okay....Back to work.

The Thrill Of The Hunt...

Freckles and I have been out and about the past several weeks, hitting all the local thrift shops and neighboring towns shops in the search for little treasures. Some shops have been big flops. Yet, some shops have reaped little treasures. I am only bringing little things back at this time, since Mr. Darling advised no more big things until we move. So little things it is. I love the hunt however...It is thrilling to go into a shop and sift through every little corner, sort through every little pile, and dig through every shelf. Sometimes there are winners, sometimes we leave empty handed. But when we find a little something....

Our hearts go pitter patter. I know, it probably seems silly...But we enjoy it as a little past time hobby. My recent finds will all have homes very soon, as we finally have some good news to share. Mr.Darling has been called for a year internship, which will move forward into a church plant. More about that later next week, after we visit our new area and search for a place to call home.

Today we brought home this cute little naked Kewpie...And a sugar spoon. We also found this 5 lb. rice bag. Would be cute in our kitchen or made into a pillow...We'll see what happens with that.

We also grabbed this saltine cracker tin...I love the colors. I may just use this as a cracker tin. 

Makes sense, don't you think? I like using tins for what they were meant for. I wish they still made cool packaging like that with food....Nowadays it's just cheapo trash, nothing cute, nothing special. 

They just don't make anything like they used to.

I also found this large, plump velvet strawberry pin keep.

 It was just a couple bucks... 

We have also collected some sheets and pillow cases, a handy yellow mirror, a few children's books to add to my growing collection, some votive's and Pyrex. Will share some of that another time.

When we move, it's gonna be like Christmas.

 I can't wait to unpack and make a new home sweet home again. It will be mighty fine to be out on our own again, with a chance to have a whole new fresh start to our lives. My hubby will finally be doing what he loves, after the many years of schooling and Seminary.

 We are so excited to get back on our feet and do the Lord's work.

 Next phase: Home Hunting....That will be thrilling.

Springtime Freckles...

It's Spring here...Thought perhaps I should whip up some little pieces of art for the shop. I was inspired by all the Easter candy in the stores right now...Not to mention my daughter herself. When the sun is out and the weather is warm, her freckles stand out even more...I have always loved freckles...and she gets them on her nose and cheeks. So, of course these little dollies had to have some Springtime Freckles on their cheeks and noses.

 

 

I even added some paper hats and other paper embellishments...
they are all ready for Springtime festivities. 

These little gals will be added in my shop shortly. If you are interested before I list them...
Let me know which girl you would like to adopt.
 They are $30.00 + $5.00 s/h.
Happy Spring!!!

Happy Tuesday

Here they are.
I have listed the snow couple and this
whimsical snow guy in my
 Sowing Box Shop
Isn't he adorable?
 
SNOW COUPLE SOLD!!!
 THANK YOU!!!

Happy Tuesday
Come back tomorrow for another
Home Sweet Home Tour.

Skelly Nelly

I took the whole Summer off from making anything for my shop on Etsy. It was actually quite nice to just hang out, relax, not a worry about anything. And yet, I also missed creating. Creating new things makes me happy,,, It makes me happy when others are happy with my work too. Well, here ya go. I finally finished something. Since Halloween is just right around the corner...I thought heck, I'd better make something. I have a few more Halloween dolls in my head too... Introducing Skelly Nelly. Isn't she cute?

You can find her over in my
 Shop Here.
I am also willing to take a few orders for her.
 I can do more traditional Halloween colors if prefered.
 
Hope y'all like her.
Come back tomorrow
 ( Friday September 21)
  For The Thankful Tree Giveaway which I mentioned in my last post....
Have a Great Day.

A Cherry Cheery Hello...

Hope you all are having a cherry cheery day. Just popping in to share with you my newest upcycled stuffed plush. She's a cherry, can you tell? Though my daughter thinks she looks like an apple. (sigh).
  
She has been adopted.
Thank you for coming by.

Using Recyled Materials In Crafting...

  
Hey there... Just me, popping in to share a little of what I have been up to lately. In my recent plushie projects I have been using vintage, recycled elements with a bit of new. When I see everyday things that have been discarded, I see new potential for those items. Like bottle cap tops for instance. We have a local Soda Pop Shoppe in town where my kids and I go to have a little treat. The place is filled with all kinds of soda pop's and drinks...Many of them remind me of yesteryear...They have a sweet vintage nostalgia to them...Cool thing is many of the bottle caps are really neat. Every time I go in, I ask the lady if I can take a handful of these little gems...I usually pick 10 ~20...and their free.
Perfect for using in my plushies and artwork.
  
I also collect old discarded wool sweaters or wool blankets for my projects. Some I find at garage sales or thrifting. They are cheap too. Perfect for creating plushies or pillows. The rest is just a bit of imagination. Wool is perfect for many critters and the bottle caps are used as eyes or buttons. Why throw them away when you can recycle and upcycle? I just finished up a cherry plush doll and finishing up an owl... I am using Starbucks Coffee caps for the eyes...What a hoot.
 
It's fun to create from these treasures.
Giving something old and unwanted new purpose...
Making it art for someone else to enjoy. I love that feeling.
Hope this will give you some inspiration.
Have a creative day.

A Sock Monkey Tail

  

I promised myself I would create more this year...I think I am off to a pretty good start...

It has been quite a while since I last made a Sock Monkey.

\We took a little Spring Break day off today...

So, I tackled some socks that were waiting to be made into something special.

 

  

Here she is in all her colorful glory...

SOLD!

Hope y'all are having a great Spring Break...

Hippity Hop..Hop...Hop

 
She hopped into my head last week in a sketch. I spent the afternoon whipping her into shape. I happily introduce to you my newest creation: Bunny Wabbit. I used almost all recycled materials from lambs wool sweaters...some felt, trims, cotton fabrics, paper and imagination. Freckles loves her so much...She wants her. Maybe I can whip up another one for Easter. We'll see.

   
May she hop straight into someones heart.
Have a Hoppy Weekend.
SOLD Thankyou!

Blooming Questions,,,

     

Amy from Blissful Blooms tagged me in some questions to answer...
So here it goes.
***
1. Why and when did you start your blog?
I actually started blogging on another blog in 2006 for my art...Then started blogging here at The Child's Paper in 2007. I thought it was a great way to share with family and friends and meet new friends who had common interests in faith,children, homeschooling,art, cooking, collecting etc...It grew from there and have met some wonderful people through our journey.

2. What is the latest dream your scheming?
My latest dream I am scheming is....When Mr. Darling graduates and hopefully starts shepherding a church...I told him, I would be happy anywhere we go as long as he lets me have chickens...I think he's going for it. To be continued.....
3. Are you working on achieving that dream?
Well, lets just say, I do put a bug in the ear every once in a while...Freckles and I also discuss chicken names in front of him...So, looks like we are heading in the right direction.
4. What is the most embarrassing/nerdy post you wrote?
Geesh, I can't think of anything. I think I may be kind of reserved....So, I am careful to what I post. Kinda boring I guess.
5. What is your favorite sweet treat?
Really? I have to pick? I love sweets...I think I would say I love jelly beans and ice cream..
Oh and cake too.
6. If you had to pick just 3 elements to a delightful 'mommy time' what would they be?
Soda, Shopping and Sunshine
7. If you could plan ANY vacation, where would you go?
I would definitely want to go to Europe and visit places like Italy and Ireland...Especially Latvia since that is where my my Grandparents came from...I would love to visit with the family I still have there and walk through the old streets and castles.
8. If you could be anything 'when you grow up' what would it be?
I would be just what I am now...A wife, Mama and artist on the side.
I love my life and always dreamed it to be this way.
9. What's something we would be surprised to learn about you?
I am quiet and shy a bit until I get to know you well.
10. Do you have any strange phobia's or fears?
I fear heights and water...Though I have been up in a plane ( just don't drop me).
And I will swim, yet I am not a strong swimmer so I fear drowning.
11. What's something you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Settling in a new place with my family and (chickens)...
Once my dear Mr. Darling gets a job as a Pastor.
***
Thank you Amy for asking me to play along.
Wishing you all a very Happy weekend ahead.