Here are a few Halloween Friends from last year. They are not ready for the ball.. but I thought Id post their pictures to get us in the mood to make a halloween doll!
Meet MR BONES! he is under 3 inches tall and lives in his little pumkin sack. I got really into needle punch a while back and made a whole set of bears in the bags. maybe I'll post pictures of them all one of these days soon.. There are supposed be 12, one for each month, but I never did make one for may! I was going to do one this year, but I guess I was busy with other things.. (probably swaps!)

This is one of my most favorite of my little bears. She is about 5 inches tall with out her hat. I think I named her ESMERALDA! (cant remember for sure though!) I am wanting to make a little black cat for her to go trick or treating with this year. Ive got to order some mohair!! These little friends I actually made a couple years ago. I made two sets of these and gave one set to a dear friend of mine for her birthday. I think I was inspired by DEB CANHAM, who is one of my favorite miniature bear artists. Her bears are so sweet. I have quite a few of them. I didn t name these guys!
This little guy, I sent away to live with Barbara B at 123lavenderlollipoplane for a halloween swap. Ive made quite a few pumpkin head dolls for gifts and also sold a few. I made this little collage box last year at halloween time. I cant wait to dig it out this year. I almost sold it, but then decided I needed to keep it. I had fun making it and I love the cat and pumpkin head dolls.
OK! are we a bit inspired maybe? I have some cute ideas for the dolls I'll be making.
We have a great bunch of doll makers as usual and again I cant wait to see what everyone comes up with! I just love hosting these swaps and getting everyone to make such wonderful pieces of art! I wish I could have everyone for a partner. I usually do take a couple partners, just because I cant help myself!!
I will be emailing each of you girls with your partners.. please be sure to contact them and keep in touch with them through out the swap. Make sure to swap addresses (well duh vivian.. how else will they mail them!) Please make sure to have your doll finished and in the mail by OCtober 10th at the latest. IF you are mailing over seas you may want to mail earlier. The other really important (and selfish) part.. PLEASE email me pictures of your finished doll before you send them off! This way I can post them all at once! I just love doing that!! (I will be posting the pinkeeps in a couple days by the way!)
OK.. as usual.. Im very excieted about this swap! I love seeing what everyone makes and then sharing the pictures with everyone else!
Ok... let the fun begin! Go check your email girls!

Swappers:

Michelle

Grace

Cindy O

Jillian

Nancy

Lori V

Carla

Annie

Amelia

Catie Ann

Emily

Tanya

Randi

Michelle G (no blog but I have her contact information)

LAST CALL...
anyone still interested in the halloween ball doll swap.. this is the last chance to sign up.. email me at vivianneroni@yahoo.com if youre interested. I'll close the swap tomorrow afternoon.

Also.. Pinkeep swappers.. there are only 4 girls left that I havent received pictures of your pinkeeps yet! please send them soon.. I'm just dying to post them all.
sweet dreams all you lovelies!!

jasper and halloween book

Jasper had blood work on saturday.. they are checking his thyroid. the vet seemed to think its mostly just old age. There was nothing obvious wrong with him. He gave me some high fiber food for him to help with his loose stools, which already seems to have helped. I guess the key is just to watch him, so he doesnt have any accidents in the house. He's so cute isnt he?

I cleaned out my craft supply pantry today and he found a box to cozy up in and watch me from.. and then a basket! He's so sweet!
Yesterday I made my 28 pages for the halloween opera collaborative book with the faerie zine. I like how they turned out. this is what they look like.

I cant wait to see how the book turns out. This is the third book I worked on. I also have a page in the circus book and two pages in the dollshouse book. I havent recieved the other copies yet.. but I know they will be so worth the wait. 28 artists pages in the circus and halloween books. I think there are 12 of us that did two pages each in the dollshouse book.

Well, Im tired and its back to work tomorrow.. blaah... only for three days though and then I have 4 off! I dont know how I'll be able to stand it when summer ends and I dont have a day off every week! And, our summer hours will go back to 9:00 to 5:00 with an hour lunch, instead of 8:30 to 4:00 with a half hour lunch. I dont know why we dont just keep those hours anyways.. oh well.. such is life! I think the county could save money if they closed three days and we worked extended hours for 4 days! they could save on heating and air conditioning and plowing and I'm sure theres a bunch of other things that they could probably save on if they could skip a day a week! OH well.. they'll never do it.. people would use less sick time to I bet! When i worked for our area drug and alcohol program I always worked 4 days a week! Ohwell.. no sense in thinking about it.. its not going to happen!

time to lie on the couch.. maybe take a little nap before I go to bed!

nightie night!

aww.. my kitty's sick...

AWWWW! isnt he precious? He is going to the vets this morning.. he's 16 and is having some problems lately.. hes lost quite a bit of weight though he eats alot! He's having a little problem controling his bowels.. which we just cant have .. ya know!? the poor sweet thing. I feel bad because Ive had to start putting him outside on the front porch at night.. I dont think he likes it, and if we arent home, he isnt allowed in. and if we are home, we have to keep an eye on him if he starts wandering!! He also needs his nails all clipped.. He thinks he is a part of me and insistes that he needs to sit across my chest and shoulders.. he is not a little cat.. and I can not function well with him there! anyways. its off to the vet he goes! wish us luck!

Here is another badge for the halloween doll swap! please post one and pass the word girls! Im hopeing to get a few more participants!

I'm also posting blog badges from a couple of the other swaps that I'm in. (just for the heck of it.. cause thats whats on my mind this morning!) I, actually involved in quite a few right now. Theres the sweet and sinister halloween swap with Artsy Mama, the vintage apron swap with Mica, the magic wand swap with Bella Enchanted and I just joined a new one with Grace at Little arty crafty crow. I also have to finish up my halloween opera page for the collaborative book with Lisa Kettell and the faerie zine!


I have another 3 day weekend this weekend and next weekend a four day weekend! yay!! Its beautiful out right now, but Its supposed to be a rainy and cool weekend! so far we're off to a good start. im not worried about the weather.. I obviously have quite a few projects to work on!

have a great day all! I'll repost later with my kitty update!

The halloween Ball???

badge for new doll swap, different, but do you think its ok? Please post it on your blogs! I'm hoping to get lots of great artists for this!!

OK.. I can wait no longer..
Come one come all.. to the halloween ball!
eh.. I dont know why I wrote that!
NEW SWAP!!
HALLOWEEN BALL DOLL!!

I've had this on the back burner for weeks! I just cant wait any longer.. I was bursting!! What could be more fun to make?

OK.. I havent really figured out all the details, except that I would like to have a lot of players! you need lots of people at a ball! I'm thinking.. sign ups from now through the next two weeks.. then, they need to be sent to partners by OCT. 2nd! (thats my birthday! sounds like a good date to me!) that way all are recieved to be enjoyed before halloween! Can you imagine the dolls? witches, pumpkins, bats, monsters, skeletons.. Halloween is open for soo many things! black cats! I'm dying here ... bursting with ideas!! I may have to take a couple partners just so I can use a couple of my ideas!!
so sign up !!!
I'll make a badge soon.. so please check back soon and please be sure to post it and pass on the info maybe even if your not in.. I bet you know someone who would be perfect for this swap!!! I m so excieted!! OK... I"ll be waiting to hear from you.. please email me vivianneroni@yahoo.com your name and mailing address as well as your blog address and if you have a flickr address that too. we like to see who were partnering up with! leave a message here too .. (just because I like to see your comments here! cause they make me happy!!)
hugs to you all!