Karin's got her Merbed!

I was so happy a couple of days ago to learn that Karin has received the bed I made for her through the ATM Bed MAKE! She quickly repaired the damage done by the post and took some fantastic photos...better than what I achieved before I mailed it in fact! http://orrlakemusings.blogspot.com/2009/12/november-make-swap.html
Karin generously said 'surprise me!' - but she also gave me some fun suggestions; including a bed for a mermaid! I can't wait to see the mermaid she sculpts to find her rest on this bed! :D
Here's what it looked like before I mummified it with bubble wrap and sent it on it's way!

I am bursting with glee!

The wonderfully talented doll artist Julie Campbell recently held a giveaway to celebrate earning IGMA Artisan status, asking people to post their reasons for being cheerful! I really admire Julie's work and was happy to add my congratulations to the chorus and list my reasons to be cheerful!
Late tonight while looking over the blog reading list...what do I see? That Julie's darling little Granddaughter Elora pulled our name out of the hatbox!
I couldn't believe it! It really took a while to sink in, but this wonderful news is true!!!

http://bellabelledolls.blogspot.com/2009/12/and-winner-isgiveaway-result.html

This beautiful little ghosty girl (who was one of the dolls sent to be evaluated by the IGMA) is actually going to be coming to my home to stay! I'm going to have to create a very comfortable home for her! She's only just crossed the pond and now she's going to be flying back again to Canada!
I don't think I'm going to be able to fall asleep for a long while - I'm too excited! :D

Oh my Goodness...

It's been busy and I've nothing I can show you yet! Marie is still waiting to receive my holiday swap, yet alone send it out again and have everyone else receive it, so I can't post that. Karin's bed MAKE is enroute and I can't share that. Our studio is nearly finished and is in such a state I definitely cannot share that!
Tomorrow is our mini group's Christmas lunch so hopefully I can share some photos regarding that.
What I can share is hopes that as the holiday season picks up steam you are all well and warm with the best this time of preparation for celebration offers! :)

Maybe I should go back to bed?

Some days...
Woke up this morning to a certain disgusting and immediately recognizable smell along with a thoughtfully penned note by the original discoverer, 'Watch out for poo!' The main offending pile (clearly the work of the little dog) was in the crossroads of the living room and kitchen and was carefully marked by that same original sign maker by a plastic shopping bag. Prior to this tenting however....the big dog got up for his nightly household pacing and trod steadily through it. Poopy paw prints ran the length of the house...
After the initial pick-up and pouring of oilsoap on wooden floors, Mr. Clean on linoleum...I attempted to sit down at the table for a couple of fortifying sips of coffee. Upon pulling out a kitchen chair I came across a yellow stain that seemed to be acquiring the consistency of gelatin. I didn't know urine did that. Ew.
More toilet paper to the rescue...we're out of paper towels....
After running various people to places they had to be, I came home and found that the big dog had again found where the burrs are in the yard....I figured that would be the only photo of the day's recent events that I'd share... ;)

I think I need to mini... :)

Cabbage Roses

This too is part of a secret project - for the time being - but I wanted to share these roses with you! The first few were a little glue-y but they got better! Each measures about a 1/4" across.

November Issue of AIM Magazine

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/issue10.html

Wow it's huge this month! Tons of great projects and eyecandy! AIM has also announced a fun project Advent calender - a new project tutorial every day in December! How fun is that?!

AIM Advent Calender

Pirate Pug!

Oh so this is the shape our Halloweens are going to take for the next little while! And then there'll be grandchildren's costumes...ohyeah! And of course decorating my dollhouses for Halloween - if I ever finish one... ;)
Gromit will be wearing the Pirate costume (sans hat, he'll only keep that on long enough for a photo and besides it's probably a choking hazard!) to the local Pug Meetup Halloween Party on Saturday...I'll be sure to post photos!