An Observation and An Announcement....

First, the observation....

Lately, I've noticed something about my work:

Hmmmmm...

Rather Curious...

Wait! I've got it!

I think....

...I REALLY need to start laying off of the glittery paints!

NEXT--the announcement:

I know some of you may still be keeping up with my Mermaids Tales and wondering when I will finish the story...sooo..

TUNE IN JUNE 1st when I finish with a HUGE EVENT that will include surprises and maybe a giveaway!

The Mermaid Tales will feature new and interesting characters and a few surprises!

More Bee Stuff...

Wow, who knew a post that had to do with BUGS would get a huge response?? :)

So yesterday's bee post had a few people asking questions. Yikes, my apologies to those who tried to read the whole story on WildAtHeartFarm (my alternate farm blog). For some reason Google/and or Blogger conspired not to let me on (grrumbble), but you can read it now by
CLICKING HERE.

Hopefully it explains some things.

Some fill in the blank explanations--yes, we live in the city and yes, *ahem* bees are banned here but my landlady managed to pull some bureaucratic strings since she is an well-known environmental activist...

The bees are hived on our roof, which is a green roof with little shrubbery on it...and have already begun collecting pollen. I would suggest if people are interested in doing something similar, they check out their local city and town ordinances and seeing if beekeeping is legal. You might be amazed that certain cities (Chicago for example) DO allow bees to be kept. Once you have authorization, it's just a matter of getting equipment and bees.

Bees will be your hardest bet as they sell out quickly from most apiaries. I would suggest that most people order in January of the same year they want to hive. You will have to hive asap--before flowers and trees bloom, so they can collect pollen before winter, or they cannot convert it to nectar or honey.

If anyone is interested in learning how to hive and isn't too far from NYC--*ahem* I don't mind traveling next year (and no, I am not kidding, as I really do want to see more people beekeep, and I love meeting new people)!!

Definitely NOT art....

Greetings Everyone!

I hope your weekend was wonderful and that those of you that live in the States managed to finish many things with your extra day off.

As usual, I am still running behind on several projects and it also didn't help--though it was definitely an experience--that I added one more thing to the list--putting up a beehive.

Yes, you read that correctly. And of course, if you've been here for any given amount of time, you know that my secret life involves farming--or any semblance therein. So, since my landlady wanted to get bees and I am the Jill of All Trades...up the hive went, onto our roof. I had my landlady's coworker and friend also helping....and it actually went well!

Here are some pics (click on any to enlarge):

Here is my landlady's coworker Dwaine. His expression might be because he is nervous, as he's never hived bees before. Or, he can just be looking at me funny because I'm basically like: "don't we look rad in our bee suits?"

Opening the smaller hive and getting ready to transfer to permanent hive, next to it on the left.

Closeup of the frame as I move it.

Dwaine finally got brave and did a great job transferring a couple of frames...

We are half-way through--three frames in the permanent hive, two to go...

Here I am with one of the frames (yes, it's really me!)....

Finally, when bees are hived, I install the outer cover. They are doing great!

And NOW you know what I do when I don't make dolls, dance, write or...umm...sleep! :)

I'll have another post on this on my farmy blog , so stop on by!

More Kindnesses...

Yesterday---I posted about the many little blessings that came my way through the post and internet.

Today I am continuing that gratefulness, because there is more to share!

Last week, I sent one of the Bunny Children off to live with a certain enchanted "faerie whisperer" (who also might be a "mermaid whisperer")--Kaerie Faerie! And here is the cute picture she sent me back!


If you know me, I get all warm and fuzzy inside when I see these sweet little pics of where my dolls go to, and Kaerie's little doll family looks like they are going to be good friends! I am sure they will all have fun!

THANK YOU KAERIE!!

Next, I decided to spread some kindness of my own....as an artist, you probably know we have the capacity to do things through our own creativity, so I took the plunge and made something to help fellow artist Katherine Dunn, another artist and friend. I've mentioned Katherine in the past, and actually linked to my other blog about her story---but the jist of it is this: Katherine writes spectacular stories of her art AND farm (and if you're a farmer at heart who also does art, this is a HUGE inspiration) over at her Apifera Farm blog. Truly, if you haven't read it, you are missing out! She is hosting a Pino Pie Party (named after her beloved and personable mini-donkey, Pino) and she needs you to send aprons and 8 x 8 squares of cloth with space to write on. Why? For people to write special messages to hospice workers, whom she is honoring at her pie day! AND you can embellish the outside of the cloth with your own little artwork, plus make homemade aprons to send. For more details (and probably a better explanation than I'm giving), please see the WHOLE storyat Katherine's other blog: HERE and HERE.

So Farmgirls, artists, and Farmgirl Artists--break out your stashes and swatches and get crackin'! This seems like a wonderful way to express your creativity and love!

Finally--in the states, it's Memorial Day weekend. For many, this is the "unofficial start of Summer," or an excuse for a long weekend. But the true meaning encompasses remembering all of our armed forces who make the ultimate sacrifice...both in battle and often far after the battles have ended. Please say a prayer for these brave and proud men and women who have given so much of themselves.

Have a blessed weekend, Friends!

Kindnesses....

So...while this has sort of been a crazy couple of weeks, there have also been many kindnesses coming my way--so I wanted to share this sweet little blessings here because, hey, celebrate what you can, right?

Firstly...wow, I hadn't actually checked my blog for two days! I am shocked that I am almost at 100 followers! Gee, really? You like me? You really like me? :) Thanks for thinking that something about me, or the blog, is interesting!

Then, some time back, I was tagged for the Renee award by Sue, Jeanne, and Cathy.... and most recently, Caroline of Caroline's Crafts also tagged me for this award! I am so honored!

While the rules state I am to list some things I am grateful for, and pick several other bloggers--I thought I would skip the listing (I mean, do you really want to know six other things I like? I'm sure they are food oriented!), and since I'm not sure who HASN'T been picked for the award already (did I mention that there were so many wonderful people here?) I will just state that anyone that feels like it should go ahead and put this award on their blog if they like--I so love all of you who have read and commented on my blog :)

In the meantime, super-human and artist Michelle of *Studio At Crow Haven Farm* surprised me with a package!! I already loved this lady just for her super-infectious charm and humor, and now I love her even more--maybe it's obscene, even (?!)

Why? Because I was joking with her that, on her blog, it seemed every week she was getting some art sent to her, and how did she do it? And so she decided to send ME some art! Just like that, no questions asked! Isn't she just a gem?

And if that weren't enough, my Under the Sea swap partner, Kim, of Prims by Kim, sent me my swap suuuuper early!! Wow! I am sooooo grateful!

So here are the two packages side by side:

I feel like a kid at Christmas!

Here is what's inside of Michelle's package! First off--she has the BEST descriptive cards/business cards I have ever seen! They are like extra little pieces of art that you get, along with the actual art! Take a look (click to enlarge):


I also love that some of the backs of the card have the "back" of the art when you turn it over!

(the back of the left one is to the top left pic above, and the back of the right goes to the coffin dollies on the left bottom in the picture above this one!)

And FINALLY--here is the art, an April Fool's Head! It is too cute!

THANK YOU MICHELLE!

Here is her piece along with all of the artist pieces I've received since I started this wonderful journey amongst doll artists! In the middle is the star box I won in a giveaway by Carolee of King of Mice Studios, and my heart from a swap with Sarah, which was hosted by Prim and Whimsy Girls. (My little Valentine Marie, from Marie Patterson Studio decided to hide at the last minute!)


Next up--my package from Kim!! Here is what it all looked like when once I took EVERYTHING out of the box!! Wow, I could already tell that I was getting A LOT more than just a Sea Doll!


Then, once everything was unwrapped--WOW! I am amazed! Here are some of the items...
A sweet card:

And candy galore! Including some enchanted flower lollipops!


Haha, but I can't show you the Sea doll until my Mermaid Parade of dolls from all of the swappers...so, for now, I'll just give you a teeeeeeensy li'l peak:

THANK YOU KIM!!!!

And that, for now, are some of the kindnesses happening at the moment. Wow, I better get moving to reciprocate these! :)
Tomorrow! More kindnesses!

D'OH!!

Well...it was bound to happen!

Every single time I REALLLY need to be on my computer, the darned thing expires on me.
Yes, in one way or another, my computer has managed to die--right before major performances, when I am printing programs. Actually, it happened that way TWO years in a row. Or, right before I need to get some pressing thing done that can only be done ONLINE.

Yes...computers don't like me.

This past week was no different. To my laptop's credit, it decided to hold on while I announced the Sea Swap partners. But then it's battery promptly went kaput--which left me with a screen that would suddenly go black--although, oddly, I could hear sounds/music. But, without seeing my cursor, it was useless to try to do anything....

Almost simultaneously, the server for my farmy magazine became REALLY troublesome. Of course, the "tech people" at said server were about as useful as the server itself...so, a month, and one server later, we can announce that the magazine is up....

And, while waiting for my backtop laptop, I must say I apologize if I haven't been posting on blogs (including mine! I am aware I owe everyone some Mermaid Tales!) or getting back to everyone on time! Yikes!

So here goes! BIGTOWN FARMER IS UP! And, you MIGHT RECOGNIZE a few doll artists that have been profiled! CLICK HERE TO SEE!

In the meantime, I am running around trying to catch up to MANY sewing PROJECTS!

But I will leave you with my beginning to end process of my Shakespeare piece--including the BACK of the doll, which I neglected to show you earlier!

Drawing out the image directly onto cloth...

Painting...notice the dark base color...

Finished!

More Finished-ness!

And now---the BACK of the piece! Did you get the "Star Crossed Lover" reference? Ahh, well, I think it is a decent design in any case...

Close Up....

Hope you enjoyed that little tour :) Now, off to finish the gazillion other wild and crazy things a'happ'nin'! Have a great weekend, Friends!

Sea Swap and Other Warm Fuzzy Stuff!

Alrighty FOLKS!!

Yesterday, I got down to the nitty-gritty of choosing partners for everyone. I had a pile of lists that looked like this:

Ummm.....wow, that's lotsa folks!!

Yes, I take this seriously, and I DO want each of my swap participants to be pleased with their partners. What did you expect? I am a Virgo!

So...each name, "likes and dislikes" and potential partners were put on a huge master list. Which then became this:




And this:




Ok...those last two might have been a bit exaggerated, but it kinda-sorta seemed like it during the "match-up" phase!

Then, finally, I got it all together! You should already have email instructions in your mailbox--PLEASE EMAIL ME AT WILDATHEARTFARM@AOL.COM IF YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN INSTRUCTIONS as I might be a bit lightheaded from playing Matchmaker!!

Here are a few general rules:

1. Remember the spirit of this swap! Please put your "best foot forward" in your piece and have fun! If you find yourself "being annoyed" at who you have been paired up with, you have clearly missed the point!
I do not allow grumpy swappers--this is your chance to receive tokens of another's expression and to possibly meet someone new, and get free art :D

2. Your dolls should fit into the 4 x4" to 7x7" size range. If they are larger, I am sure your partner will not mind, but please do not go below 4 x 4 to keep things fair for all involved.

3. Because I am giving you your partners a bit later, I will extend the dates as such: Finish date for your art is June 18th and Send out date is June 28th. NOTE: If you know that you will have your doll to your partner in time, you may finish later, given the shipping date...however...

4. I will be posting a blog with pictures/interviews of how you made your doll here on JUNE 19th and I will also try to get this little swap into an art magazine!! So, if you are interested in this please let me know!

AGAIN! I EXTEND A DEEP THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU WHO CHOSE TO PARTICIPATE! Or even considered it! You don't know how swell it makes me feel. I am in awe of all of the talent and support around me!

Whew....ok.....now onto something (else) near and dear to my heart!
I didn't forget, Mom!

Thank you for holding this little person's hand, teaching fairness in life, picking up pieces of a broken heart, bandaging cuts, being creative and supporting art!

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!