"Nicholas"

Nicholas

My husband and I also own "Babydoll Southdown Sheep" - a rare breed in the world. These adorable sheep grow no bigger than 22 inches in height, have personalities that make you want to watch them all day.
Yesterday, Christmas Day, "Francine" gave birth to a little boy lamb who was immediately was named "Nicholas". Francine, like all great mommies, bonded with him right away and he quickly let the world know he was hungry and full of energy.
As the picture shows, both are doing fine!

26 years of warmth and love

To wake up and find out that it is 14 degrees outside can quickly make one realize this is a day to stay inside.-- fireplace ablazin', hot coffee, lots of good holiday movies, gifts all wrapped and under the tree and it is my 26th wedding anniversary.. we will celebrate later on this week with our son when he arrives here for Christmas. The fact that he will be here soon makes me smile and warms my heart, he has blessed our lives in so many ways.. sigh!

9 days away from home have put me into high gear today getting everything ready for this week of merriment!
My travels always lead to "Once in A Lifetime Opportunities"-
I was 2 blocks away ,with a clear view, of the Conseco Fieldhouse - old home of the Indianapolis Colts- as it was demolished by implosion Saturday morning. After 24 years , the Colts have a new home- you can see it right behind the rumble. In 25 seconds - several explosions the fieldhouse became memories. I got some pretty amazing pictures- WTHR's "you tube" will show you the entire demolition from arieal view.

I have just returned home from participating in a wonderful art show in Woodbridge , Virginia. My Santas quickly disappeared into the hands of new owners , in fact ,we almost sold out. I appreciated all the wonderful ,inspirational remarks about my Santas and once the holidays are over, I am ready to begin on next year's entire line of sculptured characters.
The trip was so enjoyable to be able to spend time with my son and friends, visit places that I so love to see and shop.
Today, I head to Indianapolis for several days . Upon returning, I have gifts to be wrapped and a preparing for Christmas Day. I must quickly unpack and then pack my suitcase again for departure is a few hours away.
The Muppet's Santa's Letters was a cute addition to the holiday season.. they always remind us to
love from one's heart.

Where does my Santa hair come from?
Well, sheep - these are the sheep we raise- Baby Doll Southdown, a rare breed which gets no bigger than 22 inches in height. These ewes are so loveable - know their names, will follow you anywhere and we expect new lambs to be born in January ( 3 ewes due then) and then again in February- (3 more ewes). Shearing of the sheep normally is before they give birth but I think we are holding off since January might be a bit too cold.
My Santas have 100% wool roving for their hair and beards.

Isn't this the cutest idea for cupcakes that will last forever!

My christmas gift this year is wonderful. The Jim Henson Fantastic World Exhibit is at the Atlanta History Museum until Jan 18th. The show was in Washington DC this summer but it arrived after we had moved to Kentucky. I have been fortunate to see the "real muppets" many years ago in Chicago . My gift is a trip to Atlanta to see ...

Jim Henson's Fantastic World is a large traveling exhibit that opened in September 2007. The exhibit will give a firsthand look into the creations, imagination and works of Jim Henson.

The exhibit is being organized by the Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, with cooperation from the Henson family, The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Holding Company and Sesame Workshop.

The 3,000 square-foot exhibit will visit ten locations across the United States for twelve-week showing periods, running from September 2007 until June 2010.

Exhibit Features

• Several of Henson's Muppets and Creatures (including characters from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and other productions)
• Over 100 framed works of art (include paintings, sketches, cartoons, and storyboards)
• A large collection of rare photographs
• Unique production documents
• Additional artifacts and film props
• Over 30-minutes of special video presentations
• An illustrated timeline of Henson's life and career

AND THEN READ THIS!!!!

Muppet Studios is currently in production on an all new television special filled with songs, mayhem and heaps of holiday high spirits. Entitled "Letters to Santa: A Muppets Christmas", this one-hour television project is set to air this holiday season! Production is well underway and "Letters to Santa" is scheduled to air on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 8:00PM on NBC (check local listings for details).

When the Muppets inadvertently prevent three children's letters from making their way to Santa Claus, Kermit and the gang set off to make things right before Christmas comes. The Muppet are forced to give up their plans of escaping a snow-filled New York City, but needless to say, nothing (not even Miss Piggy's planned trip to the tropics) will stand between the Muppets and a happy Christmas for all.

Directed by Muppet veteran Kirk Thatcher, the special was written by Hugh Fink, Scott Ganz, Andrew Samson and Paul Williams. This musical special will also feature four all-new songs by Paul Williams (songwriter on "Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas", "The Muppet Movie", and "The Muppet Christmas Carol"), and will also include appearances by Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Griffiths, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, Mike Bloomberg, and Madison Pettis.

"Letters to Santa" is sure to bring a heartfelt message about the true meaning of the holiday season and will undoubtedly become an instant holiday classic. So mark your calendars and prepare for an all-new holiday extravaganza staring the one and only Muppets!

We are into day 2 of holiday decorating..
I have the Muppets Christmas movie ready to watch as it has been several years since I sat down and really watched and studied "Miss Piggy". I really do "Believe" she is real - the first time I saw a real Jim Henson Miss Piggy muppet was at an exhibit in Chicago. over 20 years ago. She was totally not what I expected- meaning these puppets are large and her clothing was so detailed. Since my first viewing I have been able to see more of the real muppets in the Smithsonian exhibits, they are amazing.
Would a day with Miss Piggy be fascinating? She is my kind of woman!

Miss Piggy and I are taking the day to get in the holiday spirit.. decorating everywhere!

Maiden America 's Santa Album at One True Media - share slideshows, slide shows, MySpace slideshows, MySpace codes, free video sharing, video montages

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Maiden America 's Santa Album at One True Media - share slideshows, slide shows, MySpace slideshows, MySpace codes, free video sharing, video montages.

Happy Holidays!
I am finishing up the final Santas for the Dale City Arts show to be held in Woodbridge , Virginia this coming Saturday.

"Southern Lights" - Lexington Exhibit

The Lexington Horse Park "Southern Lights" holiday event begins this weekend and I had the opportunity to help the members of the Bluegrass Miniature Society set up their exhibit. The one 1:12 inch miniature which I found fascinating was this beautiful Chocolate Fantasy Table. I am going to find out more about this project as is amazing.
The event includes over 150 light displays - a driving tour thru this beautiful park. Once one finishes driving- the main museums are open to visitors may view the " toy trains"- I have never seen such a large toy train exhibit-the dollhouse/miniature exhibit, visit with Santa, a petting zoo, food, gift shoppe and much more.
I am still busy completing the last of the Santas for my upcoming Virginia events and it is time to get prepared for our holiday visitors.

Night Before Christmas Book Box

I tried to keep it simple as this "Book Box" is going to a show in Virginia in a few weeks.

Rain and more rain- but it has been so needed here in this part of Kentucky..
I attended my Bluegrass Miniature Society meeting Sunday and we are getting ready to set up an exhibit of miniatures at the Southern Lights event to be held over the holiday season at the famous Kentucky Horse Park.
Recently, I attended the steering committee for the national convention to be held next year ( NAME) in Indianapolis. I just found out that one of the ladies I met- her grandfather was the founder of the "Cracker Jacks" company, can you imagine owning every cracker jack prize ( especially when they were really toys), no wonder she is a miniaturist!

Santas galore... yesterday, I was in WalMart and they were playing Christmas music! I just could not believe it.. 2 months away.. I understand the power of suggestion but hey I am just now getting excited about Thanksgiving!
So my Christmas is just limited to my studio, deliveries to stores begin in 2 weeks and I am off to Virginia for a show or maybe two...

Noah tomorrow

This is the last Santa for a few days as I want to begin on my "Noah". I finished up a series of St. Nicholas pins to add to the line for the Virginia show.
One of my santas on Etsy is a featured item in the "Nick of Time" series.

Another view of Santa 1:12 scale

Miniature Santa..

This is the first 1:12 Santa I have ever created from the beginning to the end. Sculpting- armature -to creating the pattern for his suit- and lots of tiny stitches as I like hand sewing! I have yet to get his toy bag made and fill it with goodies..
I am sending my Santas to a show in Woodbridge, Virginia - Dec. 6th. So I have about 20 of my regular Santas to start on- and 2 miniature clowns to begin for my next project.

I found this old pick up truck at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago,
I am posting it so another miniaturist can see it as she wants to recreate times when an old pick up truck was filled with pumpkins, vegetables. Hey, I still see that here in my new home in Kentucky. In fact, at the corner of the road today is a man selling pumpkins from his old pickup truck.
I have not decided what my truck will be hauling- I was thinking about christmas trees for the holidays but I love the idea of farm baskets filled with vegetables going to the local Farmer's Market.

The 1:12 scale

It is time to get a miniature Santa made for the holidays but I decided the faces would make cute pins? The face of Santa is slightly smaller than a quarter.
Again not a great photo but... guess that goes on my christmas list - a camera for closeups!

I need a circus ring master for a miniature exhibit I am making. I remembered I had this photo from a visit last summer to the Chicago Science and Industry museum.
Now, can I recreate him as a miniature? He is this week's mission.

Traveling..

I have traveled to my sister's home where today the Santas are on for sale at a fall/holiday
show. My sister paints on glass-really, she paints on anything . My niece, who dreams of opening her own florist shoppe and presently works for a florist, did lots of floral work in some of the items my sister painted.
So this is day, which should be fun!

Santas on Parade

Ho Ho Ho

Santa is just about finished- a few more mini snowballs to be added . This piece is about 12 inches high. I think Mrs. Claus and an Elf are on the schedule for tomorrow's sculpting.

Another Santa

Today a Mrs. Claus is being created, I just wish I had a better camera for details of face

Pumpkins,vines and bumps in the night

Just amazing isn't she.. she is a sculpture from the collection of NIADA dolls....she was made by Jodi Creager of Creager Studios!

and will I ever get to that point where I can be so precise and to that scale?

Junk drawers..

My Dream Studio

Over the past 28 years I have moved 15 times ! Every time you move somewhere you have a junk drawer or box. My last move forever happened in June and I am here to stay in my perfect home.
Today has been designated "Junk Drawer Day" - I have already tackled 2 boxes and a plastic bin
and have found more nails/screws/batteries/rolls of tape/tiny screwdrivers.. well, you can imagine what is found in a junk drawer.
I happen to have an art studio and we also have a wonderful huge "shop" located on our property- it is big enough that it could be converted into a small home, finally those many,many boxes marked "Junk Drawer" can maybe converted into 1 junk drawer..
yes, I am laughing out loud - LOL

Today's Santa

After much fine tuning, I have finished this Santa and his bag of toys. The entire piece is hand stitched and sculptured ( No sewing machine!).The dolly in the hand made bag is another one of my mini toys. This Santa is about 10 inches high and I am sure will soon have a new home for the holiday season.

The lady of wickedness..

Isn't she magnificent.. created by artist Sheila Bentley.

I have one more huge spider to create and the season of pumpkins, vines, and scary things of the night can begin to be created at my home.

I am sculpting a larger scale Santa today. He will be surrounded by the candies and cookies of the holiday season. I have decide to work on more facial detailing . A few just Santa heads to create and then to begin armature construction for Santas which are full bodies. A Mrs. Claus is needed and one or two elves .

I wish my camera did the Santas justice- they are wonderful in real life. Meaning- guess I buy a better camera for closeup shots.
This is the next Santa.. still working with a bit of a primitive look and I am trying to decide do I switch to the really smooth sculpture look. I am pulling vintage fabrics from my collection and will be working on another size of Santa head tomorrow.
I have 600 plus winter scarves to crochet, 600 miniature Dorito bags, 600 Nacho bags and 600 cracker jack boxes to begin on too for my National Convention tote bag favors.
I am also working on 10 mini crochet winter scarves with a bit of a "Mary Englebreit" flair.
more photos..

Santa

I am continuing to work on Santa in a smaller version

A new miniature Club for me

This is the 4th miniature club I have belonged to, every club has brought me new friendships and I have had the pleasure of learning from very talented people who love this most unique hobby.
Off to Lexington , I went yesterday to my mini club meeting and I was welcomed in Kentucky's charming way. Thank you to the members of the Bluegrass Minis for a lovely afternoon. My calendar of "Things to do" now has many things on it.
Quickly, I was included in activities for the year and I now need to get my projects/roomboxes unpacked for a November miniature show in Lexington at the Horse Park. The show will be part of Lexington's holiday festival of lights which begins just prior to Thanksgiving. I need to begin thinking of miniature tote favors for the clubs annual Christmas dinner... what made it really nice was the fact that I had met 2 of the ladies before at national events and both are past presidents of the national association.
Here are a few of the "make and take" items that I have loved making at N.A.M.E. events
scale 1:12

This is now my mission in life...

I could not help but smile when I saw this picture.

Santas for the Holidays

Here is the beginning of a new Santa for the holidays..

I created this 2 sided centerpieces for N.A.M.E. Houseparty held in Reston,Virginia. The theme was "Far Away Places" with one side of a travel agency office which is shown here. Other side was depicting the country - mine was China.

MAIDEN AMERICA

Miniatures in the making...