Puppen In Progress

I have once again been inspired to work on a new project by one of my etsy teams. There are some amazing doll and miniature artists in the EtsyDam team who work in polymer clay. I used to love making stuff out of fimo, and I so desperately miss working in clay that I decided to make some new dolls with polymer clay. I picked up some Fimo Effect the yesterday and started to work on a new doll head. I have not sculpted in about 5 years, so I figured I would be a bit rusty. I couldn't find my tools either, so I had to do all this with a butter knife.

I built the base for the head out of foil, and then covered it in gauze and plaster of paris.

I popped the backs off of a pair of plastic eyes I use for the Earthlies. I was having such a good time sculpting this, I completely forgot to take more in progress pictures.... so, here I have the final sculpt. It is actually in the oven right now.

I am going to make soft, jointed bodies for these. I have two more base heads made. I probably won't be able to get back to them until tomorrow night after the kids are in bed.

So far, I really liked the way the Fimo Effect sculpted. It got nice and workable in no time! I remember having to knead the clay for what seemed like forever. This blended really well, and held its shape while working.

Yea! Pumpkinhaus Puppen!!!

What a Nice Saturday Morning

We woke up this morning to more rain, so we all cuddled up to a really cute movie. Joe and I shed a few tears, had a few laughs.... you should watch it. Its really good. Makes you really long to live on a remote deserted island. Ahhhh... maybe someday.

Whoo Hoo! Its My Etsyversary!

Wow! How could I let this day go by without a little pomp and circumstance!

It was one year ago today when I signed up to sell on etsy. I found out about the venue about 6 months earlier, but like most people, I felt like "Who would want my stuff anyway?" After my son Cael was born, I decided to sell some of my knit baby hats online. I had 4 months off to enjoy my second newborn babe, and tons of time to knit! Nothing really happened, it took a loooooong while for me to get any outside interest in my shop. I had no idea what kind of promotion was needed. No idea about relisting, street teams, forums, blogs.... and it really wasn't until February when I found out I actually had no job to go back too that I started to formulate a plan to utilize this awesome venue to its fullest! I joined a couple of teams and got involved in the campaign for a Dolls and Miniatures top level category.

So, my little shop has grown. And I have met some really friendly and talented artists along the way. I even got my cousin to open a shop.

It has been really good for me, I am so happy to be creating my dolls again (people really like them!). And if you come over to the Pumpkinhaus, I'll perk you a pot of coffee, and.... talk your ear off about my etsy shop!!

Mmmmmm... Today's Snack

CINNAMON APPLE MUFFINS

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 cup chopped apples
  
  Heat oven to 375°F.
  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon in medium bowl. Add all remaining ingredients. Stir just until flour is moistened. Spoon batter into muffin liners.
  Bake 18-23 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

Frou Frou, Tutu, and a Little Bit Pettiskirt

A few months ago, I was spending a lot of time in the CEM forum with a couple of awesome tutu makin' mommas Trinity's Tutus and MamaShai. I love tutus. I love ballet. I love Cyndi Lauper! So, I ordered up the tulle, and set myself up just right to make a tutu. hmmmm...

1st attempt... Lil' Patchwork Frou Frou Skirt. I just could not leave it alone! I added the overskirt, ruffles, yarn.... I threw everything in my arsenal at it! I can not make a simple tutu folks! These lil' frou frous are deeply rooted in my undying love and obsession, since birth, for all things Pippi.

Lil' Gothic Lolita Frou Frou This little one was inspired by the youth culture in Tokyo that flaunt their style around the Harajuku Station. My Lil' Gothic Lolita is fashioned in the kurorori style (black lolita)

Lil' Witchy Frou Frou Skirt

I have had this awesome Alexander Henry fabric for quite some time now, I originally purchased it when I lived in California to recover a child's boudoir chair a friend had given me. Ahhh... my goth roots are showing again!

Lil' Skully Frou Frou SkirtI love Scary Godmother by Jill Thompson! I am trying desperately to get Rowan to dress up like her for Halloween this year!

Harajuku Eye Patch
One really needs an eyepatch to enhance their frou frou experience, don'tcha think! Once again... those stylish Japanese kids. This one is in the guro style (injured! lol)

So, next up at the Pumpkinhaus I will be working on pettiskirts. But not just any old commonplace pettiskirt.... Pumpkinhaus Pettiskirts! I promise you... there will be absolutely no puckered up babies wearing make up in these fabulous petti's. Here is a sampling of what is to come!

This one is for a custom order. Full of Peaches (wink!) This one will be another Harajuku inspired piece. I think I shall pair it up with some big socks!
When the workin' day is done, Oh Girls!!! Girls just wanna have fun!

Sweet Soft Soled Adult Slipper Boots

These awesome slippers are sewn together with a fun and funky variety of upcycled felted wool sweaters lined with cotton jersey knit. Finished off with trims, patches, ribbons, wool felt... each and every pair of Pumpkinhaus Soft Soled Slipper Boots are one of a kind!

Pumpkins and Popcorn Balls

Fall is here and the leaves are starting to turn to beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. This season is one of the biggest reasons Joe and I decided to leave sunny Southern California and trek back to the Midwest.
Halloween is, of course, my favorite holiday and I have many, many fond Halloween memories, but one of my most favorite was when Josh, my Brother-in- law, lived with us in Claremont. It was 2000, and lets see.... I was 25 and he was 21. We made these amazing faerie masks and wings, and trick-or-treated for hours. We were sooooo popular! We cleaned house in the candy dept!! It was very apparent that no one cared a bit that we towered over all of the other trick-or-treaters!

So, last night Rowan went to the corn maze with her Aunt Dana and Uncle Ritchie. They came back and carved pumpkins for her and her little man Cael. I stayed behind and made popcorn balls, it was my first attempt, and they turned out great. Here is the recipe:

Popcorn Balls

• 1 c. unpopped popcorn
• 1 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. light corn syrup
• 3 T. unsalted butter
• 1/2 c. water

Pop popcorn ahead of time. White is best, salt to taste. You may substitute 2 bags of microwave popcorn, I recommend lightly salted with little or no butter.

Boil sugar, water, syrup, and butter until it forms hairlike threads ( about 8 to 10 minutes or 290 degrees with a candy thermometer)

Spread popcorn out in a roasting pan. Drizzle hot mixture evenly over popcorn and mix it all up with a wooden spoon. Work fast as mixture turns hard as it cools.Butter hands generously to avoid sticky hands and being burned. Work very quickly to shape popcorn balls much like you would make a snowball. Wrap balls in waxed paper and twist ends tightly!

Makes 8-10 popcorn balls

Daily Musings with Rowan

"Little brothers are contagious!"

Moon Booties!

Cael is modeling my latest and greatest.... Moon Booties! These are made out of upcycled felted wool sweaters, lined with a cotton knit jersey... we don't want our seems showing! Every pair is one of a kind and embellished with awesome photo patches, wool felt, ribbons, pom poms... you name it!
I will be making these in adult sizes very soon, I just have to iron out a few kinks in my pattern.

Shake Your Bootie!

I can't believe it!

Etsy announced that they will be adding a Dolls and Miniatures category!!!! It will be in effect on Monday Oct. 6! Watch for it! This is exciting because I have been heavily involved in the group that has been trying to get this category established. We have rallied in the forums, and even started our own street team EtsyDam. If all goes well, and everyone can stay nice in the forums, it will definitely be a go! Keep your fingers crossed! And.... stay tuned for more wonderful dolls coming from the Pumpkinhaus!