Paper doll - my first!

My first paper doll - bluette face :)

I made this for paper doll swap with Sherree x

La belle fleur class...

My humble beginnings ...

Prep for wallet and muse paper doll!

I am so excited about this project...I have to now assemble wallet and include acetate window - to keep my muse in .

Theme - new beginnings, whimsical journal, to include my dreams and hopes for the future.

I will be developing this diary/journal monthly with Kitty Kellie at artful paper dolls.

Please check blog for monthly updates...

Kellie is a kindred spirit ....mwah x

Meanwhile love and light to you all ...................

Completed Bluette doll...

Here she is :)

Cloth clay doll made while attending Gritty Janes online doll class...

I will definately be making more - I really enjoyed the whole process.

The scuplting of face was not as difficult as I thought it would be....quite good therapy...lol

I brought some craquelure but sadly it did not work as well as I hoped - however she did age ...so I am happy!

Janes link is in sidebar - pop in and visit...she has the most amazing dolls and paintings!

I had to share this lantern with you...I just love the colour, size and of course the dragonfly hinge :)

These are on sale on ebay...a must for the summer in a sacred garden space ...sketch, journal by the moonbeams....hmmm I am there already!

Imbolc...

I would like to share Imbolc with you .......

Tis regarded as the first day of Spring...

Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar, celebrated among Gaelic peoples and some other Celtic cultures either at the beginning of February or at the first local signs of Spring. Most commonly it is celebrated on February 2, since this is the cross-quarter day on the solar calendar, halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere.

Originally dedicated to the goddess Brigid, in the Christian period it was adopted as St Brigid's Day. In Scotland the festival is also known as Là Fhèill Brìghde, in Ireland as Lá Fhéile Bríde, and in Wales as Gwyl Ffraed.

Fire and purification are an important aspect of this festival.

Brigid (also known as Brighid, Bríde, Brigit, Brìd) is the goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft. As both goddess and saint she is also associated with holy wells, sacred flames, and healing. The lighting of candles and fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months.

What a wonderful way to add an inspirational page to your journal, make an ATC....

Wiccans celebrate a variation of Imbolc as one of four "fire festivals", which make up half of the eight holidays (or "sabbats"), of the wheel of the year.

Imbolc is defined as a cross-quarter day, midway between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara).

The precise astrological midpoint in the Northern hemisphere is when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius.

In the Southern hemisphere, if celebrated as the beginning of Spring, the date is the midpoint of Leo. Among Dianic Wiccans

Briget's Cross is woven from corn and consists of four arms that meet to form a square centre - a fire wheel.Traditionally, on this day candlelit processions were led to St. Bridget's holy shrines - wells.

TO CELEBRATE IMBOLC TODAY . . .

This is traditionally a time of purification — clean your house! If you have any Christmas greenery lingering, burn it now.
Make your own Brighid’s crosses and hang them up, especially in the kitchen where her influence can bless your food.
Put out food — cake, buttered bread and milk will do — outside your door: Brighid and her cow walk through the neighborhood tonight, and will appreciate your offering.
Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless: It can then be used for healing purposes.
Meditate upon what you would like to see grow in health and strength this year: for yourself, your family, your community, the Earth, and ask for Bride's blessing upon your prayers.

Imbolc Traditions

Imbolc is a 'fire festival'. particular attention was paid to the hearth fire and keeping it alight.

Bridie dolls are made out of a sheaf of oats and dressed in women's clothing, and then ritually buried in the earth as a fertility rite.

Another custom was to place the doll in a 'Bride’s bed' of woven wheat, like a basket, which was placed near the front door, or sometimes near the hearth. A white candle was burnt nearby all night.

Spring cleaning comes from the habit at Imbolc of getting rid of unwanted clutter and preparing for the new season, physically and mentally.Now is the time to finish old habits and make a fresh start, and realise the world is full of new opportunities.

Imbolc is a time of optimism and for making new plans for the sunny days ahead. Plant the seeds of your plans now and tend them so they mature into your hopes and dreams. Now is the time to renew your New Year resolutions.

Wow lots of ideas to share the new spring...enjoy...blessed be )O(

Look at these beautiful dolls....by Nancy Latham

from range - wistful dolls

here is a video of her sketchbook and dolls...truely amazing.

online courses available:

• 1stSATURDAY mini•shops

The 1st Saturday of every month there will be a new mini•shop!

Small wonderful clay creations by marie e.v.b. gibbons

http://evbstudiohome.ning.com/group/2ndfridayminishops

she is also offering a Free online clay classes below :

• What a relief - clay relief tiles

http://evbstudiohome.ning.com/group/whatarelieffreeclayworkshop

• Hand building 101 - BEGINNERS basic building techniques: PINCH, COIL, SLAB. Below learn a little about each technique and maybe try each to see what feels most comfortable.

http://evbstudiohome.ning.com/group/handbuilding101

bright blessings.....

Lots of great workshops are starting:

• La Belle Fleur Diaries - Create your perfect life through your art doll diaries. Imagine she is you and you are her! You are magic! FREE

We are going to create journals in this group. I'll be posting freebies here for you to download and add to your diaries if you so desire. Your diary will tell the magical story of your life as you want it to be!

I have just joined kitty kellie on artful paper dolls - I am really excited about creating a journal with paper dolls....I will be uploading photos of my work at intervals on blog as well as on page at papercat designs...why dont you come along and meet everyone....hopefully I will see you there :)

http://papercatdesigns.ning.com/group/labellefleurdiaries

• La Belle Fleur Paper Dolls. La Belle Fleur means beautiful flower and is a perfect name for our flower fairy paper doll group.

Through the creation of dimensional paper dolls and shadow box or shrine settings your assignment is to create these pieces and let them tell the story of your life as you want it to be. You must stop observing reality as it is and begin using your imagination to create the life you want. Surround yourself with images of that life. In doing so you will find that your life will become the dream you always envisioned for yourself. You will become the powerful, deliberate creator you always knew you were. (This tutorial will include extra elements for your art doll journal in addition to the ones you receive in the La Belle Fleur group.)

class has begun but you can still join: runs through March 31stRegistration Fee: $60 around £30.00

• Nancyes doll playshop 1

Please join in the fun of making little dolls. It will take you to a place that is full on wonderment. Picasso says "We are all born artists... the challenge it to stay an artist as we grow old."

I adore Nancyes polymer clay dolls and will be experimenting in the very near future but for now I just wanted to share her class with you...

http://nancyesartdollnetwork.ning.com

Happy New year everyone!

Wow its 2009 already!

Gotta get back on track with creativity!

I will be adding pics of completed doll by the end of the week along with pictures of oracle cards I made for Suzi Blu project, abit behind with things after celebrating yule.

Also my first ever attempt at a paper doll!!

Made for a swap with Sherree :)

Thank you Sherree for your wonderful doll x mwah

So really just checking in letting everyone know I am still alive!

love and light to all
may all your dreams start to come true 2009...

Trace x