Back to work!

Well everyone ...I just returned home with my Husband from Colorado and seeing my eldest son, Allan graduate with his Masters in engineering from CU at Boulder!!! Please see left side panel for details!

I have not blogged recently and I apologize...been real busy writing my article for Art Doll Quarterly Magazine as I will be featured in their Fall Issue due out August 1st!  I'm so very excited to be chosen by them two years in a row!!!!  Tomas, the cat, is pictured below and will be one of six of mine featured!!!

In addition, Marguerite, my Bird Cage Doll will be in their Gallery of Show and Tell.  That's not all...I have a line of ornaments and they will be the subject of a feature article in Celebrations & Holidays coming to a book or craft store near you Sept. 1.!!!  Wow...I will have writer's cramp!

Important Notice!!!

We will be having another 'blog hop' in August!  It will be a Fall/Halloween event with more prizes and more chances to win!

Tutorial coming too in August...How to make a lace covered and crystal embellished Pumpkin....you will learn new technique,  perfect some old ones and end up with a "Great Pumpkin"!!  

More details to come!!!!  Stay tune!!!d!!!  The Autumn Season will be heating up!!!

FREE Tutorial!!!

My Dear Friend, Lee Ann Kress of Charmed Confections is giving a tutorial tomorrow Here is what she says and a picture of what you will learn how to make!!!! Free Tutorial!! Candy Anyone?


Hi!

Thought I would post a picture of what will be needed in my first tutorial on how to make miniature candy / candy ornaments (like the ones I made for the Christmas Blop Hop Giveaway). I will be posting a tutorial on how to make faux candy next Wednesday. I would love for you to join me! Making sweets should be made together, so don't leave me here in my craft kitchen alone. 

 See below and go to http://charmedconfections.blogspot.com/

Below is a picture of what I will be showing you how to make, as well as giving you lots of variations, such as embellishments, like buttons, garland, Christmas ornaments, etc. Lots of possibilities with these sweet candies.

Have Fun Everyone!!!

Some new Works in Progress!

Here is what I've been up to since Marguerite left for her audition at Art Doll Quarterly!

I wanted to name her "Moaning Lisa"...but she's looking more like a 'LaLa

Lola"...any suggestions?

Here we have A Squash named "Solange"

You probably guessed it...they are also going to be cage dolls!

Yours Aways,

Carly

Another Marguerite Photo OP

Before

Well, I promised to keep putting up more pics of Marguerite...I think you'll like these!  They include some of her "Before" photos.

After

Marguerite Goes Sepia

Here are some pictures that show an interesting function on. my camera 

 It makes her look so old fashioned! Kinda like one of those civil war tin type photographs...hope ya'll like them!

All my Best,

Carly

More on Marguerite

I have some more pictures to share with you and tell you a little about each one.

When I first was imagining Marguerite,  I did not see her wearing a hat...but it became evident that she would not have a complete outfit without it.  I've never before covered my pumpkin dolls head...just let the stem be natural. I thin it works on her.

I

Marguerite Screamer Guavaween/Halloween Queen

Well folks...She is finished!!!  I'm sorry I didn't keep up with my posting as I had planned..I've just been so busy meeting deadlines, I never came up for air!  My family looked out for me and did all my other chores and I just kept working!

Here is a special treat that my son,s friend Mark made for me....didn't he do a great job?!

She's coming right along!

Well, the Scream Queen is coming right along!  She is a bird cage doll and will have a scene in the bird cage.  I've pretty much decided that she will be the Scream Queen of Guavaween, a local Tampa Celebration at Halloween.  They have a big "Stumble Parade"  (floats and everything).  People are in costume and abit tipsy...hence, the name Stumble Parade!!!  LOL!  It is held in Historic Downtown Ybor City, merges with South Tampa.  Is is pretty much our own Mardi Gras!  The lighting is not so great in her pic, but I'm sure you can get an idea of the overal project with this pic.

Let me know what you think!!! 

Carly Anne

I promised....

to keep everyone updated on Madame Screamer's progress...it wen faster than I could of hoped for! Soooo...

Here she is with and without her hat!  Oops!  Her boobies too!  Scandalous!!  Please let me know what ya'll think...not to worry, her modesty will be protected soon.  I'm working on her bodice or de'colletage! de'colatage .  Will keep you posted!

Yours Always,

Carly Anne

Scream Queen Update

Well, I promised to keep everyone informed about her make-over/rehab.  Let's see if shes's getting any better...

What do ya'll think?  So far I haven't repainted everything, but I've redone her eyes, making her eyelashes a brighter purple so that when I stain them they won't be so dark.  Her lips are a little brighter than the original and her base paint (the orange on her face is covering pretty well.  I just couldn't give up without giving her a chance,  You see,  see's going to be my first birdcage doll!

***********

Well tonite is my first rehab appointment and I'm a bit nervous...any advice out there?

Hi Everyone!!!!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted...please forgive me for not ringing in the New Year until now!

 I have something to share...I TOTALLY ruined my dolls face!!!!!  I am heartbroken!!!  It was one of those cases where I should have heeded the old words, "if it ain't broke...DON"T fix it"....no, I just had to tone it a little more....wellI totally put her into a different ethnic group!!!

I have an idea...why don't you follow along during her hopeful rehabilitation and we can see her thru it together!!!  Wish me luck!!! 

*********

I continue to struggle with the "leg" as I work hard on being able to walk again.   I'm up on a walker several times a day and do my physical therapy exercises (OUCH!) too.  I begin outpatient rehab this week and go forward with trepidation as I know it will be hard...but a "must do" for sure!  Keep the "leg" in your  Prayers please and wish me luck!  It's been a long haul...thank the Lord for my dolls to work on or they'd have to pack me off to the "Funny Farm"!!!

"Now FAITH is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1

                                                                               *****

On a better note...how about a sneak peek at a few of my new works in progress that I haven't ruined!

My O'Skullivans aren't new, but their tongues are!!!  What do you think?

These are my new Lil' Hoots...I will be using them in a variety of ways...they are about 2.5 inches tall, so you can only imagine how many calories must be in the HUGE Candy corn in the background!!!

And last but not least.... definitely NOT least is Thunder Buns...You will see what I mean...just look!

Well that's "The End" for now!  Hope you enjoyed!

A Big Thank You!!!

A Big Thank You to all who followed our Christmas Blog Hop!!!

It was a huge success and we had a lot of fun with it!  I tried to email everyone who left comments and hope I didn't miss anyone!  If I missed you somehow, let me know and I will respond and add you to our email list!

We will be back next year for a Halloween and a Christmas Blog Hop, hopefully with more Artists and another system in place for more winners!  More Artists mean more winners!

In the meantime, I will keep you up to date with sneak peeks of works in progress and new finished pieces!

Here is a work in progress shot of my newest design....Alley Cats!  Please let me know what you think of them so far...

Yours Always,

Carly

We Have a Blog Hop Winner!!!

And the winner is....(Drum Roll...)

Carol Stuck of Buttermilk Creek Farm!!!

A Big Thank you to all who entered and followed all the way, there were so many, many, 

we had to do a drawing...the old "names in the hat"method.  Hope you all will join us next year, There are plans for another Christmas Giveaway and.... a Halloween Giveaway too!

Merry Christmas!!!

MUTI-ARTIST BLOG HOP BEGINS NOW

MULTI-ARTIST BLOG HOP ... Begins NOW!!!

HI!  Welcome to the Blog Hop! I'm Carly from Boggy Bottom Bayou.I am hosting this event  and I am so happy to be a part of it!  This blog hop will run from Monday December 10th through Sunday, December 16th.

A winner will be picked Sunday night and announced on our blogs on Monday, December 17th!  

Here are the rules to be entered to WIN!!  Please follow all 3 rules!

1.  You must visit each of the 7 blogs.  (They are listed below.)  

2.  Once there, you must sign up to be a follower.  If you already follow the blog, please say "I'm already a follower." in your comment to enter ... see Rule #3.

3.  After you sign up to be a follower of the blog, you must leave a comment in the comment section (under this post) asking to be put into the giveaway.  

That is it!  We will enter your name in the giveaway.  One lucky person wins it ALL!!

SO LET'S GET STARTED!!! ---- There are 7 Artist's participating.  The above pictures are numbered according to the Artists listed below.  They are:

1.  Carly Smith (Your Host) from Boggy Bottom Bayou - I am giving away a gorgeous set of vintage, mercury glass and lamp work bead ornaments.  Oh so pretty and very vintage!  As a BONUS ... (I IF get 20 new followers on my blog), I am giving away a 10" Santa in an adorable quilted outfit! (See middle picture #1)  

Love that Santa!!!

Click on the link below to go tomy blog.

http://boggybottombayou.blogspot.com

2.  LeeAnn Kress from Charmed Confections -  LeeAnn is giving away a cute set of six Charmed Confections Cupcakes in a holiday tin, along with 2 candy cane ornaments and 2 lollipop ornaments.  All handmade! (See bigger pictures below!)

Click on the link below to go to LeeAnn's blog 

http://charmedconfections.blogspot.com

3.  Jody Johnson from Sweet Bear Creek Whims - Jody is giving away a beautiful handmade reindeer pillow.  Sooo cute!  (LeeAnn (above) should know .. she has one!)  Absolutely darling - You won't want to part with it!

Click on the link below to go to Jody's blog

http://sweetbearcreekwhims.blogspot.com

4.  Brenda from The Rusty Thimble - Brenda is giving away the sweetest snowman ornament that will grace your tree!  We know ... You want him!

Click on the link below to go to Brenda's blog

http://therustythimble.blogspot.com

5.  Mary Bell from The Mary Bell.com - Mary's giveaway is a knitty bitty knit couture Santa sweater set. It comes with hanging hardware underneath that is a poseable wyreman made from recycled cat-5 wire.  So cute!  Santa needs one of these for his tiny elves! 

Click on the link below to go to Mary's blog

www.themarybell.com/blog

6.  Nicoletta Farrauto from Niky's Creations - Niky is giving away an incredible cross stitched pocket keep with a darling cross stitched reindeer and tree on it.  So pretty!  Love that you can put fresh herbs or sprigs of evergreen in it!  It will smell so wonderful!

Click on the link below to go to Niky's blog

http://niky-nikyscreations.blogspot.com

7.  Hope Rayel from Hope Rayel Handmade Dolls - Hope is giving away a sweet, little angel doll ornament to fly around your Christmas tree this holiday season.  Every tree needs a angel and this was is so sweet indeed!

Click on the link below to go to Hope's blog

http://hoperayel.blogspot.com

Here is a bigger picture of my offering

                    Scroll Down for sales and MORE!!!...

Boggy Bottom Bill is Dancing for Joy about the Blog Hop!

Please scroll down and take advantage of the Blog Hop Sale!

Halloween for Christmas Blog Hop Sale! Now through the 16th!

Orville and Wilber Twins 

Give the gift of Halloween this season  to that Halloween Lover of yours!                                                                                                                                                                

Oliver and Wilbur are part Paper Mache and part soft sculpture doll.  They each  stands 20-inches tall and about 13-inches when sitting.  Their bodies are made of muslin that has been stuffed and weighted for sitting.  The Twin’s arms and legs are detailed in acrylic paint and lightly wired for posing and holding very light objects.  Their legs can also be positioned to sit in different ways. In addition,  they display very well standing with the use of a doll stand. Sometimes, after shipping, the weight bag inside shifts a little and one may have to set the doll down with a little “thump” to reposition the weights.

Oliver and Wilber’s  hats are fashioned as a leaf cap from paper clay and hand painted just like their heads He wears a wide ruffled collar with five layers of fabric that color coordinate with the rest of his attire. It takes about a quarter of a yard total of fabric to make these collars!  They have fancy lapels going down their shirts with ruffles, coordinating fabric and beads.  Cuffs are trimmed with shiny tinsel.

Their pants are fastened with a shiny ribbon and cuffed in a coordinating ribbon.  His little boots are larger around than their skinny little legs, and are accented with, shiny tinsel and little bright faceted beads.  They both carry a staff with a black glittered pumkin and rusty bucket trimmed out fancy  and holding inside a flameless tea light to light their way.

Orville

Wilber

Orville and Wilber are on sale for 155.00! plus travel fare. (Regular price is 175.00)  Each come with a Handmade Sunflower Tuffet upon which to set on display in your home (a 30.00 value!)  The Tuffet is made of cotton quilt fabric and homespun and is mounted on an antique wooden spool. Vintage velvet leaves are an added touch and Felicity the spider sits on a leaf.  She is also made by me.

Please email me if interested in purchase so I may give you a travel fare estimate at carolynsmith906@gmail.com

Remember to scroll down further to see the Spool Ghoul and Ornaments I have up for purchase during this fantastic Blog Hop Sale!!!!



Halloween for Christmas!

Here I am again today!!!!  I have a few more special offers!  Why not give one to that Halloween lover you know for Christmas???  Great idea...and different!  Her are three of my Boggy Bottom Bayou Ornaments!

These little guys, about 8-9 inches tall and are mounted on real wooden bobs. Their heads are hand sculpted paper clay, Painted and stained with a durable finish.  Their collars are a four layered ruffle of coordinating Halloween Prints.  They are embellished with rick rack, ribbon, and crystals galore!  They also sport a pretty polka dot bow with fall berries and leaves nestled in it.

Regularly 49.50, they are on sale before and during the Blog Hop for $44.00 (plus travel fare)! You save over 10% at this time!

They are featured below and sold individually.  Please email me with the name of the Ornament you wish to purchase and your zip code so I may estimate shipping for you.  This is on a “first come, first  served" basis!

Little Boo

$44.00

Little O'Skullivan

$44.00

Little Corn

$44.00

Blog Hop Spool Ghoul Sale

 Hi it’s Carly!
 I have a few Blog Hop Specials for you! These little guys, about 8-9 inches tall and are mounted on real antique spools. Their heads are hand sculpted paper clay, Painted and stained with a durable finish. Their collars are a four layered ruffle of coordinating Halloween Prints. They are embellished with rick rack, ribbon, and crystals galore! They also sport an updated vintage style Halloween Ornament. Regularly 54.50, they are on sale before and during the Blog Hop for $48.00 (plus travel fare)! You save over 10% at this time! Featured together below, but sold individually. Please email me with the name of the Spool Ghoul you wish to purchase and your zip code so I may estimate shipping for you. This is on a “first come, first served” basis.

Little Boo

48.00

Little Punkin'

48.00

 

Little Corn

48.00





The Blog Hop is getting closer!!!

Well folks...We are busy gathering our Blog Hop Artists together and they are busy making ornaments for you!!!  One of our Artists has hers finished so I'm giving you a "Sneak Peak Preview"!!!  Her name is Leeann Kress of Charned Confections and she has some real looking cupcake ornaments ..a whole set of 6!  They will arrive to you in a lovely Christmas tin! Right now she also has a lovely Christmas doll avaiable for purchase (please scroll down to see)!

So very tempting!!!  Stay tuned for instructions!  Enjoy!  Remember this is like Lotto...Winner takes all!

The Sugar Queen by Leeann Kress go to http://charmedconfections.blogspot.com/ for details on purchasing.  * the sugar queen is not a prize but is availbe for purchase from this talented artist!

Hi Everyone! 

 This is Carly Smith of Boggy Bottom Bayou inviting you to a “Blog Hop Giveaway”!  Whoever wins get to keep all the ornaments in this Multi- Artist giveaway!  Please stay turned  to boggybottombayou.blogspot.com for details.  The contest will be easy to follow and begins December 10^th!  What a great way to kick off the Christmas Season!!!

Details to be announced this week....please follow to keep up with the latest in our Multi-Artis Giveaway!

Below is a picture of just one of the gift giveaways.........A set of Icicles made of vintage glass beads, Lamp work beads and mini vintage style Hand Blown glass ornaments!mp work beads and mini vintage style Hand Blown glass ornaments!