Little Scotia is the Cat's Ass

All the Good stuff is happening on the Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/littlescotia/

This is basically telling you that I am too busy / lazy to update this blog at the moment.

L

Technically, The Doll is On the LIST.

Today my Reflexology client cancelled. Which left me with a 'free' day. Free Days aren't REALLY free days. We know how this works. There's a list.  It looks like this:

The Big Tall Boy when he was still a little squishy cute boy, as well as the list.

Today, I ignored it.

And instead, finished THIS little beauty.

Technically, she's on the list under the category "Make all the things."

Also, the "Your Mom" at the end of my list MIGHT be an insult, scribbled there by one of my daughters. Their nanny may not be impressed. Except that I'm sure neither one of us will know exactly what it means.

L.

Little Ginger Babushkas

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she Wonderful?

the Irish Russian. Hanging out with the Native Russian, and the Old Sleeping Russian. Party Time.

My boss at the Thrift Store texted me just as I was putting the finishing touches on this little mama. She's a Ginger Mama, and I was thinking of her! It's an Irish Russian Doll. Oh yes I did.

She's just so flippin cute. It is going to be hard to see them go, but a pleasure that they'll bring someone else joy too!

I have a sale at the Native Friendship Centre on March 21st, and I'll bring these beauties. All the others you'll be able to find at the Tiny Art Shack in Tiny Ontario in May 2015. 

L.

Russian Dolls Have The Best Advice

I've been making a tonne of these ladies over the last week. They take an enormous amount of time for stuffed dolls, but I just ADORE the end results. And they SPEAK to me. In the times of quiet when I get to embroider little faces and aprons, I get the best ideas.

I have about 4 more cut up and in various stages of completion. However, it's slow going. My sewing machine is at the 'end' of the kitchen. And I have to completely dig out the machine and desk, spreading the crafting joy all over the dinner table. I also open up the ironing board to sit in front of the buffet and hutch that houses all the practical and impractical dishes. (I have a bit of a Pretty Tea Cup problem. And a vintage set of dishes, complete with tea pot, creamer, sugar, dishes... that I do not let children touch without supervision.)

Creating in Chaos. It's a thing.

Anyway, it feels like it's time to tidy up to make dinner. (if that's what you can call piling all-the-things back onto and around my sewing machine.)

Still, I adore the process of seeing them come together. These little beauties for the most part will be available for sale at the Tiny Art Shack in Tiny, Ontario, in May 2015. Unless I manage to get it together enough to attend a craft show myself sometime soon.

Little Scotia Lives!

Lori

Little Scotia at Penelope PickleBottoms in Midland Ontario

Little Scotia has been invited to sell items at Penelope PickleBottoms new shop in Midland Ontario! So exciting!

Located at 231 King Street, across from Brunelle's Jewellery, inside a new mini mall where the pizza place used to be. (You know you're from a small town when you give directions like THAT!!)

The Little Scotia items that will be available at Penelope Picklebottoms will be small kid oriented stuff - Sock Monkeys, printed dolls, playable stuff! If you are interested more in the adult - art dolls, you should come to the Little Scotia Facebook page, until I find a home to carry those!!!

Squee!!!

Little Scotia Lori.

 

RainBlows and Soft Gangstas

Actually, I don't mind a rainy day. Just when it falls on Market day. My one day a week to "go to work" and today was a rain out. I had made a few extra critters for market, and after cleaning my sewing desk (and area) for over an hour looking for my plain black Safety Eyes (YAH!) I gave up, sat at my computer, and found a little bag of green ones! So, made a few more critters.

They look a little gansta here, don't they? Soft Squishy Cute gangsters.

You can just tell the Rabbit, to the right, is a Wise Guy. White kitty is front and center: "You talking to ME?"

This kitty above, I think is the Boss. Despite her cute cherry exterior, you can tell she's bad ass. "Where's my money??"

This little kitty is the youngest. I think she took a dive for her gang, because she's still wearing stripes. She looks a bit pensive.

This is probably what they'll look like in the police line up. "Ma'am, is the Soft Gangster that stole your heart here?"

Ah well. I'll work on the rest of their gang today, for next Sunday.

Make Crafts, Earn Cash, Have it All. I Love this Book.

I've had my Crafty Superstar: Make Crafts on the Side, Earn Extra Cash, and Basically Have It All
by Grace Dobush, for a few weeks now. I adore it. I adore the way it feels and looks, and ofcourse how all the info is all condensed and easy to read and follow. My crafting business has been booming, and I wanted to break into new territory with it. This book has great ideas and advice about shows, getting in shops on consignment, wholesaling, etc. Really fab resource.

I was crusing all the links she's got to other crafters blogs in the back of the book, and was admiring some of their websites. The more I looked, the more I thought "Jeepers, I really should do this."

I've had this blog floating around on it's own, and my etsy store floating around seperately, and market info floating around, and the throught of tying them all nicely together felt right. So, if you go to my two little websites, you'll see what I did. I used a free site (because I am technologically disinclined, and this site was drag and drop. Seriously.)

Vintage Witch

Little Scotia

I'm pretty happy with it. And I love that I can sell stuff right from the page, using PayPal. Makes me do some happy dancing. Woot!

Today, I'm going to get started on a new babushka doll pattern, and I desperately have to make some critters and monkeys. Yesterdays' market just about cleaned me out!!! Lots of toys found new homes yesterday :)

Happy Monday!

You Rock My World, Punk Rock Girl.

I've been super busy this week! I stopped into a local shop that takes items on consignment (it's a gorgeous little store, filled with some beautiful stuff.) However, she had only one lonely doll on her shelf.

I chatted with her a bit, and she's going to come to market on Sunday to see the sort of things I make, and what she thinks could fit into her shop.

In addition to the Punk Rock Girl dolls, and the sock monkeys, I make traditional dolls too. So, I'm pretty excited at the prospect of having somewhere to show my work during fall and winter. (You know, aside from Etsy, which I love and adore.) Here are some pics of the latest.

An Alice of My Own

This is my Alice!

I found the doll at the Thrift Store, mostly clean and completely naked. After a bit of research, I found out she was a "Hot Looks" doll by Mattel , and put her with the rest of my crafty storage.

After watching the Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie, I knew what I wanted to do with my found doll - create an Alice of my own! It's taken me a month of thinking to figure out how I was going to do it.

Eyelet lace, some vintage cream lace, new blue ribbon, some random pieces of blue lining, and a cafe curtain. I had no pattern for a doll her size, but ad-libbed the pieces based on a different doll dress pattern, and made up the rest as I went.

The stuffed body is wired and posable, which is nice. She stands on her own, if she's got something to lean on.

I'm not sure I'll ad anything else. I'm going to let her stand next to the compute monitor for a few days, and see if she decides she needs anything. I like her shoeless. When Alice shrunk, she would have been too small for her shoes anyway.

What do you think?

I'll be offering her on Etsy, as soon as I'm sure she's finished.

Studio Envy.

I DO try to clean all the spaces my creativty falls.. But it leaks out all over the place. The livingroom hasn't been lived in, in months. I keep TRYING to bring my crafty stuff all down to the basement, but it keeps migrating back up the stairs into the livingroom. I would so much like my livingroom back. However, I don't work on stuff when it's in the basement, and with Markets every weekend, I HAVE to be working on stuff.

Although I stocked well over spring, I'm only able to create about 1/2 of what I'm selling off my table every weekend. It makes me feel the pinch to always be making something. I take projects everywhere. My beautiful In-Laws gifted me with a travelling crafting case this winter, because I was always taking things in plastic bags to work on.

However, I'm having Studio Envy. Facebook has exposed me to other artists spaces, and although I'd LOVE to get more organized, I really feel like I don't have the TIME to make it pretty, because I'm very busy WORKING. Sigh.

I put some magic in place back in May, that won't come to fruition till July or possibly August. With it will come the time to clean and reorganize. This magic includes a studio space for the mess.

There's a pile of stuff in my basement that has been begging to be donated for a month, and more on it's heels, and I just haven't had the two days it will require to make it all right.

I hope my family (who I love and adore with all my being) can bear with my mess a little longer.

And on that note... 32 (or so) Cabbage Patch Kids are coming to live here tomorrow. (For fixing, re-dressing, re-naming, and re-adoption!)

Come on Universe. We're all being patient, being good, and loving each other in our little cocoon.

Strawberries :) Num.

Today has been a great day... and it's only 2pm.

I had coffee with a couple of friends, and read cards for one. And scarfed something sweet when I was done.

I came home and listened to some training CD's while stuffing and sewing some monkeys for market on Sunday.

I went with a girlfriend to a local farm and picked berries for half an hour. (Strawberries. So good. ) The picture are strawberries from my OWN yard. They are a heritage wild strawberry.. They are small and soft, and don't keep well... You have to use them or flash freeze them right away. So, it was nice to get some big red ones!

I also put a few Watkins orders together from friends, and my own homes needs, for my monthly order. It's a little after 2... and I've got SO much day left.


What a wonderful day it's been! Lazy Fridays are the bestest.

Jem. She's Truly Outrageous.

I found her, unfortunately without shoes. I accidentally "upskirted" her while trying to get a pic of the cleanliness of her feet. Whoops, sorry Jem :(



I wonder what sort of visitors I'll get after writing about "upskirting." The Horror.

It's hot. Real Hot. How'm I feelin? Hot Hot Hot.

The pool is full. (It's a kiddie pool, don't get excited.) There's ice cream and freezies in the freezer. The oven has been given a blessed holiday. I've been working on the front step in the sun, looking at my too - long grass (broke my lawn mower) while making dolls and necklaces for market.

Life is good!

Umbrella Heaven

Today, I want to post SO BADLY the most AWESOME gift that I made for my sweetheart for his birthday today. But I cannot, as he might actually READ this today. So, it will have to wait until tomorrow. (It is truly awesomeness.)

We finally have some very warm weather - which always brings out the big hats or umbrella's. (For those of you who don't know it, I had a rather large chunk of my face removed as it was cancerous. They stitched me up, with minimal muscle and nerve loss. My face was the ONLY place I ever used sunscreen, and I've got a suspicion it had something to do with the cream facial hair removers I used to use. But, anyway, I use umbrellas to walk in the sun.)

I'd love to get a properly made parasol. One that can withstand the wind, and have material a little thicker than the thin water proof layer that a regular umbrella has. I've seen some lovely (but pricey) ones made in the UK, at Umbrella Heaven at etsy, that are windproof. For the amount of umbrellas that I SEND to umbrella heaven (they die) , it would be worth it.

Today, however, I'm going to settle for a big floppy hat in the shade, and weave up more necklaces for the Farmers Market that's happening in Midland this Sunday (and every Sunday from now till Thanksgiving weekend.)

Come see tomorrow, what I made for my sweetie's birthday!!!

My Place Has Become an Orphanage. (and, there's room for more.)

Last night, while snuggled in with my sweetheart, and watching some Doctor Who (We're catching up on episodes... we both stopped watching when we started dating each other, figuring the other wouldn't want to STOP EVERYTHING on Friday nights to catch it. Funny that we've been together for over a year, and didn't figure out we're both fans until about two weeks ago!)

Anyway, parenthesis segue or what??? Let me start again...

Last night, while snuggled in with my sweetheart, and watching some Doctor Who, I gathered my adopted and rescued Cabbage Patch Kids around, and sewed up all thier loose and missing stitching. I don't know why I put it off for so long, because it took no time at all.

These babies are intended as models for the clothing and diapers I make and sell on my etsy store, but now spend most of their time on the couch, as my daughters adore them.

It feels incredibly empowering to allow my artistic side JUST DO, when I used to fret over "the right way" or "professional" way to do something, and then never get anything done.

From left to right:
EmmaLee Giovanna. She has a birth certificate, but needs some cleaning, and possible repainting of her eyes. Then, she might be up for adoption.
Yvette Alora. Needed many stitches, and I have to figure out what to do with her gorgeous cornsilk hair.
Alex Ander. I loveses him.
Cecilia Amelia. She was a gift from my girlfriend for my birthday, My littlest daughter drags her around the house everywhere.

Oh yes, and "Dear Ebay. Stop tempting me with the promise of more friends for these darlings." and... "Dear Thrift Store and garage sales. You may tempt me any time."

Life is Good - The Secret Box Edition

I've gotten about half way through the jewellery boxes I started ages ago! I've listed a few on etsy, the Vintage Witch store, although my intention was to take them to market with me! What ever hasn't sold on etsy by the May 24 weekend, I'll simply take off to bring to market with me! Here's one of the finished ones. The pic of what it USED to look like is below it.

It was all sort of a light pink. Cute pic and all, although it was really scratched - I've now just updated it to be happily taken through life by a girl of any age!

The rest that are finished are on etsy right now for you to peek at.

I love having the freedom to work on what I want, when I want. I do SO many different types of craft, it's really nice to wake up and decide what I'm going to work on today.

Right now, I'm working on a handfull of chocolate almonds.

Life is Good.

Good Stuff in my Mail box - and all around my Work Table...

Oh, sweet yummyness. TWO packages in the mail for me today, which made me very very happy.

I order my craft tags from a wonderful lady with a wonderful etsy shop, MommieMadeIt . Look how this package arrived. The plastic is biodegradable... and look the cute paper doll and clothing included. WICKED.

Sheets of Little Scotia tags for my doll clothing and soft dollies... and some NEW Vintage Witch ones for the bags and aprons, and what ever else I want to use them for!!! I got a lower rate, as they aren't cut. Sweetness.

I'm super excited about the Vintage Witch ones, as I've been making bags like mad, but putting off the aprons, waiting for these tags to arrive!

The other package is a Cabbage Patch Kid clothing pattern I've been dying to get. I quickly finished up the pixies dresses so I could start cutting and working on these items. There's SO much potential for creativity with these basic pieces! Woot!

I'm also waiting on another pattern, some CPK official clothing, and two babies!

By the way, this is what creativity looks like in my life. It's dark, but it's an accurate representation... I work in front of the window, because it's dark in here! I need to dig out a light. I'll never have one of those neat Ikea-like work spaces... I like to see it ALL at once! hehe.

Yes, under the table is STUFFED with stuff, too.

Happy Friday!!

21 in one Go!

I counted up the projects I currently have on the go. 21. that's TWENTY ONE.

8 jewellery boxes
3 stuffy bears&bunnies
2 princess art dolls
1 lonely lady art doll
6 "odd" art dolls (as the little one in the pic.)
1 16 x 16" canvas painting.

The kitchen is a mess. It started with waiting for jewellery boxes to dry. This led to me sewing some bunnies and bears - and realizing I was nearly out of polyester fiberfill. In one of my magazines, there were some examples of dolls with acrylic painted faces - so I dug out some white denim, and started playing with it. (knowing I had the acrylic textile additive.) Then, while waiting for those to dry, I dug out a new canvas I bought... I found myself standing on a chair hanging a new spice rack today and surveyed the kitchen from "above."

Where in the world are we going to eat dinner?

Three Months to Stockpile.

Right now I'm completely into making miniatures, (furniture and the little dolls) and sock dolls. I wish I had a studio, to spread out all my half finished projects... I like to SEE them. I cleared off an entire bookshelf, and told my sweetheart he could fill it with his books.. and it took me about a week to fill it with paints, half finished projects, and things for etsy...

On that note, I love Crafters Choice. Mainly, because I have a wicked crafting addiction that I must nourish constantly. They always have this special going, but I find that February is the month for me to get into it... spring is a month away, craft shows for me are 3 months away, so I've got 3 solid months for stockpiling. And now that I've hijacked the book shelf, I apparently have room for more...

Find books on beading, sewing, knitting, and more! Get 3 Fabulous Crafting Books for only $3! !

I've gotten many books from them that I've used in different ways. I tend to need to start with a pattern, and then I promptly personalize and change it.

Have a peek at all the new books they've got!

Do You Etsy? I Got a Treasury!

I got an Etsy Treasury today! I was (and am!) so excited. I did the happy dance all over the house. Then, needed my sweetie to help me figure out how to take a screen shot of it, before it dissapears. YAY!

If you Etsy, head on over and take a peek!

I Want To Love You, Madly

Thanks, Friends!!! :)

New Jewellery on ETSY by Vintage Witch (and the Pixies)

I'm wondering at what point my Pixies turn into "Witchlets." hehehe...

This weekend (when we weren't busy having dinner with family, watching movies, playing video games...) The Pixies and I were busy crafting. We, all three, sat at the table for most of the day Friday, and much of the morning on Saturday, making pearler bead creations. (Pearler beads are those plastic beads that you iron together, and that fall on floor more often than not, and that you step on alllll weekend in the kitchen. hehe.)

It took a long time - our beads came to us completely mixed up in a zip lock bag - so there was much sorting while looking for the colours we wanted. These are what I came up with! I've listed the pins on etsy this morning.

Today, I'll be working on some necklace pendants and hair clips with these little numbers on them.

They are time consuming and fussy work (so little! I had to dig out a pair of tweezers from my craft dresser of doooooom.) but I love how they are turning out.

I think I've priced them reasonably on etsy, and I'm even offering them in quantity for less.

What do you think?