Art Work!

I'm very excited!

I co-edit a writers' blog

with a bloggy friend

where we post up our own fiction

and work on a fantasy piece

we're writing cooperatively.

Mr N has his own blog, here.

Mr N commissioned me

to design the cover for his first book; 

A Conversation with Oliver. 

I was thrilled!

When I was very small

I really wanted

to illustrate books,

so this is a dream come true!

Here it is.

A Conversation with Oliver

is a darkly humorous interview

with a very engaging hitman.

It's worth a read.

Find it here as an ebook.

If you don't have a Kindle

(and I don't)

you can download free software

from Amazon, here, 

to read Kindle books on your  

PC, Mac, tablet, smart phone 

or whathaveyou.

In addition to Oliver's adventures

there are all kinds of free books 

to load up and read.

In other news,

I'm working on my first male sculpt.

Here he is, trying out 

his flowing locks.

Reminds me of this image

of Parsifal 

by Jean Delville.

That's the kind of hot-house, exotic 

feeling I'm going for.

I'm hoping to dress him in faded velvet and silks.

Any suggestions as to a name?

Lucien? Armand? 

Orlando? Vladimir?

Bill? (heh) 

Claudia finished and the giveaway. Graphic-heavy!

Remember back in February,

when I started making Claudia 

for Holly's Horrorland

Vampire Day Soiree ?

She's finally completed!

(and sold!)

Here is a walkthrough

of her WIP stages.

Head sculpt in paper clay.

Rough face-up

(yes, that's the correct term!)

and wig try-out.

I didn't go with the fluffy blonde

 but instead chose a 

washed-out peachy pink.

Face painted and sealed.

Paperclay hands.

Drawers with vintage point de paris ruffles

and red kid leather shoes.

She's lying on her petticoat,

trimmed in my favourite cotton lace.

Claudia's doll WIP.

I dressed her as a Marie Antoinette 

as a nod to Kirsten Dunst, 

because she played both roles.

WIP coffin, with pillows from 

Magic Love Crow

and

  Nevermore Art Dolls.

Claudia's chemise.

Claudia's printed coffin pillow.

The little red shoes

with ruffled rosettes.

Antique lace on the bodice.

The skull brooch.

Pretty little skulls

all in a row.

Eyelets for corset-style lacing.

Skully.

This is a companion skull;

sculpted, painted and sealed.

The finished coffin,

with pillow and frills.

Claudia and her skull.

Claudia and Marie.

 Friends for ever!

(Which is actually possible, if you're a vampire)

And now

The winner of the

Hues of Oz 2014

giveaway!

Dorothy, Toto and

the poppy cushion.

I listed all the names

and used a

Random Number Generator

to pick out a winner.

Randomly.

The Winner is...

 The Magician Of Oz himself!

(James C Wallace II)

So, congratulations

to the

Magician of Oz!

In two weeks

I have a

Blogoversary

and will be arranging another

giveaway!

Yay!

Margot's Bed.

La Reine Margot

is one of my favourite films.

Excitement! Love! Drama!

History! Dumas! Rapiers

I also love

Deri's wonderful dolls.

 So when I decided to get myself a Deridoll,

I always knew what I wanted.

The sweet little parcel!

The sweetest little gift card

See?

Here is Queen Margot,

in her fabulous dress.

And here she is by Deri,

complete with her necklace

and cute bodice lacing!

See the label?

Here is Queen Margot,

all sexy and what-have-you.

And here she is by Deri,

 in her mask!

Squee!

Exactly the same!

What else was in the parcel?

Ribbon roses!

Deri's exquisite, handmade ribbon roses!

They're tiny and beautiful

and I am in awe of how she makes them!

As she knows!

Thank you, Deri!

To order your own Deridoll

go here.

When the Queen arrived

I got a wonderful surprise from my good friend

Miss Magpie!

You can't see it in this photo,

as the Queen has claimed it 

as her royal bed

and is lying in state.

Here it is!

It's a HUGE fabulous felt pin cushion

with the most spectacular ribbon flowers.

Look at them!

On top is a really sweet little button

with grapes. 

It's now on my sewing table,

stuck full of pins.

Miss Magpie

is another bunny lover.

(That sounds wrong, doesn't it?)

She also does wonderful jewellery

and wire work.

Here are two gorgeous things

she sent me!

Look at that fab rabbit!

And this! 

LOOK AT THIS!

A Steampunk Bunnyfly!

I love this so much, I wore it

when I was sworn in as an

American Citizen.

(I know you can't see it, but it's there. Honest!)

Oh, and this is taken

on Hubby's phone

so I apologise.

Flag looks good, though!