I hope you will return on Friday the 13th, 2008.... I will be starting a contest/celebration of my favorite holiday... Hope you will return...


One of my latest Marketplace crations...

Yippee! A Surprise!

Without warning in pops my 2nd set of Wizard of Oz ornaments by Ashton Drake...(Yes, I'm in the dark about most of this..lol)



I hope you are signed up to receive all 12, if not, It's not too late. Just follow the link on the right side.


Yes, It's COMING.... Halloween in June, and I will finally have some things to offer. I hope you will stop by with your fuzzy slippers and enjoy our newest creations. ENJOY NOW!

Resting...

Sometimes we must rest, whether we believe we should or not.... Forces seem to work against you and your plans. I have spent many days in bed due to oral surgery, but it has given me some much needed time to rest. For the first time in a very long time, I've been able to have some creative and whimsical thoughts, which might be the Vicadin talking or just allowing myself to "be quiet".

I have hope that I will be able to create once again with the help of forces beyond my control. I hope you will all find some quiet moments to rest your mind, body, and spirit. Love, Christy

I see the Finish Line!

With bruises and new found muscles, (painful I must add) I am seeing the finish line in the preparation of selling my parent's home. As painful as the estate sale was, this portion has proven to be very therapeutic. It has been a HUGE job that Elf and my boys (Max and Jack) have accomplished pretty much by ourselves. A real family bonding experience!!!

One of the most heartening things has been the reminders from my Dad that he is here and watching over all of us. We have experienced some really strange things, but none of us have been frightened.... just comforted. If you notice in the above picture, the orbs in my Dad's office....

That's it for now. I'm really plowing through this last part of my responsibilities and look forward to brighter and more creative times in the very near future. God Bless!

Here's looking at you!

Please meet my little friends, Wally and Charlie. These are my precious Whimsie Studio pets.... In my quest to find my way back to my Whimsical World, I wanted to add "new life" to my surroundings. Their pleasant peeping sound is very comforting and cheerful.

So here's "peeping" at you!

I'm BACK!!!!!!

From Left to right... front row: Penny McAlister, Sandy Woods, and me
back row: Iva Wilcox, Deb Wilkinson, Lori Davis, Kathy Hunka,
Joyce Stahl, Robin Seeber, Joanne Harper, and Colleen Moody

We are back from PFATTfest 2008, and what a BLAST!!! Five states and a dozen or so Pfatties attended, our Annual event. Lots of laughter, drinks, shopping, and talent filled our house. I hope this happy heart keeps my going forward into the coming months.

I will have an offering for the Pfatt Marketplace , and I hope you will stop by... Again, thank you from the bottom of my little Whimsie heart for your continued support and love..... Which brings me to my last announcement. I am honored to announce a very heart warming award.... from my fellow artist on Ebay... Considering I've been so absent, the fact that anyone remembered me, still AMAZES me! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!



Time to put on my jammies and head towards the last cup of coffee.... (Yep, that's me in my new kitchen)... Good night!

Friends and PFun!

Who knew when I booked this adventure, how much I would need this happy time with loving friends???? Well thankfully the heavens did, and so on Thursday I will be meeting some my dear PFATTIES in Napa for 5 days! I've had the good fortune to laugh with several ladies and I imagine we will be life long friends.... So now I can add more to my list.

I will be meeting for the first time.. in person... Colleen Moody/ASeasonalMood, Brenda/MyBackyardGarden, Debbie/LaughingDoll, Robin/Outsidetheboxprimitives, Pam Gracia/Softinthehead, and Joanne/DisgustedCats

And for Repeat Hugs....

Sandy, Lori (Nana), Penny McAlister, Kathy, and Iva Wilcox

Friends are what make the world go round.... Gather as many as you can!

What is REALLY Important???

I have had several revelations on this journey through my parents memories and mine. As I have sifted through all my parents and grandparents belongings, I have come to a few BIG revelations. I hope to share a few of these with you in the coming weeks...God willing (I take nothing for granted anymore)

L*E*T*T*E*R*S.....My parents and my grandparents saved letters. Carefully preserved letters, documents, and cards were found everywhere. Paper seems so fragile, and yet, it can be held intact for over a century. How did mom and grandma know just what to hold onto? I know as a parent this question just drives me nuts. Now I know the answer... ANYTHING!!! Yes, that's right...Anything! Keep those simple letters of "how ya doing" from a friend or a little note from your honey or child.... 50 to 100 years from now, your children will marvel and go back in time instantly through these simple little notes. WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!!!! It's my newest challenge... Ditch Email! Write a letter or two with your own hand.... You will be happy you did, and so will your children.

Well, I hope you are still out there.... I feel so "far away" from my normal life, but I feel I am on a journey that I am suppose to be on. I just pray that I can get back to creating VERY SOON!!! I miss it and all of you so very much!!! Bless you all!

Dreams Really do Come True

Watching a dream come alive does a spirit good. This week my daughter Jillian is out performing with Janet Jackson while she promotes her newest album. She was on Good Morning America and MTV yesterday, and will appear on ELLEN on Friday. Go baby girl!

Being a small part of my girl's dreams gives me a warm feeling of hope for us all. Even if your dreams seem so far and so unattainable, never stop believing in yourself and the possibilities of the Universe. Dreams really do come true...

To My Valentines!

To all my wonderful friends out in Blogland... Thank you for all the prayers for my Mom and I..... We have traveled many miles in the past 4 weeks, and things are working as they are suppose to...I guess...

Sometimes it is hard to have faith that everything will work out the way it's suppose to.... More shall be revealed, I'm sure..... Mom is settling into a beautiful place, and I feel so lucky to have found a state of the art Memory Unit right here in Oregon.

So as I find my way through my new reality, I'm slowing finding my family and my home, (which is still decorated with XMAS decor). Regardless, hug your Valentines on the 14th and everyday you have the chance. Love, Christy

For my Mom

Her wings drooped,
The tears flowed
As her heart ached in sorrow.
If only her Mom could remember,
Everything tomorrow.


This has been a very sad time in my life while I've been caretaking for my mom who is suffering from dementia. I keep seeing a little Whimsie covering her eyes as the river of tears surround her. Please pray for me and my mom that we find the best solution for her care going forward. I truly appreciate it!

Something New & Candles

Like pulling a rabbit out of a hat, I actually finished and listed something on EBAY for the first time in over 6 months. I was DETERMINED to participate in PFATT Tuesday, and I DID IT!!! Adopt, by clicking HERE


Guess who's Birthday it is???? MINE!!! A ripe ole 25, .... bwahahaha...
Have a great week!

I hate Goodbyes!

I love hellos.... I hate good-byes... I was lucky to have Jillian home for almost 3 weeks, and I loved every minute of it! Off she went this morning to prepare for about a 3 month job with Janet J, so it will be a bit before I see her again.

Look.... I finally captured a picture of our WHOLE family together at once...(and yes, we ate all that pizza)...lol from left to right: Elf, me, Jack, Max, and Jilly. One 2008 resolution.... to take more pictures of our family. Happy New Years everyone!

I hope it was Merry!

Was it Magical?



Did you have a Christmas miracle?



Like the man says.... I guess you've just got to BELIEVE. Looking with eyes of wonder towards 2008... What will the New Year bring? The Wizard of OZ definitely, but hoping I will be bringing many more whimsical creations to light. Bless you and yours this Holiday season.

Last Whimsies of 2007

I did a couple of paintings for the PFATT Marketplace, and probably will be the last Whimsies for 2007.




As long as we survive this week with the kitchen, we will make it. The refrigerator is moving to the living room tomorrow...ugh..... Hopefully to be returned on Saturday, along with it's other friends the stove, microwave, and a new friend... a dishwasher! Crazy thought... a machine that washes dishes!!! I've heard they are amazing... lol...

It's getting better & better!

We Painted:


(wave hi to Dale, my contractor!)




The boxes arrived:



And What did we find inside?

This seems so strange to not be showing you my newest Whimsies, but my kitchen remodel is making several things challenging around here....Patience is my middle name... NOT!

5 Interesting Facts... What do you think?

I've been wanting to sell cards of my work for quite some time, and here are a few of my attempts:


Now I need to decide how to sell them...or if it's too late to do for this year. What do you think?


Here are today's pictures of my kitchen:

Painting tomorrow and cabinets being delivered on Saturday! YIPPEE!





Now for more fun... I've been tagged! I am to provide 5 Interesting or Random Facts about myself... hmmm... Here goes!

1. I'm a middle child
2. I used to throw up every Christmas until the age of 11..(I would get so excited that I would just make myself sick over it!)
3. I've lost almost 100 lbs since January 2006.
4. "It's A Wonderful Life" is my all time favorite Christmas movie, and I cry every time!
5. I have a secret desire to publish stories about the Whimsies.

I have tagged my following blogging friends!~
1. Lori/Vintage Palette
2. Joyce Stahl/Enchanted Productions
3. Penny McAlister
4. Iva's Creations
5. The Polka Dot Pixie

GIVE AWAY!

Yep Penny's offering a Give AWAY this week! Run don't walk to her blog and enter!

So tomorrow is "Black Monday", and I am wracking my brain on an internet special. Please check back tomorrow to see what I've come up with!

I am Thankful

I am thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving. As hard as this year has been with heart ache, I am ever so thankful for all that I have:

1. First of all my family....My 3 children and my sweet Elf comfort my days with love and support.
2. My parents for giving me the ability to dream..(I love you Dad!)
3. My cozy little home, even with it being 1 kitchen short this Thanksgiving.
4. Having a creative spirit with the ability to follow my Whimsical dreams
5. My health and for having diabetes... Yes, I am even thankful for that.. If I had not contracted it, I would not be as healthy and 85 lbs lighter.
6. For my best friends that I might have never touched, but always in my heart each day.



Here is just one example of pure friendship....Penny McAlister I met Penny at a show (Folkart Invitational) in Orange County, CA about 4 years ago. We "roomed" together, without much thought, and it changed my life forever. Penny has been a constant cheerleader in my pursuit of spreading Whimsies around the world. She introduced me to Midwest and others, and has continually educated me about the industry, techniques, and products. Penny has always held my hand through the highest highs and the lowest lows. To think that I've only hugged her a few times seems impossible, as she has "hugged" me at least 100 times through emails and over the phone. I am celebrating her Whimsical work and her most receent accomplishment of "beating me" to be published in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine. God Bless you Penny, and thank you for being my friend.

Prepare for Horror...

Yes, as promised, I would like to show my BEFORE pictures of my little kitchen from 1947. In the previous 16 years, we painted, laid floor and counter tops, appliances, and painted again, but nothing could help...........

I tried to decorate

Then Elf decided he would take matters into his own hands:

who said you need more than 1 outlet?


My Pantry and China cabinet, LOL


Here is the first day the calvary showed up:
Does anyone else see the orbs? I think one is Dad watching over me...

An "OOPSIE" from the contractor...We will see what happens about this... More pictures to come...and thank you all so much for posting on my blog words of encouragement. It really touches my heart!

Guess Who?

Let's hope this cat makes many smile.... I know he made me smile...even though my house is being torn apart as we speak....

We bought our house 16 years ago, and when we moved in, the kitchen was the "worst" part of this house... Well, finally that will be fixed... It is my hope to post the progress here on my blog... Pray it goes quickly and perfectly... snicker... we all know how that goes... hahahahhaha

A Surreal Feeling!

I can't thing of anything to say about this, but how wonderful this piece of paper makes me feel...No matter what happens, my family, and friends will be able to have this little piece of paper for their scrapbooks. You can also see the next 3 ornaments and a free ornament box...Click on the Wizard of Oz characters on the right for ordering information. Until next time, keep wishing on the stars!

A Color Explosion!

Here he is..."THE MAD HATTER"...his color just really twirls my skirt! I am very happy with the way he turned out, and now on to the Cheshire Cat. I hope he makes you all smile, like he does me....Have a great Friday! Christy

Let Lightening Strike Twice!

Guess what series I'm sculpting now...

Will have the Mad Hatter next

and then the Cheshire Cat. Let's hope they twirl some skirts! LOL

I'm PUBLISHED!

Apparently being able to say that word, "published", means something somewhere, but to me it was one of my dreams when I left my job 5 years ago. So here it is, the Winter Issue of Art Doll Quarterly... page 6, 7, & 8.. Enjoy!