Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!

I can't believe it has been May since I've posted, so much has happened since that time.  Little Lauren is now 7 months old and so sweet.  For the first time in a long time I've been able to get most of the Christmas presents finished, the ones I've wanted to make.  Very little retail shopping this year and it feels so good.  I'm so close to being done with a number of projects that have been on hold that I plan to keep on working after Christmas and get them all finished up.  That's been my mantra this Christmas, get it done!!  I'm finishing up each project - then move on to the next.  Well, that's not entirely true but am reaching a point where I say OK, I'm going to finish this one, and have it done.  I've only two more packages to get in the mail this week and all the presents for CA will be on the way.  That's an accomplishment for me, having to work early enough to get things in the mail on time.

I hope every one has a wonderful Christmas and I'm looking forward to sharing more this coming year.  I just saw my website expired two days ago, I didn't think about it so one more job to do in the next day or so :)

First morning at home



Lauren Antonia Flood

Can't resist, she is so adorable, LOL.

Wasting this beautiful day on computers!

It seems like it was yesterday that I was the go-to computer person, but I must have looked away cause it's way past me now.  I thought I'd get up to speed again by just continuing to work on it, but not sure that will ever happen.  I've been working for two days already and don't think it's working correctly.  I consolidated all three websites with my host, which is good -- but I'm having problems sorting things out.  I've contacted support twice already so hate to do it again :)  Guess I'll just keep plugging along.

Beautiful Sunday Afternoon

It looks like the rains are over for awhile, but now the 90 degree temperature is going to bring more humidity than we've had in a long time.  But, how the lawn and plants love it.  Weeds too though, must be global warming but the chickweed is worse than I've ever seen it and threatening to take over the back yard.

A happier note :) The newest addition to our family, on her way home.

Lauren Antonia Flood.  The down side is I'm here in MO and she lives in NY.  Not sure she is excited about the drive home :)

We may need an ark soon!

Rain last night and woke to rain again this morning.  The people in Joplin haven't had a full dry day since the tornado hit.  So many helping out over there, amazing what is needed.  Even though the big charities are there, things like flip-flops, flashlights (no electricity) ropes and needed right now....I'm sending money to a friend there who is involved in helping prepare and deliver hot meals to the families & workers.  Little things we don't think about, like massage therapists being needed to give the workers some relief.  The quilt guilds lost their homes and their stash of quilts for the needy, just when they're needed so are asking for supplies to quickly get more completed.  They need everything, including boxes, it's almost impossible to imagine what you would need if you lost everything but the clothes you were wearing.

A time we should surely be counting our blessings.

Win a Gift Card to Barnes & Noble!

Have you read Facial Reconstruction for Artists?  

If so, post a review on Amazon.com, and let me know, to be entered into a drawing for a gift card to Barnes & Noble.  To add your name to the drawing a second time, “Like” my FB author page,http://www.facebook.com/pages/Facial-Reconstruction-for-Artists/112920052128287 and my WindSongBooks page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/WindSongBooks/163562197026258 

Just let me know when you make your posts.

drawing@windsongart.com

Already posted?  That still counts, just let me know.

First great-grandchild

This adorable little girl is my first great-grandchild, just a couple hours old.  Lauren Antonia Flood, born yesterday May 25th.  The only down side is they live in New York so I won't get to see her as often as I did her Daddy when he was a baby.  She is perfect though a little small, surprising everyone by arriving a few weeks early.  We're so thankful she she is OK and the two of them are now a family :)

New Rose-Lavendar Potpourri

I save my rose petals and lavendar flowers for potpourri each year.  The jar on the right is a new one, made from last years flowers - the bowl on the left is a Rose/Herbal scent.  I love to put sachets of this in the linen and clothes closets.

Joplin tornado

Over 100 confirmed dead so far and many more still missing.  They said the tornado was encased in a wall of rain so it wasn't seen on radar.  The people only had about 5 minutes to seek shelter.  EF4 tornado, lots of devastation.  The HS was in the midst of graduation when it hit.  Was 1/2 mile wide and 6 miles long, very big tornado.  People working over there says it looks like the

89 Confirmed Dead in Tornado-Ravaged Joplin MO

89 Confirmed Dead in Tornado-Ravaged Joplin MO

Flea Market Gardening

Check out this blog if you like gardening, some great ideas.  http://fleamarketgardening.com/  They are also on facebook.

Flea Market Gardening

This is a great blog if you're interested in gardening.  She's running a contest now for a free copy of the premier magazine. 

The roses are blooming!

These warm spring rains are causing everything to grow faster.  One day there was a bud, the next day a rose, and yesterday we picked three gorgeous red roses - such fragrance!  The Mr. Lincoln is my favorite as the petals are deep, dark, red and look and feel like velvet.  They are the most fragrant of the ones we have.

Inquiring minds want to know.

I posted a few questions on my author facebook page.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001974958330.  I'm going to post them here also and if you have a few minutes I'd appreciate your feedback.  Thanks so much for your help.
 
A question for friends and customers, or anyone interested in sculpting and/or related subjects.

I have several projects in the works and would like to hear your ideas. Do you prefer an actual book, similar to Facial Reconstruction for Artists, where you follow along with the material? Do you prefer on-line classes, even if they are a little more expensive? Or, would you prefer Tutorials that are available for purchase on-line on an ongoing basis?

Are you interested only in Sculpting and/or Facial Reconstruction? Would you also like to see some tutorials on other types of art? ie, Fabric Arts, Sketching, China Painting -- Other?

You can answer here or send me an e-mail if you prefer and would like to share ideas. Thanks for your help!!

Website Woes

Working with websites is one of those things that unless I use it often, I tend to forget it.  When I was one of the individuals involved in the Federal Program to bring technology to the rural areas of the state, I learned just about everything there was to know about working with website and computers.  I'll qualify that by adding -- what was being used at that time, 1996.  For a number of years I stayed current till I got so busy I hired it done.  When I decided to take over the website again, I found the world of technology had passed me by.  I took a couple of summer classes at the university but it doesn't seem to stick :)  I think maybe I'm going to need some help afterall to get it back into shape.

Shabby Lane Shops Magazine

This is a picture of the current edition and a few of the lovely gifts that were included with my subscription.  I love this magazine, had to hunt at Barnes and Noble so finally decided to subscribe.  It's so relaxing, takes me to a more peaceful place :)  No commercial, just a happy customer.

Rainy Days

Here are a few images of some of the little projects I've been working on in my spare time.  Something to keep my hands busy.



One of the hankies from a recent estate sale, I love this embroidery in all four corners, easy to work with.



More hankies from the estate

I love this stamp and was experimenting with different ways to use it.

Made a little "postcard box" with it.

A few antique spoons waiting to be used.  I gave away all my finished ones at Christmas. 

I love to wrap gifts, this is a new way to tie a bow.

The top of the bow.  I use any box available to practice new ideas.

I love this, so simple and easy.  This is a silk leaf but wouldn't it look nice with a real fall leaf?

Another idea, I tried to glue the stones on but they were a little heavy.

A sample of papercrete with rosemary sprig.  Papercrete is a cross between paper mache and hypertufa.  Made with concrete so it's very durable but also lightweight.  I've been making planters for the garden but when I get another batch mixed up I want to try some garden sculptures.

Learning How to post images

Someday I'm going to learn how to do this correctly :)  Believe it or not, I'm working on learning the ins and outs of how to handle blogs and facebook. You can also see these on my facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001974958330&sk=photos#!/

Female hands preparing for mold

Another view

Eggpecially for You molds

Process:  Clay Master>Waste Mold>Plaster Plug> Refined mold

Can't seem to load the entire set at once.

These are not in order, but I did add some captions to help. 



Second pour on hand



Plaster head

Preparing to make the first pour

Stone plug for this lifesize arm mold

Checking the pour against the mold

Ready for the second pour

Removing the mold in pieces

Ready for the second pour

Touching up the stone master for my Eggspecially for You line

Finally got some mold photos posted.

These are some images taken from our '94 mold video so some are not very clear.  They are also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.131596390249525.31326.100001974958330#!/

I'm working on a short tutorial and hope to post it soon.

Already May?

I cannot believe it has been over a month since I've written here!  Surely there are post demons hiding them.  The 23rd was my first book signing and it went great.  Was so much fun to talk to people, explain what I do and sell some books :)  I put some pictures on facebook, but I'll add a few here also.

Good Intentions

I always have good intentions to keep up with my blog more often - but it just doesn't happen.  The days go so fast, then the weeks and months.  Last year at this time I was starting work on my book and missed most of the best time of the year.  I've vowed not to let work keep me from enjoying life, our days our too short not to include leisure time and take part in things we enjoy.  Even work we enjoy is still work.

This is my year of new beginnings, I love new beginnings.  But sometimes instead of starting something new, a new beginning can look back and slow down and relax more.  That's my goal this year.  I've gotten further away from my artwork, what I've done is in bits and pieces.  What happened to those long days just experimenting with different media?  Where has the fun gone? I want to bring it back.

Sunday afternoon

I'm preparing material for a demonstration and talk on facial reconstruction, this will be the first one with my book.  If you have the book, I'd love to hear from you and your thoughts.  What would you like to see different in the next book?  If you have any questions about the information, just send me an e-mail.  If you would like to comment on the book, posting a review on amazon.com and/or barnesandnoble.com is always welcome.  Many of you bought the book direct from me but to post an amazon review you only have to have purchased some product - not necessarily a book or this book.  Barnes & Noble has no purchase requirements.

Rain this morning and sunshine this afternoon, all makes for rapid growth in plants. Won't be long till we are having to mow and pull weeds.

Saturday

My granddaughters took us out for lunch today to celebrate my husbands birthday and our anniversary. A relaxing day to end a relaxing week.  For the first time in a long time we've had the luxury of just relaxing and doing this and that as we pleased, including quite a few naps.  An old friend coming by tomorrow afternoon to work on some jewelry her daughter is making to wear to the prom so we'll have fun catching up while we work.

How was your week?

Sunday Evening

Another overcast day with storms due in tonight. It's rare to have these gray days here, even in the coldest of winter the sun shines.  On the plus side, it's toned down my spring fever and I've had a couple of relaxing days.  Read a new mystery by Nora Robert and watched more TV than I have in months.  I made some silk western bandanas and hand finished them with a rolled hem.  It made me realize how much I enjoy hand work in the evenings and how much I'd missed it.  So I got some work out and am finishing up a baby blanket I started quite awhile ago, it's crocheted in a popcorn stitch.  Took me a couple of rows to get back into it but am enjoying it.  I have a hard time getting interested in television shows and this allows me to listen but still keep my hands busy.

Talking to Strangers

Did your Mother tell you never to talk to strangers?  Or maybe you told your own children that?  There were good reasons we did, and do, teach our children to be safe and those haven't changed. But are you still avoiding speaking to someone you don't know - just because you haven't been introduced?  If so, you may be missing a great part of life.  What a boost to my day when someone says you have beautiful hair or some other compliment, just in passing. The sun shines a little brighter after that. Next time you admire someone or something, just step up and tell them so! You meet some great people.

As I've gotten older I find it much easier to approach a stranger to compliment her on her hair - or maybe ask a question. In Wal-Mart parking lot one evening I saw a beautiful tapestry purse sitting in the basket while the woman put her groceries in the car.  I just made a passing comment on how much I liked it and she stopped to tell me she'd made it herself.  So we talked and she told me how she devised the pattern and why she made it.  I really enjoyed talking to her and when I got home I wished I'd thought to get her phone number - or given her mine - and she seemed like someone I'd like to know.

Along that line I met an attractive, funny and talented woman yesterday in the fabric store.  I'd just run up to get something that was on sale and while I was waiting for a clerk a woman asked me a question about figuring yardage for drapes.  Many years ago I taught drapery making so we laid her fabric out and had an enjoyable conversation about sewing, decorating, colors and laughed about how when we started out harvest gold and avocado green were in vogue.  We got her yardage figured and she was inspired to upholster a chair to match.

I may never see her again, but I did give her my name and phone number.  No matter what comes of it, it turned a boring errand into a fun hour.  I came home and went back to hand rolling hems with a smile :)  Do you have some "random acts of kindness" to share?  I'd love to hear them.

Almost gone!

I'll honor orders received through the end of the month.

Thanks to everyone who has ordered the book, I hope it proves enjoyable and helpful for you.

Changing Hats

You all know how much I love to work with clay, and my passion for facial reconstruction but what you may not know is I have the same passion for fabric.  The women in my family all do beautiful needlework, my grandmother won first place in the Texas State Fair.  I'm of an age when little girls learned to sew and do needlework.  It stood me in good stead over the years, I've used it much more than the other skills I learned during those years, like how to throw a spiral football pass :)

I'm putting together a new website that will have room for all my work.  I love antique linens and enjoy using them to create something new.  Working with fabric is very calming for me, there is something about the feel of the fabric, laces and ribbons that just feels good.  I'll still work in clay and on reconstructions, the next book is already started and will be out later this year.

I was reading over the comments from the past few months, and I'd love to have you all over for a cup of tea and just visit.  We have a lot in common.  My herbs will be coming up very soon now, the roses are pruned and we plan to plant several new ones this year.  I love the old ones, they have a wonderful fragrance.  In fact, I have a bowl of rose pot-pourri on the coffee table and occasionally I catch the scent as I sit here working.

Now that I have more free time, I'd love to hear from all of you.  What you've been doing and what you're working on..

Switched Hats

As soon as we had some extra time I started working on some western clothing for my granddaughter.  She's the director of the Sheriff's Mounted Posse and they are going to be working a re--enactment this spring.  Whenever possible they like to dress in western gear so I'm busy sewing.

I'm also working on a new website, one at a time.  I've always worked with fabric, the women in my family all do beautiful needlework.  My grandmother won first place at the Texas State Fair many years ago.  So even though I love to have my hands in clay and I d

Going Fast

There are just a few books left for the introductory offer if any of you are interested.  It's been fun, exciting and a lot of work!  We've kept the mailman busy the last couple of weeks.  It's a a great feeling to read your e-mails.

Ready to ship!

We have a limited number of books available on the introductory offer.  While supplies last you can purchase the book for $30, including tax and priority mail shipping (USA only).  Canadian orders will ship first class.  If you are in another country you may find it easier to order from Amazon.com or BN.com, but if you do want a signed copy, e-mail me first so I can figure postage.

 

Artists traditionally strive to produce beautiful and/or inspiring art. The goal of a Forensic Artist, however, is to produce a likeness of an individual that might lead to recognition. Using the skull as a foundation, the forensic artist uses various skeletal markers and identifiers to reconstruct the face. This book will provide you with information that will help you increase your skills, enhance your talents, and learn those details that will add additional realism to your figures.

This book is not meant to teach Forensic Facial Reconstruction. It is a guide to sculpting and drawing realistic faces incorporating some of the techniques facial reconstruction artists use. You’ll learn bone structure as the foundation, muscles to add depth and definition, and the details that result in more realistic features.

 

Questions?  e-mail jan@windsongbooks.com