Spring is in the air.....

There is a really special phenomenon that takes place at my mom and dad's home. There home has become the hottest nesting spot for local birds. It is so FUN! My mom loves plants and she really has a gift and passion for horticulture. She has all these huge beautiful Staghorn Ferns hanging everywhere...the back porch, the front porch, the side porch. The birds love them! They're like little 4star resorts for birds. The picture above is a little family that has temporarily set up residence in one of my the plants. My mom and dad live about 10 minutes from us and we are blessed to be able to visit often. Each time we visit, it's fun to check and see how many eggs have hatched. We also enjoy watching the babies grow and learning to fly. What a wonderful picture of spring....

I have had a little extra time to work on a few projects. I work part time at a school and I have been on spring break for the last week. What a joy! I've been wanting to put together a few new workshops and finally I've had the extra time to work on them. One is a little faerie workshop. I'm looking forward to sharing her with you. Her face is from a pressmold I've made. Pressmolds are new for me...I plan to offer the press molds with the workshops. These little faces are so addictive. You can't make just one....

This faerie has closed eyes and sculpted feet and hands. Doesn't she look like she is sunbathing?

And this faerie has her eyes open with fabric wrapped hands and feet. They have a wire armature body which is covered with batting and needle sculpted.

I've also been playing around with altered "Altoids" cans. My oh my, what fun...they are equally addictive! Here are a few pictures of one of my altered tin dolls. Her face was made from the pressmold I used on the faerie with closed eyes. I will be offering a doll similar to this one as a workshop. Very fun!

Well, thanks for letting me share. I hope you all have a wonderful spring...Enjoy!

Big hugs,
Cyndi

I love making dolls.....

I have recently been beefing up my computer and cleaning out files....what a chore! But while going through my picture files I came across this little darling that I had made for a doll show raffle quite a few years ago. I had almost forgotten about her. It's interesting how these little people and critters take on a life of their own. So when I stand back and look at them I can honestly say, without feeling biased or big headed, GEEEZ SHE'S CUTE!!!!

I love making dolls!!!!!!

Life has calmed down a bit here in Sunny Escondido. The temperature is cooling and the smoke is clearing! I'm sure you have all heard about the fires here in Southern California. It has been so devastating. So many people have lost there homes and property and some their lives. For those of us whose homes are still intact, there is still a lot of clean up due to the smoke and ash. BUT I am SO grateful that I still have a home that needs cleaning.

I work at a small Pre K -12 private school in Escondido, California. We have approximately 550 students / 275 families. Of the 275 families, 5 have lost their homes and everything in them. My friend and co-worker lost her home. She and her husband were visiting their son who recently started college and while they were gone their home was destroyed. All they have is what they took on their trip. It is shocking and sobering to think that this could happen. It has happened to a staggering number of people here in our area. But I am so proud of my friend! She is so strong, and she knows who her strength comes from - Her Heavenly Father! I am so grateful to know her and call her my friend. SHE IS AMAZING!

I love making dolls....did I already say that? (smile)

There is something truly special and HEALING about creating with your hands. I think “creating” is a gift from God to us ALL, something we can use as a release when we are feeling sad or scared or happy or joyful! Give it a try!!

I love making dolls!!!! (There, I said it again)

My Hungry Lil' Caterpillar online workshop is up and running. We started on Friday, November 2nd. It is so amazing how the world-wide-web can make the world a little smaller or bigger depending on how you look at it. There are folks from Australia, Canada, and the USA. How fun is that? Oh my - we are going to have so much fun. You can still join us - it's not too late!

Take care of yourselves,
GREAT BIG HUGS!
Cyndi

I'm back!

Welcome to my blog! I am so excited to be able to keep in touch with all my dolly friends in such a fun and simple way. I'm new to blogging so this should be an adventure!

The last few years I have been hanging low. Four years ago I went from being a stay at home mom (and running Meadow Bug Studio) to working full time plus at my son's school. I know many of you have made the same transition so I'm not telling you anything new when I say - IT WAS HARD!!!!! It doesn't seem like it should be so difficult, but it is a difficult transition and I had to let some areas of my life sit in a holding pattern. Meadow Bug Studio has been one of those areas that has been on hold. But I miss my friends and my little critters, SO I'M JUMPING BACK IN WITH BOTH FEET! I'M BACK!


I'm so proud of the new things I have in the works...

Hungry Lil' Caterpillar...

I'm tickled pink to announce that I am offering a brand new online workshop "The Hungry Lil' Caterpillar" - This is such a fun little critter. If you are interested in participating go to http://www.classheaven.com/ to sign up. The cost is $75 and the start date is November 2.

Trick Or Treat, Smell My Feet...

I have a new pattern just in time for Halloween. This little fellow is so fun to make and I just know he'll make you smile! You'll find him on the pattern page of my website.

It's good to be back! I hope you enjoy my little critters.

BIG HUGS!