Fun with lights and an award.

Smudge has decided that she loves the Christmas tree.  

Constantly spinning the nice, plastic ornament that I left in her reach.  

Such a curious little thing.

Ha ha ha....

I think that Smudge has decided just to go along with my antics.  

Notice I have the antlers standing straight up.

They should be more like.....

This.  

Much better.

Ho hum.....I may as well just give in.....

Look!!!!

A deer.  

Actually just Zippy going to work in the shop with me.  

Just for fun....I made this head.

I have a painting that is based on the same theme.  

I thought that they would look neat hung side by side.  

I really had a fun time making this.  

I want to get a collar for it with a tag that says..

"Misunderstood".  

I wanted the texture to be pretty rough. 

I had to keep the ears pretty thick, for fear of the them breaking off.

The wet spots are from Smudge meeting and greeting her new friend.

"Mum" tattoo.  

Skull and crossbones on the "wood" part.

Smudge...maybe you can actually play with the concrete Zippy.  

My new thing.

Motivational messages in concrete.

Smudge decorated her crate for Christmas.  

I think she wants to make sure her packages arrive  safely.

Snoozing away making her little bulldog noises (and smells). 

Oh no!!!  She sees me.

Don't worry Smudge...I will not mess up your decor. 

Seriously...don't be angry...I just wanted to share your beautiful decorations with everyone.

Help!!!!!

My friend LeeAnn awarded me the Liebster Blog award.  LeeAnn has a beautiful blog about her life in Savannah, GA and posts about her own personal growth experiences.  I really enjoy reading her blog and always get a very peaceful feeling reading her posts.  She also has a most wonderful Bulldog named Gracie.  I was trying to decide who to pass on the award to and came across a post by the Heartbeats.  One of their followers (Kissa-Bull)  just lost 5 of her dogs to a house fire.  A very sad situation and I hope that by passing this on to the Heartbeats that folks can help to ease the pain at the Kissa-Bull blog by possibly sending them a message of condolence.  I know that when we lost Bumble all of the folks that wrote me really helped me get through the pain.  A little kindness goes a long way.   A wink to LeeAnn as that is exactly what her last post was about.  

The responsibilities of the Liebster Blog award are (1) To thank the person that gave you the award and link back to their blog.  (2) reveal your top five picks, with less than 200 readers, and let them know (3) copy and paste the award on your blog.  (4) Hope that the person giving it to you will keep it moving forward.  

My Project.

It has been a while since my last post.

I mentioned a special project that I have been working on in a previous post and it has been keeping

me very busy.  

Zippy on our commute to work.

Where we are making our things for the "project".  

He has really been enjoying going to work and keeps the path clear of 

all wild animals. 

It has been warm here.

Only small dustings of snow so far and the only problem with that is

the fact that we have lots of mud.  

Eco showing off his muddy velvet coat.

Smudge has been chipping away at the chair again.

I must make her pose for another Christmas picture.   Maybe with antlers. 

Speaking of antlers....

A wonderful person shot a deer the other day ( on land that was posted )

and the poor deer died in the woods about 20 feet from my back yard.  

Gus had his fill of venison and then walked onto the deck and threw up all over the place.

Thank you poacher.   You make all real hunters angry. 

On to better things.

My project!

I am getting things ready to jury for a spot in a local gallery. 

I hope that I get in....

I am making smaller things that are marketable and affordable.  

Also shippable.

This is a little candle holder.

(of course you can see that)

Smudge....

are you on that chair again! 

Smudge likes to sit under the dining room table.

The other day I did not see her there.

and went out for a moment.

When I got home....she was still under the table.

I had scooted the chairs together before I left and she was stuck.

I was lucky that she did not chew her way out!!!

Check out all of the spots on her back!!!

More project.

A little tea light holder.

Top view of the tea light holder.

A hanging leaf.

I have been making these for a long time. 

This one was actually made this past fall.

I do not use a mold for my leaves.

Or anything else.

All hand carved.  

A votive candle holder.

These can be used inside or outside.

Everything has concrete acid stain and a solvent based 

 sealer.

A medium sized planter.

A larger planter.

A very small planter.

This planter is very different from any of the others that I made.

It has a little keyhole and also can be hung.  

I thought it would look good as a wall pocket. 

I am in the process of making some hanging candle holders as well.

A very small votive candle holder.

A Knothole tea light holder.

A birdbath.

All of these are concrete faux bois.

I used a sunflower leaf for the bowl.

Top view.

When carving the texture, I like to add a few touches of whimsey.

So....you will find a face or animal or word....

in the texture.  

I think it is fun to pick things out.  

Smudge pretending to be Rudolf. 

Wish me luck getting into the gallery.

Having a pre-jury today and 

regular jury in Jan.  

Off to make more things to take!!!

Have a great week!

Fun with Smudge.

This past week has really been a busy one.  

I am trying to get a bunch of concrete finished for a special project.  

I will tell you what the project is in about a week. 

He he he he...

In the meantime...

I am decorating Smudge for Christmas.  

I just could not take it...I had to get out the lights and get a picture.  

She looks very subdued and sweet in these pictures.

Totally opposite of her true personality. 

Ha ha..

She is SOOOOOO happy to pose for these pictures.

It looks like she had an "idea" in this one.  

A light bulb right on her head.  

Little Otis bringing some Muletide Cheer.

We had a 3+ inch snow this past week.

Smudge really loved it.

A cute video of Smudge in the snow.

Zippy and I took a walk and got this wonderful shot of 

(of course)

Elk Knob State Park.

So pretty.

It was actually cold enough for Zippy to wear his coat.

Another mushroom update.

The mushrooms are actually STILL doing their thing.

Hard to believe with the snow and cold weather.

Excuse me.....

Which way do I go????

Over here?

Over there?

Hi folks....I have just about had enough of this!!!

Someone please send help to my mom.

I promise not to chew any more furniture.

Oh Smudge...you look so cute in your hat!!!

Just grin and bear it.

That's easy for you to say....

You don't have to wear this embarrassing getup.

HA!!  Calm down Smudge.  Just wait until I get out the Mrs. Clause outfit.

You are going to look so sweet.....

Oh crap!!!

I am outta here!!!!

See you guys next summer!!!

I am so embarrassed.  

Please, Please, Please, send help.

Gus!!!

Help me get this thing off!

Otis!!!

Help!

Someone.....PLEASE!!!

Sigh...

I guess that I will just have to take matters into my own paws.

See you guys next week!!!

Without this dress!

I painted this picture for a friend.  

The dog in the painting is a rescue Bull Terrier named Little Bit.

She had a very difficult start in life and is now in a great home.

So glad that she is on the mend.  

Remember your local rescues and shelters during the holiday season.