...how hard can this be...?

In 1996, I took a class called "Sculpting for the Feeble-fingered" by Cat Wingler. ( think she still might be around the miniature-verse.) I worked on an old man which I came across just the other day...pathetic, really. And very unfinished like so many of my projects.

But I'm older now..lol. Maybe I've learned a few things..ha! Anyway, after viewing Nancy Cronin's amazing witches on Kat's blog, I have decided to try again. Hey, the Bully Boys weren't so bad...as long as I don't go for realistic, I think I'll be OK. I've have dug out the instructions for that class and am going forward...yes!

Now let see....first bake head form at 250 degrees for 2-3 hrs. Geesh...that seems a little long...
Mmmm....must have copied something wrong. Well, what the heck...go for it.

I'll keep you posted....

Tabitha

....just a small change....

I have decided I need to change the header of my blog.

It seems there is an "ice queen blogspot" (actually there are several in various permutations though none of them have written much since 2003 ) and they are definitely not about miniatures so, to avoid any confusion, I thought it best to make this change.

Though Tabitha has always been known as the Ice Queen, she doesn't wish to cause any misunderstandings with anyone so, within Blogland, she will simply refer to herself as Tabitha and have done with it.

...just thought you'd want to know....

Tabby

"You've...er..I've got mail!'...

Awhile back, I sent some yarn, suitable for use as "faux fur" trim to Kat the Hat Lady. (Why is it never possible to buy only enough of "something" to make one or two items?? It seems one can only buy in quantities to make hundreds....or thousands!!)

I had tons so I sent her some. And the dear thing sent me one of her fabulous brooms and witch hats!!

Merlin has already called dibs on the broom. When I pointed out to him that he did not need a broom to fly, he said while that may be true, he did need a broom to keep the hearth tidy and besides, I still owed him for taking the Bully Boys. Apparently the chocolate cupcakes were just a downpayment. Seems I'll be "owing" that old man for the rest of my life....

Anyway, I love them both and I'll be embellishing the hat as soon as I get a spare moment. I know exactly what I want to do!

Thank you, Kat!! What a treasure!

Tabitha

Update on Earl and the boys....

Nikki was so right about these boys...they've been nothing but trouble since they arrived. I had to hide the cupcakes!!!

I spoke with Merlin and he agreed to take them. He believes that sending them to Delacroix the Swamp Witch will only encourage bad behavior. At least can keep them under some sort of control...

So they about to be "enchantedly" placed on the mantle in Merlin's retreat, where Zanzibar can keep an eye on them...nothing gets past that cat.

So what have I learned? Be careful what you make...it may come back to haunt you. ;o)

Tabitha

..Earl and his brothers...

So....Earl finally got his cupcake (you know, these things even smell like vanilla!) though I heard he was really hoping for chocolate...
My son said that "Oscar" and "Ralph" were too Sesame Street, so allow me to introduce....ta da!!

Billy Bob and their youngest brother, Roy...

Somehow, I don't see these 3 in Merlin's retreat. They just seem more Swamp Witch to me. Do I hear yet another project beckoning me??

Billy Bob, Earl and their younger brother, Roy.

Anyone remember that old Bob Newhart show? ...nevermind...

Tabitha (aka Susan)

Mail Call! Cakes, Glass and...Earl!

Yep! That's him! That's Earl! He's a little scarier looking than I thought he was before he was painted but I guess that'll be fine. The little hat took almost as long to get right as making the jar...bleh...which is why Oscar and Ralph are not in the picture. They are, alas, still hatless.

I received 2 delicious cakes from Kim Saulter...a Red Velvet and an Orange...Yum!

My second package was some of Nikki's wonderful glass from the last auction. She is such a love, she always includes a little surprise!

This not such a great shot but I wanted you to notice that the cupcakes with the roses look like the have pink paper cups...how cool is that!? These are part of my package from Kim Saulter. Below are the rest of the cupcakes...6 0f each... Double Yum!

If Oscar and Ralph get their hats later, I'll take their pictures. ;o)

Tabitha (aka Susan)

...clay update..

Let me start by thanking everyone who gave me their valuable hints/tips.
I scrubbed the little things with an old toothbrush and dish washing soap (Dawn). Then applied several washy layers of the colors I wanted. A bit of a mess but OK. Then I baked them. It seems like the re-baking does keep the paint on because there was no problem with "dings" from my nails this time. And the paint appeared to adhere nicely when I applied the darker wash for antiquing. I didn't have any raw umber so I used a dark brown with a little black and kept it quite thin...except I used a thicker bit a second time for crevices that weren't as dark as I liked. When they are totally dried, I will coat them with a clear matte finish for Fimo...and, no, Nik...I won't re-bake them ;o).

Then maybe I'll put their little hats on...or not. And then I'll try and get a picture. They were a lot more work than I expected but despite all the aggravation, I do like them and think they'll look quite nice on the mantle in Merlin's retreat and just the silly little thing he might have.

All in all, it was an interesting exercise. I don't work with polymer clays too much. I have tons of it laying around but never seem to really get the hang of it. I hope I remember all the things I learned form this experience. I think I'll write them down in my log because when, and if, I do something like this again (highly unlikely), I will never remember the steps and will end up reinventing the wheel. I can see why one might want to make a lot of these at one time and be done with it.

Tabitha (aka Susan)