Tuesday, May 22, 2012

SANTA IS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE

It's been a busy week since my last post with lots of things happening. I love staying busy but sometimes things get almost too busy.  If you read my last post you know that my granddaughter Ariel and her friends were arriving for a visit. They arrived a week ago Monday evening and stayed until this past Monday morning. We had a wonderful time visiting and the weather was perfect for most of the time they were here.

Since the weather was so warm I decided to do some much needed yard cleanup and got a few vegetables and strawberries planted. It's starting to look less scary out there. I was even enjoying sitting out on the patio in the early morning with my first cup of coffee. Note the past tense. 

On the days the kids went site seeing I either worked in the yard or worked with my paper mache.  I'm now up to 21 heads, don't ask, and with everything happening the week went by too fast.

We decided to have a cookout on Sunday evening since they were leaving Monday morning so of course the weather decided to revert back to our norm for this time of year which is cold and windy with plenty of rain. We didn't let that get in our way and went ahead and had a fantastic time. I ate too much and my fridge is packed with leftovers that I'll be eating for the rest of the week. Leftover fruit salad makes great tasting smoothies and I like pasta salad better when it's been in the fridge for a day or two. I'm going to enjoy the heck out of these leftovers.

I did manage to get two Santa figures finished during this time. One I had started last November and it has taken me longer to get this one done than any of my other pieces. It's not that he's any different or more special than the others, I think it was more a matter of getting side tracked with other things.

I've been calling him the "Last November Santa" not the most original name.






When I first started on him I had left his hat off and he had a bald head. His beard was longer and thinner and his cloak collar was laying flat in the back. He also wasn't holding this puppy. I also tried a new way of making boots that was an offshoot of what I did with Dory and Donner's shoes. They're a combination of fabric and paper mache. I'm quite happy with the way he turned out.

The other Santa I finished is a smaller figure. He's shorter and thinner and less complex. I have been experimenting with the paper mache recipe and have four test subjects. This is the first one that I've finished and I'm happy with the recipe I used. Too bad I didn't document things better.





This Santa was sculpted over a small creamer bottle. His head was sculpted directly onto the top of the bottle. The reason I mentioned this is the next three pieces that are part of my experiment are done with the heads sculpted separately and then attached to the body. I also did a bit of experimenting with my painting technique. His hair and beard have a pearlized finish and there is glitter on the stocking and the ruffle around the bunny's neck. I haven't used glitter on any of my previous Santa figures and have never used anything other than a clear matte finish.

I have been trying to achieve a paper mache clay that is as hard and durable as the original recipe that I started with but one that holds it's shape better during the sculpting process and is easier to smooth while sculpting to cut down on the filing and sanding that is so hard on my hands. I think I'm heading in the right direction. Now if I'd only remember to write things down.......

The weather is dreary again so no more sitting out on the patio day dreaming. I guess that means I'll have plenty of time to work on bodies and clothes for all of those heads.

Have a wonderful week and as always, thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,
Maddy

16 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Hi Miss Maddyrose,

Oh, I love the Santa's, and they carry a puppy, a bunny and I see a teddy bear....my kinda Santa's (giggle).

Heaps of Hugs ♥
Prudence

Cobblestone Creations said...

Each of your Santas is so unique. Nice to know the big guy goes through many moods just like the rest of us. ;)

Enjoy the leftovers!!!!

Rona Gregory said...

Hey Maddyrose, I do love your Santas. Glad to know we are not the only ones who's weather is all over the place. We had hot sun, followed by snow ( a few weeks ago) then more sun and then this week horrendous wind, rain and thunderstorms!

And yes do try to write things down lol! I do...but then I usually forget where I've written it, or I throw it away because I've put it on a scrap of paper and left it on the table. Don't let on though because I'm forever telling Lovely Man off for doing exactly that! But then nobody said he could copy me did they? LOL!

Have a great week xxx

Katy Cameron said...

I had heard that Santa got around ;o)

Have fun playing with all your heads (that sounds so wrong ;o) )

Kays Kids said...

I love your new Santa. Especially seeing the have teddies and puppies.
Just what Santa's need on there long trek. Sounds like I would love to play in your home with all the creating.
hugs

Unknown said...

Love your Santas...You sound like me getting sidetracked from what I am originally working on...but you go back and finish the project...seems like I never do....WOW 21 heads that's great!!
XOXO
Dessa Rae

Flora said...

MaddyRose!!!! I absolutely LOVELOVELOVE your Santa's, I can never get enough of those rednoses!!!
Blessings,Flora

Crystal said...

Cute! I love visiting your blog. It always make me think about Christmas, no matter what the date! And that makes my day! :-)

Hill Top Post said...

Nice treat you had for us today...love these Santa guys! Did you really say you are up to 21 heads now? Well, I am definitely hooked on this blog...gotta know what you do with all those heads.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Maddy,
Oh, you've been really busy working these lovely Santas♡♡♡ I admire the way creating them using different touches like pearlizing bear and things. Experimenting techniques, right. Haha, no idea how your creating them but they are really LOVELY and wonderful done♪♪♪
Yeah, also your using mirror to show them for us is very good idea, isn't it(*^_^*)
Oh, I really am hppy that it seemed you have had a marvelous time with your angels for a week. They must have brought wonderful memories to home. Well, we both needed the Japanese "teru teru bozu" for our occasion, LoL!!! I'll use or would love to try your dishes, I am sure they taste yummy.
Take Care after all these busy schedules, my dear bs. Always thinking of you from Japan.
Love you always, xoxo Miyako*

Anonymous said...

lovely...as usual!

Ascension said...

Que ocupada has estado, con las visitas y terminando esos fantasticos Papa Noel.
Me alegro de que hayas disfrutado estos dias.ç
Una buena idea lo de los zapatos y lo de hacer el cuerpo y la cabeza por separado.
Hagas lo que hagas, soy una enamorada de tus personajes.
besitos ascension

Maggie said...

I love both of these Santas, November Santa is my favorite of the two. Love his sweet face. You've really gotten addicted to this craft!
Enjoy your smoothies!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful that you were able to spend some quality time with your granddaughter and I love her name. ;-) Your leftovers sound delicious. I love all kinds of salad - fruit, pasta, potato, even the leafy one. ;-)

Both Santas are adorable. I love All of the extras you give them. Bunnies, stockings, scarves, toys. So sweet and has me dreaming of Christmas already. Happy Wednesday, my dear friend.

yoborobo said...

Maddy, these two are really wonderful. Makes me want to sip hot chocolate and listen to Christmas carols. :)
But first I have to finish some of the skellys I have laying around waiting for bodies!! xox

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I love how you keep reinventing what you do. It is amazing. The separate head from the body is very cool. I especially love that you are making what you love to do easier for you. Now get piece of string and tie it round your finger so that you won't forget to write down the improved ingredients etc. Cuz us oldie but goodies are too much alike and well I just know the name of that tune. Oma Linda