I'm BACK!!!

Well hello everyone!

I wish I had exciting news and great stories to tell you - I wish I had beautiful pictures to show you....but I don't.  I just have one picture....Nama's house at Christmas...a breath of fresh air for us....

I am back (I know I snuck out)...I still have not worked - can you believe it??  I stopped working on Christmas day and have taken a full 5 day break.  I must admit, I am going nuts though! 

We had a great Christmas and the kids really enjoyed themselves.  We went to Nama's the day after Christmas.  I got to visit all of my family and we (just like always) had a BLAST!  When Nama and I get together there is no stopping us!

So, I have spent the last 2 days redecorating and organizing my office...redecorating is just moving furniture - I haven't picked out paint and fabric for curtains yet.  But this room seems so much bigger now.  After Madame Samm's show and tell I felt the need to organize - she looks like she has it right huh?

Well - tomorrow is another day - and it is a DOLL day - yay!  I am happy to get back to stuffing!

xoxo Jess

An award for me? Really? I'd like to thank the academy....

I bet you thought I had run away huh?  Well - I am feeling better...slightly...I think I am going to live. lol.

A few days ago I was given a wonderful award!

This award came from the beautiful and EXTREMELY talented Ree of Tipsy Teacup Creations.  She is the SWEETEST, and so are her lovely dolls.  Her baby giants with those volumptuous feet really bring a big smile to my face!  Thank you so much Ree - this award is much appreciated!!

I had to choose five people to pass this on to...this was terribly difficult as I ADORE so many bloggers...

Twyla & Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters - they have the most AMAZING tutorials...really they do...I look daily ladies, I don't always have time to comment, but daily I peek at these fabulous creations that are not only inspiring but just plain delightful.

Stephanie of Littlemamasprimitives - Stephanie is an absolute joy.  I get all of my tags for my dolls from her.  She is amazing and funny, I can always count on her for a good, long, giggle.  I didn't know how fabulous she was until I saw the doll that she made...I mean how multi-talented can one person be??

Helen of Barecub Designs - Now, I am a doll artist - but Helen, now Helen is a BEAR artist...her bears are just heart warming...I love her beautiful stories about her kangaroos and I can't wait to make her bear "Dudley".  She has a pattern club...check it out guys, it is a brilliant idea!

Susie of Susie McMahon Dolls - This is one talented lady...her dolls are so life-like.  She had a doll out around Halloween time that I swore was from Harry Potter.  I love visiting her blog, you just can't stop looking at all of the pictures!  Gorgeous, gorgeous dolls...

Denni of Denni Doodles Creations - I love Denni - she is the nicest person....have you seen her patterns??  She only has a MILLION...lol.  I am the proud owner of three of her little chubby kids.  I just love her patterns, her blog, and her in general...make sure to take a peek...

That's all for now!  I am now on the phone with USPS trying to figure out why a customer's package still has not arrived in France...it was sent Express Mail.  I have realized this year that the best way to ship your dolls is to put them in a backpack and start hiking....anyone else feel the same way?

I am supposed to be writing an Anthropology paper right now - which means, I will be up ALL NIGHT...it is a stressful Christmas...but being able to blog with you guys always makes me feel better!!  :)

xoxo Jess

Little Dirt Lane Giveaway - Let's spark up the New Year with a little Freebie!

Meet Josie - she would love to go home with you!!

Here she is...

You will not ONLY get Josie - but you will also get a MYSTERY gift as well...hmmmm, I bet you are wondering what that is??  I know - but I am not telling!!  :)

This giveaway is open to not only the US - but EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE...so come one, come all...lol.

All you have to do is comment on this post - (make sure to include your email or blog address so I can notify you if you win)

Here is the giveaway button.... (The two children in the picture are sharing...just like me!)

Copy it and paste it into your blog wherever you like and link it to this post and you get 2 more entries, just let me know that you have copied me!  If you are a follower you also get an extra entry! :)

I will draw names at midnight on January 1st! (You know I will be up - I have my days and nights mixed up!)  You have until December 30th to comment on this post. :)

Now - have fun...I can't wait to give Miss Josie a new home!!!  I am so excited about "giving" - this has got to be my favorite thing in the WORLD!

xoxo Jess

I'm still sicky everyone...

I am keeping my holiday "cheer" to myself - it is a good thing that we can't pass germs through blogging!

I have been keeping busy (I know, I know)...but I have been relaxing in between my big spurts of painting and doll making which is something that I don't normally do.

Today I sent Adam to the store to get me some "chicken noodle soup" supplies.  I decided that I was too sick to cook EVERYTHING - so I bought a rotissere chicken instead of cooking one...but it is delicious - I just wish that I didn't have to cook it - lol...

I sent my Nama off some snowmen and gingerbread men, I wanted her to have some small gifts to give her friends, she will be putting the snowmen's scarves and hats on...here is a picture of them before they traveled to Virginia...

Now, this was fun...this is my step-father's gift for Christmas.  He always jokes and says that he is Irish, well - he is not, but he really wants to be...lol.  His last name is Bagby, so I have made him a little Irish Christmas.

Here is his picture that I used to replicate him...

And here is the final product.

I hope he isn't peeking...this will be a good surprise!!

Well - I will peek back on here later - I am sleepy and just may take a nap!  Yay me!

XOXO Jess

I've got the sniffles...but dolls were sewn and paintings were painted...

I feel horrible...

Thanks to my adoring husband...he has shared his Christmas cheer by giving me a cold.  *thank you dear.*

But I had a custom order doll to complete...here she is - her name is Ashleigh...

I had a painting to complete as well...and here it is...is is called "The Guardian"....

Well - that is all of the writing that I have in me today...when I said I had the sniffles...that was an understatement...

XOXO Jess

Christmas Eve and the special painting...

Today marks the last day of dolls for adoption until after Christmas...so Eve is my very last little orphan - all of my other projects are for family...so I have to keep it quiet...I can't be showing and telling...because they are watching us, everywhere, lol.

Here is Christmas Eve...I wanted to share her with you...

10" tall, she is short, but she has a BIG heart.  She is all decked out in her Beautiful (Nama made) Christmas dress...and look at her bow, I love her bow.  I wanted to put it on my Christmas tree...but Eve said "It's MINE"....Isn't she cute?  Of course she has handspun wool for hair...this type is called "small spun", I like it!  She will be for adoption on Etsy and Handmade Craft Fair...$32.99 + Shipping.

This is my painting -

I am taking Suzi Blu Classes and this was our assignment...I was supposed to use modeling paste, but apparently they don't sell it in the state of North Carolina, lol.  I used stamps and papers, old books, fabric and other embellishments.  There is something about getting my hands dirty that I love...

So that is all for now...hypothetically speaking...if someone doesn't sleep, they get more work done...hypothetically speaking that is...I have a friend like that....

Yeah right, you all know I am talking about myself!!

Have a great day and try to steer free of those CRAZY Christmas shoppers...if you go into a store make sure you bring your taser...those ladies can be lethal!  LOL.

XOXO Jess

The Sock Monkey Parade

Hey, Hey, Hey!

I have been busy making sock monkeys for my family - in case you didn't know - I have 2 little sisters...I made some for them, I still have to make one  for my nephew Hunter, and of course my little Chasie-poo has decided that he wants one too...so not done yet - I also have dolls and paintings to finish up...I can't post pictures of all of my gifts - (especially Nama's) - lol - she watches...

I hope everyone is having a nice Sunday - it is rainy here, but quiet.  The kids are tucked in bed resting...in between sock monkeys and dolls is a nice big pot of beef stew, so I am busy tonight!

xoxo Jess