Crafty by Nature

I'm almost ready for Christmas , presents are wrapped, decorations are up , cookies are baked etc. Sheesh, I feel like Martha Stewart LOL. So, I've been in the mood to clean/purge since I cleaned up my craft room last week. I'm having fun as I keep finding things that I had forgotten about. For as long as I can remember, I have loved making things with my hands.

This was one of my paintings, that I just found stashed in my closet. I've never seen a real cardinal, but I think they are very beautiful. I took tole painting lessons for a couple of years before bearmaking. I really enjoy painting , but never take time now that I make bears.

I also found this photo of a horse I made for a lady who wanted one that looked like a horse from the Disney movie, Spirit. I used a barbie sized horse pattern and somehow enlarged on paper to make this beast. It is about 3 feet tall, and was a challenge, but I was so proud when it was finished.

Of course I ALWAYS made my kids halloween costumes when they were younger. that was a lot of fun. I'll have to find some photos.

This next project I made last week using my grandmother's old mason jar . It has cranberries that we picked in Nov. suspended in "cracked ice". Well, not real ice, but cellophane crumpled up and water added to look like ice. A candle is on the top. I think it looks so cool ! I saw a fellow bear artist, Chrissi Catherwood I think, do this without the cellophane and the berries float at the top, which is beautiful too.

Of course crafting has it dangerous side too ! Like the time when I was 8 and decided to make a craft project using a piece of a log. I took a hatchet and chopped at the log......in my barefeet.....and missed the log, nearly removing a toe..... YIKES....my poor mother wisked me off to the emergency for stitches! I'm more careful now LOL :)