Our Latest Harry Potter Piece

We recently finished another Harry Potter commission...

(OUR FAVORITES TO DO)...

This handsome gentleman is Kingsley Shacklebolt...a distinguished Wizard working for the Ministry of Magic. He is 1:12th Miniature Scale ...standing at just 6".

Believe me, I would LOVE to say that this is MY Studio in his background...but alas it is just photo trickery!! AHHHHH...to have Hogwarts as a Studio... how fantastic would that be....

Thanks for taking a peek

Jodi

Sisterhod Award....

I just returned home from taking my Mother out on our weekly Grocery Shopping Trip...only to find that Debbie from Tiny Treasures http://debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com/ gave me a Blog Award... 'The Sisterhood Award'...now to be truthful I am not really sure what this award is or what is it's purpose... but you have to absolutely love the title...Sisterhood! Says so much for women who work together as a unit...Unity in Sisterhood...sounds like a good plan to me... so following Debbie's lead...these are the rules...

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

I award this to the following...

Lyndy Ward http://todaysgold.blogspot.com/

Sherry Goshon http://sherrygoshon.blogspot.com/

Jayne http://tallulahbelleoriginals.blogspot.com/

Oopsie http://oopsdesperateblogger.blogspot.com/

Noemi Pascual http://noemipascual.blogspot.com/

Kate and John http://whittakersminis.blogspot.com/

Casey http://caseymini.blogspot.com/

Saz http://fatfrumpyandfifty.blogspot.com/

Patty B http://woopitydooart.blogspot.com/

Helbel http://helbels-icklebits.blogspot.com/

Now Go Get'em SISTAS...start handing out those lovely Awards ...but hold tightly onto yours...for you deserve Gratitude for your Wonderful Attitude!!!

Jodi

Book Binder Bender..........

Richard is on a rampage ...everyone...take cover!!! I know I am...otherwise I will be sucked into the Vortex of learning a New Process... Sorry, brain too full...no room at the moment!!! We are (or rather HE IS) making a book from start to finish...and knowing Richard the way I do...he will not take the easy avenue... he started doing his research 4 days ago... jotting down info. watching 'How To' Videos, reading all manner of book making materials...studying our own books...inspecting each and every one as if he had just landed on this planet and was seeing a book for the first time...I am telling you...this man is obsessed!!! He will not be happy until he learns everything there is to know. I have seen this 'funny look' on his face before...as if possessed... like the time we made a doll 23 years ago...a Viking...the doll was cloth....27" tall...and Richard being Richard...he wanted it to be as authentic as possible... armor, swords...horned hat...the whole nine yards... So in my own naive way i thought he would just tap tap on this...and bend that piece of metal to get the desired results...Until one day I heard a very loud banging...metal to metal...very rhythmic.. very purposeful... I went into our back yard and there where my flower garden 'use to be' was a large hole...dug deep and where marigolds use to reside were burning coal chunks that were glowing red... the man was bare chested (I kid you not) and forging metal on a anvil as it glowed red... (mind you it was in the middle of summer)... he looked so 'Smithy -esk' I hardly knew what to say...the man was making a small sized hand forged battle shield for the doll... he looked up at me with sweat streaming down his brow and in loud and rather other worldly voice grunted out "It's the Only way...it's the only way to make it just right"...I smiled...and slowly stepped backwards into the house... and ever so quietly slide the chain on the lock.....(kiddin!)...The man was absolutely in the zone... I loved the fact that the neighbors would take quick peeks from behind their lace curtains while shaking their heads in disbelief... That was indeed an interesting day.. and he made one hell of a Shield that day...that any Doll Viking would be proud to take into battle...

Well he has that same look on his face these past few days...and I know he will not rest until the book is perfect.... By the by it is a bigger book...not miniature...will be only about 6 by 8 inches...maybe a little bigger...

I do love him for his dedication... and little 'obsessions' ...but if he starts talking in German and decided to take something metal apart in my house to make a Book Press...I am going to have to draw the line...

Jodi

Mirthday Meanderings!!

Yes it is true...sadly.... another Year Older and Deeper in Debt! Unbelievable amounts of Gray Strands are popping in all over my head (Richard strongly urges me not to 'make them go away') ...I think the words "Look distinguished " was bantered about... isn't distinguished a word that was used for an elderly high school science teacher with leather elbow patches on his coat and the smell of stale pipe tobacco hanging in the air as he passed you in the hallway??? I am confused!!

I was 'hatched' at 5:37 am 58 years ago...and my Mother (who is now 86) claims that each year since at that exact time wakes from a sound sleep and remembers the pain.... geesh! no guilt there!!! My precious doggie ' Tess La Rue' is a rescue doggie and we could only guess at her Birthday...but we did narrow it down to sometime in March (info. from her first owners)...sometime I will tell you about her story...WOW!!! Sorry, I digress...old people do that!! Anyway...our wonderful Vet here in town said..."Let's give her Your Birthday Date"... geesh, I can do that...how cool is that... so today Miss Tessie and her Mom are sharing 'Mirth' ...so far this early morning she had her 'Extra' Pup-A-Roni's ...and I am having a cup of yesterday afternoons coffee warmed up....Richard still sleeps.....HEY!!!!!!!!! isn't the Mirth Girl supposed to 'stay in bed'...what gives here????

Breakfast this morning with my Mom out at our fav pancake joint...where I am sure she will talk about the pain she remembers over blueberry pancakes.

I was supposed to be painting on my 'M' day..but I jumped the gun and got it done by this day...just a few more things to put away... and then settling down to work while catching whiffs of the faint fragrance of remodeling.

Nothing special planned for this day... other than a possible sit in the tipi this evening....ahhhh relaxation.

I have always used this day to reflect on past Mirthdays ...from very early childhood to now... memories are always the best gifts...for they last forever, you never out grow them... and they never wear out.

Still Being Held Prisoner in my Studio

YES I HAVE!!! And he is staying put in my Studio until ALLLLLLL Projects are finished. Been one heck of a weekend...I found one spot on my body that does not hurt...third toe on my left foot!

Still at it...should finish up today...you know how it goes...one thing leads you to another and you end of doing 3 times the work than you thought you would...

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR..... but I am loving the new color...

I will write more Later, if I can figure out how to 'type' with the third toe on my left foot!!

Jodi

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake..the most Dangerous Cake Recipe in the World

Haven't tried it yet but couldn't resist passing this on....

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

A pinch of salt (thanks Casey)

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (on Highest)... The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous) why it's the most dangerous cake recipe in the world! Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

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As I said...have not tried it yet (was just sent by a chocolatholic friend of mine...

But you can bet your boots that after this weekend of painting...I will be giving this a try...a few times!!

Jodi

WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO...!!!!!

PAINTING !!!!

OK....I am not really sure if this is a good thing...or a very bad thing....but I have decided to paint my studio this weekend... dragging Richard (kicking and screaming) into this decision. I know it has been coming for a while now (I have promised myself this 'time off ' for my birthday present to ME)... but something weird happens when you actually 'go through with it' ...taking those first 'critical steps' that you basically can't return from...GULP!!! A million things go through your mind all at light speed, a gabillion Questions...and topping that list is 'WHY!!!!!!.... Well actually I know that one...it's an easy one..."Cause"!!! ...actually, it is something I have dreamed of doing for a few years now... but I seem to find a million other things to postpone this task...until today!! No clear reason for not getting started...so I have.
So having a wide open opportunity to jump right in...here I sit on the computer...typing...
Can you say "P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N"....

Actually I started early this morning moving this and that...from here to there ...books, paint, fabric... big job. GEESH, it is ONLY two freakin walls...you would think I was painting the Sistine Chapel. Richard is not big on painting...so he has suspiciously and oh so conveniently started working on the car doing a tune up and other car like engine stuff...hmmmmmm....that little devil!!!

I expect it will take me the entire weekend to take it all down...paint...and put it all back together...so that means...I don't have to cook...I can call for pizza...HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!! Paper plate city...just give me my pizza, coffee and wine in the evening... and I am a happy painter.

Wish me Luck....

Jodi...the Conquer!!!