DollsArtCats

I had some honey peanuts on a plate. The cat was very disappointed after checking them out: We have a lot of possums: We have at least two skunks: (The water bucket has a trough heater in it to keep the water from freezing, I have been very happy with it). And we have two foxes:  These doves are so cool: And of course squirrels: I'm not tired of them--these guys get enough to eat so they aren't the big garden pests they can be. Who knew a camera with a tiny pinhole lens and no viewfinder could be such fun? This is me now every night:

This is a sphere of onyx with a geode-like internal tunnel from the top to the side facing the camera--that is a blue flashlight balanced on top, trying to illuminate the inside. I was having a lot of trouble with the low light and the close focus, so this one is blurry. Here is a slightly better one: If you get your face close to the hole, the lit inside of the black sphere is "full of stars". It's so cool and it was less than 20.00 from Etsy, which means I probably could have gotten something similar for less on Ebay, but I still think it was a good deal. Squirrels are back! They get scarcer in summer, I have no idea why. The rain continues, but drizzly, which is livable and makes nice patterns on the spiderwebs, which are everywhere: The big spider over my window has vanished (I suspect a woodpecker) But I did get a chance to photograph it's web before it disappeared: I won't miss the wrapped bug lunch packages or spider droppings, t...

My order from Goblin Market came! The big horns are surprisingly clean (they are 3d printed), the medium ones are just about perfect as is, ready for paint, and the little ones have a bubble but I was planning on using paper clay to reshape them a bit anyway. It's a lot of horns for 20 USD plus shipping. I've been sewing; hopefully this shirt will be done tomorrow and the intended recipient can model it. It's another one of those simple Soom Super Gem male shirts, this time with just a faced open neckline, no collar. The shape of the collar facing is right, but the fabric needed to be something very thin instead of the thick velour of the rest of the shirt. Design on it is yarn trim (usually used for knitting) plus an applique made of printed cotton. Hems need finishing, and snaps in the back. Two random photos from yesterday--a cloud joke: "I'm a tree!" And a squirrel eating mulberries in a tree in the front yard--I am sorry it's not more...

Chalyss sent me this gorgeous quilt!! I especially like the spiral free stitching--I am gradually getting a collection of small, glorious little quilts. Something about the small format is very appealing. J baked a practice cake--it was delicious and the cake part was *perfect* and it was so rich, one slice was plenty. It's chocolate inside. And we have new squirrels--pretty sure they were born early this year; the hollow tree is perfect for them, though we are keeping an eye on the upper branches to be sure they don't die off and end up falling onto the driveway or the house. And here is Seian with her faceup, though she still needs her lashes installed--I have them, I just have to find them! I also ordered wigs from Denver Doll that might come Friday, but we'll see. The doll who normally wears this wig looks cranky.

Souldoll has a hoofie girl! She is a smallish one, though, a Vito--sort of Idealian size (the small ones) at 54 cm tall. I actually like the human makeup more; here is the "animal head blank" This is the human head's faceup: And here is the "Animal Fairy Rae" complete: You can get a little magnetic tail as well--the outfit, staff, wig and painting are all available, but I think you have to ask if you want the human head as well. I added up all her parts and it was "more than I wanted to spend," but I think she is wonderful! And totally at random, this cutie showed up in my back yard. I have seen melanistic squirrels in Washinton, DC--but not here! We have a ton of food for birds and squirrels right now--crabapples, mulberries, lots of native seeds--and spills from the bird feeder. :D

J put up a trash can lid to keep the squirrels off the feeder--so far, so good :D K and I have been mostly driving around and watching rented movies--we saw Dr. Strange (meh), Love and Friendship (good--Kate Beckinsale is really great, and though I liked her in the Underworld movies, they were not really a showcase for acting talent). Here are the dresses we found at the Salvation Army: A bat found at the Goodwill, suitable for a mood board: And a cover I finished last week: Aaaand what K put together today from a Warhammer kit: Barry the Lich King! Hehe! (Also good for a mood board).

                         I am putting this photo here from Souldoll for my own reference :D                                                                 (*Cue sitar music*)

This guy came to see why the nuts were late for breakfast..so just like feeding the cat, I got up, got the nuts, opened the door, and tossed them out under his tree. I think he missed eating all of them, though; because around 9:00 PM the skunk came out from under the shed and walked around to the squirrel tree. I have a photo, but it's just the rear end of the skunk and it is about the same quality you would expect of a sasquatch photo: The skunk is pretty much the size of the cat, but maybe fatter. (We have had leftover thanksgiving treats in the compost lately). We have possums too, but they are hard to get a good photo of since they are very shy. The raccoons stroll out whenever they feel like it, as do the groundhogs. Meanwhile I have been having fun testing and rendering some low-poly future vehicles, "Future Traffic" by Fireangel on Renderosity.com:

It was a small Cooper's Hawk, and it was a big squirrel--he was also at an awkward angle for the hawk to get at. The hawk flew away a few seconds later. Meanwhile, K was working on a homemade tiramisu. We had way too many desserts over the past week, but they were delicious! (She made scones, too, but I ate them before I thought to take a photo)

Usually once the phlox is in bloom, we have a few Eastern Swallowtails come every day to sit on them--but not this year. I don't know whether there are just fewer butterflies this year, or whether my decision to take out the pond meant that there is no water to attract as many. (Though less mosquitoes makes it worth not having the pond). But this morning we finally got this battered specimen to come by and check out the blooms. I might be able to attract more if I plant more parsley or fennel, both of which the grubs like to eat. I can also go get a small plastic birdbath and put it where the phlox are and see if that helps. But at least I can say I have..one: It's been a fabulous year for fireflies, though they are almost impossible to photograph with my camera, and of course it's always a good year for squirrels: Also the rabbits seem to be back. One of the things on the porch does not belong: I was able to open the door and use the broom to shoo it out...

...He'll probably come back the next day for another one! Not much new here but frantic virtual box making; I finished two today: