Ivy Jane

A dear sweet teacher friend of mine has a lab named Ivy Jane. Ivy makes me understand why people are in love with labs. She is sweet. and good. and just-gorgeous. 

She is what you want in a dog.

I consider Ivy an "English" lab. They're less pointer looking, and a little more petite, and they have the absolutely adorable boxed head that I'm so in love with..

This lab isn't Ivy Jane, but it's the most English looking yellow lab picture google had, so I went with it.

My friend loved her, which is always my goal.

Ivy now has a special spot on her desk at school-too sweet!

Sam

Sam. Your typical happy-go-lucky golden. 

Also a future "brother-in-law" of mine. ;-)

Aaron's dad's birthday was coming up, and I'd crafted presents for other birthdays, so Aaron suggested I make a Sam for his dad. And his dad ended up loving it.

*winning* all around  :-)

He lives up to breed standard-

Enjoying the outdoors, snow and all.

Looking forward to getting to play in the snow with him again soon this Christmas!

Katie.. a Christmas present

Brindle is one of my favorite colors of dogs.

(It may have something to do with my India, but that's beside the point)

I originally thought I was going to break my rule on this one, and use paint, because it seems like painting the brindle markings would be easier, and allow for more accurate markings.. but it's just not in my nature. I LOVE mixing the colors. Not to mention, it's hard to bake a piece that isn't "finished"

If it doesn't give me the right feeling, I don't stick it in the oven yet, and to know I'd have to rest ok with it unfinished until I could paint the details doesn't sit well with me.

What if the painting doesn't show up how I want?

Did I need to mix some browns underneath the painting?

What size brush will get the effects I am going for?

And by that point, I might as well play around with mixing clay colors together.

I like how she ended up, and so did the girl who got her for her mom's Christmas present! And in the end, that's what matters most. :-)

love to the brindle dogs <3
India Rose.

CHOMper

So, my "soul mate" best friend is already a vet, and active in Great Dane rescue.

I loved Danes before I met her, 

but Chomper is one of the things that ties us together the strongest.

This photo is his namesake.

He reminded us of the little T-rex baby from The Land Before Time 3

and so we Christened him Chomper, except that it must be said ChOMper in an insane pitch.

he was a little ham

and such a special baby.

he had to have his eyes removed, due to one of his (many) genetic issues

but it didn't keep him down...

What did keep him down were a few other genetic defaults he was dealt, and he had to be euthanized shortly before his first birthday.

We knew his precious life would be cut short when we agreed to care for him,

but he continues to mean an immense amount to us, 

and he inspires us to love many other defective white danes.

(and educate the people who "accidentally" create these poor babies)

Anyways, I love making Danes in clay, so why not in felt?

And she needed a felted Chomper, and I may have been overdue for a Chomper tribute.

he got to have his beautiful blue eyes again, because I am certain his health has been restored

<3

getting in his 'crate' to head her way.

<3

Addie!

Addie is a "mini" Australian Shepherd

she's quite beloved, and was sooo much fun to make!

adding some tufts to the legs

precious face.

with clay eyes and nose

adding tufts of white for her chest

I made her for my friend's mom. She helped throw our engagement party, and always sends me homemade bread. When she saw the Dash I had made for Alicen, she fell in love. She sent me pictures almost instantly, and Alicen said she was absolutely delighted with her felted version of her baby.

I am loving this new hobby!

Kidneys!

I have a test in my urinary class tomorrow. 

Currently we are studying upper urinary tract diseases

aka diseases of the kidneys, essentially.

So I took a break from studying yesterday to watch my favorite movie and relax, and figured I was still on task enough if I made clay kidneys to make into earrings to wear to the test :-)

they have appropriate corticomedullary ratios, and plenty of blood supply (interlobar arteries!) and healthy renal pelvises. I know, you wanted the details. 

anyways, I am excited about them, and making them beat studying for a bit!

Weddings!

In the last year or so, an insane number of my friends have gotten engaged and/or married. I feel like I had previously heard the story "all of a sudden everyone you know will be following the trend" (for either engagement/marriage, and/or babies-I guess I'm thankful it's still the former) but it really was like 'something was in the air'

On of my friends from undergrad is a DIE HARD Auburn fan, and got engaged in March and married just yesterday (27 October 2012). I had sort of been thinking she would be the kind of person to have a unique cake topper, and was delighted when she asked if I could make her one.

(I've been wanting to break into the field!)

Her groom is a Florida Gators fan. Her flowers are (Auburn) burnt orange and navy. 

and the dress was modeled after her own. 

I was glad I could be there in spirit and contribute to making it special!

 

Mr. and Mrs. Cale Chewning :-)

 May they always bring each other joy <3

Not clay... but still sculpting

My wonderful fiancee introduced me to a lovely new hobby. He bought me a felted heart last semester, and I had never heard of 'felting' prior to that. Then a friend of mine found a website for felted animals that look like your own, and they were too precious, but rather out of my budget. So, instead of putting the thought out of my mind, I decided I needed to learn this creation! 

Wonderful fiancee of mine got me crafting supplies for my birthday and it's been rather addicting!

Some friends of mine threw us an engagement party, and they already have my clay creations, but what better way to thank them than a newly crafted stuffed animal art, after their own beloved pets?

This is Dash- a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

she has cute little freckles on her nose
and gorgeous patterned "eyelids" and cheeks

and a precious little nose 

 I was looking up how to give these felted creatures eyes and noses, ad found them for sale online, but when I looked closer, I realized it would be an easy clay task to make eyes and noses with a little ring in the back of them to be sewn in.

I think it's needless to say I fell in love. And so did Alicen!

Megan has a chow that has her heart. He wandered into their yard years ago, and has been at home in their lives ever since. I must say, I have a soft spot for the chubby cheeks they come with!

adding colors/layers

and adding facial features

again with the shading/color addition

prior to the tail being added

cute little curly tail over his back

Megan loved her "Dusty" dog 

 And I loved making unique presents for such sweet friends!