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!