Pumpkin Patch Kids - Vintage Inspired Halloween

Inspired by vintage Halloween postcards, these Pumpkin Patch Kids are oh, so sweet!  I just added them to my Etsy Shop.  Please visit and see more pics!  www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Halloween Party ~ Black Cat

More Halloween items added to my Etsy Shop! 

 'Witch's Brew' is made of cloth and hand-painted, includes a handmade paperclay Witch's Calderon with flicker candle.

Black Cat Trick-or-Treater is made of cloth, hand-painted and includes a tiny handmade paperclay treat pail.  

Visit my Etsy Shop to see more!  www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Halloween Imps ~ Tricks or Treats

Folks of Art ~ impishly whimsical Halloween Joy!  This new design from Black Crow Primitives Jumping Jack Imp complete with hand-sculpted paperclay Watermelon Jack-o-Lantern and painted paper masquerade mask.

Although this one sold, more will be leaping into my Etsy Shop soon at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com  

Halloween Trick or Treaters

I'm baaack ...... and I've just finished a batch of vintage inspired Trick or Treaters, new for the 2009 Halloween season!   Here's a few characters from this Limited Collection.

 Visit my Etsy Shop to see more and view details at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Bliss

A warm summer breeze and flowers in bloom ~ my inspiration for Bliss.  She is currently available in my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Salute To Old Glory - Vintage Patriotic

Latest from my studio, Glory ~ love, love, love union blue!  She's up in my Etsy Shop stop in for a visit to see more photos and details!  www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Tabby Kitty ~ Paper Doll Party

For more photos and details, visit Tabby at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Vintage Circus

I've been monkeying around .... 

My latest offering is this vintage-inspired circus monkey and his favorite clown doll.  The clown doll is an antique wooden clown doll, that is worn and loved so.

Go to my Etsy Shop to see more photos and detailed description at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

And The Winner Is.....

Congratulations to Brenda of My Little Annies!  She is the winner for my April Giveaway and will receive a Storybook Monkey like the ones shown above.   

I'll be posting my May Giveaway in the next couple of days, please check back to find out what it will be!

Vintage Kiddie Records

I happened across these over the weekend at a little, out-of-the-way antique shop ~ what a find!  Thought I'd share them....

These are vintage kiddie records, known as picture discs.   The graphics are so sweet I had to have them!  I got a deal on a bag of almost 2 dozen, most were picture discs and a few were the hard vinyl colored ones.

I cannot wait to use them in a project ~ Aaaah, the possibilities!

Vintage Style Storybook Kittens - Paper Dolls

I've just finished a few more paper dolls ~ these Storybook Kittens really turned out sweet!  Wouldn't they make for great gift tags?

They are jointed so their legs, arms and head are poseable.  What a delight to make and a nice break from cloth dolls!

Visit them in my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Paper Dolls

I have been MIA recently, I know.....Sometimes I literally get lost in my studio trying out new techniques, materials and whatnot!   I've been designing jointed paper dolls incorporating my artwork into them as well.  Not only are these so much fun, they can be addicting!

Here's one I finished up, she accompanies a larger Ladybug Doll I just listed in my Etsy shop.  Please do visit her at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Vintage Style Storybook Monkeys

I just added a few of these to my Etsy Shop!  These vintage style Storybook Monkeys are small dolls measuring about 8" tall made ragdoll style.  They're just so sweet!  

I'm giving away one monkey like the those shown above!   Enter the April Giveaway to get your name into the drawing.  See details posted on the right.

Stop by for a visit at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com   to see more of my offerings!

It's Tea Time!

Don't remain part of the Silent Majority ~ now more than ever, it's time for us to speak up and LOUDLY!  Join a Tax Day Tea Party in your city.

What is this Tea Party effort all about?  

The Tea Party effort is just a small piece of a much larger movement aimed at restoring the basic free-market principles our Country was built on.  The Constitution, for the most part, is being ignored by our current government and we intend on working together to correct the problem.

The Tea Party effort is a grassroots, collaborative volunteer organization made up of every day American citizens from across the Country.  

To join a Tax Day Tea Party in your area, go to www.taxdayteaparty.com

Take Our Country Back!

Bumble Bee and Daisy Dolly

Here's my latest ~ Miss Bee and her favorite Dolly.  I've designed her head so Bee has the cutest little nose and chin that is 3 dimensional.  Her little Daisy Dolly wears a dress trimmed at the hem with rescued vintage cotton crochet trim and 3 tiny buttons down the center front.

She'll be available for purchase in my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com  sometime today with more photos showing the details.

Scrapbag Aprons

I love aprons!   Here's a few of the ones I made last week in my attempt to clear out some of the fabric from my scrapbag

The aprons are reversible, they have no pockets just the way I like them!  

The apron above was made from a really sweet retro Japanese print fabric.  Great colorway, too ~ tomato red, baby blue, chocolate brown, yellow and green.  Cupcakes anyone?

The last one is a cafe style apron ~ my standard, everyday apron.   With it's western motif and Americana colorway, I'm ready for Summer grilling!

Now that I've gotten my 'Scrapbag Fix', I'll be returning to my folk art.  Check back to see what I'm working on and soon to be released items.

Vintage Style YoYo Clown Doll ~ Scrapbag Challenge

I'm baaack!  Things have been quite hectic the past week, hence no blog posts.  I finally had a chance to take a few photos of the pieces I've created from my fabric scraps (and believe me I haven't made much of a dent ~ my scrap pile looks no different in size)

I made a few Jingle Bell Jacks (otherwise known as YoYo Clown Dolls).  These will be available for purchase in my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com  I'm hoping to have them in both small and medium sizes by the end of the week.

I did manage to stitch up a few simple aprons and will post photos of them in my next blog post tomorrow.

Help ~ I'm being taken over by fabric!

It rained the ENTIRE weekend ~ I suppose it's better than having to deal with snow (or drought). You won't find me complaining about it either, as I'll just grab a cup of hot tea and head for my workshop.

This week I'm taking a break from my usual dollmaking.  It seems I'm being taken over by fabric ~ lots and lots of scraps of fabric.  Leftovers from previous projects, yet to be created projects and those that I found appealing but with no purpose in mind.  

I've decided to see what I can make from these scraps of fabric and excess supplies that are beginning to eat up space in my workshop.  Perhaps some aprons, lavendar filled eye pillows, pin cushions and yo-yo dolls.

I'll post photos of what I come up with.  Until then, it's back to my rag bag.

A Doll is Born - Part VI

Here he is dressed and ready for a new home!

A Doll is Born - Part III

Everything has been painted and sealed with a satin finish, except for the head/shoulders and the cat pail.

His head/shoulders will be given a wash, allowed to dry and it too, will be sealed with a satin finish along with the Black Cat Treat Pail.  

These will be allowed to dry overnight and I'll be making his clothing in the meantime.

Stay tuned for the finishing touches tomorrow.

A Doll is Born - Part II

The doll has now been given a basecoat and his limbs are ready to be stitched on.   He'll soon have his face filled in - YAY!  I LOVE this part!!

The white object and piece of wire in the bottom left of photo will eventually become a black cat trick-or-treat pail with wire handle.  The treat pail is made of paperclay and left to dry overnight.  It's now ready to be sanded and given a basecoat of paint.

A Doll is Born

Thought I'd share a piece I'm working on at the moment.  Doesn't look like much right now, but follow along with me in the next few days and you'll see this come to life!

What you're looking at are the doll body pieces already stitched and stuffed.  The shoes have already been painted and the arms and body have been primed and ready to take a basecoat of paint.  This is the part that really is magical!  Check back tomorrow for more pictures.

Chocolate Bunnies ~ Zero Calories

Hippity~Hoppity, Easter is ramping up at Black Crow Primitives!  Latest offering are batches of Chocolate Bunnies ~ best of all they are zero calories!   These leaping babies were designed and made by me.  Each is handpainted and sealed with a satin finish.

You can grab a batch in my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Blackeyed Susan

My latest offering ~ Blackeyed Susan  

See more in my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Sweet Vintage Easter

I frequently come upon vintage treasures that I just fall in love with!  Although I don't always have a purpose in mind when I acquire them, I know that they will eventually find their place in my work.    Here's another Vintage-Inspired Storybook Rabbit I've just completed.

She wears a dress made of vintage fabric with the sweetest yellow chick print!  Her little vintage Easter basket was Made in Japan and is filled with brown grass and 2 little chenille chicks.

This piece is available in my Etsy shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Vintage-Inspired Storybook Rabbit

I've been busy in my workshop this week planning and organizing (and yes, sewing, painting and whatnot!)  I'm taken with black and white fabric this week.  Here's another storybook rabbit

She's in my Etsy shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com  She'll also have a few friends join her real soon!

Lucky Charms

Shamrock Lassies ~ inspired by early century St. Patrick's Day postcards.   Fair lassies, simple and sweet!

These shamrocks are a wonderful old grass green color, with handpainted faces trimmed with green/gold/silver mixed glitter and old linen colored bows.  Sold in sets of 5 (3 Lassies and 2 Greeting Banners), they can be had by visiting my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com   

Hippity Hoppity

Pink Bunny in a Polka Dot dress ~ she's already been sold, but thought I'd share her with you all...Enjoy!

Soon to Arrive at Black Crow Primitives

What IS she working on?  Celebrate St. Patrick's Day!   Watch for my Lucky Charms, which I hope to have out sometime this week.  Fabulous Irish Lassie Shamrocks in old grass green with sweet handpainted faces.   

My Lucky Charms will be posted on my blog then added to my Etsy Shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com  just as soon as they are available.

Harlequin Bunny

13" handpainted Bunny dressed in a harlequin print dress and carrying a paper bunny 'basket'.   I'll be adding her to my Etsy Shop today.

See more photos of her at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Valentine LOVE

The latest offering at Black Crow Primitives ~ Valentine LOVE doll with lots of detail in a red, silver and cream colorway.    

I just added her to my Etsy shop at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com ~ for more photos of her, take a peek at my Etsy shop!

Oh, My ~ a Valentine Imp

Sneak Peek for you ~ a Little Valentine Imp inspired by some sweet retro Valentine fabric I've had in my workshop for awhile.   She's a scaled down version of my larger dolls and measures 8" in height (about 11" to the tip of her hat).

She's dressed in pinks, reds, creams and glittery gold and has lots of little details making her oh, so sweet in person.   This little imp will be offered up for sale in my Etsy store at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com on 1/10/09.  More imps to follow shortly!

Romance and Charm

Charming vintage style rose print heart door hangers from my scrapbag! Available now in my Etsy store at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Latest Offering

Here she is in all her glory ~ Valentina is finally completed! YAY!  This Valentine Pixie and her Moon Cart filled with valentines will be offered up for sale in my Etsy store at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com

Valentina measures 32" inches from tip to tip and her Moon Cart measures 8" tall x 4" wide.  Everything was designed and handmade by me (except for the wheels on the cart ~ salvaged those off a vintage wood pull toy). Great display piece for both Valentine's Day AND Christmas!

SNEAK PEEK

Here's what I'm working on at the moment ~ Valentina, a Valentine Pixie.  She'll make her debut in my Etsy store in a few days at www.blackcrowprimitives.etsy.com