I weighed in on Wednesday and, I’m happy to say, I was DOWN two big ones! YES! I’ve been knocking around in a four-pound range, gaining and losing, for a month. From what I hear at meetings, this is typical. So, anyway, I am definitely happy about this particular weigh-in.
I’m taking a break from Marie Antoinette, as some of you will be relieved to learn, I’m sure. 
Of course writing is my main focus, now that I’m feeling so much better–better every day, in fact–but in my free time I’ve been making art. I’m on a paper doll kick, but with a twist–my first is the Angel of Creative Passion. She’s almost finished and destined to hang on my office wall. Since I’m still grappling with posting pictures on the blog, I will have Jenni put a shot of the piece on my Facebook page. I basically used doll parts from a company called Paper Whimsy, added a face from my vast collection of downloaded (mostly from Etsy) images, and constructed the skirt and halo by punching out shapes and then using my Big Shot machine to emboss the papers, thereby giving them texture. After that, I painted them with acrylics, mostly red and gold in this case. I used my Big Shot again, plus a cutting die from Sizzix, to make wings. Finally, I’ll glue my paper doll to a black background–I like lots of contrast in my work.
My next project is already underway–another paper doll to be embellished, though this time I think I’ll mount her on a decorated paper mache box. Guess whose face she’s wearing. (Hint: she has a towering white hairdo and lots of lace and ruffles.) Because I have a somewhat edgy sense of humor at times, she will be accompanied by a small ax I found at Hobby Lobby. (Yes, a guillotine would be more appropriate–the ax would be better suited to Ann Bolelyn, but guillotine charms do not seem to be readily available. Kat offered to make one using one of those little scrapers with the razor blades…)
Must be the approach of Halloween. I have some gorgeous resin pumpkins to put out when the time comes, along with a wonderful Jim Shore witch I bought several years ago, but there’s a new element this year: a pair of almost lifesize witch legs and shoes on spikes. (You stick the spikes into the ground and it looks like the Bad Witch came in for a crash landing.
An imagination is a scary thing.
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here in Indiana they have the witch that hangs on a telephone pole, like that is what she hit!! Very cute!
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Now all you need next to the legs and shoes is a broom sticking out of the ground with part of it burnt or smoldering! Sick Halloween humor.
We’ve had some cool nights here in Vermont and the apple farmers are saying they will pick early Macintosh in a few weeks. Yikes; that means fall is fast approaching. I love fall; it’s what follows for the next six months I’m not a fan of.
Happy day everyone!
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I like the smoldering broom idea!
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Linda, I love your messages. This one in particular is so light hearted and entertaining. The paper dolls sound “cute as a button”. I’ve seen the witches feet, also the one where the witch appears to have flattened herself on a tree. Tapping into ones creative side can be very profitable at times
Congrats on the weight loss. It’s a battle worth winning.
keep writing we all love your stories.
Dixie J. Hadley
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Love your imagination Linda and since of humor. I can tell by your blog when you do something you do it right!! I know those paper dolls are pretty.
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Congratulations on the weight loss! You are doing great.
Getting ready for Halloween was always so much fun when my daughter and I lived together in a house. I am now in a condo in an age restricted development…no trick or treaters or decorating. ;o( Have fun!
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Congratulations on the great weigh-in! I have to say thank you. You are my inspiration and while I have not joined weight watchers, your blog and success have challenged me to correct my eating and I have lost 7 pds. Not a great deal but it’s so nice to see the scale go the right way! I can’t wait to see the Angel!
Again Congratulations!!!
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I love decorating for Halloween. Like doing the pumpkin’ carving, use mostly the pumpkin master patterns cause they’re so neat & some intricate. Last year all I done was paint or dress pumpkins. Did a catapiller (painted with 6 different pumpkins), dressed a pirate, made some ghost (looked like snowmen actually, painted), also do the lights. Sometimes no so much pumpkins as other stuff outside. Have been doing gel clings inside my mini van lately. There is just some holidays that u HAVE to decorate for. If u have a window close to door (whatever) have u ever thought of decorating/making a paer for to showcase what u do or just do it for a holiday u really enjoy. Christmas, Halloween, 4th of July etc? Think it would be neat.
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Congrats on the weight loss. Maybe I will be able to take off a few pounds when my hip gets straighten out. It gets better evey day. I was able to walk the block in front of my house today. So I am getting much stronger. Hope to walk the block twice soon.
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My daughter decorates for Halloween with lifesized old fashioned coffins and very realistic guillotines (wooden) and skeletons. The creepier the better!
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Your hallowern decorations sounds. Can’t believe it will be fall soon, Irs in the 100s in Texas now. It doesn’t cool down until November.
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Linda,
Congrats on the weight loss! That’s a wonderful thing!
You’re putting an ax in Marie’s hands…oh my! Marie Antoinette is my guess as to the face on the doll. I’ll have to look for that on the blog or on facebook.
Remember, a creative mind is a horrible thing to waste, so keep on creating!
Laurie
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Yea on the weight loss. I got a kick out of paper dolls and halloween things. Paper dolls sound like fun. I feel fall is coming real soon by that sooner than we think.
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Congratulations on the weight lost. I always enjoy reading your weekly blog and am impressed with the diversity of your creativity and sense of humor.
Thank you for being you, you are one special woman!
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With the imagination that you have , its no wonder that you are a great writer of fiction . I haven’t read a HO–HUM book yet’. congratulations on the weigh loss , keep up the good work on both counts .a friend always Nadine .
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I LOVE IT!! Your imagination ROCKS! I have no imagination and wish every day I had a little more! (or at least SOME!)
You go girl!!
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Have a wonderful week!
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Night’s are cooling around here. It can’t be fall time already!!! The fields are full of pumpkins. I’m not ready.
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As always, you’re so creative. Be Well
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Congrats on the weight loss, so happy to hear you are feeling better, most of all I look forward to a new book. I love reading your books so I will be thrilled with a new release
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Glad you are doing well on your weight. Imagination is a good thing for you to have or your books wold not be any good. They are great.
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I love how your mind works!
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Hi Linda Miller…How are you today? Great about your weight loss. I went on Weight Watchers last year and lost 37 pounds but then hurt my leg and couldn’t move around much and gained most of it back. I am going to try it again! I love to do acrylic painting! I love to draw people! Good luck with your Halloween projects! Your books are great! Have a great day!…Linda P. Miller
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Congrats!! Keep up the great work!8
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Linda,I think your up and down weight loss and gain is what it is going to be, which is good.
Hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.
As always your friend,
Norm
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Linda and Norma,
Hi, in case you are wondering, our friend Gloria is doing well, except her computer has died, hopefully temporarily. She’s trying to find out what’s wrong with it, without it costing her an arm and a leg. She already got several opinions, and is going to hopefully be back with us soon. I am talking on the phone with her right now and we’re having a good catch-up session.
She says “hi” to you and everyone, and hopes to be back soon. She misses you!
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You are funny, a very good thing you work from a home office, I can’t imagine how you would do in a corporate setting ( me either) too free spirited.
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Congratulation on your weight loss. I cannot believe in one week it will be September already.
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Congrats on the weigh in! Also happy to hear you are feeling so much better!
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Congratulations, every pound less is wonderful! You amaze me, Linda. I don’t know where you get the energy and still are able to write! Too bad you can’t bottle a little of it, I’d buy some!!!!
Blessings.
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You are doing so great, keep it up.
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Good for you 2 more pounds! Its too hot here to think about Halloween but its coming soon! Have a great weekend!
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We just left Raley’s grocery store in Forresthill, Ca on our way to the San Francisco Bay Area and they are in the process of putting up their Fall items displays. Fall is in the air; my favorite time of year.
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We in southern Idaho are having another day of rain. It is really unusual for us to get rain in August especially this much. The farmers are hurting with the hay and grain crop. Hope and Pray that it doesn’t ruin the potatoes and the sugar beets. you remind me of my mom. She always has another project just around the corner.
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Sounds like you have been having a good week. So happy for you. I love Halloween and can’t wait to decorate. Have a lot of decorations handy. Lol
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Glad for the weight loss. I didn’t catch it this time. Its too early for me to be thinking of Halloween. I am judging at a horse show tomorrow and am a little nervous. Have not done it in a while. Hope your weekend is just wonderful. Blessings.
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You are GIFTED with a wonderful imagination! When asked to come up with an idea my mind goes blank!
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Hi Linda! Congratulations on the continued weight loss!! I looked on the WW website and can’t find the simply filling info. Can you tell me where it is?
Can’t wait for the next book. It’s the only one’s I buy in hardback and keep on my shelves!
Ange
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congrats on sticking to the weight watchers! Dieting is so hard to do. I keep talking about how I need to start and lose some weight but all my talking is not helping me. I haven’t been able to get motivated yet