Clay Carnival in Las Vegas

We also attended the Las Vegas Clay Carnival put on by Kato Polyclay. 

She was a huge hit with the Japanese women that attended - They all wanted their photo taken with Polly and were surprisingly appreciative of the fart machine humor.

Perhaps this little device could aid intenational relations!  Let's send one to Secretary of State Condi Rice.  I'd love to see her break the eaternal gridlock of mideast peace talks with a well timed press of the magic button.  Wouldn't it be great to see those guyes snorting with laughter for a change?

Polly Merclay CHA CHA CHA!

At the Craft and Hobby Association Convention (CHA) Polly met a lot of new people.  Here she is with Suze Weinberg at the Ranger Ink booth.

Suze is an author, artist, instructor and television personality that is known for really creative applications for UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Powder), a material I'd love to experiment with.

I made Polly a special T-shirt for the convention that reads:

POLLY MERCLAY CHA CHA CHA

The National Polymer Clay Guild had a boothe at the show which Polly and I took a turn manning, womaning?  Dolling up?

We made good use of the fart machine - when someone would walk up and take a closer look and Polly, bending over we'd fire one off and reactions were mixed.  Laughter, embarrassment and even one person leaned over and whispering to Polly took responsibility for the emission.  A few seconds later we realized the truth of it LOL

Polly and the Pokies

Polly and I went to Las Vegas for the CHA Convention and to hang out with some fellow artists at another event directly following. 
We met a lot of wonderful people and Polly even did a little gambling.

She didn't do any good at the machines but we had an extra fun time because Polly is now equipped with a fart machine that is activated with a remote control that works all the way across the room.

I had the remote at my belt and Polly just sat there assuming the innocent look.  (She's good at that!)

We were there over Super Bowl weekend and had a great time especially in elevator.   Funny how the simple press of a button can empty a packed elevator on the next floor or make so many people burst into laughter. 

I like to think that everywhere we go we spread a little happiness... or something!
Hmmm... This will add a whole new element to the toilet sitting trick we like to play on visitors!

We Three Witches

 

Last year was fun but I wanted to be a little closer to the action this time.  I'm pretty good at sitting very still not making any sound or discernable movement  probably owing to to all those years in church...  So with the aid of some makeup, a wig and an electric blanket I was able to sit for hours on the porch passing for one of Polly's friends.

People around here are fairly used to seeing Polly sitting on the porch and even wave or say hello when they pass by.  Adding another friend or two wouldn't seem terribly out of character.

Since our house has a bridge leading up to the front door there is plenty of time for trick-or-treaters to wonder about the nature of the women on the porch as they make their approach in the dark.  (These photos were taken with a flash so try to imagine the scene in the mostly dark, the cobwebs gently waving in the breeze...  BTW- Its very difficult to make Morning Glories look sinister but I did try!)

 

Just as visitors would get close, staring from one still face to another there is a scream from a motion activated device that goes off at their feet and since there is no movement or reaction from the women its seems pretty certain all three are dummies. 

Assured and bewildered they begin to look around and see they cannot reach the door or bell but spying the basket of candy in Anna's lap, they reach for it in something like relief. 

This is when I leap forward and shout "HEY!  You didn't say, "Trick or Treat!""  The word must have got out because there were cars driving up to visit only my house.  I really scared a group of older kids that kept saying, "I thought you were the fake one!" and "this is the best house ever!"

I live for this stuff!  Unfortunately I think I may have traumatized a little princess for life.  It wasn't that she was close enough to actually see me come to life but her mother and her friend's mother nearly trampled her trying to get off the bridge!  No matter how much I apologized or how much candy I offered she kept screaming and wouldn't come near me.

I love Halloween... I can't wait until next year!

Polly has a sister.. or maybe cousin

I made another life-size doll and it was suggested I name her Anna... get it?  Polly, Anna, Polly-anna? (Thanks Leah!)  I like the name partly because she reminds me of someone I knew with a similar name.

Unfortunately that person is my ex-mother-in-law.  The grey wig is actually from my xmil so I guess its fitting.

I don't like her as much as Polly but what better time for her official debut than Halloween?

Who you callin' Dummy?

Our neighbors have become used to Polly and are now tricking their families and friends.  Occasionally we wheel Polly out on the porch.  Neighbor drive by, honk and wave.

Two little girls visiting across the street shouted from the porch , "Hello, Lady in the Pink!" 

Getting no response they started riding their bikes and repeatedly rode past our house waving and saying hello to Polly.  My husband, thinking this was great fun started turning Polly's head after each pass when they were beyond sight. 

The girls began arguing about whether they had actually seen her head move because "I swear, she was looking the other way before!".  Finally the bravest of the two rode right to the end of the bridge and got off her bike, had a really good look and shivering rode away on her bike muttering under her breath "Dummy, Dummy, Dummy..."

Puget Sound Bead Festival

Polly rode with me on the 900 mile drive from Salt Lake City to Tacoma Washington for a bead show.

I love to travel with Polly.  She never complains or asks "are we there yet?" and if someone farts in the car I can blame it on her and she doesn't protest.
 
Rest stops are fun because people walk by, jump, laugh and then immediately call over their traveling companions. 
At the show she sat patiently in the booth startling passersby.

At the end of the show the entire security staff came over to tell me the first night of the show they were doing a walk through and noticing there was still someone in the booth inquired, "M'aam?  The show is closed now.  Excuse me M'aam, you need to g..."  Suddenly the truth dawns as a thrill of terror sweeps over him and you guessed it. 

"Jose, can you go check outa isle 3?" Another guard is called over and the scene repeats.

Punk and repeat... Punk and repeat...

As a nod to Ashton Kutcher's show, Punk'd and in admiration of his wise appreciation for the "older woman", I bought Polly a little necklace that says, "I love Ashton".

One of the great things about travelling is getting to meet online friends who have followed Polly's adventures.  Here Polly and I pose with Helaine, an online artist friend who stopped by the show to say hello.