Robots, etc

Here are a few of the little guys I'm making for the Tinman Gallery's artist ornament show that always opens the day after Thanksgiving. I still have to stuff, sew on eyeballs and tweak a few more embellishments. Due: November 15!

Here's the sweater I've been knitting and it's such a fun, easy pattern! (inspired by Amanda at
Soulemama and Beth at Tangled Sky Studio :) They have both made this sweater and I couldn't resist... just had to have my own! If it actually looks good on me, I'm planning on knitting another.

Happy Friday... and long weekend.

Black Friday Ornaments

Well, they're not really that 'Black Friday' since they are going in a gallery with other artist made ornaments. It's a Christmas show I've participated in for years now and becoming quite a tradition. This year's ornaments are based on memories of a pair of socks I had as a kid or maybe the trim on a coat I had... probably a bit of both. (They were the folksy kind with stripes, hearts, German/alpine inspired... maybe with couples and children holding hands - and lots of busy borders) If you grew up in the 1970s this may ring a bell. Those motifs had a huge impact on me!

Anyway, I carved my calligraphy( in Mastercarve this time- easier than wood for lettering) and printed on wool felt. Then the beading and embellishing - love doing that! I think they're fun and different... it's good to do something different each year.

The bottom photo is a scarf I finally finished last night while waiting at my daughter's ballet class. Can't wait to test it out - I think snow may be coming in about a week or so. Happy hump day! (and Happy Birthday, Mom! :)

Candy Cane Horses

When I was little, we made candy cane horses -or perhaps someone gave them to us? They're just a faint memory now. After much googling and searching, I couldn't find a picture of what I remembered so, these little babies are what I came up with.
The little green fringy guys will be turned into fancy horses soon in my son's Kindergarten class. The kids will glue eyes, pom poms, jewels and sequins on them!

More Owls and Winter Birds

I received a call from the gallery that all the ornaments had sold but one and could they have some more? Some More? I love getting calls like that! So, work, felt, sew, pin... they flew to the gallery yesterday and are perched in the windows.

Now, on to the fun of Christmas... planning the Christmas cookies and doing the cards (one of my favorite tasks of the season!) What are you making for Christmas this year?

Winter Owls

Here are just a few of the owls and birds I've been sewing for the local artist's Christmas ornament show. (at Tinman Artworks) It was so much fun getting these fowl together... mostly for the embellishments! (getting out the felting machine is always big fun too.) If there are any left... I'll put 'em in the etsy shop in time for Christmas shipping.

New Wool and Silk Mittens

Here are my second pair of mittens (the first was a bit wonky) made from a wonderful yarn called Grace Hand-Dyed by Lousia Harding yarns. 50% merino wool, 50% silk. Absolutely decadent... a real luxury if you want to pamper your hands this winter. (no, I don't work for their company :) I already used them yesterday on a nippy stroller ride and they were very warm. That's my son in his 'motorcycle jammies' helping the hand model.

Still working on the Xmas ornaments... the embellishments take more time than you'd ever think but, it's fun. Happy hump day! (we're supposed to awaken to the first snow in the morning. not ready for it!)

PS I added a few new things to the shop this morning... and free shipping on all cards and small prints. Stop by and say hi.

Birds and Babies

Brothers :)

Our new baby!

It's getting to be Christmas making season already and this morning I finally got started! There's a nice show which happens every year after Thanksgiving at a local gallery. Many local artists make one of a kind ornaments for the shop and there's a big party to go along with it. Usually, I make felted wool ornaments and this year is no exception. So, here are my unfinished owls - just a start to many in the flock. More little birds in the works too.

Some big news to share: Our Mr. Darcy (Welsh Corgi) now has a little brother to pal around with! Mr. Knightly came to us yesterday. We called the # from the ad and upon arrival, realized this was the same lady who had our Mr. Darcy! (she had moved, so we had no idea it it could be the same person) His name comes from the Jane Austen novel, Emma. The friend, neighbor and confidant of Emma... with whom she eventually falls in love. We like to just call him 'Knightly' as Mrs. Elton does in the book.

Some New Items...

I added a few new items in my etsy shop today... a few clay ornaments and tag art calendars for 2009! I really don't enjoy adding new items to the shop - it's time consuming. But, I have a really bad cold/flu (from my kids, I believe) so I had plenty of time to sit around in a fog and wait for the computer.

New Ornaments!

These Christmas ornaments are made of Laguna Air-Dry clay. They are a bit fragile but turned out quite nicely, I'm really happy with them! Next time, I may try using ink before I stamp them instead of just paint. They're being stored in a pizza box - my son's idea... and a very good one indeed! Some of these will be going to a gallery (The Tinman Artworks if you're in Spokane, WA) show of artist's ornaments... some to a show in early December and a few for the etsy shop.

More Needle Felted Christmas Ornaments

I'm finally accepting the award , Brilliante Weblog Premio, 2008 given to me (a few months ago) by painter, Paula Villanova...(http://www.meandmypaintings.blogspot.com/) Thank you so much, Paula! Your paintings are an inspiration to me.

So, now I get to choose my favorite blogs and pass on the awards to them... it was hard to decide! Here are some lovely blogs that feed me constant inspiration, you all deserve this award so celebrate it!!! (and don't worry if it takes you some time to accept the award!)

Beth - http://www.tangledskystudio.blogspot.com/

Mary Ann - http://www.maryannwakeley.blogspot.com/

Martha - http://www.marthamillerart.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://www.jenniferlommers.blogspot.com/

Celia- http://www.purplepoddedpeas.blogspot.com/

Kristin - http://www.moontea.blogspot.com/

Julia - http://www.miss-frugality.blogspot.com/

Here are the 'rules' of acceptance...

1. Put logo on blog

2. Add link to person who awarded you

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Add links to those blogs on you blog

5. Leave messages for you nominees on their blogs

6. Participation is voluntary, of course!

7. Have fun...honoring the bloggers who inspire you regularly

A Boat's Progress

Putting Out the Crab Pots

A few nights ago I had a chance to do a bit more painting... it's getting harder to get down there and keep 'the flow' going! I'm really eager to work more on these two!

Now, I've just realized there are needle-felted ornaments to be made for a gallery that has an 'artist-ornament' event every year after Thanksgiving... wish I would've remember earlier - I have no idea yet what I'm making. Plus, I want to design, carve and print at least 4 different woodcuts for Christmas cards. (for the etsy shop and a few galleries and a great, local bookstore.) Better get drawing first thing tomorrow!

Christmas in July and Lavender Harvesting

(sorry about the fuzziness!)

A big bundle of lavender hung near my bed

A bundle in my son's room

I was hand coloring some of my prints with Lyra and Prismacolor pencils (love 'em) and realized my lavender was already flowering. So, I ran outside on a whim and cut all the lavender that was ready. Then, I tied them all and hung them around the house!

Martha Miller has some fabulous Christmas ornaments she made here: http://www.marthamillerart.blogspot.com/ . It got me thinking about Christmas in July... so here are some 'snow globe' ornaments (hence the shape) I made last year. They are all wool felt, needle felted on my matchine and embellished with brass letters, beads and other fluff.

On another note... I will be vacationing this coming week and will be back blogging on Bastille Day, July 14th. Happy 4th of July everyone!!!