out in the world...

The north shore of Minnesota... everyone should see how beautiful it can be up here in the great north.

On their Way!

I've finally finished a handful of limited edition and one of a kind pieces for Earth Angels Toys. They should arrive on Jen O'Connor's doorstep any day now- so email or call her from all the details!

something I like...

I'm a big fan of needle felting... my moms been working with this process for a while and I haven't seen anyone use it as well as she does until I ran across these oddly wonderful pieces by Ruth Rivers aka Miss Bumbles. Check out her Etsy Shop for more ridiculous cuteness.

See a handful of my Moms beautiful birds on her website or here in the mobile she made for Claude.

finished and just beginning...

I made a bear to sit atop this new pin cushion ball I posted about a few days ago and while this piece is complete it's lead me to an new project...

Over the last few months, I've been thinking more and more about making some of my patterns available. I feel like there should be big swelling music behind that sentence. I wish I knew how to do that in Blogger- but since that feature doesn't exist you'll have to play some in your head. Something with horns! Anyway I've been asked for years if I'd sell any of my patterns and I think I'm finally there. I'm teaching a bunny workshop for the Creative Connection and I recently made the pattern and instructions and sent them off to everyone in the workshop. It was harder than I thought in some ways- but I think I've ironed out the kinks and I'm ready to work on a couple more. So first will be a couple pin cushion variations and then bears?! maybe. I hope I can get the first all finished and up in my etsy shop within the next month.

LuckyDay...

Found:

almost hats and the finished deal

Everyone needs a little something flashy to spruce up and outfit...

photo shoot and around the photo shoot

There are always just so many distractions around here. They're fun distractions but man-alive it's hard to get anything done quickly. Ohhh and did I mention my primary distraction is now walking? Yep. It's a whole new world.
Right... so the reason for this post; I just made this new bear. He's one of a kind- and really unlike anything I've made before. I used old fabric and really worked with him so he looks extra worn and aged but the fabric is still oddly stiff and course. His joints are loose but he's almost more like a sculpture than a teddy bear. I really like him- but I wasn't so sure at first... Anyway, I've been working on a number of new pieces over the last week. More photos to come.

five things

1. The bachelor buttons which have seen better days that I can't bear to throw out.
2. A bear with.... mittens? yup- those are mittens.
   
3. The mint sun tea which I currently can't live without.
4. Tea dying neck ties.
5. wanted a wife- Now I just have to make someone to wear the pin.
   

new colors in the summer heat...

It's been incredibly hot here. And even though my studio is subterranean it's still really hot and working has been nearly drudgery. Who would think that stuffing a bear could be an aerobic work out.
In the hopes of escaping the heat I've come into the main house (mmm I love how that makes my home sound like an estate-ahhh my main house). I guess I should I say main part of the house or just upstairs- anyway, the part of the house where there is air conditioning. I've been doing a little dying of fabric up here and these are two of the pieces that I just finished. I'm loving the muted and bright turquoise next to each other. Maybe more hand dying will be in order today too- I think it's going to be nearly 90*F. Hope you're all staying cool.

today on the worktable

I'm really happy with this new pin cushion ball pattern... I sewed small cream stripes into each of the hand dyed gray sections. I think I'll be making a whole lot more like this in the future....