I finally got around to creating a fireman and his dog to go with the cute fire engine found at a sale.
Shaunessy and his dog, Sparky, are ready for a parade. They will be going to Tampa with me in February, unless someone wants them before then.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and lots of good food. Now it's really time to get going with Christmas decorations. There is not much shopping to do for gifts this year. I have decided to give some heirlooms as gifts. Each heirloom will be given with it's story. It's time for some of the things in my jewelry box and on the curio shelf to be enjoyed by others.
This little dog got it's name because I was watching coverage of the storm while sewing. Sandy was designed to sit and is only 6 inches tall, not including that perky ear. I'm pleased with the way Sandy turned out and there will probably be more puppies headed to Tampa with me in February. Couldn't decide which background was best. Which do you think: blue or black?
There are still a couple of projects frustrating me. The monkey I mentioned several posts ago had been put away for several weeks. One head has already been rejected and I'm not happy with the second. He is supposed to have a needle felted face. I learned about needle felted faces in a class taught online by Judi Paul. She taught that you have to think from the end. After looking at many, many monkey faces visualizing the end result escapes me. So it was best to put him away for awhile. I also ran into a problem with the bear I am currently working on. He has had 2 different heads. After making the second I went back to the first and narrowed the center gusset. Not sure why I am struggling so much and I sometimes wonder if other bear makers also have these troubles.
Anyway, there are a couple of things besides critters I want to make as holiday gifts. Got to get busy.
I found this cute little pail at Target and immediately envisioned a pincushion with a felt turkey perched on top. After working most of the weekend I gave up on the turkey. The only part I was happy with was the tail feathers. Next, I thought an owl. Another day gone with unsatisfactory results. Two partially completed owls and neither looked right. Wrong colors and wrong dimensions. So I did something I learned a long time ago. I put it away. Then got out some mohair and cut out something I'm sure of....a little dog. It is almost complete and I now I feel like I have accomplished something.
Well, to prove I have been doing some sewing, here is Xander. I wasn't sure what he was going to be up until his face emerged. He is a brave knight ready to rescue a damsel. He is not listed anywhere yet. I haven't decided if I should save him to take to the Bright Star show in Tampa in February. It seems like a long way off but there will be a lot going on between now and then. Not sure why, but my creativity seems low right now. Maybe too many distractions. It will pick up, soon I hope, but it's not something you can push.
Absolutely none! We had the kitchen counter tops replaced last week. So I spent the time running around for supplies, returning the wrong things and getting the right ones. The old ugly stained white formica counters were replaced with black granite tile. Solid granite was too pricey for us so this was a nice alternative. The backsplash was done in pretty irridescent glass tiles. The edges are now oak trimmed. New cabinets would have been nice but not in the budget. The white plastic cabinet handles were replaced with stainless steel ones. Company coming now so hopefully back to sewing next week.
The show is open!! Lots of wonderful creations to look at and purchase. Nudge is available along with Nelson, Jessie Joy, Majik, Candi K, and the Fairy Gift Bear.
Just click on the banner at the top to get to the show.
Here in Florida it still feels like summer. That's not unusual because we could still be in the 80's in November. Sometimes I miss the cool, crisp fall days and changing leaves but I definitely don't miss cold winters. Been kinda goofing off this last week. I read 2 books by one of my favorite authors at the beginning of the week and watched baseball with Bill. He is a big Yankees fan. Yesterday, I started working on the face for my first mohair monkey. It didn't go well so I started over today. My show page is ready for the Fall~La~La show, which starts on Friday the 12th. You can see why Nudge is called "an Elf for all seasons" in the photo. He has a hat for each one.
