Playing With My Toys

 

At one time or another I think all of the elements in the photo above have appeared at some time in my blog. Yesterday I was rearranging my work table and decided to relocate the empty stage. Then I thought about an embroidery I had done a couple years ago and wondered if it would fit on this stage. It does with a giant straight  pin stuck in the center! 

 

Then I went around my studio collecting dolls, bears and furniture, and even an unfinished embroidery for a backdrop.

 

Best of all is the lighting. A small fixture, already on the wall, gave the perfect glow. 

Mama Bear says it's tea time! 

CESP 15

 

I have been stitching again. Well actually I overdid it. I was stitching, now I'm resting my hand.

 

But I love the progress I have made. The house that the young bird is hurrying home to is now begun.

 

And there is the Mama bird looking out the window, happy to see her little one headed home.

 

I have started to wrap vines and flowers around the front of the house. Mama bird had to undergo some transformations and the curtains have been removed. I didn't care for the color of thread I used for them.

 

Here is the original color of the Mama bird. The pink was just too bright! And here you get a better look at the original curtain color.

The curtains will be replaced. I just have to decide what color to use. Any suggestions? 

The Third Angel

 

You'll never guess what I call this angel.

 

Oh, you guessed. Yes this is the Rose Angel.

The Second Angel

 

Here is the second angel in my series.

 

I have given her the wildly imaginative name of "The Green Angel" because of her green halo.

OK, naming things just isn't what I do. 

The first Angel

 

The embroidered  angels are complete!

 

Here is the blue angel.

A Little Something Different

 

Every now and then I feel the need to try something different.

 

The basic structure of the tree I put together a couple years ago.

 

Then I played with various things to display on it.

 

One day I was playing with bits and pieces of wood and came up with these fun creatures.

 

Each is unique.

 

The bottom tier has an inner circle of angels.

 

Painting and drawing each one was so much fun.

 

Enjoy.

The Floss Box

 

A great big THANK YOU to Emily at The Floss Box for sharing my work on her blog!

 

http://theflossbox.blogspot.com/2012/10/witch-doll.html

 

We share a love for color, stitches and sweet little dolls.

That is her little witch above.

You can find my version here. 

Camera Help

 

This morning I spent some time at Roberts Camera in downtown Indianapolis. For the same reason that you should buy a sewing machine from a local dealer, I'm happy my camera comes from a local shop filled with knowledgeable and helpful people. 

I hope you'll see steady improvements in my blog photos. If not I'll have to go back to JJ for more help. 

Dimensional Wool Applique

 

This project was begun at least 10 years ago. It was on a white background, and had a few spots of wool fleece needled in.

 

I found a piece of wool from the same dye family to use as the new background. A few quick stitches to tack everything down and I now have one less UFO. 

Little Furniture

 

 While the witch makes Hansel collect firewood, I have been busy painting furniture for the cottage of the 3 Bears.

 

In addition to this furniture I have painted a Christmas Tree.

 

But that you have to wait to see.

I'M A Docent

 

It's official, we, the Class of 2012, are now docents at the IMA.

Here I am celebrating with Sandy, one of the many wonderful classmates I got to know this year.

Now the real fun begins.  

OK Women, Time to Vote

you don't own me

PLEASE VOTE.

A Choir of Angels

 

I have been working on about half a dozen projects lately. High time I shared some of my progress.

Several weeks ago I posted my first angel.

Here is angel number 2. At first I repeated one of the colors I had used on the first angel. I didn't like it.  

 

Here she is without the rose color feathers.

Much better. 

 

This is the first angel, but I took her off the original backing fabric I had stitched her to. Now I am using the same fabric as all of the embroidery is being done on.
 

I also plan to attach her to the background in such a way that she stays more 3-dimensional. That, I think, is one of the main charms of this technique.

 

Here is angel number 3. She is ready for her gown and sandals. 

CESP 14

 

I see the moon.

How big are the bears?

 

I set a ruler in front of the bears to give you a better sense of their size. 

Baby Bear

 

Baby Bear

 

Mama and Baby Bears

 

The back of Baby Bear's jacket.

Little Mama Bear

 

To go with the doll's house size dolls I make, I thought it was time to add 'The Three Bears' into the mix.

 

So here is my first Mama Bear prototype. I'm still tweaking the  pattern for the head but I am delighted with her wardrobe.

 

Every lady of the house needs a chatelaine. 

 

Check fabric is great for stitching straight borders.

 

The green wool shawl jacket is all one piece, and the sleeves are sewn into the jacket as well.

 

There isn't a lot of space for decorative embroidery but just enough to have fun.

Angel Embroidery

 

For the last month I have taken a break from my crewel embroidery to work on a new style and subject. It isn't really stumpwork, more a Janet variation of stumpwork embroidery.

 

The wings and halo are stitched in separate pieces, then assembled on a backing fabric.

 

The doll is dressed and embroidered, then added to the background piece.