but they're cute helpers

Home from work a little late, trying to take some photos outside in an effort to catch the light before the sun goes down completely. Not ideal, but I needed a photo of this piece in order to apply for a show.

I got a couple done and then...

Reality.

Reality comes with helpers.

(claw claw claw on my thigh to get my attention)

I had to bribe them with a piece of lunch meat so I could finish taking pics.

They've trained me well.

brighter day

The color of the mushroom tops against the little bit of snow we have left, and the fact that I finished this project for a friend on time (ok, barely, but technically on time) makes my day brighter on this, the day after solstice and the returning of the light.

Enjoy your day, all.

wordless wednesday

Scampering into the shop soon.

a busy and wonderful week

 

This past week has been a flurry of activity.  We had guests here for the week and spent lots of time exploring, fishing, swimming, climbing tall things, smelling the linden flowers, feasting, and enjoying each others company.  It was so busy and fun and somehow restorative at the same time.

 

Yesterday I wound up the week with an event at the St. Mathias Farm where I spent the day talking to people about needle-felting.  Though the weather was less than desirable, the people more than made up for it.  What a fine bunch.  I had such a nice time.

While there I made that little mushroom duo.  It allowed me to show people exactly how that whole needle-felting thing works, and it was fun for me because we all know how much I love mushrooms, right? 

This coming week I'll be working on some stones that I hope to have finished before I leave on a trip the following week.  I'll also be putting several wool acorn ornaments in my shop this week.  They'll go in to the shop as groups but if anyone wants just one or two, send me an email and I can get them together for you.  They'll be $3 each and I can quote you shipping depending upon your location.

 

Hope you all have a great week ahead of you!

Happy Sunday.

 

 

wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Mushroom-making En Masse

The other day I shared what I had been working on lately, and yesterday I finished up the last in a small series of mushrooms for The Walker Art Center Shop in Minneapolis, MN. 

These are all constructed without glue, mostly by needle-felting with a little wet-felting thrown in too.  I've used a combination of wool roving and felted garment wool, and added a few small sewn details like sporophytes and sprouts. 

These little guys flew off this morning.  If you're in the Minneapolis area and get to visit The Walker, please stop by the shop and give a little wave to the fungus among us, will you?

I've been so busy making mushrooms that I haven't done any woods-walking to look for real ones.  I noticed a beautiful Violet Cort when I was photographing these guys so I think a walk is in order to see what ma nature is dishing up these days under the poplar and pine.

Happy Woods-Walking to you all. 

One Down

The back-to-school sniffles have found their way beneath the poplar and pine and the entire clan is feeling less than stellar.  Since the kiddies and I were all taking it easy anyway, it was a good excuse for me to let the laundry and housework sit, and do some crafting.  After coating myself in a fine layer of antibacterial hand lotion (which I sort of liked), I pulled out the toadstool project I had been working on.

This is where I had left it last.

And this is where it is now.

I wanted to fatten up the stem a bit and finish up the base.  I added some details such as a fall leaf on a twig, some more moss, pebbles, and sporophytes, making it feel more "real" to me.  All of it is needle-felted wool, no glue or structural sewing.  (the sporophytes are cotton thread, but they're decorative)

This is part of a commission and is flying off somewhere special in his apothecary jar, like a proper specimen.  I have a few more to finish up but at least I have one down.  I guess if this cold persists I may have some time to get them done.

The real amanitas have been popping up in our woods like crazy this week.  Alas, no red ones, but plenty of yellows.  Here's a peek, but expect to see (yet) another mushroom post sometime soon.

I hope you're all having a swell week and are feeling happy and healthy. 
Or at least have coated yourselves in a fine layer of antibacterial hand lotion.

Wordless Wednesday

A Little Bit

Well, the mushroom theme continues.  This week I've made a few teeny tiny wool amanitas to send off as gifts.  Yesterday's was fit into a thimble and I had so much fun making it that I wanted to run right out the antique shop and buy up every last thimble they had.  Alas, that would violate my New Year's Resolution so I rummaged around in my workspace and came up with a tiny basket instead. 

I hope the recipients will like them.

We have sunshine here today, something that I've sorely missed and I feel like everything is better and brighter today and it is with high hopes that I'm setting off to work on some new projects. 

I hope you're feeling equally sunny.  Have a happy Friday, everyone!

Monday's Mushroom

I'm starting this week with a teeny tiny mushroom brooch, made of recycled felted wool. Measuring just a wee 1.5" wide by 2" tall, it's a bit smaller than some of my other brooches but I kind of like this little niblet of a pin.

It just made its way into my Etsy shop.

Happy Monday!

Bonfires and Bottle Rockets

It's the 4th of July, Independence Day here, a day full of fireworks, food, and frolicking. Crafting for the next few days will be halted as we celebrate the weekend's festivities and prepare for the arrival of family next weekend.

I've been working on new project that I hope to share soon but it's just not at the photo-ready stage yet. Until then I'll share some little cuties I've been working on using some of my felted stones, wool, and acorn caps. Expect to see more of these soon, and perhaps (nudge nudge) a giveaway in the next few weeks.

We plan to have another bonfire tonight and thorougly cover ourselves with marshmallows and bug bites. I am the reigning marshmallow toasting QUEEN here...perfect golden crust, every time. :D It's a gift. The boys will marvel at the fireworks and we'll all relax and enjoy each other's company. I will try not to let my mind wander to wool....

Have a fun weekend, everyone!

A Dream Come True

A dream come true!!
Originally uploaded by woolly fabulous

My friend Odile aka WoollyFabulous, turned one of her wacky dreams into reality by gluing tons of little red and white spotted mushrooms to her daughter's leg. What a crazy dream! What a creative woman! What a patient daughter! I'm loving it.