cocoon stone

 

I had a few hours in the house alone yesterday.  That may not sound like a big deal, but let me tell you, it's a rare event around here.  I enjoyed the solace and did some stitching.

 

 

 I included a few glass and stone beads under the stitches.  When you push on cocoon form you can feel them move beneath the surface.  That's really appealing to me because one of the things I love most about creating this kind of art is that the observer is not only allowed to interact with the work in a physical way, but is encouraged to do so.

This piece will be available in my shop shortly.

I hope all of you are staying warm.  We're anticipating a *high* of -10f tomorrow so I may be cocooning myself.  In blankets.

Enjoy your Sunday.

shop update today

A little peek at what will be in today's shop update.  These will "go live" at noon, CST in my shop.

Thanks for looking!

shop update tomorrow - new spring stones

My fingers have been busily stitching on this series of spring stones and I'll be having a little shop update tomorrow with the new additions.

There is a set that is all naturally dyed...

... and one with morning glories and lily of the valley...

...and many others.

  Dandelions, roses, asters, and hyacinth too.  I've really enjoyed building this rock garden.

They'll be available tomorrow, Feb 22nd at 9am CST. 

The stones are in the shop now and viewable, but won't be available for purchase until then.  I'd be so grateful if you'd stop by and have a look or share the link with a friend.

lil fish studios :: shop

Thanks so much, everyone!

coming up roses

I did a little stitching this weekend and something tells me I'm ready for spring.

Have a good start to the week, everyone.

a snow stone giveaway

To celebrate the falling snow, I'd like to have a little giveaway.

This is a larger textural stone, about 3" long, inspired by frost and the coming snows that cover the lumpy and odd bits in nature.  For those of you new to my work, I cover real stones that I've gathered in wool, felt it, and stitch on the surface.  In addition to stitches, this stone also boasts glass seed beads.  The varying textures make this a fun piece to run your hands over.

***THIS GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***

If you'd like to a chance to win this stone, you just need to leave me a comment on this post, but here's what I need from you...

I need your feedback.

I'd like to know what you would like to see from me this year, from this blog and in my shop.

More natural dyeing, more tutorials, more stones, more ornaments, more foraging...what would you like to see?

Leave a comment, and be sure to give me a way to contact you.  I'll ship worldwide, so everyone is more than welcome to enter.

I'll close the comments and announce the winner on Monday morning, Jan.16th.

Thank you everyone!

Have a great weekend!

Friday randomness

The past few days have been so busy that I've been feeling a little jumbled.  This morning I woke up, and even though I'm low on sleep, feel focused.  I have a number of projects on my workbench (and kitchen table, and couch) and I hope to have lots to show you in the next few days.

I've been working on some new frost stones (though these in the photo have already found a new home) and will be adding them to my shop next Saturday, Dec. 10th along with some other goodies.

Remember my tree-cutting expedition the other day when I was in search of green-stained wood?  Well, wouldn't you know it that just a few days later my son would bring in firewood and there would be 3 logs with long streaks of green in it.  I can't wait to cut into it.

The project that I'm working on right now involves a thrifted skirt and pillow case.  It also involves my sewing machine, with whom I have a rather tumultuous relationship, so we'll see how this turns out.  Wish me luck.

Also on my agenda for today is waking my dog up every time he dozes off.  This is my way of saying "thanks" for waking me up at 2:00 this morning.  I figure it's the least I can do to repay him.  Conveniently, he likes to sleep right by my feet so I all have to do is stretch my leg out and nudge him.  Oh look, he's dozing...nudge.

We've been having some gorgeous sunrises here lately with bands of color in the sky that are so bright it's almost unnatural.  I'm feeling really inspired by them and feel a piece coming on in those colors.

Much to do, so with a raise of my glass coffee mug, I wish you all a great weekend.



new brooches and stones

I snapped a few quick pics this morning of the work that will be in my shop soon.  They're not the best shots but they'll give you an idea of what's coming.  I'll be adding them to my shop later this afternoon and they'll be available for purchase tomorrow morning at 10am CST. (which would be 11am eastern time, 8am pacific, etc.)

my shop: lil fish studios

Thank you to all who chimed in on yesterday's post.  It seems that announcing the shop update beforehand and giving you a preview works best so I'll continue doing that.  Thanks again for the feedback, I knew you guys would help me.

In this update there will be these needlefelted brooches...

...and some stones inspired by frost on the windows and light snowfall...

...and some earthy stones as well, and possibly another set or two if I'm lucky.

The shop update after this one will have some different pieces including some necklaces and needle felted sculpture.  I'm hoping to do a large shop update at the end of the month, just in time for holiday shopping, so please think of me as you plan for your shopping adventures.  :D

Happy Friday everyone!  Hope you have a great weekend.

shop update today

I'll be having a small shop update today.  These textural stones, and others, will be available for purchase at noon cst in my shop.  The stones are viewable now if you'd like to have a look, and will go live at noon.

lilfishstudios : shop

Next week there will be a brooch or two in the shop and maybe a few other things, if all goes as planned.  I'm hoping to have shop updates more regularly over the next few weeks.  If you haven't been able to grab a set of stones or a brooch, but have wanted to, hopefully this will give you more opportunity to do so.

Now off to work with me!

Have a great day everyone.

a small shop update tomorrow

There will be just a few new textural stones in my shop tomorrow morning at 9am CST but I'm hoping to get several more sets finished soon, along with some other projects I have in the works.

If you'd like to stop by, I'd be delighted.

Thank you!

feeling connected

As I was photographing the stones I made this week I couldn't help but notice how well they seemed to blend in to their surroundings.

When I make a stone I pick some wool colors that I like and that I'm "feeling" at that time.  I'll hold the felted stone in my hand and decide what colors of thread seem to work with it, and then start to stitch.  There isn't a plan, I just start to work.  It's a very organic process and one that suits me best.

So it tickles me that while I'm snapping pics, a small oak leaf falls and lands near a rock that complements it, right down to the bumps on the underside, or when I notice the bug trails match those I've stitched in a stone.

It makes me feel more connected to my source of inspiration.

These stones will be headed to my shop but I think I'm going to have to make a set soon to leave out on my favorite bug-chewed log as a thank you of sorts.

In other news, I have a fun weekend ahead of me and I can't wait to share.

I hope you all have a great weekend too.