I made 27 tiny worlds in 2010-
and taught 2 workshops at my house.
I made 31 fish and wrote up the pattern-
14 swaddled babies-
8 ladies-
15 girls-
21 guys-
11 kitties, 4 foxes and 9 owls.
That adds up to 113, but I actually did 114 and can’t show one because someday it will be in a book (weird, right?). You can see these mosaics larger over on Flickr. Just find where it says “view all sizes” and you can make it big.
Onward to 2011 and lots more dolls!
This is the disaster that is my studio on December 31, probably every single year! December is always crazy and it takes January to get everything back in order. Actually, I’ve already started. I can see the top of the ironing board and that was not true a few days ago.
One of the best parts of blogging (for me) is the written record of what has happened over the year. And, being able to go back to other end-of-the-year posts and think about where I was in my head. 2010 has been a good year in many ways. In my “real” life, things are better and more secure. Two of my kids have finished degrees and that is exciting. Over here in crafty blog land, I’ve moved forward in a quieter way then 2009. No big public wow events- like the Etsy Handmade portrait or my PurlSoho pattern.
Instead, I think the most wonderful thing that has happened this year is my crafty biz meet-up. It has been a success and I am going to do a post just about that in the next few days. The other highlights have to be Sage- my wonderful intern of last summer. And, Brooklyn Renegade- which is a show that all others will have to live up to!
Once again this year, I was lucky enough to travel and meet up with other crafters in far away places- in Minneapolis, I met up with Kristen, Erika, Susan and Hannah. In Paris, I met Catherine and Laure- and that was the highlight of my Paris trip! So, this year, the best was all about the people I connected with and I can’t think of anything better then that!
Happy New Years Eve! I can’t wait to see what 2011 will bring- it is always interesting!
well, actually, I only have one more handmade gift to post. The other ones I gave were this owl and lots of homemade cookies.
Yoga mat bag-
drawstring closure, pocket, non-adjustable strap. I looked at some free tutorials on-line and then made it. Very easy.
Big snow in the forecast so our trip to Connecticut is canceled- which is why I am relaxing on the sofa and writing this post right now! Also, daughter is here for 2 extra days because of canceled flights! And, this is the year that I received some homemade gifts from my family. Eleanor gave us some of her homemade preserves- peach salsa and also some pear pickles which we had with our ham last night- wow and Yum!
we got our first snow on Monday-
and it sifted down slowly for a few days and we have enough snow on the ground that Christmas will be white.
I’ve made the cookies- they were done earlier then usual because I had to send Christmas-in-a-box out to my son in Minnesota. See you on Skype tomorrow, Julian! My challenge to myself- make a homemade version on HobNobs. Yes, that was fun!
Last minute presents that I can post… because really, I am sure that the kitties do not read my blog.
And, uh-oh, Mango opened his present a little early!
This was my test catnip toy made from the Spponflower fabric I made last year.
Have a wonderful Merry Christmas everyone! I will have a few more handmade gifts to post after the grand opening.
And now there is a pair-
and she is very well out-fitted!
She has an argyle tail.
I wanted to make her all foresty and also well dressed.
The pinafore is removable with snaps.
Her bag closes with a string wrapped button.
Getting the colors just right can be very frustrating and doesn’t seem possible with my level of technical skills. This girl is made from the same sweater as this owl. It is not the same color as the boy fox- she is more of a red orange. The jacket is olive, the scarf, a warm medium brown and the purse is an ochre yellow color. Each photo seems to get some right but never everything!
the vest has snaps and his bag has a button-
I hope to have this adorable fellow in my etsy shop later today. But, the distractions are crowding in. Christmas is looming and I am finally thinking about it. Made the first batch of cookies last night and bought a couple of gifts. That equals not much time for the studio, but I am hoping to put in a little time every day and avoid the crash that always comes after Christmas. As always, a new theory.
WOW- the Market was amazing! Saturday was so mobbed that there was a line out the door, the room was too hot from all the bodies and the crowds did not stop all day! Sunday was quieter for me and I had more time to check out the booths of other vendors/friends. There is a real comradery at the SOWA events and I love being there.
This is my booth on Saturday morning-
And then on Sunday morning-
I’ve put everything that came home with me into the Etsy shop. The tiny worlds are mostly gone though- 6 out of the 7 I brought, sold. (Hurray!)
Wednesday is the next Crafty Biz meet-up. Contact me if you are local to Boston and would like to join us and/or need more info.
Sometimes I get an *idea* but the execution turns out to be a challenge. The idea- a gingerbread house tiny world. That is as far as my idea went when I started in on it- pretty typical work method for me. I like to figure it out as I go along. Anyway, I love these little worlds, but they were not easy or obvious!
That is all for now- I am off to set up my booth in an hour. If I don’t see you this weekend, see you here next week!
2 snowy tiny worlds-
I put tiny wreaths on the front doors.
And I finally got around to photographing the fish. They have been done since the weekend- 8 of them.
The herringbone school-
and the others-
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I am taking all these things to my market this weekend and will then have a big update in my Etsy shop on Monday. If you are interested in something special, I can let you know on Sunday night or Monday morning if it is available.
grey owl 1-
and grey owl 2-
Tomorrow night is the opening at Gallery Hanahou for the Luv-able + Hug-able show. I wish I could be there but a trip to NYC the day before setting up my booth at the South End Holiday Market isn’t really feasible. If you are interested in checking out the show and maybe even buying something, they are having a sneaky pre-sale for YOU! All the info is here.