tiki 2- the greenman

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I’ve made another one. I just couldn’t help myself. When I make one, I think of all kinds of ways to do it better and so have to make a few more. That is why I am so often doing my artwork in series.

Here is where we were this morning-

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working drawing on the right. My tiki face, flat, on the left. I embroidered the features and stuffed the nose like last time. But this time, I used a piece of thick quilt batting behind the fabric. I did a running (hand quilting?) stitch around the features and now they have a bit of puffiness.

I didn’t use the pillow insert this time. I stuffed him with wool scraps and poly stuffing. He has got a nice heft to him. He’s slightly taller then 14 inches and about 6 1/2 inches across.

Here is a close-up to show some of the embroidery.

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It started to rain just as I went out to take photos. These aren’t too bad though. I kept thinking of the old Jolly Green Giant commercials when I was sewing him up!
And speaking of green… did you see Ellia‘s posting about dreams (versus reality, I guess)? I loved it. I remember my college interview, so many years ago. The woman who interviewed me asked what I saw myself doing, 10 years in the future. The question came as a shock to my 17 year old self. Growing up in a time of constant nuclear fear/threat, I don’t think I really believed in 10 years away. I told her I could see myself in my own shop, selling my work, whatever I was doing at that point… sound familiar Ellia? Anyway, fast forward to now. I was thinking only recently about how Etsy has given me that little shop, a place to sell the stuff I make. Funny really.

tiki

Tweedy wool, soft, squishy… combined with tiki- that makes me laugh. So-

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A perfect addition to any sofa. We had to play a bit-

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details- I appliqued the wool in place and embroidered outlines. Shiny button eyes.
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and with latest arrival to our house- this wonderful creation from Wawaya– all the way from Japan.

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I made my tiki to fit a 6 inch x 14 inch pillow roll insert. Using an insert seemed like such a great idea, but I don’t love the way it fills the doll- I have much more control when I use stuffing. So, I guess I will just have to make a few more to get it perfectly right!

This is the kind of house I live in- I wanted to photograph the tiki. I’m thinking that I need a tropical drink with a paper umbrella (of course!). Hmmm, we had a birthday party once, tropical theme in February, kid was 9 or 10 (she’s 23 now), we must have some. Yup, I found them!

It’s Saturday

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Here I am at my table on Thursday night in Jamaica Plain. Thanks so much to Betsy for taking a picture I am actually willing to post! Go to Angela‘s blog to see some of the great publicity we got and she added some description of the event.

And some blog goodness-

I going to do this swap over at Bitter Betty’s Blog. I’ve been wanting to try printing up some fabric and this will be the perfect incentive. You can sign up until Tuesday.
Some fantastic creations I’ve been admiring lately-

These creations at Malotashop. I found my way over here by following a trail from someone’s Flickr favorites. You just never know where you’ll end up on the internet.

Creative creatures at The Fabric of Meditation.

I got my nasturtiums and zinnias in the ground this morning, before it started to pour. I’m hoping the rain will give them a good start. My tiki is finished now, but the weather is too bad for taking pictures. Hopefully I will be able to show him tomorrow.

all the news…

first, do my duty and promote…

Tomorrow, June 7, I will be participating in the Jamaica Plain First Thursday, with Etsy Boston. I will be there with Jessica, Amy, Betsy and Betsy, Elizabeth, Angela, JHill Design, and MuchachaK. Come and see us if you can- we will be there from 5 – 8. I’ll give you a magnet if you ask- hehe, bribe!

Second, the fun report. Yesterday, I drove down to Newport, RI and met up with Kristin! It was a beautiful day, a perfect day to spend out of the studio. We walked around, admiring flowers, trees, old houses, the sea views. We ate a wonderful lunch and admired sailboats. We talked blogs and blogging, family and gardening. I wish we had had many more hours- we were just beginning to scrape the surface of all that being part of this internet blog/craft community involves. Last year I went to a doll conference. If I could have my fantasy networking venue, I’d be going to a craft blog conference this year! It is so refreshing to talk to someone who understands why we do this!

Third- work in progress-

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It is a wool tiki doll. It was one of those itches that needed scratching. I kept seeing images and thinking, hmmm, that would be so much fun to applique! So, finally. Here is the flickr mosaic I made with the doll and also some of the inspiration.

Fourth- if you are interested in the gathering/workshop, there are still spaces. Enough people are interested that it will be happening-yeah!- and there is still room.

garden in early june

I took these photos over the weekend-

The tree peony flowered through the hot weather. There were so many buds this year that the blooming lasted longer then usual. The ones still blooming last weekend were on the lower branches. Also, this is the first time I remember the tree peony bloom time overlapping with the herbaceous peony.

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The regular peonies are all in bloom right now-

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the buds are wonderful!

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Baptisia, or false indigo-

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Gas plant (dictamnus)-

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and the shady greens-

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And the roses are starting! The garden seems to have been happy with our crazy winter weather because it is thriving now!

Paper Bag Swag- month 4

I’ve got Month 4 done of my paper bag swag project. You might be thinking that you haven’t seen one of these for a while- well, you are right. We had a one month “vacation”… ahem. Well, Amy and Ellia had good excuses. For the rest of us, not so much. It was just life, taxes, school, kids, travel, etc. Anyway, hopefully we are back on track. Theresa will keep us in line! Two more pages/months to go .

I was working on Cathy’s book this month. Her theme is inspiration, but I’ve got to tell you something- I just did what I felt like doing and then thought about how I could fit it into the theme… that is a real art confession. Of course, personal history and nature, very inspiring!
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Playing with the idea of an old sepia tone photo in fabric-

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The garden coming to life in April and May-

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this says it all- Spring into Summertime, April into May-

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I put a few more detail photos on Flickr-here, here and here.
Swag!

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And a side view. I’m going to have to find a big box for this!

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Kristen, it’s going in the mail today!

had to add one more picture…

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doll gathering plan and misc.

Okay, I’ve got it all worked out. I am going to have the first gathering on July 28 at my house in Arlington. The second one will be on August 4 in Northboro, MA. If you expressed an interest, hopefully you have received an email from me with all the details. If you haven’t gotten the email, or you think you are interested but didn’t say anything before, email me at mimik(at)pobox(dot)com, or leave a comment with your email. I’ll send you the details and you can let me know if you’d like to be there.

Here is the bag that Eleanor made when she was home- isn’t it fantastic?! Blue stripe corduroy, Indonesian batik, brown piping.
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My other tree peony is blooming now. Unfortunately it opened just in time for some really hot weather, so it won’t be blooming very long.
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We have lots of Jack-in-the-Pulpits growing around our yard. I love them.

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Yesterday morning, Ben and I went to the Arnold Arboretum. Lots of lilacs were blooming, although I never managed to get any picture that gets across how amazing a hillside covered in lilac looks.

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Lot of the trees are not yet in leaf. Strange when the temperature was above 90 degrees!

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend to everyone who has a holiday!

postcard- people reading

My latest postcards-

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These took me way too long. You can see I was working on them on May 1. When a project drags out, with too many interruptions, a lot of the fun and energy goes out of it for me. After a while, all I can see are flaws. Too much rethinking of things that don’t need rethinking! I originally did some of the faces with machine stitching. I wasn’t crazy about that. One went into the trash as unsalvageable. The guys have stitched glasses. It wasn’t working for the women. I ended up doing them with a couching stitch. Much better and more control.
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I will try to get some good photos or scans to show. I’ve already taken at least 100 pics that I’m not happy with. That’s my last frustration- I can’t get decent photos… either bad light or bad angles… so often I look at my photos and realize everything looks warped, even though they are perfectly square. Something else to work on.

Okay, and about the workshop/gathering. There is one planned for August 4 in Northboro, MA. First priority to members of my doll club. I am try to put together something for Saturday, July 28 or 21, closer to home. Sorry it is taking me so long- I am not good at this sort of stuff.

gone missing/ miscellaneous happenings

I know I haven’t been here much lately. It’s been busy! I am now the mother of a college graduate!!! Yeah me! well, and congrats to Eleanor, yah, yah, yah (hehe). The house is full with everybody home for just a few more days. Having everybody home makes for appointments, messes, commotion, and projects.
Eleanor is working on a bag based on this one. Among other things.
The grass has been mowed and I turned the compost- which is actually one of my favorite things to do… weird, eh? I’ve been trying to get some gardening done, but I haven’t put in nearly as much time as I need to. My very own tree peony is blooming now. It only last about a week max, doesn’t bloom every year, but is so beautiful when it does. This was from last week-

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and the weekend-

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Now it is all raggedy looking. It actually lasted longer then usual because of the cool wet weather. This week and through the weekend I hope to get some plant dividing done, my tender plants (dahlias, salvia, canna) into the garden, and summer seeds planted (nasturtium, flowering vines). Memorial Day is the traditional safe from frost date in this area. Last Friday, temperatures in the 40’s, this Friday is suppose to be around 90!

Another silly project- when I saw Meatcake making the rounds in the blog world, I knew we had to make one while Julian was home. Last nights’ dinner-

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It was delicious! After turning the compost though, I was sort of too tired to really get into the decorating. Maybe next time.

busy times

It is busy time here. First of all, I am excited about getting a doll making gathering organized. I am searching for a good venue in my local area- Arlington, Cambridge or Boston. If anyone knows of a good place, I’d love to hear about it. The specifications are- room for about 12 people, work tables, decent light, plugs for sewing machines, clean, and not too expensive. Accessible by public transportation would be a plus.

I have started listing the baby postcard originals in my Etsy shop. It will be happening in dribs and drabs over the next few days.

I went on a garden trip with a dear friend this week. We went to Snug Harbor, on Staten Island NY to see the blooming tree peonies. It was a perfect day.
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I love how the flowers are protected from too much sun- parasols.

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Hopefully something will get done this week, although it will be another hectic one. #1 son is coming home from college in St. Paul tomorrow. On Thursday we are off to NY for daughter’s college graduation- yippee!