Japanese Paper Doll "Ningyo" cards

I love colorful origami paper and found a fabulous way to use some of my collection. These Japanese paper dolls make great note cards to both collect and gift to others. Ningyo "human figure" dolls seal friendships, protect or purify those who use them, and help children explore their roles in society. Their history also reflects the development of religious and political ideas.

Happy & Healthy Germs - flu antidote

These alien-like healthy germs will protect you from the H1N1 flu or at least will help make you smile.



I was inspired by a felter in Finland to create sculptures of what healthy and happy germs might look like to help ward off the H1N1 germs.

Cookie Cutter Divas

New ornaments to add to the holiday collection...

New Gossip Girl in the Neighborhood

Turkeys, Trees and Gingerbread Ornaments

Been busy working on new holiday ornaments for the upcoming Bolton Artisans Guild Holiday Show & Sale. Here are a few in progress...

Need some inspiration!

A visit to the Cape might be just what's needed to get some artistic rejuvenation! The sun, the sea, the surf, oh my!

I'm bringing my paints, sketchbooks, and camera to capture some of the fabulous sights on the Lower Cape....

Stay tuned for some great creations when I return, or at least another blog entry.

...and if you're planning a trip to the Peabody/Salem Massachusetts, consider visiting the Peabody Historic Society

Artist Interpretation Project Complete!

My interpretation of the Proctor Tavern Sign is now at the Peabody Historic Society Museum and will be on display at the exhibit "Historic Interpretation: Contemporary Artists Interpret the Historic Collection" Part II

Opening weekend, August 15, 12 - 7 pm & August 16, 12 - 3 pm
Also on view 1st and 3rd Sundays: September 6 & 20,
October 4 & 18, 12 - 3 pm.

An elephant's trunk pointed up symbolizes good luck - hopefully there will be oodles of people visiting the show.

An explanation of needle-felting and a sampling of the fibers used will also be displayed for those not familiar with the process. Dyed and natural wool fibers are blended to create the desired color palette.

This was both fun and challenging and I'm glad that I"m part of the show. Due to the overwhelming number of artists, the show has been scheduled as two distinct presentations. The first presentation continues now through Aug 2nd, an then the second presentation (where my sculpture will be on display) will start Aug 15 - Oct 18 - the Salem News had a great write-up of the current exhibit.

Peabody interpretation - In progress...

Trunk is UP - better luck will follow!



The historic interpretation is coming along. The elephants rear legs, tail and tusks need to be finished, along with the rider. I hopefully will be able to get it finished before the August 2nd delivery to the historic society/museum...

Historic Interpretation

I'm participating in a "Historic Interpretation" of an artifact at the Peabody Historical Society, Peabody, MA. Area artists were asked to choose an artifact from the Historical Society and create their interpretation using their medium of choice. I decided to create a 3-dimensional “sculpture” of the elephant and rider made of wool sheep fibers over a wire armature based on the Johnson Proctor Tavern Sign.




Here's my work in progress - I have to work on getting the rest done as I need to deliver the elephant to the museum on August 2nd...

Belinda

I'm currently working on a commissioned "mini-me" doll named Belinda. I've never met the real Belinda and am working from photos. Along with the photos, I received a fabulous written description so that I could try and create a close likeness. I'll be posting photos of my work in progress.

I started with basic white fleece, created the head and have added the features... Belinda "has a bit of a crooked smile" which I accentuated to help capture her personality.




She now has a partial body..

Almost finished - Belinda has to sit and let the wool relax and then I will primp and apply the finishing touches....

The Gossip Girls

I finally had some time to spend in the studio. My first doll creation from the Art Doll Workshop was really lonely and needed a friend so I created someone to keep her company. They are so happy that they have each other to "gossip" 'er talk together.

Doll Workshop

I posted status of the doll workshop backwards so that you could see my final product first!

... what should I do with my hands?

Stage 2: now the doll has hands, a head, a face and large locks of colorful hair...


Next step - clothes!


I'm finally back in my studio starting a Doll Workshop, offered by Marie Spaulding. I'll be posting pix as I progress along. This photo shows the base (cholla) with needlefelt wool torso and wool wrapped wire armature arms. It's great fun learning new techniques.

Collage of some Louie Girl creations

From Collages

I found a fun "collage" tool within Picasa3 - here's the result of compiling ~50 photos.

Stone Walls

Building stone walls is extremely time consuming. Each individual stone is felted, then they are layered one by one onto the felted background. The herbs, plantings and tree details are next. This rendering of J's Restaurant at the Nashoba Valley Winery is before the new outdoor patio was constructed.



Finished wool rendering

Orig photo

Polymer Noses

I'm trying something new on my felted animals, polymer noses and beaded eyes. I like testing new techniques to see if they enhance or distract from my overall intent. The puppies and some of the other animals periodically want makeovers, so this may be what they've been looking for - stay tuned!

Scarf in progress

I started this scarf in early February and try to add a few rows every evening. This has been a fun and challenging project. Pattern is from "scarfSTYLE" by Pam Allen.

Knit with 100% worsted weight Nature Spun yarn.

Mini pups

Some of my mini dog creations - a Maltese (3"X4")
and Dachshund (2"X4") both with designer collars


and let's not forget "Chelsea" the Brittany Spaniel (4"x6")

I Give You My Heart

"...A Gransmother's Love for her Grandchild"

The overall size of the mini heart and hands ~2" x6". The heart is ~1" long.

Here are a couple of my most recent felt creations.
Maggie's brindle coloring and wrinkles added depth
and personality.

Needle felt on wool fabric pillow - size ~9"x12"

Monet's paintings are very inspirational and to
recreate with wool fibers was a satisfying challenge.

Wet & Needlefelt -based on Monet's ~15" x ~17"