Snowflake Family

I was missing snow this holiday season (well in theory anyway) so I decided to make some felt snow people.  I dug out a pattern that I purchased a few years ago called "Snowflake" (available on etsy from Braidcraft) and I started.

As usual I had so many ideas for snow people that I made an entire snow family which I named the Snowflake family after the pattern that inspired these critters.

First I made wee Frosty:

I added a string of lights ( a Christmas necklace) that has an on/off button.  I added a wee bird on the top of his hat and a large snowflake (in honour of his family name).

Next I decided to make him a wee sister:  She is truer to the pattern with earmuffs and a sparkly pompom nose.  Both Frosty and his sister Snowblower has glass bead eyes and black beads for a smile.

The back of wee Snowflower showing the snowflake.

Now these snow kids need parents so Mr and Mrs Snowflake were born:

 It is hard to tell on my photo, but mom has a purple/mauve topcoat and green mitts while dad has a black hat and black mitts.  Both mom and dad have hand-knitted scarves.

Finally I added a Snow nonna (granny):

Nonna has a green knit hat with a velveteen red hat on top and a hand-knitted scarf that is red and green.

She has  twigs for arms and is holding an ornament. 

Here is the entire Snowflake family:

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Doll Club Christmas Exchange

Last week our doll club the Cloth-a-dollics had our potluck Christmas meeting and our Christmas gift exchange.  This year the pattern that was chosen to make was from the Autumn 2005 Art Doll Quarterly magazine:

The members who wanted to participate were to use the pattern provided in the magazine and make a doll to give to a fellow club member.  No-one knows who the doll would be given to as the gift exchange is random to allow the maker the freedom to use fabrics that they love.

The meeting was a lot of fun as there was plenty of food to go around, lots of social catch up with fellow members and a fun, fun gift reveal:

As you can see all of the dolls were quite different and all were beautiful.  I received the fuchsia beauty with the embroidered and beaded details seen in the photo above.

The doll I made for the exchange was the "deer girl" (yes I did alter the pattern a wee bit, lol!):

I gave my girl antlers using pipe cleaners wrapped with brown floral tape.  The body suit was a pale pink dupioni silk with sleeves, boots and hood made of faux suede trimmed with faux fur.  I also added "deer spots" on her hood, arms and boots.  Her dress I made from a ocean blue sweater I had that no longer fit.  For the finishing details I added Christmas lights caught up in her antlers, a pompom tie, a pale pink scarf and a snowflake for her to hold.

I love the way she turned out, so I made her a sister (which I kept):

My deer girl has a deer hand puppet, arm warmers and leg warmers made from a sock as well as a soft blue fleece vest.

I enjoyed making my Deer Girls and I am thinking about making some to sell for next Christmas!

Gift and Wishes at the Coast Collective

One month before Christmas!  I do love the holiday season, the lights the special displays in all the stores, the smiles, the gifts, the festivities and the creative artisan craft shows.  The "Gift for Myself and Others" show is almost over (only one more day) and another artisan show that I am in is set to open on Wednesday, November 25th exactly one month before that most holy, special day.  

Every year I say that I should not enter artisan shows as they are so much work and you never know just how much you will sell.  Will you recover the cost of your booth and the supplies?  Will the time spent planning and arranging and getting ready for the show be worthwhile?  Then there is the hassle of packing all of your wares in the car, unpacking and setting up, not to mention dismantling and packing back up in the dark!

Once I actually do take the time to plan and arrange to be in a show though, I love it!  There is a special pleasure in watching people smile as they pass your booth.  I delight in watching someone take great care in choosing their special doll or "critter" and hearing them tell you how talented you are.  It makes all the time worthwhile and validates your art.  I love the connection with people that you meet and who love your work.  They stop and chat and tell you where that gift is going, or how they remember your last show.  It is so much fun to tell them about your work and share the joy of creating.

So I am here to tell you that I will have a couple of special larger pieces in the "Gift and Wishes" show that is set to open at noon on Wednesday, November 25th at the Coast Collective:

I have a special dragon and a fun Santa, riding a Canada goose no less!  Here is a glimpse of these creations:

This will be our last show at the current location as in the New Year we are moving so please come out and enjoy Pendray House and the scenic grounds but especially the very special art and creations of over 100 Vancouver Island artisans!

Wooly Critters Explosion

I cannot believe that November is here!  Halloween has come and gone and now the stores are displaying Christmas items.  It is a reminder of how quickly time can get away from us.  It is a reminder that life is precious and fleeting and must be lived to the fullest.

Well, on that vein I have been madly crafting my Wooly Critters for the first artisan craft show that I will be in this season, "Gifts for Myself and Others":

This show is always lovely and features artisans from southern Vancouver Island.  I will be displaying some of my art dolls and I will be featuring my "Wooly Critters":

Meet the sweet black and white kitties.

Cat Buglars ready to steal your heart.

A Scottish Kat that is kooky and fun.

The ever lovable Bandits.

The bunnies begin to appear,

and they come in sunny yellow,

and they come in soft florals,

Are they not the cutest thing ever?

Finally one last set of cats to tempt you to visit the show.  I have many, many more including a pride of lions! (photos in my next post).

The wee blue cats hope you will come back soon, bye for now!

More Wooly Critters

As many of you know, I have been making what I call "Wooly Critters" from felted thrift store sweaters.  This November and December I will be in a couple of local craft shows so I have to get busy and make, make, make.  I do love creating!

I thought you might like to see my newest creations of critters:

This wee white kitten is made from a cashmere sweater and oh so soft!

Meet "Wild Thing" made from a "Spanner cotton, acrylic and fur sweater

Showing their cute back sides

Midnight is spoken for and going to a good home here in Victoria.

Midnight's brother "Spook" is made from the same chenille black and gold sweater as "Midnight"

Wee Spunky is made from a Merino navy blue sweater with added cashmere details

I just had to add a bunch of hearts down his backside

Love Monster

Daisy Mae

Meet Rosie, she is going to a fine home in Duncan

Rosie was made from a cotton sweater and has a cashmere face!

This is Susie's older sister, Candy.

Candy is a very special girl

This is Dapper Dan.  He loves bowties

This is Rascal bidding you farewell for now! He too has a good home.