Abigail's Dream Adventures

In this troubling time of virus worry I am staying safe and inside as much as possible.  I was contacted by Karen E. Franks, an author, that lives in Bermuda to make wooly critters to bring her children's story characters to life.  I gladly accepted the challenge.

Karen's book (Abigail's Dream Adventures) feature a little girl who dreams of wonderful adventures with close friends whenever she falls asleep.  The four main characters are:

Abigail
Agatha (french Canadian, red hair, blue eyes)
Pearl (Blonde girl )
Troy (a boy that loves to colour graffiti with crayons)

Here are some illustrations in her story:

I made the four main characters using wool sweaters that I felted in the washing machine and then cut and made into adorable children dressed as animals. I loved the results:

First is Abigail, dressed as a kitten fairy with her pet unicorn, of course:

Next is one of her best friends, Pearl, the little blonde haired girl dressed as a squirrel with her pet kitty:

Next is Agatha, a french Canadian girl with red hair and blue eyes. I dressed her as a frog with her pet dog (her dog is shown in the book as her companion):

Finally, there is Troy, a fun loving, crayon carrying boy dressed as a mischievous monkey:
Troy carries his crayons anywhere he goes and a wee frog tags along with him,

I am happy to report that Karen loved my rendition of her sweet characters and we are waiting for this mess to clear before I send her the sweet darlings.

Stay safe, stay indoors and this too shall pass my friends!

Wooly Critters Abound

Well, we are into July and I have started preparing for the Christmas craft season, yes Christmas in July!

I have been collecting yummy wool sweaters that are past their prime for wearing but just begging to be made into huggable, loveable wooly creations.  I have finished my first batch and here they are:

A new critter, a Sloth!

The Joyful sisters

 I was inspired by fellow Coast Collective artist, Tracy Leal, to make "robot" critters based on her sweet illustrations.  She was delighted for me to try my hand at bringing her work to life so here are my first few robots:

Notice the wee booklet by Tracy in the Robot's pocket.

This one was in progress as he needs a hand, pocket and a few details!

More robots to follow and definitely more huggable creations, enjoy!

Wooly Critters Galore

I cannot believe that another year has begun!  Where does the time go?  2018 was a very productive and creative year for me with a solo show in January 2018, a retreat in March making Akira Blount and Kate Church style dolls, a workshop with Phoebe of Lavender and Lark in September, a club doll show in October, a craft show in November (First Chance Show in Sidney), an Etsy pop up craft show in December (Tillicum Mall), and finally a solo showing of my dolls and critters at R Place Hair Salon in December 2018  and January 2019.

This year is going to be just as busy as I am starting with a trip to Portland Oregon learning to make artistic Waldorf dolls, a trip to Toronto, a workshop with Kate Church in May, a show with six to seven fellow artists in early May at Tulista Park in Sidney, a cruise to Northern Europe in September, a trip to Toronto in October to see family and attend the Toronto Sewing and Creative Craft Show and then perhaps another Etsy pop up show in December!  Of course this is without mentioning the events and participation at the Coast Collective Art Centre in Collwood  all year long.

The start of this month has begun with a bevy of wooly critters as my stock was depleted in December!  Here are some of the sweet new fellows:

Now I have put aside the wool sweaters and am starting a new doll for the May exhibit so stay tuned.