Jury's Still Out

Truth be told, this last one was a bit of a trial. So far I haven't really been a softie designer (though I am a bit of a softy--ask my dog, who always comes to me for treats when the others refuse her), so that balloon part got sewn and sewn (and maybe cursed a little), and I'm not sure how I feel about the combination of the 3-D in the top hoop with the 2-D in the bottom hoop.
All that said, there's something kind of delightful about the piece as a whole--but I'd say my mixed feelings have led me to the conclusion that I am nearly done making pieces for this show. I think I'll do one more simple something, and then I'll start obsessing over what to say at my opening "talk." And trying on outfits. You know what I'm talking about. I'll be looking at my bottom in everything I own for the next 48 hours.
And then I'll just wear the first thing I tried.

Still Two-Hoopin'

Short dispatch from the land of felt and string: I have less than a week to make probably half a dozen more pieces for the Wintergreen show, and I'm having a blast. It feels like the kind of effort that's no effort at all really, at least for as long as the skin on my fingers holds out!
We're getting more sun, and that may have a lot to do with it--it's amazing how much mood depends on light. Here's hoping the forecast (weather-wise and life-wise) is bright where you are, too.

And Now for Something Completely Different--

Rabbit portraits. Yup. Now understand, I don't know these rabbits--they're not over here sitting for this piece, though oh-my-goodness, how I wish they were. I am, however, considering offering custom rabbit portraits, should you know any bunnies who'd be interested.

In other news, thank you so much for your brilliant two-hoop ideas. No joke, people, I love you. My short list now includes a child walking a dog (boston terrier, of course), a child with helium balloons, and some sort of tree/swing scenario, but if I live long enough, I'll do 'em all! (Why do I feel like typing mwah-ah-ah after that promise, like an evil felting genius? ;-))

Done!

I'm having a real blast with this whole multi-hoop experiment. I've got a couple of other ideas up my sleeve, but if any of you smarties have suggestions, I'd love to hear 'em.
I have a fantasy in which I make enough hoops like this to create a whole interconnected village--houses, trees, critters, clouds, birds, underground warrens. That'll happen, of course, as soon as the need to make money, do laundry, raise my child, and spend time with my husband passes (and no, I don't expect that time to pass, well, ever). Still, a girl can dream--and her friends can dream a long with her. :-)

Spring: A Work in Progress

It's dreary out there, but I'm dreaming of no-more-snow, sun-on-mud-smell, crocus-hello, full-blown spring, and I belieeeeve it's just around the corner. If I can hasten it with needle and thread, I will!

Springing

You would laugh, maybe, if you saw the thigh-high snow banks still toughing it out in my neighborhood (mud-blackened and shrinking though they may be), but there are murmurs, friends...
...and I can get by a few more weeks on murmurs, as long as it's spring in the studio at least.

(This two-piece piece is for my Wintergreen show, which is careening ever closer.)

Doggies--Down!

I finished my second pet-portrait ring pillow of the week. The furry white guy is my favorite--
--although the wiemaraner has a bit of a lovely Scooby-esque thing going on, and wee Mr. Orange ears is kind of killing me. He's like, "What's that you said? Oh, right--I do, too."

We Call it Wednesday

I just had an amazing lunch at this lady's house--the theme was "Vegan Diner," and yes, there were milkshakes involved (along with some amazing devil-dog-style cupcakes--Liz, I love you)--and now I'm back to work on the three-dog ring pillow you see above. I'm willing to concede that some people have it worse than me. :-)

Me and this Rabbit? We're Still Here.

We're just crazy busy--mainly teaching Lacan to my online Lit Theory students. Frankly, the rabbit hasn't been much help on this count (and there have been moments when I've thought maybe me neither). But he's eighties-Easter-basket beautiful, right?

There's some stuff in the pipeline, though--I've got a few pieces brewing for my upcoming show, which I will absolutely share as soon as ever there's anything to look at. And I'm cooking up a big idea--what would you think of my hosting another contest, this time for folks who want to make/submit their own felt house portrait or family portrait? I'd love to know if any of you think you'd be seriously interested in participating and also how long you think you'd need to complete the project, realistically. You think on that, and I'll be back with, you know, some crafts--asap.