Beautiful day, first open windows day since December I think.
boxes
Everything I make starts in a box and then lives there until it’s done. The boxes are for organization – keeping the many little bits for many little projects together and they are also a thinking tool and most importantly a way to start, it is very easy to put things in a box.
I love Twyla Tharp’s book, The Creative Habit. Here’s a little of what she has to say about boxes:
“The box makes me feel organized, that I have my act together even when I don’t know where I’m going yet. It also represents a commitment. The simple act of writing a project name on a box means that I’ve started work”
I have different sorts of boxes for different sorts of projects. You could also make your own box or use a basket – project bags are great too.
ballerina
snow
One of the first really old things I bought for making things was a purple silk bodice that was in wretched condition. The silk itself was mostly unusable- it disintegrates when you touch it .
I was originally interested in the buttons, the fantastic buttons, flinty piercing eyes, they inspired my first owl, but when I began to take it apart I found a variety of tiny prints and lovely indigo , hidden and preserved in the foundation. They ‘re mostly gone now – used in owl ears and beaks and spiders but yesterday I found one more piece of my favorite print inside a cuff. I think it’s enough for a beak for the fellow in the background and maybe a spider too.
It is snowing like nobody’s business in Park Slope.
spiders
I’ve added some spiders to the shop ( and a couple little birds too). I think the little black spider above looks curious and sort of cautious. I’ll be adding new things all week.
I do like a ruffley bum.
shop update and auction for haiti
I’ve added some new sweetheart sets to the shop that are ready to ship, a couple notes on this shop update:
* Many of the new sets will be available to order ( delivery in 6-8 weeks) shortly after the original set is sold.
* I’ll be adding new things – little birds, sweethearts, and maybe something new everyday next week – so please check back.
A sweetheart set is being auctioned here to benefit Haiti.
dark bird- progress
botanical experiments
And progress on a paper mache ship.
News:
* I’m way behind on email ( that’s not exactly news..) Getting a couple projects out the door and then I can devote some serious time to responding.
* I’m working towards a shop update sometime next week ( the week beginning 2/1) as well as a couple ebay auctions to benefit Haiti. You can get updates here or through my mailing list or twitter.
work on a new bird species
1910 party dress
This cupcake of a girl’s party dress is from 1910 – it’s falling apart but the lining of almost transparent and tissue thin silk chiffon is in excellent condition, most of the lace is usable too. I tried it on. That was something.
And disturbing looking progress on something new made from this antique bodice:
paper mache boat pattern
And instructions. Epic instructions. They just go on and on. I hope to add more concise printer friendly instructions later but my Christmas brain just isn’t capable of it. We are making Mediterranean inspired little sail boats with lateen rigging – a single triangular sail on a relatively short mast.
**download pattern here**
What you will need:
large cereal box
scissors
scotch tape
ruler
exacto knife
newspaper- 2 colors
wall paper paste
paint brushes
paint
skewers. dowels or twigs
string
heavy duty thread
needles – various sizes
fabric
buttons
glue
(click thumbnails for larger images)
Download the pattern here and cut it out on the dotted line – the solid lines are for scoring – there are little triangles on one end – you can fold those back to trace the line onto your cardboard and poke your pencil through the tip of the V on the pattern to mark your cardboard.
Use a ruler to draw the lines as shown on the pattern. I’ve highlighted the lines to score in red. Use the BACK of your exacto knife to score the lines in red and then gently bend the boat into shape…… Read More
diy gift tags
DIY gift tags! Bundled up little birds – you can click here to download.
(I added some glitter to his acorn cap after I cut them out).
