Transformed my greyhound into a bat hound with a bit of ingenuity. Indy needed a rain slicker for our lovely Portland weather, and I’d never sewn a dog jacket before, so I figured it was time to try. The gold bats are reflective to aid in visibility. We went for a walk near the studio so I could check out how he walks and does his business with it on, and it passed with flying colors. Got some good feedback from other pedestrians on his “cape.”
Making a push this weekend to finally get some items up on Etsy, and try to get good traction on studio projects. I seem to have more motivation when I know where the item will wind up, and I need to work on being less precious with my supplies. I have a terrific stash (bordering on horde) of materials to create stuff with, but when I start sifting through it for project ideas, I find stuff I would like to use, but have trouble justifying the use of the item because I think, “What if I come up with a better idea to use this item later?”
Yes, this is a risk I run with utilizing limited quantities of a variety of recycled materials, but I need to get better at just diving in and using the stuff. Need to adapt a “no time like the present” mentality. It’s tougher than you would think.
Since it is spring (and I am getting out of my winter hibernation) I am playing with felted flower creations these days. It’s been a terrific way to use up small scraps of sweater felt and the plethora of vintage buttons I have in my stash.
I haven’t gotten pictures of it yet, but I recently created a melded pillow and stuffed animal creation. It’s tentatively titled “the bear that wanted to be a leopard skin rug.” I also made a Mexican El Dia De Los Muertos key rack for our new home.
Been knitting like crazy lately. Working on a pair of argyle bat socks for Aaron (black and yellow, baby!) and a set of colorful skull curtains for our Day of the Dead kitchen. Attended this year’s Loop and Hoop, but it was a disappointment since the Blazers lost and there were no goodie bags.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! I am participating in the Goldsmith Building Artist Collective First Thursday event. Live music, too! Our gallery will be open from 6 - 10 pm on Thursday 4/3 and Friday 4/4. Please stop by and say hi!
I’m back from vacation! I made some cool items as holiday gifts, and I hope to get pictures up of them soon. The SCRAP bazaar went very well, and I met a number of very cool sister artists. I also made lots of notes so I will be better prepared for future shows. It had been two years since I had done a show, so I was a bit rusty.
I spent yesterday afternoon in the studio cleaning and organizing. I got a wet/dry vacuum for the studio and spent a good hour using it to suck up gunk from inside the serger and the sewing machine.
I also sewed a fun wallet together for myself. It is bright shocking purple, and made from upholstery fabric samples. I had a lot of fun making it. I had looked for a new wallet at some of the holiday bazaars. I didn’t see any that really worked for me, so I did what I always do when I can’t find what I want: I make it myself!
One of my goals for this year is getting an Etsy shop up and running. I would like to sell patterns as well as finished items, and I think the wallet will be one I make a pattern of..
