Strong Men

I have a few strong men done and ready for Market season. It is nice to sew them because they are fairly simple, so I get to spend more time on the face and facial hair. I photographed them on some fur I picked up (for making spotted owls) because I for some reason imagine strong men relaxing on bear skin rugs after a long day of pumping iron. I'm not sure any strong man out there would favor my choice of unitard fabric, but these guys don't have a say, and I am partial to colors and prints.

Which reminds me of the last episode of Project Runway. I just love that Oliver. He was getting so overwhelmed at those New York personalities trying to tell him what they would like designed. He is such a delicate and serious artist. I think he is a really subtle designer with an artist's soul, but I don't think he was meant to compete on camera with ridiculous deadlines and amusing challenges. I love that when Project Runway made all the designers do a quick jog around a track he almost had to go to the hospital. It made me want to intervene, kidnap him, and then give him a nice big, silent space with soft white walls so that he can create quietly in peace.

Owl Girls

We are renting a house that had an orange table downstairs. The other day I lugged it upstairs, it was very heavy, but I am professional at moving furniture around. I can even move things with minimal grunting so as not to wake napping Walter. The table is now our dining table and my sewing table. It makes me very nostalgic for my childhood because we lived in a house built in the 70's that had a very Brady orange counter in the kitchen. Our kitchen floor was vinyl faux brick and I used to roller blade on it. Last weekend I was visiting my hometown and I drove past it and my heart almost stopped from a very powerful flood of memories.

Above you will see three finished owl girls. They have tails and nice, flappy wings. I imagine they have formed a nocturnal club that meets at midnight in a tree house to eat things dipped in powdered sugar.

Uninhibited Aging

Let's forgo the anti-aging cream and take a hint from this lady by, instead, defying age by living joyfully.

Elephant Boys

Here are the Elephant boys, ready for some romping around and running away from mice. They are made from lovely, soft blue corduroy. I want to make some more out of different corduroy colors, but I only buy one color at a time with my 40% off coupon (from JoAnn Fabrics). I am frugal. Elephants are a favorite spot at the zoo for me, but I think the rhinos may have them beat. We were able to see one very close up at our latest visit. Their skin so strange---it really looks like armor.
My next batch I will be working on will be owl girls. I am making them out of wool suiting fabric.

Bear Boys

I made a few of these bear boys for the upcoming market season. They are furry, fuzzy and friendly fellows. It feels nice to make soft, furry things when the weather is chilly, which it has been for the last couple of days. I'm ready for you fall! Bring it! And while you're bringing "it" also bring some hot apple cider with you, please.

Owl Girl and Prop Shots

I sewed an owl girl. She is nameless...and armless. I have an appendage procrastination problem. I wanted to hurry up and photograph her with my new tree props that I made. (I made some 2 dimensional ones since the previous post). I like them, they remind me of toy theater props, only softer.

For the next few months I am going to be building up my stock for fall and winter markets. It is funny to be planning so far ahead, it has me fantasizing about Christmas already and wanting to eat those Russian tea cookies.

As I sew my little fellows (and ladies) I will post a few to the shop, but not as many as I usually do, so it will be slim pickins for awhile.

Flow in the Funk

I drifted away from my Pink Cheeks last week. This usually happens about every 3 months, I am just starting to recognize this pattern in myself. My 3 month funk usually involves moving all the furniture around in my house or spray painting something that I look at every day. This cycle was furniture moving. I also sewed some friendly trees. I have been wanting to make plush scenes to photograph ever since I saw The Look Book by Chris Sickles who, amazingly enough, lives in Indianapolis (go Hoosiers!).

At first, I wanted to do elaborate scenes with handmade things and found objects, but that idea never developed any legs because it was too open ended. So, now I am limiting myself to all plush scenes and I started with friendly trees (below).


I look forward to sewing plenty of props as they come to me, and then arranging them with my Pink Cheeks. Next up are homes and apartment buildings and clothing lines.