Cushioning myself in florals

Oh my goodness, I have actually been making some things for myself (and gone a bit OTT on the florals.

I also treated myself to some vintage fabric and a very jolly new jug. But enough with the boasting... much work to do getting ready for my stall later this month. 

A family in felt

PollyWhistle Badger

A long standing customer of mine got in touch early last year having seen a picture of my recent fox. She wanted three little friends as Christmas presents for three of her children. It was so satisfying using my own patterns and heritage quality materials as these were made with 100% wool felt and wool stuffing.

As you can image, I had great fun and I'm glad to say they proved very popular on Christmas day. I was even sent a picture of Super Hero badger in bed with Super Hero boy.

PollyWhistle Fox

PollyWhistle Mouse

Poppies for Paige

I'm very fortunate in that much of my work is made to commission. People get to hear about what I do and get in touch with a loose idea for a gift. This often means I get to work on celebratory pieces.

It's important to me to make everything so that it lasts. Yet when I am day dreaming that the little boy whose birth is being marked by my bunting might one day turn up at a surprise 50th Birthday party to find it hung up, that commitment becomes even stronger.

I was asked late last year to make a cushion to celebrate the birth of a little girl. She was expected in December and I would receive the name and birth date as soon as it happened. Well the little minx arrived weeks early! Thankfully she was absolutely fine (as was mum) and as she was born on 11th November it was agreed the cushion should feature poppies.

As is often the case I was so excited about getting the item delivered I didn't make time to take any good photos but here are a couple of images anyway. The customer was extremely happy and even gave me a copy of a beautiful picture of the tiny new child laying in her fathers hand. It just goes to show how much giving a bespoke gift can mean.

Memory Lane Arts Project and the Dementia Dolls

A very inspiring friend of mine, Carol Parker sets up and runs all sorts of amazing arts projects, particularly in community settings and centred around community engagement. One such project is the Memory Lane - Creative Sessions for those living with Dementia and their Carers.

Carol commissioned me to make three large art dolls with blank faces and lots of texture in the patchwork. She intends to use them in her sessions as they are cuddly and tactile and she will work with people to give them faces and personalities. Apparently this kind of working often brings out some amazing stories from people's own lives too.




UPDATE

Here is Dolly complete with hair and face. Carol worked with an older lady who described what she thought should go where as her sight and dexterity are not great. As part of this all sorts of tales came out about her time as a young lady. I think she looks fantastic.

It's begining to feel a lot like Christmas.

In my studio it is anyway as I am increasing surrounded by little Angels. These and more are for sale in my shop now.

Luck is a lady (and a gent)!

I am so lucky! The space I have been allocated for the New Mills festival Art Trail is wonderful. Not only is it easy to access and use but the people are so nice too! Here are a few pictures of my little people in situ, at the Medulla Hair Studio, on the High Street of New Mills, High Peak. For more details of the festival visit the website at www.newmillsfestival.com and www.newmillsfestival.com/ArtTrail

Foxy lady

I was recently asked to do a little appliqué for a very personal project by a wonderful customer of mine. I would love to tell the story behind it but it's not mine for the sharing. However, whilst she and some of her family were at mine for a cuppa and a chat, her daughter spotted some of my prototypes and asked for one of my foxes for her birthday. That date has gone so it is now safe to share this picture. I am so lucky to have been asked by this customer to make a range of items for celebrations and life events. It adds so much more meaning to my work and makes me feel very lucky.

Goth Girl

I do love making to order. If you get a hint of the person's interests or even personality it makes the mind spring to life with ideas. This girl was made for a young woman's Birthday gift as ordered by her godmother. Apparently she is a true blue (or should that be black?) Goth and loves all thing black. I hope she is happy with her.

New Work

My fascination with Art Dolls has finally taken over my head space and work space and I have been completely self indulgent of late developing a whole new way of making (for me) and lots of little people. Some of these are in my shop now.

Oh Oinka...

...

I love you! I know it's a bit unfair but I do think that Oinka here is my new favourite. Hand sewn from gorgeous wool blend felt, she really is a huggable little girl. I may have to make her a boyfriend!