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Granny Esme and Robert the woodsman have been sitting around waiting for me to finally finish the cat that was commissioned to go with them. I hadn't made a needle felted piece with wire inside before, so it was a bit more fiddly but I like the end result. The wire give much more structure and shape, and I think Pookie has turned out to be a fine looking black cat.
And Granny Esme thinks so too:
Now I can send them off to join Little Red and the wolf in Connecticut.
9 Comments on Granny Esme and Robert the Woodsman off to their home, last added: 4/11/2010
They are fabulous Susan! Oh they are a true treasure indeed! They are going to adore these little pieces of gold. You are the most talented woman on the face of the planet. Honest you are. You make magic with your hands and I aspire to be somewhat like you. You are amazing in a word. AMAZING!!!
Granny Esme and Robert the woodsman have been sitting around waiting for me to finally finish the cat that was commissioned to go with them. I hadn't made a needle felted piece with wire inside before, so it was a bit more fiddly but I like the end result. The wire give much more structure and shape, and I think Pookie has turned out to be a fine looking black cat.
And Granny Esme thinks so too:
Now I can send them off to join Little Red and the wolf in Connecticut.
0 Comments on Granny Esme and Robert the Woodsman off to their home as of 1/1/1900
The beginning of a new month! Spring is definitely in the air - little buds and shoots are springing up everywhere and the sun is out too. Nothing is really green yet - we are in Montreal after all, but knowing that it is coming soon feels almost as good.
Here is the piece I did for our Illustration for Kids Spring mailer:
And here is how it turned out with all of our work together:
This weekend, we plan to finally see Alice in Wonderland. It is one of my favourite books and I am a huge fan of Tim Burton. I have read some lukewarm reviews but I am holding out hope that I will love it. There are birthdays coming up and of course there will be chocolate, so the next few days are shaping up to be fun.
This looks great,love the little ducks. Enjoy Alice and let me know what you think...we've still to see it but I really want to. Birthday wishes coming your way :) ...I'll call you next week.
Alice in Wonderland was the best film I'd seen for ages. Happy memories of reading the book as a child combined with the wow factor of 3D film. Enjoy. A x ps your illustrations are really special.
The beginning of a new month! Spring is definitely in the air - little buds and shoots are springing up everywhere and the sun is out too. Nothing is really green yet - we are in Montreal after all, but knowing that it is coming soon feels almost as good.
Here is the piece I did for our Illustration for Kids Spring mailer:
And here is how it turned out with all of our work together:
This weekend, we plan to finally see Alice in Wonderland. It is one of my favourite books and I am a huge fan of Tim Burton. I have read some lukewarm reviews but I am holding out hope that I will love it. There are birthdays coming up and of course there will be chocolate, so the next few days are shaping up to be fun.
I was asked a while back if I would be interested in painting some goose eggs for an auction that would benefit Open Fields School. It was a fun project if a bit nerve wracking at the beginning because I was scared that I would break them - clumsy is my middle name! Now I just hope they travel back safely in the mail and arrive intact.
These turned out so well,I saw them on flickr but I have to say my favourite image has to be the one of Red Riding Hood where you see half of her and the wolf...very effective.
I was asked a while back if I would be interested in painting some goose eggs for an auction that would benefit Open Fields School. It was a fun project if a bit nerve wracking at the beginning because I was scared that I would break them - clumsy is my middle name! Now I just hope they travel back safely in the mail and arrive intact.
We are going to see Joanna tonight- I know that she is not to everyone's taste but we think she is an extraordinary talent. We went to see her perform a few years ago, and it was the best concert we had experienced in a long time. A great way to start the week - can't wait!
We are going to see Joanna tonight- I know that she is not to everyone's taste but we think she is an extraordinary talent. We went to see her perform a few years ago, and it was the best concert we had experienced in a long time. A great way to start the week - can't wait!
Robert the woodsman is finally finished. I made him a belt out of felt and a copper finding, added hair made from wool roving and made his axe from vintage wool and a scrap of shiny fabric:
Once I have finished needle felting the cat, I will take a group shot of them all together.
6 Comments on Robert and his trusty axe, last added: 3/8/2010
A fine woodsman you have made Susan. Granny is wonderful. The library is going to be sooooo pleased with these wonderful characters. How special. Great job as you always do. They are grand!
Robert the woodsman is finally finished. I made him a belt out of felt and a copper finding, added hair made from wool roving and made his axe from vintage wool and a scrap of shiny fabric:
Once I have finished needle felting the cat, I will take a group shot of them all together.
0 Comments on Robert and his trusty axe as of 1/1/1900
She just needs some hair and footwear, and she is done:
Robert is now sporting a pair of tartan trews:
With suspenders, of course:
*Edit* Just finished Granny - here she is with hair and fancy slippers:
And here is Granny Esme with the beginnings of a cat. The cat was commissioned as a tribute to Trina Schart Hyman. She illustrated an edition of Little Red Riding Hood that has a little black cat as her companion throughout the book.
I wasn't sure whether to make the cat out of fabric or not, but decided to give it a go with needle felting. I built an armeture out of wire, wrapped the wool roving around it, then started needle felting it, so far so good.
Susan how fabulous is this! Wonderful granny and woods man. They are going to love this. I would love to see this as a stop animation series. They are a such a delight. Great work. You've inspired me once again.
She just needs some hair and footwear, and she is done:
Robert is now sporting a pair of tartan trews:
With suspenders, of course:
*Edit* Just finished Granny - here she is with hair and fancy slippers:
And here is Granny Esme with the beginnings of a cat. The cat was commissioned as a tribute to Trina Schart Hyman. She illustrated an edition of Little Red Riding Hood that has a little black cat as her companion throughout the book.
I wasn't sure whether to make the cat out of fabric or not, but decided to give it a go with needle felting. I built an armeture out of wire, wrapped the wool roving around it, then started needle felting it, so far so good.
I have so much fun making the clothes for the dolls. It's a process of trial and error and I am never sure how they will turn out. I used to make doll's clothes the same way when I was a child, so I get quite a nostalgic feeling when I am sewing. The fabric that I use is really important to me and helps me decide what to make. For example, a piece of soft, vintage linen was perfect for Robert's work shirt and Granny Esme's underoo's, finished off with mother of pearl buttons of course. Robert is sitting with his pants on the ground ;) They will be made from a vintage tartan wool scarf - I am going for a Scottish gamekeeper style woodsman:
I used some wool roving to give them eyebrows and will also use it to make their hair at the very end. I couldn't resist making Robert's moustache - I don't think he will have a beard after all. I really like his little chin, makes him look charmingly Edwardian.
Granny Esme's skirt is made from a sweet piece of fabric that I bought with Claire at The Workroom when I was visiting Toronto. I have been waiting for the perfect project to use it and I think that this is it:
Some vintage muslin that I took from a 1940's apron makes a cute little apron and I will also use it to make Granny Esme a little bonnet. I also knitted up a little shawl, finished up with a vintage button.
Can you tell that I am having fun? I have been listening to Joanna Newsom's new 3 cd album "Have One on Me" obsessively while sewing, and that is how Granny Esme got her name (the title of one of the tracks). And I thought that Robert was a fine, Scottish name. I will finish Granny Esme's bonnet today then start working on the rest of Robert's outfit...stay tuned....
Postcard on my desk from the book Courtney by John Burningham
4 Comments on Granny Esme gets a new outfit and Robert the Woodsman grows a fine moustache, last added: 3/1/2010
I have so much fun making the clothes for the dolls. It's a process of trial and error and I am never sure how they will turn out. I used to make doll's clothes the same way when I was a child, so I get quite a nostalgic feeling when I am sewing. The fabric that I use is really important to me and helps me decide what to make. For example, a piece of soft, vintage linen was perfect for Robert's work shirt and Granny Esme's underoo's, finished off with mother of pearl buttons of course. Robert is sitting with his pants on the ground ;) They will be made from a vintage tartan wool scarf - I am going for a Scottish gamekeeper style woodsman:
I used some wool roving to give them eyebrows and will also use it to make their hair at the very end. I couldn't resist making Robert's moustache - I don't think he will have a beard after all. I really like his little chin, makes him look charmingly Edwardian.
Granny Esme's skirt is made from a sweet piece of fabric that I bought with Claire at The Workroom when I was visiting Toronto. I have been waiting for the perfect project to use it and I think that this is it:
Some vintage muslin that I took from a 1940's apron makes a cute little apron and I will also use it to make Granny Esme a little bonnet. I also knitted up a little shawl, finished up with a vintage button.
Can you tell that I am having fun? I have been listening to Joanna Newsom's new 3 cd album "Have One on Me" obsessively while sewing, and that is how Granny Esme got her name (the title of one of the tracks). And I thought that Robert was a fine, Scottish name. I will finish Granny Esme's bonnet today then start working on the rest of Robert's outfit...stay tuned....
Postcard on my desk from the book Courtney by John Burningham
0 Comments on Granny Esme gets a new outfit and Robert the Woodsman grows a fine moustache as of 1/1/1900
Last year, I was asked to make a Red Riding Hood doll and the wolf for a Red Riding Hood archive in a Connecticut library:
The library recently got back to me and asked if I would be interested in making the granny, the woodsman and a cat to go with them. I started the granny and woodsman a while ago, but have taken ages to start putting them together. So I finally sewed them up and stuffed them:
Attached the limbs:
Starting adding the features (I love this part!):
Because they start to come to life:
Next step, more fun stuff: clothing, hair and the woodsman is going to have a serious moustache and beard :)
5 Comments on Granny and Woodsman dolls, last added: 2/28/2010
Just brilliant. I too love making dolls and really enjoy when they start to take on a character of their own. I really look forward to seeing the finished dolls. A x
Last year, I was asked to make a Red Riding Hood doll and the wolf for a Red Riding Hood archive in a Connecticut library:
The library recently got back to me and asked if I would be interested in making the granny, the woodsman and a cat to go with them. I started the granny and woodsman a while ago, but have taken ages to start putting them together. So I finally sewed them up and stuffed them:
Attached the limbs:
Starting adding the features (I love this part!):
Because they start to come to life:
Next step, more fun stuff: clothing, hair and the woodsman is going to have a serious moustache and beard :)
Postcards on my desk from The Flying Boat Series by Eric Orchard and Harlequin bird by Pierre Pratt
0 Comments on Granny and Woodsman dolls as of 1/1/1900
Kind of spinning my wheels really - I feel like I am doing quite a lot of things but don't have a lot to show for it - humph!
I have not been participating in Illustration Friday as much as I would like and am finding it hard to get back into the swing of it, maybe this week.....
I have been painting a little and trying to lay down plans for future projects.
The new website is slowly moving forward - only trouble with that is, I am clueless, so I am relying heavily on my friend and neighbour Jill for help. She has been a little busy as her latest YA novel Rhythm and Blues was just launched yesterday - Yay!
What else? Well, I have been sewing some dolls for a library in Connecticut that has a Little Red Riding Hood archive. A while ago, I made Little Red and the wolf for them, and am now making the grandmother, the woodsman and a cat. They have been progressing slowly and I will post some pictures soon.
I haven't forgotten about needle felting, just got a little side tracked with some other projects. I am teaching a little needle felting workshop in March at a lovely yarn store called Ariadne and here is what we will be making:
Hee!...
I will post dates and more details when I have them, in case there are any Montrealers reading this that might be interested in coming along.
Oh how sweet is this? I wish I were near as I know my eldest daughter and I would love to take a class. It sounds like you are busy - good luck with the site..it is a daunting task. I am going to take a break from IF for awhile to work on mine by coincidence. Always great to swing by and see your sweet work!
Kind of spinning my wheels really - I feel like I am doing quite a lot of things but don't have a lot to show for it - humph!
I have not been participating in Illustration Friday as much as I would like and am finding it hard to get back into the swing of it, maybe this week.....
I have been painting a little and trying to lay down plans for future projects.
The new website is slowly moving forward - only trouble with that is, I am clueless, so I am relying heavily on my friend and neighbour Jill for help. She has been a little busy as her latest YA novel Rhythm and Blues was just launched yesterday - Yay!
What else? Well, I have been sewing some dolls for a library in Connecticut that has a Little Red Riding Hood archive. A while ago, I made Little Red and the wolf for them, and am now making the grandmother, the woodsman and a cat. They have been progressing slowly and I will post some pictures soon.
I haven't forgotten about needle felting, just got a little side tracked with some other projects. I am teaching a little needle felting workshop in March at a lovely yarn store called Ariadne and here is what we will be making:
Hee!...
I will post dates and more details when I have them, in case there are any Montrealers reading this that might be interested in coming along.
Pierre is my absolute favorite... :) I can't wait for spring, too, and these just make me want it even more! I LOVE bunnies... you really have captured a wonderfully cozy happy snuggly look for these little guys... :)
Such a simple shape but you give your bunnies such personality!! Clever you. Hope you noticed your award in previous comments. Don't worry if its not your thing but I just wanted other folks to know what a talented person you are!!
I adore your little creatures, and especially, their names just make me weepy. I was always looking for a little handmade mobile for my baby's crib when she was young-your bunnies would make such a sweet mobile. I can imagine the flying bunnies...is that odd?
Oh my goodness! I love that the creepy tree has poor Dorothy by the pigtail! I'm so happy she's still on the yellow brick road with her slippers... and look at the lushness of those trees...simply wonderful work!
normally i would be worried but i know you won't let anything happen to her or the sweet little doggie ;) love this sweet pea and so nice to see your always charmed artwork :D
Things have been a bit quiet around the old homestead. We are experiencing endless, grey snowy days which seem to add to the general feeling of stillness. But things carry on nonetheless. Here are a few snippets from this week:
*Suana is my friend and a fellow illustrator who in a moment of being frustrated with all the spam that was in one of her email accounts, deleted it all, only to find that she had deleted her whole blog along with it. Yikes! Luckily, she was able to retrieve it up to September 2009, and for the moment, you can follow it here: Suana
Holly invited illustrators to contribute their thoughts and experiences too. I am in there, along with fellow illustration buddies Holli, Jannie, Roz, Andi, Kathy and Irisz. It's a very friendly and informative book.
*I was looking through my sketchbooks the other day, and I thought it might be fun to show you the kind of things I draw when I am daydreaming and doodling:
Oooh! Love those doodles, as I think that every one of them could be a gorgeous illustration. Happy New Year, Susan! And thank you for posting about Suana..her work is wonderful!! I look forward to seeing where your path will take you next! And congratulations on the book...something I will check out now!
Lovely little creatures, Susan! Looks like you're on a good roll, despite the incessant cloudy grey weather ;D
Thanks for posting my enormous mishap and referring people to my site! Really appreciate it! Little update though: since I was able to relocate some of the archived blog, that, for some really bizarre reason has also disappeared... But I have contacted Blogger. Hope they will put an end to all this confusion. Otherwise, well, I am working on a new blog and hope to put it up soonish---
Toodle Pip! - LOVE it. The grey monotony is really getting to me, and for some reason "toodle pip" brightened me up a bit. I focus on the the bright parts so that I don't go under.
15 Comments on The Great Goose Egg Auction, last added: 3/29/2010
Wow, these are lovely! I love the fabric you used on the woodsman's pants and beautiful material details in the axe!
The cat is just beau-ti-ful!!
Wow these are amazing!! Love them! Love Granny Esme's little shoes so sweet! And the cat!
Oh! The black cat! I am enchanted with Pookie. Really. This trio is precious. What a lucky library to be having them live there.
They are purrfect!!
I think I am in love with Pookie!
Wow! they are very nice!! I love all the details!
So so cute!!!! Granny's shoes are the best!
They are fabulous Susan! Oh they are a true treasure indeed! They are going to adore these little pieces of gold. You are the most talented woman on the face of the planet. Honest you are. You make magic with your hands and I aspire to be somewhat like you. You are amazing in a word. AMAZING!!!
so cute! that is one fine feline.