making us

I have too many projects going on right now. But last week I put them all down and let myself enjoy this one just for us. The vine heart is inspired by another project I'm working on for a wedding. In the inspiration drawing, a couple is enclosed in a ring of flowers. Between that, and the jade painting, the idea of replacing a red heart with a vine came to me.

In the background of the drawing, you can see a first draft of Dave. And because I didn't erase him, it looks like a haunting creep looking over real Meg and Dave. *shudder*

I used a light box to trace the drawing onto the linen.

French knots for his curls, and outline stitch for my locks.

I used 2 strands of a beige-cream for the base of the face and nose, and then I used 1 strand of peach over it to create some dimension.

This is where I struggled to choose between a classic red heart and the heart-shaped leaves. I'm glad I went with the leaves, but that shiny red has been calling my name ever since. I have to use it for something soon.

Cutting heart shaped leaves. I had philodendron in mind.

2 strands each of green and teal to create the vine.

Outline stitch for the heart vine.

Second layer of leaves. Decisions, decisions.

<3

Held up to a light is kinda neat. This gives me ideas.

studio sunday

Bitter cold out ~ humidifier on, heat cranked, sauce simmering, earl grey steeping, and some houseplants.

It's been a chilly winter. If I don't stay active and think green, I get the cold weather blues. So tonight I'm worshipping this jade:

I hoard minis :)

clockwise from top left: mini vase from forest 13 gallery, arlington ma | the sill mini | souvenir clock from china | mini flower vase from forest 13 gallery, arlington ma | my mini teacup pin cushion | mini photos from italy, 2011

Quick paint sketch. Just started the final piece.

My next trick for staying warm is pouring a glass of red, covering myself in 13 blankets and cozying up to an episode of Downton. Hope you're all staying warm!

studio sunday

sneak peek of a wall hanging for my darling girl aly and her baby boy. more to come!

tens of thousands of stitches of love

I'm very spoiled. My Babci and my mom love to shower me in beautiful things. They're both so talented, and I'm the proud owner of many of their crafty pursuits.

My Babci cross-stitched this elaborate portrait of baby me on the beach. The stitches are immaculate, and her sense of light and color is amazing. It's like a Seurat painting.

From a distance, the stitches fade away, and it's me, from a photo on the Cape.

For Christmas this year, my mom single-crocheted a stunning blanket made of Peruvian wool. It is a deep mossy green, so natural and rich. And the best part of all - it is nearly 8 feet long. Can you believe that?! She single-crocheted a blanket tall enough for 5'9" me and 6'1" Dave to snuggle in together. Extraordinary.

It took the better part of 2013 (this afghan came to life during the sox playoffs - go sox!). I love the thought of her spending countless hours in all seasons on such a peaceful activity - and to think it was for me!

After I opened it, she remarked on something so special that I can absolutely relate to. When you make something for someone you love, you spend those peaceful hours lingering on thoughts of that person. Minutes and hours and days are dedicated to them, like setting an intention at the beginning of yoga. You put the piece down for the evening feeling accomplished, feeling love, warmth and calming energy. It's a true joy. And it makes me smile knowing my mom spent the better part of her year setting her intentions on me and Dave. Yay :)

Here's some pictures of it being put to good use on a chilly Sunday morning.

It's near-zero outside, so the only thing to do is curl up and craft. My mom is working on an afghan for herself, and I'm working on a gift for my darling.

My lovely mom crocheting herself an afghan.

Reina was waaaaay into my mom's hobby.

"I'll help."

One of my best friends is expecting her first wee babe. I may have a little something in the works ;). I'm in the delightful throws of that feeling you get making something for someone you love. I don't know this babe yet, but I love its mother with all of my heart. So I'm thinking about 20 years of knowing Aly, and what a gorgeous woman she's become, and how damn excited I am to meet this baby. It's a fun project. More on that later.

Even if it's just a note that says hello, make something for someone you love. Everybody wins!

making yuma

Oh, Yuma, you sweet jungle kitty.

For each portrait, I throw together a scrap paper envelope to keep the pattern and fabric pieces together. Sometimes the envelopes become an extension of my journal. Yuma's envelope has a quote from George Malendez Wright, age 29:

"If we destroy nature blindly, it is a boomerang which will be our undoing. Consecration to the task of adjusting ourselves to [the] natural environment so that we secure the best values from nature without destroying it is not useless idealism; it is good hygiene for civilization.”

I was probably watching National Parks: America's Best Idea. I think Yuma could survive in our wild National Parks. He's an American jungle kitty.

Yuma is a smidgen bigger than the other kitties I've sewn. I knew his jet black face would look nice against his longer, rugged gray collar, and this size seemed suitable for the juxtaposition.

To create the collar, I sewed gray loops into the bottom felt layer repeatedly. I created a large loop with my finger, gingerly pulling the needle through but not tying it off. You have to be careful not to move too quickly, and end up pulling several loops through. If you do this enough times, the shear volume of loops creates stability. Finally, I went through and cut all of the loops, leaving whispy, long gray layers.

Hope to see you again real soon Yuma!

the story of miso

Miso is a cocker-poodle. I don't know Miso very well. But I do know poodles are hypoallergenic, and I also know that they're one of the lovingest pups on the planet, so Miso is already a catch in my book.

I tried a new technique for the nose, and I'm very happy with the look.

What a sweet pup. Now, I am fond of this dog I don't know, but I have to make an example of his owner because I love my patrons and these portraits are expensive - I want you to get every penny of likeness of your pet. The picture above is challenging to make a portrait out of - the black haired dog is backlit, and he's blocked by a similarly-colored couch. I had to give my best guess at the right ear, and the mouth (your dog's smile that you love), is hard to see. The more likeness your picture has to the pet you love, the better my interpretation will be.

Here's a good example of a pet picture for my portraits:

This is Tilly! I love this picture for a few reasons: she is brightly lit - I see all of her curves and muscles, her color is rich, and that smile looks so natural - one that her owner probably recognizes very well :).

But I don't want Miso's owner to feel bad. That picture isn't bad. I'm just obsessed with making sure it's just right! :) Merry Christmas, Miso!

behind the scenes

~ with Emily O'Brien Photography

My forest animals got the professional treatment with an old friend of mine! :) Much love to Emily for helping out a sista. Her work is extraordinary, and her business advice priceless. I had a wonderful time checking out her space and catching up! I'll share the fruits of her labor soon.

A current project of mine (tiny black dot) rests on this fabulous vintage chaise.