Beautiful simple

A moth, of all things, has shown me a beauty that can be found in simplicity. This moth has been living in our bathroom for the past two days and we have all noticed it and commented on its presence.

Something about its color and shape in contrast to the pale eggshell blue backdrop…

The little tear in its wing.

This moth will stay.

In contrast, I have been working on some highly detailed felting and have enjoyed the challenge and the valuable things I have learned from the process. However, I miss the simplicity of design of my previous work. More is not always better.

And I have a wool’s nemesis to thank for the reminder.

Custom Orders

I really enjoy making custom orders for people – usually one time only – because the figuring out is most of the fun! As I was searching through old photos this morning, looking for a certain image, I came across a lot of custom orders that I had forgotten about. So, here are a few of my favorites! Feel free to think up some of your own

I made this 3 times

This was tough and fun. If I had to make it again it might be painful

This was super fun! The Cheshire cat is now a permanent fixture in my store

I made this for one of my very favorite British friends. She has a Cotton Candy business called Candy Queens and they all wear wigs.

so. much.fun. I LOVED making Miss Piggy!

This was a challenge! Luckily it was for an adult or that antenna would be gone in a second.

LOVE HIM!

Slash. The first time I made curly hair

The big nose was fun

hahaha Jimi

proud of this one.

Cute little kitty as part of a family portrait. Was really happy with the teary eyed look.

Thanks for looking!!!

Holiday Sticker Fun

I bought a packet of Christmas stickers from the local craft store and gave them to Asher with a pile of white paper to see what he would do.

Oh what a happy holiday scene!!!!

Then Grandpa wanted a turn….

Oh Grandpa…

Yoda Pancakes!

My wonderful friend, Lanette, had a brilliant idea. Blend a bunch of fresh spinach leaves in with your regular pancake recipe, call them ‘Yoda pancakes’ and make your kids grin from ear to ear. The colors are Christmassy too!

Even Grandpa ate one. But the adult version. With full fat yogurt, blackberries and maple syrup .

YUMMY!!!!

Inspiration

Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that motivates a new creation.
Today, I rounded up the boys for a walk to a large grassy area opposite our house. It’s full of Oak, Eucalyptus and Silk Floss trees and green rolling hills. I had in mind that we would collect lots and lots of sticks and twigs and acorns that had been blown down by the strong winds from the day before. When we had gathered enough, I planned on decorating them with paints and pastels.
Armed with a large bag and 2 eager boys, we marched across the street and started to collect many things. Sometimes it’s the preparation that is the most fun part and we had a good time fantasizing about the things we found, walking in the beautiful California sunshine.
While I was there, I found a twig. It was beautiful and golden with some leaves still attached and a little acorn cap clinging on for dear life. Instantly, I pictured a cute little bird inside the acorn cap nest. All day, I couldn’t wait to get around to making it.
So tonight, I finally did. I tied a red ribbon to either end of the twig and that sweet little branch that blew down in the wind now has a new purpose in life.

Bird on a twig

HaPpInEsS Is pLAyInG WiTh yOur foOd

Last night, after the kids went to bed, I drew Jack-O-Lantern faces on a bunch of clementines and put them in a bowl. I felt a bit silly about standing in the kitchen drawing on fruit, especially when my husband walked in and I had to explain what I was doing.

I couldn’t wait to show the boys in the morning to see what they would do with them.

This is the face Asher pulls when he’s trying real hard not to smile because he is so excitedly happy.

Lining them up and checking the expressions.

Introducing some of their own characters…

Jasper drew Mr. Spaghetti and Asher introduced Grandpa shrunken apple.

Play play play!

Love

Full blown happy

I discovered this by myself

Inspired today by these quotes:

“Be careful what you teach. It might interfere with what they are learning.” Magda Gerber.

“When you teach a child something you take away forever his chance of discovering it for himself.” Jean Piaget

There is nothing so fulfilling, exciting and thrilling for me as to discover something new while exploring my craft. Wool is such a versatile medium that I feel I’ve only just touched the surface of discovering its properties. Learning the basics from YouTube instructions, I ordered some wool and tools and set myself to exploring.

Years ago, I taught painting and drawing to undergraduate students and had a really hard time ‘teaching’ them how to draw. For me, the artistic process is a fine balance of seeing, playing, discovery and realization. Many of the students wanted me to tell them how to draw, what to draw and tell them which things worked and which didn’t. I know that a lot of this was motivated by trying to please me to receive a high grade. At the time I had no idea that my discomfort with telling people how to be creative would mirror my parenting style.

Now with two small children, I mostly direct their learning from exploring the world. They discover, experiment and play and I would never dream of telling them what to play or how to play it.

I am that Mum who gives her children Play Doh and lets them mix all the colors together, who puts a lump of beeswax into their hands to see what they do with it. I am that Mum who dumps all the Legos onto a big blanket and tells the kids, “Have at it.” I let them draw with Sharpies on their toys and then experiment with different things to try and get it off again.

I am the Mum who lets her kids paint their own faces to see the joy and empowerment glowing in their eyes.

I am that Mum who begrudgingly gave into the fact that her littlest was a weapons lover and agreed to print out over fifty guns from Google so that he could draw all over them.

Asher and Jasper have created some magical things and come up with ideas I had never dreamed possible and I am along for the wonderful ride.